2020 Landon Magazine

2020

2 | A Novel Approach to Learning 12 | School News 17 | Commencement 24 | P erspective: Diversity,

Equity, and Inclusion

46 | Alumni News LANDON MAGAZINE HEAD Jim Neill

54 | Class Notes

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Meredith Josef DESIGN Modern Media WRITERS Tom DiChiara Danisa Ferrada Sean Foley Victoria Kidd Loretta Menzen Cindy Peters Amy Schneider Guz Umanzor ’99 Susie Zimmermann PHOTOGRAPHY Edgar Artiga Kevin Dietsch Denny Henry Laura John Victor O’Neill Studios Mary Ponomarenko Bob Procelli Amy Schneider Chris Williams GoLandon.com Landon Yearbook Staff

Our Mission ON OUR COVER: Commencement 2020 on Freed Field

Landon School prepares talented boys for productive lives as accomplished, responsible and caring men whose actions are guided by the principles of perseverance, teamwork, honor and fair play.

A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD

Dear Landon Community, We are pleased to share in this edition of the Landon Magazine a look back at a year that was—despite a worldwide pandemic and both societal and economic upheaval— nonetheless marked by great resolve and commitment. And while Landon lost two of the giants of the institution as the pandemic took Mac Jacoby and Bob Condit from us, the community and mission to which they dedicated their professional careers persevered, demonstrating continued resonance and relevance.

The 2019-20 school year witnessed massive change—literally to everything we do as a school—when this spring we had to radically alter how we deliver our program in a matter of days. To say that our boys, our faculty, our staff, our administration, and our Board rose to those many challenges associated with this would be an understatement. Collectively, they were and continue to be nothing short of extraordinary in their determination, in their creativity, in their resilience, and in their commitment to the place and to one another. I am so very grateful for the people who are here right now. They give real meaning to the opening two words of our school song: “Landon Forever.”

The year was capped off by a wonderfully happy moment: a slightly delayed, combined Baccalaureate and Graduation ceremony, one that brought our Seniors and their families back to campus for an in-person, socially distanced celebration.

Everyone was happy to be back on campus, together at tables with their families spread across Freed Field after a spring when our Seniors had had to persevere through missing out on so many of the moments that typically punctuate the end of Landon experience. It was a Commencement no one will forget.

We are pleased to share in the pages that follow stories about the vibrancy of the Landon mission and community. Stories about alumni taking skills learned at Landon to do good in their companies and in their communities. Words of thanks for faculty who have brought our mission to life with their careers and whom we celebrate at their retirement. News of efforts to ensure that we are fully living up to our character-based mission through strategic plan initiatives related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and insights from our DEI Coordinators and others about how we are framing this work this year. And certainly, images from the current school year—ones that demonstrate the continued adaptability of the institution and its people to the pace of change that has continued into the current school year, as we have continued reimagining school by moving our program almost exclusively outdoors into large classroom tents spread across campus.

Despite the challenges we are all facing, there is so much that is good right now at Landon, and we are pleased to share a glimpse into it in the pages that follow.

We look forward to that time in the hopefully not distant future when we can be back together as a community, gathering here at 6101 Wilson Lane for a game, for the Azalea Festival, for a concert, for reunions. We know those days will come, and we anticipate them with eagerness and a sense of gratitude for the connections and loyalty that make this community such a special one.

2020-21

ADMINISTRATIVE LEADERSHIP

HEAD: Jim Neill, P ’24 ASSISTANT HEAD: Charles Franklin HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL: Ehren Federowicz HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL: Erin Duffy HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL: Tara Montague

2020-21

BOARD OF TRUSTEES LEADERSHIP

CHAIR: Alex Baldwin, P ’18 VICE CHAIR: Kathy Wellington, P ’11 ’13 ’15 ’18 PRESIDENT: Jim Neill, P ’24 TREASURER: Jeff Freed, P ’11 ’13 ’18 SECRETARY: Matt Coursen ’99

2020-21

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Jeff Ansary ’92, P ’28 Kristen Best, P ’23 ’25 John Botti Donald Dell ’56 Jean-Marie Fernandez, P ’24 Nick Freeman ’09 Debra Graham, P ’18 ’20 Scott Harris ’84 Laura Hoffman, P ’17 ’21 ’24 Burnell Holland III ’01 Matt Holleran ’85 Beverly Hudnut, P ’11 Kenny Jenkins ’78 Steve Jones, P ’19 ’24 Olivier Kamanda ’99 Bill Magruder ’92 Ted Prince ’84 Tom Scott ’85 Brooke Seawell ’65 Harmar Thompson ’90

TRUSTEES EMERITI Peter FitzGerald Sr. ’50, P ’83 ’86, GP ’13 ’18 ’21 Knight Kiplinger ’65, P ’99 Larry Lamade ’65, P ’00 ’03 Sam Lehrman, H ’09, P ’11 Rusty Lindner ’72, P ’15 * “H” denotes Honorary. “P” denotes Parent. “GP” denotes Grandparent.

Sincerely,

Jim Neill

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A NOVEL APPROACH TO LEARNING

BY TOM DICHIARA

A Novel Approach to

Learning This spring, Middle School art students created masterpiece sculptures using tin foil; budding freshmen biologists learned to extract DNA from a piece of fruit; eighth grade historians dreamed up origin myths for far-flung civilizations; Upper School Latin students retold The Aeneid with LEGO animation videos; ninth grade writers captured their feelings in their very own poetry portfolio; and Lower School mathematicians helped their fellow Bears grasp complicated concepts—and they did it all from their own homes during distance learning.

Deji ’24

SCHOOL NEWS

“DISTANCE LEARNING” AND “SOCIAL DISTANCING” ARE NOW TERMS THAT REQUIRE NO EXPLANATION, but few had heard them before March, when the “novel coronavirus,” now known as COVID-19, swept the globe.

Educators and students were forced to reimagine what teaching and learning would look like as schools, including Landon, moved from in-person learning to an online model. In the span of a few weeks, Landon leadership developed and deployed a distance learning plan (DLP) that, by all accounts, delivered content and kept students engaged through the end of the most unusual school year in decades and brought us to the current moment where distance learning remains part of the approach.

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT When Head Jim Neill announced March 11 that Landon was closing campus three days early for spring break because of mounting concerns surrounding the global pandemic, longtime Upper School Geometry Teacher Steve Sorkin was convinced he would be back in his classroom by the end of March. Sorkin, who does not own a TV or computer and often jokes that he sends personal correspondence via carrier pigeon, now admits he was in denial; he did not want to entertain the notion that he might have to teach through a computer screen. “I thought we’d be back at the end of spring break—it was just something I took very lightly,” Sorkin says. “But very quickly it became realer than real.”

Many have likened the rapid global expansion of COVID-19 to the “butterfly effect,” and it’s not hard to see why. The butterfly effect is an idea in chaos theory that a small, seemingly insignificant action, such as a butterfly flapping its wings, can have a huge, unsuspected impact, such as a tornado, weeks later and on a completely different continent.

When the World Health Organization (WHO) first received a report of “viral pneumonia” in Wuhan, China, on December 31, 2019, it seemed like just that—a butterfly flapping its wings half a world away. By January 9, Chinese authorities reported the outbreak was caused by the “novel coronavirus,” now known as COVID-19. At that point, Landon faculty and students were just returning from winter break, and the threat of the virus still seemed distant. However, with students from Chengdu and Shanghai, China, scheduled to visit Landon and sister school Holton-Arms at the end of January for the annual Chinese Scholastic Exchange Program, the tornado-like effects of that “butterfly” across the ocean were soon to be felt inside the White Rocks.

In late January, Landon announced that the 2020 exchange program had been canceled, citing safety concerns.

“I was all for having the exchange students come because we were hearing that this was just like a flu, and the exchange students were very far from Wuhan,” School Nurse Julie Acebal remembers. “Looking back, I would have been way wrong. But you go with what you know at the time.

That’s why they call it the ‘novel’ corona virus—because we are learning as we go.”

Following the program’s cancellation, Landon proceeded with business as usual for another month. Assistant Head Charles Franklin remembers that things changed in late February, around the time that the first cases of COVID-19 in the United States were reported. Suddenly, discussions about the pandemic and its potential impact on in-person learning came to the forefront. A committee comprised of school leadership across all divisions convened to determine whether Landon would have to transition to online learning… and what it would look like if the school did.

Around this time, Acebal started to see reports that suggested students and kids were spreading the virus to the vulnerable, even if they weren’t getting sick themselves.

Seeing the butterfly effect at work once again, she lobbied to close school before a positive case could threaten a high-risk student, teacher, or family: “I said, ‘This is a perfect teaching moment for our kids. We need to embrace the Lower School motto and help the other fellow. It’s not just about them; it’s about the greater good and helping others.’ And that’s when everyone just said, ‘OK, let’s close.’”

A PLAN COMES TOGETHER Teachers, administrators, students and families—in a word now famously overused—“pivoted” from denial to almost immediate acceptance, which meant preparing for teaching and learning in ways that heretofore seemed unfathomable.

On Friday, March 13, students enjoyed a day off as teachers participated in on-campus professional development to prepare for the potential move to distance learning following spring break. Middle and Upper School teachers learned the ins and outs of Microsoft Teams, which would provide video chat capabilities and serve as an online hub during distance learning. Lower School teachers prepared to use Zoom for virtual classes and explored online platforms such as Seesaw and Flipgrid. Tech-savvy teachers also led sessions to show their peers how to use advanced features of the school’s online portal BearNet to give assessments, assign and collect work, and deliver content.

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This is a perfect teaching moment for our kids.

We need to embrace the Lower School motto and help the other fellow. It’s not just about them; it’s about the greater good and helping others.

“At the beginning of March, the whole tech team sat down and just talking with the teachers and the division heads tried to lock down: what are the most important things?”

Director of Educational Technology and Libraries Laurie Sears remembers.

“We settled on the priorities being face-to-face contact with video conferencing, giving and receiving assignments, and using technology/ platforms with which people were already familiar. We wanted to try to keep it within BearNet and Office 365, which the Middle and Upper Schools were using at the time, and we built most of our trainings around that.”

The following Monday and Tuesday

were used to test drive the distance learning model: students and teachers logged on from home using Teams or Zoom and followed a sample schedule provided by administration.

Things went smoothly and, as students settled in to a version of spring break that included no travel and much social distancing, academic and administrative leadership continued to meet to dial in the details of a distance learning plan (DLP). Just a few days into break, on March 20, Neill informed the community that Landon would indeed move to distance learning April 1.

The DLP, which was honed over the course of spring break (and tweaked afterward to incorporate student,

teacher, and family feedback), set out the principles that would guide educators and students as they waded into uncharted waters: “an emphasis on community and relationships; the need to be flexible; a reliance on and use of what we already know; and a desire to provide structure.”

The class schedule under the DLP maintained much of the structure of a normal school day. Each day would start off with some combination of an assembly, division-wide meeting, or faculty professional development meeting done via Microsoft Teams Live. Daily advisory sessions (Middle and Upper School) and homeroom periods (Lower School) were next to provide consistency, followed by two class periods with a 15-minute break in between, a break for lunch, two more class periods, and then office hours and athletics in the afternoon. In addition, students would be held to the same standards as if they were at school and even had to abide by a modified dress code.

Hidden Heroes

When Lower School students kicked off a project to thank the “hidden heroes” in their communities, they didn’t quite expect the response of gratitude in return.

“I asked all the students to write someone that they want to thank that’s helping them out,” then-ethics teacher (now Middle School Spanish teacher) Justin Roman told ABC7 News in the spring. The local ABC affiliate featured the Lower School students’ efforts in a news story.

Students wrote letters to mail carriers, left messages in chalk, and handed thank you notes to garbage collectors.

Some received notes thanking them in return. Connor Satkus ’29 got a letter back from his mail carrier.

“It made me feel very happy when he brought me the note,” Connor told ABC7 in the spring. “He wrote, ‘Thank you for taking the time to create your message of gratitude and encouragement. Stay safe and enjoy this quiet time with your loved ones.’”

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And teachers were encouraged to use platforms with which the boys were already familiar, such as Office 365, Teams, Zoom, and BearNet. Although Landon did not commit to a grading policy right away—opting instead to see how students responded first—the boys were encouraged to work under the assumption that their grades would count. A late-April announcement confirmed this and gave the boys incentive to stay engaged that they might not have had with a pass-fail policy.

FLEXIBILITY AND CREATIVITY With these guiding principles in mind, Landon embarked on distance learning April 1, and it was evident from the jump that teaching online could not and should not be business as usual.

Afraid of overwhelming the boys, losing their engagement, and keeping them on screens for too long, teachers adapted to find innovative ways to

deliver content and nurture skills.

“We basically took everything we’d been doing in the classroom and threw it away,” Middle School Art Teacher Brad Rose says. This included scrapping a complicated multi-week animal project the boys were halfway toward completing. Instead, Rose and fellow Middle School Art Teacher Dori Boyce created a series of 30 projects designed to take an hour to an hour-and-a-half and posted video tutorials for each to BearNet. The students could pick a new project each week, so that by the end of the school year they each had completed eight projects.

“Our overall approach for the spring was for it to be fun, for there to be a lot of flexibility and freedom, and for the kids—in large part—to be able to get away from their computers,” Rose says. “We were very aware that not all the kids had the same set of materials at their house, so we wanted to give them a diverse set of options. One was to design and bake a set of cookies

based on a cast of characters from a book, TV show, or movie, and another was to take photos of things around their house that end up looking like all the letters of the alphabet. They could also make a sculpture out of tin foil, tell a story with photos, or research an artist, which didn’t require any materials at all. One kid did this amazing set of Monsters Inc. cookies that looked exactly like the characters. I thought his parents must have worked for Pixar.”

Upper School Science Teacher Vivian English also found flexibility to be key to surviving and thriving during distance learning. With her biology students’ access to labs cut off, she devised ways to give them handson work at home. “I had my students do the extraction of DNA from a strawberry using tools and materials they had around the house,” she says.

“I spent a lot of time this summer researching other labs that will work at home this coming school year.”

Let’s C.R.E.A.T.E!

In Middle School Art, distance learning illustrated new ways to C.R.E.A.T.E, which stands for Creativity and Resourcefulness for Education in Art Through Exploration. The program was created by the Middle School Art teachers at Landon and focused on giving the students the freedom to choose their weekly art project.

“Mrs. (Dori) Boyce and I have both been kind of immediately impressed with the extent to which the boys are biting down and trying to come up with new ideas and are eager to have something creative going on,” Middle School Art Teacher Brad Rose said.

The students created tin foil sculptures, baked and designed cookies that make characters from favorite movies look good enough to eat, followed online tutorials on creating new pieces of art, and used spray paint to paint colorful projects. The students moved forward with a new project each week and were also encouraged to think outside of the box and come up with new ideas.

Zachary ’25 makes artful treats.

