SCHool Magazine Spring 2023

be a chance taker Head of School Challenges SCHers to Take Risks | PAGE 10

alumna change maker

The Late Jessie Jane Lewis ’65 Effects Change | PAGE 18

2022 athletic hall of fame recipients

Profiles of the Honorees | PAGE 28

SPRING

the magazine of springside chestnut hill academy

M.

MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear SCH Community,

Back in September, I gave students a little homework: “One: Think about a time when you took a chance, such as saying hi to someone new or trying a new food. How did the chance make you feel? Scared? Excited? Worried? Two: Ask a friend, parent, or relative about a time they took a chance. Talk about what you do when you see someone who takes a risk and falls down. How do you encourage them? How do you intervene if others laugh? Three: Be a chance hunter! Seek out chances—ones that allow you to grow, ones that create a sense of wonder and add meaning to your life.”

Board of Trustees

2022–2023

M. Brian Blake

Rashad I. Campbell ’08

John S. Detweiler ’91

Brooke DiMarco

Delvin Dinkins, Head of School

William M. Doran

William F. Dunbar

William H. Freeman ’91

Alexander C. Goldsmith

Anuj Goswami

Thomas Shaw Greenwood III ’01

David Hayne

Maria Sordoni Hudacek ’02

Thomas G. Kessler ‘88

Youngmoo Kim

Timothy W. Levin

Patrick S. G. Lindsay, Chair

Peter S. Longstreth ’62, Honorary

Deborah E. Maine H’16

Edward J. McDevitt III ‘93

Ludlow Miller, Honorary

Janie B. Parker, Honorary

Edward C. Rorer ’61, Honorary

Elizabeth M. Salata ’02

Mary Shaifer ‘87

Marjorie Kershbaum Shiekman ’67

Nadine Badger Stevenson ’90

Andrew C. Topping

Thomas Watkins Jr. ‘78

Camilla (Kim) Whetzel H’17

Mims Maynard Zabriskie

My homework had been spun out of Kobi Yamada’s picture book What Do You Do With a Chance? In it, a relatable character discovers a chance one day. But he lets it go because he isn’t sure about it. The chance comes around again. He takes it this time but falls and feels embarrassed. As a result, he is too scared to take another chance because he doesn’t want to feel that way again. After realizing he’s missing out by not taking chances, something amazing occurs: He lets go of his fear and takes a chance which leads to something new and wonderful.

In this edition of SCHool, we highlight SCH “chance takers,” an apt phrase. One of them is Jessie Jane Lewis (1947-2011), a 1965 graduate of Springside School who, after developing multiple sclerosis, became a disabilities advocate and change maker. The Barbara Crawford Gallery 2022 fall exhibition, Chronic Creativity Art + Activism, featured her work. Students engaged in incredible discussions about Jessie’s profound impact, particularly concerning polling place accessibility.

Other enterprising individuals featured in this edition demonstrate a powerful antidote to business as usual: commitment to something worthwhile but whose outcome is yet known. For many, taking chances can be not only challenging but outright frightening. Often risk taking and success are placed in opposition to each other. What is the risk in taking a risk, and what is the risk in not? I suppose we call this opportunity cost in economics! Holding back can make us miss out on amazing, even exciting and beautiful, opportunities that help us become our best selves. Sometimes we need a little encouragement to be courageous in the face of fear. Playing it safe is so endemic to how most live that chance-taking is, in a sense, counter-cultural.

Read about what fires these chance takers. In these pages will be wonderings and wanderings, edges and ledges, borders and breakthroughs. A defining characteristic of these chance-takers is an entrepreneurial spirit. As you take in their stories, search your mind for a chance that invents your next leap. Join me as I join them as not only a chance taker, but also a chance leader, chance chaser, and chance maker poised to drive our school unmistakably forward.

Warmly,

Cover

Alexa Rhodes ’22 took a chance on working on a project that turned into her organization: H.E.L.P.I.N.G. the Homeless Backpacks.

Read the story on page 10.

Delvin M. Dinkins, Ed.D. Head of School

Delvin

Dinkins, Ed.D. Head of School (pictured on Homecoming Weekend with his wife, Davirah)

Delvin M. Dinkins, Ed.D. Head of School

Communications Office

Karen Tracy HA, P’10, P’14, P’23 Director of Marketing and Communications

Laura Breen Cortes ’06, P'34, P’35 Marketing and Communications Associate

Julia MacMullan P'35

Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

Laura Richards Communications Associate for Writing and Editing Editor, SCHool Magazine

Office of Advancement

Jenny James McHugh ’84, P’15, P’19 Director of Development

Melissa Blue Brown ‘87, P’16, P’20, P’21 Director of Alumni Relations

Andrea Eckert P’23, P’25, P’29 Director of Parent and Community Engagement

Katy Friedland P’25, P’29, P’32, P’32 Director of Strategic Initiatives and Admissions Outreach

Paul Hines H’03, P’06 Special Projects

Brooke Mattingly P’36 Director of the SCH Fund

Bethany Meyer P'20, P'22, P'25, P'26

Development Coordinator

Kristin Norton P’20, P’22

Associate Director of Development

James Talbot II H’81, P’86, P’90, GP’26, GP’28, GP’30 Senior Gift Officer

Susan C. Toomey H’15, P’99, P’02 Administrative Assistant P=Parent

sch students and families engage in community service

From the school’s Martin Luther King Jr. Morning of Service to volunteering on election day, SCHers engaged in a variety of community service activities since the start of the 20222023 academic year.

Over 400 student, parent, and faculty volunteers joined forces on MLK Jr. Day for a morning of service to celebrate and support the greater Philadelphia community. Thousands of food items and other donations were packaged with community partners, including the Germantown Avenue Crisis Ministry, H.E.L.P.I.N.G. The Homeless Backpacks, Caring for Friends, the PA SPCA, Cradles to Crayons, The Schuylkill Center, and the SHE Wins literacy initiative. The morning’s keynote speaker was A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, founder and CEO of SHE Wins Inc., a nonprofit that offers leadership and social action workshops for girls.

“The morning represents an exercise in service to Dr. King’s vision,” said Head of School Delvin Dinkins. “He understood

that if we're going to be fundamentally committed to public life, public service, healthy public conversation, and deep concern with the rights and liberties of each and every one of us, we must act.”

Earlier in the academic year, 14 seniors engaged in public service by working at polling stations across the city and suburbs. Duties ranged from signing people in, explaining the voting machine to first-time users, and in some cases, totaling the number of votes and voters at the end of the night. In New Britain, Montgomery County, senior Hans Bode saw over 1,200 people come through his polling station. The experiences gave our new-to-voting students a sense of what it means to participate in the democratic process.

These were just a couple of the recent service opportunities at SCH. Visit sch.org/news to read about others.

hbcu showcase features several alumni

Considering a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) has become more popular among SCH students in recent years. In fact, “The number of HBCU applications submitted by SCH students has increased from 10 applications to 70 applications in just 7 years, says Brian Walter, director of College Counseling at SCH. “Since 2016, HBCU applicant submissions have increased by 70 percent.”

SCH’s 2023 HBCU Showcase, sponsored by our Black Student Union and the Diversity Parent Resource Network,

was held at the start of Black History Month in early February. An audience of more than 100 heard from a panel of SCH alumni, faculty, and parents who currently attend or have attended an HBCU. After the panel discussion, attendees mingled with over 15 college representatives who had set up informational tables, showcasing their university pride. The room bustled with families excited to speak with college representatives, alumni, and SCHers who have taken (or will be taking) this important leap to college and beyond.

AP Government students volunteer on election day.

MLK Jr. Day Morning of Service volunteers pack seeds in soil for planting in urban areas in need of green for the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education.

A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, founder and CEO of SHE Wins, was the MLK Jr. Day Morning of Service keynote speaker.

junior wins national award from epa

This past fall, junior Karina Chan-van der Helm ’24 was profiled on Fox29 News for her award-winning project that she’s working on through the Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) Venture Accelerator program, which began as her Capstone project in her sophomore year. She received one of only a dozen 2022 President’s Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA) (honorable mention, Region 3) from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with the White House Council on Environmental Quality. The awards celebrate climate actions and environmental stewardship and recognize the innovative thinkers and problem-solvers that earned distinction in 2022. Her Conscious Consumers project, inspired by Energy Star ratings that you can find on appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines, uses a sophisticated algorithm to break down the efficiency of product packaging and assigns it a star rating. Her goal is for this star rating to become a government mandate for all consumer packaging. She was among 49 K-12 students in the nation recognized for their “leadership and commitment to environmental education and environmental stewardship.”

reducing plastic at sch one sandwich bag at a time

While plastic continues to pile up in our landfills, SCH’s 4th-grade CEL students learned about and implemented sustainable solutions to combat the plastic pollution problem. Their mission, through two core projects, was to reduce the number of single-use plastics that accumulated from packed lunches. Single-use plastics, from plastic bags to candy wrappers, are designed to be used only once and then immediately discarded.

Students led a survey to collect data about the 4th grade’s plastic use habits. They discovered that our 56 4th graders were collectively bringing well over 100 pieces of single-use plastic to school every day.

