Friends' Central School Directions Summer 2009

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Friends’ Central School

Friends’ Central

Directions Summer 2009

Commencement 2009

Friends’ Central

Directions Summer 2009

2008-2009 Board of Trustees

Commencement is a special moment here at Friends’ Central. Under the towering trees of Commencement Terrace, cheered on by a field of parents, teachers, and friends, our most recent graduating class sits tall and proud. A name is called, a hand shaken, a diploma passed on and one more Friends’ Central graduate returns to his or her seat, prepared for adventure, discovery, and the responsibilities and rewards of citizenship.

This year’s class heads off to 59 different colleges—more than half of them to schools from which they received early decision offers or schools they declared from the outset as their top choice. They are scholars, leaders, athletes, artists and activists, and they head off to study English, chemistry, theater, religion, philosophy, history, and engineering.

Eighteen of them will play college sports.

One of them has a dual enrollment.

Nineteen percent of them received National Merit recognition. By virtually any objective measure, the Friends' Central School Class of 2009 enjoyed outstanding success in this year's college admissions process, and they have left a lasting imprint on our School.

The class of 2009 promises to do great things, and we all look forward to hearing about their adventures, their challenges, and their successes when they return to their alma mater, as we hope they do, each Reunion year. I am confidant that whichever paths they follow,

Cover: David M. Felsen awards Jona Shreeve-Taylor ’09 her diploma.

Photo by Hilary Takiff Weiss ’96

Hilary Takiff Weiss ’96

Dear Friends,

these graduates will carry with them the values that made their time here at Friends’ Central so important, the values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, stewardship, and equality.

Reunion this year was a wonderful testament to Friends’ Central’s enduring impact. More than 600 alumni/ae, family, and friends returned in May and brought with them not only tales of their most recent adventures and challenges, but also vivid memories of the time they spent here and the relationships they formed.

Over and over again we heard about the way Friends’ Central continues to shape their lives.

This summer issue of Directions celebrates our recent graduates and our Reunion year alumni/ae. In so doing, it highlights the remarkable spirit that distinguishes a Friends’ Central education.

Sincerely,

David M. Felsen Headmaster

Ann V. Satterthwaite, Clerk Peter P. Arfaa James B. Bradbeer, Jr. Adrian Castelli Kenneth Dunn Kaye Edwards George Elser Jean Farquhar ’70 Victor Freeman ’80 Christine Gaspar ’70 Robert Gassel ’69 Edward Grinspan Walter Harris ’75 Sally Harrison Karen Horikawa ’77 Deborah Hull Michael C. Kelly Matthew S. Levitties ’85 Craig Lord Hillard Madway Ed Marshall ’68 Carol Mongeluzzi Suzanne Morrison Jeffrey Purdy Lawrence S. Reichlin Marsha Rothman Jonathan Sprogell James Wright Barbara M. Cohen, Emerita Joanna Haab Schoff ’51, Emerita

2008-2009 Alumni/ae Board Mallory Floyd '96, Co-President Aaron Selkow '88, Co-President Rachel Newman Schwartz '89, Vice President Bess Collier '96, Secretary Jeffrey Brody '98 Gail Carter Zuagar '97 Anne Dufour Clouser '50 Alice Hess Crowell '46 Andrea Deutsch '85 David Ellis '51 Melanie McCarthy Frick '94 Bill Georges '88 Ruba Habtemicael '96 Susan Kelsay '59 Peter Klein '87 Patrick Lord '90 Jane Cubberley Luce '68 Clio Mallin '96 Latifah McMullin '99 Donald Reimenschneider '52 Alexander Schall '86 Barbara Weinberg '79 Jessica Zeldin '88 Immediate Past President Andrew Newcomb '87

Contents Head of School David M. Felsen Editor Rebecca H. Anderson Director of Communications Art Director, Designer Suzanne DeMott Gaadt Gaadt Perspectives, LLC Development Office Staff Lydia A. Martin Director of Development Linda Waxman Wasserman ’75 Director of Alumni/ae Affairs James P. Brennan Director of Annual Giving Joel F. W. Price Webmaster/Data Specialist Leigh Browning Assistant Director of Communications Jody Mayer Alumni/ae Relations and Annual Giving Assistant M. Brom Snyder Development Office Associate Denise Koehler Morris Development Office Secretary Monica Peterson Development Office Secretary

Feature 16 Commencement 2009

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22 Reunion 2009

Departments

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2 Campus Log 2 Celebrating the Earth 4 Earth Day at Cobbs Creek 7 Senior Performances

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8 Portrait Exhibition 10 Spring Athletics 12 Awards 29 In Support 30 Fun Run 31 Thank you volunteers!

32 Archives

Printer Garrison Printing Company Photography: Hilary Takiff Weiss ‘96, Michael Tolbert, Leigh Browning, Rebecca Anderson We welcome any comments, letters, photographs, and suggestions for future issues. Please send all communications to: Editor, Directions Friends’ Central School 1101 City Avenue Wynnewood, PA 19096 randerson@friendscentral.org Visit Friends’ Central on the web at www.friendscentral.org

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Lower School

Pennies for Peace

Celebrating the Earth

This spring, the Lower School library sponsored a service project called "Pennies for Peace" that brought students from pre-k through fourth grade together for an important cause. The students collected pennies over several months for the Central Asia Institute, which seeks to provide community-based education, especially for girls, in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In these countries, one penny can provide one pencil, fifteen pennies can provide a notebook, and $600 can provide one teacher's annual salary. The "Pennies for Peace" project showed FCS Lower Schoolers that they can make a difference on a global scale, one penny at a time. Ultimately the students collected a staggering total of 83,249 pennies—$832.49—for the Central Asia Institute!

Friends' Central Lower School students recognized Earth Day in April with an all-School festival. The Middle School Earth Force team joined the Lower Schoolers for a variety of activities and games. Outside, they tried to determine species of trees by hugging them blindfolded, got rides in a wheelbarrow labeled "public transport" from science teacher Peter Grove, and explored a solar energy display hooked up to a CD player. In the gym, students looked at worms under microscopes, spoke to a representative from Riverbend Environmental Education Center, and got their faces painted by the Middle Schoolers. Everyone enjoyed learning about protecting the Earth during their lively shared celebration.

Top: Students from the class of ’19 show how many pennies the Lower School raised. Front row (from left) L. Christian Jeter, Julie Pozzuolo, Simone Mutz, Benjamin Klein, Quinn Balitsaris, James Cohn, Sydney Parmet, Noah Condiff, Zoe Shoemaker, Dylan Mitchell. Back row (from left) Tori Lane, Nayah Moore, Emma Velinsky, Andrew van Beuren, Thomas Bradbeer, Hannah Grossman, Carson Lonner, Sarah Bergmann.

Top right: Erik Williams shows how solar energy works.

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Bottom right: Robert Saligman '17, David Greenfield '17, and Dennis Roberts '17.

Friends’ Central

Principal for the Day On Friday, May 15th, Matthew Fiebach ’18 had the honor of being named Principal for the Day. As Principal, Matthew instituted a Schoolwide pajama day and declared the weekend homework-free. He also kindly proposed that teachers receive double pay for the month, but his powers could only extend so far!

Left: Matthew with real Lower School principals Joe Ludwig ’69 and Lou DelSoldo.

Spring Performances In the spring term, Lower School students put on a number of colorful and educational performances for their peers and families.

Above: Jack Briggs' third graders performed "Ballplayer," based on a traditional American Indian story.

Center right: 1C performs for the Upper School.

Bottom right: Kaan Yilmaz ‘20, Nichols Sperans ‘20, and Caroline Blackman ‘20 perform as Japanese wrestlers in the 1B play “Four Strong Women.”

Directions Summer 2009

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Middle School

Water for the World Project

Earth Day at Cobbs Creek In May, Friends’ Central School eighth graders joined forces with the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center in celebration of Earth Day. As part of the program, the Friends’ Central students demonstrated to Turner Middle School students how to test the water for various chemical levels such as oxygen and nitrate and determine the general health of the stream area. The students were excited to share their knowledge with other middle school students in the hope that everyone will begin to understand and care more about water quality in the Philadelphia area.

Later in the morning, Mayor Nutter came to visit the Center and spoke to the students about their analysis of Cobbs Creek, which he was pleased to find is in relatively good health!

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Top left: River Yockey ’13 takes a sample from the creek.