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A NOVEL APPROACH TO LEARNING

We got feedback from the kids on what the experience was like, and we ended up going to a model where we would frontload the first hour with synchronous, in-class activity and then transition to asynchronous work where the boys were either reading or writing or doing other things.

Daniel ’22 works on a masterpiece.

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Lower School Music Teacher Chris Chappelle looked at distance learning as an opportunity to take a breath from his whirlwind first year inside the White Rocks and test out alternate methods to deliver his instruction. Notably, he employed YouTube tutorials to help teach the boys to play the recorder outside of class hours. He also used “Freeze Dance” videos for warmups, where the boys would sing and dance along to the music and follow the lyrical instructions to walk, run, skip, or jump. And taught the boys about orchestration and how classical music is used today by having them watch the story of “Peter and the Wolf,” where the characters are “voiced” by different instruments (oboe, drums, piano, etc.) playing classical music rather than by actors using words.

“The pandemic forced me to learn the electronic resources available to teachers

and students,” Chappelle says. “Many of the things I used during distance learning are things I plan to use when we return to the classroom.”

Upper School history teacher Ian Healy ’00 used Zoom breakout rooms to mimic the feel of small-group activities the boys would have done in person. While this maneuver proved successful, Healy says that teamteaching American studies with English Department Chair Emily Matthews and Upper School History Teacher Will McGettigan presented its own unique set of challenges: it is a doubleblock history and English class, which meant students would have back-to-back one-hour blocks with a 15-minute break in between. “That’s a lot of screen time,” Healy notes. “We got feedback from the kids on what the experience was like, and we ended up going to a model where we would frontload the first hour with synchronous, in-class activity and then transition to asynchronous work where the boys were either reading or writing or doing other things.”

Franklin acknowledges that too much screen time is the biggest drawback to distance learning and praised teachers for devising creative ways to get their students off computers while keeping them occupied. “We need to keep that face time to maintain the connection, but for boys to sit on a screen for hour after hour is not good,” Franklin says. “Faculty have really led the way in coming up with creative ways to be synchronous, to touch base with the boys at the beginning of class, go through a lesson, and then have the boys go away from their screens to complete work. The foundations of it were really successful. We want to keep making continual adjustments and changes as we learn and grow.”

SCHOOL NEWS

ALL TOGETHER NOW In a March 13 letter, Neill thanked faculty, students, and families for their support and emphasized the importance of teamwork and community in uncertain times: “It occurs to me that this is what it means to be a community and that this moment shows why community matters,” he wrote. “It holds us up and keeps us moving forward.”

Indeed, Sorkin says that he would not have been able to succeed at distance learning had it not been for the help of the Landon tech team and his colleagues. Manager of User Services Jun Choi, Upper School Educational Technologist Dr. Tara Northcott, and Sears helped Sorkin complete a crash-course in Microsoft Teams that enabled him to take his class online. Assistant Head of Upper School Ardis Danon and Science Department Chair Sacha Place lent him a small whiteboard he could put up in front of his screen to draw diagrams. And Head of Upper School Ehren Federowicz hand-delivered what Sorkin refers to as an “infinite package of colored markers” for use with the board. “I may be the oldest person on the faculty, but this really was baby steps for me,” Sorkin says.

“I am so fortunate for my colleagues.

Because of them, I could actually try to do this. And I am so appreciative of the kids being tolerant of me so that we essentially pulled off something that was like a class.”

In the Lower School, Steven Micciche also found a silver lining in the giveand-take he experienced with his colleagues during distance learning.

“One of the things that was really helpful was that we, as a community of teachers, got better at sharing techniques and methods for delivering content and engaging students,” he says.

“That’s something I think we should

bring back to the way we normally run divisional faculty meetings: best practices. Who’s doing something that could maybe help us all?”

“It was really helpful that some of our teachers who are comfortable with technology stepped up and helped us with the distance learning trainings and then also provided support to their colleagues,” Sears adds. “It was great to have that built-in group of folks in each division who could help out in that way.”

“I was learning something new from my colleagues every day, whether it was giving the boys the opportunity for asynchronous learning away from their computers or using breakout rooms for small groups,” English says. “I think if I had it to do over again, there is so much more that I would do outside of class, which is what I’m doing now: trying to perfect what I know in OneNote, and trying to look in Teams to do better than what I did last quarter.”

A Battle of Creativity

Watching Lego characters donning armor and shields and moving through various battlefields and memories was just another day in Andy Luther’s Latin class during distance learning. For this particular project, Upper School students were encouraged to create new ways to present sections of Julius Caesar’s Commentarii de Bello Gallico.

“There’s a traditional PowerPoint and presentation to the class, but then there is also this creative element. That is so wide open to whatever any of the teams want to do,” Luther explained.

The teams, which were created by breaking the class into small groups, retold the literature creatively. They produced Legomation movies, drew up a recruitment poster, and recorded themselves and teammates acting out the scenes from their own homes.

“I think the distance learning piece has really inspired them to put more into it and even to be more creative with their final projects,” Luther said.

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A NOVEL APPROACH TO LEARNING

AN UNBREAKABLE CONNECTION For the distance learning model to succeed, it needed to be built upon the personal connections that are the cement of the Landon community. The daily schedule for each division was key to preserving these all-important teacher-student and student-student bonds.

“The approach of having boys see their teachers and their classmates was really important in keeping them engaged in school,” Franklin says. “You know, I log on at 9 a.m. and Mr. D. is still there to teach—the boys find comfort and connection and a sense of continuity in that.”

Grade 3 Teacher Stevie Brown would start her Zoom homeroom session 15 minutes early just so her students could get a little extra face time with one another. “My computer was set up on the dining room table in our house, and my husband said that the favorite part of his day was walking by my computer and hearing all the little voices,” Brown says.

Dr. Heather Kalish, whose son Ari’24 was in eighth grade and son Logan’21 was a junior this spring, says the morning

advisory periods were a great way for her boys to start their day. “It wasn’t an academic need, but it was a social need,” she says. “Ari had Mr. Rose, who came up with games to play and sometimes let one of the kids lead advisory. He got them engaged and made them feel that connection they so sorely needed.”

Afternoon office hours in all three divisions provided another opportunity for students to connect with their teachers. Brown used the time to schedule one-on-one 15-minute check-ins with each of her students. “We would chat, often not even about school, and the boys would show me their room—I saw their fish, their lacrosse sticks, and their posters, and they met my dog Stella,” she says. “That was really enjoyable because I feel like that was a little sense of normalcy for them, and we got to connect.”

“The term social distance tells you something that could not be filled technologically,” Sorkin says.

“Consequently, the kids began to contact me in the conference group during office hours or stay online with me after class or even call me at night just so they could talk and

Upper School Math Teacher Steve Sorkin takes part in on-campus professional development getting comfortable with online platforms prior to shift to distance learning.

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have the usual kinds of conversations that we have.”

The divisions also found ways to inject fun into online learning and foster community that way. The Lower School used the social video platform Flipgrid to do “Fun Fridays,” where kids would film themselves competing in challenges—such as seeing who could make the most free throws in a minute—and then posting the videos for their friends and teachers to see. The Middle School sponsored a series of schoolwide themed dress-down days. And Rose and Middle School history teacher Sarah DeCamps sent each student, both current and incoming, a morale-buoying “Bear package” with stickers and seeds for the kids to grow different herbs.

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS As many teachers noted, their hard work would have been for naught if students had checked out, skipped class, prioritized videogames over school. Fortunately, by all accounts, the boys bought in, applied themselves, and squeezed every drop of lemonade from the lemons the pandemic has dealt.

“I truly can’t give enough credit to the kids,” Healy says. “It was hard, and we were all learning on the fly, but the boys were just so willing to be patient as we worked through it. They gave feedback and really tried earnestly to do everything we asked of them. I’ve always felt that the Landon boys take their education seriously, and they value it and they value one another; there was such a strong affirmation of that in how they handled these difficult circumstances… They were the highlight.”

DeCamps was continually wowed by her students’ work: her eighth graders wrote myths and read them aloud to fifth graders over Zoom, improved their notetaking and study skills, and created videos, podcasts, and maps for their final civilizations project that she says “are truly like nothing I’ve ever seen eighth graders create.” She adds: “The opportunity for learning without the social pressure of the classroom was just the right mix to help them develop and practice more independent thinking, creativity, and innovation.”

Perhaps most heartening for DeCamps was just how much the boys appreciated her hard work over the last few months of the 2019–20 school year. DeCamps ended the last class for her eighth graders with a poem modeled after Goodnight Moon that described their Middle School experience. As she read the poem aloud and shared it on

Operation SOS Takes Flight

When the threat of COVID-19 closed the Landon campus and put an end to the lacrosse season, TJ ’22 decided to take matters—and the steering wheel of a Cessna 172 Skyhawk G1000—into his own hands. He launched Operation Supplies Over Skies, best known as “Operation S.O.S,” to continue his flight training in a way that helps those in need.

“We found that there are seven critical access hospitals in Virginia that we could fly to and provide medical supplies,” TJ explained. “I saw a need and I just wanted to help.”

And that’s exactly what he did. Since taking his mission to the skies, TJ has conducted 16 missions across Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, delivering more than 54 thousand PPEs and ventilator supplies.

“Being able to use that love for flying that I found a year ago and serving the community at the same time has just been a true blessing.”

TJ was also honored at the White House for his service to the community, and his story was shared by media outlets around the world including The Associated Press and NBC Nightly News.

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her screen, the boys gradually turned on their cameras so DeCamps could see their faces and began writing on the screen using the Zoom “pen.”

“As I looked up, I could see little hearts and graffiti messages of love start to populate my screen,” DeCamps recalls. “It’s rare for 14-year-old boys to bear their emotions so openly, especially on Zoom. But they did.

Amidst all the pain in the world right now, I take comfort that they can lean into their emotions, unafraid. And they were all kind of feeling the same thing and chose to illustrate it in such a beautiful way, without even talking to reach other. That is perhaps the ultimate ‘teamwork’ value we speak of at Landon.”

PARENT APPROVED Just as the teachers praise their students, the parents have overwhelmingly positive things to say about how the Landon administration and faculty have handled a curveball of this magnitude, citing the daily structure, the maintaining of personal connection, and the transparency of communication as the greatest pluses.

“Landon was very proactive in addressing the situation,” Heather Kalish says. “Many other schools seemed caught off guard, but in the beginning of March, Landon already was addressing plans and the situation head on, and they were very transparent about taking a measured approach throughout. My husband and

I both work, so I also was appreciative knowing the boys had structure and knew what they needed each day. They had a set schedule, knew their lunch period was a certain time, etc. I could get up in the morning and know that they were good for the day.”

Dr. Ann Hudock had four sons, the Mearns boys, across three divisions at Landon last spring (Alec ’20 and Tom ’21 in Upper School, Luke ’25 in Middle School, and Jack ’27 in Lower School), and she credits the school with providing consistency as the world seemed to be unraveling. “The teachers have been remarkable in their resilience and modeling that for the boys,” she says. “The continuity and the structure for the kids gave me

(Left) “Hats off” to Grade 5 Teacher and Lower School Educational Technologist Kim Coletta, who was one of many who motivated the boys with crazy hat days and other activities designed to engage. (Right) Upper School Latin Teacher (and Co-Director of College Counseling) Andy Luther uses Legos for his class during distance learning.

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peace of mind so that I could focus on my own anxieties.” She was especially impressed that Landon “kept the bar high,” didn’t let standards slip, and held the boys accountable. “If teachers saw that Jack and Luke were missing a homework assignment, they reached out to me because that wasn’t the norm. And in every interaction with teachers, it was, ‘How is your family doing?’ It was recognizing that the whole family was involved.”

“Landon did an amazing job,” concurs Susan Furbay, whose son Dylan ’24 was an eighth grader in the spring. “I loved that the school stuck with the curriculum, kept the kids engaged and busy, and maintained a dress code—that really got them in the mentality that they were in school.

These circumstances are so new for everybody, but Dylan’s teachers grasped it quickly, and he felt the transition to distance learning was smooth.”

Yolanda Coates, mother of Joshua ’25, also appreciated the structured day, the use of the dress code to prepare the boys psychologically for school, the Middle School parentteacher conferences that “gave me the opportunity to express things I didn’t even know I needed to express,” and the ways Landon helped maintain and even strengthen the bonds between students during a difficult time. “I liked that the boys would meet in small breakout groups and then come back at the end of class,” she says. “It was a great way of giving the boys some more social interaction. I think boys especially have that need to interact with other people, even outside of their friend group. Landon finds ways to meet the boys needs because they know the boys so well.”

I loved that the school stuck with the curriculum, kept the kids engaged and busy, and maintained a dress code—that really got them in the mentality that they were in school.

Tracy Brew, whose son Baxter ’21 is this year’s student council president, loved that she got to be a fly on the wall during distance learning: “The amazing thing for me was that I got the opportunity to hear Baxter participate, comment, and discuss with teachers and students,” she says. “I felt like it actually gave me more of an insight into how unique Landon is because of the constant discussions during class.”

NEXT CHAPTER Long before the 2019–20 school year ended, Landon began to prepare for a 2020–21 school year that has the potential to be even more challenging and uncertain than its predecessor.

In May, Neill announced that Landon would move up the first day of 2020–21 to August 26 to provide flexibility. He also assembled a Returnto-School Committee (RSC) comprised of academic, administrative, and programmatic leadership and teachers from each division to explore various options for returning to school in the fall. Using feedback from students, teachers, and families—and in consultation with health officials—the RSC and the Landon Board of Trustees worked diligently over the summer to devise and develop three possible scenarios for in-person learning, hybrid learning (a mix of in-person and online), and distance learning.

Neill and the RSC were clear that the preference was for in-person learning but were equally clear that prudence and health were the top priorities.

On August 10, Neill informed the community that Landon would begin 2020–21 in distance learning mode through at least September 25: “All of this has been an incredibly complex effort both brought on by the current pandemic, and, significantly, undertaken as conditions have worsened in our area and nationally. It is with this reality in mind and with an appreciation for how well served we have been by the gradual approach modeled by athletics this summer—to say nothing of recent statements from our local health authority and a recognition of both the innumerable new logistical details that we will be rolling out this year (and the need for all of us to get all of them right)—that we have concluded that we are best served by an approach that eases us into the school year.”

In the letter, Neill assured the community the school was still preparing for some form of in-person learning, with tents already on campus, new technology being installed, and updates to indoor spaces underway. In fact, Landon eased students back onto campus with small outdoor gatherings in August. By October, the school brought back half the student body each week for Hybrid Learning mostly outdoors in more than 25 tents spread throughout campus. In November, the entire Lower School returned to on-campus learning. All students, faculty, and staff on campus are socially distanced, wearing masks, and washing hands—following federal and state guidelines for health and safety.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Opening Weeks 2020

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SCHOOL NEWS

All That Jazz “I really do enjoy it, just being embraced in the music,” Cyrus ’21 said, holding his saxophone in his hands.

