01 LETTER Joyfully committed to building an intentionally diverse, global community of citizen-scholars
02 FEATURES
02 A New Chapter: Welcoming Justin Brandon, Tenth Head of School
08 G eorge School Announces Transformational $17.75M Gift
10 C ontinuing Revelation
12 How an Artist Fuels (and is Fueled by) Community
16 C ougar Moose Day
18 A Holistic Commitment to Student Life
22 A L ifelong Teacher Looks Back on What She’s Taught — and Learned
24 S napshots of GS Life
28 G eorge School Faculty’s Excellent Summer Adventures
Moments of connection and community are at the heart of the George School experience. Building this experience is the responsibility of the Office of Student Life (OSL). Newly restructured beginning this year, its new name — it was formerly known as the Deans’ Office — reflects its holistic commitment to George School students. (p. 18)
In the spirit of continuing revelation, faculty and staff use summer break to learn more about their subjects, about the world, and about themselves. Read about how some of our intrepid faculty members spent the summer of ’24. (p. 28)
Cover
“ It is with great joy that I begin my tenure as the tenth Head of George School. I am grateful to all the community members that have made this opportunity possible — those who were firsts on this campus and those who are a part of this campus today.”
— Justin Brandon, Tenth Head of School
Each season, Cougar
Day celebrates the decades old friendly rivalry between George School and Westtown. A little rain didn’t dampen spirits this year! (p. 16)
Moose
Joyfully committed to building an intentionally diverse, global community of citizen-scholars
Dear friends,
W hat a tremendous gift it has been for my family and I to be so warmly and enthusiastically welcomed into the George School community. This is truly a special place.
It is an exciting time to be here. After all, not every new head of school has the opportunity to announce a transformational $17.75M gift in their first meeting of the school year! This gift speaks to our long-standing commitment to building an intentionally diverse, global community of citizen-scholars, and illustrates how our timeless values continue to create a deeply meaningful educational experience for all our students. You can read more about this gift on page eight.
O n campus, this fall has been filled with joy, beginning with a fun-filled opening weekend where we celebrated the start of the new year, a beautiful welcome event for my family and I, and a spirited Cougar Moose Day of athletic competition. Much of this joy has been fueled and supported by our newly restructured Office of Student Life, which is built upon a holistic commitment to our students and a class dean structure that more comprehensively meets their academic and socio-emotional needs (p.18).
A lso featured in this issue are the myriad ways our faculty and staff pursued passions, professional development opportunities, and family fun over the summer (p. 28). I am inspired by their collective commitment to being lifelong learners — a commitment that brings innovation and energy into their classrooms and models for our students how to (in the words of our mission)
“treasure learning for its own sake and use it to benefit a diverse world.” Many of these experiences were supported by the Majzlin Faculty Summer Enhancement Fund.
Fi nally, you will read about two remarkable alumni who continue to live out their George School values in service to their communities. DonChristian Jones ’08 is a talented and multifaceted artist who is the inaugural Adobe Creative Resident at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City (p.12). Peggy McIntosh ’52, founder of The National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Project on Inclusive Curriculum, was elected to the 2024 National Women’s Hall of Fame (p.22). Peggy’s dedication and lifelong commitment to the work of inclusion should serve as inspiration to us all.
I l ook forward to the journey ahead, to meeting with many of you in the months and years to come, and to hearing your own, unique George School stories. And I am filled with excitement about the work we will do together to continue to build this remarkable community and create spaces to let our students’ lives speak.
In friendship,
Justin Brandon Head of School
A New Chapter
Welcoming Justin Brandon, Tenth Head of School
“ I a ppreciate how George School really challenges students and pushes them to learn about who they are as individuals, but also to think about who they are in the context of the world.”
Long before Justin Brandon ever dreamt of being a head of school, he visited George School for the weekend as one of a group of students from Riverdale Country School. “The community was really open and welcoming to us,” he remembered.
W hen the opportunity to interview for the Head of School position was opened to him, it felt serendipitous — and like a homecoming of sorts. Though they were living in North Carolina, where he was Associate Head of the Ravenscroft School, he and his family have roots in the Northeast. He was born and raised in the Bronx, and spent a good portion of his earlier career at Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown NJ
and at Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square PA. He returned to George School’s campus as a candidate for the job, and once again had a positive impression.
“I was — and am — inspired by what I’ve seen here,” he said. “The commitment to the IB program, arts, and athletics, all within the context of a very diverse, global community is something special. I appreciate how George School really challenges students and pushes them to learn about who they are as individuals, but also to think about who they are in the context of the world.”
“ J ustin’s education and experience were impressive, but most convincing was his strength of character and approach to leadership. Throughout the interview process, he displayed a deep understanding of who we are as a school community.”
— Linda Espenshade Heinemann, Clerk of the George School Board of Trustees
The George School Board of Trustees announced Justin’s appointment as the tenth Head of School on November 2, 2023.
“Justin’s education and experience were impressive,” said Linda Espenshade Heinemann, Clerk of the George School Board of Trustees. “But most convincing was his strength of character and approach to leadership. Throughout the interview process, he displayed a deep understanding of who we are as a school community.”
H is official first day wasn’t until July 1, but when the opportunity arose to join George School student-athletes on a trip to China at the end of the school year, Justin leapt at the chance. The varsity basketball teams, along with their coaches and chaperones, were invited to travel to China as part of the “Bridge of the Future” China-US youth exchange program. The trip was fully funded by the Joe Tsai Foundation, who sponsors student-athlete Ziyi Xiong ’27, in gratitude for Ziyi’s experience in his first year at George School.
“It was a fantastic trip in so many ways, beginning with the fact that we were enthusiastically greeted by many of our local families and students at the hotel,” said Justin. “Our students
were so impressive — not only on the court; more importantly, they were kind, respectful, curious, and genuinely appreciative. And, even though we were thousands of miles away from George School, we had a whole crowd of fans — current students, parents, and alumni — who showed up to cheer on our athletes. It truly felt like I was joining a big, global family.”
Justin and his family — partner, Angela Miklavcic, and daughter Jozi — moved into Sunnybanke in mid-July, and jumped right into the community, hosting an open house for faculty and staff in their first month on campus. Justin was eager to meet and talk with community members.
“I want to take the time to meet with many different groups of people on this campus and alumni and friends around the country to learn why they said ‘yes’ to GS,” he said.
He immediately set aside time in his schedule to meet with individual faculty and staff. He, Angela, and Jozi joined student leaders during prefect training for evening activities. He visited the fields where student-athletes were in the midst of preseason training. And the school year hadn’t even yet begun.
JUSTIN JOINED studentathletes and their coaches on a trip to China in June; they arrived to a warm welcome from local George School families.
Convocation, held on the first morning of classes, was the first opportunity Justin had to speak to students, faculty and staff together.
“ We — each one of us — were drawn to George School for a wide variety of reasons,” he said. “We all chose to join this community in hopes that we could bring something to it that wasn’t there before — that our own inner light could grow and shine here, and that together, we could make this community a little bit brighter. Let’s make the most of our time together — beginning today.”
W ith the school year underway, Justin has committed time to getting to know the students and gaining an understanding of their experience at GS. During “Hoagies with the Head,” small groups of the Class of 2025 enjoy lunch and conversation with him. He shadowed senior Noah Pashman ’25 for a day, and plans to shadow one student from each grade throughout the year in order to get a sense of the class day.
JUSTIN WAS OFFICIALLY WELCOMED as the tenth Head of George School on September 20, 2024. In front of an audience of family, friends, students, parents, alumni, and faculty and staff, Justin said, “I ask for your continued commitment of time, talent, and resources in carrying forth the mission of George School, in the Quaker tradition, with a joy for learning and a desire to serve.”
On Friday, September 20, 2024 with almost 1,000 people in attendance, Justin was formally welcomed as the tenth Head of George School. The excitement, warmth, and joy were palpable.
I n his remarks, he spoke of the deep history of George School, and of the many individuals on whose shoulders he stands, including John M. George, Julian Bond ’57, Stephen Sondheim ’46, and Cyd Crooks Carpenter ’47.
“Our beliefs remain consistent with our predecessors,” he said. “We believe that if we engage in thoughtful learning and discourse; if we practice deep listening and understand the power of consensus; and if we strive to Mind the Light in ourselves and one another, we will work towards becoming the community we want to be.”
“I am filled with excitement about the journey we have ahead of us, the work we will do together as we build community and continue to create spaces to let our students’ lives speak. I also know that it will not be without its unique challenges. So I ask for your continued commitment of time, talent, and resources in carrying forth the mission of George School, in the Quaker tradition, with a joy for learning, and a desire to serve.”
“ I a m filled with excitement about the journey we have ahead of us, the work we will do together as we build community and continue to create spaces to let our students’ lives speak.”
About Justin Brandon
B orn and raised in the Bronx NY, Justin grew up with his mother, an English and French teacher; his father, a bus driver for mass transit; and his older sister, Nikki.
A p roud alumnus of Riverdale Country School, Justin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and African-American Studies from Macalester College. He earned his Master of Arts in Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Justin has served as a history teacher and coach and held a variety of administrative positions at a range of outstanding independent schools, including The Episcopal Academy in Newtown Square PA and Moorestown Friends School in Moorestown NJ. Most recently, Justin was the Associate Head of School at Ravenscroft School in Raleigh NC.
Justin currently serves on the Macalester College Athletics Advisory Board and is a Trustee of the One Schoolhouse Board. He has facilitated workshops on leadership, cultural competency, student well-being, equitable hiring practices, and diversity, equity, and inclusion at regional and national conferences. He participated in the Friends Council Institute for Engaging Leadership and was a recipient of a NAIS E.E. Ford Aspiring Heads of School Fellowship.
Justin most enjoys spending time with his wife Angela, daughter Jozi, and family and friends. He loves to read, travel, explore the outdoors, and is an avid hip-hop fan.
JUSTIN, HIS WIFE ANGELA MIKLAVCIC, and their daughter Jozi, moved into Sunnybanke in July and have hosted a number of events in their home for students, parents, faculty and staff.
Favorites
Food: “Put me somewhere and I will find good food wherever we are.”
Treat : Chocolate chip cookies
Sports: “I played football, basketball, and ran track in high school, and also ran track in college. I am a loyal New York fan of the Mets, Yankees, Knicks, Rangers, and — yes — the Giants.”
Musician(s): Prince and Stevie Wonder
Visual artist: Jean-Michel Basquiat
Spot on campus: “In the eyes of my 11-year-old daughter Jozi, her favorite place on campus is anywhere there is a swing. And I love that about George School’s campus — that there are swings all over this campus, just to remind us to play and take time for ourselves.”
A few more things to know: Recent great read: “Gentelligence , which describes how to live and work with people across different generations.”
Top of his bucket list: “To go to the Olympics — as a spectator.”
Advice to his high school self: “Slow down. Take time to reflect, process, and just think about the amazing experiences you’ve had.”
Scan to watch “28 Questions with Justin Brandon and Caroline Rawlings ’25.”
IN THEIR SPARE TIME, Justin and his family joined student leaders at the bowling alley for bonding activities as they prepared to welcome new students to campus.
George School Announces Transformational $17.75M Gift
George School recently announced a $17.75 million gift from an anonymous George School family to be added to the George School endowment.
“These funds will be a significant step toward our goal of ensuring that each of our students receives the fullness of a George School experience unrestricted by the financial constraints more and more of our families feel in their efforts to provide the best possible education for their students,” said Head of School Justin Brandon.
The $17.75M gift will be distributed among three funds:
The Fund for International and Experiential Learning builds on George School’s long-storied travel learning program, expanding academic and service travel offerings, and allowing every student access to an opportunity that is a hallmark of a George School education.
The Fund for Student Activities will enhance and expand both the scope of co-curricular programming and access to it, providing richer experiences outside of the classroom for the entire student community.
The Fund for Student Leadership Development will fund new on- and off-campus programming geared toward recognizing and developing the leadership potential and unique light within all our students.
W ith focus on three interrelated, missioncentric components — the development of a strong, vibrant community; teaching the value of learning to lead from wherever you sit; and the critical importance of shaping a global world view — these funds will both enhance programs and provide a more financially equitable experience for every George School student.
T he Engaged Citizenship program centers on service and experiential learning which has been woven into the George School curriculum for over 75 years. It does not center on educational tourism; rather, explains program director Meredith Baldi ’01, “it’s about diving deep into understanding structural issues in our world, and what the limits are. It is about learning more about the self, what you can contribute, and what you need to work on.”
Meredith sees this fund as a critical and transformative building block for the program. “Understanding global issues from a lived and seen place of understanding helps cultivate a desire in our students and alumni to promote
peace and justice throughout their lives,” Meredith said. “Being able to offer this powerful and tangible course experience to every student will be exponentially impactful.”
F unds for both student activities and leadership training affirm the power that a residential learning experience can provide for all students.
“ Students may choose George School for the academic program,” explains Assistant Head of School for Student Life Mb Duckett Ireland, “but everything surrounding that — the leadership skills they build in clubs and on teams, the life skills they gain from living and socializing with friends from around the world, and their creative pursuits — adds the ‘something special’ to their George School experience.”
“ We are tremendously excited and deeply grateful,” Justin said. “This generous gift will serve as a key step in supporting the integration of our co-curricular student opportunities as consistent, equitable, and deep parts of our learning environment.”
Continuing Revelation
2024 brings a refreshed visual identity — inspired by the iconic Sunset Oak and the beloved Meetinghouse — that honors where we’ve been and where we’re going.
George School has always celebrated its history, its present, and its future. Our visual identity has evolved over the years, yet always functions as a reminder of who we are — a Quaker community that believes the light within each individual makes us all shine brighter together.
The Inspiration
T he George School logo is the cornerstone of our visual identity. This mark combines two enduring symbols of our school: the Sunset Oak tree and the George School Meetinghouse.
F or decades, the Sunset Oak graced the western horizon of the George School campus. Although it was lost in a storm in 1918, it has persisted as an enduring icon of the school’s brand. The meetinghouse embodies the spiritual and physical center of our campus, and is a reminder of our Quaker values.
T he logo encapsulates a school firmly rooted in community, dedicated to nurturing the growth of our students.
Color Palette: George School Green is our school’s primary color. It represents the lush green landscape of our campus and our “faithful stewardship of the earth.”
Bright green is our secondary color; our tertiary colors are orange, buff and brown. They reflect the vibrant fall color of our Pennsylvania home.
Buff and brown are historic George School colors and were chosen to honor our devoted alumni community.
Scan to watch a video about the evolution of George School’s visual identity.
2020s More than 60 members of the community, including alumni, were interviewed and a committee comprised of faculty, staff, and trustees were involved in the creation of the refreshed visual identity.
1910s The seal was created in the 1910s; however, “Mind the Light” wasn’t adopted as the official motto until 1989.
2020s An important visual connection to Quakerism, the seal has seen many simplified iterations since transitioning into the digital age.
1970s The Meetinghouse was moved from Arch Street in Philadelphia to George School in 1974.
1890s Though the Sunset Oak was lost during a storm in 1918, it has served as an enduring symbol of the school.
Unifying the Brand. Now aligned with our Athletics branding, our George School green shines throughout campus, illustrating broadly that we are united in mind, body, and spirit.
George School launched a new website in August 2024. Upon completion of the comprehensive branding and messaging project, the Strategic Marketing and Communications team set to work overhauling the website to reflect the George School of today — deeply rooted in its long-standing history and values while also nimbly adapting to the needs of today’s students.
The George School website was announced as a Silver winner of the Vega Award in October 2024. Nominated by our web partner, Finalsite, georgeschool.org received a Silver Vega Award. The Vega Digital Awards honor excellence in the planning and execution of digital communications.
Explore the new website at www.georgeschool.org
VOLVO TRUCK, commissioned by The Shed, 2020. This immersive performance takes the loose form of a music video set inspired by this childhood reverence for Black womxn, the music they sing, and the cars they drive. (Photography by Becky McNeel and/or courtesy of The Shed, 2020).
“I JUST WANT TO COME HOME” mural in Bushwick, 2015. This mural pays homage to Kalief Browder in the letters “H” and “O.” The letters “M” and “E” depict DonChristian holding their godson Kairo.
How an Artist Fuels (and is Fueled by) Community
The word “artist” may conjure the image of a painter, isolated in a room with nothing but their easel, oil paints, and (with any luck) muse.
A 180-degree swing away from that stereotype is DonChristian Jones ’08.
D onChristian is more of an artistic magpie — someone who collects shiny bits of inspiration and materials wherever they go. Then, with community as their muse, distills them into a Bright Idea that’s fresh, exciting, and meaningful.
