Paw Prints Summer 2018

Paw Prints

summer

2018

lake forest country day school

Technology &Communication

Building a Better Tomorrow

Inside this Issue:

Why LFCDS? Meet Joy Hurd James L. Marks III Remembered

Our Mission 102 HEADline here Inspired teaching, academic rigor, attention to summer 2018

individual needs, a commitment to responsible citizenship—these principles infuse every aspect of life at Lake Forest Country Day School and define our dedication to producing students of strong character with a passion for learning.

Inside Lake Forest Country Day School PAW PRINTS 2 | Letters from LFCDS 4 | All In LFCDS: Campaign Update 6 | Meet Our New Head of School 8 | Showcasing Technology at LFCDS 10 | Why LFCDS? 14 | The Leaders of Tomorrow — Leading Today 18 | Alumni Spotlight: Taylor Gorter ’05 19 | 2018 David Genger Scientist-in-Residence Day: A Virtual Success 20 | Alumni Spotlight: Thomas Farrell ’13 22 | LFCDS Auction — The Great Outdoors 23 | LFCDS Celebrates Head of School Bob Whelan 24 | Jim Marks: An Extraordinary Educator and Leader Remembered 26 | In Memoriam 29 | Planned Giving 30 | Graduation Class of 2018 34 | Bondy Hodgkins Award 35 | Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award 36 | Annual Giving Fund

Lake Forest Country Day School

1 Incoming Head of School Joy S. Hurd IV Outgoing Head of School Bob Whelan President, Board of Trustees Ahmed Farag 2017-18 Board of Trustees Kimberly Beans Christen Bishop Jeffrey Brincat Sameer Chhabria ’88 Pedro DeJesus Ahmed Farag Kate Fitzgerald ’87 David Fleisch William Giambrone Lauren Gorter Rebecca Graf Jamee Kane ’90 David Keller Zareena Khan ’89 Ted Kovas Marianne Silver Jonathan Sisler Robin Stuart Mavi Thakkar Bob Whelan Managing Editor Lisa Gilcrest Design Peapod Design, Norwalk, CT Photography Tim Coffey

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Contributors Judith Arnstein Bob Bullard Sally Bullard Rachel Diaz Lisa Horstmann Joy S. Hurd IV Marcia Mann Greg McDonough Gay Mitchell Mari O’Connell Elizabeth Redfield ’90 Steve Robnick Alex Sheridan Sarah Thomas Bob Whelan

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summer 2018

letters from LFCDS

A Message from Bob Whelan Sometimes the stars line up and we just get lucky. This year, graduation took place on a glorious day in the courtyard, and the pages of this magazine offer a glimpse into that moment.

During the ceremony, each student took his or her turn at the podium as a faculty member read a carefully crafted bookplate. Some of these students had been with us for a year, some for more than a decade – every one of them has been transformed. We love each of these young people, and I could hear and feel the emotion of my teaching colleagues as they described the accomplishments and spirit of each student. I found myself feeling both present in the moment and profoundly nostalgic.

The word nostalgia has its roots in “homecoming” (the Greek word nostos) and an “ache” (algos) that combine to reflect a sense of longing for the past—perhaps a bit of sadness or melancholy that we cannot return. Yet research around the positive psychological benefits associated with nostalgia suggest that the process of our thoughts returning to the important moments in our lives often propels us to create new meaning in our lives.

As I reflect on my last five years at LFCDS, the nostalgia is tempered with gratitude for all that our community has come together to achieve. We have a thriving faculty and staff who possess a boundless dedication to learning and growing alongside our students to provide them with the best education available. We have students, hailing from thirty-five local communities, who come to school each day filled with a passion for learning and a commitment to being responsible citizens of the world.

We have the support of our families whose generosity of time, talents, and resources is more robust than ever. Research reminds that the partnership between home and school is integral to the social and emotional success of school-aged children. From the winners of our 2018 Bondy Hodgkins Award for volunteerism to all those who have supported the All In LFCDS capital campaign, the Auction, and the Annual Fund, it is clear the unwavering commitment of our community has been—and will continue to be—an essential component of the School’s success.

Further, in just three years, the strength of the School’s physical campus has burgeoned with the addition of the Innovation Center, the renovation of the Gymnasium, and just this summer, the construction of a reimagined Performing Arts Center that will showcase our students’ many talents and enrich the audience experience for our extraordinary Fine Arts events. Indeed, the School’s future is undeniably bright.

In closing, I would like to say thank you. Lake Forest and Lake Forest Country Day School have been home for our family. My wife, Annie, and I feel so fortunate that our children spent their formative years with some of the finest educators I have ever met. We feel eternally grateful to a community that embraced us from the day we arrived and enabled each of us to learn and grow. We will miss this community dearly and remember it always; returning to it both in our minds and in person now and then.

I know great things are in store for LFCDS. Joy Hurd’s leadership will ensure continued educational excellence and commitment to the School’s mission and core values. I am excited about what lies ahead for the School, and I will be cheering from a distant shore for this very special place that will always feel like home.

With deep gratitude,

Bob

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A Message from Head of School My wife, Emily, and I have long known that we would leave our home in New York only if given the chance to join a very special school, one that we knew we would love.

How grateful we are, and how fortunate we feel, to have found Lake Forest Country Day School. From my very first visit to campus, LFCDS amazed me with its warmth, its vibrant culture, and its tradition of excellence.

I continue to be in awe of this place.

This summer, I have had the pleasure of spending time with many members of the LFCDS community. What connected my conversations was a sincere sense of joy (a word I don’t use lightly) and a deep love of this School. I was inspired by their belief in our Mission, their love of their work and their students, their admiration for their colleagues, and their gratitude for the families who support the School in so many ways. It is clear LFCDS embraces a culture of continuous improvement. We believe that, in order to help our students grow, we must continue to develop our own knowledge, our skills, and our pedagogical practice.

The “passion for learning” that closes our Mission Statement permeates the School. Our teachers are avid lifelong learners, and this summer alone they studied language arts pedagogy at Columbia University’s Teachers College and leadership at the Kellogg Center for Nonprofit Management at Northwestern University — learning opportunities made possible through the generosity of the School’s families and alumni. Since arriving on campus, I’ve seen teachers in their classrooms, preparing for the year ahead and collaborating with each other on new lesson plans and new approaches to learning. I’ve been amazed by my colleagues’ commitment — particularly during cherished vacation time — to offering the best education to our students, knowing full

well that, in teaching, perfection is beyond reach, but a worthy aspiration nonetheless.

The summer was a time of continued growth for me as well.

In July, I spent a week in Atlanta with more than eighty other new heads of independent schools. The Institute for New Heads is an invaluable rite of passage for those of us who have been entrusted with school leadership. We learned that our leadership depends not on having all the answers but instead on taking the time to ask the right questions. This lesson reminded me that as we prepare our students for an unknowable future, we must live with curiosity about the world and those around us.

This move to the Midwest is something of a homecoming for me, for I was raised in a suburb just outside of Cleveland (on an admittedly less-great lake). When I left my tiny Manhattan apartment and the city’s crowded streets, it was hard not to be reminded just how much space there is out here. Exploring the area, I look up and see trees and sky, and I can’t help but feel an expansive sense of possibility. In education, we are in the business of creating possibility. We want our students, our faculty, and our families to realize possibility in their lives, and the Lake Forest Country Day School of today offers so much to us all.

This fall we are thrilled to be opening our reimagined Performing Arts Center, which will be a stunning venue for events of all kinds. This project, in addition to the everbustling Innovation Space and our beautiful Gymnasium, is a testament to the generosity of our community, as well as to the tremendous leadership of Bob Whelan and the Board of Trustees. To be affiliated with great institutions like LFCDS is to stand on the shoulders of giants, and what a privilege it is to lead a school of such high distinction and such continuously high aspiration. Emily and I thank you all for embracing us so warmly, and we look forward to the years ahead as members of the LFCDS family.

Sincerely,

Joy

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summer 2018

capital campaign

ALL IN LFCDS: Campaign Update The LFCDS community has continued to show tremendous support for the ALL IN LFCDS Campaign. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we have raised more than $11 million toward the campaign— 92 percent of our $12 million goal. Gifts to the ALL IN LFCDS capital campaign help fund the Innovation Space, the renovation of the Gymnasium, and the updating of our Performing Arts Center (PAC), as well as $7 million towards the Endowment.

Endowment funds provide vital resources that enable us to attract, retain, and support the very best educators to preserve and advance LFCDS’ long-standing reputation for excellence in teaching, an innovative approach to curriculum development, and the inclusiveness of our community.

Performing Arts Center – Summer Update

As a nexus for creativity and a gathering space for the LFCDS community to showcase the artistic talents of our students, the PAC has undergone a lot of activity this summer. Over the last few months, demolition and construction crews moved into the PAC and have been hard at work creating a refreshed arts center. As the ceiling and walls were stripped away, the original 1950s gymnasium began to reappear.