Five Friends’ Central eighth graders who are members of the Earth Force group “Water for the World” recently completed a phenomenal service project that involved the entire Middle School.

At the beginning of the year, science teacher Doug Ross told his eighth graders that he wanted them to participate in some kind of project of their choosing that would make a difference in the world. Suzy Bernstein, Victoria Gillison, Marielle Greenblatt, Ashley Tedesco, and Rachel Weiss truly took his suggestion to heart. Through the Earth Force program, they were able to attend a Fairmount Park Water Works seminar featuring Aldo Magazzeni, founder of the Traveling Mercies charity organization.

Aldo’s mission is to help poor communities around the world gain access to clean water, and he has focused particularly on villages in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan’s remote villages at the base of mountains, fresh water can only be accessed at high altitudes. Women and children in these societies bear the responsibility of retrieving fresh water for their communities, which takes away time that could be used for their education. Aldo’s solution has been to design simple gravity-powered water systems

Above: Claudia Kronfeld ’13 interviewed by Fox News Below: Claudia Kronfeld ’13, Aubrey Faggen ’13, Mackenzie Melman ’13, Thomas Fakharzadeh ’13, Mayor Nutter, Harper Estey ’13, River Yockey ’13, and Jason Clough ’13.

Friends’ Central

Phoenix Game Day that use pipes and basins to carry the water from the tops of the mountains down to the villages. He provides the means and materials, and local workers install and operate the system.

The five eighth-grade girls were inspired by Aldo’s elegant and practical way of making a difference in the world and decided to involve their peers in raising money to help build a water system in Afghanistan. Knowing that a little incentive would go a long way, the students came up with a plan that they knew would inspire everyone in the Middle School: raffling off a night of no homework. They sold tickets for $2 each. The homeroom that bought the most tickets would automatically receive a night of no homework, and if the girls managed to raise $900, the whole Middle School would have a night with no homework. The five fundraisers breezed past this goal and managed to raise over $1,200!

Below: Doug Ross, Suzy Bernstein ’13, Ashley Tedesco ’13, Aldo Magazzeni, Marielle Greenblatt ’13, and Rachel Weiss ’13. (Not pictured: Victoria Gillison ’13)

Above: Marielle Greenblatt ’13, Zachary Kratchman ’13, Nathan Willis ‘13, Mackenzie Melman ’13.

On Thursday, June 4th, Middle Schoolers wrapped up the year with Phoenix Game Day, an exciting day of competition that divides the Middle School into four color teams, red, yellow, green, and blue.

Phoenix Game Day evolved from the old Blue and Gray day in the Upper School, and has now become a beloved tradition in the Middle School. Students competed in water balloon tosses, three-legged races, and much more. Ultimately the Yellow team triumphed, but the day of spirited competition was equally enjoyed by all!

Grade 8 Showcase As is tradition, the eighth grade class put on a showcase at the end of the year for the FCS community. This year's showcase was "The Best of Times: Works by Jerry Herman."

Above left: Janelle Purnell ’13, Rachel Weiss ’13, Nathan Willis ’13, Andrew Nadkarni ’13; above: Ryan Cassidy ’13.

Middle School Concert The Middle School Concert on May 15th featured the Fifth Grade Chorus, the Middle School Chorus, the Middle School Orchestra, and the Middle School Jazz Band.

Directions Summer 2009

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Upper School

Studying Shakespeare Two members of the Friends’ Central community are planning to take advantage of exciting opportunities to study the works of William Shakespeare.

Drama teacher Terry Guerin has been awarded the British University Summer

School Scholarship by the English Speaking Union of the United States. The Scholarship will provide Terry with the opportunity to attend a three-week course, “Teaching Shakespeare Through Performance,” at the Globe Theater in London. The program has teachers attend Globe productions and work with

theater artists and Globe Education practitioners, in addition to putting on their own scenes on the Globe stage!

Terry’s student, Lizzy Marmon ’09, is also anticipating a special opportunity to study Shakespeare. Lizzy has been chosen for the Dean’s Scholars in Shakespeare Program at George Washington University. The co-curricular program allows a select group of students to study the works of Shakespeare and perform in his plays, taking advantage of resources provided by the Folger Shakespeare Library, The Shakespeare Theater, and the GW Department of Theatre and Drama. In the spring, students in the program travel to London, where they meet with the head of The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, visit the Stratford Festival Theater, and take a day trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Top left: Lizzy Marmon ’09 and Terry Guerin

Poetry Elective In April, University of Pennsylvania English professor and Friends’ Central parent Al Filreis came to the FCS campus to work with English teacher Liza Ewen’s Upper School poetry elective. In previous years, Al has visited classes in the Lower School, and last year he also held a workshop for English and language arts teachers at Penn. Because the Friends’ Central poetry elective is a relatively new course, Liza collaborated with Al throughout the year on the syllabus. During his visit to FCS, the students worked on close reading and had a lively conversation about three different poems by Emily Dickinson, Frank O’Hara, and Bob Perelman. In May, the poetry elective had a follow-up visit at the University’s Kelly Writers’ House to work with Al and six Philadelphia poets (Sarah Dowling, Michelle Taransky, John Timpane, CAConrad, Randall Couch, and Tom Devaney). Al invited the poets to bring one of their favorite poems and discuss their own writing with the FCS students.

Liza considered the collaboration a tremendous success, writing, “I think the best part of the experience was the diversity. The students not only had the chance to find out how Al Filreis reads 6

and teaches poetry (and the ways in which it was similar, different, complementary to my approach) but they had the chance to learn from six poets themselves--there’s something about an artist talking about his/her own art that cannot be captured by the best of teachers or scholars.” Al was equally pleased: “All six of the poets in one way or another expressed pleasure and astonishment at how smart and articulate and game the students were. FCS students are serious without being stiff or pedantic or closedminded. They’re loose and fun and intellectually flexible. These attributes are the perfect combination when one is trying

Above: Left side (from left): Matthew Frank ’10, Rich Olson ’10, George Gordon ’10, Christian Weber ’10, Jonathan Hewson ’10, R. Kyle Fullerton ’10. Right side (from left): Emily Bach ’10, Emma Fox ’10, Natasha Willis ’10, Arielle Fogel ’10, Gabriella Capone ’10, Front: (from left) Liza Ewen and Al Filreis.

to understand poetry. At the Writers House I found them to be non-judgmental, non-prejudicial. This is crucial for engaging in intellectual ventures.”

You can watch the poets speaking to the Friends’ Central students here: http://writing.upenn.edu/pennsound/x/Si x-Poets-Teach.html Friends’ Central

Senior Performances In June, a number of seniors presented their Senior Projects to parents and friends in Shallcross Hall.

Left: John Armstrong ’09, Anthony DeCusatis ’09, and Curtis Pawley ’09 act in John's adaptation of the musical Ribbons of War. Below: Emily Ziffer ’09 plays a tango on her flute.

Spring Service (Clockwise from top left): Nicholas DeFina ’12 and C. Myles Everett ’12 filing at the American Friends Service Committee; Elizabeth McMorris ’10, Ariel Parker ’11, Ian Dumoff ’10, Matthew Weinberg ’12, David DeLeon ’11 at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge at Tinicum; Phyllis Gallagher, Aengus Culhane ’11, and Angelique Benrahou ’10 work on the Friends’ Central Upper School campus; Lee Gratz ’11, Adam Posner ’11, John Armstrong ‘09, Samuel Brodfuehrer ’12, Munir Abdus Shakur ’12, Brice Goldberg ’12 working at Lower Merion Conservancy, which strives to preserve the natural and historic resources of Lower Merion, Narberth, and the surrounding area; Brianna Guindon ’12 plays Bingo at Saunders House, a long-term care center for older adults; Roshan Negahban ’11 and Jennifer Siegel ’10 pack food for MANNA, which delivers meals to people with life-threatening illnesses in the Delaware Valley. Photos by Hilary Takiff Weiss ’96.