“It’s true,” they said. “Referencing a wide variety of genres, media, and collaboration is a huge part of my practice — leaning into the organics of collaboration and the communities of people I’m around.”
T he first community that influenced DonChristian was their hometown of Philadelphia, where they soaked up the vibrant art and music scene. Later, George School opened their mind further.
“I was lucky to get to go to the Philadelphia Museum of Art at a young age,” they said. “My parents took me. That changed the course of my interests. And the music of Philadelphia hugely informed me — the history of soul, R&B, funk and disco.”
“At George School, [former faculty member] Pam Grumbach was the first art teacher who lit a fire in me to keep painting. And Douglas Tsoi was my history teacher. He taught this course called ‘Global Interdependence.’ These teachers expanded my whole vision.”
I n 2015, after graduating from Wesleyan University, DonChristian took a position as an assistant artist at Groundswell, a New York City community mural organization that links artists with schools, recreation centers, and probation centers. After they became a lead artist, DonChristian was sent on an assignment to Rikers Island NY, where they worked with incarcerated youth in mural making. The groups created five murals in five years, with each project spanning two to three months.
“ The murals are all led — in design, concept and fabrication — by the community,” DonChristian said. “They are messages of the youth missing home. Missing their mothers. Missing their children. Wanting another chance. The hope of turning their lives around. The murals end up being extremely beautiful and riveting; they almost feel like portals to the outside world.”
H aving been sent to George School to escape Philadelphia — which, despite its cultural riches, was buckling under street violence in the early 2000s — DonChristian connected deeply with the youth at Rikers.
T he experience “changed my whole life,” they said. “It exposed me to the depths of the carceral system that I know to be an industry, having seen it and borne witness with my own eyes. I’ve been painting in pepper spray when melees occurred, holding a brush to a wall and trying to breathe.”
“It has totally informed my personhood and things that matter to me,” they continued. “It means a lot for me to maintain a practice that is a hypervocal community within marginalized communities — brown and black and queer and indigenous persons that are disenfranchised by systems.”
T hat practice continued at Harvey Milk High School/Hetrick-Martin Institute, where DonChristian worked concurrently. From morning to midday, the facility is a public school for queer youth; in late afternoon to mid-evening, it is a service agency for them.
“I taught an art class of my own design, called ‘Contemporary Aesthetics,’ at the high school,” DonChristian said. “In the afternoons, I ran an open art studio, where anyone could just drop in and create, and a music production program, where people could record, write songs, and perform. It was really fun.”
W hen DonChristian left Groundswell and Harvey Milk High School/Hetrick-Martin Institute in 2020, they launched their next Big Idea. It was more ambitious, included far more community collaborators, and came to life during the height of the pandemic and socio-political unrest.
P ublic Assistants is “a fully-functioning production house,” explained DonChristian. “We do projects with a focus on intergenerational and cross-cultural skill building, all founded in collaborative art making and in mutual aid. We can produce media across film and video. We’ve done photo shoots for Paper Magazine, Interview Magazine , and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). We’re a print shop. We also have a 24/7 livestream radio server.”
C ollaboration, when it genuinely clicks, is “the magic I’m always chasing,” DonChristian said. “It dictates my trajectory: each project or performance gives way to the next thing. They become light bulbs.”
A long with Public Assistants, DonChristian’s current collaborative light bulb is at the MoMA, as the inaugural Adobe Creative Resident. The year-long position, in which there’s “an emphasis on engagement with the public,” they said, means they host regular events at their MoMA shop. DonChristian will exhibit in early 2025.
T hey credit George School’s community as a significant influence in their life and career.
“I feel so lucky to have gone there, to be nurtured by really open-minded, big-hearted educators who supported us beyond words,” DonChristian said. “I met all my friends from New York, and we would go to the city on the weekends. That’s when I knew I had to end up here one day.”
D onChristian has fit a great deal of artwork into their young life, and it’s all a labor of love. They don’t stop; they don’t keep office hours.
“ What fuels me every day to keep doing this is to see members of my community flourishing, nourished, fed, with jobs, housed,” they said.
“Harvey Milk and Rikers opened my eyes to the plights and social ills of the world that I myself have not experienced, and introduced me to all of these effervescent creators, activists, and educators that show up every day for one another and keep one another safe. They are what drive me.”
W hy does art matter, in an overall global sense and in 2024?
“Because it stands to change lives,” DonChristian said. “It stands to change people’s minds to new ways of thinking. I think expanding imagination is often the impact of art. That is very important to me — to instill in others that they can dream beyond what they’ve seen or felt or been told. And that, in fact, our dreams are often more accessible than we may think.”
“I JUST WANT TO COME HOME” Detail of mural in Bushwick, shown on page 12.
About Public Assistants
“In 2020, I got the keys to a vacant, 6,000 squarefoot commercial lot in Crown Heights, Brooklyn that housed a laundromat, methadone clinic, and pawn shop. But it had been vacant and blighted for almost four years. I had some friends who knew my work and were property managers and who gave me the keys,” said DonChristian. “This was at the height of the pandemic and socio-political unrest. I was painting banners and sets for protests and hadn’t had a studio of my own since undergrad. So we cleaned up the space, I put a tip jar up on my Instagram and said, ‘Help us get this place cleaned
DonChristian’s current storefront studio and Public Assistants outpost, Personality Cleaners™, 2024.
up.’ I woke up to $4,000 in my Venmo and knew we had something special on our hands.”
“ Within weeks, we had covered the walls in murals, and I was employing local youth to help me. My friends were showing up daily. We renovated all the space and erected raised beds and had a community garden. We had a community fridge and were handing out hundreds of pounds of fresh food weekly. We started fixing bikes. We gave out over 80 bikes, prioritizing women of color in need, three days a week. Anyone could show up and get their bike repaired for free or sign up on a waitlist to receive a refurbished bike. People started sending me bikes and bike parts from California and Hawaii, donating computers, sewing machines, every art supply I could imagine, rolling scaffold, camera equipment. We’re in our fourth year and our third space.”
1. DonChristian Jones ’08; 2. Public Assistants’ Summer Mural Residency, 2020; 3. “Keep Your Head Up” Mural at Rikers Island GMDC facility, 2017; 4. GABE performance, Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles, 2023.
Cougar Moose Day
On Friday, September 27, 2024 students, parents, guardians, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends cheered on our Cougars as they took on the Moose. Varsity Field Hockey took home the win, while Varsity Boys’ and Girls’ Soccer fell to Westtown after hard fought matches. The rainy evening didn’t stop our community from rallying for our scholar-athletes as they showed perseverance, dedication, and teamwork on the field.
A Holistic Commitment to Student Life
Sticky buns in the dining hall, games of Four Square or Spikeball, quiet study in the library or the dorm, s’mores and guitar around the firepit. Students from around the corner and across the globe call George School home, spending hours of time on campus outside of the classroom. These moments of connection and community are at the heart of the George School experience, teaching lessons and making memories that last far beyond a student’s time in Newtown.
Bu ilding this experience is the responsibility of the newly restructured Office of Student Life (OSL), formerly known as the Deans’ Office, and reflects its holistic commitment to George School students.
M b Duckett Ireland was named the Assistant Head of School for Student Life in fall of 2023, and was tasked with creating a refreshed vision for the department. Long committed to the value of a healthy and rich residential secondary educational experience as a differentiator, Mb knows that living in community with peers, faculty, and staff helps students develop independence and social skills that strongly prepare them for college and life beyond school.
T he department now holds a dean for each class, a director of residential life, and a director of student activities. Each class dean gets to know the students in their assigned class, and works alongside advisors and dorm faculty to ensure that each student has the mentorship and support they need throughout their George School journey. Perhaps most importantly, the focus of the team is on fostering a healthy relationship with students that is built on mutual trust and respect.
T he recently announced transformative gift from an anonymous George School family (see p. 8) designates significant funding to student activities and leadership and is fortuitously timed with the department restructure. With this support, Mb and their team are energized to plan a more robust calendar of weekend activities, support dorm programming, and develop a student leadership development program.
Meet the Office of Student Life
Mb Duckett Ireland
Assistant Head of School for Student Life
C oming to George School in 2023 with over 15 years of student-facing experience in independent schools, Mb brings a student-centered approach to their role as Assistant Head of School for Student Life. They are responsible for overseeing and facilitating the student experience and ensuring balance between academic and co-curricular pursuits.
I n this leadership role, Mb works with their team to create meaningful ways for boarding and day students to build strong relationships and systems that provide a framework from which students can explore, take risks, make mistakes, take responsibility, and rebuild with a deepened understanding of their values and capabilities.
“Bringing authenticity and vulnerability to my conversations with students is a necessary act of strength that helps them grow into their own selves,” Mb shared. “This approach has driven my interactions throughout my career. I take my job seriously, but try not to take myself too seriously. I love boarding schools in particular because they provide students with a front-row view of many models of successful adulthood, examples they can follow to shape their future selves.”
Shamika Ford
Director of Residential Life
S hamika joins George School this school year in the new role as Director of Residential Life. Shamika is a collaborative community member who is responsible for managing student housing and residential leadership, including supervising the dormitory heads and their staff, overseeing the corresponding budgets, and supporting the emotional and holistic health of all students to contribute to their growth and success.
S hamika brings a positive, energetic attitude and deep listening skills to her role, fostering a sense of community within each individual dorm, among the residential community, and in the school as a whole.
“As someone who is passionate about education and student success,” said Shamika, “I felt that GS was the perfect place for me to make a meaningful impact and contribute to a community that shares my values.”
Shari Rossmann
Director of Student Activities, Rowing Coach, Chess Team Sponsor
I n her eighth year at George School as the Director of Student Activities, Shari runs student activities and weekend events. As a sponsor of the Student Activities Board (SAB), she empowers students to create and plan events and activities on behalf of their peers.
“I let my passion lead the way, whether it is on a walking exploration of NYC or adventurous cooking,” Shari said. “George School is a place where students have an environment and teachers that inspire a love of learning, and where life lessons help build and set the intellectual and moral compasses of our students. I love being able to share ideas and energy with our community!”
“ I love boarding schools in particular because they provide students with a front-row view of many models of successful adulthood.”
— Mb Duckett Ireland, Assistant Head of School for Student Life
Laurie Moyer Office of Student Life Coordinator, Attendance Supervisor
A p art of the GS community for 16 years, Laurie has served multiple student-centric roles, including Drayton Dorm Head, Marshall Manager, and Clerk of Dorm Heads.
I n her current position as the Office of Student Life Coordinator and Attendance Supervisor, Laurie keeps the office running and plays a critical role in tracking student attendance, and assisting with student travel plans. She is simply and profoundly the smiling and caring face of the department for students
who have questions or need support.
“I’m a listener, problem solver, and greeter. My role is to support our students, their families, and my office team in the best way possible,” said Laurie. “I remind our students to take each thing one day at a time and to be positive!”
Meet The Class Deans
E ach class dean serves as the primary administrator and point person for one grade as it moves year-to-year through the school.
Working closely with teachers, coaches, dorm heads, advisors, and learning center staff to meet the academic and socio-emotional needs of each student, class deans celebrate student achievements and communicate closely with families. They also work with students to develop a class identity and encourage class bonding.
Brittany Mokshefsky
’14
Dean of the Class of 2025, History & Social Sciences Teacher, Westwood Dorm Head
I n her fifth year as a faculty member, Brittany is inspired by the continuing revelation of the School’s history and experience. She co-leads two immersive courses at George School — Human Geography in the Netherlands and the Tanzania course on Wildlife Conservation and Cultural Preservation in Tanzania.
“I love working at George School because I really do believe that we are doing good work here,” commented Brittany. “I am continuously impressed by the creativity and innovation of our faculty and staff as they design new courses as part of our academic program. I find so much joy working in student life and watching students grow confidently into their leadership.”
“Part of why my George School experience as a student was so transformative was that I had trusted adults that were invested in me and my growth, not just as a student in the classroom, but as a human being, and I try to bring that to each of my roles.”
Theresa Montagna
Dean of the Class of 2026, French Teacher
W ith almost 25 years of teaching experience, Theresa encourages growth and learning in and outside of the classroom, and is consistently impressed by students standing up to speak during meeting for worship, using their voices, and sharing poignant reminders about life with their messages.
S he sees her role as meeting students where they are and accompanying them as far as they can go. “There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the progress that happens after three or four years of continuous language learning,” shared Theresa.
A s class dean, Theresa is “here to support the whole class while also getting to know the students as individuals. Junior year has its own set of unique challenges and opportunities, and this is our chance to learn together how best to navigate them.”
Kim Bryant
Dean of the Class of 2027, Westwood Dorm Parent, Admission Interviewer
K im has been a part of the George School community for nine years, and centers her approach on empowerment and growth of students. She enjoys the opportunity to ground and center herself in meeting for worship, and connecting with students to teach them how to be the best version of themselves.
“My team in the Office of Student Life lifts me up every day,” shared Kim. “Their positivity and encouragement create a nurturing environment that makes a real difference. The sense of teamwork and mutual support we share not only strengthens our relationships but also enhances our ability to positively impact the students we work with.”
Carly Wassel
Dean
of the Class of 2028, English Teacher, IB Extended Essay Coordinator, Central Main Dorm Head
C arly welcomes the incoming Class of 2028 with open arms. Her work style is kind, collaborative, and reflective. She approaches her role with genuine care for students and the community as a whole.
W ith a boarding school background, Carly was drawn to George School because of the diversity of the student body and the beautiful campus. She finds joy and meaning in cherished dorm traditions that are filled with laughter, food, and friendship.
“I most enjoy the life of the dorms,” said Carly. “Every year I live with a new group of students in Central dorm, and it is remarkable to watch the camaraderie grow as students get to know each other and live alongside each other.”
A Lifelong Teacher Looks Back on What She’s Taught — and Learned
“When I think back about what it was like for me to be a girl in 1952, the change is enormous. I think a huge amount has happened since then.”
Peggy McIntosh ’52 marvels at the world’s positive evolution in the past seven decades, but through her career as an activist, feminist, senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women in Massachusetts, and founder of The National SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) Project on Inclusive Curriculum, there can be no doubt that she has deftly helped to move the needle.
Peggy’s enrollment in George School’s Class of 1952 was her parents’ decision, and the first few weeks were a challenge for the 15-year-old.
“After the United States dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, my parents were so shocked by the loss of civilian life that they became pacifists,” she said. They sent her to George School “because it was a Quaker school, and hoped that some of the peacefulness would rub off on me.”
“I was not clear about what meeting for worship was for,” she continued. “I thought you were meant to sit and consider how bad you were; my grandmother had taken me to her church many times. So in Quaker meeting, one had almost an hour to ponder one’s sins. I was very uncomfortable. I never spoke.”
Today, Peggy realizes that the structure of Quaker meeting laid the foundation for a key facet of her work within SEED, a program that guides professionals to advance social change within their organizations.
“ The meeting that I thought I was meant to spend thinking about my sins was, in fact, a place in which anybody might speak,” she said. “There was no pulpit or hierarchy. And it’s not a question of dithering over whether you are good enough, eloquent enough, spiritual enough to speak; you know that you will speak. You also know that you will be heard, and that nobody will argue with you.”
“‘ Serial testimony,’ the method I devised for teachers to discuss things in groups, has a couple of rules that, I now think, came from Quakerism,” said Peggy. “In it, you speak not with your opinions, but with your experience. You speak in turn, for one minute each. You may not refer to anything anyone else has said. And at the end of that series, there is no debrief.”
B ecause serial testimony keeps fear of judgment and misinterpretation off the table, its participants are less self-conscious — and are rewarded with the gratification that comes from knowing they spoke their piece.
“ You are the only authority in the universe on your experience,” said Peggy. “That is why this method will not allow anyone else to question it. There is no ‘did I make a fool of myself?’ or ‘everyone else was so much smarter than me.’”
S erial testimony “owes George School for the example,” she said. “It has a debt to Quakerism.”
S EED “was a result of bad weather,” said Peggy. “I was hired by Wellesley College to run faculty development seminars on bringing women into the curriculum in college courses in any field. I facilitated these seminars once a month, in 1979-81. Word got around, and people began to ask to be in these seminars. School teachers, department heads, and school principals began to say, ‘We want that.’” But after her flights out of Boston to other cities were grounded twice, forcing her to cancel the seminars, Peggy had a revelation.
“ What I found, when I rejoined the group, was that they were perfectly fine. They didn’t need me,” she said. “And then the idea for the National SEED Project was born. I thought, ‘All I have to do is prepare people to lead seminars and they can do it in their own schools.’”
T he project is now in its 39th year. Over 4,000 professionals of every stripe across 45 US and 16 international locations have received SEED seminar training, including participants from George School, which has implemented the project this
year. Seminar participants report that they are better equipped to listen to others as well as themselves, and maintain a deeper appreciation of the gifts of diverse voices.