The CEL students, eager to take action, quickly got to work designing icons for waste management that were turned into vinyl decals for the Lower School cafeteria. Their icons serve as a visual reminder to sort trash, recyclables, and compost correctly. Each student learned how to measure, cut fabric pattern pieces, and machine sew a reusable sandwich wrap for their second project. Their sandwich wraps are made out of food-safe fabric and are a perfect sustainable alternative to Ziploc bags or Saran Wrap.

Their hard work culminated in a 100 percent single-use plastic-free lunch. “Taking direct action was very rewarding for my class, and I hope their experience will encourage others to reduce their plastic waste as well,” said CEL teacher Tess Ramsey.

“Getting recognition from the EPA gave me confidence in my work so far and made me realize that there are others who believe in the importance of this project,” said Chan-van der Helm.

Karina Chan-van der Helm ’24 wins EPA Award. From left: Kim Noble, senior advisor for Environmental Education, Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education, Environmental Protection Agency; Chan-van der Helm; and the Honorable Brenda Mallory, chair of the Council on Environmental Quality.

Students sew sandwich bags as a way of reducing plastic waste in the cafeteria.

nil, nbc, and sch–beyond the acronyms

Investigative reporter Gabe Gutierrez from NBC Nightly News visited SCH this past fall to hear from a handful of recruited student-athletes as they participated in a workshop about Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL). The episode, featuring senior Al Amadou ’23 who will head to Marquette University for basketball in fall 2023, aired in October. Since July 1, 2021, when the NCAA began to allow college athletes to be compensated for NIL, many states have adjusted their rules to allow high school students to also participate, and the landscape for those interested has since become wide open.

The workshop was conducted by Advance, a company whose mission is to educate, empower, and equip student-athletes who chose to engage in NIL compensation. The company’s principals have deep ties to the school (trustee Rashad Campbell ’08 is a partner with Advance) and knew that SCH athletes—who have been recruited in greater and greater numbers—would find the program useful. The goal of the workshop: “If you are going to participate, we want you to do so smartly,” says Courtney Altemus, CEO/founder, and former SCH parent. “Student-athletes participating in NIL are, in fact, CEOs of their brands and making money on their NIL in many different ways, beyond social media influencing.”

Twice a year, SCH’s Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) hosts a Capstone Showcase featuring innovative student-created products, nonprofits, apps, and services that are developed as a means to solve real-world problems during a semester-long class for all sophomores. The People’s Choice Award is given to the project in the Capstone Showcase that won the school’s 33-hour online voting competition.

After 832 voters cast their ballot for their favorite project, the “People’s Choice Award” went to 10th graders Zarin DeVeaux and Layla Shands who developed an app to provide the studying and organizing tools essential for a high school student’s success. PACE, the app DeVeaux and Shands conceived, designed, prototyped, and pitched clearly resonated with voters, tackling a problem to address common student challenges.

Co-creator Shands says, “Our app uses study timers similar to the Pomodoro method that regulate work breaks and reduce that feeling of being overwhelmed.” DeVeaux adds, “It

also includes a calendar to organize assignments and tasks that need to be completed. It’s the all-in-one studying and time management app!”

Investigative reporter Gabe Gutierrez (left)interviewed Al Amadou ’23 (right) as part of NBC Nightly News piece on Name, Image, Likeness.

From left: Layla Shands '25 and Zarin DeVeaux ‘25, PACE, win the Capstone Showcase People’s Choice Award.

app designed by sch sophomores wins the people's choice award

Kenyatta Patterson, a current teacher in the Lower School, was appointed site director for the Horizons at SCH program in January. Now entering its third year at our school, Horizons at SCH is a high-quality academic enrichment program that supports students experiencing educational inequity in Philadelphia for six weeks during the summer months. The site director will hold primary leadership responsibility for the overall operations of Horizons at SCH and is responsible for overseeing all activities in pursuit of the organization’s mission “to advance educational equity by building long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools to create experiences outside of school that inspire the joy of learning."

Patterson, who has over 10 years of experience in education, joined SCH in the summer of 2021 working as a reading specialist in our Horizons Program.

samantha simon earns top science honors

This fall, Samantha Simon ’23 was recognized by the Delaware Valley Science Council (DVSC) for outstanding achievement in STEM fields. She was one of 12 students in eastern Pennsylvania and the surrounding states of Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey to receive the council’s “Excellence in Science Award,” which comes with a cash award and certificate. “I am passionate about science because I love problem-solving and discovering new things about the world around me,” said Simon, a co-founder of the Upper School club Women in STEM.

High school students are nominated by a teacher and go through an arduous selection process which includes an application, as well as interviews with area scientists who serve as judges. Last spring, Simon’s project, “The Effect of Urban Runoff on Fecal Coliform Levels in the Schuylkill Watershed,” earned her a medal at the George Washington Carver Science Fair, which led to her nomination for the DVSC Awards Program this year.

Imagine hopping on SEPTA and seeing fresh fruits and veggies that you can pluck right off the car walls. This is the vision of junior Anabella Castellanos ’24, who was recently accepted into the 2023 Our Future is Science Mentorship Program for her work through CEL, called Green Line Greenhouse. Her project, conceived during her Capstone class alongside Veronica Gula ’24 last spring and now her focus in the Venture Accelerator, centers on turning public transportation vehicles into hybrid mobile greenhouses in Philadelphia. SEPTA cars with fresh fruits and vegetables, she says, could help alleviate issues of food insecurity around the city or simply be a “healthy food option for people on the go.”

Our Future is Science is a joint program between the Aspen Institute and Coda Societies “that aims to position societally minded youth as leaders and innovators who will push science forward in the 21st century.”

Samantha Simon ’23 is recognized for achievement in STEM.

horizons at sch director appointed junior chosen by aspen institute to ‘push science forward’

Kenyatta Patterson, is the new SCH Horizons at SCH director.

Anabella Castellanos ’24 is chosen for Aspen Institute program.

rolling out a new bike program

Thanks to our PE teachers and All Kids Bike, a program “on a mission to teach every child in America to ride a bike in kindergarten,” SCH’s youngest Lower School students are preparing to roll, safely and confidently, into their bikeriding years.

The program, which comes with a curriculum designed to make balance and riding easier, trains educators to teach students to ride on Strider 14x bikes. Twenty-four bikes and one adult (teaching) bike were first used in the gym before the students got outside. As riders progress, the bikes can be transformed into pedal bikes with a conversion kit.

“Biking is a lifelong activity,” says PE chair Betty Ann Fish, who spearheaded the initiative to bring the program to SCH. “It’s a great way to connect with others and be involved with the community. It’s also a great family activity. The more time families spend together, the better, and even better if it’s active!”

first connex delves into baseball statistics

During the first Connex event of the year, “Baseball: The Game of Statistics,” panelists discussed how analytics has changed the game and how rule changes may make it harder to predict plays and make evaluations.

SCH pulled together an impressive roster of voices in the field of baseball to lead the discussion, with panelists from the school’s parent and alumni community. Featured panelists included SCH parent Sam Fuld, who is the Phillies' general manager and a former major league outfielder. He was joined by sportscasting legend Dave Sims ’71, a broadcaster for the MLB Seattle Mariners who recently became a Twitter sensation when his narration of the Mariner's 21-year playoff drought ending went viral. The third panelist was a current Phillies scout

Mike Koplove ’95, whose own illustrious MLB career as a pitcher included a World Series win with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001 and a USA bronze medal in the 2008 Olympics. Vanessa Chan P'24, P'27, chief commercialization officer and director of the Office of Technology Transitions for the U.S. Department of Energy, moderated the program and took participants on a journey through the world of sabermetrics, the statistics behind baseball’s in-game activity.

All recordings of SCH Connex events can be found on the SCH YouTube channel. Be sure to check out any you may have missed!

As part of their “Brave Strong Girls” unit, Kindergarten girls tested out the new bikes.

girls soccer team wins big

The girls soccer team won the PAISAA championship in November, 1-0, with an overall record of 19-1-3. And just like that, they became back-to-back state champions, three-time league champions, and undefeated in the league. Abby Kenkelen ’23 scored the winning goal with an assist from Alex Reilly ’24 and Lisa McIntyre ’23, who was among the 43 girls selected to play in the 2022 All-American High School Soccer game in Florida.

Girls soccer coach Maria Kosmin, who is in her seventh year of coaching with SCH Academy, logged her 100th career victory after the team's win against the Academy of Notre Dame on November 3. She was also chosen as a coach of the girls' East Team at the High School AllAmerican Game.

The girls soccer team celebrates after the PAISAA championship.

“The seniors now have been here for four years and never lost an Inter-Ac game,” said Kosmin in a Philadelphia Sports Digest article. “That’s a big part of that 100th win.”

student-athletes sign national letter of intent

More than 20 seniors committed to continuing to pursue their athletic passion at the college level next year by signing a National Letter of Intent. At the first signing ceremony in November, Head of School Delvin Dinkins addressed the many parents, friends, and coaches gathered

to cheer on the athletes saying, "I really admire and respect all that you've done for the school and what you will do for your next school. As an athlete myself, I have a deep appreciation for what it takes to get to this level."

Students pictured at the first signing day in November. See who is who, including athletes who signed at a later date, at sch.org/news, as well as more athletics news at sch.org/athletics.