This winter, Cyrus made the All-State Jazz Band for the second time. One year earlier, while in his sophomore year at Landon, the Director of the All-State Jazz Band announced that Cyrus was the youngest student to receive the honor.

“It’s sort of like any great sporting event, it is the highest level that you can achieve in the state,” explained Joseph Cunliffe, adjunct music faculty at Landon.

“Landon has really taught me how to be a student as well as, I would say, has taught me to be a musician. And when I am working on music it is a totally separate thing than when I’m in the classroom. I regard them really highly but treat them both separately,” Cyrus said.

National Merit Honor Congratulations to Drew Curran (top photo) and Alec Mearns (bottom photo), members of the Class of ’20 named National Merit Semifinalists. Both students scored in the top 1% of the 1.6 million students who took the PSAT in the fall of 2018.

The National Merit program honors students who display the potential for excellence in their college studies. Drew continued in the process and was awarded a National Merit Scholarship which is based upon standardized test scores, academic and extracurricular activities, a letter of recommendation, and a personal essay. He was one of 7500 students recognized nationwide for the distinction.

Drew is attending Princeton University, and Alec is at University College, London.

Three Win Congressional Art Awards Three Landon Upper School students were honored by U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin (MD-8th) as part of the annual Congressional Art Competition. Peter Qiu ’21 earned second place for his pastel drawing, “Two Wolves,” which will be displayed in the representative’s Rockville office for a year. The school also received two honorable mentions: Jeff Duong ’22 entered and won with a painting titled, “Audrey Fools” and Ethan Fang ’21 earned honors for his pastel drawing titled “Boost.”

The coronavirus and stay-at-home orders forced the competition to move online for the first time. The paintings had to be submitted and judged virtually, but Landon Studio Arts Department Chair Ricky Sears ’99 said the boys rose to the challenge and their work merited recognition. “Each of the boy’s art is an original composition, and they stand out for their craftsmanship,” added Sears.

Klingelhofer wins Coach of Year Award Congratulations to Marty Klingelhofer ’77, who won a state coach of the year award from the National High School Coaches Association for his achievements in and passion for the field of strength and conditioning.

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SCHOOL NEWS

25 THINGS All Bears Should Know From building for Habitat for Humanity or interning at the National Institutes of Health to hiking the Appalachian Trail, alumni of Landon will say their independent senior projects might have been one of the most defining parts of their school experience.

While Landon had already planned to make changes to senior projects this year to bring the class together in service to others, distance learning changed that direction again because of the coronavirus. Seniors participated in virtual sessions designed to send them off to college with skills that will be useful in their day-to-day lives.

It’s called “25 things all Bears should know,” and these learning sessions were led by faculty, staff, and alumni over the course of two weeks following seniors’ last day of classes in May. “This new program embraces a set of skills that are often not taught within a high school academic curriculum but are essential life lessons nonetheless,” said Athletics Director Bill Brady, formerly of the Haverford School, who pitched the idea to Upper School leaders after running a similar, successful program at the Pennsylvania all-boys private school.

“Whether they are learning how to do taxes, change a tire, or craft a résumé, the program will give the boys hands-on training to prepare them for some of those things we all wish we had known when we left home for college,” he added. he virtual sessions included (top to bottom): car maintenance with T Information Technology Manager Neil Magsino, cooking with Upper School Administrative Assistant Grace Morelli and landscaping with Head Jim Neill.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Prinkey nominated for Educator of Year World Languages Department Chair Troy Prinkey was nominated by a member of the Landon community for GLSEN’s Educator of the Year.

The award is designated for an educator who is recognized for making a difference in the lives of students, including those who identify as LGBTQ. GLSEN (formerly the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network) seeks to ensure that every member of a school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

“At an all-boys school, an opposite-sex sexual preference and being cisgendered might be taken for granted. The school has allowed for space for these assumptions to be challenged in a way that represents the spirit of inquiry and understanding that are at Landon’s core,” said Prinkey.

Prinkey has worked at Landon since 2015 as a Spanish teacher in both the Middle and Upper Schools and now serves as department chair for world languages.

Amitay is a Bethesda Magazine Extraordinary Teen Congratulations to Matt Amitay ’20 who was chosen as an “extraordinary teen”

by Bethesda Magazine.

Matt told the magazine, “I view making tough decisions for the good of others part of my responsibility to the other students. It has been a vehicle for character growth for me.”

MS History Curriculum Change Landon’s Middle School now features a new history curriculum. The changes will reflect a complete reassessment of the scope and sequencing of learning for grades 6-8.

“We want to ensure we’re offering the right courses in the right grade, that students are receiving the strongest narrative, our Grade 6 course is the right progression from the Lower School, and our Form II students are properly prepared for Upper School history,” said Thomas Pipoli, History Department Chair.

The new curriculum shifts and expands on current classes. Sixth graders will study ancient civilizations around the world, not just Greek and Roman as the course has traditionally covered. “We want to globalize all of our curriculum,” said Pipoli.

Form I will continue with world geography while content will be more aligned and unified among all class sections. Form II will study U.S. history and civics. “We want content to be relevant for our students and to send them into the community to understand voting, community service, and civic engagement,” explains Pipoli. The course will fit into the larger narrative students will continue to explore in Upper School through higher-level American History in Grades 10 and 12.

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SCHOOL NEWS

12 Seniors to Play College Sports

Twelve members of the Class of 2020 have committed to play college athletics. More than 170 Landon alumni have participated at the next level over the past decade, including 76 in the last four years.

BASEBALL

Bordley elected to Hall of Fame Rob Bordley ’66, was elected to the 2020 class of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, recognizing his exceptional service to his players, the school, and the sport. US Lacrosse, which runs the Hall of Fame and oversees the selection process, called him “one of the most successful boys’ high school coaches ever.”

“This honor is really a tribute to all of the great players and coaches that I have had the privilege of working with over the last forty plus years,” said Bordley, who retired from teaching and coaching in 2018 and currently works in Landon’s Development Office—more than 50 years of service to the school.

“Rob’s election to the Lacrosse Hall of Fame is a fitting and well-deserved honor,” said Sherman “Tiger” Joyce ’78, a former chair of Landon’s Board of Trustees. “As a former player who helped out as a coach over the years, I believe Rob’s greatest accomplishment was carrying out the school’s mission of character education as the ultimate teacher-coach-mentor.”

Kapelina and Kalish are Academic All-Americans USA Water Polo chose water polo student-athletes Alex Kapelina ’20 and Logan Kalish ’21 as Academic All-Americans award winners.

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Jack Cope Lafayette College FOOTBALL

Tejon Ford Shenandoah University Gerney Johnson Stevenson University Tommy Kenary Middlebury College* Tyler Smith Georgetown University LACROSSE

Ryan Giles University of Denver Joey Graham Harvard University Cooper Johnson Ohio Wesleyan University Gavin Seasholes Dickinson College James Thomas United States Naval Academy Prep School SWIMMING

Jacob Rosner Northwestern University WATER POLO

Ford Bruggen George Washington University *Kenary will also play rugby.

( top to bottom) Cope, Giles, Rosner

SCHOOL NEWS

Commencement 2020 THE CLASS OF 2020 PERSEVERED. Their journey to Commencement included a virtual senior day, a rainy campus drive thru celebration, social media shout outs and finally, a socially-distanced graduation ceremony on Freed Field on June 19.

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COMMENCEMENT

Class of 2020

Matthew David Amitay Columbia University in the City of New York Lucas Evan Andersen James Madison University Sean Ang Military Commitment, Singapore David Herscot Bartley Tulane University of Louisiana Jonah Charles Josiah Beamon University of Virginia-Main Campus John Charles Rippel Bradley Liberty University Nicholas Frank Brigati University of Notre Dame William Roulette Mason Brown Emerson College

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Fordwich Wallace Bruggen George Washington University

Jared Scott Edson New York University

Santiago Canedo The University of Arizona

Elliot Donovan Espina Bucknell University

John Gregory Cope Lafayette College

Nathan George Farrington Elon University

Lucas Lorenzo Cuervo Franklin and Marshall College

Charles Tejon Ford Shenandoah University

Denis Andrew Curran Princeton University

Benjamin M. Freeman Skidmore College

Zayd Sakifu DeLane University of Chicago

Sebastian Evan Gaeta Kenyon College

David Yerkes Diaz Denison University

Jonathan Ross Gerber University of Georgia

Jordan Samuel Dinesman University of Wisconsin-Madison

Amir Nick Gilanshah Virginia Commonwealth University

SCHOOL NEWS

Michael Moon Gilbert James Madison University

Christopher Aidan Mason Virginia Tech

Evan Barrett Ridgway Belmont University

Ryan Hobbs Giles University of Denver

Yobany Antonio Matos University of Maryland-College Park

Jacob Michael Rosner Northwestern University

Joseph Graham Harvard College

Conor Matthew McLaughlin Texas Christian University

Steven Michael Samit Elon University

Brage Joseph Gonzaga Hamilton Bucknell University

Alexander Joseph Mearns University College London

Marc Franciscus Schermer Hamilton College

Eli Joseph Harrison University of Pennsylvania

Stephen Hughes Meima Hampden-Sydney College

Aidan Joseph Healy University of Colorado Boulder

Christian John Mockler Boston University

Evan Robert Schwartz The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Jerome Heng Military Commitment, Singapore

John Buxton Muller Texas Christian University

Adam Yu Hsu Haverford College

William Harris Nussbaum Brown University

Cooper Scott Johnson Ohio Wesleyan University

Beck Alexander Ogrosky Kenyon College

Gerney J. Johnson Stevenson University

Paul Modou Osmond Tufts University

Jerrold Dias Johnson Towson University

Samuel Coffey Peraza Columbia University in the City of New York

Mark Stephen Kalavritinos Duke University Alex Davor Kapelina Southern Methodist University Tomas Bonanni Kenary Middlebury College Patrick Stanislaw Kielb Davidson College Denver Quentin Leach University of Denver James Edward Martin McDaniel College

John Thomas Poston Indiana University—Bloomington Stuart Anthony Powell University of St Andrews Roger Elijah Pyfrom Seton Hall University Cyrus Julian Rahbaran Florida Atlantic University Canin Reynolds Berkshire Academy (Prep School) and Columbia University

Gavin Stein Seasholes Dickinson College Benjamin Slotkin University of Pennsylvania Tyler Isaiah Smith Georgetown University William St. Aubin University of Richmond James Henry Thomas United States Naval Academy Prep School John William Thompson University of Colorado Boulder James Leo Waldron University of Oregon Ethan Leo Weinstein Dartmouth College Max Jacob Weinstein Dartmouth College Jason Y. Xu Bucknell University Yuanlong Zheng University of Chicago

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SCHOOL NEWS

COMMENCEMENT

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SCHOOL NEWS

CLASS OF 2020 AWARDS Headmaster’s Award

Matthew Amitay

Student Citizenship Award

Mark Kalavritinos

Carroll Mercer Marbury Award

Patrick Kielb

The William Harrison Triplett Award

Tommy Kenary

Student Activities Award

Ben Freeman

The Ellie Johnson Award

William Nussbaum

Alexander Aikens Award

Roger Pyfrom

Dartmouth Book Award

Andrew Gray

Harvard Book Award

Baxter Brew

Johns Hopkins Book Award

Thomas Mearns

CUM LAUDE SOCIETY Class of 2020 previously inducted

Matthew Amitay Tjin An Ang Andrew Curran Eli Harrison Mark Kalavritinos Alexander Mearns Samuel Peraza Yuanlong Zheng Class of 2020 new inductees

Tomas Kenary Patrick Kielb Paul Osmond Evan Schwartz Benjamin Slotkin William St. Aubin Jermoe Heng Tjin Yong Class of 2021 inductees

Alex Azar Baxter Brew Evan Gary Andrew Gray Tom Mearns Peter Qiu Coby Shrensky Oscar Smink Nathan Yoon

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SCHOOL NEWS

SERVICE & COMMUNITY

THIS I BELIEVE Every Form II (Grade 8) Landon student writes and presents a speech to the Middle School community. The “This I Believe” capstone project asks boys to reflect on an experience that shaped their lives, and to learn the value of being vulnerable in front of others and the skills of persuasive writing and public speaking.

Connect DMV Partnership As part of Landon’s partnership with ConnectDMV—an area nonprofit providing resources to students of color at independent schools—Landon hosted 150 students, parents, and educators for a “Be You” Empowerment Summit last winter.

Designed to help families of color navigate the independent school experience, the event provided a personal development opportunity designed to inspire, motivate, and build self-esteem while affirming their unique experiences in independent schools.

“We challenged assumptions, fostered community, and reaffirmed our belief in ourselves,” said Former Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Joe Canty.

Student and parent workshops captured shared experiences and ideas, including “Celebrating You,” in which participants explored how to stay true to their values and maintain their identity, and “Refueling: Getting it all Done,” which offered tips and strategies to students to thrive throughout the school year. Other sessions addressed single-sex issues for girls and boys, and advocacy to help students step out of their comfort zone and follow their passions.

Keynote speakers Dr. Bethany Young of the Urban Institute and student psychologist Dr. Justin Hopkins shared strategies on navigating the journey that students of color face in an independent school and the importance of maintaining authenticity. Dr. Hopkins also led a session for parents on student mental health.

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“The speeches are powerful because they are able to share and lean into discomfort while being supported and celebrated by their peers,” said Form II Dean Eric Harrison. “To be vulnerable and open, when boys and men are often told by society not to be, is powerful.”

The process begins in English class. Reading and analyzing literature, such as To Kill a Mockingbird, addresses themes of growing up and grappling with injustices that may spark speech topics.

“Many boys have difficulty with topics,” said Middle School English Teacher Jamie Sorge. “They don’t feel they have something to share. We do the first draft in English class and focus on the power of storytelling. That ‘aha’ moment comes eventually, and you never know what will spark it.”

Topics included the importance of family as discovered during times of illness, daily bologna sandwiches, and family roots, to personal reflections on students’ interests, challenges, and experiences.

“To lead others, you have to lead yourselves, we tell them,” said Harrison.

“This speech helps them identify a core piece of their identity in front of their peers and teachers who support them.”

SCHOOL NEWS

A Call to Healthy Manhood What is healthy manhood, and how can Landon promote an ongoing dialogue that brings the community together to support its development?

Landon’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team brought the “A Call to Men” program to campus this past school to provide resources, training, and discussion that would foster a community that builds young men of character and promotes respectful actions and words.

Facilitated by Ted Bunch, chief development officer of A Call to Men, the program inspired students, faculty, staff, and parents through a series of workshops.

The first sessions convened varsity head coaches and team captains for discussions about identity and the behaviors they see as healthy and unhealthy for men. Other workshops centered on A Call to Men’s Live Respect curriculum

that challenges harmful cultural and social norms, and addressed topics including conflict resolution, selfidentity, dating norms, language, the impact of media, and expectations of interactions in relationships of all kinds when faced with peer pressure.