Peggy has been honored with the George School 1993 Alumni Award and the Harvard Centennial Medal, the latter for what the school deems “contributions to society.” More specifically, she credits “my phase theory about changing classes to include something other than white men,” she said wryly, “on my work on white privilege and for ‘Feeling Like a Fraud,’” her papers which explore feelings of illegitimacy, which she worked to mitigate in serial testimony.
Most recently, Peggy was elected to the 2024 National Women’s Hall of Fame, “partly on the strength of serial testimony.” Despite regressions and more hurdles ahead, she knows women’s rights have come a long way, and continue their forward momentum.
“ The changes have been huge,” Peggy continued. “Women are still marching for the same things in a few areas. But they’re not marching now to be a CEO, a physician, to insist that women be given Nobel Prizes. Those have been fought and won.”
Now 90, she has planned her next adventure: “a book based on interviews with 30 white people who have used their white power to share power,”
Today, Peggy McIntosh ’52 realizes that the structure of Quaker meeting laid the foundation for a key facet of her work within SEED, a program that guides professionals to advance social change within their organizations.
said Peggy. “I think they will testify that having white privilege damaged them in some ways, and that sharing the power that comes with it is a blessing for the party that’s doing it as well as the recipient. But also, when you share power with people who have had less, they have so much to teach you.”
T hroughout her career, Peggy has shared her power, often using her own stories to do it. At public speaking events, her vulnerability inspires a sense of clarity within her audience members, inspiring them to meet their souls — and bloom.
“ You go to school to read books by other people about what other people think,” she said. “You don’t go to school for self-knowledge. When you begin to get it, it’s a spiritual experience: you have tracked down the deepest parts of yourself that hold you together. People like to have that experience. They go out of the lecture hall saying, ‘I’m OK. I have the soul. And if I’m lucky, I’m able to touch that soul and use it and create with it and enjoy life with it.’”
April 11
Faculty members Chéri Mellor and Edna Valdepeñas have raised their children while living and working at GS, seeing them grow into young adults shaped by their experiences living on campus. After being GS parents for 13 years, their youngest graduates in May, marking their final transition from parents of GS students to parents of GS alums.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to spend most of my life engaged in this Friends community,” said Chéri. “Here you will find many hands to hold and many ears to listen as you and your family become part of this larger family. This is a community where growth is more important than achievements, where service and outreach are inherent in our mindset. There is indeed a Light within every community member.”
“ The safety of living on the GS campus gave our kids so much,” said Edna. “They had moments to play Four Square and engage with the older students, and explore campus in an independent and joyful way. All of our children have grown into caring and confident people, determined to make a positive impact on the world.”
T he Valdepeñas-Mellor siblings share what they appreciated about their experience and advice for admitted students:
Maia ’15: “What was most meaningful growing up at GS was having a community that always had my best interests in mind. Everyone was so kind and caring. I had my own built-in support growing up and it was great!”
Zoe ’18: “The connections you make at GS can last past high school and even past college. Take advantage of all the opportunities the school has to offer.”
Jordan ’19: “Life is full of opportunities, and GS lets you explore so many. It’s not a race to discover your passion, and you may find that you have several. The GS experience is what you make of it, so don’t give up any opportunity to try something new.”
Xavier ’24: “I understand that starting at a new school can be nerve-wracking, but I’ve found that a simple ‘hi’ can help break the ice and create connections. I myself am eager to meet all kinds of people, and I’ve found that GS is filled with like-minded individuals. I encourage everyone to put themselves out there and enjoy all the opportunities for connection that our school offers!”
10x the Impact
At George School, we are committed to increasing access to a Friends Education for more families. Through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, your gift offers 10x the impact in giving to George School if you or your business have $3,000 or more in PA state tax liability. For every dollar you donate to George School:
• 9 0% comes back to you as a PA tax credit
• 100% supports financial aid for students
For example, a $10,000 gift earns you a $9,000 tax credit. Your net gift of $1,000 has a $10,000 impact for George School students.
To learn more about using your PA tax dollars to help make a difference for George School students, please contact Chris Jackiewicz in the Advancement Office at 215.579.6572 or cjackiewicz@georgeschool.org.
George School Faculty’s Excellent Summer Adventures
Let’s face it — by the end of the school year, teachers need a break. It’s a whirlwind from September to June — course prep, essay correcting, teaching classes, and — if you are a George School teacher, often coaching, running a dormitory, sponsoring a club…the list goes on. By the time Commencement ends and students depart campus for the summer, it’s no surprise that George School faculty are ready to get out of the classroom.
S o what do teachers actually do during June, July and August? You might think they lounge in their beach chairs or laze by the pool, but if you know anything about George School teachers, you know they can’t sit still for long. And they’re never too tired to learn more — about their subjects, about the world, and about themselves. Here’s how some of our intrepid GS faculty members spent the summer of ’24.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Meredith Baldi ’01 Service Learning Program Director Meredith Baldi ’01 traveled to Armenia as a part of the GenEd Teacher Fellowship program.
The Majzlin Faculty Summer Enhancement Fund was established in 2020 with a gift from Leonard Majzlin ’57, recognizing that many of the academic and social strengths of the George School community emanate from the school’s ability to nurture and support a dedicated faculty and staff.
If you are interested in supporting faculty and staff at George School, please contact Jaime Zamparelli Abramov in the Advancement Office at 215.579.6570 or jzabramov@georgeschool.org.
T he Genocide Education Project (GenEd) is a US non-profit initiative devoted to educating American teachers on Armenian genocide and human rights. Through the program, Meredith, alongside 15 other IB and AP Human Geography teachers, participated in workshop sessions at the Armenian Genocide Museum and Institute and visited historical sites that reinforced their lessons.
A fter returning, Meredith led a professional development workshop with her peers titled “Power, Sovereignty and Human Rights: Teaching the Conflicts in Artsakh to Better Understand the Power (and Limits) of International Law.” She is grateful that the experience better equipped her to continue teaching this topic in a responsible way. “This fits so well into the IB Global Politics curriculum in teaching about power and sovereignty, human rights and global conflict,” she said. Meredith will be leading a service learning trip to Armenia in the 2025-26 school year.
Photo courtesy of GenEd
Sara Shreve-Price
History teacher Sara Shreve-Price traveled with her family to Nice, France to attend an immersive study of French at Alpha B.
S ara received the Majzlin Grant for this trip to practice the French language and familiarize herself with the culture in preparation for an upcoming service learning trip. In June 2025, she will be co-leading a trip to Congénies, Sarlat and Paris which focuses on gravesite preservation.
S ara was inspired to engage in the program in part by George School’s mission-centric commitment to developing lifelong learners. She believes it’s important to explore new interests and skills, even if it can be intimidating.
Her advice to those learning a new language? “Do not be embarrassed to learn,” she said. “There’s nothing magical about learning a language at this age.”
Martha Holland
Religions teacher Martha Holland explored the wide open spaces of New Mexico to study and appreciate historical indigenous sites.
I nspired by her mother, who spent multiple summers at the NAN Ranch in Mimbres Valley NM after being a teacher at Friends’ Central, Martha wanted to experience the area for herself. “I had a desire to tap into this deep love for the Southwest and the gap in my education about indigenous peoples,” she shared. For two weeks, Martha traveled from Albuquerque to Four Corners (where Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and
New Mexico meet); Cortez (the cultural center of the Mesa Verde area); Durango CO; Sante Fe; Chaco Culture National Historical Park (including cliff dwellings from 1,000 years ago); and Shiprock (the most sacred of all Navajo land).
M artha is excited to share her travels in her “Origin Stories: How Did We Come into Existence?” and “Meaning of Myth” classes this school year. “There is a common thread between our relationship and their ancient relationship with the divine,” she reflected. “It widened my view of the universe.”
Howard Glasser
Academic Technology Integrationist Howard Glasser hosted his annual summer AI course, focused on giving educators support in the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence.
A d ozen colleagues from George School have enrolled in Howard’s increasingly popular AI course over the last few summers, along with teachers and administrators from other schools.
“ With AI evolving rapidly, I updated the course to include the latest capabilities, research, and discussions,” said Howard. “We explored how AI can support teachers by creating lesson plans and assessments and by generating ideas for modifying these products to better meet diverse student needs. We also examined how AI can inspire creativity, personalize learning and enhance student agency.”
“On the flip side, we addressed concerns such as bias, ethical implications, AI detectors, cheating, plagiarism and environmental impact. The course underscored the importance of AI literacy and aligning AI policies with our mission and vision.”
“I am grateful to have taken the course because it walked me through activities using AI, something I never would have done on my own. Forcing me to use it also allowed me to see its value,” shared English teacher Courtney Bejgrowicz.
Prescott Seraydarian ’90 & Meredith Baldi ’01 Film teacher Prescott Seraydarian ’90 and Service Learning Program Director Meredith Baldi ’01 presented the curriculum they developed for their course “Storytelling for Social Justice” at the International Media Literacy Research Symposium in the Azores.
T he Symposium was founded in 2013 by Belinha De Abreu, PhD as an initiative to bring together new and established researchers from all areas of media literacy education. Meredith’s and Prescott’s presentation centered on showcasing the connection between media literacy and service learning, and how it can be used as a tool for civic engagement.
“In particular, we demonstrated how media can be used as a tool to create connections rather than divide us, as we often see it doing,” shared Prescott.
Meredith and Prescott’s work will be featured in the Winter Issue of the Journal of Media Literacy , available December 2024.
Caroline Hedde
Director of Counseling Services Caroline Hedde attended a three-day course hosted by Harvard Medical School’s Department of Continuing Education, “Psychiatry in 2024.”
“ This conference was eye-opening and exposed me to cutting-edge treatments for depression, anxiety and other mental health concerns that affect our student population,” said Caroline.
“I heard from global leaders in the field and feel more confident that we are guiding our students to receive the highest quality of care to support their mental wellness.”
Kristin Hurst, RN
Kristin, a member of the Student Health and Wellness Center staff, participated in the “Bounce Back Resilience Program” at the Omega Institute.
T he five-day program, led by positive psychologist expert Emiliya Zhivotovskaya, took place at the Omega Institute, a holistic retreat center in Rhinebeck NY. The curriculum focused on four key areas: mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual/social skills to help build resilience.
T he group was taught practical tools, took part in reflective exercises and learned strategies to strengthen one’s mindset, regulate emotions, enhance physical well-being, and create meaningful connections.
Brendan Mahon
History and Social Sciences teacher Brendan Mahon traveled with his family across much of the Northern and Central United States, working his way west to Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, as well as the Grand Tetons.
“ When I applied for the Majzlin Grant to enhance this trip, I had many specific targets in mind: the National Parks, the Underground Railroad Museum, the World War I Museum, and the Crazy Horse Monument. There were many more destinations, however, which I did not anticipate and were wonderful surprises, such as the Minuteman Missile Museum, Fort Laramie, and the many historical sites within the Parks which were dedicated to representing the Indigenous Americans’ perspectives, history, and culture.”
H is journey will not only inform his teaching of AP US History, but will also feed his continued desire to learn about the sites he visited. “I collected names of book titles or purchased books and look forward to expanding my knowledge about topics related to the sites I visited.”
H is most memorable moment brought him back to the first service trip he chaperoned at George School to the Emmett Till Interpretive Education Center in Sumner MS. “I was instantly reminded of this moment upon viewing the roadside marker for Jackie Robinson’s birthplace that was displayed at the Negro Leagues Museum. Both markers served as sobering reminders to me that racism is not limited to the past and that there is still much work to be done.”
A t the conference, teachers experienced the value of immersing students in an environment while learning about its social history and local culture. Polly observed strategies that are implemented to move toward sustainability, including rain water collection, wind and solar energy, composting, and farming, as well as research studies on aquaponics, coral reef restoration and shark populations.
“ The best part for me was all the time we spent outdoors, especially snorkeling in the ocean,” said Polly. “This was excellent preparation for the Reef Sustainability class in Term 2 when we travel to Bonaire.”
Polly Lodge
Science teacher Polly Lodge attended a one-week teachers’ conference at The Island School in the Bahamas.
PERSONAL ENRICHMENT
Polly Lodge and Peter Paik
Polly Lodge and History teacher Peter Paik joined a group from Friends United Meeting on a trip to Israel and Palestine, where they spent much of their time doing service at the Ramallah Friends School (RFS) in the occupied West Bank, eating most of their meals in the homes of RFS families. They also visited Neve Shalom/Wahat al-Salam, a coexistence community in Israel, the Palestine Institute of Biodiversity and Sustainability in Bethlehem, and the Friends Meetinghouse in Ramallah. The most impactful experience for Polly was meeting with two Israeli soldiers in Hebron who are members of “Breaking the Silence,” an organization of veteran Israeli soldiers who are working to bring an end to the occupation.
Amedeo Salamoni C eramics teacher Amedeo Salamoni visited young alums Claire ’20 and Emmett Schmucker ’23 and their family in Port Medway, Nova Scotia, Canada on his annual Summer Motorcycle trip.
Sara and Sharada Shreve-Price and Laura Kinnel
History and Social Sciences teacher Sara Shreve-Price, Head of the Language Department Sharada Shreve-Price, their children Susan and Sayed, and Director of Studies Laura Kinnel and her husband Jeff traveled together on a bike trip from Prague, Czech Republic, to Vienna, Austria, ending at the International History and Geography Bee, where Sayed competed!
Kim Major
D irector of Admission Kim Major ventured to Vienna, alongside Budapest, Bratislava and Prague, with plans to see the Taylor Swift Eras tour. While the concert was canceled, Kim and her husband Tim made unforgettable memories as they joined fans on the streets of Vienna to trade friendship bracelets, sing songs, dance and connect with one another.
Mb Duckett Ireland
O oh la la! Assistant Head of School for Student Life Mb Duckett Ireland spent their break from the Office of Student Life on a European summer tour with their partner Sarah and daughter Livi.
Campus News & Notes
Cross Country Invitational 70th Anniversary
T he George School Cross Country Invitational reached a major milestone this fall, marking its 70th anniversary. Well over 400 runners from neighboring schools came to George School to compete in the annual 5k race.
“It is the epitome of what fall and the start of the school year is about,” remarked Cross Country Coach Mike Sherman ’83. “One of the highlights of the course is coming up on the first mile: I call it an ‘epic view.’ As the runners come up South Lawn on the gravel path, spectators line up alongside it, cheering on their favorite athletes. As a runner, it’s the moment you’re settling in to finish the last few miles.”
M ike, who ran the invitational himself during his time as a student (when the loop was flipped and athletes ran in the other direction), now shares his love for the event with his team. “It is a highlight for the season because the students are super-excited to run it at home, where a lot of their parents and relatives can come and see them.”
M ichael Mascari ’26 took 11th place on the boys side, while Margaret Massengill ’26 placed fifth.
Amedeo Salamoni and Heidi Kreitchet featured in the Strictly Functional Pottery National Exhibit
A p ottery piece by Ceramics and Sculpture teacher Amedeo Salamoni, in collaboration with artist Heidi Kreitchet, was selected for the 32nd Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National (SFPN) Exhibit in Lancaster PA.
A medeo and Heidi submitted their piece Butterfly Vase for SFPN. “We are interested in creating work that expresses the exploration of line, space, and form,” said Amedeo and Heidi in their artist statement.
“ These vessels become a visual vocabulary for communicating our
on-going experience in ceramics. We are curious about constructing pieces with angles and planes that have multiple textures and hardness to them while enhancing the beauty of the clay’s natural finish by woodfiring the work.”
“ This interaction between the malleable, versatile clay is informed by my immediate reaction to the physical quality of the clay,” said Amedeo. “The emotional, intuitive, and physical reaction to handling and manipulating the clay provides the pieces with passion, power, animation and elasticity.”
Claire Schmucker ’20 named a Merrill Scholar by Cornell University
I n June, Claire matriculated from Cornell University with a bachelor’s degree in Environment and Sustainability and was named a Merrill Scholar. Given to selected students across the 10 undergraduate colleges and schools whose academic records rank in the top 10% of the university, the Merrill Scholar award highlights a student’s academic accomplishments, their outstanding leadership qualities, and their proactive nature in seeking to better the world.
W hen Claire was named one of the 42 students receiving this award and was told she could welcome a mentor of her own, Science teacher Polly Lodge immediately came to mind. “Polly has a long legacy of deep commitment to her students, guided by the principles of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality and stewardship,” Claire wrote in a tribute that was shared during the award ceremony.
T he relationship between the two women is grounded in the Quaker tenets of equality and deep appreciation for the light within each individual. Both hold a tremendous amount of mutual respect and continue to learn from one another.
