Among Friends Spring 2021

AMONG FRIENDS Spring 2021

Under 30

Young Alumni Letting Their Lives Speak

Mission Statement Moorestown Friends School is a community rooted in Quaker values and dedicated to the pursuit of educational excellence for a diverse student body within an academically rigorous and balanced program emphasizing personal, ethical, and spiritual growth.

Fall 1987, revised May 2011

Contents

Spring 2021

From the Head of School

2

Notes from Pages Lane

4

Published By The Development Office

MFS Hosts Virtual Quaker Model UN

6

Editor, Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Schlotterbeck

Fox Tracks

7

Remembering Alan Craig

8

Honoring Retirees

10

Virtual Career Day

12

Head of School Julia de la Torre

College During COVID

14

Director of Development Stephen Zakroff

Janice Johnston ‘88 Named 20/20 Executive Producer

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Associate Director of Development Beth Stouffer

30 Under 30

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Virtual Alumni Gatherings

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Class Notes

36

In Memoriam

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MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL 110 East Main Street Moorestown, NJ 08057 (856) 235-2900, www.mfriends.org

Graphic Design Alison Judah ’86, Hypno Design Photography Julia Applegate ‘10, Mike Schlotterbeck, and alumni, student, and parent contributors

Assistant Director of Community Outreach Julia Applegate ’10 Director of Annual Giving Sonia Mixter Guzman ’02 Development Office Staff Roberta Fenska and Sue Giacchetto Marketing and Communications Intern Katie Kasperson ‘17

Moorestown Friends School admits students without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, or sexual orientation.

All photos are identified from left to right unless otherwise indicated.

Printed on recycled paper.

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Message from the Head of School

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Spring 2021

Message from the Head of School

Dear Friends, This pandemic year has brought with it many silver linings for me, one of which has been the opportunity to meet hundreds of alumni from around the country, all from the comfort of a Zoom room. As we pass the one-year mark of COVID-19 entering our lives, I look back at the MFS friends I have met this year from across the generations. No matter the graduation year, every conversation I have had with alumni comes back to an influential or memorable teacher, someone who opened up possibilities and new worldviews and encouraged their students to push beyond what seemed possible.

As you enjoy this issue of Among Friends, I invite you to read the inspirational stories of our “30 Under 30,” alumni roughly aged 30 and younger, from the Classes of 2008 to 2017, many of whom can trace their success and life’s work back to an MFS teacher who sparked in them a desire to make the world better. MFS educators have had an undeniable impact on so many lives, and it’s their commitment to the growth and development of young people that makes MFS the special place that it is.

Conducting school during a pandemic has challenged our faculty to think and work in creative ways this year, but the core of every MFS classroom experience continues to be the relationships nurtured between students and their teachers. Whether working with students online or in person, the faculty have found innovative ways to help students feel connected to their community, safe to explore new ideas, and supported to continue their learning despite the circumstances. This school year has moved us well beyond surviving to truly thriving in a different kind of environment – one that celebrates the spirit of connection and innovation.

Technology has allowed our teachers to immerse students in real-world learning that extends far beyond the classroom walls.

Seventh graders are studying climate change and food systems from an interdisciplinary perspective by speaking with experts from around the globe and hosting an online climate symposium. Upper-level French students are participating in Talk Abroad, a platform that allows them to communicate with native speakers about topics of interest on a weekly basis. An Upper School English seminar on immigration encouraged students to use the video-messaging tool Loom to conduct interviews with family and friends towards a goal of sharing and preserving stories across generations. Fourth graders practiced their leadership skills by leading a virtual assembly for first, second and third graders, complete with a scavenger hunt, a Kahoot game, and a read-aloud story, fostering a division-wide sense of community.

Now more than ever, relationships between students and teachers matter, especially as we all experience a sense of isolation during these unusual times. I have been inspired by the creativity and commitment our faculty have shown as they not only strengthen their sense of classroom community, but link students with peers around the world. At a time when so many are missing out on precious school moments, MFS teachers and students are designing new learning opportunities that will surely open up unique pathways to generations of future alumni.

Together we celebrate our talented faculty. I encourage you to consider which teachers and memories remain with you these many years later. Take a moment for silent gratitude or perhaps reach out to thank them directly. As a life-long educator, I can assure you that there is nothing better than hearing from your students, no matter how much time has passed.

Warmly,

Julia de la Torre Head of School

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March 19

Notes from Pages Lane This section of Among Friends takes its name from Pages Lane, the road that bisected the Moorestown Friends School campus prior to the construction of Stokes Hall in 1986.

Student performers were their talented on-stage best as the Theatre Department adjusted to current times and provided streaming broadcasts of the Upper School musical The Little Mermaid, Jr.

March 12

The annual Pi Day celebration was hosted by the Math Department without the usual homemade pies donated by students, families, and faculty. However, Tastykake came to the rescue by providing discounted assorted pies to ensure that this annual MFS tradition was sustained in 2021.

February 17

Throughout the pandemic, Matthew Will ’25 turned to piano as both a method of relaxation and a new skill to be learned while at home. Matthew was asked to play the piano as part of the youth showcase for the Black History Month series hosted by the Salvation Army Kroc Center.