“The supportive environment and open dialogue inspired students to lean into the conversation and comfortably engage with this important topic,” Former Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Joe Canty shared after the sessions. “When we are transparent and

share our truths in a safe space, growth begins.”

Reaching Out, Helping Others On a brisk January afternoon, friendly chatter and laughter filled the warehouse at A Wider Circle, an organization working to end poverty. Landon students, faculty, and staff sorted school supplies, packed toys, and loaded furniture to help the nonprofit organization during MLK Day of Service.

“It’s not a day off, it’s a day on,” Head Jim Neill said, taking a break from sweeping the warehouse floors.

“It’s a way in which we honor Dr. King’s legacy, to serve.”

“We really want to respect how MLK was and serve other people,” said Deji Jones ’24. “As MLK said, ‘Anybody can serve. You don’t need a PhD to serve.’”

A Wider Circle is an organization that Landon students know well—prior to the pandemic, they spent time once a month volunteering on site.

“It makes me feel good about my school,” Deji said, as he continued working. “It’s good to have this many people with a good heart and wanting to help other people out.”

Jim Neill joins with students to clean at A Wider Circle.

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COMMUNITY

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Landon hired its first-ever Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in 2018—a role filled by Joe Canty until this summer as he departed to become Head of School at Carolina International School (NC). While a national search for his replacement is ongoing, a broader group will now oversee this critical work for our community.

The Board of Trustees has established a DEI task force, led by trustee and parent Steve Jones, P’19 ’24, to steer the institution toward the fulfillment of our 2018 Strategic Plan in this area of school life. Additionally, three faculty/ staff members have stepped into new roles of divisional DEI coordinators, serving as leaders and divisional touchpoints, Lower School Art Teacher Megan Rains Mercado, Middle School Math Teacher Addison Hunt and Athletic Facilities Coordinator/Upper School Coach Charles Harley. In addition to helping us with this work on a divisional basis, they will also be participating on the newly formed Diversity and Community Committee, which is comprised of faculty and administrators from across the divisions, and which will serve as a school-wide forum for discussion and planning on DEI-related operational matters such as programming, employee goal setting, and professional development.

The Board of Trustees task force has also retained Dr. Val Wise to serve as our consultant to conduct an equity audit to better understand the school’s current state of DEI and to

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How Landon moves forward on Black Lives Matter and other issues of equity

guide our creation of a DEI action plan. Dr. Wise will collect and analyze data that include but are not limited to: a) the recruitment and retention of faculty, staff and students; b) school climate; and c) the relationship between DEI goals and the school’s strategic plan. Additionally, her firm will conduct focus group sessions and interviews with key stakeholders (e.g., faculty, staff, students, administrators, trustees, and alumni) in order to better understand key concerns. This project will culminate with a report that identifies a strategic and measurable implementation plan for integrating and synthesizing DEI goals seamlessly throughout the Landon School community.

In addition to Dr. Wise’s work as well as community forums over the summer, curricular work and review by faculty, we continue to hold programming for students and our community during the school year designed to promote understanding of history, the current moment, and find common ground for action steps moving forward. Read more from members of our community devoted to this work.

SCHOOL NEWS

PERSPECTIVES As a community built on respect, our call is to condemn any mindset that brings such actions to bear. Our call is to condemn any mindset that deems some persons to be of greater worth or value than others simply because they have a lighter skin color. As a community of respect, our call is to condemn racist thinking and actions not only as false, immoral, and deeply wrong, but also as being without place here. As a community of respect, our call is to affirm meaningfully in word and deed for anyone whose life experience is lessened because of disrespectful mindsets—and in a particular way, Brown and Black members of this and every community—that their lives matter and are important — despite what seems like a relentless string of social evils that would suggest to the contrary. As a community of respect, our call is to seek and demand respect for others, as much as for ourselves.

—Jim Neill, Head

If my spouse comes to me in obvious pain and asks, “Do you love me?” and I answer “I love everyone,” that would be truthful, but also hurtful and cruel in the moment. If a co-worker comes to me upset and says, “My father just died.” and received a response of “Everyone’s parents die,” would be truthful, but hurtful and cruel in the moment. So when a friend speaks up in a time of obvious pain and hurt and says, “Black Lives Matter,” a response of “All Lives Matter” is truthful. But it’s hurtful and cruel in the moment. The summer was very painful and agonizing for me. My youngest son, Chantz ’21, spoke on the National Mall this summer at a peaceful protest. His opening line was profound: “I’m tired.” That sentiment is shared 100 times over in the Black community and others worldwide.

We’ve had lots of our friends and fellow Bears far and near speak up in pain. It’s time we listen and at least try to understand. The Upper School DEI Committee is totally committed to helping our diverse student and faculty population to navigate the world we live in today. We will lead meaningful discussions about social injustice and welcome feedback. Our aim is to create a more equitable community where everyone is treated fairly regardless of visible and invisible identities.

We will work to create a more inclusive place where welcomeness, respect and belonging are common place. Hopeful all of the above will have created an equitable opportunity for people to show up every day feel known, valued and have an impact.

By educating us about diversity, equity, and inclusion, we as students learn about how to better ourselves and the community. By embracing one’s own differences, we can then embrace others’ differences, and everyone ends up supporting each other. Having a community at Landon with a good amount of diversity is great! It is important to understand that every student has diversity of thought, and that everyone’s ideas are to be valued and respected. Once this can happen, equity will be more achievable. Understanding compassion and empathy will allow the Landon community to become a truly equitable place: a goal which we are getting closer to. Inclusion is a big part of this, especially ensuring that all people feel welcomed and feel supported. The feelings of people matter, and that is directly applicable to the Black Lives Matter movement. When there is a group of people feeling oppressed and feeling as though a system of institutional racism is holding them back, then it is the civic duty of everyone else to listen and help. By remaining inactive, anyone who is privileged inherently benefits from the system, and therefore they have the duty and moral obligation to be an agent of change. Landon provides us with the tools to become the people who can make a difference, and who can make any community which we are a part of a better place.

—Baxter Brew ’21, Student Council President

—Charles Harley, Upper School DEI and Athletic Facilities Coordinator

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SCHOOL NEWS

COMMUNITY

PERSPECTIVES

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion The Lower School is working in collaboration with the Middle and Upper School faculty and staff to enhance and further develop more diverse, equitable, and inclusive curriculums and community practices that directly address issues of civil justice and the Black Lives Matter movement. We strive to provide the resources, tools, and support to make sure that our faculty, students, and families of all backgrounds are represented in the work we do. Landon is a place where everyone should feel seen, heard, and respected, in a welcoming, and empathetic environment designed to help everyone thrive. We are stronger together united, and our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion only help to strengthen the tenants of our honor code, to be honest, do our best, and help the other fellow.

This summer was a tumultuous one, my family and I continuing to deal with COVID-19, watched the horrors of the unarmed Black men being killed on city streets and the protests that followed. In reconnecting with many of my older relatives in the past months, we were struck by how similar these events were to the summer of 1968. The core of the Black lives movement has been a part of my life since I can remember my father and many of my relatives were active participants during the civil rights movement of the 60s. It was an awakening and a time of growth in America that was full of tragedies and triumphs. it’s significant in our lives today is more significant than we often realize. In my role as a DEI coordinator, I hope to provide resources, opportunities, and programs to help our Middle Schoolers navigate this important time in our history. In one sense, I hope to help eliminate the noise so that they can hear the music. Civility and honor have always been at the core of Landon’s mission. It is these principles that will help us frame our approach and dialogue on these important matters.

—Megan Rains Mercado, Lower School Art Teacher and DEI Coordinator

—Addison Hunt, Middle School Math Teacher and DEI Coordinator

Our faculty has led the way with their commitment to having reflective and action-oriented conversations this summer about race and equity. We have had small group conversations about ways Landon can be a more inclusive community, departments have met to detail specific ways they can continue their push to have their curriculum and practices be representative of diverse perspectives, and our newly formed Diversity and Community Committee has led faculty conversations to identify our individual goals for the year with regard to diversity, equity, and inclusion. These conversations have been energizing, and I am looking forward to our continued efforts throughout this year.

—Charles Franklin, Assistant Head

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SCHOOL NEWS

A beloved tree becomes an iconic bear Landon has transformed one of the most beloved trees on campus. The 250-yearold tulip poplar by the Middle School needed to be removed for safety reasons but lives on as a natural carving of a grizzly bear. The school worked with Chainsaw Carving by Paul Waclo on the design, and the project took about three weeks to finish. The students and faculty loved seeing the Bear transform! What was sawed off has been saved for use on campus. The upper smaller branches were ground into mulch and added to campus trails; medium sized branches were split into firewood; the massive trunk pieces will be milled into lumber for use in future campus projects.Â

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SCHOOL NEWS

COMMUNITY

Remembering Bob Condit THIS IS AN EXCERPT OF A LETTER SENT TO THE COMMUNITY BY HEAD JIM NEILL ABOUT LONGTIME LANDON TEACHER AND GUIDANCE COUNSELOR BOB CONDIT, WHO PASSED AWAY ON APRIL 13, 2020 OF COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS.

There has been an outpouring of support and love since Bob’s passing, not only in messages to us here at Landon, but also as we have heard within and among communities of Bob’s friends and colleagues and former students.

As mentioned in The Washington Post, Bob was born on April 15, 1940 in East Orange, NJ. He spent his formative years in New Jersey before moving to the DC area in 1965. He graduated from Duke University in 1959. He interviewed with Landon founder, Paul Banfield, and accepted a job at Landon in 1966 teaching chemistry and biology.

During Bob’s 35-year career at Landon, he was a three-time recipient of the School’s yearbook dedication,

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in 1973, 1999, and 2001.

Bob was also the architect of Landon’s service program that remains an important part of school’s philosophy today for our boys.

Long time faculty member Tom Dixon describes how Condit built the service program at Landon in his history of Landon entitled Courage, Commitment, and Change, calling Condit an “educational pioneer.”

Fittingly, the award given each year to honor a member of the Form V class for outstanding leadership in community service is called The Bob Condit Service Award. And it will come as no surprise that the endowed fund named in his honor upon the occasion of his retirement in 2001 supports Landon’s community service program.

Honorary alumnus and Landon teaching icon, Bob Long, and his wife Margaret, shared these thoughts: “Bob Condit’s contribution to the history of Landon School cannot be measured by test scores or college admissions results. But its significance cannot be overlooked. I hope we all can reflect on what this wonderful man did and on the extraordinary life that he lived.”

And from one of our

longest-serving Landon staff members and former Athletics Director and coach, Lowell Davis: “Bob cared for everyone. His smile and laughter were ever present.

It was a regular source of humor to many of us that Bob’s birthday was April 15 (Tax Day), and yet he filed for a three-month tax extension every year to try to figure out what he owed to whom!

Phil Jacobs ’69, shared similar thoughts: “I remember Bob Condit not just as an excellent teacher, but also as someone who introduced so many Landon boys to the idea of community service. He understood the importance of helping others and giving back to our community, and he inspired those around him to do the same. Knowing Bob had a tremendous influence on me and greatly enriched my Landon experience.”

“I’ve always remembered that the high school I attended put such a major emphasis on community service long before it was fashionable,” said Rick Buckingham ’82.

“And we all knew the selfless engine behind all those outreach efforts was Bob, consistent,

encouraging, practical/ pragmatic, never one for the limelight. Bob’s consistent call for service was only equaled by his constant acts of service. Bob, as with so many other Landon teachers, led by example.

I, for one, learned so much from Landon teachers like him who ‘practiced what they preached,’ the most powerful lesson, lessons that last a lifetime.”

Jesse O’Neal ’73, shared movingly about Bob the following: “I got to know Bob Condit as my chemistry teacher and impromptu counselor... Whenever I got to school early, I would go

by Bob’s classroom to get a few minutes with him. I have precious memories of these brief before-school conversations. I would round into his room with “Mr. C!” and he would respond “Mr. O, how are you doing?” I can still remember the earnest kindness in his question, that he always had time for me.

With his welcome, his warmth and his gentle sense of humor he grounded me. By the grace of God, I saw him about a year ago. We had dinner in Alexandria, down by the river. He was the same: warm, interested, kind, and always turning the conversation back toward me.”

SCHOOL NEWS

Remembering Mac Jacoby THIS IS AN EXCERPT OF A LETTER SENT TO THE COMMUNITY BY HEAD JIM NEILL ABOUT MACLEAR “MAC” JACOBY JR., WHO WORKED AT THE SCHOOL FOR 65 YEARS. JACOBY PASSED AWAY ON APRIL 11, 2020 OF COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS.

Born in Brooklyn, NY, he spent part of his youth in Westport, CT and was a loyal and active alumnus of Holderness School in New Hampshire and Trinity College in Connecticut.

His full life was in many ways defined by service and dedication. He served his country in the U.S. Navy during World War II and in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. As a member of the Air Force Reserves, he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He joined St. Francis Episcopal Church in Potomac, MD in the late 1950’s and was the church’s longestserving parishioner. And as noted, Mac’s tenure at Landon spanned seven decades, making him, not surprisingly, our longestserving staff member.

After arriving at Landon in 1955, Mac served as a Middle School math teacher for 23 years, Head of Middle School for 20 years, and coached varsity tennis as an assistant or head coach for most of his time at Landon. Most recently, he was helping out in athletics and still attending tennis practice most days. Of note, the Landon tennis program has produced more than 20 national individual

champions and team titles, and Mac helped lead the team to 42 of its 50 IAC titles.

Landon earned the most recent of those titles in 2018.

Fittingly, our tennis courts are named in his honor as is our annual alumni tennis tournament. The Landon yearbook was dedicated to him in 1962,1996, and 2017, reflecting the ongoing appreciation for him from the student body.

It is an honor for any faculty member to have an endowed fund created in his or her honor. Mac has two! One was established

by Leslie and Bruce McNair ’73 to honor Mac’s legacy by supporting our tennis program and Athletics Department, and the other was established by Ann and Knight Kiplinger ’65, The Kiplinger Foundation, Robert Fogarty ’69, and Pierce Smith ’62 to create a Chair of Mathematics in Mac’s honor.

Current Head Tennis Coach and Upper School French teacher WT Miller ’86 put it well in saying: “Mac Jacoby is Landon’s Cal Ripken, Jr. For more than 60 years, he has graced our campus with his welcoming smile and humor. Much like Cal Ripken, we cannot let his longevity obscure his

greatness. Mac’s dedication and love for the school will go unmatched in our history.

Six decades of boys have been impacted and inspired

by Mac Jacoby...From his western safaris to his chalkinfested algebra sessions, we all carry a little bit of Mac Jacoby with us.”