There was such great energy around SCH Day—having the opportunity to thank our donors and celebrate meeting our goal together is enormously gratifying.

ATHLETIC GIVING DAYS SCH HUDDLES UP FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

Coinciding with our Hall of Fame induction year, SCH held its first-ever Athletic Days of Giving leading up to Homecoming Weekend in October 2022.

Rachael Silva, President of the Parents Association

When I was a very young boy, I thought I could fly. I had this idea that if my younger brother Rick and I tried hard enough we could float above the ground like tissue paper caught in a band of wind. We believed so hard in this dream that we spent a summer fashioning cardboard wings out of record album covers and jumping from the oak in our yard, flapping our arms like our very lives depended on it. We went for it, but we fell. The balding patch of grass became familiar with our tries. In each leap was a chance. And what is a chance anyway? An opportunity to succeed amidst an appreciable risk of failure.

Be a Chance Hunter

Curiosity and creativity are seared into our school’s academic program. Students are encouraged to ask "Why?" and "Why not?" about the world around them. This is paired with another ingredient, a spirit of adventure: “Being excited to try new things, even when you are not sure if you will be good at them.” And there are opportunities for leadership and responsibility. We encourage students to make their own decisions and accept responsibility for their choices.

As we turn the page to this next chapter in the book of this beloved community, let us stand as guardians of the school’s mission. Let us provide a gracious, enriching experience for all of us, steeped in the respect and dignity our humanity demands. Let us build an SCH that refuses to let fear get in the way of doing the right thing. Let us build an SCH that allows us to be open to new experiences and take risks rather than be too attached to what is safe or familiar. And may these experiences inspire awe, wonder, and a spirit of togetherness. In our quest to effect positive change, let us imagine an SCH even more fastened to people and institutions of our great city and beyond. In my vision, SCH is the school the world deserves, graduating people the world desperately needs!

Dr. Delvin Dinkins, Head of School, Convocation

“What will you do with your chance that comes this year, this month, this week, tomorrow, today?” asked Delvin Dinkins, head of school, during SCH Academy’s 2022 Convocation. He challenged students to explore the chances they encounter, embrace the unfamiliar, and let go of fear. Alumni often talk about how they built resilience at CHA, Springside, and SCH; they felt nurtured and ready to take chances when they left campus. Here, they talk about a chance they are proud of and how it changed their lives or perspective.

In the second semester of my sophomore year, I was given the chance to create a business through the school’s Capstone Program. As someone incredibly interested in community service, there was never any doubt that I was going to start a nonprofit organization. Although I knew what kind of business I wanted to create, I was hesitant to dive into the CEL process alone.

being nervous that I was going to be in over my head, I dedicated my time and energy to the class and my business.

a project-turned-business to help the unhoused.

Honors Student in Sports Administration and Entrepreneurship

At the beginning of my time in the Capstone program, I had communicated with upperclassmen and each said that completing the class in a group would be much easier than individually. While the idea of working with others did interest me at first, I realized that no one else wanted to start a program for those experiencing homelessness. This forced me to either join a different project that I was not interested in or create the business myself. I soon realized that deciding to work alone was more beneficial than working with a team of peers. Despite

At the time I had no way of knowing this moment would be a catalyst in the trajectory of my career path. Creating H.E.L.P.I.N.G. The Homeless Backpacks has opened doors for me that I never knew existed. I won a global business competition; it got me recognized by my state’s government; it helped me secure my dream job in sports; it got me into my first choice of college. However, the greatest takeaway from my business was realizing the career path I wanted to go down. It is clear to me now that I want to work in social responsibility to continue giving back to the community. I have learned that taking chances will lead to more opportunities and life lessons. I will continue to take risks and put myself out there because the payoff is always greater when you push outside your comfort zone!

Alexa Rhodes ’22 took a chance on working solo on

Frank Jackson ’14 took a chance on a career

in writing and speaking.

Writer/Speaker in Well-Being/DEI

The Pearl Effect

In 1989, I left university English teaching after six years to become an administrative assistant at People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), never having worked as an animal advocate before and knowing little about it. I soon moved to research and investigations, later worked for several other animal organizations, read constantly in related matters, and in 2002 founded Responsible Policies for Animals, which is pioneering “total animal advocacy,” a term I recently coined.

If not for a tiny old-style, half-inch, column-wide, classified "want ad" in The Washington Post for a job I applied for at PETA, I might not ever have found what

turned out to be a kind of work I was completely suited for. It enabled me to lead a fulfilling life to a degree that was unlikely in university teaching, even though I was a good and much-appreciated teacher, or in any of the other jobs I applied for at the time. Ironically, all of my experience in teaching, writing, and scholarship that had brought me to university English teaching proved invaluable in animal advocacy and in developing a new and original animaladvocacy paradigm. This paradigm is based on a large extent on precise word usage and reclaiming words that were "stolen" in Orwell's sense in The Politics of the English Language.

Taking chances has been a constant in my life. It’s a lesson I learned early as a result of loss. Losing my mother and eventually my father. It is in their absence that I gained the strength to take a chance. Most recently, I decided to take a chance by pursuing an entrepreneurial career in writing and speaking. As I work on my books, I speak on my research: The Pearl Effect. In my work, I get to teach others about wellbeing and how it applies to their lives. Each day, my perspective is challenged as

I push to inspire and create impact. My hope is to illuminate the innate ability within us all by spreading the tools of flourishing. I focus on the black community as a reflection of myself, my own history, and my own risk to choose well-being. If I rolled up my jeans just above my calf, you’d see a portrait of my parents. They serve as a reminder to me to continue to take chances. Their silent guidance softens my path. For any chance takers, lean on the community that makes it possible.

Founder Responsible Policies for Animals (RPA)

David Cantor ’77 took a chance on leaving teaching for animal advocacy.

I grew up witnessing my dad create and lead his own companies. So, after graduating from Penn with a degree in biomedical engineering and spending five years working in pharmaceutical consulting, I was inspired by the example he set and took my own leap. Creating Steggy’s has been different from any other challenge I’ve confronted professionally, but it has also been the most fulfilling. I am building and leading a company now and carving out a space for women in the men’s apparel space, which is not

a torch I bear lightly. And given the amount of time I’ve spent judging what my husband wears, creating Steggy’s seemed like a more productive use of my time and expertise.

I started Steggy’s as a passion project during COVID, but it soon became clear that we were onto something special. And after getting thrown headfirst into the world of clothing manufacturing and distribution, ordering and iterating, and crafting Steggy’s logo and branding, I couldn’t wait to share what we’d built.

Episcopal Priest, Retired

It’s funny the way things fall into place sometimes. I had grown up in the Episcopal Church and as a kid had

thought about becoming an Episcopal priest (along with being a train engineer), but I was leaning toward being a

math teacher. I loved algebra! Percy Wales at CHA was my inspiration for that. At college (Yale) I attended church services and activities, but I never felt certain a career in the Church was for me. Singing in the Whiffenpoofs was much more appealing! After graduation, most of my classmates were set on their futures, to medical school or law school or business school. Having no better alternative, I joined the Navy and went to Officer Candidate School. I still had no definite idea of what I wanted to do when I grew up. One day I was talking to the chaplain on board the aircraft carrier I was on, a Methodist and a fine fellow. He said to me, “Lin, you keep coming back to this idea of ordained ministry, but say you aren’t really certain. And you want to be sure. Maybe the only way you’ll know if ordained ministry is for you is to get off your butt and do

something about it.” (The Navy does have some colorful language!)

So I took a chance, got out of the Navy three months early, and went off to seminary. I was sure all the other students would be certain of why they were there and just what God wanted them to do. I’d be the only one with questions. Instead, I discovered that almost everyone in my class was just like me, seeing if this was the career for them. I was greatly relieved.

I recently celebrated my 60th anniversary of ordination as an Episcopal priest, having served churches in ID, CA, HI, WY, OR, and about a dozen interim positions after I retired. I’m only 89 and still waiting for that voice in the middle of the night, but in the meantime, I’ll just keep on following where God leads me. There’s a banner I saw once that sums it up for me: “To be on the way is to be there.”

Meredith Spann ’13 took a chance on her COVID project: building a men’s apparel brand. Co-founder & CEO Steggy's Henleys

The Very Rev. Hollinshead T. Knight ’52 took a chance on leaving the U.S. Navy early to attend seminary.

Current SCHers Take a Leap

Quinn Clotman, an 8th-grade student at SCH, took a chance on digital advocacy to educate other young people about climate change. “When I first started seeing things on the news, I got scared. I thought the world was going to end. My dad told me, ‘It’s an important thing to be educated about what’s happening right now because this is your future.’ I never let go of that fear that it might not end right now, but there are still things we can do to prevent the climate crisis. We, as young people, need to do something about it right now.”

Sally Mayor ’67 took a chance on becoming a hot air balloon pilot.

Campus Counselor, Training Assistant

Les Roches Crans-Montana Global Hospitality Management College

I had my first flight with a hot air balloon pilot, and I knew and I was hooked! I joined a ballooning club in Switzerland and started crewing for pilots. It became a passion and it was very hard to describe the feeling of being in the ballooning world. I wanted more, but I knew it would be difficult. It’s a man’s world; the equipment is heavy and teamwork is important. I finally decided to “take a chance” and signed up for my pilot’s license in France. It took me about one-anda-half hours to get to the launch field but I went every weekend until I completed my two solo flights.