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March 4

Class of 2021 parents provided individually packaged treats for soon-to-be-graduates.

February 11

The Upper School Service Committee and Operation Smile Club hosted a minimal-contact Food Drive with 120 grocery bags donated to the Jewish Federation’s Jewish Family and Children’s Services (JFCS) food pantry and over 50 household items donated to Operation Smile.

Spring 2021

December 12

January 15

Students made crowns and Lower School Librarian Ruth Malwitz read 2021 Caldecott Medal winner We Are Water Protectors to second graders as part of World Read Aloud Day.

This winter, Liam Jesunas ’34 and Madi Hughes ’21 represented MFS in the 2020 US Chess/ChessKid K-12 Showdown, the virtual replacement for the canceled National K-12 Grade Championships.

Over 2,800 players entered the event, representing almost every state, making it the largest Grade National Championship ever. Liam finished undefeated in his bracket and Madi finished in the top 25 of her bracket.

January 13 The fourth grade led a virtual assembly for the first, second, and third grades, which included a scavenger hunt, an art project, a read-aloud of I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde. As the elders of the Lower School the fourth graders looked for opportunities to demonstrate their leadership skills. As leaders, these students were excited to have an active role in fostering community.

November 24

A modified Thanksgiving Happening took place in person and virtually. While grades did not mix this year, Lower School classrooms and Middle and Upper School advisories still celebrated this uniquely MFS tradition.

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Students Find Ways to Grow MFS Quaker Model UN Conference During Pandemic The Quaker Model United Nations Conference III (QMUNC III) took place virtually on November 2022, hosted by Moorestown Friends School. The keynote speaker was Megan Schmidt, Quaker U.N. representative at the Quaker United Nations Office in New York. The concept of a Model United Nations conference based on the Quaker testimonies was the brainchild of Anna Goula ’18. Although the topics have changed from year to year, each QMUNC committee is based around one of the SPICES: simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship. This year’s topics included the Korean War, post-World War I reparations, black market organ trafficking, the Venezuelan humanitarian crisis, gender-based violence in refugee camps, and the 2015 Paris Climate Accords. Combined with traditional Model United Nations procedures, QMUNC allows delegates to consider, discuss, and debate world issues with Quaker values in mind.

When Kayla Patel ’21 (pictured above left) and Christine Chandran ’21 decided to design and plan the third iteration early in 2020, they had no way of knowing that a pandemic would change everything.

Change, it did. “Once the pandemic started, we started thinking about how the conference could take place virtually,” said Christine. “We did some practice runs, working with MFS Summer Programs students to help figure out how we could plan a MUN conference virtually.”

The dilemmas they faced, and eventually solved, included things like how to adapt parliamentary procedure to the virtual space, how to provide communications tools for delegates to conduct meetings and conversations, and much more. “We wanted to incorporate a worldwide community,” said Christine.

“But, there is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes.”

The secretaries-general spent hours on phone calls and email exchanges with students and faculty from other Friends schools, some of whom had no familiarity with how Model UN conferences worked. “We had delegates and schools participate whom we never had met or communicated with before,” said Kayla. “There were times when we were trying to explain what Model UN was to teachers and they mistakenly thought we were fellow teachers.”

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Where Is She Now? QMUNC Founder Anna Goula ’18 Anna Goula is currently a junior at Hamilton College studying philosophy and world politics. She is President of Hamilton United Nations. Anna returned to the Clinton, NY campus this spring after spending time remotely in Washington state during the pandemic.

“Even with the pandemic, my classes remain rigorous and engaging.” Anna reports. “I test for COVID three times a week along with the Hamilton community to maintain a healthy on-campus bubble. While the pandemic changed my college experience in ways that I could have never imagined, I am so grateful for the resources and infrastructure that Hamilton College has been able to provide.”

She has followed her young QMUNC successors as they carry on the legacy of QMUNC. “MFS has always fostered an environment which encourages students to face challenges head on and lead with grace and dignity,” reflected Anna. “Christine Chandran and Kayla Patel, along with the other leaders involved in QMUNC III, demonstrate what MFS students are capable of when faced with adversity. Not only were students able to successfully plan and run a fully remote conference during the pandemic, but they also showed what the power of community can provide in a time of uncertainty.”

They created a virtual conference with international participants from Lebanon and Costa Rica and doubled the number of delegates and schools from previous conferences.

“Once we started realizing the power of a virtual conference, we began to bring in schools from beyond the Philadelphia area, across the U.S., and even some international schools,” said Kayla.

Over 100 students spent three days participating in the event.

As restrictions on gatherings loosen, the two are anxious to see how QMUNC student leaders approach future conferences.

“Even as in-person learning and events come back, it may not be feasible for schools to travel,” said Kayla. “We can now operate in the in-person and virtual spheres.”

Spring 2021

Fox Tracks 1 Defender Evan Schlotterbeck ’21 was selected by the United Soccer Coaches to the 2020 All-East Region (Region II) team. He is the first player in program history to receive regional All-American honors. He was one of three South Jersey representatives on the team, which is composed of 28 players – 14 from New Jersey and 14 from Pennsylvania. Evan was a two-year captain and a member of two NJSIAA Non-Public B South championship teams (in 2017 and 2019). Evan was also named First Team All-South Jersey by the Courier-Post and Burlington County Times. He will continue his soccer career at Muhlenberg College.