“Polly’s strong mentorship inspired me to seek out mentors and to be intentional about community building in my continued education,” shared Claire.
Halaylah Lewis-McGlothan ’25 reflects on Congress of Future Medical Leaders
I nternational Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Candidate Halaylah was a Delegate to the Congress of Future Medical Leaders this June on the University of Massachusetts Lowell campus. The Congress is an honors-only program for high school students who want to become physicians or go into medical research fields. Halaylah joined students from across the country to hear Nobel Laureates and National Medal of Science recipients discuss leading medical research and technology.
H alaylah’s nomination was signed by Dr. Mario Capecchi ’56, P’02, winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine and the Science Director of the National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists, to represent PA based on her academic achievement, leadership potential, and determination to serve humanity in the field of medicine.
“I owe much of my current scientific interest to George School,” Halaylah said. “Before taking science classes with George School’s hands-on approach, I had never been interested in STEM before. With my newfound love of science and George School’s approach to classes, I have been inspired to figure out the ‘whys’ in the world around me.”
Meet Corentha Bradley-Esaw, Director of the Children’s Center
G eorge School is pleased to welcome Corentha Bradley-Esaw as the new Director of the Children’s Center. Working in early childhood education for over 12 years, Corentha is excited about joining the George School Children’s Center team and collaborating with a strong team of dedicated professionals.
C orentha believes in the importance of building a strong foundation for a child’s future through early childhood education. When she had the opportunity to join the George School community, she was drawn to the familial and peaceful nature radiating from the Children’s Center. The beliefs and philosophy of the school also resonated deeply with Corentha. “When you come on campus,” she shared, “you feel the family atmosphere. It feels very peaceful and loving.”
“In the Children’s Center, we use the Quaker values of being mindful, and paying attention to nature and the community,” shared Corentha. “Being outside everyday helps children appreciate and admire what is around them.”
C orentha is thankful for retired director Pamela McCullough for her hard work and impact on the community. Pam’s insightful advice has helped Corentha tremendously in her transition into this new role.
Service and citizenship at George School lead Shelby Williams ’21 to the White House
“George School did a great job in teaching us the importance of contributing positively to our community, whether that was the local Newtown community, the Bucks County community, or — thinking more broadly — the global community,” said Shelby Williams ’21.
F or Shelby, that lesson led her to an internship at The White House during the fall of her junior year at Cornell University. After being heavily involved in Student Council at George School, Shelby said, “I became very conscious of my environment and the importance of being a good citizen. Those values have guided my undergraduate pursuits and extracurricular endeavors.”
D uring her internship, she was assigned to the Office of the First Lady. She worked with The White House Social Office team, which manages event planning for the President and the First Lady. On a day-to-day basis, Shelby staffed events and supported her supervisors to ensure that they were prepared for meetings and correspondence.
“ There are so many hardworking people who contribute in various ways to keep the government work-
ing to serve our country,” she said. “As an intern, you might think a task is small, but I learned that all the small tasks add up.”
“Classes like IB Global Politics sparked my interest in policy-making,” she said. “George School was a politically active campus and encouraged students to engage in civic and political dialogue through collective action. Being at a school that supported us was exhilarating for me.”
George School welcomes back Lauren Verdugo
G eorge School welcomes back Lauren Verdugo, last year’s visiting artist, as teacher for the Woodworking & Design Program. In
January 2024, Lauren showcased their exhibit titled “Invasive Configuration,” as part of George School’s Visiting Artist Series.
T hroughout their initial visit to George School, Lauren connected with students in the woodshop and instructed in both Carter Sio ’76 and Amedo Salamoni’s art classes. Lauren has taken time from pursuing their MFA degree at California State University Long Beach, studying Studio Art with an emphasis in Woodworking, to join George School as the fifth woodworking teacher and also an Upper Drayton Dorm Parent.
W ith training from Chaffey College (AA in Arts and Humanities), San Diego State University (BA in Applied Design), and teaching experience at the Maloof Foundation, Allied Woodshop, and Would Works on the West Coast, Lauren blends formal woodworking concepts with core ideas of modernism and their identity as a queer, non-binary Latine artist. Most recently, Lauren spoke in a virtual artist talk with Craft in America.
Published author and parent Angie Cruz P ’26 speaks at George School for Hispanic Heritage Month O n Friday, October 11, 2024, published author and current GS parent Angie Cruz spoke at a special assembly about her published novel, Dominicana , in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. A guided writing workshop followed in MDA Library during lunch.
T he special assembly was hosted by the Latin American Student
Organization (LASO), and provided the George School community with the opportunity to learn about Angie’s experience as a Latina writer. She is an English Professor at the University of Pittsburgh and holds a BA in English from SUNY Binghamton and a MFA in Creative Writing from New York University.
A ngie was interviewed on stage by her son, Daniel Cruz ’26, and students Allie Betancourt ’26 and Bailey Chichwak ’28 about how she became
a writer, what her writing process looks like, what inspires her to write, and her experience breaking into the industry as a Latina writer. To Angie, writing about underrepresented voices matters, especially when those voices are of communities that have many important stories to share.
“I didn’t always know I was a writer,” Angie shared, “but I knew I was a storyteller.”
Elise Dehlin ’25 inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts
I nternational Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Candidate Elise Dehlin ’25 was inducted into the National Honor Society for Dance Arts (NHSDA) with Honors this fall. A dedicated dancer since age six, meditative movement has always made sense to Elise. She has danced competitively at George School and with her studio for years — mainly practicing ballet, lyrical, and contemporary styles of dance.
A c ommitted IB Dance student, Elise has choreographed duos at George School with Dance Teacher Gracie Coscia-Collins ’09, and has performed in multiple shows — including the annual holiday dance performance and the spring show Dance Eclectic. “Elise is an accomplished IB Dance student and a dedicated member of the George School Dance Program,” said Gracie. “A leader and a creative spirit in the classroom, this award is well deserved.”
T he IB Dance Program encourages students to think through their three self-choreographed dances — a solo, duo/trio, and a group piece. Students in the program are required to write an analytical statement about their choreographic process as well as what inspired the dances.
I B Coordinator Kim McGlynn is proud of Elise’s achievement and recognition. “This is a terrific honor for a hardworking and high-achieving student in IB Dance Honors Level (HL), as well as a wonderful testament to the strength of our IB Dance Program and our talented George School Arts Department,” shared Kim. “Elise is not only a hardworking and high-achieving student in IB Dance HL but also a wellrounded student in our IB Diploma Program and a wonderful community member.”
Rock Climbing joins athletics as winter sport
S cience teacher Walter Stephenson ’08 will be coaching the first rock climbing team at George School this winter. The team will be competing alongside other private schools in the area, testing their endurance and skill on the wall. Competitions will be individual and scoring will be based on difficulty. Walter is an avid rock climber and eager to grow the sport. Last year, he taught rock climbing as a physical education (PE) credit, and is excited to take it to the next level this year as a sport.
“Rock Climbing is a lifelong skill — there is no age limit to the sport,” he explained. “Students can learn
this skill and climb for the rest of their lives.” He plans on training students on the rock climbing wall in the Fitness and Athletics Center, and taking students to a local rock climbing gym once a week to experience different climbs. “I look forward to seeing students excited about climbing and sharing the activity with them.”
George School welcomes Athletic Coordinator Tonia Maschi
Tonia joined the team as an Athletic Coordinator and assisted head coach Alyssa Batty with girls lacrosse last spring. “Tonia comes to GS with a long resume of coaching, athletic training, physical education and athletic administration,” said Director of Athletics Kurt Ruch. “She will be able to help our community and department in many ways.”
Tonia served as the Director of Athletics and Physical Education at Buckingham Friends School for the past six years. “I am committed to the independent school environment, and to guiding and supporting students during a time of profound physical, social, and emotional growth while honoring the School’s mission,” shared Tonia. “Athletics have been a part of my life since childhood, and I am excited to be back in the high school setting again.”
Setting up for success
D ani Pena joined George School as an Admission Counselor, Dorm Parent, and Varsity Volleyball Coach this fall. Dani attended Swarthmore College, where she graduated with a double major in Economics and Religion. During her time there, Dani was a three-year captain of the Women’s Volleyball team.
D ani’s coaching philosophy focuses on the balance between having fun and pushing her athletes to improve. “I want my players to experience that the better you get as a player, the more fun the game gets.”
“ We’re learning together,” Dani continued as she reflected on her first experience coaching. “My motto is to ‘give grace’ to all of us as we navigate our first season together.”
D ani quickly immersed herself in the community. “I was drawn to George School because of the Quaker education, size, and community. It has been a great opportunity to interact with all the members of the community and I have been so welcomed.”
“ I w ant my players to experience that the better you get as a player, the more fun the game gets.”
T his year, George School is partnering with Perseverance Strength and Conditioning (PSC) to work with students in meeting their strength and fitness goals and fulfilling their physical education (PE) requirements. Led by Chris Suma, PSC coaches use exercise to teach students how to gain strength by learning to safely push through discomfort. Ultimately, their goal is to build character and self-discipline — lifelong skills that will support their growth beyond the walls of the gym and impact their everyday lives for years to come.
D rawing on his experience working with everyone from true beginners to Division I athletes, Chris looks forward to working with students at all levels at George School. All students have access to the PSC coaches through team strength and conditioning, a Fitness 101 PE class, and individualized coaching/programing, or they can enroll in a personalized program for an additional fee.
Class Notes
For alumni information, visit our website: georgeschool.org/alumni
To share news and updates for the Class Notes section, email classnotes@georgeschool.org
1940
Carola Waples Lacy writes, “Hi George Schoolers! At 102 years young, here is my message to you: Reach out to those who are different from you. We must learn to love each other or die.”
1946
George School mourns the passing of Michael Kulla on September 26, 2022. Michael was born in New York City, but lived most of his personal and professional life in Dutchess County. Educated at Syracuse University and The New School for Social Research, he earned his doctorate in psychology in 1966 at the University of Oklahoma and completed postdoctoral work in Connecticut and Switzerland. He spent 63 years as a psychologist in child guidance, public health and welfare, and mental health clinics, fully retiring at age 90. In Poughkeepsie, he served as the Director of Education and Training at the Astor Home for Children. In 1969, he founded the Mid-Hudson Consultation Center where his practice focused on helping his patients achieve optimal mental health and a good quality of life. He was a facilitator at Man-to-Man, a prostate cancer support group. He served on Advisory Boards at the Community Mental Health Program at Dutchess Community College and for the New York State Division for Youth. Widely respected as a professor and a writer in his field, Dr. Kulla loved his work and was always an advocate for his patients. Mike lived a full, active, and caring life and will be missed by many. He is survived by his loving
wife, Susan Saluga, his three beloved children, son-in-law, and three grandchildren.
1947
John D. Orr writes, “Diane Siesel Orr ’52 and I shared a 20th wedding anniversary last March. A new GS Board policy just caused my removal from my long-term membership on the GS Property Committee, along with two other long-time members, a contractor, and an architect.”
Clarkson T. Palmer writes, “Andrea Wilcox Palmer and I celebrated our 65th wedding anniversary.”
1949
George School mourns the passing of John P. Kotschnig on August 12, 2023. John was born in Geneva, Switzerland in 1931. After attending George School — years he remembered with a twinkle in his eye — John went to Cornell, graduating with a BA in English. Theater classes taken there sparked a lifelong love of the stage. “Kotschnig” being a bit of a mouthful, he changed his professional name to John Priest when he started working in playhouses up and down the East Coast, first as an actor and later behind-the-scenes, founding a scenic studio that crafted more than 40 productions for opera and theater companies. It was in Olney Theater in Maryland that John would meet Mary Grant, an actress, in a 1958 production of Under Milkwood . They wed in June of 1960. In 1966, John was invited to become the San Francisco Opera’s first full-time Technical Director. Over his 30-
year career there, he oversaw the development of more than 100 new productions for the Opera, as well as hundreds of others from around the world. Upon retirement, John and Mary gave in to the siren call of hiking mountain peaks around the world. At home in Mill Valley, he was never idle: he loved working with his hands, lending his skills to friends and neighbors when he ran out of projects to build or repair at home. John was the embodiment of a true gentleman. His family, friends, and colleagues keenly miss his warm intelligence and generous spirit, his integrity, his thoughtful nature, and his delightful sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, three children, and six grandchildren.
1951
Tad Phillips writes, “Unfortunately, I am not the person/family who donated $17.75 million to George School.”
1952
William (Bill) M. Quigg writes, “Another scorcher summer, but better than shoveling snow as we say. Keeping busy volunteering with the HonorHealth Hospital system in the Valley — 19 years on the bioethics committee and serving in the Spiritual Care area calling on patients. I am staying active in the corporate world by giving Zoom presentations on the use of corporate value guidelines in making ethical decisions. This may sound strange, but I have found I get an entirely different reaction from people when I say I am 90 as opposed to when I was in my late 80s. Fortunately holding forth on general health by working out in the gym at least three times a week. Blessed by my seven-year relationship with a wonderful partner which allows both of us to remain home.”
1953
George School mourns the passing of Joyce Cushmore Bradley on March 11, 2024. Joyce was born in 1935 to parents Charles Laurence Cushmore Jr. and Edna Alice Tracey.
1947 – Diane Siesel Orr ’52 and John D. Orr ’47.
Her father was a prominent lawyer who advocated for civil rights, was a recognized leader in the Quaker community and founding member of Pennswood Village. She attended Buckingham Friends School and George School. As an exchange student to Germany, she spent her junior year in Berlin in 1951–52. She then attended Bryn Mawr college, majoring in Russian. Her curious mind led her to work for the University of Pennsylvania as a librarian and translator. She married her husband, Martin Robert Bradley, while he attended Jefferson Medical School. She then graduated from Temple University Medical School giving birth to children Jennifer and Timothy along the way. Residencies in Phoenix AZ were followed by life in Hawaii where Joyce gave birth to Christopher (Chris) Bradley ’88. The entire family then deployed to Cameroon, Africa, on assignment with the World Health Organization’s smallpox vaccination campaign, which is detailed in Bee Bloeser’s 2021 memoir titled Vaccines and Bayonets: Fighting Smallpox in Africa amid Tribalism, Terror and the Cold War . She raised her family and often taught language and medical science classes during Colonel Bradley’s tours of duty in Germany and Holland. In retirement, she became the innkeeper of a B&B known as Bradley’s Alderbrook Manor. She will forever be remembered as a great storyteller with a keen sense of humor and love of music and international culture.
1955
Marjorie (Marj) Mcfeely Burton writes, “Marcia Perera Van Dyck, Lamartine (Lam) F. Hood , and I are all thinking positively about a 70th reunion on May 3. For those who are unable to return to campus, we do plan to have a Zoom gathering at another time. We would welcome news of you at alumni@ georgeschool.org.”
George School mourns the passing of Eugenia (Jeanne) Nelson Dilg on April 23, 2024. Jeanne was
the third of six children born to William G. III, Class of 1926 and Eleanor Nelson. Jeanne lived in Atlantic County NJ for most of her adult life. She was a graduate of George School and Atlantic Cape Community College. Her greatest and most rewarding work was focused upon her three children W. Nelson Dilg ’77 , Eugenia “Gina” Carkhuff, and Elizabeth “Lisa” Ferraro to whom she was mother, nurse, counselor, and friend. She learned bookkeeping in some of the better restaurants in Atlantic City and went on to become the Comptroller of the Sheraton Seaside and Terrace Hotels of Atlantic City. She spent her last twenty working years as the Business Manager of the Overseas Ministries Study Center of Ventnor City and New Haven CT through which she also traveled with God’s message of hope to Russia, China, Western Europe and more. She was active in many charities and non-profit pursuits and served in a multitude of capacities within different monthly meetings of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). She was a great believer in the importance of forgiveness. She was a championship bowler, and loved classical music and international cuisine. She is survived by brother Quentin W. Nelson ’71 and sister Marion Squilanti-Johnson. Predeceased by brothers William (Bill) G. Nelson IV ’52, Thomas (Lane) L. Nelson ’53 , and Michael L. Nelson. She is survived by her three children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Suzanne (Sue) Parry Lamborn writes, “As a retired dairy farmer, I am happily living in a self-designed house with two sets of steps. Going up isn’t as easy as it was when we moved in.”