Renovation will include the addition of a large window on the west wall mirroring the one in the Gymnasium – creating a symmetrical appearance from Green Bay Road. The stage will be reoriented from the east wall to the west wall, and new moveable seating for 360 people is included in the plans along with modernized lighting, as well as improved audio and visual enhancements. Once completed in September, the PAC will serve as a staging ground for all School performances including drama plays, Community Meetings, concerts, and gatherings.

5 Hard Hat Tour of the Performing Arts Center

On May 11, LFCDS parents and friends of the School donned hard hats, threw open the Performing Arts Center (PAC) doors, and saw first-hand the impact that ALL IN, the campaign for LFCDS, is having on our School.

On display were renderings of the PAC which gave a glimpse of the future renovations taking place this summer.

Eighth-grade students were on hand to describe how the newly constructed spaces including the Innovation Space and Gymnasium have dramatically enhanced teaching and learning.

“

The new Performing Arts Center will give students the opportunity to showcase all the hard work that they put into performing and presenting.

Student-centered mission moments will be nurtured in this space. The PAC will be a place where lasting memories are made for years to come.

As the Director of Bands, I am thrilled to have our students rehearse and perform here starting this fall.”

– Grant Tabor, Director of Bands

ALL IN

LFCDS

For more information on the LFCDS Capital Campaign please visit allin.lfcds.org

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summer 2018

welcome

Meet Our New Head of School

New LFCDS Head of School Joy Hurd and his wife, Emily, arrived on campus in early July trading the hustle and bustle of New York City for the tranquil, leafy streets of Lake Forest.

The energy surrounding Mr. Hurd’s arrival is palpable as faculty, staff, and families look forward to beginning an exciting new chapter in the Lake Forest Country Day School’s enduring history. An avid runner,

it was no surprise that he hit the ground running as he juggled unpacking boxes, meeting with city officials, and tending to the myriad tasks required to effectively lead a school such as LFCDS – one of the most highly regarded Preschool – Grade 8 schools in the nation. Needless to say, Paw Prints was delighted when Mr. Hurd enthusiastically agreed to spare a few moments to answer a few of our “pressing” questions.

7 Paw Prints: What is your favorite memory of school as a child?

Joy Hurd: I remember the first time I read a real,

“big kid” novel from start to finish. The book was Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, and I was in fourth grade. I had already seen the movie many, many times, but the book was so much better!

PP: What was your favorite subject or class?

JH: English (especially grammar)!

“

he energy surrounding T Mr. Hurd’s arrival is palpable as faculty, staff, and families look forward to beginning an exciting new chapter in the Lake Forest Country Day School’s enduring history. ”

PP: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

JH: I wanted to be an architect. My goal was to design

lots of skyscrapers for downtown Cleveland.

PP: Who was your most influential teacher?

JH: Dr. Greg Knittel, my Latin and Greek teacher

in high school

PP: Who is your favorite literary character and why?

JH: My favorite literary character is Ignatius J. Reilly,

the main character of A Confederacy of Dunces. He is a completely ridiculous person who thinks he knows everything but is in fact quite a fool.

PP: Pizza: thin crust or deep dish?

JH: Deep dish PP: What are you currently reading, or who is your favorite author?

JH: My favorite author is Cormac McCarthy.

I especially enjoy his Border Trilogy.

PP: What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

JH: Ben and Jerry’s Cinnamon Bun PP: Kindle or hardcopy book/newspaper?

JH: Hardcopy book, though I do read a lot on my

PP: Early bird or night owl?

JH: Early bird

Kindle these days.

PP: What is the best advice you have received?

JH: Seek first to understand, then to be understood.

PP: Do you have a favorite podcast?

JH: Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History

PP: If you could vacation anywhere, where would it be?

JH: Iceland

PP: Cubs or Sox? JH: The Cleveland Indians!

PP: What is your favorite movie?

JH: My favorite movie is Back to the Future.

PP: What is your favorite piece of technology?

JH: At the moment, my favorite piece of technology is

my Apple AirPods.

PP: What inspires you?

JH: My wife, Emily, inspires me, as do my days working

with teachers and students.

PP: Winter, spring, summer, or fall?

JH: Fall—no contest!

PP: Cat or dog?

JH: Dog PP: Please describe yourself in a tweet.

JH: Committed educator who insists on remaining a

student. Husband, runner, lifelong learner. 6 feet tall (on a good day). “Lego hair.” #boynamedjoy #joytotheworld

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summer 2018

innovation

Showcasing Technology at LFCDS

In recognition of Lake Forest Country Day School’s (LFCDS) dedication to engaging students with innovative technology in order to expand learning across all grade levels, Microsoft has named LFCDS a Microsoft Showcase School. LFCDS is one of only forty schools in the country, one of four schools in Illinois, and the only elementary school to achieve this designation. Microsoft Showcase Schools are a global community of schools engaged in digital transformation to improve teaching and learning. Showcase Schools create immersive and inclusive experiences that inspire lifelong learning, stimulating development of essential life skills so that students are empowered to achieve more.

“At LFCDS, we believe that the appropriate implementation of computer and communication technology into instruction is a vital component of a twenty-first century education,” said Andy Sperling, Head of Upper School.

“We recognize that many of the careers our students will pursue have yet to be created, so our mission is to graduate students with the ability to think critically, work well independently as well as part of a team, and to use technology in pioneering ways to solve problems and communicate effectively. Microsoft technology enables us to achieve these goals.”

To celebrate this important designation, the School invited Leo Rudberg ’08, who is currently working at Google in New York City, to speak with students in Grades 4-8 about his tech journey from LFCDS through college and the job search that ultimately landed him at his current position at

9 Google. After Mr. Rudberg’s question and answer session, attendees toured the Atrium which was filled with studentled exhibits highlighting several of the innovative projects that have been developed at LFCDS. “As a Microsoft Showcase School, we pledge to share ideas and best practices in using Microsoft technology for teaching and learning with educators and schools in our surrounding communities,” said Mr. Sperling. “Our tech talk today is the first of many collaborative opportunities in which LFCDS will engage. We value the partnerships we have with local schools and look forward to continuing to provide the best educational opportunities to area students, teachers, and education administrators.”

Microsoft Showcase Schools exemplify the following: Leadership

• Commitment to providing educational leadership with area public and private schools

School capacity

• Commitment to designing and delivering professional growth to faculty, staff, and area educators

Teaching and learning

• Commitment to structuring curriculum with a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and math

Technical capacity

• Commitment to integrating Windows devices, Office 365, OneNote, and other technologies throughout the school in a one-student-to-one-device format

To view the LFCDS Microsoft Video, please go to https://bit.ly/2ttqlfv To view Leo Rudberg’s Tech Talk, please go to https://bit.ly/2tC74YF

summer 2018

10 LIVING THE MISSION

Why LFCDS? Four New Faculty Members Discuss Their Decision to Teach at LFCDS In April of 2018, Lake Forest Country Day School (LFCDS) was named the Best Private K-8 School on the North Shore by 22nd Century Media. The award was a direct reflection of the partnership between LFCDS families and the faculty and staff in delivering the School’s mission of inspired teaching, academic rigor, attention to individual needs, and a commitment to responsible citizenship. This July, the readers of Make It Better, a website and magazine devoted to connecting the greater Chicago community with businesses and non-profits making a

Rachel Diaz Grade 4 Teacher

positive difference, voted LFCDS the best area Preschool and K-8 School for 2018. With accolades from throughout the North Shore, the School now draws students from more than 35 communities. Interest in LFCDS is booming, so Paw Prints checked in with four faculty members who were new to the School in the 2017-18 academic year. We asked what drew them to teach at LFCDS and what experiences have resonated with each of them as they reflect on their inaugural year at the School. Their insights provide a unique perspective on the question: Why LFCDS? When I think about my first year teaching at Lake Forest Country Day School, I feel such a deep sense of gratitude to work alongside the fourth-grade students in my class.

Undoubtedly, the most meaningful elements of joining this team of dedicated educators are the relationships I have made with families.

On the first day, when I met with the parents of incoming students, I immediately felt the warmth that makes this school such an incredible place to be. Throughout interviews, it was very evident that the family-teacher connection was the backbone of the community, and that has proven to be true on a daily basis. Through getting to know my creative, full-of-life students and their families, whether it’s during Homecoming festivities, preparing for weekly Lower School Community Meetings, or celebrating the School at the annual Auction, I leave each event reflecting on the connections I have made and all of the beautiful little moments that truly make LFCDS a family school.

One memory I will always treasure is watching a student in my classroom begin to fall in love with writing and be excited to share his daily writing with both me and his peers. He would write during any free moment he had and absolutely lit up when discussing his work—this showed me how confident he was in his unique abilities and how safe he felt sharing his newfound passion here at school.