Former Head of Lower School and honorary alumnus Jim Weiss shared, “Maria and I lost a truly close friend of more than 50 years. He was part of our family, to the extent that we always included him in our Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations. To our children he became “Uncle Mac,” and our grandchildren also felt that he was indeed part of the family. Clearly, however, we are not alone in remembering Mac in a special way. His was a rich and impressive life that touched so many of us in so many ways!”

Fred ’69 and Bruce ’73 McNair shared that “Mac often expressed his deep appreciation for Landon, for the boys, for the families, and for the lifetime of experiences.

He was a humble man and felt blessed—an incredibly thoughtful person, always offering to help others. He was enormously patient, the

perfect man to lead teenage boys through Algebra and serve as Head of the Middle School. Mac was very forgiving, rarely prone to judge, and always welcoming of friendship. Mac’s sense of humor was infectious, and his laugh and smile will never be forgotten.”

And from Knight Kiplinger ’65: “Mac told me in recent years that, when he retired, he just missed by one year teaching a First Form boy who was the son and grandson of Landon alumni he had taught many years before. What a career! And in those early, simpler years at Landon, he taught a full course load while also serving as Head of Middle School. Mac was a man of such integrity and kindness that several of us adoring former students endowed a chair of mathematics in his honor. A great Landon man in every respect.”

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In Appreciation of

Board Chair Scott Harris Scott Harris ’84 was known to his classmates as exceptionally humble, but in the years since graduation he has gained every reason to put his self-effacing behavior behind him.

He leads by example and embodies the highest personal standards of honesty, reliability and commitment.

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A graduate of Yale University, he studied law at the University of Virginia and for nine years practiced in fields of both public and private interest before ultimately coming to serve the Supreme Court of the United States in 2002.

Harris was the court’s legal counsel for eleven years before becoming its clerk, an honor and responsibility held by only nineteen others in our nation’s history.

Nevertheless, despite his many other responsibilities, over the past three years he volunteered countless hours as the chair of Landon’s Board of Trustees.

Harris acknowledges through his service that he owes a great debt to his alma mater which, in his words, taught him “to think and act with character.” As Vice Chair of the Board Kathy Wellington, P ’11,’13 ’15 ’18 commented, Harris brought those lessons learned at Landon and developed over a life-time to bear on his tenure:

“He leads by example and embodies the highest personal standards of honesty, reliability and commitment.” While Harris’s term as chair is now complete, he will leave an enduring imprint on the school.

Under his leadership the Board developed a Schoolwide Strategic Plan and a Campus Master Plan.

Head Jim Neill commended Harris for engaging in “generational thinking” about the campus, and Jeff Freed, P ’11 ’13,’18, treasurer and chair of the executive committee of the Board, noted Harris’s “tireless commitment to Landon’s long-term welfare.”

The manner in which Harris served as a steward of the school is just as integral to his legacy as these fundamentally important contributions. Director of Development Peter J. Gallo, Ph.D, said that Harris was “calm at the helm, steering with a steady hand,” and that he was “graceful and

tactful in his management, treating people with dignity.

He was always moving the ball forward but building consensus along the way.”

Wellington disclosed that Harris’ knowledgeable guidance “[made] us all better trustees.” Numerous trustees confessed to looking up to Harris as a role model, and the Board drew on his understanding of effective governance when it revised its bylaws to ensure that its basic structures conduced to best practices.

Unsurprisingly, though he was exceedingly qualified and widely revered, Harris was never high-handed as a leader and preferred to draw out the talents of his team. Wellington described him as “a great listener who asks tough questions and pushes board members to think strategically and thoughtfully.” Harris himself took special pride in the work of others on the Board, saying, “We have a very talented group of people who give so much energy

SCHOOL NEWS

and expertise to the school.

My biggest achievement [as Chair] may have been just letting them do what they do.”

Harris’ humility is not a matter of words alone. It was on full display during the 2019 Azalea Festival when, though it was a particularly rainy weekend, he donned a fluorescent yellow safety vest and directed visitors to their parking spaces.

Recounting this story, Neill called Harris “a model

servant-leader. He is a person of great strength and moral courage who is willing to step up to challenges, large or small.”

Joe Kenary ’82, a former

hockey teammate of Harris’ and the board chair who directly preceded him, added that Harris has always been a man of character: “He was 50 at age 15. He was steady, mature, and thoughtful.”

“We aren’t changing who we are. Scott is pushing us to better articulate who we are in a way that is inspiring,” said Neill.

Though his leadership as Chair will be missed, Harris will serve on the Board for one more year during which he intends to help “keep our eyes directly on what it is that makes Landon great.”

We welcome the following new board members for 2020-21.

Dr. John Botti, Head of School, Browning School (NY), former Assistant Head at Landon.

Burnell Holland ’01, Landon Alumni Board member Jeff Ansary ’92, P ’28, Finance Committee member and current parent

Baldwin Selected as Board Chair ALEX BALDWIN HAS SERVED IN MANY ROLES AT LANDON, AND NOW HE HAS BEEN CHOSEN BY HIS PEERS ON THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES TO SERVE AS CHAIR. Baldwin, father to Tommy ’18, is the General Counsel and Secretary at Digital Intelligence Systems, a global staffing, technology consulting and managed services firm with more than 33 offices worldwide. He handles all legal and regulatory matters at DISYS and advises the CEO and Board on strategic matters, all skill sets that will be helpful in his leadership of Landon.

Baldwin is not only an alumni parent, he also served in several leadership roles in the Landon Fathers Club, including as Chair from 2015-16. Baldwin has been a member of the Executive, Finance, and Trustee and Governance Committees as well as Chair of the Financial Aid and Sustainability Task Force of the Landon Board over the last three years. Baldwin will continue to lead the school toward the implementation of the 2019 Campus Master Plan and the 2018 Strategic Plan.

Kristen Best, P ’23 ’25, Azalea Festival leader and current parent

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Thank You FOR YOUR SERVICE THE FOLLOWING LANDON FACULTY AND STAFF ARE DEPARTING AFTER THE 2019-20 SCHOOL YEAR. WE WISH THEM WELL IN THE NEXT STAGE OF THEIR JOURNEY! Andrew Baer, Lower School Substitute Teacher Joe Canty, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matt Carberry ’83, Admissions Officer James Cherokee, Security Guard Victor Cruz, Buildings and Grounds Staff Member Ombretta di Massa, Raiser’s Edge & Systems Administrator Jack Duquette, Middle School Science Teacher Hunter Gillin, Grade 4 Teacher Lisa Goenner, Registrar Earl Jackson, Performing Arts Department Chair Jean Jeffress, Upper School Library Assistant Jim Kreger, Middle School and Upper School Handbells Teacher Jeremy Kugel, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Jill McGarrity, Buildings and Grounds Coordinator Sonija Parson, Middle School Spanish Teacher Adam Reed, Upper School Humanities and English Teacher

WELCOME! WE WELCOME THE FOLLOWING NEW STAFF MEMBERS TO THE LANDON FAMILY. Fenton Blake, Middle School Science Teacher Adam Diaz, Lower School and Middle School Counselor Jen Dunfee, Ethics, Service and Leadership Coordinator for the Lower and Middle Schools Danisa Ferrada, Communications Associate Christopher Hughes, Grade 4 Teacher Steve King, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Amy Schneider, Assistant Director of Communications

Margaret Sopher, Upper School Humanities and English Teacher

Brian Seemann, Middle School and Upper School Interim Handbells Teacher

Max Webber, Director of Buildings and Grounds

Garrett Settles, Security Guard

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SCHOOL NEWS

CONGRATULATIONS! WE CONGRATULATE THESE LANDON FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS ON REACHING SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES IN YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE SCHOOL.

BORDLEY 50 ROB Alumni Ambassador / Former TCM YEARS

Mentor & Community Ambassador

GOENNER 40 LISA Registrar YEARS

HUGHES 30 BETH Lower School Science Teacher YEARS

NEW YEAR, NEW ROLES THE FOLLOWING FACULTY WILL HAVE NEW ROLES IN 2019-20.

Rob Bordley, Alumni Ambassador Donato Bucci, Student Billing Specialist Maria Femiano, Buildings and Grounds Support Charles Harley, Upper School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Monica Harrison, Registrar

ANDY KATZ

Addison Hunt, Middle School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator

Upper School Math Teacher

Loretta Menzen, Executive Assistant to the Director of Development

25 Form VI Dean & YEARS

CHAVEZ 20 CESAR Buildings & Grounds Staff Member YEARS

COOKE 20 MIKE Middle School Science Teacher YEARS

Megan Rains Mercado, Lower School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator Justin Roman, Middle School Spanish Teacher

& Middle School Athletics Coordinator

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In Appreciation of

Jack Duquette Since the day Jack Duquette joined Landon in 1978, he has been a wearer of many hats and a true Renaissance man. He has impacted school life as a beloved teacher, a legendary coach, a trusted mentor, an accomplished painter (he had his own solo show in Landow Gallery in 2015), a cherished friend, and a talented handyman who generously helped his colleagues with everything from fixing broken toilets to renovating kitchens.

When the school year ended in June, Jack retired from his 46-year career as an educator, and he and his wife Meredith moved to Tennessee to be close to their children and grandchildren. Landon faculty, staff, and students feted him with a drive-by parade outside his house (COVID-19 prohibited Landon’s usual retirement party) that he called the “perfect” sendoff.

“I love teaching, I love coaching, and I love working with the kids,” he says. “So that is what drew me to Landon—and why I stayed so long. It was great to stand outside and see so many people who have meant so much to me.”

Jack began his career inside the White Rocks as the assistant athletic director, the varsity wrestling coach, the varsity track and field coach, the defensive coordinator of the varsity football team, and the Lower School physical education teacher. Back then, all boys had to play football, lacrosse was a fledgling sport, the hockey program didn’t exist, and—as Jack’s

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friend, colleague, and former student, Middle School Spanish teacher Jeremy Norman ’92, laughingly remembers— Jack’s domain extended to sex education class where he taught the boys about “the birds and the bees” with a video that literally incorporated both creatures.

Much has changed in the 42 years since, and Jack’s hats have changed too. In 1986, the D.C.-area native and Sidwell Friends graduate earned his master’s degree in education (M.Ed.) from Johns Hopkins University. The following year, he added teaching a section of Middle School science to his repertoire. He loved it, and in 1988 left the athletics department to join the Landon faculty as a full-time sixthgrade science teacher.

Jack notes that a highlight of his 32 years as a science teacher was introducing robotics into the sixthgrade science curriculum: the boys learned to build and program robots they would then enter in competitions.

His sixth graders also completed an “innovative solutions” project using a hands-on, research-based approach to science to come up with their own invention. “I tell the kids that every two years, a new car comes out, an improved Honda, and what have they changed? They’ve changed a couple little things in the car and maybe it even looks the same, but it’s new and improved,” Jack says. “If you can find something out there now and just tweak it and make it a little better, well, you have a new invention.”

Norman—who had Duquette as a coach or physical education teacher for all 10 years he was a Landon student, and who for nearly the past two decades has called Jack his colleague and friend—says “He has a great sense of humor, is respected by all, and was a great mentor not just to the students but to faculty as well.

Students, parents, his colleagues, and his friends love him. He’s a legend.”

That “legend” status encompasses Jack’s career as head coach of Landon’s varsity golf team. He took the reins in 1988 and in 29 years as head led the program to 15 Interstate Athletic Conference (IAC) titles and four Metros championships, won two Washington Post All-Met Coach of the Year awards, and prepared numerous boys for college golf careers.

SCHOOL NEWS

In Appreciation of

Lisa Goenner

BY ALFREDO BENAVIDES

Lisa Goenner, our long-time registrar, stepped away in 2020 because of lingering effects from a car accident suffered earlier in the year. Lisa has been here for some 35 years over a 40-year period. A jack of all trades if ever there were one, she has been a steward of academic records, the calendar guru, assistant on Upper School admissions, and advisor to many a student, teacher, and administrator. She is a colleague of character and commitment to Landon, from which both of her sons graduated. Former faculty member Alfredo Benavides wrote this appreciation:

Her quick wit, renowned mastery of the English language, and keen observations of colleague quirks inspired the faculty to name her the “Queen of Roast.”

“Her sense of humor is legendary. That may have been one of the primary reasons that students, faculty, administrators, parents, and other staff members flocked to her door. Lisa had a way of putting everyone at ease with an infectious smile, even while uttering a teasing sentence like, “You again!”

Her quick wit, renowned mastery of the English language, and keen observations of colleague quirks inspired the faculty to name her the “Queen of Roast.” Every retiring faculty member, administrator, or staff member felt especially honored if Lisa spoke at their farewell party. As all of us know, Landon is not only about work. Indeed, there are parties, and long ago it was Lisa Goenner who was chosen to be the Queen of the Fun Committee, established by our

former Headmaster David Armstrong.

For her perfect processing and distribution of student grades, comments, and files, Lisa also came to be known as the Queen Registrar. Lisa’s fourth title as queen arrived every Halloween. October will never be the same without Lisa on campus, for she was also known as the Queen of Halloween. Her costumes confounded even the most astute examiners, especially noted when she managed to appear dressed as a copy machine repairman. Four Queens embodied in one person?

Fred Mora, a recently retired English teacher, pointed out that in poker four queens outrank a full house.

My wife Martha and I have known and greatly admired Lisa ever since she arrived at Landon some 40 years ago. It is not possible to even

imagine a more welcoming, dedicated, and helpful person on the Landon campus. Her office door was always open to help anxious faculty members who needed just one more copy of a student transcript in order to complete a college recommendation. For many years, it appeared that senior projects could not take place without Lisa’s guidance. She evaluated many proposals, made recommendations for their improvement, monitored their progress, and even joined faculty members for the final evaluation when the projects were completed.

Reminded that she was loved by Landon’s students, parents, faculty, and staff, Lisa’s laughing response was, “Who wouldn’t?”

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In Appreciation of

Earl Jackson

By the time Earl Jackson joined the Landon music faculty as a saxophone instructor in 1986, he had already shared the stage with industry legends Aretha Franklin, Duke Ellington, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Temptations, The Commodores, Lionel Richie, Lou Rawls, and the Mills Brothers.

The Indiana native even supported comedian Bob Hope during a USO tour in Vietnam, where his plane came under Vietcong fire. During Earl’s 34 years at Landon, the school reaped the rewards— and awards—of his experience.

This spring, non-COVIDrelated health problems led Earl to the tough decision to retire from teaching at Landon, where he had served as the director of bands, as performing arts department chair since 1998, and as artistic director of the Landon Symphonette since 2003. He also saw his son Chris graduate from the school in 2002. During his tenure, Earl showed the boys the places music could take them, often quite literally:

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his Bear bands played on the famed Kennedy Center main stage in D.C. and in the hallowed Apollo Theatre in New York. They played in front of World War II battleships, before professional hockey games, and in 2008 even at the Great Wall of China.