Directions Summer 2009

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Upper School: Portrait Exhibition

Above left: Sarah Shaw ’10, by Andrew Kelly ’09 Olivia Gillison ’10 at the pool, by Sarah Shaw ’10 Above right: Mathew Frank ’10, by Stephen Nemroff ’09 Dad at work, by Mathew Frank ’10 Left: Melanie Sachs ’11, by Sean Doerrman ’11 Lucas Sachs, by Melanie Sachs ’11

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Friends’ Central

Above left: Anne Estey ’10, by Aaron Reichlin ’10 Becca K, by Anne Estey ’10 Above right: Sakina Abdus Shakur ’09, by Sam Spector ’11 Munir Shakur ’12, by Sakina Abdus Shakur ’09 Left: Nicole Deutschman ’09, by Dominic Morris ’10 Aaron Levy Diver, by Nicole Deutschman ’09

Directions Summer 2009

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Spring Athletic Wrap-Up

BASEBALL

BOYS’ TENNIS

Record: 5-5 League; 10-10 Overall Coach: Ross Trachtenberg ’98 Assistant Coaches: Kyle Beatty, Mike Primiani, Tim Kirk ’04 Captains: Peter Liebman ’09, Andrew Kelly ’09, Ricky Moses ’09 MVP: Ricky Moses ’09, Ed Rooney ’10 MIP: Daniel Rosner ’09

Record: 9-0 League; 10-1 Overall Coach: Bill Sember Assistant Coach: Hardy Baker Captains: Alex Margolies ’10, Matt Trichon ’09 MVP: Alex Margolies ’10 MIP: Declan Hahn ’12

All Friends Schools League Ricky Moses ’09, Ed Rooney ’10, Alex Yih ’10 (1st Team) All Main Line Ricky Moses ’09, Ed Rooney ’09 (1st Team); Alex Yih ’10 (2nd Team); Peter Liebman ’09 (HM)

All Friends Schools League Ilan Dreyfuss ’12, Declan Hahn ’12, Alex Margolies ’10, Sam Spector ’11 (1st Team); Jeremy Stursberg ’09 (HM) All Main Line Declan Hahn ’12, Alex Margolies ’10, Sam Spector ’11 (1st Team); Ilan Dreyfuss ’12, Matt Trichon ’09, Jeremy Stursberg ’09 (2nd Team)

SOFTBALL Record: 2-7 League; 2–8 Overall Coach: Tony Coladonato Assistant Coaches: Steve Colucci, Tara Colantuono Captains: Anne Estey ’10, Sophia Grillo ’10 MVP: Caroline Satalof ’11 MIP: Ella Torres ’12 All Friends Schools League Jessica Cooper ’11 (1st Team); Caroline Satalof ’11 (HM) All Main Line Caroline Satalof ’11, Jessica Cooper ’11 (1st Team); Nicole Deutschman ’09 (2nd Team); Hannah Shaw ’10 (HM)

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BOYS’ LACROSSE Record: 2-3 League; 4-6 Overall Coach: J.B. Bowie Assistant Coaches: Dean Granoff ’04, Eric Carlson Captains: Emmett Culhane ’09, Andrew Fusselbaugh ’09, Matt Hyman ’09, Brett Richardson ’09, Jake Schutzman ’09 MVP: Andrew Fusselbaugh ’09 MIP: Michael Michnowicz ’12 All Main Line Andrew Fusselbaugh ’09 (1st Team); Emmett Culhane ’09 (2nd Team); Michael Michnowicz ’12 (HM) GIRLS’ TRACK

GIRLS’ LACROSSE Record: 5-3 League; 9-3 Overall Coach: Lauren Becker Rubin ’83 Assistant Coach: Diana Bleakley ’01 Captains: Emily Belkoff ’10, Emily Brodsky ’10 MVP: Emily Belkoff ’10, Emily Brodsky ’10 MIP: Jaime Clough ’10, Claire Harris ’11 All Friends School League Emily Belkoff ’10, Emily Brodsky ’10, Jaime Hyman ’11, Kaitlyn McCaffrey ’10, Grace Pearlman ’10 (1st Team), Becca Dahle ’12 (HM) All Main Line Emily Belkoff ’10, EmilyBrodsky ’10 (1st Team); Becca Dahle ’12, Kaitlyn McCaffrey ’10, Grace Pearlman ’10 (2nd Team); Phoebe Harris ’09, Megan Holt ’10, Jaime Hyman ’11 (HM)

Record: 2-2 League; 2-2-1 Overall Coach: Venetia Ricketts Assistant Coaches: Jernell Mapp, Brandon Shell, Andy Coval, Mark Fifer, Keenan Willis ’03 MVP: Libby Fifer ’09, Imani Shell ’12 MIP: Xavia Hobson ’12 All Friends Schools League Libby Fifer ’09, Madelena Rizzo ’10, Imani Shell ’12 (1st Team) All Main Line Libby Fifer ’09, Madelena Rizzo ’10, Imani Shell ’12 (1st Team); Erica Bash ’09, Meghan Cartafalsa ’12, Samantha Greenberg ’10 (2nd Team); Xavia Hobson ’12 (HM)

Friends’ Central

Photos by Mike Tolbert.

BOYS’ TRACK Record: 2-2 League; 2-5 Overall Coach: Tony DeSabato Assistant Coaches: READ DeSabato ’02, Sky Dumont, Mark Fifer, Keenan Willis ’03, Andy Coval Captains: Anthony DeCusatis ’09, Patrick DeSabato ’09, Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09, Christian Weber ’10, Hal Woodin ’09 MVP: Patrick DeSabato ’09, Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09, Hal Woodin ’09 MIP: Alex Sheltzer ’11 All Friends Schools League Patrick DeSabato ’09, Jordan Grossman ’09, Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09 (1st Team) All Main Line Patrick DeSabato ’09, Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09, Hal Woodin ’09 (1st Team); Peter Chawaga ’09, Jordan Grossman ’09, Alex Sheltzer ’11 (2nd Team); Kyle Fullerton ’10, Dan Segall ’11 (HM) GOLF Record: 1-7 League; 3-8 Overall Coach: Tom MacFarlane Assistant Coach: Padraig Barry Captain: Ben Bersoff ’09 MVP: Ben Bersoff ’09 MIP: Sean Doerrman ’11 All Friends Schools League Ben Bersoff ’09, Matt Fedder ’11 (1st Team) All Main Line Ben Bersoff ’09, Matt Fedder ’11 (2nd Team)

Directions Summer 2009

ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT AWARDS (Below, from left) Pat DeSabato ’09 (Outstanding Senior Athlete), Nicole Deutschman ’09 (Florence Jackson Award), Erica Bash ’09 (Outstanding Senior Athlete), Phoebe Harris ’09 (Florence Jackson Award), Brett Richardson ’09 (David Kirk Award)

COLLEGE BOUND ATHLETES (Above, from left) (Front row) Erica Bash (Cross Country, Indoor Track, Track and Field) Muhlenberg College; Nicole Deutschman (Field Hockey) Dickinson College; Libby Fifer (Track and Field) Wheaton College; Jillian Glen (Cross Country, Indoor Track, Track and Field) Muhlenberg College; Ariel Several (Tennis) Johns Hopkins University; Patrick DeSabato (Cross Country, Indoor Track, Track and Field) Providence College (Middle row) Emily Rosenblum (Tennis) Swarthmore College; Peter Liebman (Baseball/Golf) University of Rochester; Max Gilbert (Swimming) Amherst College; John Armstrong (Swimming) Williams College; Max Kaplan (Wrestling) Wesleyan Univeristy; Tom Ringe (Swimming) Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Back row) Emmett Culhane (Lacrosse) Haverford College; Hal Woodin (Track and Field) Syracuse University; Andrew Fusselbaugh (Lacrosse) Washington and Lee College; Brandon Laing (Basketball) Lafayette College; Ricky Moses (Baseball) Spartanburg Methodist College Missing: Ivo Milic Straklj (Cross-Country, Indoor Track, Track and Field) Haverford College

Most Valuable Players (Above, from left) (Front row) Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09 (Boys’ Track), Emily Brodsky ’10 (Girls’ Lacrosse) Middle Row (l to r): Caroline Satalof ’11 (Softball), Emily Belkoff ’10 (Girls’ Lacrosse), Pat DeSabato ’09 (Boys’ Track), Hal Woodin ’09 (Boys’ Track), Alex Margolies ’10 (Boys’ Tennis), Imani Shell ’12 (Girls’ Track), Libby Fifer ’09 (Girls’ Track) (Back row) Ben Bersoff ’09 (Golf), Andrew Fusselbaugh ’09 (Boys’ Lacrosse), Ricky Moses ’09 (Baseball) Most Improved Players (Bottom, from left) (Front row) Jaime Clough ’10 (Girls’ Lacrosse), Claire Harris ’11 (Girls’ Lacrosse), Ella Torres ’12 (Softball), Xavia Hobson ’12 (Girls’ Track) (Back row) Declan Hahn ’12 (Boys’ Tennis), Sean Doerrman ’11 (Golf), Dan Rosner ’09 (Baseball), Alex Sheltzer ’11 (Boys’ Track), Michael Michnowicz ’12 (Boys’ Lacrosse)

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All School: Awards Upper School Academic Awards: (front row, l-r): Emily Ziffer ’09 (Language Award), Natalie Willis ’09 (Language Award), Rae Reichlin ’10 (Ramsey Award for Prose), Nicholas DeFina ’12 (The Poets and Playwrights Prize). (Back row, l-r): Jason Kirschner ’09 (Science Award), Jennifer Simon ’09 (Language Award), Emily Harnett ’09 (History Prize Paper), Mitchell Johnston ’11 (Mathematics Award). Not pictured: Charlotte Bassett ’09 (Language Award)

Upper School Awards: The Benjamin V. Ogden Award recognizes students who are uniquely aware of their spiritual, mental, and social responsibilities as citizens.