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The Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming teams were able to participate in several virtual swim meets during the 2021 season. The Foxes swam their races at their home pool at the Kroc Center in Camden while opponents did the same at their home pools.

Coaches exchanged times to score the meets.

2 Two-time All-American Allison Fenska ’21 broke three MFS Girls’ Swimming program records in the 200 freestyle (1:52.91), 100 backstroke (57.34), and 100 freestyle (52.98). She will continue her swimming career at Ohio State University.

3 Peter Xia ’22 broke the MFS Boys’ Swimming record in the 100 backstroke (55.56) and 100 butterfly (55.24).

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4 Thanks to many safety measures and mitigation strategies, most MFS student-athletes were able to train or compete during the 2020-21 school year, with dedicated support provided to coaches and teams by Certified Athletic Trainer Kevin Cauley.

Fall Middle and Upper School teams competed against only South Jersey opponents. Interstate competition was prohibited due to the pandemic. Winter sports were limited to training and intrasquad competitions for Upper School teams only.

The swimming teams were able to compete in virtual meets (see above).

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Spring sports began for Middle and Upper School studentathletes on April 7.

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Remembering Former Headmaster Alan Craig This message is adapted from an email message sent by Head of School Julia de la Torre to the MFS community on March 16.

I am very sad to report that Alan Craig, Headmaster at MFS from 1990-2001, passed away on Monday, March 15. Alan had recently moved back to the area with his wife Mary (a former MFS fifth grade teacher) and was living at the Evergreens in Moorestown. I was fortunate enough to meet and spend time with both Alan and Mary when I first arrived almost three years ago. I am thankful to have had Alan’s first-person perspective on a Moorestown Friends School era that saw tremendous positive growth and change. Not lost on me during our conversations was the joy and love he experienced interacting with students, young and old, which he clearly missed. That love was evident in a farewell message he shared with the community upon his retirement in 2001. Alan wrote: “...I will miss much of what filled the days: the hard work that led to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction, the human interaction that made the work less burdensome, and mostly, the pleasure of seeing a project come to fruition, especially when that ‘project’ was a confident, articulate, and accomplished student crossing the Oval at Commencement.”

When Alan took over, he was the fourth Head in six years.

He provided stability for the school at a time it was desperately needed. Fred Moriuchi ’65 was Clerk of the School Committee when Alan was appointed after spending 18 years in various roles, concluding with Associate Headmaster at Friends Academy in Locust Valley, NY. Fred reflected: “This is an emotional time for my wife Caroline (Brunt Moriuchi ’66) and me. We have known Mary and Alan Craig for 31 years since MFS was lucky to attract them to our struggling institution. I can easily say, without their total effort, the MFS as we all are proud of now would not be here. Alan Craig’s educational philosophy and leadership focused the MFS School Committee, faculty and staff on the needs of the students to reach their full potential. Alan’s enthusiastic personality, and educational and administrative expertise, led a

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floundering school to establish a strong base to move forward.

He was able to enjoy those changes before he retired and then watched with pride as MFS has advanced. He will be greatly missed.”

Enrollment grew from a low of 482 in 1991 to 652 when Alan departed, with the Preschool program added in 1993. He prioritized a physical beautification and transformation of the campus that was headlined by the opening of the Dining Hall Commons in 1997, renovation of computer labs, and fundraising for the Field House and Arts Center which eventually opened in 2002. Alan led the establishment of the Endowment for Faculty Support, and expanded the Chester Reagan Chair to include not only a coordinator for Upper School but an additional coordinator for Lower and Middle School to be more intentional about making Quaker values an even more integral part of student life.

Then-School Committee Clerk Tom Zemaitis summarized Alan’s tenure quite well in 2001 with these words: “Those of us associated with the school before Alan’s arrival know that much positive change has taken place, but we’ve seen that change occur gradually. To alumni and others who return for a campus visit after years of absence, however, the dramatic impact of Alan’s leadership is quite evident. Whatever your perspective, I’m sure you will agree that Alan has set us on a positive, progressive course and leaves MFS a much stronger institution than when he arrived.”

Larry Van Meter ’68 succeeded Alan as Head of School in 2001 and cites the steadying force Alan provided as the school entered a new millennium, while also being very appreciative of how well-positioned the school was as he assumed leadership: “Alan came to MFS when there had been a lot of leadership turnover and the school was in many ways adrift. I was on the School Committee early in his tenure, and I was impressed by his clear-eyed view of the school’s challenges and his confidence in tackling those challenges. MFS grew and prospered under his leadership, and his affection for the school only grew during his long and successful tenure as Head. He left me a proud, strong, and stable school.”