“The hardest thing in retiring during [the pandemic] has been not being able to say goodbye to the boys,” says Earl, who got to say farewell to faculty

during a drive-by parade this spring. “The awards are great, but the best part of my career is the relationships with the faculty and with the boys, seeing the boys grow into men, and knowing that I helped steer them on their course.” “[Earl] taught thousands of Landon boys to love music and to embrace the hard work necessary to creating great ensembles,” Head Jim Neill wrote in a letter to the community June 9. “Earl is a central player in having brought the performing arts to the place where it is now, namely, a defining aspect of the Landon experience for our boys. His balance of a warm personality and firm hand has helped them live up not only to Earl’s appropriately high standards but also to their own potential, and his (and their) work has not gone unnoticed regionally, nationally, and internationally.”

The hard proof of this success is in the hundreds of awards that line the band room walls: trophies from the Middle and Lower School musicians’ perennial first-place finishes at the Music in the Parks Festival in Pennsylvania and the Upper School ensembles’ dominance at the OrlandoFest competition at Universal Studios in Florida, as well as at contests in New York and at home in Maryland. In addition, Earl earned the Washington Post’s Agnes Meyer Teacher of the Year Award in 2000 and the Council of Private Education Teacher of the Year Award, also in 2000, the only music teacher to receive either honor.

According to longtime Assistant Director of Bands Lenny Robinson, who will assume the director of bands role for the 2020–21 school year, the trophies and honors are but a small part of

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Earl’s Landon legacy. Lenny met Earl in 2001 when he received a fateful call to sub on a music gig with Earl; the two hit it off, and Earl soon hired Lenny as a percussion instructor.

“Landon’s music program is almost conservatory-level thanks to Earl,” Lenny says. “It’s on the same level as all the other academic offerings at Landon in terms of its level of excellence, accomplishment, and work ethic, and all those things we want to instill in the boys.

I like to say that the music program at Landon is a unicorn, that thing you know can happen but have never seen before.”

Lenny finds Earl’s lasting impact on the boys to be remarkable. “So many of the kids Earl has taught and mentored have gone farther in music and in life than they would have had they not had Earl as a teacher and mentor because he shows them the value of consistency and hard work. I have seen Earl be one of the great forces at Landon in getting the boys he knows past self-doubt.”

Earl’s wife Cathie also notes her husband’s ability to nurture lasting relationships with the boys.

“Former students always come back and see Earl. He has such dedication from the boys because they know he

has always supported them and been there for them,” Cathie says. “Before they get married, they’ll bring a girl to meet him before they propose.”

Adjunct music faculty member Joseph Cunliffe notes that Earl’s “epic contributions” to Landon also include starting the Upper School music program’s once-every-fouryears trip to Universal Studios in Orlando and the annual Faculty Jazz Concert, originally conceived of as a fundraiser for the Orlando trip. “These concerts quickly became an event we all look forward to and after about 23 years of performances I hope we can keep them going as a celebration of Earl’s tenure at and contributions to Landon,” Joseph says. “And the Orlando trip is a part of the fabric of the Landon musical experience. We all have had so much fun with Earl and the students at Universal Studios and Orlando competing with other schools from around the U.S.” Although Earl and his colleagues like to joke that he’s not one for brevity, he sums up his 34 years as a Bear with five words that linger, like a soothing song stuck in his head: “I had a good time.”

Jim Kreger Retires Although longtime handbells teacher Jim Kreger had planned on the 2020-21 school year to be his last, he decided in July that his retirement would come now. In a letter to fellow faculty, Kreger cited the challenges of teaching his discipline from a distance for the foreseeable future.

“This decision pains me greatly, but it is the right thing for me at this point in my life,” Kreger said. “For the past 26 years, Landon has treated me most graciously and generously. It has been a second home and has afforded me many opportunities for growth, development, and creativity. For this I am most grateful.”

Kreger also penned a note to his current students, saying thanks for making every day at Landon joy-filled and showing his appreciation to them for laughing at his “really bad jokes.”

Jim Neill called Kreger “a humble and student-centered exemplar of good teaching. I’ve always been impressed by the way he inspires the boys and gets them to take ownership of their art and understand the real value of teamwork, and in such self-effacing ways.”

Kreger added he now looks forward not to “retiring” but “rewiring” his life. He is continuing his work with the Thomas Circle Singers and St. John’s Episcopal Church in Olney, MD. He added, “(My husband) Thom and I took a trip to Lake Placid for a week in October. I can’t believe I can go away in October now!”

Kreger also taught AP Music Theory at Landon.

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SPORTS

Fall Sports

Water Polo beats Gonzaga for First Time in 11 Years

CROSS COUNTRY

The Bears kicked off the season with a boatload of personal records at the Bullis Invitational and Hood College Invitational. The team took seventh in our own Landon Invitational, which drew a record 700 runners to campus. The team also won the inaugural Landon Homecoming meet over Avalon. The Bears finished fourth at the IAC Championships and third in the Montgomery County Private School Championships, where senior Michael Gilbert placed first overall in a personal best of 17:12 for a 5K. Gilbert followed up that win with seventh place in the Maryland State Private School Championships, where the Bears finished sixth in team scoring. Gilbert earned All-IAC, All-County (private), and AllState (private) honors. This is the second straight year he has earned all three. Asim HakimFlorian ’23 earned All-County (Private) honors.

FOOTBALL

The varsity football team finished with an overall record of 6-3, an IAC record of 3-2, and third place in the league’s final standings. Six of the team’s nine games were decided in the fourth quarter, and in four of them, they overcame fourth quarter deficits to win the contest.

There were also overtime victories over Woodberry Forest and St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes. The team rushed for more than 2,200 yards and held opponents to under 900

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(top) Logan Kalish ’21, (bottom left to right) Michael Gilbert ’20, Tyler Smith ’20, Issa Mudashiru ’21.

yards, and scored 24 rushing touchdowns, while opponents only scored five on the ground.

Landon was ranked in The Washington Post All-Mets until the seventh week of the season. Zayd DeLane ’20 (LB), Gregory Johnson ’21 (OL), Tommy Kenary ’20 (DL), and Tyler Smith ’20 (RB) all earned All-IAC First Team honors.

DeAngelo Dickerson ’22 (DB), Eric Ford ’21 (LB), Tejon Ford ’20 (DB), Chantz Harley ’21 (DB), and Graham Hertzberg ’21 (LB) earned All-IAC Second Team honors.

SOCCER

The varsity soccer team finished 4-12-3 overall with a 3-7 record and fifth place in the IAC. The Bears advanced to the league semi-finals, earning a 3-2 win at Bullis in the IAC quarterfinals. A 5-1 win over St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes was a big victory at home. Kris Fletcher ’23 and Issa Mudashiru ’21 earned AllIAC honors.

WATER POLO

Landon’s varsity water polo team beat Gonzaga, 12-11, for the first time in 11 years.

The team finished with a 9-5 overall record and fifth place at the Easterns Tournament.

The Bears also won their homecoming game against Whitman’s “all-star” team 11-4.

Logan Kalish ’21 and Alex Kapelina ’20 earned Academic All-American honors. Logan also finished with Second Team All-Easterns recognition.

ALUMNI NEWS

SQUASH

The squash team finished the season with a 3-8 overall record and a 2-3 league record. Eight Form III students joined the team with zero experience who were eager to learn, said Coach WT Miller ’86. Two highlights to note: Andrew Gray ’21 finished second at a league individual tournament, and the team beat The Heights 6-1, a big rival over the last five years.

SWIMMING

The Indoor Track team led by Head Coach Ryan Callahan and captain Kaleb Starks ’21 finished second in the Montgomery County Private School Championships. The following athletes receiving medals for top three finishes: Kevin Bai ’21, Deon Johnson ’22, T.J. Kim ’22, Carter Phillips ’22.

Landon finishing third only behind St. Albans and Georgetown Prep at the IAC Championships. Landon then finished in fifth place overall in a much larger and more competitive field at the Washington Metropolitan Prep School Swim and Dive League (WMPSSDL) Championships. Jacob Rosner ’20, who was recruited to swim at Northwestern University, came in first in both the 200- and 500-men’s freestyle events.

Also helping score points for Landon was Michael Gilbert ’20, the team’s lone diver. Finally, three swimmers (Rosner, Ethan Tun ’21, and Harrison Tun ’23) qualified for and traveled to Franklin and Marshall College for the Eastern Interscholastic Swimming and Diving Championship. Rosner came in third overall in the 200 individual medley and second in the 500-men’s freestyle. It was the leadership of the senior squad (Ford Bruggen, Nate Farrington, Ben Freeman, Gilbert, Alex Kapelina, Jamie Martin, Will Nussbaum, and Rosner), that helped to make the season as successful as it was.

RIFELRY

WRESTLING

A State Hockey Title and a 1,000-point Milestone Landon’s winter sports teams accomplished quite a bit in 2019-20, including a state hockey title, a 1,000-point milestone times two, and a first-ever four-time I.A.C champion.

Winter Sports HOCKEY

Canin Reynolds ’20

BASKETBALL

The Varsity Basketball team led by Head Coach Hajj Turner finished 9-17 (1-9 I.A.C.). The Bears were led by captains Tejon Ford ’20, Canin Reynolds ’20, and Evan Schwartz ’20. Reynolds was selected as all-I.A.C. and scored 1,000 career points this season. Kino Lilly ’21 reached 1,000 points as well. The team earned the Governor’s Challenge Bracket Championship with wins over Gilman (MD) and Lake Nona (FL).

The Varsity Hockey team led by Head Coach David Erickson won both the MAPHL and I.A.C. titles in 2020. The Bears finished with an overall record of 16-2-2, 4-1 (I.A.C) 6-2-2 (MAPHL), and were led by senior captains, Joey Graham (C), Ryan Giles (A), and Tommy Kenary (A).

The team’s leading scorer was Will Lawrence ’22 (24 goals and 11 assists equals 35 points in 19 games). Lawrence was named First Team All-MAPHL. All-I.A.C. honorees include Matthew Brille ’21 (2nd Team), Giles (Player of the Year), Graham (Honorable Mention), Jacob Hookman-Vassa ’22 (2nd Team), Lawrence (2nd Team) and Max Weinstein ’20 (Honorable Mention). Coach Erickson says one of the highlights of the season was the final playoff run when “all three games ended with us coughing up a lead in the third period before winning 3-2 in overtime.” Erickson was also named Metro Hockey Coach of the Year.

INDOOR TRACK

The riflery season was an exciting and eventful one full of pleasant surprises and impressive performances by our rookies, according to Head Coach David Eusse ’10.

Jeff Duong ’22 was selected as most valuable player because of his impressive improvement and pivotal role during matches.

Co-captain Matt Knutson ’21 improved his season average by more than six points, and Vincent Barahona ’25 earned the most improved player award for his coachability and applaudable improvement throughout the season.

The Varsity Wrestling team led by Head Coach Andy Katz finished with a 7-14 record overall and 4-1 in I.A.C. play for a second-place finish. Seniors Matt Amitay, Patrick Kielb, and Lorenzo Lopez led the effort, with Amitay (138) and Lopez (132) earning All-I.A.C. honors. Lopez now holds the record for the second most wins at Landon (165 victories in his career), and he was the school’s first four-time I.A.C champion.

He also placed third at the Maryland state competition. Amitay finished his career with 107 victories (8th overall) and placed seventh at states. He also earned a first team selection to the MSWA AllAcademic Team (state of Maryland).

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ARTS

Performing Arts

Chicago | US

Director’s Workshop | US

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James and The Giant Peach | MS

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ARTS

Music

Chorus

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Band & Strings

Handbells L ANDON MAG A ZINE

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ARTS

Studio Arts

Hank Maddux ’24

Henry Prince ’22

Henry ’28

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Logan ’28

Pierce Ryan ’22

Francois Chen ’25

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ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI PERSPECTIVE

ALUMNI PERSPECTIVE

From Our Hearts,

In Our Words LANDON ALUMNI ARE FOLLOWING THEIR PASSIONS AND EXPLORING OUR WORLD. HERE ARE EXCERPTS OF SOME OF THEIR STORIES. READ MORE IN THE ALUMNI SPOTLIGHTS SECTION ON THE LANDON WEBSITE.

A Second Career From Our Love for Myanmar and Its People

BY CHRISTOPHER W. KINGSLEY ’79

M

y teak furniture business first brought me to Indonesia in 1985, and then to Myanmar in the 90s. I was quickly taken by the beauty of the country and genuine nature of its people who have endured many hardships through colonial occupation, war, and decades of poverty.

I decided to start a furniture factory in Myanmar, and over six years, the business succeeded. We employed more than 300 Burmese workers in three factories and shipped beautiful furniture internationally.

Sadly, American sanctions on the Burmese government in 2001 forced the closure of the factories, but I never forgot my friends there or the feeling of how much we accomplished.

I returned to Myanmar in 2009 as an advisor to U.S. Senator Jim Webb’s trip to renew U.S.-Myanmar relations.

I met with former contacts to discuss how we might work together again.

The government was looking for eco-tourism investments.

The idea of investing in and developing an eco-tourism resort was exciting as an opportunity to reconnect with the Burmese people, contribute to the protection of the

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environment, explore a new business model, and share lessons with my children.

Years later, Wa Ale opened. It’s located in the Lampi Marine National Park, and a large role of the resort is to protect the surrounding natural resources and provide aid to local fishing villages.

The entire project was built completely green, using the highest environmental standards. We used only reclaimed materials and used no heavy machinery in order to preserve the coral reef surrounding the island. We give 20% of all profits and 2% of our room revenue to the Lampi Foundation, dedicated to conservation, charity, and entrepreneurship in local communities.

In the past three years, the Foundation has put more than 8,000 baby sea turtles into the ocean, built and supplied a medical clinic for local villagers, rebuilt the local village school, and continues to provide supplies, equipment, and medicine for both.

Wa Ale is unique and unforgettable, the ideal result of nearly 30 years of involvement with the beauty of Myanmar and the gracious, simple elegance of its people.

ALUMNI NEWS

Remembering a Life Cut Short: Chris Oosterhuis ’01

BY MATT SCHIFFMAN ’01

I

met Chris in 7th grade, and our friendship lasted a lifetime.

Chris and I regularly played the same position in sports and always competed for playing time. We battled to start as center for the basketball team every year, but after practice we would hit the weight room together. This was typical of Chris. He worked hard to be the best, but also wanted everybody around him to strive for that same level of greatness.

As a senior, Chris won the IAC golf championship by one stroke. Chris’s dad recalls Chris calling afterward and describing at length the two putts he missed before even mentioning that he won the title. That, too, was Chris— competitive, but mostly with himself.

Tragically, Chris died in 2018 from sudden cardiac arrest. At a memorial service, nearly 500 people gathered to remember Chris and share memories of Chris and the mark he left on our lives.

After college, my friendship with Chris stayed strong.

We talked all the time, about everything. I benefited from his intense curiosity, his thirst for knowledge, and his ability to apply logic and reason to all aspects of our lives.