I had major self-doubts. My main concern was, would I be able to keep up my hours? Every pilot has to complete a certain number of hours in a 12-month period. Would I be able to adapt to certain flying conditions? The wind?

The landings? Experience is always the best teacher. I don’t fly as much now, but I’m still president of the Club Aérostatique de CransMontana and we have a balloon with the CransMontana logo. We inflate and fly for major events in the area such as World Cup ski races and cycling events and it’s still fun, but it seems that the equipment is getting heavier, or maybe I’m just getting older?

Springside encouraged all students to go forward, be themselves and take chances if they could. It was more of an encouraging community spirit throughout the school. I was encouraged to continue my studies, go further, and aim high, and I am very happy I did!

Adam Butz-Weidner, a faculty member in SCH’s New Media Department, took a chance on auditioning for the Philadelphia Opera as a child. “I remember walking into the audition room. It was a massive, biggest-roomI-had-ever-seen rehearsal hall on the second or third floor of the Academy of Music. I was feeling nervous, and out of my mind, and there was no turning back now. I got the part—I was a soloist for the Philadelphia Opera company that year, and for years to come. The true value that came from taking this chance was something I didn't even consider: every rehearsal, every performance, every moment of this opportunity was about to be shared by me and my dad. I wouldn't trade it for anything.”

Kyrie Yang, a senior at SCH, took a chance on moving from his hometown of Beijing to attend SCH Academy. "I realized my dad and I are more alike than I thought. At the age of 16, we both left what we knew: him, his village, and me, my apartment in Beijing, for a new environment where we were complete strangers. But the stories aren’t necessarily the exact same, because while he left home to survive, I had a choice, a choice that was created for me by my dad’s struggles long ago. If you have the choice, you want to make sure you seize the chance and don't let it slip away.”

Martha Crowell HA, an SCH music teacher, took a chance on moving from New England to teach at Springside.

“In the fall of 1982, I took the chance of moving to Philadelphia from Massachusetts to take the job of Lower School music teacher at what was then Springside School. I've been grateful ever since. I'm grateful to my mentor, Pat Brown, who was my elementary music teacher and nurtured me as a musician and educator for decades. Her taking a chance on me made a lifelong difference.”

When I TooK a Chance

In 1987 I moved to a small town in Southeastern Alaska to take the chief executive position in a company owned by Tlingit Indians. No road in or out. Changed my life.

–Ernesta Ballard ’63

I decided to live out of my car and work with an artist who opened my world and prepared me for a life commitment to the arts. I have learned more from my failures than my successes.

–Joseph Castle ’79

I left my career as a librarian and went to massage school at 45. At 70, I have interns and am on a new path to present healing in a different way.

I could have chosen to wrestle at LaSalle or GA, but I took the chance that I would enjoy my time at CHA more. I have been lucky enough to have great mentor educators who have helped me grow to become a better teacher and coach.

–Nick Varallo ’09

–Nina Fleitas Hanson ’68

I chose to visit my pre-med son who was spending some time in Northern Kenya in the early 80s. I ended up volunteering at the local hospital, subsequently getting a Ford Foundation grant to establish a schoolroom for nomadic children in the hospital and extending this initial effort into a 51-year investment of time and effort in charitable projects in both Kenya and Zambia.

At the age of 33, I started my own consulting company and moved across the world to a country (Singapore) where I knew no one except my husband. Both opportunities have changed my life and made an incredible impact on who I am today.

In Ivy League English departments of the 70s, it was publish-or-perish, but writing fiction or poetry was not considered a legitimate publication. My choice to persist as a poet meant I would be dismissed. I bless the day I took that chance.

After over 30 years conducting and developing an excellent choral society (Harmonium) I finally decided to program my "dream piece," J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion, even though the orchestral and solo requirements are way beyond a normal budget year for us. I am so glad I didn't wait!

–Anne Matlack ’81

–Alison Curtis ’59 (pictured, right)

–Devon Lawrence ’03

–Sydney Lea ’60

Lewis's inaccessibility Protest Posters from the 1990s and 2000s

JESSIE JANE LEWIS ’65: DEFYING CONVENTION AND IGNITING CHANGE

You’d think that effecting change in a city as large as Philadelphia would involve countless people and the slow-turning wheels of bureaucracy. But, as one alumna proved, igniting change can begin with one person. One woman. One artist. One chance taker.

Jessie Jane Lewis ’65, artist and activist.

–Jessie Jane Lewis ’65 (1947-2011)

The late Jessie Jane Lewis ‘65, whose life and work were the subject of this fall and winter’s Barbara Crawford Gallery exhibition, Chronic Creativity, drove change in Philadelphia and beyond through her artwork, activism, and a unique ability to blend the two. As a student at Springside School, she was a chance taker, albeit a low-profile one. She’d admit that she wasn’t the best student, mostly flying under the radar at school, but she was a surfer and skateboarder who sought out adventure.

“She was bold. She was a risk-taker. She defied the conventions of our time,” said classmate Karen Doman ‘65 who recalled a night in high school when she and “Jane,” as they called her then, snuck out of their houses to attend a Bob Dylan and Joan Baez concert. “Jane persuaded me to live dangerously. It was the most wonderful of times.”

Lewis went on to receive degrees from the former Philadelphia College of Art and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Her body of work encompassed painting, printmaking, and performance art. Diagnosed with

multiple sclerosis in her 30s, she began to alter her previous work, making minor—and then major—changes. She used her wheels as paintbrushes, rolling over old paintings. Taking risks—taking chances on ideas whose outcomes were uncertain—still did not scare her. In fact, it seemed to motivate her to do more. She created profound video work focusing on artists with disabilities and the challenges they endure, as well as how they persevere to maintain their practice.

Lewis at Springside, first row, second from the left

unable to get into the Roxborough branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia in her wheelchair. She and a small group of friends made signs and protested. A ramp was installed.

“It was a small group of people, really,” said her daughter, Anya Rose, now a Lower School science teacher at SCH, to a group of SCH students who visited the gallery. Rose loaned her mother’s work for the exhibit and conducted talks with each division.

“When you look at the photo, it started with just a few people. You need just a few people to effect change.”

In the late 1990s, Lewis created the Voter Accessibility Reform Initiative, and in 2002 she joined with others in a successful class action lawsuit against the City of Philadelphia Elections Board to fight for polling places to meet American Disability Act (ADA) standards. “Every issue of disability, from housing to health care to education, hinges on our power as a voting bloc,” Lewis said, who lived to see more than 700 city polling places become accessible.

An art therapist who specialized in treating the elderly for more than 20 years, Lewis is most well known for her work as an activist for people with disabilities. It all began when she was

After many years of difficult work, she convinced the city to honor the rights of disabled Philadelphians to vote at accessible polling places on machines that can accommodate those

THE LATE JESSIE JANE LEWIS ‘65, DROVE CHANGE IN PHILADELPHIA AND BEYOND THROUGH HER ARTWORK, ACTIVISM, AND A UNIQUE ABILITY TO BLEND THE TWO.

Anya Rose unfurls her mother's wheelchair painting scroll, created in the 1980s, in her mother's studio in Manayunk.

BUCKING THE (VOTING) SYSTEM

It was Jessie Jane Lewis’ story and SCH’s robust arts curriculum that brought Philadelphia City Commissioners Lisa Deeley, chair, and Omar Sabir, vice chair, to SCH in November, before election day, to talk to Upper School AP U.S. Government & Politics students and their teacher Danielle Gross. The pair implored the students to use their vote and, like Lewis, their voices to bring about change.

"If we don’t have free and fair elections, then we don’t have a democracy. That’s what our country was founded on,” said Commissioner Sabir. “We’re calling on younger Americans to stand up for democracy. It’s your civic duty to stand up. Are you going to stand up?”

Vote in every election. Be poll workers. Run for office. These are all messages that the commissioners conveyed to students. And, after hearing Lewis’ story, the students understood more clearly that some of those rights are also their duty. “For the people, by the people. We are the people. The people are you. It’s not other people. It’s all of you,” Commissioner Deeley told the students. In Philadelphia, in part thanks to the work of Jessie Jane Lewis, people with disabilities can access any of the 1,703 divisions in the city, said Deeley, to vote “freely and fairly, like everyone else. It’s a voting system that’s the same for everyone.”

in wheelchairs, people who are blind or with low vision, and people who are deaf or hearing impaired. She didn’t stop after the law was enacted: There was more work to do to ensure that polling places were complying. She continued her fight in the last years of her life. “It’s not how you walk,” said Lewis at the time, “it’s where you stand.”

a decade ago, the polling location moved locations for ADA accessibility.

“A large percentage of Division 5’s members are wheelchair bound, have low vision, or use other mobility aids,” said Haims. “Every election since (Lewis’ changes were made), I have been a witness to democracy in action. An artist made that happen. Jessie Jane Lewis made that happen.”

Lewis, who passed away in 2011 from the effects of multiple sclerosis, modeled how to lead a productive life, inspiring her patients, family, friends, and even strangers.