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Greg McDonough

Innovation Center Coordinator and STEM+ Teacher Growing up on the North Shore, I’ve always been aware of Lake Forest Country Day School’s reputation for elite education. I am personally drawn to an emphasis on hands-on, experiential learning and innovative thinking.

These are elements of education that LFCDS does better than any school I’ve seen. While the facilities are undoubtedly second to none, it was the warmth and kindness of the faculty and students during my interview process that cemented my desire to be here.

My first great experience at LFCDS was a week before the start of the school year, and I was preparing the Innovation Center for the students’ return. Several thirdgrade students were in the Green Bay Atrium while their parents worked to set up the Spirit Store. The students ventured into the Innovation Lab, introduced themselves, and welcomed me to the School. I was so impressed by their confidence, their poise, and their kindness. Offering to help me out, they stayed in the Innovation Lab building and exploring. It was inspiring to watch them work and a wonderful preview of LFCDS students in action.

“

Many of my favorite moments teaching this year have been witnessing our students’ passion for learning which is central to the mission LFCDS faculty and staff strive to live each day.”

The excitement I felt in joining LFCDS at that moment has only grown. Many of my favorite moments teaching this year have been witnessing our students’ passion for learning which is central to the mission LFCDS faculty and staff strive to live each day. Whether it’s a weekend with our Upper School students competing at a robotics tournaments with the science team, Lower School students arriving excitedly at 7:30 a.m. to learn to sew with parent volunteers, or students working independently on a project they’re passionate about, I continue to be inspired by the LFCDS community daily.

summer 2018

12 LIVING THE MISSION Mari O’Connell Grade 8 English Teacher

As a Lake Bluff native, I was thrilled when I learned that there was an opportunity to teach at LFCDS. From the start of my interview process, it was evident that LFCDS is continuously committed to exploring how to best blend established teaching methods and the School’s traditions with innovative practices. The positivity that imbued all of my interactions when I visited the campus confirmed that LFCDS would be an engaging, supportive learning environment right in my former “backyard.”

One of the delights of being a part of this community has been discovering all sorts of connections with my colleagues and students. I would have felt welcomed regardless, but the funny, unexpected connections I’ve discovered have made me feel even more at home. For example, over the course of morning rides to school, Glenda Barnwell (Grade 1 teacher) and I discovered that she and my aunt went to high school together, and their kids are good friends! Nancy Watson (School social worker) and her husband are long-time friends of my parents, and one of my eighth-grade students lived on the street where I grew up, just a few blocks down!

However, my favorite aspect of teaching at LFCDS has been the passion for learning and commitment to growth that I see in my students. The middle-school years are inevitably complex, but LFCDS students face challenges with good humor and tenacity, and the results are remarkable. One highlight of this spring included experiencing students taking the lead in my English classroom discussions. Another was helping the eighth graders prepare speeches for the Robbie Bermingham Speaking Competition and “This I Believe,” two separate forums where each child spoke from his or her heart with confidence, wit, and wisdom.

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Steve Robnick

Upper School Science Teacher Two things that initially stood out to me at LFCDS were the quality of the work produced by students in the fine arts classes and our students’ ability to speak. During my interview process at LFCDS, I took every opportunity to talk to the students, whether it was in the hall or during a class I was observing. During those conversations, I was struck by how well the students communicated what they were doing in class, why it was important, and how it fit into the greater scope of their current unit of study.

They did this confidently and articulately. This spring, I attended my first Robbie Bermingham Speaking Contest, and I was blown away by the speeches I heard.

I think it’s safe to say there are plenty of adults who would feel anxious about standing up in front of so many people and talking for five minutes. Our students did just that and spoke with passion and enthusiasm. It was truly impressive.

Every morning I drop off my daughter in Preschool at LFCDS and walk from the Early Childhood Center (ECC) through the Lower School to my classroom in the Upper School. More often than not, I see a piece of artwork displayed that I think must have been done by an eighth grader only to learn a fourth-grade student completed it. I mean, have you heard the band play!? It’s impressive to see the progression in ability from Grade 5 all the way through Grade 8. It’s exciting to know that one day our fifth-grade students will play as well as our current eighth-grade students. On a personal note, one of the most fulfilling parts of working at LFCDS is looking out my classroom window to see my daughter walking by with her Preschool class en route to the Outdoor Classroom or to see her working with Mr. McDonough in the Innovation Lab. It makes me wonder what instrument she’ll play or what topic she’ll choose for her speech. I can’t wait!

summer 2018

14 academic rigor

The Leaders of Tomorrow — Leading Today It has long been the foundation of an LFCDS education to prepare students to confidently and effectively communicate an idea to an audience regardless of size.

Opportunities to speak in front of a group begin in the Early Childhood Center (ECC) as students are invited to share information with their classmates. These important moments continue into Lower School as students present projects, share book

reviews, and play the piano at Community Meeting, which is planned and led by Grade 4 students each week. In Upper School, the Robbie Bermingham Speaking Contest requires each student in Grades 5-8 to research, write, revise, and present a speech on a topic of the student’s choice. While public speaking conjures feelings of dread for many adults, the skill, grace, and conviction with which LFCDS students present their speeches is extraordinarily inspiring.

LFCDS is also well known for weaving cross-curricular educational strands throughout each grade level, thus building an intricate scaffold of skills essential to our students’ success in high school and beyond. This year, many Upper School students had an opportunity to combine their blossoming presentation skills with LFCDS’s burgeoning technology and design-thinking curriculum. Under the guidance of dedicated faculty members, the students devoted many hours outside of the regular school day to develop projects and craft presentations they delivered at a variety of area tech conferences and competitions. We invite you to take a look at a few of the highlights that follow!

“

The art of communication is the language of leadership” – James C. Hume, author and presidential speech writer

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NICE MiniCon

Saturday, January 27, 2018 The Northern Illinois Computing Educators one-day mini-conference (NICE MiniCon) attracted presenters and attendees from throughout the Chicagoland area. The conference provided access to a broad range of professional development, and the majority of attendees were STEM and computing faculty and administrators.

LFCDS Grade 5 students led a well-attended session on how to use Makey Makeys to create video games and controllers. A Makey Makey is an electronic tool that allows students to connect ordinary objects to computer programs via closed-loop electrical signals transmitted to either a computer keyboard or mouse. In their session, the students outlined the design-thinking process and the elements of game design. They defined what comprises a well-balanced game and explained the concept of games as a group of inputs that yield outputs, and noted that if the game designer changes one part of the system, it affects the other system functions.

The second session covered the use of sewing machines— new for the 2017-18 school year — in the LFCDS

Innovation Lab. Grade 6 students taught the session’s attendees how to set up a sewing machine, and took them through the design and production of several projects.

Toward the end of the conference, an adult educator remarked to the LFCDS student leaders, “I can’t wait to show this project to my mom!”

Upper School science teacher Steve Robnick and Innovation Lab Coordinator and STEM+ teacher Greg McDonough were instrumental in helping the students prepare for the conference. “The feedback we received from the teachers who attended our sessions was universally positive,” said Mr. Robnick. “Multiple teachers expressed that our students’ sessions were the highlight of the conference. The students’ poise in demonstrating their expertise was extraordinary.”

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summer 2018

xxx xxx xxx

LFCDS sent three pairs of students to Arlington Heights to the Students Involved with Technology (SIT) Conference, a unique forum run by students for students as a way to demonstrate technological tools and skills about which they are particularly passionate. While faculty were present to help ensure the day ran smoothly, the LFCDS students developed their thirty-minute presentations on their own and delivered them skillfully to groups of peers ranging in age from 8 to 18 years.

SIT Conference

Saturday, February 10, 2018

line. The students explained the Shopify program with which they manage their company online and coached the audience on how they, too, could implement their own internet venture.

Our students from Grade 5 taught a class on Fusion 360, a 3D-modeling software that enables students to design, test, and fabricate projects all in one single tool that works on both Mac and PC machines. The LFCDS students presented samples of their work, demonstrated the software, and then assisted the participants in producing their own creations.

Our third pair of presenters, also in Grade 6, set up innovation stations to recreate “The Makerspace Experience” that they help to manage in the LFCDS Innovation Lab. The presenters guided participants through activities such as making slime, sewing, stamping and making buttons, and building with LED lights, motors, cardboard, and a myriad of other everyday materials. The LFCDS Makerspace is open to students each school day before and after school as well as during lunch periods.

Two budding Grade 6 entrepreneurs who have a clothing company presented “Starting an Internet Business.” They detailed the origins of their company and the research and planning entailed before they were able to launch their

“The sessions our students ran were some of the most successful of the conference,” said Mr. McDonough. “We will likely bring even more presenters to this incredible event next year.”