The Calvin Rankin ’43 Award recognizes students who are worthy representatives of the high ideals for which Calvin is remembered—a love of great music, a gift for discriminating writing, and a character of gentleness and integrity. The Leola Adelaide Smith ’74 Award is given to students who have an appreciation for cultural and intellectual pursuits and at the same time are sensitive to the beauty in nature as well as in people.

(Front row, l-r): Eric Sorensen ’09 (Leola Adelaide Smith Memorial Award), Natalie Willis ’09 (Calvin Rankin Award), Elisabeth Fifer ’09 (Benjamin V. Ogden Award), Gabriella Wachs ’09 (Leola Adelaide Smith Memorial Award), Charlotte Bassett ’09 (Benjamin V. Ogden Award), Sakina Abdus-Shakur ’09 (Benjamin V. Ogden Award). (Back row, l-r): Brett Richardson ’09 (Benjamin V. Ogden Award), Michael Rubin ’09 (Calvin Rankin Award), Amy Corenswet ’09 (Leola Adelaide Smith Memorial Award), and David Simins ’09 (Calvin Rankin Award). Not pictured: Christina Hurley ’09 (Calvin Rankin Award), Sarah Backal-Balik ‘09 (Leola Adelaide Smith ‘74 Award)

The Music Award is given in recognition of loyalty, service and contributions to the Music Department. The recipient demonstrated excellence in composition, performance and academic achievement. Jacob Snider ’09 and Emily Ziffer ’09.

The Susan Durnford Snipes Award recognizes outstanding contributions made by seniors to community service in the School. The John H. McCollum Award is given by the Home & School Association to seniors who represent the spirit of collaboration and modesty that John McCollum brought to the community. (Front row, l-r): Phoebe Harris (John H. McCollum Award), Elisabeth Fifer (Susan Durnford Snipes Award), Jenna Paul-Shultz (Susan Durnford Snipes Award), Rebecca Horowitz (Susan Durnford Snipes Award), Elizabeth Mitnick (John H. McCollum Award), (back row, l-r): Andrew Kelly (John H. McCollum Award), Lizzy Marmon (John H. McCollum Award), Jason Kirschner (Susan Durnford Snipes Award), Julia Ellis-Kahana (Susan Durnford Snipes Award), Stephen Nemroff (Susan Durnford Snipes Award).

Not pictured: Ivo Milic-Strkalj ’09 (John H. McCollum Award) 12

Friends’ Central

Top National Merit Honors. Five FCS seniors received National Merit Scholarships this spring. The National Merit Scholarship Program singles out students based on their performance on the PSAT, their academic record, school recommendations, and other accomplishments. National Merit Scholarship Recipients: (front row, l-r): Rebecca Horowitz, Jennifer Simon. (Back row, l-r): Jason Kirschner, Natalie Willis, and Jacob Schutzman.

This year, Friends’ Central School is proud to announce that 18 seniors have been inducted into the Cum Laude Society. The Cum Laude Society “recognizes academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence (Areté), justice (Diké) and honor (Timé).”

Congratulations to: Back Row (from left) Jonathan Edelstein, Michael Rubin, Amy Corenswet, David Simins, Andrew Kelly, Max Gilbert, Julia Ellis-Kahana, and Jacob Schutzman. Front row (from left) Pat DeSabato, Jason Kirschner, Emily Ziffer, Natalie Willis, Phoebe Harris, Jenna PaulSchultz, Elizabeth Mitnick, and Jennifer Simon. Not pictured: Sarah Backal-Balik, Ivo Milic-Strkalj

National French Honors. Three Friends’ Central seniors received medals in Le Grand Concours, a national French contest. The annual competition is sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French, and invites students from grades 1-12 across the United States and abroad to take a written test to show their skills in the French language. Charlotte Bassett, Jennifer Simon, and Emily Ziffer

Directions Summer 2009

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All School: Awards

This spring, Friends’ Central honored 28 Upper School students for their commitment to community service. The Service Award recognizes students who have worked 40 or more hours for nonprofit agencies outside of the Friends’ Central community. As always, this year’s group of students served at a great variety of agencies, including Lankenau Hospital, Saunders House, PAWS, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the American Cancer Society. Pictured are the 2008-2009 Service Award Recipients (back row, from left): Charlotte James ’10, Sarah Weingarten ’10, Hannah Shaw ’10, Chelsea Pasahow ’10, (front row, from left): Louis Lesser ’11, David Yarnell ’12, Alexi Several ’11, Emily Brodsky ’10, Natasha Sultan ’10, Jeffrey Horowitz ’10, Ephraim Frankel ’10. Not pictured: Daniel Adelson ’09, Taylor Anderson ’10, Katherine Drebin ’11, Jonathan Edelstein ’09, Anne Estey ’10, R. Kyle Fullerton ’10, Drew Kopicki ’11, Rebecca Horowitz ’09, Michelle Kaplan ’10, Aaron Reichlin ’10, Thomas Ringe ’09, Jessie Rohrer ’11, Emily Roll ’12, Katherine Roll ’11, Elisabeth Rubin ’11, Ariel Several ’09, and David Weinberger ’11.

Friends’ Central sophomore Jane Gordon ’11 earned National First Place honors in the French exam Le Grand Concours. The contest, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of French, attracted over 101,487 students from all 50 states.

Middle School Citizenship Awards were given to eighth graders (from left): Michael Furey (Jacqueline Frances O’Neill “Enthusiasm and Spirit” Award), Suzanne Bernstein (Jaqueline Frances O’Neill “Enthusiasm and Spirit” Award), Nathan Willis (Frank M. Groff “Sportsmanship and Friendship” Award), William Block (Ida Hill Cahn “Peace Through Service” Award), and Anna Lynn-Palevsky (Ida Hill Cahn “Peace Through Service” Award).

Not pictured: Ashley Tedesco (Frank M. Groff “Sportsmanship and Friendship” Award) 14

Friends’ Central

Photography Contest Winners

Top row from left: Andrew Kelly ’09, Samantha Karpinski ’10 Middle row from left: Andrew Kelly ’09, Sakina Abdus-Shakur ’09 Bottom row from left: Anne Estey ’10, Samantha Karpinski ’10

Directions Summer 2009

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fr iends’ central scho ol

Commencement

Commencement Clockwise from top: The class of 2009; Andie Luongo, Emily Rosenblum, Liz Mitnick, Ariel Several; Diane DeVan helps Jeremy Stursberg get ready for the ceremony.