1956
George School mourns the passing of K. James Dykstra February 7, 2024. He was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, and grew up in Albion NY. After attending Amherst College for three years, he received his
Electrical Engineering degree from Iowa State University. He spent his career working at computer companies and living in the Twin Cities, suburban Toronto, Silicon Valley, and Southboro MA. He met his wife, Ruetta Beck, in an ISU math class and they celebrated more than 61 years of life together. After retiring near Boston, they relocated to Vancouver WA where the pinot noir wines in the Willamette Valley called to him as well as two grandchildren. In the early 1970s, he built a cabin in the Wisconsin woods where the family spent many weekends. He and Ruetta organized a dinner club in Southboro for more than 22 years with Jim creating nearly all the menus. That legacy was carried forward to their current neighborhood. Travel was always a part of his life and included trips to Antarctica, Iran, Ethiopia, and Sri Lanka, trips that focused on wine tasting and four trips on the four-masted Sea Cloud. He is survived by his wife, two sons, and four grandchildren.
George School mourns the passing of Deborah Janney O’Keefe on March 9, 2024. An accomplished writer and professor, Deborah was born in Greenwich CT. Deborah earned a BA from Smith College, an MA from Cornell University, and a PhD from Columbia University. In 1968 she walked, heavily pregnant, through Columbia student riots to ace her PhD orals. She taught English at Hobart, Vassar, and Manhattanville, and writing at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gifted and Talented Youth. Deborah authored two books of feminist literary criticism: Good Girl Messages: How Young Women Were Misled by Their Favorite Books (2000), and Readers in Wonderland: The Liberating Worlds of Fantasy Fiction (2003). She researched and wrote “Hardscrabble House: A Farmhouse in Three Centuries,” a three-part article in Westchester Historian detailing the sprawling, three-story, 14-room 1785 Chappaqua manor house where she spent four decades with her husband, three sons,
and generations of uninvited squirrels. She also published pieces in The New York Times, McCall’s, American Heritage, National Lampoon, and other periodicals. With her late husband, magazine editor Daniel O’Keefe, she co-created the holiday Festivus, later fictionalized by the TV show Seinfeld . Festivus began as a celebration of Daniel and Deborah’s young romance, later a ritualized litany of regrets for having had children. After Seinfeld , Festivus was embraced by millions as a cheerful anti-holiday for airing family grievances. Deborah is survived by her three sons, her sister Harriet Janney Ball ’53 , two grandchildren, four nephews and nieces, and six great-nephews and great-nieces.
George School mourns the passing of Mark Z. Segal on September 15, 2024. Mark was born in Trenton NJ. If you knew Mark, you knew he loved golf, his wife Teri, his kids, and being a lawyer. The decades he spent as a partner at Fox Rothschild in Princeton NJ, where he specialized in matrimonial and divorce law, were fulfilling and rewarding, professionally and personally. In his career, he was recognized by his peers with the highest ratings, both at national and state levels, as well as being selected and listed in Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyer in NJ. During his active years of practice, he served on various state and local Bar Association executive committees relating to issues in the practice of family law. As a young lawyer, during the civil rights movement, Mark went to the courthouse when there were protests to look for people who were thrown in jail so he could represent them pro bono. He helped many people and was always willing to share his wisdom and assistance with family, friends, clients, and whomever was in need. When his family spotted his 50th George School reunion submission about his life by a pile of books, they knew he was still watching out for them, lending help writing about his life. Here is Mark in his own words: “As I reflect on the past
50 years, I can honestly say I have no regrets where life has taken me. The overall quality of my life and that of my family have continued to exceed my expectations. I have two wonderful children and have had the pleasure of watching them grow and achieve their own status in life. I remain close to my children, and we continue to share in each other’s lives.” He is survived by his beloved wife of 27 years, Teri Rose Segal, his children Stephanie and Michael, his sister Sally Segal Shenker ’60 and his wife Teri’s son, Richard D. Rose ’83
1957
George School mourns the passing of William (Bill) I. Houghton III on April 3, 2024. Bill was born in Newton NJ in 1939. He was an alumnus of the Syracuse University School of Architecture Class of 1964. Bill was an esteemed architect and one of the founding partners of a local architecture firm Houghton-Quarty-Warr in Newton. His architectural endeavors stand as testaments to his skill and dedication and include notable projects such as Blair Academy, Sussex County Community College, Pope John XXIII Regional High School, the Newton municipal building, Stanhope Library, New Jersey Herald, and countless other establishments and private residences. Bill was a kind and generous soul who constantly volunteered to improve his hometown community, served on the Board of Newton Memorial Hospital for over 40 years as both a Director and past president, the Board of Sussex and Merchants National Bank, and the President of the Newton Rotary Club where he was a proud member for over 60 years. Bill was also known for his playful and competitive spirit, which first became apparent as a teen racing his sailboat on Lake Mohawk. He sailed all of his life and won the NJ State Championship many times. Bill’s infectious smile and easy-going personality will be greatly missed by all who admired and loved him. His great loves were his wife, three daughters, his extended family, his
abundance of lifelong friends, and spending endless hours working outdoors. Bill leaves fond memories to his beloved wife, Abbie Houghton; his loving daughters Amy Houghton ’86 , Rebecca, Sarah, and his cherished granddaughters.
George School mourns the passing of Mary Baily Jordan in February 2024 in her home in Virginia where she lived for the past 50 years. She is missed by her daughter Elizabeth (Beth) Jordan Kramer ’91, son Edward M. Jordan ’88 , son Thomas, her five grandchildren, and her brother, William (Bill) M. Baily ’60. Mary was an extraordinary human who embodied the Quaker spirit in her generosity, compassion, capacity for forgiveness, and her ability to see the light in every person. She fondly remembered her time at George School, particularly her travel abroad to Germany as part of a class “work camp,” where she met friends who she kept in touch with for the rest of her life.
George School mourns the passing of Joan Applegate Lane on March 29, 2024. She was a member of the Manasquan Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Joan was a graduate of Monmouth Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and Monmouth College. She was a Registered Nurse and worked at Point Pleasant Hospital and Brick Township Schools. Joan is survived by her devoted husband of 64 years, Robert Lane; their daughters Katherine, Donna, and Suzanne; four grandchildren; and her best friend Emily.
1958 – Alden F. Briscoe
1958
Alden F. Briscoe writes, “Still providing consulting to non-profits on fundraising. Getting more involved with grandchildren, ages 8 and 11.”
George School mourns the passing of Linda Baker Hunter on January 21, 2024. Linda grew up in Great Neck NY surrounded by her extended family headed by her grandmother, an immigrant from Ukraine. Linda graduated from Wellesley College and attended Stanford University. She married Jamie Hunter and they moved to Oregon to teach at the University of Oregon. They then sailed the South Pacific for a year on the “Flying Cloud” landing in Lahaina, Maui. They swapped their share of the boat for land on the slopes of Haleakala. Linda raised her two children on their self-sustaining farm. They grew most of their food and lived without electricity or a phone — much to Linda’s mother’s dismay! In Maui, she helped found Maui Family Reunion. As a family visitor, she supported newborn families with Maui Family Support Services. She worked at Queen Liliuokalani Children’s Center and Aloha House. Later, Linda moved to Palm Beach FL to care for her parents and was a co-founder and board member of the Association for Community Counseling (ACC). ACC was an all-volunteer organization which used a client centered philosophy to serve clients of all ages within a group format. She volunteered throughout the world including in Bosnia, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, China, India, Peru and Costa Rica. Linda’s true loves were her children, Sarah and Lono, her partner Ray, her four grandchildren, as well as many “grand-dogs.” Linda’s adventures were cut short by a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in 2013. She knew her “swiss cheese brain” was not as sharp as it had been. (She had two PhDs, three master’s degrees, and had written a book, Images of Resiliency .) As a practitioner of mindfulness meditation,
Alzheimer’s was her ultimate practice in being present and connected. She knew and enjoyed her family all the way until the end. Linda is survived by her brother, Jeremy (Jerry) D. Baker ’54 , her daughter Sarah, her son Lono, and her four grandchildren.
Nancy Baker Martin writes, “In July, I had surprise visitors! David (Dave) R. Perera was visiting his sister Marcia Perera Van Dyck ’55 who also spends summers in Vermont. We had a delightful time and always have fun catching up with our GS friends! The next day I flew to Nantucket to visit Pamela (Pam) Page Waller and Alice (Allie) L. Russell who came over from Martha’s Vineyard for a wonderful week of nonstop catching up. Loved seeing all of them!”
David (Dave) R. Perera writes, “My new and unusual volunteer activity is a station master at the Lacey/Olympia AMTRAK terminal where I assist passengers on and off the train, answer questions, and make announcements. During my shift there are five trains, four between Seattle and Portland, and one which goes from Seattle to LA.”
1960
Jane Hurbanis Ensminger writes, “Our graduation year seems to be more than a lifetime ago. I was watching some of the Paris Olympic diving, and I remember sitting beside the pool (by the old gym?) watching diving competitions. The degree of difficulty, pike position, etc. Susan (Suzy) Pickering Dowling and I watched her brother George L. Pickering ’58 dive. I still enjoy that competition. Minimal splash. Just one of the memories that popped up as I thought about getting ready for the start of another school year. Thanks for the education, the memories, and the opportunity to share a memory.”
George School mourns the passing of Heller Halliday on April 21, 2024. She was born in Los Angeles CA to the late theatrical producer Richard Halliday and the Broadway actress and singer Mary Martin. Heller was a graduate of Colby Junior College in NH. A talented dancer and actress, she appeared and performed in notable productions such as Peter Pan and The Skin of Our Teeth She starred as Liza in the original Broadway cast of Peter Pan and in the original 1955 NBC Color Television Production of the show. Heller also modeled at Elizabeth Arden in New York City. Whether it was the arts, hummingbirds, colorful flowers, or stars in the night sky, Heller had an inherent relationship with all things of natural beauty on earth. She loved to smile and sing, dream, dance, blow kisses to her mother and brother in heaven, and reenact the “crow call” in Peter Pan . Throughout her adventurous journey, Heller made many acquaintances and built relationships with numerous people from all walks of life. Heller loved all animals, especially her Happy Talk, Lincoln, Latte, Nellie, and Scooter. In addition to her parents, Heller is preceded in death by her brother and fellow actor, Larry Hagman. Heller is survived by many beautiful needlework projects she passed on to those she loved. Additionally, she is survived by her husband Martin Carrigan, children Timothy, Mathew, Mary, and Geoffrey; eight grandchildren, nephew, and special friends, Tim, Lindsey, Betta, Biffy, Gerard, and Cathy.
1961
Richard (Dick) Brown II writes, “Lawrence (Larry) K. Houghteling passed away on August 3, 2024 surrounded by loving family in Baltimore. Larry was bigger than life in so many ways. He wrestled heavyweight for GS, but his intelligence, empathy, and enthusiasm were at super heavyweight standards. He will be sorely missed by all who had the pleasure of speaking, texting, or emailing with him.”
George School mourns the passing of Lawrence (Larry) K. Houghteling on August 3, 2024. Born at Walter Reed in Washington DC, Larry lived in a number of places throughout his childhood: a timeand-again homebase on Kalorama Road, where he resided with his grandmother, Laura Delano Houghteling, a first cousin of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and his grandfather, James Lawrence Houghteling, who served in a number of roles in the Roosevelt administration; on Buzzards Bay MA, where his family had a home and ancestral roots; in Garches, France, where his father Jim worked for the United States government in the years following World War II; in Cambridge and Newton MA; in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh PA; in Bucks County PA, where he attended George School; and, lastly, in New Haven CT, where he began his undergraduate studies at Yale University, returning two decades later to finish his degree with his young son and wife. He will always be remembered. He will always be appreciated. But, most acutely, he will always be missed. He was predeceased by his father, James Houghteling, his mother, Fiora Mariotti Houghteling, and his brother, Peter Houghteling. He is survived by his sons, Samuel Houghteling of Fort Collins CO, and Jack Houghteling of New York NY, his partner, Nikia Leopold, of Ruxton MD, his daughters-in-law, Kelly Houghteling of Fort Collins CO, and Abigayle Dolmseth of New York NY, a brother, Robert, of Oakland CA, a sister, Nan, of Myrtle Beach SC, the mother of his sons, Regina Kelly Houghteling, of Hastings-on-Hudson NY, two beloved granddaughters, Sophie and Willa, as well as friends and family stretching from Dartmouth MA to Taos NM and far beyond.
1961
Thomas (Tom) C. Steinmetz writes, “It has been a busy couple of years for our family. Our daughter just added a baby girl to the family
who is now approaching two years old. I got my first hole-in-one. It took me 80 years. The big news in the family: my wife, Barbara, had her first novel, Senseless, recently published. It is available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon. She also had a reading of her first play, Shpilkes , last February. A reading of her second play, Franny , is scheduled for February 2025. Her fifth play is in the works, and she just finished her third children’s book.”
James (Jim) M. Talbot writes, “Class of 1961 tennis doubles partners, Lee N. Price and I, met after 64 years to celebrate with some tennis on the GS courts!”
1962
Mary Winter Arnold writes, “My husband Peter died in late April of 2023, and I am learning how to live this new life. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful family and friends and enjoy and actively use Auburn University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) Program. I recommend it to anyone with a program nearby.”
Barbara L. Hires writes, “Looking forward to some travel time in the RV this fall. I was glad to see tropical storm Debby leave Florida so we could be at Fort Wilderness at Disney. Next big trip is planned for February 2025 to the west coast. Move it or lose it as they say.”
1964
George School mourns the passing of Nancy Harned Ingersoll on June 1, 2024. She was born in Philadelphia to William Hutchinson
Harned ’29 and Louise Robinson Harned. She is preceded in death by her older sister, Patricia (Pat) Harned Kelly ’61 . Nancy is survived by her husband Roger, with whom she shared a birthday and almost 46 years of marriage; and by her cousin Lee. Nancy attended the University of Miami, and, as an adult, earned two degrees from the University of Arizona. She worked for William Sklaroff Design Associates in Philadelphia, but in Tucson devoted her time and energy to serving others. She volunteered for many years at Villa Maria Nursing Home and at Casa de los Ninos, volunteered and served on the Board at Project YES in South Tucson, and was a member of Angel Charity for Children. Nancy also gave many hours to Corpus Christi church during its early years. She was a kind and giving soul, who loved almost all people and ALL dogs, especially Brutus the Wonder Dog. She was passionate about European History and Art, anything and everything French, her husband, and her Church. Despite physical challenges, she was an accomplished scuba diver, hiker, cross country and downhill skier, in later years with the help of an oxygen tank or portable oxygen concentrator on her back.
Linda Redland Klemmer writes, “Although I missed our 60th reunion in May, I enjoyed seeing photos and reading the items in the Reflections booklet compiled by a great reunion team. Phil and I celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary this June in beautiful Norway. We spent three weeks driving mountain roads, along fjords and spending nights on old farms, most dating back to the 15th
1961 – James (Jim) M. Talbot and Lee N. Price
1964 – Linda Redland Klemmer Nord Fjord, Norway
and 16th centuries. Normally late summers are spent canning our garden tomatoes…summer 2024 was too hot for a great crop.”
Thomas (Tom) M. Parry III writes, “Such a year (July 2023–July 2024)! My son, Thomas IV, and I went on a bucket list trip to the Open Championship in Liverpool UK. After that weekend, he and I drove two hours west into North Wales to find Caernarfon, where my predecessor came from to the states in 1720. We drove around North Wales for three days seeing as many sights as we could take in. And, of course, a round of golf. Then came May of 2024 and our 60th reunion for the great Class of 1964. With around 35 in attendance, and Don and Linda’s excellent hosting, it was a reunion to remember! For all of you future 83+ year olds, see y’all in 2029 for our 65th. During my drive home to NC, information was gathered via phone calls and decisions were made for my relocation to Fort Myers FL. And, as of August 28, 2024, here I am. I am in a very pleasant senior independent living facility with all of the expected amenities. I come and go at will.”
Eric Stumacher writes, “I reside in Maplewood in Westmoreland NH and perform weekly piano recitals and email daily to a mailing list to inspire kindness, love, and respect in our world. Contact me if you wish to join the mailing list. I welcome visitors at any time. Peace, Shalom, Salaam.”
1965
George School mourns the passing of Nancy Bigbee Jensen on March 29, 2024. Nancy was born and raised in Santa Fe NM. After a childhood filled with world travels and difficult scholastic achievement, she graduated from Pomona College with a BA degree. Following her marriage to Yale law student Charles Calvin, she worked in Yale’s Bursar’s Office, writing collection letters for student loans. She described it as a dreadful job. Shortly after Nancy’s daughter Anne was born, the family moved to Denver CO where Nancy began her 20-year law career in 1976 by earning her JD degree from the University of Denver College of Law. Following her 1976 separation from Charles, Nancy was hired as an associate at the law firm of Meiklejohn, Kehl, and Lyons specializing in transportation law. In 1980, Nancy opened her own law office, still specializing in transportation law until Congress preempted regulation of intrastate trucking. Nancy took the situation as a message from God to play more golf. So, she did, retiring from her law practice in 1996 and declaring herself a “recovering” and later “recovered” attorney. She served on the Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District Board for 16 years, supervising building and maintenance of infrastructure and other fascinating aspects of municipal government. She served on the Colorado Women’s Golf Association’s Rules Committee, sang with the Highlands Ranch Community Chorus, the Mission Hills choir, and the 90-member choir of Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church. Despite her growing health issues, she remained active in several social groups including book clubs and cutthroat Dominos with Girls Night Out. Somewhere in that flurry of years, she met and, in 1983, married Jon Chris Jensen whom she affectionately referred to as “Hubby v2.0.” Nancy is survived by her husband, her sister Elizabeth, and her daughter Anne and her grandson.