Lewis’ personality was present in her work. “Every stroke of line, every choice of color, every facial expression in a performance, and every phrase on a protest sign is an expression of her emotion,” said Rose. “She was someone who could make you laugh, and at the same time organize a class action lawsuit against the city of Philadelphia for not having accessible voting machines.”

The curator of the SCH exhibit, Melissa Haims P’21, is a longtime poll worker in Chestnut Hill. She remembers when,

“Through this powerful exhibit and extensive curricular activities, students in all divisions at SCH have been shaped by Jessie Jane Lewis and her powerful work,” says Megan Monaghan, director of the Arts at SCH. Several of her classmates from Springside visited the exhibit to learn more about her and honor her incredible life, full of color and wonder. The alumnae sat together in the gallery, remembering Jessie Jane Lewis, making art, and telling stories about their years together, and the ensuing years when they were apart.

“To know that she had such a rich life,” said Sandra McLaughlin McFarland ’65, a Springside classmate, “it’s enriching for all of us.”

Lewis with a group of activists

"House on Fire" by Lewis

Philadelphia City Commissioners Lisa Deeley and Omar Sabir

STUDENTS IN ALL DIVISIONS AT SCH HAVE BEEN SHAPED BY JESSIE JANE LEWIS AND HER POWERFUL WORK

PLATE DRAWINGS

Lewis’ daughter, Anya Rose, received a make-a-plate art kit as a birthday present in the 1990s, and Lewis found a new medium. One could feel the youthful joy in the brush strokes as well as the pain in the poetry on the plates created by Lewis that were on display," said curator Melissa Haims. Inspired by her example, students, faculty, staff, and alumni took part in plate-making after visiting the gallery this fall. The plates were then distributed to the cafeterias on campus.

Counterclockwise from top: Upper School students show off their plates, inspired by Lewis. Second photo, from left, are Lewis' daughter, Anya Rose, SCH science teacher; Megan Monaghan, director of the arts at SCH; Head of School Delvin Dinkins and wife, Davirah Timm-Dinkins; and Melissa Haims, curator of the exhibit. Below, from left: Springside alumnae from the Class of 1965 gather in the Barbara Crawford Gallery for Jessie Jane Lewis’ exhibition. From left: Sandy Cadwalader, Karen Quinn Doman, Lynn Hoeffel Gadsden, Sandra McLaughlin McFarland, Nina Sinkler Talbot, and Kathy Schultz Shelton. Below, right: Lower School boy designs plate.

CHANCE TAKERS CHANGE MAKERS ARE

By Griffy Whitman ’25, Student Writer

Griffy Whitman ’25, a lacrosse player with a deep interest in writing and literature, was named a Maine Scholar and is starting a newspaper at SCH Academy through his CEL Capstone course.

A CONVERSATION ABOUT GIVING AND RECEIVING A CHANCE

It wasn’t until I learned that I had won the Jordie Maine ’79 Scholarship that I knew for sure I was going to SCH. Receiving that offer from the Maine family inspires me every day to take chances myself, now that I’m here.

A member of the CHA Athletic Hall of Fame, the late Jordie Maine ’79 was well-rounded, well-liked, and just an all-around authentic person. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and responsibility of perpetuating his positive impact at SCH and in the community he cherished.

Being chosen for the scholarship assured me that I would be capable of upholding Jordie’s legacy and able to succeed here at SCH. For me, that means pushing past the norm to be extra friendly in the hallways or extra participative in a tired class on a Monday morning. Thinking about honoring Jordie and the scholarship often serves as motivation to do another workout or take initiative in a club.

Recently, I was able to sit down for a conversation with Emery Maine Greenwood ’06, one of Jordie’s daughters, also an Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, who has two children at SCH. The Maine family has found that the scholarship has been the impetus for alumni and friends to re-engage with the school with Jordie’s “legacy and memory as the motivation,” for which the family is endlessly appreciative. “Our ability to do something meaningful came from the support of so many people,” she said. This conversation was rewarding for me because I was able to both express my gratitude for the opportunity I have to be at SCH, as well as gain some insight as to Ms. Greenwood’s thoughts on giving chances, and what people can do with them when they’re offered.

HERE ARE SOME HIGHLIGHTS FROM OUR CONVERSATION.

GW: I'M SO GRATEFUL TO BE HERE EVERY DAY AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY (AND FRIENDS) GAVE ME. ON YOUR END, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO GIVE A CHANCE?

EG: That's such a good question. It feels really good. I think that's ultimately why we wanted to do this: to feel a personal connection to something in honor of my dad. This place was so much a part of our everyday lives and was so much a part of my dad's life. It feels amazing to be able to give this opportunity to students like yourself who are so deserving and just incredible people and have so much to offer. We think that SCH benefits so much from you being here.

And so, to be able to have a small part in having you be at the school and having my dad be connected to that and to keep his name and his memory alive here is, it's just the best feeling for us, for him.

THANK YOU.

Like I said, you deserve it. I THINK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME, KEEPING YOUR DAD’S SPIRIT AND LEGACY ALIVE AT SCH. WHAT DO YOU HOPE MAINE SCHOLARS DO WITH THEIR CHANCE?

I love that SCH sort of meets you where you are and wants to foster what you want to do. I feel like the first thing to do with that chance is to make the most of your time here; rely on the people who want to support you, help you grow, and push you to just explore whatever you want to do. Everybody's available to you, everybody's accessible. And so whatever it is that you're interested in or passionate about, there's somebody here that can help you take that to the next level if you want to. Chance, if you want it, is here for you. You just have to go get it.

I WAS WONDERING IF YOU REMEMBER A TIME THAT JORDIE TOOK A CHANCE ON SOMETHING HE MAY HAVE BEEN UNSURE OF OR THAT PERHAPS HAD UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES.

He decided to take a big chance and leave his position at his firm in 2015. He was going to get out of the financial services business entirely. And in the interim, he just wanted to have a break. He—we all, really—had the best summer. I had just left my job. He had just left his job. My brother had just graduated from college. My sister was going into her senior year of college. So we were all at this inflection point.

THAT'S AMAZING.

There was fishing and beach and family time. It was just the pinnacle; it was the best month. And then he ended up getting sick. Labor Day weekend is when we found out, when our world turned upside down. But in hindsight, we're so grateful that he had that time,

that we had that time as a family. It was the perfect period of time when he was free, he was resetting, and we were with family. Obviously, I wish that went on for longer, but that was a big chance that he took.

THAT DOES SOUND LIKE A BIG LIFE CHANGE. AS I SEE IT, STUDENTS ARE OFTEN SCARED OF FAILING. BUT WHAT DR. DINKINS SAID IS THAT THE GOAL OF TAKING A CHANCE IS TO EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE. I THINK THAT THE PEOPLE WHO TAKE CHANCES ARE THE PEOPLE WHO END UP MAKING CHANGE IN THE WORLD.

Chance takers are change makers. You should patent that. Change is always scary. That's something that my dad definitely said to me. And I still think about it. But you have to take that jump to get there. Things that are important, like effecting change, are going to feel a little scary.

RIGHT, EXACTLY. I’LL KEEP THAT IN MIND. AND, SPEAKING OF CHANCES, I’M STARTING A STUDENT PUBLICATION, A NEWSPAPER THROUGH MY CEL CAPSTONE COURSE. THERE'S NO STUDENT-LED NEWSPAPER RIGHT NOW.

That's awesome because it would be easy to say, “Oh there’s no student newspaper so I guess I’ll do something else.” That’s the easy path. You have to find where there are opportunities for change or opportunities for growth. I’m really proud of you, I can’t wait to read it.

THANK YOU, AGAIN. AND, AS YOU SAID, THE THINGS THAT ARE HARD ARE OFTEN THE MOST REWARDING.

Yes, absolutely. You summed it up, right there.

The Jordie Maine Scholarship

Established in 2016 by the Maine family, The Jordie Maine ’79 Scholarship is awarded to a scholarathlete who exemplifies Jordie’s incredible character, talent, and leadership abilities. Its recipient is someone who is well-respected by peers, teachers, and coaches and who has attained a high level of achievement in the classroom and in athletics. Most importantly, the recipient of this award has demonstrated a passion for the school and, like Jordie, displayed through his/her actions a deep understanding of the values represented by the jersey stripes: courage, honesty, integrity, loyalty, and sportsmanship. The scholarship supports one student in each Upper School class. The Maine family planned the "Maine Event" golf tournament soon after Jordie’s passing, gathering with friends, family, neighbors, trustees, and current and former SCH, CHA, and Springside alumni with the goal of fundraising for this scholarship.

The Maine family: From left: Jack Maine ’11, Libbie Maine ’12, SCH Trustee Debbie Maine H’16, Emery Maine Greenwood ’06, and SCH Trustee Thomas Greenwood ’01.

2022

2022 ATHLETIC

ATHLETIC HALL FAME HALL FAME OF honorees

“Whether in your personal or professional life, on the athletic field, track, or pool, you have all taken a chance,” said Head of School Delvin Dinkins at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at SCH on October 21, 2022.

The Springside School and Chestnut Hill Academy Athletic Hall of Fames were established to recognize and honor exceptional athletes and their athletic performances, accomplishments, and contributions with a lasting tribute. Athletes are inducted into the Hall of Fame every three years.