Chris loved Landon. He thrived on its athletic fields and in its AP classes and was friends with everyone. At Landon he also developed his thirst for knowledge. He sometimes talked of returning to teach mathematics after completing his career.

Last spring, the golf team honored his memory by wearing shirts that featured his initials. It was a tribute I know would have filled him with pride.

The OosterHealth Charitable Foundation was founded in his memory to further his passions: exercise, nutrition, and health.

The Foundation will soon make its first grant to provide medical school curricula with techniques to incorporate exercise and nutrition into treatment plans and improve patient outcomes.

Chris left his mark on so many of us. He will not be forgotten.

Driving Innovation in Mental Health

BY JEFFREY B. SOFFEN ’06

W

hen you build a business, the odds are against stacked you. It’s your job to challenge the uphill climb and make it happen. Five years ago, I helped start a company called Quartet, a healthcare technology and services company that strives to improve the lives of people with mental health conditions.

We do this via a collaborative technology platform that brings together physicians, mental health providers, and insurance companies to effectively improve patient outcomes.

The past five years have been some of the most gratifying and challenging times of my life. As a founding team member, I’ve worn every hat, including recruiting, operations, customer success, business development, and fundraising. I’ve learned what I’m good at, what I’m bad at, and importantly, what I enjoy doing. I’ve also identified a few characteristics critical to entrepreneur success—characteristics that Landon helped me develop: Confidence. I was encouraged, if not required, given our small class sizes, to engage meaningfully in discussions.

Landon didn’t require the right answer, but we needed to have

an opinion and to prepare accordingly to defend it. Athletically, I was encouraged to try lacrosse. While I didn’t become the NCAA Player of the Year I envisioned, countless coaches continually supported my development.

Perseverance. At Landon, we share a culture that “things don’t just happen, you make them happen.”

Whether it was endless effort to improve my lacrosse skills or taking a way-too-challenging course like Calculus BC, Landon taught me that failure was okay.

How you bounce back makes the difference. I never excelled in math or lacrosse, but I did learn to push my boundaries and see the possibilities around me.

Insatiable curiosity. My life changed dramatically when I came to Landon in 7th grade. I realized a passion for oil painting that led to an art award. I camped in the wilderness. And I tried new sports, like lacrosse and rugby. The list goes on. Exposure to new things opened my eyes to endless opportunities and adventures. I developed a love for learning and an insatiable curiosity to try it all.

Landon built a strong foundation by which I conduct myself every day. I count myself lucky to be part of the Landon community and wouldn’t be here without its endless support.

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ALUMNI NEWS

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

Marcus Smith ’84 Smith ’84, President and CFO of Talking Rain Beverage Company®, has been an innovative leader at the corporation best known for its Sparkling Ice® products. In addition to catalyzing the expansion of their signature beverage’s market share, Smith shepherded the company through an international distribution deal with Tata Global Beverage.

He is especially proud, however, to have revitalized the corporate culture: “Every person is expected to be self-led and self-directed, and my job and the job of the other team leaders is to keep finding our employees opportunities.”

The company is both a welcoming and exciting place to work, as well as a more dynamic and profitable enterprise.

In many ways, the long road that brought him to Talking Rain headquarters in Washington state started at Landon.

“Landon broadened my world view and redefined what was possible.” Smith credits these expanded horizons first and foremost to the fraternal and diverse student body, with its “many different and varied interests.” He could always get a ride home from a classmate if he missed his bus, and constantly discovered novel opportunities through his friendships.

“Landon was more than a school; it was a community.”

Landon also equipped Smith to pursue his aspirations further afield. “Expectations were high,” he recalled,

Marcus Smith and family.

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but “teachers like Mr. Sorkin were patient and kind.

They helped me get there.” The Landon culture of accountability and support is one he now promotes at Talking Rain.

The rigor of Landon afforded Smith the confidence to follow wherever his talents and passions led him. After graduating from Duke University, he worked at Xerox, but when the Berlin Wall fell, Smith was itching to explore the unknown. He put his plans for an MBA on hold to travel through the former Soviet Union, Europe, and South Asia.

Later, he capitalized on that experience while pursuing a joint degree in business and international relations at Columbia University.

While life has taken him many places, Marcus affirms that “at least once a week I reflect back on something positive from my experience at Landon,” and he carries into his career all that he learned about high expectations, hard work, and fostering the potential of individuals.

ALUMNI NEWS

Azalea Festival Goes Online The 2020 Azalea Festival became the first in 66 years to be held entirely online.

Dedicated Azalea Festival committee co-chairs proved their Landon spirit would endure and the Festival would not be canceled. Although the online Festival could not include many of the beloved events normally held during the threeday campus gathering, the committee quickly revamped a plan to produce a two-part online event.

The first week offered many items traditionally sold at the Festival including 100 varieties of azalea shrubs, perennial plants, and several sizes of cement bears.

Week two featured an online auction.

We thank all the incredible parent volunteers who devoted endless hours to ensure many Azalea Festival traditions continued. Thank you to all who donated items to the auction and to those who enthusiastically purchased azaleas and more, as well as competed for auction items. We are also grateful to the 75 families, alumni and vendors who generously stepped forward as Azalea Festival sponsors.

All proceeds supported Landon’s COVID Financial Aid Fund. #AzaleaBePartOfIt

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ALUMNI NEWS

PHILANTHROPY

Hanks ’62 is Kupka Award Winner The Anthony Edward Kupka ’64 Distinguished Alumnus Award is presented each year to an alumnus who has demonstrated the ideals for which Landon stands through service to Landon, his community, his profession, or his country. The 2019 recipient is Thomas C. Hanks ’62.

W

Healy Foundation Makes Leadership Gift The Healy Foundation has committed $500,000 to Landon School to support the initial implementation phases of our Campus Master Plan and the continued growth of the Landon Fund.

hile further research

Our thanks go to Andrus Healy ’90 and

is necessary, Tom

Laura and Keith Hoffman, parents of

Hanks seems to be the only

Mitchell ’17, Jack ’21, and Barrett ’24 for

earthquake seismologist

their generous support of Landon School.

in the Landon alumni

“As parents of three Landon boys, it

corps. After studying at

has been our experience that the Landon

Princeton University and

teacher-coach-mentor model is critical

the California Institute of

for boys to develop into accomplished

Technology, Tom joined the

responsible men of character. Grateful

Earthquake Program of the

for the Landon faculty, we look forward

U.S. Geological Survey more

to enhancements to academic facilities

than 45 years ago. Tom and

that will support the efforts of Landon’s

his wife Peg live in Palo Alto,

teaching community,” said Laura and

CA, just a few miles from the

Keith Hoffman.

San Andreas Fault.

Tom is probably best known for the development of the moment-

“We find ourselves at a moment of transition in our school’s story as

magnitude scale and his models of high-frequency strong ground

we embark upon new curricular and

motion. He has been involved in numerous studies of earthquakes

programmatic initiatives and a new

in California, including the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, which he

Campus Master Plan. Landon School’s

experienced first-hand during the World Series at Candlestick Park.

strategic efforts will collectively

He has also studied earthquakes induced by mining activity in the

transform and enhance our boys’

deep-level gold mines in South Africa, as well as active crustal faulting

experience as well as the look and feel

in China and Mongolia. Tom was part of a team scientists that went

of our special campus in meaningful

to China in 1976 to study their prediction of the 1975 Haicheng

ways. The master plan is the physical

earthquake, at a time when diplomatic relations between the United

realization of the school’s strategic

States and the People’s Republic of China did not exist.

vision providing key principles and

The award was established in 1981 in memory of Buddy Kupka, who was killed in the Vietnam War.

recommendations to guide decision making around building design and anticipated infrastructure,” said Peter J. Gallo, PhD, Director of Development.

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ALUMNI NEWS

Bear Madness Challenge In March, the Landon Alumni Office launched the first annual Bear Madness Challenge.

With a focus on engagement, our hope was to create a fun challenge for our alumni centered around the NCAA March Madness basketball tournament. Whether making a gift or pledge, sending in class notes, joining Landon on AlumniFire, or engaging on Landon Alumni’s social media pages, we were pleased to see our community come together and participate on an outstanding level.

Congratulations to the class of 2012 on winning the first annual Bear Madness Challenge!

Thank you to all the alumni who participated in this fun alumni engagement.

65

+

PARTICIPANTS RANGING FROM CLASS YEARS

1948-2014

55

+

GIFTS AND PLEDGES

$85k

+

RAISED

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ALUMNI NEWS

PHILANTHROPY

Gordon ’75 is Banfield Award Recipient The recipient of the W. Landon Banfield ’50 Award for Outstanding Service to Landon for 2019 is Stephen (Steve) L. Gordon Sr. ’75.

I

t all began when Tom Dixon taught Steve how to swim at the Landon Summer Day Camp in 1962. Since then, Steve Gordon touched every area of Landon school life while he was a student.

That includes being a threesport athlete, earning thirteen varsity letters, serving in the Bear Club and as a class officer, working on the ‘Brown and White’ yearbook, and yes, even the dance committee.

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Steve’s energy and timeless devotion to the Landon community is exemplary in so many special ways. He has been a leading voice to a generation of alumni, constantly calling to mind all that is best about the school and keeping it strong for the benefit of a new generation of boys. He served on the Board of Trustees for six years and, specifically, while on the Buildings and Grounds Committee, he was involved with Landon’s changing

landscape, including the Performing Arts Center, the Middle School, Andrews House, Torrey Hall and the expansion of the new gym which would become the Barton Alumni Athletic Center.

As a member of the Alumni Board for several years, his role expanded into more than 30 years of running assorted committees from telethons to flipping hamburgers at Riddle’s Griddle during the Azalea Festival.

He participated every year with the annual giving phone drive and also served as a co-chair of alumni annual giving.

Steve is a graduate of the University of North Carolina ’79.

He has had a forty-year career in the construction industry. He is the Founder and President of InSite Builders and Remodeling serving the greater D.C. area. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Washington D.C. chapter of the National Association of Remodeling Industry. Steve’s son Stephen L. Gordon Jr. graduated from Landon in ’07 and his daughter Holly is married to Chris Katkish ’11.

The award is named in honor of Dr. W. Landon Banfield ’50 for his tireless dedication to the preservation of the Landon tradition.

ALUMNI NEWS

Landon Unites In April 2020, the Landon Unite campaign was launched to raise critical funds in support of our students and teachers during the early months of the pandemic.

All gifts directly impacted the newly created COVID-19 Financial Aid Fund and the Landon Fund. During the seven-day campaign, the school raised approximately $450,000 from almost 350 donors.

Landon received gifts from alumni and alumni families across the country and abroad, as well as parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends. A special thank you to our numerous leadership donors who made a significant impact during this week. We exceeded our campaign goal with the help of several gift match challenges, which generated much enthusiasm and participation. Thank you, Syl Miniter ’80, Landon parents Liz and David Steinglass P’23, Matt Holleran ’85, and our loyal Azalea Festival sponsors for their leadership matching gifts.

THE COVID-19 FINANCIAL AID FUND WAS CREATED TO ASSIST CURRENT AND NEW FAMILIES IN NEED OF TUITION ASSISTANCE. LANDON SCHOOL HAS PROVIDED FINANCIAL AID TO APPROXIMATELY 180 STUDENTS IN THE 2020-21 SCHOOL YEAR.

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ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES

CLASS NOTES Class of 1947

Class of 1956

From Allen Rushton: “I was blessed with a wonderful education at Exeter, Princeton (where I enjoyed so much roaming with John LeMoyne Ellicott) and Harvard Law School. My favorite school however was Landon, where I had outstanding teaching, classmates, and school leadership under Paul Landon Banfield.”

Al and Penny Veerhoff welcomed grandson number five!

Class of 1948 Gil Bogley quit playing “it’s yours” tennis a year ago. Now he is involved in a futile attempt to shoot his age (88) at the Leland Golf Club (MI).

Class of 1952 The class of 1952 lost Lloyd B. “Tuffy” Kriner this year. A note from his wife Priscilla: Lloyd was born in Washington, D.C. and entered Landon in 5th grade.

While at Landon he played track, soccer, and football, but soccer was his favorite.

He came back to campus often from the west coast for reunions. Lloyd attended the United States Naval Academy, class of 1956. After his Navy career, Lloyd entered the insurance industry and earned a certificate as a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter. He had three children with Priscilla, three step-children,15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Class of 1959 From Thomas P. Rideout: I am still reasonably active in what are described as the retirement years. I start my 14th year in mid-August as a volunteer executive partner at William & Mary, focused on leadership and career coaching. I am on the board of a nonprofit called Hope Family Village, seeking better ways to hold those suffering with severe mental illness and their family caregivers together. I am a co-founder of a non-profit start up known as The Generals Redoubt.

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Class of 1967

From Nicholas Park: “Love Landon, proud to be a graduate”

Class of 1969

Class of 1964 After three years of sailing the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico with his wife, Mike Finn is back working as a cardiologist for two weeks every month in Slidell, Louisiana.

Class of 1966

In 2019, Ted Wright joined the volunteer fire department of Valley Falls, NY. Though it’s a young person’s game, he does enjoy learning. Ted assisted on sick calls, ice rescue, car wrecks, brush fires, and one structure fire. He also doubles as unit chaplain.

Rob Clausen became a grandfather for the first time to LuLu, born in Atlanta, GA.

Class of 1954 Page D. Cranford is serving on the board of directors and resident finances committees at Williamsburg Landing retirement community. Page is also on the board of Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

championship team. Couldn’t have been more than 5-7, 150 pounds, but agile, coordinated, and athletic,” said former teammate Ellis Moore. “Great hands, everything you would want in a receiver but height and that never seemed to stop him from where he was going.”

Class of 1970

Robinson M. Bordley was named Princeton Football’s Best Players of the Ivy League Era as a wide receiver.

Princeton wrote: “Diminutive, confident, and dangerous weapon on the 1969

John Zamoiski ’70 was elected to the Board of Directors of The Circus Ring of Fame in Sarasota, FL, celebrating the contributions of circus greats to the art of circus. The Circus Ring of Fame lives on St Armand’s Circle with more than 130 plaques that tell the story of circus around the world.

ALUMNI NEWS

Class of 1971

Class of 1974

Class of 1987 After a near 30-year career in finance, Amin Khadduri became the first CEO of the American Platform Tennis Association (APTA).

Class of 1994 Chris Pedersen is the Community Liaison Office Coordinator of the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China.

Michael M. Van Ness published “GENERAL IN COMMAND: The Life of Major General John B. Anderson from Iowa Farm to Command of the Largest Combat Corps in World War II.”

Franklin Salisbury grabbed lunch with Rocky Semmes & Val Ellicott at the Metropolitan Club in February.