STEAM Conference — Science | Technology | Engineering | Art | Mathematics

Saturday, May 12, 2018

The STEAM Conference was a collaboration conference between Northeastern Illinois University and Columbia College. The conference provided the opportunity to attend more than forty sessions taught by middle school

and high school students. Participants ranged from families and educators to students in middle school and college professors. LFCDS sent Grade 6 students who presented two ninety-minute classes on “Creating a

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SeaPerch Robotics Competition — Naval Station Great Lakes

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Mark Arthur, science and STEM+ teacher and Chair of the LFCDS Science Department, took a group of more than fifty Grade 6 and Grade 8 students to participate in the SeaPerch Robotics Competition at the Naval Station Great Lakes. Each LFCDS team designed a submersible remotely-operated vehicle (ROV), also known as a SeaPerch.

The project called on the students’ study of buoyancy, fluid mechanics, and electrical circuitry, as well as their understanding of Archimedes’ principle. They built their devices from scratch using materials such as PVC pipe, electrical tape, and pool noodles, and they tested them in a giant inflatable pool set up in Mr. Arthur’s classroom.

Representatives from the United States Navy, area tech and engineering companies, and even the U.S. Congress visited each of the 150 teams in attendance and posed detailed

MakerSpace.” They detailed the process involved in the launch of LFCDS’ program and then demonstrated several projects in order to inspire attendees to create MakerSpaces in their own schools and communities. “It was incredibly impressive to see these students embrace their leadership role,” said Mr. McDonough. “At the end of the day, a teacher from Chicago asked if our students could visit her school to teach this MakerSpace class to their faculty.” He added, “Beyond honing essential communication skills that will serve our students well into adulthood, there is a component of outreach and service to other communities that is inherent in presenting at these conferences. It is an environment in which our LFCDS students thrive.”

questions — often as the students piloted their underwater robots through several challenges that involved navigating obstacle courses or moving objects. It was a situation that required students to remain confident, calm, and articulate under pressure. “Teamwork is key,” said Mr. Arthur.

“I’m really proud of how these students worked together to problem-solve, from the design and building of the SeaPerch all the way through the day of competition when one never knows if things will go according to plan. The creativity, determination, and collaboration our students displayed is what makes projects like this so meaningful.”

The LFCDS teams fared well and earned third place in the Research portion of the competition. The Grade 8 team, which competed in the high school division, placed third in the Obstacle Course and first in the Challenge Course. “The core of this eighth-grade team has competed together in both the LEGO Robotics and the SeaPerch competitions for several years,” said Mr. McDonough, who accompanied the team with Mr. Arthur. “They were at school working on their SeaPerch robot until 8:00 p.m. the first Friday night of spring break, and they had one of the best showings of any team at the competition.”

summer 2018

18 alumni spotlight

taylor gorter ’05 At the retail giant Amazon.com, the company boasts that from day one employees have the opportunity to take ownership of projects. Such a philosophy was “tailor made” for Lake Forest Country Day School alumnus Taylor Gorter ’05.

After graduating from LFCDS, Taylor attended Lake Forest Academy and went on to study finance at The University of Richmond in Virginia. Throughout his college years, Taylor remained focused on securing tangible business experience with companies at the forefront of their respective industries. He held internships at Chicago-based Coyote Logistics and Groupon. During the fall of his senior year, Taylor applied for and received a full-time offer at Amazon.com in Seattle.

For the past five years, Taylor has climbed the ranks within Amazon. After starting in vendor management for the company’s grocery business, he moved quickly through positions in product management and program management in a variety of different areas at Amazon.

Taylor now works within their Prime Video business, where the project he has taken ownership of is the implementation of live sporting events that are broadcast on Amazon Prime. Taylor took a few moments out of his busy schedule this summer to speak with Paw Prints.

Paw Prints: What is your favorite LFCDS memory?

Taylor Gorter: Family-style lunch every day

in the lunchroom

PP: What was your favorite class at LFCDS? TG: History PP: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

TG: I honestly can’t remember — maybe to play

TG: I would say my most memorable teachers were Mr. and Mrs. Bullard, Mr. Genger, Mrs. Edwards, Mr. Baeseman, Mr. Arthur, and Mr. Sperling.

PP: What is the biggest innovation so far in your lifetime?

TG: I think it’s without a doubt the internet. The internet

has already disrupted our day-to-day lives so much (and will continue to do so). In addition, emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning have great potential for even more positive disruption.

PP: What is the best advice you have received?

TG: Learn something about everything, and everything

about something.

PP: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

TG: While I’ve loved living in Seattle for five-plus years,

Chicago is home, and I think there is no better city in the world (for nine months out of the year).

PP: What is your favorite song?

TG: “September” by Earth, Wind, and Fire.

PP: What is your favorite piece of technology?

TG: The “skip intro” button on Netflix.

PP: What inspires you?

TG: The future PP: What advice would you give our current LFCDS students?

TG: They should learn how to code (or at least be familiar

with it). Coding is one area that will continue to have incredibly high demand for the foreseeable future, as it remains such a unique skillset. I think the earlier that students are exposed to coding, the better; they’ll have such a head start over those who are required to begin learning these skills later in life.

PP: What are you reading or listening to?

TG: I love nonfiction and business-related books. My

for the Cubs?

favorite recent reads include Shoe Dog, Bad Blood, and Barbarians at the Gate.

PP: Who were your most memorable LFCDS teachers?

PP: Cubs or Sox? TG: Cubs, hands down!

summer 2018

scientist in residence 19

2018 David Genger Scientist-in-Residence Day: A Virtual Success In 2011, Mark Arthur, Chair of the Science Department, worked in tandem with then Assistant Head of School Bob Bullard, faculty, staff, and parents, to help launch the Scientist-in-Residence Day as a means of honoring David Genger, former Head of Upper School and Chair of the LFCDS Science Department, and his incredible passion for learning and teaching.

The Scientist-in-Residence Day is an annual event established to allow students to directly engage with and learn from some of the world’s premiere scientists. Past Scientists-inResidence include Jim and Jamie Dutcher, founders of Living with Wolves; Sir Iain Douglas-Hamilton, founder of Save the Elephants and one of the world’s foremost experts on African elephants; Dr. George Archibald, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the International Crane Foundation. Guests from the Field Museum of Natural History include Dr. Lance Grande, Head of Collections and Research; Dr. Peter Mackovicky, Head of the Geology Department; Dr. Philipp Heck, curator in charge of the meteorite and physical geology collections; Akiko Shinya, Chief Preparatory of Fossil Vertebrates; Jim Holstein, Collections Manager of Physical Geology, and LFCDS alumni parent Terry Boudreaux (Chris ’07 and Evan ’11), a private meteorite collector with a long history of sharing his finds with the Field Museum of Natural History.

This spring brought about a special opportunity to shift the model, and to outfit the Innovation Center with a set of virtual reality (VR) devices and headsets—twenty in total—which may be used simultaneously. The faculty will now have access to the unique educational advantages of enabling an entire class of students to share a lesson presented in virtual reality. For example, faculty may find engaging VR videos online, go on a guided field trip through Google Expeditions, or create 2D colored pencil art which can then be transformed to be viewable in 360 degrees via VR. The LFCDS community expresses our deepest gratitude and appreciation to Vanessa Genger, the Genger Family, and all those who have helped to make this important event possible.

summer 2018

20 alumni spotlight

Thomas Farrell ’13 Thomas Farrell ’13 has been skating nearly as long as he’s been walking. A hockeyloving kid from a hockey-loving family, Thomas started playing at the age of five and never looked back. He juggled a full load of rigorous classes at both LFCDS and then at Lake Forest High School (LFHS) while he traveled to tournaments over nearly every holiday. His hard work and dedication through the years have been well worth the sacrifice — Thomas is set to play NCAA Division I Hockey for the Army at West Point in the fall of 2018.

He and his family, parents Tom ’78 and Caroline, as well as sister Brooke ’18, credit much of his grit and determination to the years he spent at LFCDS — Preschool through Grade 8. “We are so proud of the person he has become,” says Caroline. “Hard work does pay off, and he is a walking example of that. It really comes down to creating a great foundation for our kids so they can go on in life and overcome obstacles and still stay standing. LFCDS helped build the solid foundation that guides Thomas.”

When Thomas was a junior in high school, the Wilkes Barre Scranton Knights in Pennsylvania contracted Thomas to play for their NAHL junior hockey team, which often required him to divide his weekends by

2017-18 Achievements •W ilkes Barre Scranton Knights Rookie

of the Year

•H ighest-scoring Knights Defenseman

for the season (including both rookie and veteran players)

•N ational 2018 Top Prospects

(the only Knights defenseman)

• 2018 NAHL All-East Division Team • 2018 All NAHL Rookie Team • 2018 East Division All Rookie Team •E astern Division Champions and Final

Four team in the May 2018 National Robertson Cup tournament (first time in the Knights’ franchise history)

21 flying between his Chicago Mission Midgets team and the Knights. After he graduated from LFHS in 2017, Thomas moved to Scranton full time where he took classes at Pennsylvania State University and had an outstanding rookie year with the Knights. In his sixty-eight games played, he scored five goals and twenty-seven assists which garnered thirty-two points for the team.