The weekend also included a celebration at the Homecoming football game and the John McArdle ’73 Court Dedication in the Kingsley Gym.

Honorees are pictured at the celebration. Clockwise, from top left, are:

Springside School 2022 Hall of Fame alumni, from left: Taylor Ellis-Watson Washington, Brielle White, Jennifer Sager

CHA alumni 2022 Hall of Fame alumni, from left: Ibraheim Campbell, Rashad Campbell, Dustin Wilson, Sean Plunkett

CHA varsity soccer 2022 Hall of Fame alumni, front row, from left: Michael Longfellow, Mike Disston (coach), Pat O’Donnell, Joe Maher, Chris Stulb, John Harris; Back row, from left: Jim Poff, Jim Talbot (coach), John O’Neill, Mike Wolf, Sam Millington, Terry McLaughlin, Marc Moss; Not pictured: Jeff Beck, Steve Connolly, Jeff Rickenbachm Scott Wolf, Greg Myers (coach)

CAMPBELLIBRAHEIM'10 CAMPBELLIBRAHEIM'10

CHA FOOTBALL and TRACK & FIELD

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY | NFL

Campbell, who eventually went on to play for the NFL, holds the school record for rushing yards in a single season.

CHA played a huge part in laying the foundation of what I am as a man, as an athlete, as a person. I appreciate all the relationships I’ve been able to build throughout my years at CHA and beyond.

At CHA Indoor and outdoor track and field captain; football captain with a total of 4,204 yards rushing and 65 total touchdowns; first team AllCity selection in 2006 and 2007 for football; first team All Inter-Ac; 2007 football Inter-Ac MVP; Philadelphia Daily News Player of the Year; 2008 CHA Father’s Award; Mini-Maxwell award (one of the top 50 high school players in Southern PA & NJ) in his junior and senior year; CHA 2008 Gold Medal award winner

Beyond

Four-year starter at Cornell University; All-Ivy first team

during his senior year for most kick return yards in a season with 994; third in Ivy League history for kick return yards

“While small in stature, his stamina in games was unthinkable for players today. He never left the field and in some games carried the ball 30-40 times. This resilience marked his amazing career and made every player around him better,” said coach Rick Knox ’92. “He possessed every attribute as a graduate that the school aspired to promote. He is blue and blue to the highest degree.”

At CHA

Track and field captain with a school record in the 110 and 300 meter hurdle events, as well as the 4x200-meter relay; football captain; running back and defensive back; record holder for rushing yards in a single season (and second in InterAc history) with 1,885 yards; total of 3,957 yards rushing and 52 touchdowns; first team All-League and All-City for football; Daily News City Football Player of the Year; Daily News All-Decade team; Inter-Academic League MVP; All-State; J.L Patterson Cup

Beyond

Four year starter at Northwestern University;

freshman All-American team in 2011; All-Big Ten team

Honorable Mention in 2013; All-Big Ten second team in 2014; drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns (2015); starter during his second season; went on to play for six other NFL teams

“While naturally reserved, his leadership on the team was palpable. During hard conditioning sessions, he would sternly say "stand up" and every slouching player would come to attention,” said coach Rick Knox ’92. “As the youngest sibling, he watched his older brothers, learned from them, and made it his mission to try to outdo them.”

CAMPBELLRASHAD'08 RASHAD CAMPBELL '08

CHA FOOTBALL and TRACK & FIELD

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

Campbell, a member of SCH’s Board of Trustees, had a total of 65 touchdowns at CHA and is third in Ivy League history for kick return yards.

I really think the reason I loved football is because it was always fun. I was passionate about it, which made it easy for me to lead by example.

At CHA

The only four-time Inter-Ac shot put champion in league history; helped the Blue Devils win the 2001 Inter-Ac track championship; earned 11 varsity letters at CHA in football and indoor and outdoor track and field; All-League first team for football (junior and senior seasons); Edward

At CHA

The most decorated runner in CHA/SCH history, the school record holder for the 1,600, 3,000, 3,200, 5,000-meter races as well as the distance medley relay; continues to hold the 3,200 meter record for the Inter-Ac.

Cross country and indoor track five-time All American; qualified to compete at the 2011 National Foot Locker Cross Country Championships, running to a 13th place finish in San Diego; All-State and Athlete of the Year by the PA Coaches Association; PAISAA Independent Schools State Meet (2010, 2011); 2012

Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys’

Cross Country Runner of the Year; Indoor State Athlete

PLUNKETT '04 SEAN SEAN PLUNKETT '04

CHA TRACK & FIELD and FOOTBALL

MILLERSVILLE UNIVERSITY

Plunkett is the only four-time Inter-Ac shot put champion in league history.

B. Lawless Football Award (2003); Frederick Strawbridge Claghorn Jr. Trophy (2002); William C. Harper III Track Award (2003 and 2004); TriCaptain Award; team co-MVP; J. L. Patterson Cup

Beyond

Four varsity letters in football at Millersville University;

I grew up reading and rereading every trophy and plaque in the old gym lobbies while waiting for my dad (Jack Plunkett H '92) to finish up football practice. Those times gave me great appreciation and admiration for all the history and great athletes that have put on Blue Devils uniforms.

started on the offensive line for three years; voted team captain during his senior year, All-PSAC honors as offensive guard

“I had the pleasure of coaching Sean, and years later coaching with him. Sean was not only a great athlete but a

great coach and an even better human being. His accomplishments in football and especially track are unmatched,” said coach Ed Aversa H'01. “More than being a hall of fame athlete, Sean is a hall of fame son, brother, uncle, husband, and father.”

of the year; All-State for the 3,000 meter race; PAISAA State Champion for the two mile; All-State for track in 2012; PAISAA Cross Country champion; held the PAISAA Belmont Course record in 2010 and 2011; J.L. Patterson Cup.

Beyond Member of Columbia University’s cross county, indoor and outdoor track teams, which were ranked in the top 10 in NCAA DI at the time.

“Dustin was favored to win the State Indoor 3000. Instead, he sacrificed personal glory for team success by helping the distance medley relay qualify for Nationals,” said coach Paul Hines H'03.

WILSONDUSTIN'12 DUSTIN WILSON '12

CHA CROSS COUNTRY and TRACK & FIELD

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY

Wilson is the most decorated runner in CHA/SCH history.

I did not see myself as much of an athlete growing up… But CHA had this sports requirement. So I started running. It didn’t turn out how I expected it, it turned out orders of magnitude better. I’d like to thank everyone and my coaches, for pushing me to become a better athlete, to discover something about myself that I didn't think was there.

ELLIS-WATSON WASHINGTON '11 TAYLOR TAYLOR ELLIS-WATSON WASHINGTON '11

SPRINGSIDE TRACK & FIELD

After I took my first lap around the track (at Springside), my coach asked me what my goal was. I said I wanted to be an Olympian. That’s my goal. No one ever doubted me at this school.

At Springside

The PA indoor and outdoor track state champion, All-American for indoor track, and Pennsylvania Classic Champion in 2011; first at the state conference meet in the 100, 200, and 400-meter races (as a first-year and senior); first in the 400-meter dash (junior year) broke the school record in the 200 and 400-meter dashes, as well as the 4x400-meter relay.

Beyond

All-American and All-Big East while at the University of Pittsburgh; qualified for the NCAA indoor championships in the 400-meter dash; broke the 400-meter and 4x400-meter relay records for indoor track; transferred to the University of Arkansas and aided the Razorbacks to the 2015 NCAA team title with two runner-up finishes in the 400-meter dash and 4x400-meter relay; fourtime outdoor All-American in the 400-meter and 4x400-meter relay; Southeastern Conference (SEC) Outdoor Champion and

outdoor first team All-SEC in the 400 meters (2015); Indoor first team selection for the All-SEC 4x400 meter relay; four-time NCAA Indoor Runner-Up; five-time Indoor All-American in the 400 meter and 4x400 meter; two-time SEC Indoor Champion in the 400-meter and 4x400-meter relay; named to the Indoor All-SEC first team (400 meter, 2016), SEC Indoor Co-Scholar Athlete of the Year

Selected to represent the U.S. at the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where her team won the gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay in 2016

“I remember the first time I saw Taylor run on the track here at school. She literally FLEW right by me and it looked so effortless,” said Aimee Keough H'20, associate director of Athletics at SCH. “As she matured over her four years at Springside, it was a joy to get to witness her rise to greatness.”

At CHA

After a shaky 0-1-1 start, with a tie with Haverford School and a loss to Episcopal, the defending champs, the team ran off six straight wins to take the crown. The 3-0 win over EA was a crucial step in the championship stretch and featured “the save” by goalkeeper Marc Moss on a penalty kick.

By season’s end, CHA was co-ranked as the No.1 team in southeast PA along with Haverford High School which CHA defeated 1-0 earlier in the season. The team prefers to be remembered as one unit, made up of studentathletes from divergent

backgrounds who relied on, supported, and respected one another. Teammates are: Jeff Beck ’82, Steve Connolly ’80, John Harris ’79, Michael Longfellow ’79, Joe Maher ’79, Terry McLaughlin ’79, Sam Millington ’79, Marc

CHA 1978 SOCCER TEAM VARSITY

VARSITY CHA 1978 SOCCER TEAM

Moss ’79, Patrick O'Donnell ’81, John O'Neill ’80, Jim Poff ’79, Jeff Rickenbach ’79, Chris Stulb ’79, Michael Wolf ’81, and Scott Wolf ’80; Coaches: Michael Disston '69, Greg Myers, Jim Talbot H'81

“This team was a perfect blend of multi-talented athletes who overcame early season adversity and dedicated themselves to hard work and unselfish team play,” said coach Jim Talbot. "It was the fastest team I ever coached. They all could fly!"

UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS | 2016 OLYMPICS

Ellis-Watson Washington and her team won the gold medal in the 4x400-meter relay at the U.S. 2016 Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro.

The 1978 men’s varsity soccer team was Inter-Ac Champions with a record of 6-1-1.

SAGER '12 JENNIFER JENNIFER SAGER '12

SPRINGSIDE CREW

TRINITY COLLEGE

Sager, who has coached at SCH, won medals in multiple national championships and was Head of the Charles champion, among many other crew accolades.

I couldn’t accept this award without thanking some really strong athletes who I had the good fortune to row with—Anna Valciukas ’12, Verity Walsh ’11, Taylor Apostolico ’11—who I won City Championships with. They taught me the pure joy of going fast with friends. It’s something that I took from SS and carried with me to Trinity and beyond.”

At Springside

Springside crew captain and MVP (senior year); gold in the single scull at the Scholastic National Championship Regatta (2012); gold in the single at City Championships; silver at the Stotesbury Regatta in 2012; bronze as a sophomore in the quad at Scholastic Nationals; gold medal in the lightweight eight at Canadian Henley; silver in the single at the U.S. National U-23 Time Trials; bronze in the quad at the Club National Championships with the Vesper Boat Club (2012)

Beyond

No. 1 seat for the NCAA National Champion varsity eight crew DIII Championships with Trinity College; bronze medal at the ECAC National Invitational Collegiate Regatta; Head of the Charles champion (2012); medalist in

WHITEBRIELLE'02 BRIELLE WHITE '02

SPRINGSIDE SWIMMING

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA

White became an All-American, despite there being no Springside swim team, and eventually went on to place fourth in the 2004 U.S. Olympic Swim Team Trials.

“I want to thank Springside leadership and especially the athletic department for acknowledging my competitive swimming and thereby giving me the flexibility and leeway for allowing me to continue my sport independently, without interruption. The school respected my independent commitment to swimming. Springside understood that the sports world opened doors for people.”

2013 and 2014; represented the U.S. National Team in the lightweight double at the U23 World Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria (2015); lightweight quad at the Senior World Championships; lightweight coxless pair at the Senior World Championships Plovdiv, Bulgaria (2018); assistant rowing coach at SCH, University of Oxford, Middlebury College, and the Buckingham, Browne, Nichols School

“Jen was one of the most determined students I have ever met. When she decided she was going to do well on an assessment, she made it happen. When she decided that she wanted to level up in crew, nothing could stand in her way,” said Liz O’Flannagan, Jen’s Upper School advisor.

At Springside

Seven-time All-American backstroker, two-time Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Swimmer of the Year, four-time Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Champion in the 100-meter backstroke, and three-time ACC Champion in the 200-meter backstroke

Represented Springside in the Eastern Championships and Inter-Ac League Championships; third place in the 100-yard backstroke (1998), first place in the 100-yard backstroke (1999); first place in the 100-yard backstroke (2001 and 2002)

Beyond

At the University of Virginia, won the 2004 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Swimming and Diving Championship; broke the ACC record and

meet record; pool record in both 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard backstroke; DI Women’s Swimming and Diving NCAA Championships, named an All-American in the 100-yard backstroke event and Honorable Mention in the 200-yard backstroke event (2005); competed at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Swim Team Trials, placing fourth in the 100-meter backstroke

"Brielle was a world-class athlete. She was born to swim, possessing all the tools: height, natural speed, and the desire to win. She was also a pioneer of diversity in swimming and set the bar for other swimmers," said her coach, Jim Ellis, founder of the Philadelphia Department of Recreation.

ALUMNI EVENTS

Top row: Alumni crew event and hockey game; Second row: Homecoming alumni tent and Head of School Delvin Dinkins and his wife, Davirah, visit alumni in Florida; Third row: Thanksgiving happy hour, alumni at SCH for HBCU panel, and New York City alumni happy hour; Fourth row: alumni squash game and alumni holiday gathering at Sunnybrook Golf Club.

1930s

1938

Portrait artist Emilie "Kayo" Rivinus Brégy turned 102 in August. Her formal portraits of politicians, college presidents, and judges are displayed in buildings throughout the U.S., from the State Capitol Building in Harrisburg to City Hall. She was recently profiled in the Chestnut Hill Local

CLASS NOTES

1950s

1956

Marylou Bilski Anderson says, “I recently had the pleasure of getting together with my good friends Joan Hunsberger Bromage and Joan Eddleman Finerty in Maine, which was wonderful except that it was for a very sad occasion—the memorial service of Joan’s lovely husband, Ted, who was also a good friend of mine.”

1940s

1940

Anne Atlee Jenkins celebrated her 100th birthday on November 10, 2022, with her daughters, June Jenkins Hodges ’75, Dr. Julia Jenkins Ma ’84, and their families.

Joan Finerty, Susie Straus Whitby, and Marylou Bilski Anderson, traveled to their 65th Reunion. They met up with Anne Clattenburg, Anne Wetzel, and Anne Rowland Reece '58 They all enjoyed seeing one another and reminiscing. Anderson says, “We're hoping to see one another and other classmates at our 70th Reunion!”

Ralph Hirshorn and his wife, Natalie, attended the 34th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival gala. At Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch” brunch, they met Baz Luhrman, director of Elvis, and Austin Butler who played the role of Elvis.

1958

Louise R. Johnston moved to The Hill at Whitemarsh, a continuing care retirement community, three years ago. “I love it, and I’m so happy my daughters live nearby,” she says. “I am so lucky to be involved in a community service organization that provides assistance to people with housing insecurity and really enjoy the people I meet there.” She also helps with a local conservation easement program and is enjoying time with friends and family. “My two-year-old dog and lively friends are great walking pals. I love pickleball, tennis, paddle tennis, and I have a most enjoyable garden. I’m shamelessly proud of my terrific grandchildren and step-grandchildren. I will spend two weeks in Kenya with Viv Wagner Gast '59 and husband, Bill.”

1960s 1963

Ernesta Ballard and classmates Betsy Steel Longstreth, Ellen Longstreth Goodwin, Mimi Dixon Seyfert, Cookie Emlen Horner, Patty Meyer, and Barrie McNeil Jordan met up for a mini reunion in Nantucket, MA.

1964

Baylor Trapnell says, “I’m enjoying the sunshine in Santa Fe, NM.”

1968

Lee Conrad says “I enjoy rowing my Adirondack guide boat on the Terra Ceia Bay near my home in Palmetto, FL.”

1970s 1970

Deborah Kahn Kalas has published a new book, The Wild Herd. Kalas says she has always had a deep respect for the beauty and power of horses, and this book is a collection of deeply compelling photographs. “This book is, at its core, a call to action, a silent prayer that we, as a people, can find the wisdom and the resolve to come together on behalf of these beautiful beings, among the finest that God ever created,” she writes.

1949

Barbara Ketcham Wheaton says, “I'm happily settled at Brookhaven, MA,, and I’m continuing to research and write about food history.”

and Jay

Bob Peck,

got together for a summer class reunion at The Harbor Club on Mt. Desert Island, ME, in July 2022. “This gathering is becoming an

Tobey Ross,

Emlen

eagerly anticipated annual event for the three of us.”

Craig Charles participated in the Coatesville Vintage Grand Prix on September 17, 2022, and was presented with the Founders Award for the top placed motorcycle in the race on his 1974 Triumph Trident. Classmates John Ely and Tobey Ross were also in attendance for this fun day.

says, “I enjoy volunteering. I work with the Michigan State Police Angel Program (a substance misuse diversion program), I run and organize monthly "Coffee With a Cop" events to break down the barriers between law enforcement and our community. I am a member of the Grand Traverse County Drug Free Coalition and The GT Human Trafficking Coalition. I also volunteer at our Humane Society. In my spare time, I like to golf, knit, and play games. We have three grandsons now: Arlo, threeand-a-half years old; Talon, two; and Wiley, one-and-ahalf years old.”

1977

experience as a practicing attorney, the past 16 years serving as an Assistant District Attorney and chief of the Senior Exploitation Unit.”

1972

Natalie Morgan Macy says, “Thankfully, 2022 was more ‘normal,’ and I was able to spend more time with family and friends! I had a wonderful time at our Springside 50th Reunion in May with dear friends who I've known since Kindergarten! Despite the passage of time and our living many miles apart, I'm feeling blessed to still have them in my life. As they say, ‘Old friends are gold.’”

Cynthia Morrow O’Keefe and her husband became grandparents in September and celebrated their 45th anniversary.

1974

Susan Goldstrohm Cline received the end-of-year Good Samaritan Award from her local newspaper for her volunteer work. Cline

Richard Sheppard is still working as a sales representative for Advent Security (recently acquired by B Safe Alarms) for 35-plus years. Sheppard has been enjoying playing padel for the past few years and also shares, “My long time friend and squash doubles partner, Dominic Hughes, and I played in the U.S. National Squash Championships in March 2022 and won the 60+ Masters Division.”