Spring 2021

Remember Former Headmaster Alan Craig

Current School Committee Clerk Barbara Rose Caldwell served in multiple roles under Alan and reflected on his lasting legacy at the school from her perspective as board chair: “Alan Craig arrived at Moorestown Friends School 30 years ago at a critical moment in the school’s life. After several years of leadership changes, MFS needed a combination of stability, vision, and boldness that is hard to find. Alan was the right person at the right time. He provided leadership that moved the school forward and at the same time preserved its traditions.

He oversaw the beautification and upgrade of the campus and its buildings and the construction of the Dining Hall Commons, a transformational space that remains a central part of school life. He hired with an instinctive sense of who was right for MFS and brought key administrators, teachers, and staff to the school – including some who still work here. Often looking beyond the obvious choice, he had an eye for talent. He was also a lot of fun – his Christmas parties are legendary – and a good friend.

His love for his wife Mary was always on view and she became an integral part of the community, too. Alan’s successors Larry Van Meter and now Julia de la Torre have built and are building on Alan’s legacy.”

While it is a sad time in our community, I invite you to celebrate the impact that Alan Craig had on hundreds of young people who are now leaders, professionals, volunteers, parents, and much more – near and far. His legacy is forever etched in Moorestown Friends School history.

School leaders recognize that they are merely temporary stewards of an institution at a moment in time, and that their impact may not be felt for years to come. There is no doubt that Alan Craig was the right person at the right time for Moorestown Friends School. Alan embraced the challenges facing the school and took great pride in MFS, seeing clear possibilities for its future. As I walk the grounds of our beautiful campus, I am grateful for the choices Alan made during his time here.

Spring 2021

Alan R. Craig’s obituary can be found at www.yasikfuneralhomes.com. Alan is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Mary Craig; his sons David (Kristin) of Granby, CO, and Ian (Holly) of New Orleans, LA; and his grandchildren Bailey, Holden, Cooper, Millie, and Maia. A celebration of Alan’s life will be announced in the future.

Memorial contributions may be made to Moorestown Friends School, 110 E. Main Street, Moorestown, NJ 08057 or www.mfriends.org/alanrcraig.

His belief in MFS has had a direct impact on the thousands of students and families who continue to benefit from the school he loved. He will be missed by many, but his legacy continues to live on at our school today.

I know you will join me in holding Alan’s wife, Mary, and his children, Ian and David, in the Light. We will share any information about services in celebration of Alan’s life as they become available.

Sincerely,

Julia de la Torre

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Honoring Retirees The end of the 2020-21 school year will see three long-tenured employees retire from Moorestown Friends School: Larry Brandimarto Larry Brandimarto will complete a 30-year run as the school’s Director of Physical Facilities. In 1991, he was hired by and worked closely with then Headmaster Alan Craig, who made it a priority to transform and improve the physical appearance of the campus.

Many upgrades and beautification projects took place which were bolstered by the opening of the Dining Hall Commons in 1997. The campus transformation continued during the tenure of Head of School Larry Van Meter (2001-18). The Baiada Field House and Arts Center (2002) opened and a complete renovation of the Diller Memorial Library (2003) took place. In 2008, the school purchased the former Greenleaf Retirement facility to allow for a westward expansion which now includes Hartman Hall and Van Meter Hall.

Said Head of School Julia de la Torre: “It is difficult to explain and comprehend the amount of work that takes place year-round to allow our campus to operate smoothly - and operate as a South Jersey landmark known as one of the most beautiful school campuses in the region. The buildings, grounds, and learning and activity spaces have always been a point of pride for our school.

The maintenance staff, under Larry’s leadership, has been characterized by a can-do attitude and outlook even when the task list is never-ending.”

In retirement, Larry, along with his wife Mary Jo, look forward to spending time with their grandchildren. Larry also looks forward to spending time outdoors where he enjoys fishing and hunting.

Ruth Chen Ruth Chen will conclude 34 years of service to Moorestown Friends at the end of the school year. Ruth joined the MFS Development Office in 1987 as the director’s administrative assistant. Her daughters Vicki (‘02) and Sammy (‘12) both attended and graduated from MFS. Since 2006, Ruth has served as the Assistant to the Head of School and Associate Head of School, where she has provided a professional and steady presence.

Head of School Julia de la Torre reflected on the impact of her trusted assistant: “If you’ve ever visited the Head’s office, you’ve likely encountered Ruth’s warmth and optimism. Much of what Ruth does every day is behind the scenes and less visible to the broader community. There is an incredible breadth to what Ruth does every day, though, from managing events and calendars to supporting the work of the School Committee. Every faculty and staff member knows that Ruth truly holds the school together and does so with little desire for attention or fanfare. When you ask Ruth about her work, she humbly shares that she is just proud to serve the school and to do the best job possible. Ruth’s work ethic and attention to detail are beyond compare, and she raises the bar for everyone around her. Perhaps more importantly, Ruth offers an empathetic and kind presence to every person who enters the school. She has an unbelievable ability to calm people and engage them with her sense of humor and reassuring demeanor. Always ready with candy from her jar to make the day a bit easier, she is quick to meet people’s needs and anticipate what would make them more comfortable.”

Post-pandemic, Ruth and her husband Tony are eager to travel again and spend time with their daughters, both in the United States and abroad.