Said Knights Head Coach Tom Kowal, “Beyond just his talent, Thomas has been a regular starter for us because of his character on and off the ice. He works incredibly hard whether it’s in practice or in a game. He’s constantly setting an example for the rest of the team.”

The decision to head to West Point in the fall felt like a natural fit for Farrell, who said,” Overall, LFCDS taught me from a young age to have respect for both peers and teachers.” Paw Prints caught up with Thomas this summer, and here’s what he had to say.

Paw Prints: What is your favorite LFCDS memory?

Thomas Farrell: There are a lot of good memories

to choose from, but my favorite memory is from our eighth-grade trip to Washington D.C. We walked into the Lincoln Memorial, then turned to look out over the reflecting pool and onto the Washington Monument.

It was a really inspiring moment.

PP: What was your favorite class at LFCDS? TF: Through all of my years at LFCDS, I’d have to say

my favorite class was third-grade with Mr. Moellering.

The fun environment that he created and the enthusiasm he brought to the classroom every day was something that I will never forget.

PP: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

TF: I’ve loved hockey ever since I played my first game

when I was about five years old. Being a professional athlete and a pro hockey player is something I’ve aspired to be for as long as I can remember. Being able to step out onto the ice and look out into stands filled with thousands of fans cheering for you — it would be a feeling that would last a lifetime.

PP: Who were your most memorable LFCDS teachers?

TF: I really connected with a lot of my teachers, but

those who stand out most in my memory would have to be Mrs. Edwards in first grade, Mr. Moellering in third grade, Mr. Scroggins for gym class, and Mrs. Crofts for fifth-grade science.

PP: What is the biggest innovation so far in your lifetime?

TF: I’d say the biggest innovation of my lifetime has got

to be the iPhone and also the use of social media. Social media has gone from something that just didn’t exist to something that we use every single day.

PP: What is the best advice you have received?

TF: One thing that I try to live my life remembering daily

is something Wayne Gretsky said — “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” I believe that you’ll never know if you like something until you try it.

PP: If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

TF: Las Vegas, Nevada. I’d love to play for the

Golden Knights.

PP: What is your favorite song?

TF: “Hotel California” by The Eagles PP: What inspires you?

TF: What inspires me is being rewarded for something

I’ve worked hard to achieve. It makes me want to work even harder.

PP: What advice would you give our current LFCDS students?

TF: Make sure you do your homework,

and don’t get red slips. Those are bad.

PP: What are you reading or listening to?

TF: The Man in The High Castle by

Philip Dick

PP: Cubs or Sox? TF: Fly the W!

summer 2018

22 auction

LFCDS 36th Annual Auction:

The Great Outdoors!

On Saturday, March 3, 2018, Lake Forest Country Day School hosted the 36th LFCDS Auction, The Great Outdoors Auction. Co-Chairs Renee Nocella and Adrienne Winemaster were joined by 330 parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends for an elegant evening under billowing ceiling drapes and café lights.

The “rap heard around the gym” highlighted the finale of the Live Auction as the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, (a.k.a. Head of School Bob Whelan), roused the crowd to “Rise Up” in support of LFCDS. The evening of dinner, dancing, and fundraising was vibrant with camaraderie and spectacular support for LFCDS. The entire community extends its gratitude to Mrs. Nocella and Mrs. Winemaster and their cadre of volunteers from the ECC, LS, and US. Additional thanks to the parents, grandparents, and friends of the school who helped to make the 2018 Auction a success.

Our Gratitude LFCDS Celebrates Head of School Bob Whelan Students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends of LFCDS gathered for a weekend of celebrations honoring Head of School Bob Whelan and the extraordinary impact he has made during his five years at the School.

On the evening of Friday, May 18, the newly renovated Gymnasium provided a festive backdrop for a circusthemed cocktail party. The Honors Chorus sang “Fields of Gold” and alumnus Mason Schilling ’14 spoke eloquently about the ways — both large and small — Mr. Whelan has made a lasting difference in the lives of LFCDS students. Following touching speeches from Board President Dr. Ahmed Farag and division heads Sara Walsh (ECC), Pete Moore (Lower School), and Andy Sperling (Upper School),

Mr. Whelan surprised and delighted guests with a heartfelt performance of “I Will Always Love You,” accompanied by current LFCDS parent Tuey Connell.

On Saturday, the rain held off as families gathered for a BBQ complete with bounce houses and games.

We are grateful to Mr. Whelan for his inspiring leadership, his passionate belief in our extraordinary faculty and staff, and above all, his fulfilled promise to know and love each child at LFCDS.

summer 2018

24 James L. Marks III

Jim Marks: An Extraordinary Educator and Leader Remembered Words by Bob and Sally Bullard and Gay Mitchell

Jim Marks, Lake Forest Country Day School’s fourth and longest serving-headmaster, passed away August 2, 2018, after a courageous battle with melanoma. Taken from us way too early, he began his storied run as Headmaster in 1981 at the age of forty.

Jim grew up in a family of educators; his grandfather was Headmaster at the Kiski School in Saltsburg, Pennsylvania, and his father went on to be the Assistant Headmaster at Kiski years later. Jim graduated from Phillips Academy in 1959 and Princeton University in 1963. That fall, he joined the faculty of The Hotchkiss School, where he was Head of the History Department and later Dean of Faculty. During the 1965-66 academic year, Jim earned his master’s in education from Harvard University. While

relationships endeared him to everyone. People always came first in Jim’s mind and actions, and he put his heart and soul into nurturing joyful and meaningful bonds with people of all ages. His thoughtful and nonjudgmental manner, along with his uncanny ability to “read” people, were reflective of the personality of this “charismatic, classy guy,” as remembered by one former student from her days in Jim’s ninth-grade history class. Another alum remembers “his voice was deep and powerful, but it was

at Hotchkiss, Jim was head JV football coach, varsity ski coach, and varsity golf coach; and in 1964, after dating for seven years, he married the love of his life, Sarah (Sally) Barron Colbaugh.

projected in a comforting and kind way.” A former faculty member noted “that he made coming to school each day a privilege,” as he supported, encouraged, and motivated everyone. Often this was done in Jim’s characteristically light-hearted and teasing manner with a touch of selfdeprecating humor. Notably, he included with faculty and staff contracts a personal note expressing his appreciation for the particular skills and strengths of that colleague. His inspired leadership was reflected in the fact that so many of those he hired had lengthy tenures and made significant contributions to the ongoing success of the School.

Succeeding former Head of School Malcolm Coates, who brought a remarkable level of professionalism to LFCDS, Jim continued to build on Coates’s legacy and infused all areas of the School with his passion and energy. Jim’s youthful enthusiasm, zest for life, gentlemanly manner, and unfailing ability to make connections and build

“

Jim’s youthful enthusiasm, zest for life, gentlemanly manner, and unfailing ability to make connections and build relationships endeared him to everyone.”

25

In addition to his roles as headmaster and teacher, Jim coached varsity football during his first five years. He often provided wise counsel for parents during the process of boarding-school selection and also wrote many recommendations for students. His former assistant, Gay Mitchell, fondly remembers his original poems read at holiday assemblies and the personal bookplates read about each student at graduation, a practice that began with Jim’s support. As recounted by Scott Mitchell, then Head Facilities Manager, Jim was not afraid to roll up his sleeves and help out, as he did when many of us were mopping up hallways and classrooms during a period of severe storms and flooding in the early 1990s.

Under Jim’s leadership, LFCDS gained an even more solid reputation. Locally, Jim collaborated with Gene Hotchkiss, president of Lake Forest College, to found an educational consortium, whereby leaders of all local schools met to discuss important ideas, trends, and common issues.

Jim shared a very special bond with Sister Fran de la Chappelle, the head of Woodlands Academy during the years he served on her Board of Trustees. The Charles E. Leake Award to honor a distinguished faculty member was instituted in 1986, and in 1988, Jim and Sally orchestrated a grand celebration in recognition of the School’s 100th Anniversary. A very fine golfer, Jim also competed numerous times in the Pro-Am Golf Tournament to benefit Children’s Memorial Hospital. His networking and community building extended well beyond LFCDS. Regionally, Jim regularly promoted the participation of LFCDS faculty and administrators in the Independent Schools Association of the Central States, our professional development and accrediting association. Nationally, Jim was a member and served as a president of the Elementary Schools Heads Association.