Marshall N. Warner writes, “I retired as Executive Vice President of Chesapeake Bank, Williamsburg
VA. Still on the Board of Directors. Spending most of my time in Florida. Enjoy traveling, boating, playing guitar, and sitting in with rock groups, singing 60s and 70s tunes.”
Martha S. Wilson writes, “In the last few years, I have become famous in France! In 2021, I had a solo show, Martha Wilson in Halifax , 1972–74 at the Centre Pompidou in Paris; subsequently, a work of mine was shown at the Pinault Collection in the former Bourse de Commerce. Then in 2023, I had a solo show at Frac Sud in Marseille entitled Invisible , of all my work on aging; and just recently the City of Paris has decided to purchase a 1974 work, I Make Up the Image of My Perfection/I Make Up the Image of My Deformity, for which I used makeup to beautify and deform my face. Finally, my lenticular photo, ‘Mona/Marcel/Marge,’ which shows me as the Mona Lisa with Marge Simpson’s hair, while the goatee and mustache (drawn by Marcel Duchamp on an image of the Mona Lisa) appears and disappears as you walk past, was shown in the Masquerade room of Lacan, the exhibition at Pompidou-Metz along with Duchamp’s original, entitled ‘LHOOQ.’ (Speak to someone whose French is good to get the joke.)”
1966
Janice Powell Crausaz writes, “For nearly 20 years, I’ve been living in the picturesque southern Ireland fishing village of Kinsale, much appreciated by tourists. All year round I swim daily in the sea and love it even though the temperature climbs to 60 degrees Fahrenheit only in August. Sadly, the crabs, fish, and birds
1964 – Eric Stumacher
1966 – Janice Powell Crausaz At the local beach before a swim.
become scarcer every year with the changing climate. I keep busy with community volunteering, a walking group, and a weekly poker game with friends which is great ‘craic’ as we say in Ireland. GS classmates are welcome to visit — Mìle Fàilte!”
Richard (Rick) L. Danley writes, “How nice to be old enough so I can be referred to as ‘eccentric.’ I rarely go out — no more week-long backpacking trips into the Grand Canyon carrying my 4x5 view camera to the river and back. Nonetheless, I still get plenty of exercise during frequent daily searches for my reading glasses. However, the major reason for being a stay-at-home person is because I am largely the primary caregiver for my 98-year-old mother (some of you may have met her!). Though almost deaf, she remains sharp and reads constantly. The rest of my time is divided among listening to music (Bach and Wagner are at the top of the list); spending time in [3D Virtual World] Second Life (even though I’m not always there, look for ‘Immerdar’); and finally, spending part of each day working in MidJourney AI. There are great possibilities there, some of which I’ve printed on metal with fantabulous results. Someday too, I will have the 16mm-film my father shot of our graduation transferred to DVD… someday.”
J. Michael (Mike) Kramer writes, “This summer we moved from Maryland’s Eastern Shore right on the Chesapeake Bay to the Five Colleges area of western Massachusetts to be near the grandkids. I’m still active with the environment and
1968
development in Asia and Africa. These days, less forestry and sustainable agriculture and more of a focus on climate adaptation.”
1967
Laurie Rendall Coursin writes, “I’ve had a lovely summer babysitting for my two-year-old grandson who lives only 30 minutes from my condo in Amherst. I spent a week in Canada with my son, his wife, and my grandson. It was wonderful to go kayaking, swimming, cooking out, and just ‘go with the flow’ depending on the weather and seeing nature from a two-year-old’s eyes. I’m going off Pastoral Care at Northampton Friends Meeting and will be volunteering to build a Habitat for Humanity house for an Afghan family that I’m in a circle of care with. I’ve been quilting and gardening and have reconnected with Judith (Judi) Tisdall which has been special, and staying in touch with Joan Hayden Taylor , such a treasure to have dear friends.”
George School mourns the passing of David Allison on August 8, 2024. David was born in Doylestown, PA to Mary Elizabeth Ridge Allison ’43 and George G. Allison ’35 . He graduated from Wilmington College in Ohio. After moving to Washington DC, he attended George Washington University where he received a MFA in Photography. It was there he met his wife of 43 years, Mary Anne. He taught photography and digital imaging at Northern Virginia Community College for 35 years. His career in photography included a commercial business photographing museum artifacts and fine art. David exhibited his work all over the country, including art galleries in New York City and Washington DC. His photographs are in numerous collections including the Library of Congress and the Bibliothèque Nationale de France in Paris. David was a ‘Renaissance Man’ through and through. He spent time as a skilled woodworker, working on his vintage Porsche, playing golf, and cooking for his family and friends. He believed in the classics, like a well-tied bow tie, family, and deep connections with friends. His lively, ‘life of the party spirit’ will be deeply missed by all who knew him. David is survived by his loving wife Mary Anne, daughter Sarah, and son Warner and his brothers Geoffrey (Geoff) M. Allison ’72 and Stephen (Steve) G. Allison ’75 .
Tannye (Tan) Wold writes, “My husband and I traveled to Iceland, Holland, Belgium, Rome, and Elba recently. I didn’t have enough time in the Dutch museums in Amsterdam and hope to go back soon. Life in southern Maine is fantastic so it’s always good to come home. I continue to enjoy tennis competitions year-round at my local club as well as USTA leagues in NH, and was on three spring teams. The previous two years, I also coached my hometown York (Maine) High School Girls’ team including a terrific young
1966 – J. Michael (Mike) Kramer Framed by a rice paddy while conducting performance assessment of USAID Bangladesh’s natural resources and climate program pre-COVID.
1966 – Richard (Rick) L. Danley Brokedown Palace; MidJourney AI.
1967 – Laurie Rendall Coursin Grandparents Day with two-year-old Wren at the Montessori School where my son Owen works.
exchange student from Ukraine who I stay in touch with. My business, Art Appraisals of New England, keeps me busy and it can also be quite fascinating solving mysteries. I have been a beekeeper for many years, and it is becoming more difficult as the chemicals used in yards and more viruses threaten the honeybees. Perhaps more of you will stop by coming into Maine — come jump in the ocean with me!”
1969
James R. Caulkins writes, “Evelyne and I celebrated our 50th anniversary in May. My son Terence and his wife Natalie had our first and only grandchild in July of last year. Charlie just turned one and is a joy. Life is good.”
Robert (Rob) E. Ganz writes, “I have acted as Class Agent since graduation. During our recent 55th reunion, those present on campus gave a quick update on their recent activities as follows: Laura Smith Campbell acts as a volunteer nurse for a mental health agency in addition to acting as a caregiver for family members. Robert (Rob) E. Ganz relocated to San Diego CA permanently; plays a lot of pickleball and golf; and remains very involved on a national basis with the Jewish National Fund providing support for the land and people of Israel. Lisa S. Garrison — while stepping back from leadership roles in her local Friends Meeting and Women’s Research Center — was honored as an inductee in the Cumberland
County NJ Women’s Hall of Fame. Hal K. Haveson retired as an attorney in 2016 but continues to manage his family’s commercial real estate business. He splits his time between Florida and New Jersey. Wendy Hollenbach Hellyer runs a music school, performs vocally, and teaches voice. Peter (Bill) W. Kaiser continues to run his family’s large health food grocery store in York PA. Robert (Rob) W. Lehner recently retired from teaching and is a new grandfather. Jonathan D. March retired two years ago but remains a mentor in his field; active in the peace movement. He recently visited friends in India and Nepal. Elizabeth (Liza) S. Myers returned after many years in New Mexico to Sudbury VT where she has resumed active participation in the art community. Jean Platt Rospondek — in addition to part-time work at a law firm — continues to act as an LPGA teaching pro. Catherine (Cass) Seely Rulon-Miller is active in her retirement life care community and is happy to be 26 years sober. David E. Spencer is currently working as a volunteer beekeeper. Stephen (Steve) W. Waddington — while working part-time — serves on various not-for-profit boards in Salem NJ, including a foundation supporting high school students in their journey toward higher education. Donald (Don) J. Wenzel retired from the advertising agency he ran with his mother, works as a realtor in the local area, and continues to volunteer for Newtown Friends School.”
NancyLynn Sharpless writes, “Linda J. Sharpless ’70 passed peacefully in her sleep last month after living with Alzheimer’s for several years. Her pottery lives on!”
Stephen A. Somers writes, “Reflecting on the fact that I missed our 55th after decades of joining in the wistful hugs and handshakes, I’ll just say that Katherine (Kate) Augenblick Somers and I are
carrying on into our early-mid 70s with all the typical aches and pains. These are balanced by four grandkids at that golden age (6-10) nearby in the Bay Area and the occasional deck side sighting of breaching humpbacks punctuated by barrages of diving pelicans. Still weaning myself from work on a glidepath to professional irrelevance and vastly relieved to have a hope-worthy presidential ticket about which to write my quadrennial ‘Dear Fellow American’ letters.”
1970
Michael Humes writes, “After a few wonderful years at George School, I went on to Pace University Westchester, where I received my teaching degree. As I started out with my career, I did some teaching but mainly started taking over the Quaker-based children’s camp my parents founded in 1945. Camp Regis Applejack, located in the Adirondack Mountains near Lake Placid, has been a wonderful experience for so many campers and counselors over the years. Now as I am retired, I am hoping to find a new positive use for this wonderful property — helping people. If anyone happens to have any ideas, please get in touch. Although retirement has been in many ways a different transition, I am enjoying my time split between Lake Placid NY and Longboat Key FL.
1971
Antonio (Tony) P. Jackson writes, “Had a Zoom mini reunion earlier this year with about 16 Class of 1971 alumni along with Anne Outwater ’72 , all the way from Tanzania. I continue to maintain regular contact with Tod J. Kaufman, Japheth (Jay) March, Jaki Vincent Shelton Green, Larry G. Potter, Clifton Coleman, Leigh Adams Slaughter, and Ronald (Ron) Hancox. I was in the supermarket in Gaithersburg MD yesterday wearing my George School cap when a man approached me and said his best friend attended GS for four years and would always talk to him about
1969 – James R. Caulkins Birthday cake is a full body experience!
the school. They are from Montgomery County MD. My wife, Marie ’73, and daughter, Lauren ’03, are doing well. I visited Ghana for ten days in September. I was there for a year while in undergraduate school almost 50 years ago. I visited a friend from there who will be 88 years old in December 2024. We both became strict vegetarians while I was there during undergraduate school. He still is, I am not. I was very grateful and excited about the opportunity to return.”
Jody Lisberger writes, “My story ‘Koi Pond with Incense’ was published by the Pinch Literary Journal Online, July 2024. My story ‘Seedlings’ was published by Minerva Rising Press, December 2023.”
1972
Anne Outwater writes, “I’ve lived in Tanzania for 35 years. When I arrived, I worked in the HIV/AIDS wards at the national hospital, then I became head of an NGO working on AIDS Prevention (FHI), and then a medical officer for the Peace Corps when the bombing of the US Embassy occurred. I was one of the first responders. My response was to start my PhD at Johns Hopkins to figure out how to decrease violence. When I graduated, I joined the faculty of nursing at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences here in Dar es Salaam and continued my research. The upshot is: to decrease violence here, young men — especially those with poor education — need ways to earn a basic living. Now I am retired and we’re implementing
the research findings! We started a company featuring our all-natural, mostly organic, Zaidi Ice Cream. All ingredients are from within 300 km — everything’s fresh — which is a sure-fire way to make delicious ice cream! If you are in Dar es Salaam, come to our café. You will feel at home!”
Lawrence (Larry) H. Passmore writes, “My wife Maureen and I retired before the end of 2023. I retired 40 years to the day after starting my first arts administration job. We have refocused our lives on volunteering. My main thrust has been working in support of immigrants, mostly through Nationalities Service Center in Philadelphia PA, where I lead Cultural Orientation sessions for new immigrants, and teach English as a Second Language (ESL). Before 2024, I’d never taught in a classroom — I never had something I could teach (no one teaches poli-sci with just a BA!). Turns out, I’m REALLY good at teaching ESL, in part because I love poking fun at our crazy language and wacky culture here in the US. And I apologize profusely to my students for our not having adopted metric and Celsius in the US (I tell them it was Reagan’s fault, since I remember we were moving toward adopting metric in the late ’70s, and it died in the ’80s); for using “football” to refer to a game where feet touch the ball very little; a medical system that’s both expensive and doesn’t guarantee care; and for the embedded racism that we’ve never fully dealt with. Merle Bergen (ffac) , rest her soul, would be pleased that I have used my French to both explain where some of our English words come from, and to successfully translate a brief conversation for a Haitian immigrant. And yes, my wife and I also volunteer to help save our democracy, including registering new citizens to vote!”
1973
Jennifer (Sam) Macalaster Cummings writes, “I visited Salisbury CT in July and spent 24 hours
with Thomas (Tom) C. Rogers and his wife Kathy Hart Rogers ’75 . A great visit catching up.”
Jeffrey S. Schwartz writes, “Where to start? Our oldest, Anthony, underwent two total hip replacements in the last few months. Fortunately, he’s on the mend. He and Amanda are going strong. Jeffrey and Hope got engaged and the nuptials will be in PA near GS in October 2025. Jarred is finishing his AF National Guard specialist training and he and Viv got engaged. They are still residing in Albuquerque NM. Finally, Alec is home after teaching English as a Second Language in Spain. He’s already got a position at the local club while seeking a permanent marketing job. This month, Ingrid and I celebrate 30 years of marriage. We couldn’t be more blessed.”
Elizabeth (Betty) A. Sharpless writes, “Linda J. Sharpless ’70, passed away in July of this year from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was a successful potter, a skill started at George School under the direction of teacher Betty Powell (ffac) . Linda was very active in the community of Mitchell County NC, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Mitchell County Animal Shelter, and the Toe River Arts Collective. She will be remembered for all that she did to help others become potters, farmers, and to realize their potential and their dreams.”
1972 – Anne Outwater Attending Carpigiani Gelato University in January 2024!
1973 – Jeffrey S. Schwartz “Mind the Light.”
1975
Stephen (Steve) G. Allison writes, “Fellow classmates of 1975, Stuart Saxton and I have decided to enjoy the next stage of life living together in Durham NC. We are looking forward to our 50th reunion next year and seeing everyone. As your newly self-appointed reunion coordinators, we are seeking suggestions for a class gift. All input is welcome. Kate Sherfy Rogers , hope you are OK with our initiative.”
Helen Widder Flood writes, “My husband Don and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on July 1, 2024, by going on a Mediterranean cruise from Rome to Barcelona. We reside in Lewes DE. Our only child, Josh, lives in Portland OR with his wife Maggie. I look forward to attending our 50th reunion in May 2025.”
Kate Sherfy Rogers writes, “Dear Classmates, Marti J. Sagar and I got inspired by attending Alumni Weekend this May. We joined with the Class of 1974 to enjoy the Friday evening gathering in MDA
Library which was very fun and a bit nostalgic. Saturday morning the meetinghouse was beautiful, and the school celebrated both Carter J. Sio ’76 (ffac) and Erin Sio (ffac) for their many years of teaching and service to the school. That evening we joined ’74 for their dinner and enjoyed reconnecting with many of our friends from that class as well as faculty who attended the dinner. I will say it made both of us want to have the 50th be a great celebration. Stay tuned for some planning emails. Save the date and plan to come and reconnect for the joy, friendship, and memories we share.”
Susan Yardley Wood writes, “I am winding down my career in nonprofits and foundations working for social justice, especially women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health. It has been a fascinating and rewarding journey! My husband, Grant McCool, and I have been married for nearly 28 years and are very proud of our son Emory (25), who just finished his MA in Education and is teaching kindergarten south of San Diego. After living in San Francisco in the 1980s, New York City in the 1990s, Hanoi, Vietnam from 2004 to 2008, and Maplewood NJ for much of the past 20 years, we moved to Center City in Philadelphia PA last year. Since 2016, I have gotten more involved in political work in the US. I was thrilled to reconnect with Katherine H. Alford a few years ago and had great fun going out to canvas together for a congressional candidate in northern NJ in 2022.