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Friends’ Central

the class of 2009 STUDENT Sakina Abdus Shakur Daniel Abelson Daniel Adelson John Armstrong Zachary Auerbach Sarah Backal-Balik Daniel Badgio Alex Barron Erica Bash Charlotte Bassett Benjamin Bersoff Justin Bortnick Margaret Bowie Adam Brecher Michael Carpenter William Castelli Peter Chawaga Amy Corenswet Naomi Crimm Emmet Culhane Anthony DeCusatis A. Patrick DeSabato Elizabeth Deutschman Nicole Deutschman Kelly Diamond Jonathan Edelstein Sonja Eisl Julia Ellis-Kahana David Eschenazi Elizabeth Fifer Andrew Fusselbaugh Max Gilbert Jillian Glen Jennifer Goldman Zachary Goldman Samuel Green Jordan Grossman Morgan Gunter Alexander Guy Emily Harnett Phoebe Harris Rebecca Horowitz Christina Hurley Matthew Hyman Maxwell Kaplan Andrew Kelly

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COLLEGE Bryn Mawr College Syracuse University Cornell University Williams College Carnegie Mellon University Vassar College St. John's College Tulane University Muhlenberg College Duke University Emory University Lafayette College University of Chicago Carnegie Mellon University Earlham College Sarah Lawrence College Wake Forest University Vassar College Bates College Haverford College Carnegie Mellon University Providence College University of Pennsylvania Dickinson College University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh College of Charleston Brown University Sarah Lawrence College Wheaton College Washington and Lee University Amherst College Muhlenberg College Muhlenberg College Vanderbilt University Emory University Penn State University Howard University George Washington University University of Pennsylvania University of Virginia Washington Univ in St. Louis Haverford College University of Arizona Wesleyan University Johns Hopkins University

STUDENT Brandon Laing Megan Lee Matthew Levy Peter Liebman Alexandra Lizzi Andrea Luongo Elizabeth Marmon Elizabeth McElroy Angie McGuinness Ivo Milic-Strkalj Elizabeth Mitnick Richard Moses II Ariana Mundy Michael Murray Stephen Nemroff James Newman Maureen Noonan Eric O'Brien Sean O'Brien Angela Padolina Jenna Paul-Schultz Curtis Pawley Brett Richardson Tom Ringe Julia Romano Emily Rosenblum Daniel Rosner Imara Roychowdhury Michael Rubin Jacob Schutzman Ariel Several Jona Shreeves-Taylor David Simins Jennifer Simon Jacob Snider Eric Sorensen Sarah Starr Jeremy Stursberg Matthew Trichon Gabriella Wachs Catherine Weingarten Natalie Willis Megan Wilson Hal Woodin Frank Zhao Emily Ziffer

COLLEGE Lafayette College Dickinson College Villanova University University of Rochester Muhlenberg College Rollins College George Washington University Bloomsburg University of PA University of Pennsylvania Haverford College Washington Univ in St. Louis Spartanburg Methodist College Temple University Temple University Emerson College Drexel University Albright College University of Pennsylvania Worcester Polytechnic Institute Drexel University Johns Hopkins University Sarah Lawrence College Cornell University Rose-Hulman Inst of Technology Skidmore College Swarthmore College Brandeis University Brandeis University University of Pennsylvania Washington Univ in St. Louis Johns Hopkins University Temple University Princeton University Yale University Columbia Univesity Duke University Tulane University Ohio Wesleyan University Northeastern University Barnard/Jewish Theological Sem Bennington College Yale University East Stroudsburg University Syracuse University Lehigh University Tufts University

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the class of 2009 On Saturday, June 6th, Friends’ Central celebrated Commencement for the Class of 2009. The ceremony included remarks

by Ann Satterthwaite, Clerk of the Board of Trustees, Headmaster David Felsen, and fourth grade teacher Ginger Fifer.

Sakina Abdus Shakur ’09 and Brett Richardson ’09 were chosen by their classmates to address the class and gave moving speeches about their education and the friendships they formed at FCS.

First things first …

Congratulations Class of 2009!

by Sakina Abdus Shakur ’09 lthough today marks the commencement of our lives away from Friends’ Central, ...

“A

... we will take this place with us wherever we go. This School has taught us the power of the individual. George Bernard Shaw famously said “Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating yourself.”

FCS has taught us to be conscious individuals and to be active in our lives, so that we could create ourselves. The philosopher Rihanna also said, “You're gonna be a shining star, fancy clothes, fancy car-ars.

And then you'll see, you're gonna go far. Cause everyone knows, who you areare. So live your life, ay ay ay.”….

This has been an extraordinary year in history. We elected the first African

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American President of the United States of America. President Barack Obama recognized the power of the individual, and enlisted thousands of young people to aid in his campaign. The youth were a driving force in the Presidential election, and the youth of the class of 2009 will be a significant force in the world. We are experiencing life in marvelous times, so I think it is quite fitting that we are graduating this year, in a year of change, inspiration and hope for the future….

As we venture into the world it is easy to feel fear and apprehension. In our times of uncertainty let’s remember the power of the individual. Remember to have a zeal for knowledge and to always be active in your education. Remember that your actions do make a difference, and you have the ability to positively affect the world. Remember to do the things you love, and devote your life to your passions. Remember the power of the individual, your power. 09!”

Friends’ Central

Other page, clockwise from top left: David Felsen addresses the Class of 2009; Sarah Backal-Balik recessing; Amy Corenswet, Frank Zhao, Ricky Moses, Dan Rosner; Megan and Katie Lee; Sakina Abdus-Shakur addresses her fellow graduates.

This page, clockwise from top left: The Class of 2009 enjoying the moment; Ivo Milic-Strkalj, Hal Woodin, Max Kaplan, Jake Snider, Patrick DeSabato; Ariana Mundy and Megan Wilson; Brett Richardson addresses the Class of 2009.

Commencement Address

by Brett Richardson

“W

e’ve changed so much since we’ve come to FCS...

... The physical changes are obvious: no more big heads, squeaky voices or Velcro shoes. But the inner changes are there as well, and they are the true marker of progress. It wasn’t too long ago that we were all immature freshmen trying to fit into high school life. It wasn’t too long ago that we were stumbling over Junior year. The funny thing is that even though we’ve changed so much in so many ways, we are still the same people that we have always been.

Our bond starts in the classroom.

Building off of one another we collectively have become smarter, better, faster, stronger. Our teachers … shaped our

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abilities by giving us both the content to succeed and the tools to go further. FCS supplied us with a rigorous workload, but the school community also encouraged us to grow outside of the classroom experience. That, to me, is more important than our accomplishments with our school work; and that, to me, is what growing up is all about. A student’s passion is what makes him or her unique. Playing fields, stages, any other literal or metaphorical canvas: we have all expressed ourselves in some way in our time here. I’ve watched my classmates “in their element,” the fire (or inner light as I’ve been taught) burning as they show off their talent or skill.

It’s through the support of the people around you that your passion can grow….

So I turn to my classmates: we have been blessed with not just a great stepping stone to the college world and beyond, but we have been blessed with supportive parents and teachers who have equipped us with the right tools. We have,

as individuals and as a class, done great things for the FCS community. And now as we set off on our own to different parts of our world, we have the chance to make a tangible difference to society. Follow your passion and share your love of it with others. Don’t sacrifice your passion for anything. As we leave this place, we leave it with our heads held high and thankful for what it has given us. Our parents’ investment in us will be matched with an even higher yield by the accomplishments we have yet to achieve. Don’t be sad, don’t fear the impending change that we are facing. Be happy that of all the places we are leaving, we are leaving FCS. Be happy that you can share this moment with the surrounding community. The Class of 2009 is brimming with potential to create our own change for the better, and I am confident that we will make the most of our opportunities and experiences.”

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the class of 2009 It’s a Family Affair!

Clockwise from top left: Richard Moses ’77 and Ricky Moses ’09; Nicki Deutschman ’09, Catherine Deutschman ’06, Beth Deutschman ’09; Rodney Willis ’77 and Natalie Willis ’09 proudly display their Friends’ Central diplomas; Doug Hyman ’79 and Matt Hyman ’09; Mark Fifer, Megan Fifer '96, Elisabeth Fifer '09, Ginger Fifer, and Mark Fifer '96; Alexander McElroy ’06, Loretta McElroy ’74, Elizabeth McElroy ’09, and Katherine McElroy ’12.

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Reunion 2009

eunion 2009 began on Friday, May 8th with Career Day, an annual tradition in the Upper School that had a special twist this year. Career Day featured Ben Daniels ’03, who screened his award-winning documentary This Is My Cheesesteak for the ninth, tenth, and eleventh graders in Shallcross Hall. The film explores the personalities of the top cheesesteak restaurant owners in Philadelphia as well as Ben’s personal infatuation with the famous Philly sandwich.

As a special additional surprise, Tony Luke of Tony Luke’s Cheesesteaks fame dropped by Friends’ Central with cheesesteaks for all of the Upper School students. The students were thrilled with the lunchtime surprise and also with the opportunity to ask Ben questions about his life in Hollywood, where he currently works at Ryan Seacrest Productions.

Career Day also featured classroom visits by other young alums, including Elizabeth Hutchin ’99, Amy Dunn ’99, Lauren Collier ’99, Margot Conrad ’99, Jared Fertman ’99, and Adam Seitchik ’89. This enthusiastic group spoke to different Upper School classes about their careers in marketing, social work, science research, and law.