Jim’s preeminent ability to raise money and significantly increase the School’s endowment was another measure of his success. Sally was right by his side as a valued member of the Development team and worked tirelessly to represent the School in fundraising efforts. In fact,

Jim and Sally brought the first auction to LFCDS in the winter of 1983, an annual event that has become a hallmark tradition and an essential source of funding. As a result of his significant fundraising surrounding the 100th anniversary of the School, the Early Childhood Center was built and named in Jim’s honor.

Upon retiring from LFCDS in 1998, Jim and Sally moved to Dataw Island, South Carolina. To no one’s surprise, they created twenty years of wonderful memories and close friendships. For ten of those years, Jim was a consultant and partner in the search firm, Educators Collaborative.

He was also a member of the Board of Trustees at Beaufort Academy, and he served as a board member for his beloved Coastal Community Foundation.

At the end of the day, Jim will always be remembered for his warmth and genuine interest in people. At his very core, he was a humble man with a keen intuition and a deep understanding of human nature. He possessed many and varied talents and attributes, but none more poignant than his oversized heart. Sally and his children, Sibby and Chris as well as their families, meant the world to him. As was noted in their remembrance of Jim, “he loved nothing more than strumming his guitar, rooting for his beloved Steelers, playing nine holes at dusk, and spending time with his friends and family.” It is with deepest love and affection that we remember Jim Marks and honor his prominent place in the history of Lake Forest Country Day School.

summer 2018

26 in memoriam Peggy Whipple Wright ’40

Emilie S. Welles ’47

Peggy Wright ’40 passed away on January 12, 2018, in Montecito, CA, with family at her side. Raised in Lake Forest, Peggy later graduated from the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT, and attended Vassar College. She is lovingly remembered by her four surviving children, Margaret “Nini” Seaman (Peter) of Carpinteria, CA; Phelps H. Swift, Jr. (Pam) of Wilson, WY; Gordon “Gibby” Wright (Susan) of Cincinnati, OH; and Holly S. Brown (Joel) of Denver, CO. She was predeceased by two beloved children: Lindsay S. Jones and Ramsey Runyan Wright. She is survived by eleven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and her brother, Jay N. Whipple, Jr., of Lake Forest. Peggy and her late husband, Gordon, traveled the globe several times. She is remembered for her incredible zest for life and her great sense of adventure.

Emilie S. Welles ’47 passed away on March 14, 2018, in Concord, MA. Emilie grew up in Lake Forest and attended Vassar College where she remained very involved as a proud alumna and generous donor. Emilie is the beloved mother of Cameron E. Scott of Concord, MA; Mark L. Hofmann (Brandy) of Sedona, AZ; David H. Hofmann of Wellington, FL; and Scott C. Hofmann of Essex, CT. Emilie was extremely kind, loyal, and generous. She was a long-time yoga teacher and a passionate environmentalist and philanthropist. Emilie is also survived by sister-in-law and widow of her brother David ’43, Georgia E. Welles, her cousin, James Welles ’53, six grandchildren, one step-grandson, and three great-grandchildren.

Vernon Armour ’41

Alumna, Jinny Addington ’71 passed away surrounded by friends and her brother on May 10, 2018. A native of Lake Forest, Jinny graduated from Lake Forest College and worked at Kemper Corporation for thirty years. She was a skilled horsewoman in her younger years, and later in life, Jinny’s interest in dog training expanded into teaching obedience. She is survived by her brother, Whitney Wood Addington M.D. ’49, and his wife, Ada; sister in-law Constance Addington II; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

Vernon Armour ’41 died peacefully on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. He was a life-long Lake Forest resident and attended the Bell School followed by middle and high school at St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and later graduated from Yale University. He and his wife Pamela (née Kelley) returned to Chicago, where they began their family and his business career in investment management. Vernon was active in civic life in Chicago and Lake Forest. Throughout his life he was a generous community member, an avid golfer, and an active member and leader of many social and sporting clubs. His generosity, easy-going spirit, warmth, and lifelong friendship are cherished by many and will be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his wife Linda Freeman Armour and siblings Elizabeth Hollins ’36, Lester Jr. ’35, and T. Stanton Armour. He is survived by his children: Linda (George) Kelly ’63 of Houston, TX; Cynthia (Colt) Landreth ’65 of Chicago, IL; Vernon K. ’69 (Miah) of Green Oaks, IL; Gordon F. ’73 (Anne) of New Haven, CT; his first wife and his children’s mother Pamela K. (Roger) Hull of Lake Forest, IL; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Virginia (Jinny) Addington ’71

27 John E. McGovern III ’84

Arden Frederick Baeseman

John, an alumnus and current LFCDS parent, died unexpectedly July 13, 2018, at his home in Lake Forest of a suspected heart condition at the age of 48. John, known affectionately as “Johnny” to close friends and family, was born in Chicago, Illinois. He attended LFCDS before boarding at Deerfield Academy. Johnny graduated with honors from Princeton University. He later earned his J.D. from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law and was admitted to the Illinois Bar. Johnny worked at the highest levels of politics and government and held leadership roles in a number of key federal campaigns.

Arden Frederick Baeseman, father of current Chair of the Fine Arts Department, Music and Chorus Teacher Scott Baeseman and grandfather to Stella L. Baeseman-Smith ’16 and Margaret R.A. Baeseman-Smith ’17. Arden died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 10, 2018. Born in Edgar, Wisconsin, Arden was the youngest of seven children. He married his high-school sweetheart, the late Joan Wagner, and served with the 37th Division National Guards in Wausau, WI, from 1960 to 1963. Later, he took over his father’s business, Edgar Implement, Inc., until its closing. Arden had several hobbies which included collecting and restoring antique toy and International Harvester tractors and raising beef cattle. Arden is survived by his seven children, seventeen grandchildren, and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

Mary Beth Theisen

He was Senior Advisor to U.S. Representative Bob Dold from 2010 - 2012, Campaign Manager for U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk 2000, and Communication Director for Peter Fitzgerald in 1998. After his work with politicians, Johnny managed strategic initiatives in private equity. Outside of his professional career, Johnny was a leader for several civic and charitable organizations. A true Chicagoan, Johnny loved the city, as evidenced by his support of the arts, culture, and community as well as his passionate support for Chicago’s Cubs and Blackhawks. He is survived by his beloved wife of seven years, Wentworth Caldwell McGovern, and their two young boys, Caldwell Armour McGovern ’30 and Watson Greeley McGovern ’32. He is also survived by his mother, Karen Osborne McGovern ’54, of Lake Forest, and his sister, Courtney Osborne McGovern ’87 of Chicago. In addition, he is survived by his in-laws, longtime Nashville natives Wentworth and Barry Caldwell, as well as his three sisters-in-law Ashley Caldwell Levi (Joe), Barry Caldwell, and Liza Caldwell Coleman (Greg), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mary Beth Theisen (née Miller), sister of Assistant to the Head of Upper School Susan Murphy, died July 9, 2018, in Barrington, Illinois. She was the beloved wife of Dennis; daughter of Edmund and Mary (Fay) Miller; mother of Meghan, Nicholas, and Joshua; mother-in-law of Dave Janssen; and sister of Ed, Jeni, Susan, and Jeff. The family encourages all to be like Mary — bake a cake; send a box of treats such as flowers, steaks, or bags of pistachios; adopt a pet; plant a tree; send a thank-you note to someone who was kind to you whether or not you deserved their kindness.

Mary did each of these things — often!

summer 2018

28 in memoriam James Joseph Bertucci

Marjorie Reed

James Joseph Bertucci, brother of former LFCDS teacher and Alumni Parent Mary R. “Mimi” (William C. Jr.) Aiston and uncle to Caitlin Aiston Valloton ’00, Sean M. Aiston ’97, and Kiernan F. Aiston ’92, passed away on December 26, 2017. He is survived by his wife of fortyseven years, Janet, his son and daughter-in-law, James and Cary, and his two grandchildren. He was also the brother of Joan E. (the late Joseph) Zboravan. Born and raised in Lake Forest, Jimmy was a captain in the United States Air Force where he served a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. Upon return, he enrolled in the Notre Dame School of Law, receiving his JD. He was Assistant State’s Attorney in Lake County from 1972 to 1976 after which he entered private practice where he worked until his death. He was known as an honorable man and a respected trial attorney. He enjoyed spending time in Maine and with his family most of all.

Marjorie Reed, Alumni Parent of Ginevra R. Ralph ’62, Keith Reed ’64, Helen S. Reed ’66, Peter S. Reed ’69, and John S. Reed, Jr. ’78, passed away on May 1, 2018.

Marjorie was a resident of Lake Forest at the time of her passing. She attended North Shore Country Day School; and graduated in 1939 from the Baldwin School in Bryn Mawr, PA, where she was a three-sport athlete (field hockey, tennis, and basketball) and recognized as a White Blazer Award winner.