This fall, Grant and I will be doing everything we can to make sure that Pennsylvania votes blue!”
1976
Robert L. Orr writes, “I retired from teaching in 2023 after 43 years of teaching science (GS from ’80 to ’00). I attended the Alumni Weekend in May — visiting with ’84, ’99, and several other classes — catching up with many former colleagues and students. I’m so impressed with the journeys and accomplishments of my former students and hope to get news from any/all as your paths unfold in new ways. I hope to get back for more reunions but am still enjoying life on the west coast.”
Mavis Mathis Smith writes, “I am retired! Another sister has died. I am ready to enjoy my four-year-old granddaughter.”
1977
E. Clifton (Cliff) Waddington writes, “I retired on May 31 after 39 years of working for a couple of different global packaging companies. My wife Suz (of 39 years)
1975 – Helen Widder Flood and Don Flood.
1975 – Stephen (Steve) G. Allison
1975 – Susan Yardley Wood Susan Yardley Wood ’75 and Katherine H. Alford ’75 canvassing in November 2022.
1976 – Robert L. Orr On a 2023 visit with Mark Osterman (ffac) in Rochester NY.
1976 – Mavis Mathis Smith
and I met at Gettysburg College. She retired in 2019 from teaching elementary school. We have lived in the Atlanta area since 1991 and have a second home on Lake Toxaway in western NC. Retirement is enjoying tennis, pickleball, croquet, golf, and reading. Our twin girls both ended up in the medical field. Tess is a cardiac ICU nurse in Atlanta and Brie is a PA at the UVA Medical Center in Charlottesville VA. I look forward to seeing a good turnout for our 50th in 2027.”
1978
Ambika (Amy Jo) Schaeffer Devi writes, “I never imagined I would write books when I was a student at GS. Back then my interests included language, science, art, and music. I am grateful for my 12 years of education at Quaker Schools as they taught me the art of meditation in weekly meeting for worship. I often cite this in interviews. English was not my strong point during secondary education, but my childhood love of reading and storytelling remained strong and continues to grow as I publish more books and speak to inspire others to trust their intuition and follow their dreams.”
Jonathan R. Snipes writes, “I was at GS the other day, delivering fresh veggies for the dining room! Would my 18-year-old self have believed that 46 years later I would be growing food for GS students? Snipes Farm and Education Center, where I am
director, is just 15 minutes from GS, so I get to visit campus regularly. Snipes Farm is a non-profit organization that provides food not only to GS, but mostly to pantries, senior centers, and other groups feeding people in need. We also teach nutrition in local schools and run a summer camp focused on farming and nature. And we host GS ninth graders on the farm for service learning. It is great to have these ongoing connections! My wife, Melanie, and I joined Judith (Judy) Lavori Keiser and her husband, Jeff, in June for a few wonderful days on their boat in the Chesapeake Bay. They are traveling ‘the loop’ around the eastern US by boat. It’s also been great to stay connected with Mark Dibner, Jennifer (Jenna) Kuebler Davis and others from our class! You all have an open invitation to Snipes Farm!”
1979
Mary M. Melchior writes, “This past spring was eventful, and we are still planning a concert style t-shirt. My three sons all graduated college. Preston B. Melchior-Fisher ’20 , from The College of Wooster in Ohio and Charlie two days later from Emory in Atlanta. That was a lot of driving. While Union kindly had a different enough term schedule that the trip to Schenectedy was a month later for Gregory (Greg) M. Melchior-Fisher ’20 . It was a great change from the Zoom graduations from high school.”
1980
Philip (Phil) A. Hayden writes, “I retired in 2022 after a long career in museums and historic preservation and moved with my partner to an 1850s converted barn in Lebanon County PA. We’ve packed it with goodies collected over the years and surrounded it with gardens, and now I’m working full-time on a longpostponed biography of the interior designer Henry Davis Sleeper. It keeps me out of trouble. Fond regards to everyone!”
1981
Eric T. Larkin writes, “Five years ago, Kathi Larkin, my beloved wife of over 30 years, received a terminal cancer diagnosis. I retired early from a career in the Silicon Valley, relocated to Oregon’s McKenzie River Valley, and dedicated myself to managing her care while enjoying our remaining time together. We had four truly wonderful, but sometimes hard, years of kayaking, gardening, and hosting family and friends in between medical appointments. During the COVID pandemic we formed a ‘pod’ with three of our four adult children and two (later three) young grandsons. After vaccination, we also enjoyed frequent (but still very careful) visits from our large extended families and friends. Kathi passed away late last year, and now I’m figuring out what’s next.”
1982
Karl J. Fingerhood writes, “In January 2024, I was awarded the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service (the second highest award issued by the Attorney General) for my work as the lead attorney in the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and Clean Water Act (CWA) cases involving the city of Jackson MS. I am Senior Counsel, US Department of Justice, Environmental Enforcement Section, Environment & Natural Resources Division. The Jackson team mobilized under intense time pressure to respond to the public health emergency that occurred in late summer 2022. The team worked, again, with incredible speed, to present the Court an order that would extend the Manager’s mandate to the wastewater system. The order identified projects to be implemented quickly, including addressing over 200 sewer failure locations that must be repaired to prevent future sewer spills. The Court entered the second order in September 2023.”
1978 – Ambika (Amy Jo Schaeffer) Devi with her internationally awardwinning books.
1984
Harold M. Buck writes, “After 42 years of ocean lifeguarding, I finally decided to retire. I am still coaching high school fencing, substitute teaching, and officiating men’s lacrosse as well as training and assigning officials. I am also finishing up writing a book about randomness and probability. I have gotten back into doing triathlons with my extra summertime on Long Beach Island, and for the rest of the year we are in Minnesota. We are now empty nesters, which is very different, but both kids live nearby, and we see them regularly. I’d love to catch up with fellow alumni in NJ or MN.”
Denyse Rehiel Kling writes, “Great to see some of you at our 40th (say what!) reunion! I wanted to update you on some great stuff. I’m living in Lititz PA, Lancaster County. I’m now the Founder and Executive Director of a newly created nonprofit, the Holistic Center for Health and Wellbeing. I want the Center to be a platform to bring people to that place of ease and embrace wellness practices for daily living. Along with yoga, the Center brings together many well-being modalities including breathing, meditation, sound immersion, nutrition and cooking, banish the burnout, life transformation sessions, mindfulness, workshops, and courses. Self-care — it’s vital to our own well-being and the well-being of those we interact with! Check out our website for more information.”
Jenny Sorel writes, “I was sorry to miss our 40th (!) reunion in May, but am happy to meet up with some alums.”
1985
Victor Khodadad writes, “It was so amazing to see classmates Alison E. Mitchell, Mary (Mollie) R. Leiser, Lisa Thomas Cambridge-Mitchell, Joshua (Josh) E. Goldfein, and Kimberly Martin-Cotten at the GS event in Central Park on June 8, 2024. I’m in regular touch with other GS alums including Brendan Kehoe, Mark D. Bigelow, John C. Harley, Kirk E. Innes ’84 and, of course, my bro Rhazi Khodadad ’87 . Come and see our performance of Bizet’s classic La Tragedie de Carmen this November. I’ll be singing the role of Don Jose — the performance will be sung in French, accompanied by orchestra and will take place in Manhattan!”
Tanya Y. Wright writes, “I am happily living in Somerville MA! I graduated from Harvard University Graduate School of Education and received my master’s degree in Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology. While at Harvard, I incubated my Hairiette of Harlem educational children’s company! The literacyfocused company released its first (of three) Hairiette of Harlem chapter books about an imaginative seven year old girl named Hairiette who goes on learning adventures with her friends Charlie the Comb and Barbara the Barrette. Hairiette of Harlem is exclusively available in Target stores through September 2025.”
1986
Dawn Margolis writes, “I married Sean Bayha in a small beach ceremony in Pier Village NJ. Their grown children were in attendance as was George School BFF Peter E. Siegel and his wife Kari.”
1984 – Denyse Rehiel Kling
1985 – Victor Khodadad Class of 1985 in the house!
1985 – Tanya Y. Wright Hairiette of Harlem
1984 – Jenny Sorel ’84
Fortuitous George School reunion at the farmhouse of John B. Rosenmiller ’77 in West Tisbury MA. From left to right: Diane L. Rosenmiller ’87, Betsy A. Rosenmiller ’85, John B. Rosenmiller ’77, Jenny Sorel ’84, and Naomi C. Beal ’84.
1986 – Dawn Margolis Bayha Peter E. Siegel ’86, Dawn Margolis Bayha ’86, and Kari Kaufman Siegel.
1988
Mazie Minehart Colen writes, “I am excited to share the publication of my book Accelerate Your Success: Let’s Go! A Coaching Guide to Discovering What’s Next and Pursuing It. The book spent the first week as the #1 New Release in ‘Job Markets & Advice’ on Amazon. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my past clients, friends, and family for their support and for sharing this book with those who may be looking for inspiration or direction. Special thanks to Stephanie McBride (ffac) and Terence (Terry) M. Culleton (ffac) for their rigorous training in the English classroom, and to Polly Lodge (fac) and Nancy Zurn Bernardini (fstaff) for their early inspiration and exemplary coaching.”
1989
Veronique S. Vaillancourt writes, “I hope this finds everyone well. I enjoyed our 35th reunion this spring, though the turnout was smaller than in past years. We are hitting that point where graduations, college pickups, and other events are interfering with getting back to GS. I am still in Houston TX, though we go back to the Northeast (and our house in Sutton Quebec where I grew up) frequently. My two kids, Ian 8th grade, and Phillip, starting senior year (oh the joys of the college
search!), are keeping me beyond busy. I continue to see my psychotherapy patients when I am not keeping those two and stuff at home afloat. Clark (my husband) is increasingly busy with the work he does at the Medical Center/University of Texas Neuroradiology Department and is up for full professor. Lots of hard work on his part. I really enjoy ‘seeing’ classmates and what they are up to on social media. It feels like we were just high school seniors ourselves not so long ago. If you are ever in Houston TX, do reach out.”
1991 – Adam L. Barea ’91, Andrew (Andy) J. Stone ’91, Robert (Bob) M. Benck ’91, C. Brooke Wells ’91, Brooks M. Cavin ’91, Jeremy I. Harder ’91, Matthew (Matt) C. Barlow ’91, and Nopadon M. Wongpakdee ’91.
1991
Adam L. Barea writes, “As has become our tradition in the 30+ years since we graduated, eight members of the Class of ’91 descended randomly on the city of Denver in June for four nights of engaging conversation, great food, and many laughs. A few highlights: we played golf in Golden CO and saw a dinosaur fossil on the twelfth hole, we hiked in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, we were treated to a live performance by Andrew (Andy) J. Stone and the Biscuits (i.e., C. Brooke Wells ), and even caught a Rockies game at Coors Field for good measure. Was great to still be actively ‘Minding the Light’ all these years later. Though many of our other brothers from GS were unable to join this time, they were all very much in attendance in spirit. Already looking forward to our next off-year reunion, maybe London so Nopadon M. Wongpakdee isn’t the only one getting the miles.”
1992
Mathieu (Matt) M. Croizet writes, “Dear friends, I know it has been a while, but I do have some exciting news to tell you! I am still a lawyer in France doing mostly criminal defense. I spent 12 years being a lawyer in my hometown of Marseille and I am currently a member of the Paris bar. I do have a second office in Marseille, where I admit I spend most of my time. My third novel Amen (detective/thriller/ pulp fiction) was published in September 2024 (by a French publishing company called L’Ecailler). Sorry guys, it is in French but who knows, maybe it will be translated into English one day. In July 2023, I was able to see Darrell K. Slane in Boston and Jason M. Sendaula ’91, Nathan C. Wright, and Gregory (Chuck) G. Fischer ’93 in Philadelphia PA. I was also thrilled to spend some time with Chuck’s mom, the one and only Claudie D. Fischer (ffac) , who was a French teacher at George School, the head of the language department, and my wonderful adviser (and second mother) when I was a student from 1988 to 1992. And now the really big news: Reality is sometimes bigger than fiction. Sadie P. Cocke and I are happy to announce to the GS Community that we have been married since 2018. Sadie was my prom date (or as we called it the Senior Dinner Dance). Sadie moved to France in 2020. We are both living in Marseille and Sadie works as a lawyer (merger and acquisition) for the third shipping company called CMA-CGM, the company’s headquarters being in Marseille. I hope that you are all doing well.”
1993
Ariane Bradley Michas writes, “I live in the hills above Berkeley CA and have enjoyed a long-ish career in food sourcing, sustainable agriculture, and wine in California. I recently realized my lifelong dream of horse ownership. My daughter (13) and I ride (eventing) as many times a week as we can get away with while
1988 – Mazie Minehart Colen Check out Accelerate Your Success: Let’s Go! A Coaching Guide to Discovering What’s Next and Pursuing It on Amazon.
my son (9) and husband are mountain biking or otherwise messing around. We all enjoy van camping trips to find the next best swimming hole or visits to the Central Coast. Occasionally, I make it to Strawberry Creek Meeting in Berkeley CA, although Zoom meetings and the pandemic really interrupted my attendance. Our cat, world events, and the presence of redwoods keep us humble while the Bay Area hustle and school-aged kids keep us very busy. I would love to connect to other alums and families in the Bay Area and CA.”
Brian J. Zavodnick writes, “My wife and I are excited to have become grandparents. We welcomed Norah in December. I love every second of being a pop-pop.”
1994
Samuel (Sam) T. Bergman writes, “After 25 years in Minneapolis as a member of the Minnesota Orchestra, I’m leaving the Midwest this fall and moving to southwest New Hampshire as the new Execu-
tive Director of the Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music, an organization whose motto, ‘Playing for Peace,’ fits nicely with my Quaker upbringing and the values that George School imparted all those years ago! I look forward to reconnecting with old friends and classmates in the northeast, and to being closer by the next time a GS class reunion rolls around!”
George School mourns the passing of Robert (Bobby) A. Catelli on September 13, 2024, at his home in Horsham PA. Bobby was the son of Antoinette and Anthony Catelli. He is survived by his daughters Anastasia Catelli and Remington Hill and their mother Theresa Catelli; his brother Ralph A. Saggiomo and his nieces Annette S., Christina Saggiomo Shugrue ’06 and Adriana S.; also, by his partner Megan Robinson and her son Cooper. Bobby was the past President of Commonwealth National Golf Club and the Benson Table of the Union League. He was an avid worldwide hunter.
1995
Angel M. Fischer writes, “Hi GS Family! Love and happiness from my family to yours! I’ve been living in Yardley for almost a decade now with my husband, John, and our daughter, Sunny. I work in Healthcare Technology at ImageTrend as the Director of Marketing, working to build the best software for our first responders. I love being part of a mission driven organization and building upon the values that I learned at George School. My daughter will be 7 in October, and I hope she can also at-
tend George School to be part of such a special community. I love keeping in touch with my GS friends and can’t wait to celebrate our reunion together in May. Love and peace.”
1997
Jesse (Jess) Nankin Mcmahon writes, “Hello Class of ’97 (and others)! It’s been a while. My husband and I are (still) living on the coast of Maine with our five year old son, two lab-shepherd mixes, and an ornery flock of chickens. Our son starts kindergarten in the fall at a K-8 demonstration school with an approach to learning and community-building that reminds me so much of George School. As for some personal news, I’m happy to share that the show I have been working as a content producer on for more than a year now will premiere on PBS KIDS this November. ‘Carl the Collector’ celebrates the ways we are all unique and is the first PBS KIDS series focused on characters with autism. It has been such an honor to be a part of this project, and being able to continue collaborating with many of the same people I worked with on ‘Nature Cat’ makes it that much sweeter. If you live in Maine or are just passing through, I’m always happy to hear from a fellow GS’er. Cheers!”
1993 – Brian J. Zavodnick
1994 – Samuel (Sam) T. Bergman
The Louise Shonk Kelly Concert Barn at Apple Hill Center for Chamber Music in Nelson NH.
1995 – Angel M. Fischer My family and I at our favorite place, LBI.
1997 – Jesse (Jess) Nankin McMahon. This past spring, we had the privilege of seeing the total solar eclipse in Rangeley ME.
Jamaal B. Mobley writes, “My wife and I enjoyed the hot and humid summer in the DMV with our two boys Deane ( 7) and Charles (6 months).”