Major General Anderson was my grandfather. The book has been well-received and has sold amazingly well, especially for a first effort. More importantly, the determination to see this project through to its end was, in large part, a product of my Landon School experience. I was a “ten-year” boy, at Landon from Third Grade in 1961 through Sixth Form in 1971. Unbeknownst to me, my classmates and I grew up among giants. The accomplishments of our teachers, parents, and grandparents lay quietly beneath the day-to-day tumble of events. Only now, with the benefit of time, have I realized that General Anthony McAuliffe (“Nuts!” was his reply to the German demand to surrender Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge), General “Tooey” Spaatz (Commander of the US Strategic Air Forces in Europe in World War II), and Lieutenant Colonel Malin Craig Jr. (Artillery Commander of the 106th Infantry Division, partially destroyed in Belgium) were but a few of the many heroes amongst the crowds at Grandparents’ Day, Fathers’ Day, and football games.

Stephen Potter retired as Vice Chairman of Northern Trust after 36 years and is spending the year as a fellow at Harvard studying health inequities in our cities.

For more information about the book or the life of General Anderson, go to www.drmichaelvanness.com

Class of 1996

Class of 1975

Class of 1979

Several ’79 classmates made the journey to Wa Ale in February 2019 to visit Christopher Kingsley. Farina Kingsley and Chris welcomed John and Erin Dern, Jonathan Warner, Gary and Leslie Gosnell, David and Lynn Jackson and Chip and Eliza Peter.

David Shepard married Eleanor Worthy in January 2019. Their wedding had strong Landon representation including the best man, Frank Snodgrass ’96, Chris Cramer ’96, Alex D’Amico ’96, Rob Harper ’96, Bruce Kennedy ’96, Stefaan Poortman ’96, John Fenwick ’01, Chuck Harper ’99, Brad Hoffman ’98, David Jackson ’79, Danny Korengold ’69, Will Korengold ’10, Ben Ourisman ’99, Chris Ourisman ’02, John Ourisman ’71, Peter Sturtevant ’79, and Richard Thompson ’97. David continues to enjoy his work as director of development at the Bishop John T. Walker School for Boys in Washington, D.C. In particular, he is thrilled with his school’s partnership with Landon, which three recent BWS alumni now attend.

READ MORE ON PAGE 46.

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ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES

Class of 1999

Hugh Barrett and his wife, Nicole, are expecting their second child, a girl, in December. His son Luke is almost 2.

Andy Goldstein is serving as class agent and is on the alumni board. He is also godfather to Hugh’s son.

James obtained his MBA in Design Strategy at California College of the Arts. Poone is now in the fourth year of her residency, and James is Director of Marketing at Bright M.D. in Portland.

Mike Faucette started a new job practicing law at Wiley Rein LLP in Washington, D.C. His work focuses on International Trade and National Security law.

Brian Haney was named one of this year’s 40 under 40 in the Washington Business Journal. From Brian: “I had a humbling and remarkable 2019 earning two significant awards: I was one of the Washington Business Journal’s 40 UNDER 40 recipients, out of over 700 submissions! I was recognized by the National Association of Independent Life Broker Agencies (NAILBA) as one of their ID 20 winners. No recognition would be possible if not for my Landon heritage that has been the foundation of my professional life! Cheers to Landon and specifically the class of ’99 who are some of the finest men I have the privilege of knowing.”

Erik A. Vachon fulfilled his senior yearbook’s “Where I’ll be in 20 years” by seeing Phish with fellow Bears: Michael Boyd, Travis Martz, Umang Modi and Alex Walker at Merriweather Post Pavillion.

Chris Greco got married and honeymooned with his wife, Melissa, in Jamaica.

A number of Landon alumni attended the wedding. At the rehearsal dinner: John Charyk, M.D. ’69, Mark Bierbower ’70, Will Bierbower ’06, Paul Griffith, M.D. ’70, Hannes Van Wagenberg ’70, Alex Glazer, M.D., P.J. Bourke, M.D., James Bierbower, best man Rick Bierbower ’08, Scott Frantz, Andrew Shane, Art Smith ’70, Chris Camalier ’70, and Chris Bierbower ’70.

Hadley and Johnny Black welcomed Mary Hadley, in August of 2019. Johnny and his family reside in Houston, Texas.

Elliott Bisnow’s resort Summit Powder Mountain was named one of the best ski resorts in America in The Wall Street Journal.

Jonathan and Sarah Bresler welcomed Chloe Jordan Bresler in August 2019.

Class of 2006

Class of 2005

Class of 2001 David and Kerri Peters welcomed their son and first child, Jon “Jack” David Peters, on November 23, 2019.

Class of 2004 Matt Harrigan graduated with his MBA from Georgetown University.

Ted Wolynec, after serving on the alumni board and as class agent, moved to Dallas.

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James Bierbower married Poone Shoureshi, M.D. in Portland, Oregon. The couple met at a New Year’s Eve party during the bride’s final year of medical school at George Washington University.

She began her surgical residency at Oregon Health and Science University, and they continued their romance while

Neel Talwar married Ramya Muddasani.

ALUMNI NEWS

Charles G. Bakaly IV is practicing law as a litigation associate with the law firm of Richards, Watson & Gershon in Los Angeles, CA.

Patrick Kain married Amanda Shaw.

Billy Rowland and wife Claire welcomed daughter Annie Rowland in August 2019.

Jonathan and Dana Duber welcomed Reid Alvin Duber in August 2019.

Class of 2008

Christopher Dodson and Jessica Phillips welcomed Summer Harlowe Dodson.

Thomas Parker is engaged to Caroline Cordle.

Cem Pence married Alison Bunnen.

Brady Cobb and Larson Leachman welcomed Sophia Leigh Cobb in September 2019.

Class of 2007

John C. Mufarrij married Angelica Kania.

Adam Silver married Hallie Groff in May 2019 in Luray, VA.

Nick Rhoads is engaged to Tatum Jones.

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ALUMNI NEWS

CLASS NOTES

Thomas Niskanen married Desiree’ Harder on October 28, 2019.

Whitson and Alex Huffman welcomed Whitson Andrew in May 2019.

Ray and Emily Lynn welcomed Charlotte Grace in August 2019 Nick Pohanka is engaged to Liza Beckler.

Jon Umanzor married Grace Morelli on December 7, 2019. Landon alumni (left to right): Mike Kelly ’08, Brian Kelly ’08, Grace Umanzor, Jon Umanzor ’09, Agustin Umanzor Jr. ’08, Marek Laco ’09.

Class of 2010

Class of 2009

Chase Bakaly was featured in the February issue of the Los Angeles Lawyer with his piece Flag the Shooter.

Nicholas W. Procelli is engaged to Maura Barry.

James Speight was awarded the Ann Yao Memorial Young Alumni Award

by Colgate University. This award was established in 1992 to honor and recognize an alumnus who has demonstrated remarkable and meritorious service to Colgate since graduation and who exemplify the qualities possessed by the late Ann Yao. Ian Grant-Suttie married Shanley DeFrancia.

Chipper and Kinsley Jones welcomed their second boy and fifth child, Hudson, into the family in November 2019.

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Cullen Cassidy is engaged to Marikate Finnegan from Chicago, IL, whom he met while at Marquette University.

ALUMNI NEWS

Class of 2013

Class of 2016 Eriksen Johansen has been named the student music director of the Denison University Hilltoppers, Denison’s all-male a cappella group.

Ben Huizinga is engaged to Sara Boehly.

Chris Javens was named 2019 Lifeguard of the Year for Bethany Beach.

Class of 2014

Amil Agarwal graduated summa cum laude from George Washington University in May 2019 with a BA in Economics. As a continuation of his inclusion in the seven-year BA/MD program at GWU, he was inducted into the Class of 2023 at GWU Medical School in August 2019.

Alex Duplessie married Ruth Shirley in March.

Class of 2012

Garland Kennedy ’14 was in Alaska with the Sitka Search and Rescue Team and also competed in the Iditarod.

Got News?

We’re looking to highlight our alumni in our newsletter and magazine!

Please submit names and a short description of accomplishments to the Alumni Office.

Cyrus House volunteered as an assistant coach for the JV basketball team this past winter. The team finished the season with a record of 8-8.

alumni@landon.net

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ALUMNI NEWS

IN MEMORIAM

Richard C. Kreter, father of David Kreter ’97.

March 8, 2019.

Robert E. Greer, grandfather of Riley J. Knebel ’22 and Clemens M. Knebel ’21. June 22, 2019.

Stephen D. Potts, father to Stephen D. Potts Jr. ’76, father-in-law to Paul B. Krogh ’78, grandfather to Stephen D. Potts III ’09, and Thomas Krogh ’09. December 12, 2019.

Eric J. Mockler, father of Christian Mockler ’20. July 12, 2019.

Andrew T. Hanker ’76, son of former coach and honorary alumnus Jim Hanker. January 6, 2020.

Ann G. Gagarin, mother of Russ Gagarin ’77, and grandmother of Andrew Gagarin ’06.

August 5, 2019.

Nathanial Jarrette, grandfather of Larry J. Franklin ’25. January 16, 2020.

Robert M. Hanson ’43, father of John Hanson ’71, Charles Hanson ’73, and J. Timothy Hanson ’76. August 16, 2019.

James H. “Jay” Ridgely ’47. August 24, 2019.

Lamar S. Lee-Kane Jr. ’16. August 25, 2019.

Jay H. Nussbaum, grandfather of William Nussbaum ’20. August 31, 2019.

Hildred S. Allard, mother of John ’80 and Clayton ’82 Allard. September 1, 2019.

Susan Jane Brown Mathiesen, grandmother of Alex Kapelina ’20 and Maxim Kapelina ’18.

September 7, 2019.

Marvin Korengold, father of Daniel L. ’69 and Thomas E. ’72 Korengold, and grandfather of William M. Korengold ’10. September 19, 2019.

Jenifer Thompson Rideout, spouse of Charles “Skip” H. Rideout Jr. ’55, and grandmother of Charles S. ’21 and Chase S. ’16 Christensen.

October 3, 2019.

Arthur “Heaton” Nash ’56. October 9, 2019.

Peter Sturtevant Sr., former faculty and father of Peter A. Sturtevant Jr. ’78. October 9, 2019.

Max G. Bernhardt ’46. October 13, 2019.

Stephen Carberry, father of Matthew M. Carberry ’83. October 29, 2019.

George W. Fellows Sr., grandfather of Graham L. ’18 and Garrett H. ’13 Fellows. October 30, 2019.

Thomas Joseph Blackwood Jr., father of Thomas J. III ’72, David P. ’76, and Michael S. ’83 Blackwood. November 11, 2019.

Ruth Elizabeth Buchanan, mother of Wiley T. Buchanan III ’65. November 18, 2019.

Dana Jeanne Snyder, mother of Charles “Preston” ’96 and Justin W. ’94 Miller.

November 28, 2019.

Jay Beam, grandfather of Alexander M. Leder ’16. January 16, 2020.

Gail D. Bushey, grandmother of Henry Leggett ’23. January 30, 2020.

John C. Walker IV ’75, brother of William “Billy” Walker ’77, and son of John C. Walker III ’44. February 1, 2020.

Donald F. Collins ’55. February 6, 2020.

Raymond A. Simms, father of David M. Simms ’76. February 11, 2020.

Richard A. David ’66, brother of Nabeel A. David ’62. February 12, 2020.

Sharon M. Karlin, former Landon staff member. February 22, 2020.

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Helena Patch, spouse of William A. Patch ’43 (Dec), mother of Robert D. Patch ’78, and grandmother of William A. Patch III ’07. April 14, 2020.

Alfred B. Veerhoff ’56. April 16, 2020.

James Michael “Mike” Curtis, father of Michael “Clay” ’92 and Ryan ’96 Curtis. April 20, 2020.

Lloyd “Tuffy” B. Kriner ’52, brother of George M. Kriner ’43. April 22, 2020.

Gerald Graham, grandfather of John ’18 and Joseph ’20 Graham. April 27, 2020.

William S. Callanan, father of Christopher G. Callanan ’00. April 30, 2020.

Isabelle Place Knowles Trams, former Landon faculty/staff. April 30, 2020.

Peter “Scott” Joiner ’86. May 10, 2020.

Robert E. “Bob” Lee IV, grandfather to William ’12 and Thomas ’15 Crittenberger, Robert “Robbie” ’22, and George ’25 Lee. May 14, 2020.

Agnes N. Williams, aunt of Jim Neill and great aunt of Hugh Neill ’24. March 4, 2020.

Stephen A. Hayes ’71, brother of Webb ’66, Burke ’69, Jeffrey ’73 Hayes, and uncle of Webb ’93, Burke ’94, and Edward “Teddy” ’01 Hayes.

May 21, 2020.

Ricardo J. “Kim” Alfaro II ’53. March 14, 2020.

Jon J. Sullivan ’56. June 3, 2020.

Frederick E. Gignoux III ’52, brother of Philip M. Gignoux ’53, and uncle of Christopher H. Gignoux ’07 (Dec.). March 16, 2020.

Mohammed “Mark” Ajmal Tareen, father of Adnan M. Tareen ’98 and Aizaz M. Tareen ’02.

June 5, 2020.

Robert T. Manfuso ’55, father of Robert T. Manfuso Jr. ’80, and brother of John A. Manfuso Jr. ’47 (Dec.). March 19, 2020.

Stephanie Abramson, grandmother of William R. ’23 and Zachary ’24 Abramson. June 13, 2020.

Gaillard R. Nolan ’54, brother of Stanton P. ’51 and James P. ’47 (Dec.) Nolan, and grandfather of Parker R. Nolan ’22. March 23, 2020.

Sterling R. Maddox Jr. ’59. March 24, 2020.

Ashby “Bud” W. Smith Jr. ’59. April 3, 2020.

Charles “Reid” Dennis ’60. April 4, 2020.

Mary Ragan “Polly” Webster, mother of Bruce T. Adams ’66. April 8, 2020.

Maclear Jacoby Jr., former faculty and honorary alumnus. April 11, 2020.

Robert B. Condit, former faculty and honorary alumnus. April 13, 2020.

George Henry Mason ’47. April 13, 2020.

60 | L ANDON MAG A ZINE

Isaiah Nathaniel-Roosevelt Edwards ’13, brother of Curtis Edwards ’26. April 14, 2020.

Carolyn A. Pardoe, mother of Charles H. Pardoe II ’78. July 16, 2020.

Murray S. Simpson Jr. ’55, father of Scott ’83 and Walker ’81 Simpson, and grandfather of Quinn Simpson ’11. July 28, 2020.

Joanne Barter West, mother of Robert ’68 and James ’69 Barter, step-mother to David ’76, Tyler ’81, and Steven ’83 West, and grandmother of James Barter Jr. ’01. July 29, 2020.

George Gram Poole ’60. August 25, 2020.

Demetra “Deme” Anas, mother of Sam P. Anas ’11, and sister of Gregory Economos ’80. August 27, 2020.

Drew A. Nussbaum, father of William Nussbaum ’20. September 4, 2020.

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Upper School Science Teacher Vivian English.