Sandi Federici Sandi Federici will retire after a 45-year career in the MFS Lower School. It will be the conclusion of one of the longest careers in the 236-year history of MFS. There are hundreds, perhaps thousands, in our community, who appreciate not only Sandi’s longevity but her love of Moorestown Friends School and her students. Sandi has served under six heads of school: Alex MacColl, Gardiner Bridge, Clint Wilkins, Alan Craig, Larry Van Meter, and Julia de la Torre.

Sandi worked with current Lower School Teacher Teri Kaiser, who has taught kindergarten and first grade in years past and has worked with Sandi in her classroom for 20 years. Teri reflected on the impact “Mrs. Fed” has had on the school: “Mrs. Fed loves working at MFS. It is like a second home to her. She knows the kids, faculty and staff and she enjoys interacting with them all. In the classroom, Mrs. Fed is kind, patient and helpful with the students.”

Head of School Julia de la Torre remarked that when you ask Sandi why she loves her work so much, the answer comes easily to her. “’If you’ve never taught a day, you can’t believe what joy you get from the kids.’ she once told me. And it’s true. Being around Sandi reminds you that children provide an energy, humor, love, and life that cannot be replaced. And she brings that same energy for learning and connection to everything she does. Pick any holiday of the year and you will find Sandi with a special t-shirt or blinking lights to celebrate. From 100 Days of School to Halloween, Sandi finds every way – big and small – to make school feel special for children. She has touched countless lives over her nearly five decades at Moorestown Friends School and we are forever grateful for her service to our community.”

Sandi has made it clear she will not be disappearing from the MFS campus. She plans to volunteer, attend functions, and help out in any way she can. Sandi is an expert on all things Disney and retirement will provide Sandi with more time to visit the Magic Kingdom.

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Spring 2021

Honoring Retirees

Larry Brandimarto

Ruth Chen

Sandi Federici

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Career Day 2021 Goes Virtual Each year, Career Day offers the junior and senior classes the opportunity to connect with a group of MFS alumni and parents to learn more about careers and industries of interest to them. In light of the pandemic, Career Day took on a virtual format and was split over two days in February and March. A Career Day portal was created for the event complete with promotional video “trailers” about each speaker created by students. Alumni from around the country presented virtual sessions on their career paths, as well as “life hacks” requested by the junior and seniors. Thanks to all of our presenters!

LIFE HACK SPEAKERS

Deb Edmund Colitas ’96

Nazareth, PA How to Build a Resume That Will Stand Out Founder & Chief Hustle Officer, Wonder Services; CEO, Digital Network Superstar B.A. Muhlenberg College, M.S. Wilkes University

Mikki Harris ’93

Atlanta, GA How to Use Documentary Storytelling for Social Impact Multimedia Journalist and Assistant Professor at Morehouse College B.A. Spelman College, M.S. Boston University

Adam Mohsen-Breen ’15

San Francisco, CA Finding Social Change Internships/Jobs During and After College Staff Assistant at Open Philanthropy Internships included: America Solidaria; U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen; Al Bustan Seeds of Change B.A. Harvard University

Alyss Vavricka ’08

New York, NY Living in NYC Head of Partner Implementations & Operations at Extend, a digital credit card distribution platform B.A. Barnard College

Cornell Verdeja-Woodson ’05

San Leandro, CA Achieving Work/Life Balance Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Headspace, Inc. Ph.D. candidate, University of Southern California, B.S. Ithaca College, M.Ed., University of Vermont

Karinne Lindner ’97

Haddonfield, NJ How to Interview...even on Zoom Career Coach at For the Love of Work B.A. Vanderbilt, M.Ed. University of Pittsburgh

Bridget Wiese

Moorestown, NJ Top Ten Tips for Personal Financial Management/Banking Vice President, Sr. Store Manager, Republic Bank

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Spring 2021

CAREER DAY GUEST SPEAKERS

Courtney J. Brown ’07

Jason Litten, M.D. ’92

Matt Purcell ’09

Chicago, IL Business/Pursuing your M.B.A. Director of Operations, NFI B.S.E., University of Michigan, M.B.A., Massachusetts Institute of Technology Sloan School of Business

Del Mar, CA The Biotech Industry Chief Medical Officer at Ativa, developing cell cancer therapies B.S. Cornell University, M.D. Emory University

Orlando, FL/Audubon, NJ Careers in Engineering Industrial Engineering Project Manager Park Operations & Strategy for Disney B.S., M.S. Rochester Institute of Technology

Dana Calvo ’88

Takashi Moriuchi ’92

Mike Strambler ’92

Los Angeles, CA Screenwriting/Production TV Screenwriter and Producer with credits including Good Girls Revolt, Narcos, and more B.A. Swarthmore College

Erin Coleman ’96

Philadelphia, PA Journalism Anchor/Reporter at NBC 10 B.A. Brown University, M.S. Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism

Steven Porter ’98

Philadelphia, PA Careers in Finance Co-founder & Managing Director, Estancia Capital Management, private equity investors and asset management specialists B.A. University of Pennsylvania

New Haven, CT Careers in Psychology/Research/Public Policy Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Director of Child Well Being & Education Research, Yale University School of Medicine B.A. Morehouse College, M.A. Stony Brook University, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley

Don Orth ’91

Danielle DeCou Garno ’93

Mountainview, CA Careers of the Future Worldwide Leadership Program Manager, Apple Education B.A. Tufts University, M.F.A. Vermont College, Ed.M. Harvard University

Jacksonville, FL Careers in Medicine Anesthesiologist at the Mayo Clinic; Assistant Professor in the Dept. of Anesthesiology & Perioperative Medicine B.S. Johns Hopkins University, M.D. University of Pennsylvania

Spring 2021

Miami, FL Law Partner at Cozen O’Connor, Co-Chair of the Retail Industry Team B.A. University of Miami, J.D. Pepperdine University

Sarah Van Cleve ’07

San Francisco, CA Careers in Business Senior Manager of Utility Business Development, Tesla B.A. University of California at Los Angeles

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College During COVID

By Katie Kasperson ’17 From remote classes and internships to early or cancelled graduations, college students have continuously made adjustments in order to not only stay safe but also stay motivated. And while they’ve faced challenges and setbacks, MFS alumni have found ways to enjoy college life, however different it may look. We checked in with a few members of the Class of 2017 to see how COVID-19 has impacted them.

Grace Kim ’17 is a senior at New York University studying international relations.

Although her classes are all online, she decided to continue living in the city. She’s able to see friends safely while utilizing New York’s outdoor spaces, such as Central and Washington Square Parks. “Rather than continuously moping around, I’m making the best of my senior year,” Grace said.

During the fall semester, Grace applied to graduate schools and completed an online internship. “I had hoped the pandemic would be over before I graduate, but I realize that’s not realistic,” she said. While her senior year hasn’t been what she imagined, she continues to plan for and look forward to her future.

Hunter Harris ‘17, another New York University student, decided not to return to school this past fall; instead, he took a gap semester. “I decided to take a semester off because I didn’t think online classes would give me the full value of in-person learning,” said Hunter. During his time off, he worked for his parents’ business as well as the Board of Elections. “I was able to find a job processing ballots at the Board of Elections in October and November,” he said. According to Hunter, this experience helped him to “discern the lies from the facts about mail-in ballots,” a hot topic from this past presidential election.

As a student at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, Hunter designed his own major in “Business of World Building and Immersive Storytelling.” This program gives him full agency over his college curriculum. Taking the semester off gave Hunter “a new perspective” and helped him refine his major. Hunter returned to NYU for the spring semester. As he wraps up his time there, he is deciding between finding a job and applying to graduate school.

While remote learning isn’t everyone’s first choice, it’s undoubtedly more flexible than in-person attendance. Students can log on and go to class from anywhere there’s wifi. For some, this means staying at home rather than returning to campus. For others, it means road-tripping and logging on to classes from various locations. For international students, other issues – like travel restrictions and time zone differences – have affected their education.

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John Barton ’17 took a gap year before beginning his undergrad at the University of St Andrews in Scotland. He spent his time in Moldova studying Russian, and now he studies both Russian and Persian at St Andrews.

John spent some of his time in Scotland during the pandemic. Though he is used to being away from home for extended periods, he said it has “been nice to spend more time at home than I normally would.” He plans to finish his degree at St Andrews on time with the help of those around him. “Studying during the pandemic has been difficult, but I have been fortunate that my professors and peers have been very supportive,” John said. “I appreciate that they are all trying to make the best of the current situation.”

Some students, who had the credits to do so, opted to graduate early rather than take time off. Katie Schuyler ’17, a recent Tulane graduate, is using the extra time she would have spent in school to gain valuable work experience. “With this new-found time during the spring semester, I was fortunate enough to get the chance to return as an intern to Tabula Rasa Healthcare; this time as a Legal, Regulatory, & Compliance Intern,” she said.

“This opportunity allows me to obtain real-world corporate law experience prior to law school this coming fall.” She has yet to decide where she will attend.

Katie took advantage of the opportunities that the pandemic presented to her. “I was able to find real silver linings in the way that the Coronavirus technologically integrated the world,” she said. “As the global community united to mourn the damages COVID-19 presented to the world, we were forced as societies to simultaneously innovate and pivot at a rapid pace despite the tragedies surrounding us.” Rather than dwelling on her losses, Katie has extended effort to “better adapt, cope, and celebrate change.”

Spring 2021

College During COVID No one understands the importance and benefits of technology more than technology students themselves. Jackson Blanchard ’17 is currently studying computer science at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. “I’m extremely fortunate to be minimally affected by the pandemic,” he said. “Most students and, more importantly, most professors in my major are very technically inclined, so the transition to online learning has been very smooth.” In order to communicate and collaborate, he and his professors have used programs like Slack (for instant messaging), Discord (for meeting in teams), Trello (for working on projects), and GitHub (for coding). Jackson has fortunately gained skills that will prove valuable once he enters the workforce.

More than anything, attending college during COVID-19 has been a learning experience for all. Joe Nyzio ’17, a business student at Saint Joseph’s University, has reflected on the challenges and rewards that have accompanied COVID. “This experience has taught me to hold myself more accountable than in past years because we don’t have professors to add that applied pressure,” he said. He’s had the chance to become a better communicator by “writing many more emails and attending meetings virtually.” While his senior year hasn’t been exactly what he’d hoped for, he acknowledges the significance of his personal growth.