Ethel Mae Pasma Ethel May Pasma, mother to current LFCDS parents Doug and Vicki Pasma, and grandmother to Kaelyn Pasma ’23 and Jessica Pasma ’18, died on March 12, 2018, at the age of 85. She is survived by her husband of sixty-two years, Theodore (Ted) Pasma; her children, Doug (Vicki) Pasma, Steve (Lynda) Pasma, Laurel (the lateTom) Fowler, Rhonda (Doug) Datema, and David (Becky) Pasma; and thirteen grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Gwen and Marcia Elliott; sisters-in-law, Grace Verwys, Lois Pasma, Eunice Raar, and Faith Gauger; and many nieces and nephews.

Eunice “Ruddy” H. Smith Alumni Parent, Eunice “Ruddy” H. Smith died on February 4, 2018, in Lake Forest, IL, at the age of 95.

After graduating from Milton Academy, she attended Bryn Mawr College and graduated from the University of Chicago. In her early 60s, she completed her MBA at Lake Forest College. During WWII, Ruddy was a reporter for the Chicago Tribune, where she covered everything from police and crime activity to civic gatherings. After the war, she met Gordon H. Smith, and they were happily married until he passed away at age 94. They have four children, L. Peter Smith ’62, Susan D. Smith ’64, Catherine H. Smith ’67, and Maud S. Daudon ’69, and eight grandchildren including Charlotte H. Supple ’98 and Lindsay S. Lynch ’94. Ruddy was an active and engaged community volunteer. Her children remember her as independent and courageous with an unflagging sense of humor.

summer 2018

planned giving 29 Planned Giving:

THE APPLETON MASON SOCIETY Lake Forest Country Day School has prepared and inspired generations of students to live lives of character and purpose. Now in its 130th year, Lake Forest Country Day School continues to provide an extraordinary educational experience in a community of devoted students, faculty, and alumni.

Thanks in large part to the prudent foresight and generosity of prior generations, LFCDS is able to continue its tradition of excellence. The Appleton Mason Society celebrates those who have included LFCDS in their future plans. By leaving your own

legacy and making the School an integral part of your estate plans today, you will have a direct and enduring impact on the School and its students in the future.

Build a lasting legacy with a planned gift to LFCDS today by becoming a member of the Appleton Mason Society. The commitments of Society members constitute one of Lake Forest Country Day School’s most valuable assets.

For more information

please contact Sarah Thomas, Director of Development, at sarah.thomas@lfcds.org or (847) 234-2350.

summer 2018

30 graduation

Graduation Class of

2018

The LFCDS Graduation Ceremony is a beautiful reflection on the time students have spent at the School. It is a time to celebrate the bonds students have formed both with their teachers and with each other while looking ahead to life’s next adventure.

Thursday, June 7, was a picture-perfect day for the graduation ceremony which took place in the LFCDS courtyard. Opening remarks from Head of School Bob Whelan, the traditional reading of bookplates for each graduating student, speeches by Leo Anderson and Naomi Fleisch, and closing words by Head of Upper School Andy Sperling all reinforced the strong sense of community that surrounded the Class of 2018. Board Chair Dr. Ahmed Farag presented the annual Bondy

Hodgkins Award to LFCDS parent volunteers Stephanie Andrea, Peg Vignocchi, and Rachel Osborne for their outstanding service to the School community.

From everyone at LFCDS, we wish the Class of 2018 the best of luck as they continue to prosper as young adults of strong character who will make a positive impact in the communities where they study, live, and work in the years to come.

Lake Forest Country Day School

Award Recipients

31

The Mary E. Ballard Community Service Award

This award is named in loving memory of Mary Ballard, a former LFCDS teacher, mother, and tireless volunteer.

Through the generosity of those close to Mary, the Community Service Award recipient receives $500 intended not for him or her, but rather to be donated to an organization of the recipient’s choosing. For Mary, the real gift was not in receiving but in giving. The intent of this presentation is to honor a student who, like Mary, acted above and beyond what was required by the community service program. The recipient must demonstrate leadership and a commitment to serve others with respect and compassion.

Mimi Osborne

Class of 2018 High

Emma Sturgeon

School Destinations

Francesco Accogli Lake Forest High School Leo Anderson Lake Forest High School Maggie Andrea Sage Hill School Ricky Ascroft Lake Forest Academy Sydnie Blumenau Woodlands Academy Mia Bronstein Francis W. Parker School Emily Callahan Lake Forest Academy Hanna Cobin Lake Forest Academy Katharine Danaher The Hotchkiss School Sofia Falls Lake Forest High School Isabella Farag Lake Forest Academy Brooke Farrell Lake Forest Academy Genevieve Farrell Lake Forest High School Maxwell Fleisch St. Luke’s School Naomi Fleisch Choate Rosemary Hall Marie Giambrone Carmel High School Arianna Griffiths Lake Forest Academy Amelia Jansing Westminster School Zachary Kaplan Lake Forest High School Connor Keene-Gefvert Wayland Academy Benjamin Kelliher The Thacher School

Akhil Kommala Lake Forest Academy Beatrix Leffingwell Lake Forest Academy William Meyer Lake Forest High School Emily Newman New Hampton School Amelia Osborne Lake Forest Academy Jessica Pasma Loyola Academy Olivia Perry Lake Forest Academy Will Pfeifle Lake Forest High School Natalie Putzel Lake Forest Academy Paige Roby Lake Forest High School Grayson Salata Lake Forest High School Simone Sawyer Stevenson High School William Smith Loyola Academy Darina Sokolova Lake Forest Academy Emma Sturgeon Stevenson High School Alexandra Sugrue Lake Forest High School William Terlato Lake Forest Academy Theodore Vignocchi Loyola Academy Nathan Woldenberg Rochelle Zell Jewish High School Allison Woldenberg Highland Park High School

Lake summer Forest Country Day School 2018

32 graduation Award Recipients The Allen C. Bell Scholarship Award

This award is given in appreciation of the high standards of academic achievement established by Allen C. Bell, Headmaster of the Bell School until 1955. The award honors a graduating eighth grader who has achieved excellence in academic scholarship. Students’ academic records in grades seven and eight are compared and evaluated to determine the recipient. This award remains the highest academic honor given at LFCDS.

The Davies Music Prize

This award was established in 1967 by Mr. and Mrs. William B. Davies, whose daughters Robin, Pam, and Barlee contributed significantly to the musical life of Lake Forest Country Day School. The recipients are nominated by the Music Department, and this year’s prize was awarded to two students who display, along with innate musical abilities, a spirit of enthusiasm and loyalty.

Leo Anderson Akhil Kommala

The Faculty Merit Award

This prize is awarded annually by the director of the Drama Department to the graduate(s) who demonstrates through his or her efforts, the outstanding characteristics of the Bell’s interest in, and support of, the dramatic arts.

This award is presented annually to one or more members of the eighth-grade graduating class in recognition of students’ determination “to strive, to seek, to find.” This award originally listed scholarship and sportsmanship as criteria and is considered the highest honor at LFCDS. Recipients have shown themselves to be outstanding in the areas of leadership, service to the school, and citizenship while exhibiting admirable personal qualities.

The Entire Grade 8 Class

Ricky Ascroft

The Timothy F. Briggs Sportsmanship Award

The Kevin D. Gorter Award

Marie Giambrone Simone Sawyer

Leo Anderson Genevieve Farrell Arianna Griffiths

Kate Danaher

The Alexander C. Bell Drama Prize

This award began in 1957 and honors an eighth-grade student who possesses a skill in or a devotion to sports, especially conduct becoming to a sportsman, involving honest rivalry and graceful acceptance of results. This award is currently given to a graduate who has consistently displayed on and off the playing field athletic ability, leadership and conduct becoming a sportsman.

Ben Kelliher Cutler Terlato

Naomi Fleisch

This award was established in 1988 by Kevin’s classmates and friends in memory of him. The recipient of this award exhibits the personal qualities of the honoree and is chosen by the Upper School faculty. The prize is considered an exceptional honor and is awarded annually to the graduate whose concern for others and sincere, enthusiastic participation in all parts of the School elevate the spirit, tone, cooperation, and involvement of the LFCDS community.

33 The Fred J. Hahn Mathematics Award

This award was established in 1995 as a tribute to the legendary Fred Hahn who served as both a math teacher and the Math Department Chair during his twenty-eight year tenure at LFCDS. Mr. Hahn was an outstanding mentor to his peers within the department and was known for his generous spirit. He helped students better themselves and succeed beyond what they thought was possible. In recognition of these attributes, this prize is presented annually to a graduating student who has demonstrated excellence in mathematics consistently throughout the Upper School years.

Ben Kelliher

Akhil Kommala

The Henry Art Prize

This prize was first presented in 1967 by Mr. and Mrs. C. Wolcott Henry as a means of fostering the interest of Lake Forest Country Day students in art. The teachers of the Visual Art Department nominate the recipient, and the prize is awarded annually to a graduate who has demonstrated a particularly strong ability in art.