On Saturday, May 9th over 600 alumni/ae, family, friends, and former faculty came to the City Avenue campus to celebrate the reunion years for the classes of ’39, ’44, ’49, ’54, ’59, ’64, ’69, ’74, ’79, ’84, ’89, ’94, ’99, and ’04. The alums mingled over breakfast on the oval before gathering in Shallcross Hall for Meeting for Worship.

Many spoke movingly about their time at Friends’ Central and the impact their education made in their lives long after graduating.

At the Reunion Program, headmaster David Felsen presented Marilyn Murray ’64 and Robert Gassel ’69 with the 2009 Distinguished Alumna/us Awards. Marilyn was honored for her outstanding accomplishments in the field of healthcare and Robert for his outstanding accomplishments in the field of real estate as well as service to the School. The Class of 1959 received special recognition for their record-setting attendance and enthusiasm. Dave Branning ’59 presented David Felsen with a check for $110,280.45 representing the amazing generosity of all the Reunion classes this year.

Alums congregated under the tent for a delicious lunch in the afternoon, which was followed by the chance to cheer for varsity sports games or participate in the alumni/ae match ups against the girls' varsity lacrosse and softball teams. Those looking for a respite from the May sun took the time to visit a display from the archives and remember what Friends' Central looked like when they were students. In the evening, all classes gathered in Rex Gymnasium for the Headmaster's Reception, followed by dinner, dessert, and dancing in Shallcross.

The 2009 Reunion was a wonderful success, giving alums the opportunity to reconnect with old friends, teachers, and their beloved alma mater.

R

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Other page, top to bottom: Ben Daniels ’03 with Upper School students after the screening of This Is My Cheesesteak; The Alumnae Lacrosse Team: (left to right): Robin Rothman ’84 (kneeling), Diana Bleakley ’01, Anne Ross ’94, Lauren Becker Rubin ’83, Jacqueline Fehling ’39, Tori Curl Wolgin ’89, Lisa Kay Solomon ’89, Andrea DeSabato ’05, Rachel Bradburd ’05, Malika Cohen ’99; Emily Bosk ’99 and Callie Lytton ’99.

This page, clockwise from top left: Lisa Kay Solomon ’89, Rachel Newman Schwartz ’89, Tory Curl Worgan ’89; Amy Dunn ’99, Margot Conrad ’99, Jared Fertman ’99, Elizabeth Hutchin ’99, and Lauren Collier ’99, 2009 Career Day Visitors; Sampling the cookies at lunch; Richard Pompetti ’04, Chris Bleakley ’04, Adam Axler ’04; Lynn Murray ’64 and Kathy Murray-Allan ’62; Jeanne and Carl “Reds” Reichert ’49; The Class of 1984

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friends’ central school

Reunion 2009 Class of 1939 Doris Yocum Markley, Jacqueline Fehling

Class of 1944 Betty Hall Williams, Martha Shmidheiser DuBarry Class of 1949 Front row: Caroline Shortlidge Helmuth, Carol Scholz Snow; Back row: Carl “Red” Reichert, Madge Littlefield Bird, Ivan Gabel, Richard Collins Class of 1959 Front row: Haig Yardumian, Dick Graves, Jim Hudson, Os Cresson, Joan Shore Steinhouse, Joan Mesirov Sperans, Dave Branning, Cinda Buswell Hill, Roberta Sandra McCarthy, Betsy Mackey Smith, Nancy BreMiller Black, Susan M. Kelsay; middle row: Leonard A. Sylk, Betsy Markland Schwartz, Sally Reynolds Motley, Dave Linton, Carolyn Jakob Knudsen, Susan Lobb Hoag, Blair S. Newton, Anne Hall Flaccus, Dick Richards, Bonnie Forster Richards, Perry Anthony, Steven F. Jess, Tim Patterson, Jean Berg Eselgroth, Bob Hall; back row: Reid Bush, Bob Ward, Gertrud Nunner-Winkler, Suzanne Murphy Lewis, Sarah Newton Krebs, Jonas Stiklorius, Chuck Ensor, Tom Donaldson, Steve Longaker Class of 1964 Front row: Shellie Curcio Karabell, Dick Fetter, Gail Coleman Powell, Barbara Linnehan Ellis, Lynne Murray, Tom Dean, Terry Cooper; back row: Leigh Hunter, Marti Plummer Mahaffey, John Witherspoon, Judy Price Waterman, Dave Williams, John Boyd, Tom Draper, Sophie Bronstein

Class of 1969 Front row: John Schalow, Carl Parris, Robert Gassel, Garry Hayner; back row: Terry Cooper, Joe Ludwig, James Supplee, Susan Wright Matthiessen

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Class of 1984 Front row: Steven Goldstein, Mark Silberberg (Riley and Caleb in back), Jamie Goldsborough, Samantha Hewit Fruchtman (Maddie behind), Michelle Lecks Roover (Benny and Hailey), Betsy Madway (William Goldstein, Lily Goldstein, Henry in stroller), Trina Pew Gandal, Ray Lohier; back row: Robin Rothman, Doug Kaplan

Class of 1989 Gregg Liss, Lisa Kay Solomon, Adam Seitchik, Rachel Newman Schwartz, Scott Erlbaum, Eric Dichter, Ashu Singh, Jeffrey Gittleman, Michael Porter, Jim Christy

Class of 1994 Julie Levison, Anna Krouse

Class of 1999 Rimi Chakraboty, Ben Fogel, Brooke Gassel, Amy Dunn, Latifah McMullin, Sara Wasserman, Malika Cohen, Reza Madani, Izzy Grinspan, Emily Bosk, Monet Trent, Callie Lytton, Margot Conrad, Mitra Keykhah, Genevieve Gonzalez-Turner, Deena Bernett, Defne Amado, Elizabeth Hutchin, Ted Vermeychuk, Jared Fertman, Ryan Hardin, Michael Martino, Darryl Yorkman

Class of 2004 Emily Phillips, Chris Bleakley, Dan Zimmerman, Richard Pompetti, Morgan Frank, Becca Kantor, Marian Grove, Mike Robbins, Joe Silver, Adam Axler, Rebecca Slovak, Diane Chen, Jessica Bogart

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friends’ central school

Reunion 2009

The Remarkable 50th Reunion for the Class of 1959

One of the high points of this year’s Reunion was the tremendous turnout and enthusiasm of the Class of 1959. Long before gathering on campus in June, this class set themselves some very high goals. They were determined to have 50% of the class attend and to raise $50,000. On May 9th, thirty-six out of sixty classmates gathered and presented the School with a check for over $57,000.

Their teamwork and eagerness to come together and celebrate their time at Friends’ Central were remarkable.

Where can you go and be in a room where everyone is your age, knows you, and can help you relive your childhood while still remaining an adult?

That was the class of 1959 Reunion. It was a once in a life time event.

—Cinda Buswell Hill

Fun Facts from ’59 Trudi Nunner-Winkler came the farthest—all the way from Germany.

Of the forty members of the class who came to Reunion 2009, more than ten of them had not been back to FCS in fifty years.

Lenny Sylk has hosted the Class Reunion party every year.

The Class of 1959 has a child of a former headmaster.

We did not want the weekend to end. Most of the attendees from our class had not been back to the School since graduating, yet we set a 50th Reunion attendance record.

The Class of 1959 has two sets of married alums.

An amazing 77% of the class participated in the Class Gift.

—David Branning

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Friends’ Central

Friends’ Central School

d i s t i n g u i s h e d a l u m n u s / a awa r d s

Marilyn Murray ’64 Distinguished Alumna 2009

Each year, the Friends’ Central School Alumni/ae Office honors two alumni/ae for their distinguished records of service to the School, their communities, or their professions.

This year’s Distinguished Alumna was Marilyn Murray ’64. Lynn works as Director of Professional Revenue Cycles at The Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital of Stanford University.

Robert Gassel ’69 was honored as the Distinguished Alumnus. Bob spends almost as much time on campus now as he did forty years ago. He serves on the Board of Trustees and his son Bruno is a member of the class of 2016. Bob’s daughter Brooke graduated from Friends’ Central in ’99. Away from campus, Bob has a successful career in commercial real estate.

The professional and personal dedication that Lynn and Bob exhibit, their devotion to family and community and improving the world around them, exemplify the values that define Friends’ Central. We are proud to claim them as our own and to honor their accomplishments.