2001
Stephen (Steve) P. Lunger writes, “I executive produced a film You Don’t Have To Go Home, but... which is an ode to dancing bodies, a grimy love letter to Philadelphia PA, and a story about what to do when the DJ has played the last song. Following three dancers at different stages of their lives, with the legendary Philly dance party Second Sundae (which I have curated for the last 12 years) as backdrop, this documentary film examines the possibility of spiritual fulfillment in a socioeconomic configuration that ultimately doesn’t value the practices that make us free. The film premiered at this year’s BlackStar Film Festival and received the award for favorite feature documentary.”
2002
Rachel Adler Zalisk writes, “One major highlight of 2024 is having Ross H. Raphael ’05 — sports and tv agent to the stars! — coming to work alongside me at Creative Artists Agency (CAA). I have really enjoyed telling all my colleagues how poorly behaved Ross was in Campbell as a young man. Now he’s a big deal and we get to chase clients together. In other news — life in Brooklyn is lovely and chaotic with our five and two year olds. Would love to see folks in New York City this fall.”
2003
Alexander (Alex) S. Germanacos writes, “Maame A. Boakye rocked my world last year by FaceTiming me unexpectedly from a gathering of classmates for our 20th anniversary. Seeing Maame, Alexis L. Dansky, Jessica (Jessie) A. Duncan Wex, Meredith Meyer Grelli and more, punctured me, in a good way. I was moved to tears and just looked at you all. Some I hadn’t seen in many, many years. I can’t fully explain my absence much beyond the fact that it’s a lengthy trip to make. But beyond geography, I think the pain of being sent away from home to a school (a mighty fine one) so far away from friends, family, and place, then becoming so, so close to a new set of friends, (new) family, and place only to leave after four years was really hard and something I haven’t quite digested yet. Beyond
my memories, my main and strongest connection to GS is Sam Metcalf . We speak regularly and Sam is one of my best friends. He’s one of the great listeners and talkers in my life. One more thing: I’m so grateful GS helped cultivate my (/our) inner stillness. What a gift, to be still.”
Tanya A. Hoke writes, “In June 2024, I joined Scout Clean Energy in Boulder CO where I lead the company’s compliance, ethics, and antibribery and corruption programs. I am thrilled to be in a position where I get to be a practical philosopher, something that George School prepared me for so well, and to be working with a company that is responding directly to the climate crisis.”
Liza D. Minno writes, “After several years of teaching at various universities in sociology and gender studies, then founding and running a cooperative bookstore in Asbury Park NJ, I am returning to school. I began a PhD program in American Studies at New York University this fall. I also have my first book coming out in early 2025. Published by np: Press and titled Rule of Innocents: White Settler Affect and the Supreme Court, the book examines three contemporary Supreme Court cases that deal with Federal Indian Law and contributes to ongoing conversations about affect and law in settler colonial studies and critical whiteness studies.”
2004
Eben P. Alguire writes, “My spouse and I moved up to Champaign IL about a year ago, where I
2003 – Alexander (Alex) S. Germanacos. January walk in the rain on the Sonoma Coast with my wife Courtney and our dog Brody.
2003 – Liza D. Minno
2001 – Stephen (Steve) P. Lunger You Don’t Have To Go Home, but... 2024 promotional flier
2000 – Jamaal B. Mobley Family photo
chair the Art and Entertainment Technology BFA track for the Theatre Department at UIUC. I am also on the Board of Directors for USITT’s Midwest Section, Chief Steward for the Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition, and advocate at various events and conferences for neurodivergent accessibility and acceptance in live entertainment. Andrea and I have two children: Harper (7) and Riley (4) and an exceptionally dumb cat named Garrus (12).”
Daniel (Dan) C. Suchenski writes, “I was fortunate enough to start a non-profit organization, KCX Foundation, devoted to revitalization and prosperity of the Delaware Valley region at large and with the state of Delaware and the Fairhill neighborhood community in Philadelphia PA specifically. The foundation does this through educational partnerships devoted to sustainability, STEM, greening, and community engagement events, etc. Additionally, I am planning on hosting the tenth running of the Delaware STEM Educator Awards in November 2024 along the Lt. Governor of Delaware Dr. Bethany Hall Long.”
2005
Sarah E. Moody writes, “Hey everyone! I’m still living in DC and working as a social worker. I supervise a team that provides basic needs assistance to the residents of Fairfax County VA. Hope to see everyone at our 20th reunion next spring!”
2007
Jane E. Sancinito writes, “I’m happy to report that all is well here. I bought a house in Lowell MA last summer and my first book, The Reputation of the Roman Merchant, was published in January. I will be going up for tenure next year and expect to be doing some travel. My next stop will be North Africa to check out their ruins (and their food) in preparation for book two!”
Olivia K. Burns writes, “I’m doing well and had a great time reconnecting with a few ’09 classmates this past Alumni Weekend. In fact, we have fellow 09-er JoAnn Riker Yoshida to thank for my writing in, as she chastised me for allowing her to be the only one who regularly contributes; no more! Coming back to campus always makes me very emotional and I often struggle to find the words to articulate the gratitude and affection I feel for George School as both a place and a community. A special thanks to this year’s organizers and all of the current faculty, staff, and students who welcomed us for the weekend. Aside from that, I still live in Washington DC and am the proud owner of a cute two-bedroom apartment and a very cute black cat named Siggi. Looking forward to seeing everyone else from ’09 at our 20-year reunion in 2029 — it’ll be here sooner than you think!”
2009
JoAnn Riker Yoshida writes, “I can’t believe it’s been 15 years since high school. This year has been
another big one for my family. I had my second child, Kaito, and I was recently promoted to Director of Social Media at my company. I love my job as I get to work with some big-name influencers and celebrities and am the strategic mind behind many brands and influencer socials. I do keep in touch with some of my classmates from GS, but even if we haven’t spoken, I am always cheering for the class of 2009!”
2010
George School mourns the passing of Heidi K. Schlenzig on August 7, 2024. She was the fiancée of Michael Nussbaum of Wrightstown PA. Born in Sellersville, Bucks County, she was the daughter of Frank Schlenzig of Perkasie and Mrs. Janice R. (Lamb) Byrne of Lehighton. Heidi excelled as a server for many fine dining restaurants in Bucks County. She was an avid collector of fine gold jewelry and developed a successful business. A 2010 graduate of George School in Newtown, she continued her schooling and studied psychology and planned to become an equine therapist. A truly accomplished equestrian, she won numerous awards and loved spending time caring for horses. She shared a natural affinity with dogs. She was a gifted writer and poet. Heidi’s appreciation of music encompassed a wide variety of genres. A fashionista extraordinaire. She made her self-portraits and being photographed into artwork. Heidi was predeceased by her infant daughter Grace Eleanor, her maternal grandfather James E Lamb Jr., paternal grandfather Frank B Schlenzig, stepfather Kenneth T. Brown Jr., uncle Jonathan Lamb, and cousin Jon Lamb. Survivors: stepfather Thomas E Byrne; maternal grandmother Ruth Kennedy; step-grandmother Rosemarie Goch; sister Jennifer L. Giuglianotti; aunts: Nancy Hendricks and Joy (Lamb) wife of James Seglets; uncles: James P. Lamb, Joel Lamb, and Jack and (wife) Kathleen Lamb; godparents Greg and Bonnie Youngers, and many loving cousins from the Hendricks and Lamb families.
2005 – Sarah E. Moody and Karina H. Costa ’06 this past summer in North Carolina.
2009 – JoAnn Riker Yoshida
Our new addition Kaito Loki Yoshida — future GS student!
2012
Emily R. Alexander writes, “I started a Clinical Research Study Lead position with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Adolescent Depression Prevention and Treatment Lab, led by Dr. Jami Young. She contributes to research efforts that address interventions in pediatric primary care and school settings to reduce the incidence of depression and suicidality in adolescents.”
2012
Bryan S. Silverman writes, “Hello Friends! I just moved to New York City and would love to connect with anyone in the area. In August 2024, I started a job in renewable energy finance at D.E. Shaw Renewable Investments. The last few years have been a whirlwind — I left the Army after almost six years of service and two deployments in 2021, went back to school and received my MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management this May, and then came down to the city. Please do reach out! I’d love to hear from you.”
2015
Alice Croom Ganges writes, “I recently celebrated one year of marriage with Colin K. Ganges ’16 and wanted to reflect on how George School is so intertwined with our story! Our first date in 2015 was to Moish & Itzy’s in Summit Square Shopping Center after we
2022
Nadira Talayee writes, “In September 2024, I ran 45.52 miles in a 12-hour ultra marathon race in New Salem MA. This was not an overnight accomplishment. Growing up as a girl in Kabul, Afghanistan, running and playing sports was not an option, until I found Free to Run. I began running with the non-profit for a few months before getting accepted to George School and coming to the
were introduced by our friend Ché Williams ’16 . Fast forward to 2023, I got to stand at the altar and look out at my GS roommate for three years, Ellen (Elle) M. Chapman ; my best friend (who went on the France service trip with me!), Evelyn (Jyles) J. Rodgers ; and so many more GS friends. Ché was, naturally, one of Colin’s groomsmen and gave a wonderful speech about our history. For many reasons, I am so happy I ended up at GS and will always sing its praises!”
2017
Thomas (Tommy) V. Cifelli, Jr writes, “Hi! I’m writing to share that some GS friends and I traveled to Chimney Bluffs State Park in Wolcott NY on April 8, 2024 to be in the path of the total solar eclipse.”
US. I fell in love with the fields and campus at GS and took on running — ultimately joining the Varsity Cross Country and Track and Field teams. I am grateful to GS for giving me the education, resources, mentors, and friends that have made me the person I am today. I started taking running more seriously after joining teams there, and here I am now, running further than I thought I could.”
Former Faculty and Staff
George School mourns the passing of James E. Shakespeare on May 11, 2024. James, the George School tennis coach between 1961 and 1964 passed away at the age of 88 in Richmond VA.
Former Trustees
George School mourns the passing of Jane K. Boorstein on May 24, 2024. She is survived by her brother Peter Kulla, her three children Gail, James (Jim) A. Boorstein ’72, and William (Will) R. Boorstein ’76, her grandson Nicolas, and great-grandson Jonah. Jane was born in New York City in 1927 and attended Great Neck High School. She was a skilled sailor and met her future husband Allen L. Boorstein ’42 serendipitously on her father’s boat. Jane graduated from
2017 – From L to R: Zachary (Zach) L. Somogyi ’20, Joseph (Joey) Cifelli ’19, Thomas (Tommy) V. Cifelli, Jr. ’17, Heather N. Galloway ’16, Adeline G. Skovronek ’16, Isaac (Ike) C. Osenberg ’19, and Colin S. McKay ’16
2022 – Nadira Talayee After finishing her first 12-hour ultramarathon run.
2015 – Alice Croom Ganges ’15 and Colin K. Ganges’ ’16 wedding in Washington DC.
Hood College in 1949 and married Allen the same year. They loved and cared for each other for 68 years until he passed in 2018. She traveled widely throughout her life and met with prominent figures across the world including Haile Selassie and Fidel Castro. She collected art from Africa and Asia and enjoyed Lagavulin Scotch. Her three children became skilled artists in the fields of photography, painting, and sculpture. After raising her family, Jane entered graduate school at the age of 50 and received a master’s degree focused on the anthropology of families and communities from Teachers College at Columbia University. She was passionate about international development and family planning for women. Jane served on the Board of Trustees at the George School and
then the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) for 25 years where she developed Learning Our Way Out (LOWO), a program which facilitated hundreds of community dialogues and educational workshops in rural Africa. She was honored by Hood College in 2002 for her work developing the LOWO program, which received a large grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and served as a model for current and future programs centered on education through community engagement. Jane is remembered by those close to her for her winning smile, her impeccable sense of fashion, her indomitable spirit, and her commitment to helping others.
Class notes for this issue were received as of September 17, 2024. The “Class Notes” and “In Memoriam” sections of the Georgian are shared online. If you do not want your name to be included in notes from others, contact us at alumni@georgeschool.org or 215.579.6570.
The views and opinions expressed in class notes do not necessarily represent those of the school. Notes submitted for publication might be edited due to space limitations and Georgian style guidelines.
The Power of Participation
The George School Fund is a testament to the collective spirit of our community. Each year your gifts support every aspect of a George School education — impacting financial aid, professional development for faculty, arts and athletic programs, student life, and more.
Visit georgeschool.org/donate to make your gift today. Gifts received by June 30 will count in this year’s George School Fund and are tax deductible.
GEORGE SCHOOL fund
In Memoriam
1944
Charles (Charlie) E. Park
September 14, 2024
Harriett White
Richards
March 3, 2024
Marion Taylor Smith
January 1, 2022
1946
Michael Kulla
September 26, 2022
1947
Charles H. Davis
May 24, 2024
Nancy Beairsto Haulenbeek
August 29, 2023
1949
John P. Kotschnig
August 12, 2023
1951
Virginia (Holly) Stees Doppel
May 9, 2024
1953
Joyce Cushmore Bradley
March 11, 2024
Daniel M. Selznick
August 1, 2024
1954
Evelyn Stocker Daly
July 5, 2022
Judith Jacobson Magee
November 3, 2023
Zachary T. Wobensmith III
July 29, 2023
1955
Eugenia (Jeanne) Nelson Dilg
April 23, 2024
1956
K. James Dykstra
February 7, 2024
Deborah Janney O’Keefe
March 9, 2024
Mark Z. Segal
September 15, 2024
1957
William (Bill) I. Houghton III
April 3, 2024
Mary Baily Jordan
February 2024
Joan Applegate Lane
March 29, 2024
1958
Jeffrey (Jeff) A. Haberman
September 27, 2022
Linda Baker Hunter
January 21, 2024
1960
Heller Halliday
April 21, 2024
1961
Lawrence (Larry) K. Houghteling
August 3, 2024
1964
Nancy Harned Ingersoll
June 1, 2024
1965
Nancy Bigbee Jensen
March 29, 2024
1968
David Allison
August 8, 2024
1970
Linda J. Sharpless
July 23, 2024
1979
Melissa Henrie Cowan
July 4, 2023
1994
Robert (Bob) A. Catelli
September 13, 2024
2001
Peter J. Roehrich
September 9, 2023
2010
Heidi K. Schlenzig
August 7, 2024
Former Faculty and Staff
James E. Shakespeare
May 11, 2024
Former Trustees
Jane K. Boorstein
May 24, 2024
Notification of deaths was recorded as of September 17, 2024.
We edit and publish information provided by families of deceased alumni, faculty, staff, and trustees.
Notes submitted for publication might be edited due to space limitations and Georgian style guidelines.
Lifetime Income Lasting Impact
A charitable gift annuity offers a unique opportunity to support George School’s mission while ensuring a reliable source of future income. By donating cash or appreciated securities, you will receive lifetime payments either to yourself, a loved one, or another individual, starting at a date you choose.
The American Council on Gift Annuities (ACGA) has reported that rates are at their highest since 2007! Worried about the fluctuations in your retirement portfolio? Secure your retirement income now and enjoy immediate tax advantages.
For more information contact Jaime Zamparelli Abramov in the Advancement Office at 215.579.6570 or jzabramov@georgeschool.org.
Please note: This is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or tax advice or recommendations. Be sure to consult your financial or tax advisor before making any decisions.
From the Archives
As George School classes come and go over the years and decades, we embrace change while working to ensure that our values and sense of community remain consistent. Enjoy these photos of days gone by and know that today’s George School students continue to have a profound sense of appreciation and gratitude for our beautiful campus!
Clockwise: Students raking leaves in 1962 Saturday Morning Work Detail (SMWD), making apple butter during Harvest Weekend in 1990, outside of Main Building 1980-89, ice hockey 1930, and George School Toboggan 1890-1909.
STAY CONNECTED
Visit georgeschool.org/alumni to stay connected — submit a class note, update your contact information, check out upcoming events, and much more.
You can also see what is happening at George School by visiting georgeschool.org and following us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram @GeorgeSchool.
HOLD THE DATES
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2024 Holiday Gathering in Newtown
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2025 Young Alumni Gathering
FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 2025 Hall of Athletic Honor
FRIDAY–SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14-15, 2025 Winter Theater Performance Spring Awakening
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2025
Great Green Give
FRIDAY–SATURDAY, MARCH 7-8, 2025 Dance Eclectic
SUNDAY, MARCH 9, 2025 Music Concert
FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 2-3, 2025
Spring Theater Performance Clue: On Stage
FRIDAY–SUNDAY, MAY 2-4, 2025 Alumni Weekend
MONDAY, MAY 5, 2025 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament
Note: If you have received multiple copies of this issue at your address, please contact us with updated address information at advancement@georgeschool.org or at 215.579.6570.
Alumni Weekend 2025: Friday, May 2 to Sunday, May 4. Join us for Alumni Weekend 2025! Enjoy community-wide events as we reconnect with one another, celebrate reunions, and create new memories together.