Hanna Cobin

Stuart Family Scholarship

This award was established to recognize outstanding effort and achievement in written and verbal communications.

Bia Leffingwell—English Sofia Falls—World Language (French) Natalie Putzel—World Language (Mandarin) Paige Roby—World Language (Spanish)

Class of 2014

College Destinations Mr. Preston Anderson ’14 Bowdoin College Miss Grayson H. Brown ’14 American University in Paris Mr. Jonathan R. Browne ’14 Tulane University Mr. Paul C. Daniel II ’14 Universtiy of Illinois Mr. Aidan T. Dee ’14 Furman University Miss Rebecca F. Dee ’14 Wake Forest Universtiy Mr. Wesley M. Dixon ’14 St. Lawrence University Miss Aryana Farimani ’14 Marquette University Miss Victoria P. Giambrone ’14 Miami University Miss Chapin E. Grumhaus ’14 Lawrence University Mr. William A. Hanson ’14 University of Alabama Mr. Ian R. Haupt ’14 Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Mr. Maximillian Hayes ’14 Pepperdine University Mr. Jared Hedlund ’14 Lawrence Technological University Miss Anne Hennessy ’14 Colorado College Mr. Justin F. Hone ’14 Bucknell University Miss Heather M. Knobel ’14 Colgate University Miss Alexandra B. Kolb ’14 University of Illnois Mr. David A. Krivoshik ’14 Washington University in St. Louis Mr. John K. Lee ’14 University of California, San Diego Mr. Shane M. Lynch ’14 University of Missouri Miss Olivia Maggos ’14 Universtiy of Michigan Miss Stacia S. McBreen ’14 Tulane University Mr. Michael A. Mesrobian ’14 Elon University Mr. James B. Pepper ’14 University of Northwestern Ohio Miss Saphie A. Potts ’14 University of Colorado Boulder Miss Lydia Puryear ’14 University of South Carolina Mr. James J. Reid-Anderson ’14 University of St. Andrews Mr. Matthew B. Rozsypal ’14 University of Dayton Mr. Mason Schilling ’14 Duke University Mr. Adam M. Steinwold ’14 Gap Year Mr. Ian J. Strudwick ’14 Bowdoin College Miss Sarah M. Tobin ’14 Bucknell University Miss Alissa A. Tomanek ’14 University of Illnois Mr. Lowell S. Weil III ’14 Duke University Mr. Alec H. Wilson ’14 Colby College

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34 bondy hodgkins

Bondy Hodgkins Award Established in 1985, the award recognizes Mrs. Hodgkins’ remarkable commitment to volunteer service as a parent of LFCDS, including 13 years on the Board of Trustees, the last four of what she served as President.

A strong sense of parent involvement is a hallmark of our School, and we take great pride in celebrating the time as well as energy our parents dedicate each year to make so much possible for our students and teachers.

It is with enduring gratitude that all of us at LFCDS congratulate our 2018 Bondy Hodgkins award winners, Stephanie Andrea, Rachel Osborne, and Peg Vignocchi.

Stephanie Andrea has embraced every aspect of volunteerism at the School.

Her roles have included serving as a Room Parent, Auction Chair, energetic Parent Association member, and helpful Annual Fund Class Agent.

What distinguishes her legacy of service at LFCDS is the deep loyalty, inclusiveness, enthusiasm, charisma, and creativity that she places into all her volunteer efforts.

As an integral part of the volunteer network, Rachel Osborne has undertaken a broad range of volunteer roles including Book Fair Chair, Room Parent, Auction Chair, Parent Association volunteer, Annual Fund Agent, and Co-Chair of the 125th Anniversary Event. Her keen organizational skills, attention to detail, and willingness to consistently go the extra mile have created a myriad of opportunities for our faculty, staff, students, and families.

Similarly, Peg Vignocchi has immersed herself in nearly every aspect of the School over the past decade. She has organized LEGO robotics events, participated in the Annual Fund, served as a Room Parent, chaired the Auction, and partnered with many others on countless faculty and staff projects along the way. Her impeccable leadership; upbeat, positive nature; and huge heart, combined with her strong business sense and engineering background, have made a lasting impression on our school.

PAST WINNERS OF THE bondy hodgkins award 2017 Bill Collins, Marianne & Jeff Silver,

Yvonne Steinwold 2016 Krista Hanson, Diane Potts 2015 Rebecca Graf, Wendy Weil 2014 David Grumhaus ’81, Susan Krivoshik 2013 Kristen Mills, Patrice Wetzel 2012 Anne Reyes 2011 Susan & Kenny Bozorgi, Joan & Kevin Shannahan 2010 Coni Carfagno, Sarah & Chuck Lamphere 2009 Nancy Clemens, Katie Hale, Lynn Taylor 2008 Ellory Peck, Betsy Rosenfield 2007 Debbie Terlato 2006 Lisa Zenni, Sonya Wolsey-Paige 2005 Lauren Gorter, Molly South 2004 Mary Ballard 2003 Lisa Ireland 2002 Mimi & Bob Murley 2001 Carole Sandner 2000 Jane Eberly 1999 Sharon Weiss 1998 Consie Pierrepont 1997 Jill Caldcleugh, Prue Beidler 1996 Connie Nagle 1995 Jamee Field, Anne Lerner 1994 Susan Pitt 1993 Wendy Hicks, Hope Ehrman 1992 Anthony & Maureen Culicchia, Lyn Andress 1991 Catherine Denckla, Kathleen McAllister, Carolyn Tocks 1990 Emily Battle, Jane O’Neil 1988 Darcy Donald 1987 Dianne FitzSimons 1986 Lucia Prochnow 1985 Bondy Hodgkins

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Teacher Awards 35

Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award The Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award celebrates two teachers annually “who have demonstrated exceptional creativity using their abilities to help and nurture children.”

Yvonne Banks was a beloved teacher and a parent at LFCDS. The family of Yvonne Banks originally created the award in 1992 to honor the compassion and support her children received from their teachers at our school during Yvonne’s illness.

Each year, parents and students nominate teachers to be considered for this award. Participation in the nomination process has always been a wonderful way to express appreciation for all the extra help and compassion our teachers give to their students. This year’s winners were very deserving of this honor.

2018 Winners Kevin Nicholson Greg McDonough

Yvonne Banks Caring Teacher Award Recipients from the past five years include the following:

2017 2016 2015 2014 2013

Kelly Brockway and Nancy Clifford Paul Hedlund and Paul Moellering Jen Baurer and Jennifer Lydigsen Scott Baeseman and Abby Reed Kirsten Anderson and Glenda Barnwell

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HEADline Giving here at LFCDS 36 annual

Thank you!

What is the Annual Giving Fund?

Annual Giving is the cornerstone of all fundraising activities at the School. LFCDS relies on gifts to the Fund to maintain its excellence year after year. The Fund refers to tax-deductible gifts collected during the fiscal year, beginning on July 1 and ending on June 30. Specifically, contributions to the Fund allow LFCDS to do the following: Retain and hire talented faculty members Ensure a low student-to-teacher ratio • Provide cutting-edge technology in the classroom • Maintain state-of-the-art infrastructure • Fund professional development opportunities for faculty and staff • Support the School’s athletics, arts, and music programs • •

Why Give?

Gifts to the Annual Giving Fund are of vital importance to our school as they help secure the margin of excellence that makes the LFCDS experience so extraordinary. Since tuition only covers eighty percent of the cost of educating our students, donations to the Fund bridge the gap between revenue and operating costs. Ultimately, the students and faculty are the primary beneficiaries of gifts to the Annual Fund. Participation with a gift of any size allows LFCDS to attract the support from foundations and corporations and has a direct and immediate impact on our people and programs.

How Do I Give?

For more information on giving, please contact Sarah Thomas at sarah.thomas@lfcds.org or (847) 234-2350. Gifts can be made online at www.lfcds.org/giving, via the envelope included in this magazine, or check mailed to Lake Forest Country Day School to the attention of the Annual Giving Fund.

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Core Values: Excellence Partnership Responsibility Participation Diversity

STEM + 37

Lake Forest Country Day School 145 South Green Bay Road Lake Forest, Illinois 60045 (847) 234-2350 | www.lfcds.org

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save the date Tuesday, September 25

Special Speaker Series, 10:00 a.m.

Dr. Tina Payne Bryson

Wednesday, October 3

Boarding School Fair, 6:30 p.m.

Friday, October 12 & Saturday, October 13

Thursday, October 23

Homecoming & Reunion Weekend

Special Speaker Series, 10:00 a.m.

Dr. Eboo Patel

Thursday, October 18

Tuesday, November 14

Admission Open House 9:00 a.m.

Admission Open House, 9:00 a.m.

Friday, December 21

Parent & Family Visiting Day