Robert Gassel ’69 Distinguished Alumnus 2009

I felt closer than ever to my classmates and there was such a wonderful bond. —Jean Eselgroth

Class of 1959 Other page top left: Sue Ann and Jonas Stiklorius ’59, and Cinda Buswell Hill ’59 at the Headmaster’s Reception; Cinda Buswell Hill and Dave Branning lead the Class of 1959 into Reunion; Tim Patterson ’59, Cinda Buswell Hill ’59, Elizabeth Mackey Smith ’59, Dave Branning ’59, Susan Kelsay ’59, Bob Hall ’59, George “Dick” Richards ‘59 This page top left: Dave Branning offers David Felsen the Class of 1959’s Reunion Gift; The Class of 1959 enjoyed their hats; Barbara Sylk, Leonard Sylk ’59, Betsy Markland ’59, Bonnie Forster Richards ’59, and Rick Richards ’59

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Friends’ Central

In Support Lower School Hosts Grandparents’ Open House On Thursday, April 30th, third and fourth graders welcomed their grandparents to the Lower School campus for a special Open House. The Open House provided a delightful opportunity for third and fourth graders to spend some special time with their grandparents and to show off their School. The children gave their grandparents a tour of the School, introduced them to teachers past and present, and participated in activities with fun prizes. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed refreshments in the cafeteria.

Top: Sun Yoo, Brendan Yoo ’17, and Man Yoo; far left: Gayle Bosma, Dale Decatur ’18, Mel Bosma; left: Amari Aiken ’17 and Deborah Aiken; below: Sam Zaoutis ’17 and Lorraine Beitler

Going the Distance for Friends’ Central On Tuesday, May 19th, fifty-eight volunteers came to the City Avenue campus to participate in a Marathon Phonathon for the 2008-2009 Annual Giving Campaign. The Phonathon ran from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. in the Fannie Cox Center, where volunteers made calls to over 1,000 members of the Friends' Central community! The enthusiasm and support for FCS were palpable as the callers helped push the School closer to the year’s Annual Giving goal.

Ultimately, the volunteers raised over 100 gifts in cash and hard pledges, amounting to over $25,000. Many more people pledged to give without specifying an amount. Friends’ Central is so grateful to the volunteers who donated their time as well as to the many people who made gifts. Commitment to the School’s priorities sustains our tradition of excellence.

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Left: Elaine Gillison (Victoria ‘13 and Olivia Gillison ‘10); Diana Bleakley ‘01

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In Support

Fun Run On Sunday, April 26th, the 2nd annual all-school Fun Run drew on the energy of Earth Day to highlight Friends’ Central’s Going Green initiative. The day featured traditions like the 5K and 1 mile races, the Friends' in the Garden Plant Sale and the Children's Concert for Peace. The “going green” twist also provided the opportunity to introduce a number of new activities, including composting demonstrations, half-hour workshops with Peter Grove on how to start a garden, and a display from the Riverbend Environmental Education Center. It was a pleasure to see everyone from pre-kindergarteners to seniors and parents come out to celebrate Earth Day at the School!

Top: The start of the 1-Mile race Above, clockwise from left: Sebastian Villa ’20 gets excited about the Fun Run; Grace Decatur ’20 and Abby Donnenfeld ’20 show off their face paint; Cathy Fiebach, Fun Run Co-Chair, and David Felsen enjoy the day; Ryan Schiller ’17 and Neil Goldader ’17 explore solar energy.

Left, front row left to right: Claire Harris '11, Jaime Hyman '11, Megan Holt '10, Grace Pearlman '10. Back row left to right: Coach Lauren Becker Rubin '83 with son Justin '21, Phoebe Harris '09, Noreen Neal '10, Emily Brodsky '10, Becca Dahle '12

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Friends’ Central

Thank you volunteers!

The events you have seen showcased here in “In Support,” from the Pumpkin Fair to the Film & Lecture Series, the book fairs, and the Fun Run, are a vital part of our school year. They offer chances for us to gather as a community, to revel in our surroundings, talents, and camaraderie. They sustain our connection to each other, introduce us to new friends, and help our children appreciate Friends’ Central not just as a School but as a true circle of friends. All of these events exist because we have an amazingly supportive parent body. These events depend on the many parents who volunteer to plan, host, coordinate, staff, and promote them. These volunteers donate food, decorations, and their talents. They support the School in a vital way. The countless hours they spend on building our community deserves special recognition and a warm “thank you!”

The 2008-2009 Home & School Executive Committee Co-Presidents: Cathy Fiebach (’08-’10), Anja Jefferis Levitties ’86 (’07-’09) Secretary: Marie Satalof (’08-’10) Treasurer: David Arnold (’06-’09) Immediate Past President: Charlotte Schutzman Upper School Co-Chairs: Anne Rubin (’07-’09), Annie Weiss (’08-’10) Middle School Co-Chairs: Amy Estey (’08-’10), Kimberly Tarquinio (’07-’09) Lower School Co-Chairs: Jessica Coss (’07-’09), Heather Osborne (’08-’10) Parent Representatives: 12th Grade: Bobbi Cassidy, Molly Love, Charlotte Schutzman, Shirl Shakur, Cathy Weiss 11th Grade: Sherri Belkoff, Amy Dweck, Patty Hewson, Ann Matey, Sally Richman 10th Grade: Vicki Gratz, Linda Hall, Bernie Kopicki, Julie Low, Beth Snider 9th Grade: Marta Adelson, Nancy Bray, Valarie Everett, Christine Laine, Jennie Nemroff 8th Grade: Ellan Bernstein, Mercedes Jacobson, Joe McCaffrey, Frances Vilella-Velez, Annie Weiss

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7th Grade: Beth Dahle, Sarah DeMichele, Elena Levitan, Tracy Winig 6th Grade: Paula Durlofsky, Sharon Ritt, Mary Ellen Weissman, Kris Yoo 5th Grade: Terry Bovarnick, Jessica Coss, Jane Ebby, Lauren Becker Rubin, ’83

Middle School Book Fair: Terri Jones, Paula Williams Parents of Students of Color: Allessandro Condiff, Kathy Foy, Terri Jones PSOC Bowl-A-Thon: Betty Brizill, Andrea Swinton Prom Committee: Chris Hilke

4th Grade: Sharon Weiss, Deb Correll, Leslie Matthews

Pumpkin Fair: Dora Feingold, Susan Roberts

3rd Grade: Carrie Cohen, Stacy Gorberg, Angela Greene, Seth Williams

Quaker Life Group: Paula Williams, Robert Williamson

2nd Grade: Amira Quraishi, Chris Bruckner, Helene van Beuren, Husam Ansari

Welcoming Committee: Lorna Dreyfuss Lynn Anderson (US) Lauren Becker Rubin ’83 (MS) Heather Osborne (LS)

1st Grade: Suzie Sall, Esther Book, Corina Ramos de Villa

Home & School 2008-2009 Kindergarten: Marci Morgan, Volunteers Ami Lonner, Melissa Anderson Marta Adelson Pre-Kindergarten: Jane Robert Adelson Schoenborn, Elizabeth Nourian Atif Ahmad Sabina Ahmad Tonia Alwyn Committee Chairs Cary Anderson Cindy Anderson Community Service: Lynn Anderson Barbara Matteucci (US), Melissa Anderson Marian Pearlman (US), Melissa Anderson (MS), Lorna Paul Anderson Dreyfuss (MS), Kim Emmons- Rebecca Anderson Benjet (LS), Timika Lane (LS), Nancy Andrews Phillip Annas Jennifer Tobey (LS) Husam Ansari Laura Armstong eScrip: Wendy Frame David Arnold Sharon Ash Family Dance Night: Holly Ayers Betty Brizill, Lis Dosanjh, Heather Badt Peggy Hervas Maureen Balitsaris Film & Lecture Series: Betty Bard Annie Weiss Lisa Bardarson Bernadette Bartholomew Friends in the Garden: Evan Bash Paulina Hewett, Karen Ivory, Elizabeth Belk Mary Fran Schlessinger, Sherri Belkoff Elizabeth Belk Glenn Bell Cari Bender Fun Run & Family Day: Rodd Bender Cathy Fiebach, Joan Giresi Brian Benjet Britt Benner Gift Wrap: Wendy Frame Eric Berger Jessica Berger Lower School Book Fair: Ellan Bernstein Erica Taxin Bleznak ’86, Len Bernstein Janet Bortnick Laura Bessen Tammi Bishop Lower School Winter Blast: Chris Blackman Michelle Narin, Erica Taxin Bleznak ’86 Lauren Becker Rubin ’86 Esther Book Janet Bortnick