The overarching theme for most college students is this: their current situations are not optimal, but there’s been plenty of room for small victories and self-improvement. “I came to terms with my college experience not being what I was expecting,” said Grace Kim. Despite unmet expectations, MFS college students have remained resilient, adaptive, and hopeful that the future will be brighter than both the present and the past.

Spring 2021

Marketing and Communications Intern Katie Kasperson ’17 Wraps Up College Career at William & Mary; Prepares for Cambridge “College During COVID” author Katie Kasperson ’17 will graduate from The College of William & Mary in May with a B.A. in psychology and minor in marketing. She worked as an intern in the MFS Marketing and Communications Department this spring.

This fall she will travel to the United Kingdom to pursue a one-year Master of Philosophy program at Cambridge University with a focus on education and psychology.

Katie’s own experience as the pandemic unfolded was unique, but she maintains a positive, resilient outlook.

She was nine weeks into a study abroad program in Copenhagen, Denmark when she was required to return home in March 2020. “It definitely upended a lot of my life - school-related and otherwise,” said Katie. “But, when you really think about it, not a lot really changed in a sense that I still had a support system, I still had my friends and school, and we could still socialize. We all had to adapt to a new way of doing things.” During the spring semester, Katie is living in Williamsburg but has opted to take classes virtually.

At William & Mary, Katie has served as a peer ambassador for the D.C. internship program as well as a peer advisor helping new students transition to college life. She is a contributor to The Rocket, a student-produced magazine, and also completed an internship with the student newspaper The Flat Hat. Katie is eager to eventually land in a school environment when she has completed her education. “I’m still exploring but continue to narrow my focus,” she said.

“I hope to do something related to education whether it be actually working in a school or something to do with policy.

The Cambridge program is a lot about child development and learning.”

Katie looks back fondly on her 14 years of Friends education. She attended Westfield Friends for 10 years before moving on to MFS for her Upper School years. “The SPICES have really impacted me,” she said. “I think about them a lot and how I implement them in my life. One thing I continue to prioritize is community. I appreciate a nice, small community where you can know and rely on everyone. That’s what I was looking for in grad school, which is why I chose Cambridge because they have smaller colleges within the university so you get to know everyone.”

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Photo courtesy of ABC News

Janice Johnston ’88 Named Fourth 20/20 Executive Producer in ABC News History

In May 1988, MFS Trustee Janice Johnston was a senior preparing to graduate from MFS and move on to Princeton University. Little did she know that her Senior Project would help set her on a path to lead one of the most famous newsmagazine programs in American television history.

Janice was recently named Executive Producer of ABC’s 20/20, the award-winning primetime program anchored by David Muir and Amy Robach. She is the first female and first person of color to serve in this role for ABC News. A proven leader in the long-form newsmagazine for over 40 years, 20/20 features hardhitting investigative reports, in-depth coverage of high profile trials, unforgettable, character-driven stories and exclusive newsmaker interviews.

“Janice is a terrific journalist with an impressive talent for telling stories that resonate and an exceptional leader,” said ABC News President James Goldston in the network’s announcement.

“She is a trusted mentor, excellent reporter, and respected leader in the news division, and I know we are in great hands in this next chapter for 20/20 and the team.”

Janice has been with 20/20 since 2008 when she moved from Good Morning America to become a producer with 20/20.

The newsmagazine moved from a one- to two-hour format in 2019 and looks much different than it did a generation ago.

Described Janice: “20/20 no longer is Barbara (Walters) and Hugh (Downs) sitting at the desk and saying ‘this is 20/20.’ That

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Janice Johnston with Good Morning America host Robin Roberts. was more of a traditional magazine show which had different ‘sections’ like a traditional magazine. We now do two hours on a single topic. It’s like doing a short documentary film every week and the turnaround time on that is rather...brisk. It’s really unheard of. Keeping that machine going is my new job.”

Janice described the conflicting emotions of the moments when she learned of her appointment. “It was exciting, but bittersweet,” said the Cherry Hill native. “My father (Dr. Theodore Johnston) passed away in September so he didn’t get to see this.

The excitement is tempered with the reality of how much there is to do and how hard it is to do it during the time of COVID.” A former practicing attorney, Janice has been with ABC News since 1998. However, she points to May 1988 as a flashpoint in her life which turned her on to broadcast journalism. “For my Senior Project, I was a production intern at KYW-TV’s morning talk show,” she said during keynote remarks to MFS students at Career Day 2015. “What I experienced during that amazing opportunity has been more helpful in my current career than any class I took at Princeton or any seminar in law school.

Watching the show from inside the studio, meeting the producers, seeing the control room, going to the news floor all of it was just plain fun.”

In reflecting on how Moorestown Friends and Quaker schools (she also attended Haddonfield Friends) have played a role in her life, Janice first pointed to leadership opportunities.