1978

Bruce Glendinning says he is “still happily married for 27 years, and I’m looking forward to my reunion in May.”

1980s

1983

Erica Giddiens Parham became director of the Pre-trial, Bail and Diagnostic Services for Delaware County, PA. Parham says, “I am the first woman and the first person of color to serve in this role. I bring to this position 31 years of

1986

Trudi Green Smith has retired after 30 years in art education. She says, “I taught drawing, painting, design, sculpture, and art history to various ages from children through adults; and I taught in several different locations including CO, Italy, MS, and then finally at Lower Moreland High School in Huntingdon Valley, PA, for 16 years. I am now enjoying a more flexible schedule with more time for family and my various interests.” One of Smith’s favorite paintings is “Engler Beech, Morris Arboretum” and it is oil on canvas 36x38.

she is the art specialist for Contents Consulting, LLC, a boutique consulting firm that specializes in the evaluation and valuation of content items as well as the management of complex, high-value, and high-profile content claims on behalf of premier insurance carriers in the U.S. and internationally. Loughman also purchased a beautiful painting by her former art teacher Elaine Weinstone. “It is a large gorgeous landscape of mountains done in greens with her familiar handwriting on the back,” she says. “She was my biggest influence at Springside!”

Erica Klein Erignac and her sister Jennifer Klein Morrison ’82 started a podcast, “Bootie and Bossy, Eat, Drink, Knit,” and their sister, Melissa Klein ’86, created the logo. “We share a recipe and discuss crafting, mostly knitting,” says Erignac. Find them at bootieandbossy.com and on Apple, Spotify, or wherever else you get your podcasts. “It’s been so much fun reliving childhood memories, many of them in Chestnut Hill.”

1988

Sara Detweiler Loughman co-founded Via 10 Arts, LLC, a fine art solutions consultancy. In addition,

Kajsa Cadwell Brimdyr, who is an international expert on maternal child health and a lead ethnographic researcher for Healthy Children Project, Inc., was recently featured in the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Journal Brimdyr, whose father was head of the math department when she was at Springside, has worked for more than 10 years on projects in Egypt, the U.S., Uganda, Romania, and Sweden and traveled around the world conducting keynote speeches and doing research in maternal child

health. Her research has helped to change practice in hospital settings to improve continuous skin-to-skin for the first hour after cesarean and vaginal births. She says, “I married my college sweetheart, and we have been together now for more than 34 years. We are lucky enough to work and travel together throughout the world. My daughter Emma also graduated from WPI as an engineer and is currently working in R&D Robotics focusing on sustainability at ABB in Sweden. My other daughter, Kyra, will be graduating this year with a degree in marine biology.”

1990s 1991

In October, Scott Edward Reid and his wife welcomed another new bundle of joy, Willow Irene Reid.

1992

Dave Miller was named as head coach of Manhattan College baseball (Division I) in September 2022. Prior to joining the Manhattan Jaspers, Miller spent one year at NCAA Division III Penn State University, Abington, and in that year he led the program to a program-best 33-11 record. Prior to Penn State, Miller boasted 32 wins in 2019, a school record, at La Salle University. He was honored with Coach of the Year in the A-10.

1995

Alicia Johnson Tull was recently named DEI/CSR program manager, a newly created position, with her asset management firm. “My priorities will focus on analyzing and interpreting data and trends where it relates to diversity, equity,

and inclusion, along with corporate social responsibility,” she says.

2000s 2004

Carolyn Kiss Wadsworth welcomed a new baby. “Our family grew with the arrival of Wallace in July,” she says. “His big brother, Elliott, will be three years old in February. Time flies!”

Morgan Berman and her family enjoyed a beautiful evening at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History where she was honored along with three other Jewish Philadelphia-based entrepreneurs by the Tribe12 program. Berman says, “An adorable trick and very sweet treat: Our second daughter, Clove Drakhlis, was born on October 31, 2022!”

2010s 2010

Falon Ryan Seibert-Burns, received an executive master’s in public health, urban health, with a GPA of 3.9 from Drexel University's Dornsife School of Public Health with a concentration and interest in epidemiology. “Prior to June 2022,” says SeibertBurns, “statistics show that only 8.5 percent of African Americans in the United States have obtained a master’s in public health.” Becca James welcomed twin boys, James Paul "JP" Tagliamonte and Oliver Anthony Tagliamonte, in August 2022.

2015

Madison Ramsey is currently living in Los Angeles and working for YouTube. Madison is a graduate of Cornell University.

2018

Aliyah Jefferies has been in the NBC Page Program since January 2022 and is currently the desk page for “Saturday Night Live.” Jefferies created a promotional video for Ivanie Cedeño’s ’18 crocheting brand, Sol Blossom Crochet, which was released in January on YouTube and her website (aliyahjefferies.com). She and Ivanie are still best friends!

2019

Andrew Wolfe was named the head student manager for the men's basketball team at the University of Michigan.

in memoriam

from august 2, 2022, through january 31, 2023.

ALUMNI

1943

Frances Dunning Borie

1944

Susan Claghorn Aitken

1945

Margaret Newbold Pearson

1946

Margaret Boyd Rhoads

2008

Mira Treatman and her husband, David, welcomed their son, Jerome Tekiah Fishkin, in December 2022.

2009

Sarah Canfield-Dafilou and her husband, Elliot, who live in Paris, welcomed their first child, a baby girl, Stephanie, on November 2.

1947

Frederick M. Swope

1949

Julia Perkins Dunn

1953

Mary Stone Phipps

Patience Merritt Campbell

Anne Straus Rusk

1954

Angeline Hamilton Bray

1955

Emily Churchman Starr (former trustee)

1961

Francis C. Grant III

1966

Halsey M. North

1967

Gibson B. Kennedy

1968

A. Carlyle Frank

Richard M. Irwin

1986

Larry McKay

FORMER FACULTY/STAFF

Joseph J. Christy

John M. McIlvain

Jim Talbot H’81 says, “I'm back! I’m working in the SCH Development Office (part time). Because my first year at CHA was 1966, I know a fair number of alums so I'm trotted out for reunions, Homecoming, fundraising events, sports events, etc. I love it all. Paul Hines H'03 and I are sharing an office. This school is a very happy place!” Jim also says, “Nina (Springside, Class of 1965) and I are vertical and moving forward! So fortunate to be in good health and still able to swing a tennis racket and a golf club. Our family now consists of our daughter's (Nina) three girls: Anna, 24; Hope, 22; and Kate, 19, a frosh at UVA playing on the lacrosse team. Our son John's three children are all at SCH: Jimmy '26, Matty '28, and Grace '30. They love it here!”

Samuel Franklin ’08

Below: Many CHA and SCH friends and family were in attendance for Sam Franklin’s wedding: Michael Koplove ’95, Steve Koplove P’95, Joni Koplove P’95, Samuel Franklin ’08, Alexis Franklin P’03, P’08, John-David Franklin P’03, P’08, Zachary Franklin ’03, Andrea Koplove P’25, P’27, P’32, Jayson Tonkon P’25 P’27 P’32, Max Tonkon ’27, and Sam Tonkon ’25 (present but not photographed: Lila Tonkon ’32).

Maura Cheeks ’05 married Zach Markin on July 23, 2022, in Brooklyn, NY, at the William Vale Hotel. Her classmates Bunny O'Reilly, Ali Mainka Noel, and Ariane Lee were there to celebrate the joyous occasion.

married Erica Koplove on October 28, 2022, at the Bok Building.

Wes Winant H’10 and his wife, Susan, spend their retirement running races at Disney! (photo)

Chloe Ingber ’12 married Gilly Rall '09 on August 6, 2022, at Johnson's Locust Hall Farm in Jobstown, NJ. The wedding party included friends and family members Alexandra Ingber '12 (maid of honor), Elsa Rall '16, Alexandra Sherman '12, Tasmin Lamb '12, Michael Olix '08 (best man), Forrest Rall '13, Wynfield Rall '13, Terrence Spicer-Williams '08, Billy Schurr '12, and Joe Schurr '09.

Jacqueline Weis ’13 married Bill Zimolka on November 19, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV. The couple is living in Los Angeles where Weiss is a journalist and Zimolka is a TV producer.

Ryan Ansel ’10 married Meghan Colleen McCullough on June 25, 2022, at St. Denis Parish in Havertown and Overbrook Golf Club. Ansel is traveling through Europe, coaching and studying basketball. He is meeting with coaches and players from various countries, from Germany to Spain.

Lindsay Yang ’10 married Peter Adubato ’10 on October 28, 2022, at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.

Becca Sheppard ’12 married Army JAG Officer

Captain Brian Mauro in Stone Harbor, NJ, on Saturday July 2, 2022. They are Living in El Paso, TX, where he reports to Fort Bliss.

Kelly Brady ‘12 married Liam Langaas in Watch Hill, RI, on September 24, 2022. Brady celebrated with some of her 2012 classmates.

Cristin LaLone ’13 married David Kelley III, on September 24, 2022, at Great Oak Manor in Chestertown, MD.