Meg Boscov Terry Bovarnick Karen Bowers Brad Bradbeer Carol Bradbeer Carl Bradley Andrew Brandt Lisa Brandt Nancy Bray David Brigham Holly Brigham Betty Brizill Caroline Brooks Gwen Brown Randy Brown Chris Bruckner Robert Brumley Ted Burden Floyd Butler Trish Cartafalsa Bart Cassidy Bobbi Cassidy Kim Cassidy Silvia Chapkovich Steve Chawaga Debbie Choi Deborah Cianfrani George Clothier Amy Cohen Carrie Cohen Liz Cohen ’83 Scot Cohen Kathy Coleman-Martin Allessandro Condiff Carla Connor Mary Connor Alison Cook-Sather Matt Cooper Deborah Correll Catherine Corson Elizabeth Cosgriff Jessica Coss Elise Cotler Alan Cotler Louise Culver Ellen Cutshall Beth Dahle David Dahle Doris Davis-Whitely Catherine Dawson Kate Deans Amy Decatur Scott Decatur Mary Ann DeCusatis Melinda deLisle Sarah DeMichele Patricia DeRusso Bobbi DeSabato Esra Diker-Yilmaz Amy Cooperberg DiLuca ’78 Tony DiLuca Lisa Dissinger Susan Domchek Jag Dosanjh Lis Dosanjh Jeff Drebin Lorna Dreyfuss Virginia Duerr Paula Durlofsky 31

Thank you volunteers!

Evelyn Duvivier Marc Duvivier Amy Dweck Rennard East Jane Ebby Susan Ellis Kim Emmons-Benjet Amy Estey John Estey Valarie Everett Heather Exley Marci FeigenbaumBergmann Allen Feingold Dora Feingold Randi Feld Ricky Feld Cathy Fiebach Jon Fiebach ’82 Al Filreis Amy Floresta Madge Folwell Christopher Forrest Mike Fox Tina Fox Kathy Foy Reginald Foy Wendy Frame Ellen Frank Clare Fullerton Mary Furey Michael Furey Bob Gallagher Phyllis Gallagher Eve Galvin Elaine Gillison Everett Gillison Steve Ginsberg Joan Giresi Emily Giszter Simon Giszter Deb Goldader Barry Goldberg David Goldstein Pearl Graub ’73 Stacy Gorberg Brian Gordon Julie Cowitz Gordon ’81 Vicki Gratz Dana Greenblatt Doris Greenblatt Eric Greenblatt Angela Greene Leslie Greenfield Earle Greer Mark Greisiger Ed Greves Kathryn Griffo Jim Groch Michele Grossman George Groves Laura Groves John Gruber Rebecca Guenther Ihnsouk Guim Linda Hall John Harris 32

Randi Harris Susanna Hauser Warren Hauser Caroline Hawkins Darin Hayton Kathryn Hayward Dianne Heard John Heard Heather Hebert Lisa Heller Dedrick Hervas Peggy Hervas Paulina Hewett Patty Hewson Maxine Hobson Lisa Holgash Richard Holt Susan Holt Deborah Hoppy Susan Hyman Karen Ivory Tiffany Jackson Bruce Jacobson Mercedes Jacobson Alaina James Susan Johntz Penny Joines Ronald Joines Lance Jones Terri Jones Laura Keen Bev Kith Rina Keller Michael Kelly Pam Kim Ray Kim Yun Hui Kim Kristin Kimmell Todd Kimmell Joanne Klein Lori Koch Kerri Konik Bernie Kopicki Jane Koppelman Sam Kratchman Howard Kruger Danielle Kulicke Christine Laine Timika Lane Alex Langendorfer Jennifer Corson LeBow ’85 Pam Lechleider Natalie Lee Jennifer Lehrer Elena Levitan Anja Jefferis Levitties ’86 Matthew Levitties ’85 Karen Lewis Rick Liebman Sonja Lindgren Mireia Lizandra Pat Lobb Hao-Li Loh Casey Londergan Ami Lonner Molly Love Julie Low

Clare Luzuriaga Diego Luzuriaga Lorna Lynn Thomas Lynn Tom MacFarlane Marcia Mann Joni Marcus Marci Marcus Karen Martin Lydia Martin Ann Matey Ed Matey Barbara Matteucci David Matthews Leslie Matthews Joan Mazzotti Joe McCaffrey Erica McCann Bill McCullough Stephanie McCullough Dawn McDonnell Kathy McGee Joanna McMorris Emilie McVey Iris Melendez April Mellody Drew Melman Diane Merry Regina Mickie-Chalmus Lisa Miller Jodi Mindell Peter Minneci Corrie Mitchell ’85 Eric Mitchell Laura Mitchell Marci Morgan Suzanne Morrison Rick Moses ’77 Sheila Moses Gregory Mundy Linda Mundy Angela Murray Michelle Narin Jennie Nemroff Sara Nerken Alison Netz Bruce Newman Laurel Newman Linda Newman Janine Nguyen Steven Nichtberger Catherine Nierenberg Paola Nogueras Elizabeth Nourian Robert Nourian Peter O’Dwyer Heather Osborne Arnita Outlaw Chris Ozbun Harold Palevsky Anthony Parker De Parmet Kim Parris Lynne Partridge Jennifer Pavao Mary Jean Pawley Marian Pearlman

Felix Penzarella Karen Penzarella Tara Perkins Carol Perloff Nancy Peterson Gina Pinotti Sharon Pollack Sharyn Pozzuolo Fred Purnell Amira Quraishi Catherine Ramaswamy Corina Ramos de Villa ’94 Eric Raymond Katherine Raymond Christine Red Jon Reichlin Larry Reichlin Norma Reichlin David Richman Sally Richman Sharon Ritt Carl Roberts David Roberts ’83 Susan Roberts Barbara Roddy James Roddy Ann Rogers Paul Rogers John Rooney Lisa Rooney Ellen Rosen Louis Rosner Marcy Rosner Laura Rossio Leonard Rossio Harry Roth Madge Rothenberg Kimberly Rubens Anne Rubin Lauren Becker Rubin ’83 Christine Russell Maryann Saia Meg Saligman Peter Saligman Suzie Sall Lisa Sandler Bruce Satalof Marie Satalof Leigh Scheuritzel Mary Fran Schlessinger Jane Schoenborn Walter Schoenborn Sandrine Schoenfeld Lynn Schuchter Charlotte Schutzman Maurice Schweitzer Caroline Segall Gregory Segall Lisa Seligsohn Shirl Shakur Jamie Sheller Kathy Sheward Lisa Shimada Marcy Shoemaker Elliott Shore Leslie Siegel Mike Silver

Meli Simmering Paula Singer Eve Smith Howard Smith Wendy Smith Beth Snider Stacey Spector Amy Stein Eric Stern Jacqueline Stern Maria Sturm Eric Sultan Helena Sultan Fran Sutherland Andrea Swinton Allison Szapary David Taffett Sharon Taffett Joy Takahashi Kimberly Tarquinio Lynn Teller Stacey Thomas Darlene Threatt-Rice Lauren Tierney Jennifer Tobey Cindy Torres Eve Troutt-Powell Helene van Beuren David Velinsky Laura Verges Frances Vilella-Velez Corinna Villars Frederick Villars Bob Vonderheide Erika Waginger-Goldberg Peggy Wahrman Margie Wainfan Elizabeth Wallace Kate Wallace Jason Warley Jesse Washington Sharon Weiss Annie Weiss Cathy Weiss David Weiss Debbie Weiss Harry Weiss Mary Ellen Weissman Jodi West-Booker Sherri Wexler Lori White Paula Williams Seth Williams Sonita Williams Robert Williamson Tracy Winig Susan Wirshba Eve Wollman Leslie Wollock Kar-Lai Wong Guang Yang Donald Yih Pam Yih Kris Yoo Regina Ziffer

Friends’ Central

from the Archives

A Tradition Continues

In 1926 Friends’ Central held its first Commencement on its new campus.

Eighty-three years later, Commencement Terrace still plays host to our June celebrations. This year, as part of their 50th Reunion, the Class of 1959 raised money to restore Commencement Terrace so that this important tradition of honoring our seniors and handing out diplomas can continue for another eighty years under the magnificent trees.

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