“MFS was very supportive of young leadership, those are really

Spring 2021

Janice Johnston ‘88 Named 20/20 Executive Producer

Janice Johnston ’88 • Executive Producer, 20/20 • J.D. University of Virginia • A.B. Princeton University important skills when you’re learning to navigate the French Club, the lacrosse field, or the Ensemble,” she said. “Having opportunities to find your voice early in life, is fundamental to future leadership.”

She also pointed to listening as another skill she learned to hone at an early age thanks to her Friends education. “I am always careful to obtain feedback, buy-in, and thoughts from all team members to provide an environment in which anyone can speak to the wider group,” said Janice. “I really want to encourage all of the team to contribute and be leaders.”

There was much publicity surrounding Janice becoming the first female and person of color in this role at ABC News. She was quick to credit Good Morning America as providing the nurturing environment necessary for her to grow into leadership positions in the broadcast industry: “I’ve been doing this for 22 years and I was lucky to have at GMA examples of female leadership which 20 years ago was an anomaly. It was very obvious that there were very few of them...and even more obvious that there were even fewer people of color.”

Now as she finds herself in the upper echelon of the industry, she is cognizant of the weight of her leadership role and still leans on the wisdom of her own role models. “My mentors do not have a unifying gender or race and that is something I try to encourage my team to look for,” said Janice. “Teachers can be people who look like you or they could have nothing in common with you. Too many people are not as open to that as they should be or realize that sometimes. Some of the people who have been the most influential to me, I have very little in common with on a surface level.”

Looking back at her time at MFS, Janice, who was “very into Spanish and French” recalls the strength of the world languages faculty, particularly former teachers Edward Farraday, Stephanie Hockensmith, and Barbara Pierfy Nusbaum. She also greatly enjoyed her six years in Ensemble and appreciated the instruction and leadership of former Music Teacher Davie Wiener.

Janice was thankful for the help of former History Teacher Margaret Barnes Mansfield in helping her adjust to her new school. “She was a good champion of mine in my days as a new student,” said Janice. “I remember her kindnesses.” Janice also stays in touch with former Upper School Director, College Guidance Counselor, and English Department Chair Mary Williams who she referred to as a “long-time favorite.”

As Janice tackles the challenges of the pandemic for 20/20, her experiences on the MFS School Committee have proved helpful. “As a trustee, I am always picking up something that the school is doing and thinking about how it applies to our show,”

Spring 2021

Photo courtesy of ABC News

Photo courtesy of ABC News

Janice Johnston in the control room and with colleagues Robin Roberts and Diane Sawyer. she said. In particular, she is proud of the way the school has managed the pandemic. “How MFS has navigated through these COVID times has been really impressive to me,” said Janice.

“There are lots of wonderful takeaways to be found in the way the school is handling the stress and constant changing of the situation while being adaptive.”

20/20 can be viewed on ABC on Friday evenings at 9 p.m. and on HULU anytime.

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30 Under 30 MFS graduates are everywhere, near and far.

In the forthcoming pages you’ll read about 30 alumni from the Classes of 2008 to 2017, who are a representative sample of the nearly 900 graduates of the school during those years. Their ages range from 30 and just over to as young as 22. As these profiles show, they have learned to be brave and thoughtful leaders, who speak their conscience, take initiative, create opportunities, and find ways to build up individuals while building a better community.

Thanks to their MFS experiences which have been infused with Quaker values, a sense of stewardship compels our students and alumni to think about the allocation of resources, to respect the world in which we live, and to weigh questions of fairness. These alumni, and hundreds more around the world, seize their chances and make the most of their talents, advantages, and strengths – and grow into people who live lives that speak.

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Spring 2021

30 Under 30

Erin Chen ’16

PHILADELPHIA Clinical Research Assistant at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Erin Chen studied molecular and cellular biology and computer science as an undergraduate at Johns Hopkins University. While completing her B.S. (2020), she was heavily involved in community service, research, and varsity athletics. She volunteered as both a caregiver and a mentor in the Baltimore area, and she was captain of the women’s fencing team during her junior and senior years. She holds the Johns Hopkins University record for career Sabre wins and all weapons. During her summers, Erin worked at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s 22q and You Center, where she researched the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, a disorder that is caused by a missing piece of chromosome 22 and characterized by several developmental issues. She is currently continuing in this role while she applies to medical school as an aspiring physician. Her favorite part of the job: connecting with patients and their families.

In her spare time, Erin works part-time as a fencing instructor.

When she was at MFS, she participated in fencing as well as girls’ soccer.

Her favorite memory is winning the NJSIAA Non-Public B South soccer championship in 2015. Erin won the Herm Magee Award for outstanding female athlete 2015-16.

She looks back fondly on her MFS experience. “The small, tight-knit community at MFS that fostered inclusivity showed me the importance of creating relationships and being open-minded,” said Erin. “Most importantly, MFS taught me how to learn and grow from my mistakes. Throughout my different experiences and this pandemic, I have had many opportunities for self-reflection. I know I would not be the person I am today without reflecting on the failures, lessons, and feedback from others. Meeting for Worship showed me the value of taking time to think, and it is a skill I know I will use for the rest of my life.”

“MFS taught me how to learn and grow from my mistakes.”

Noah Rubenstein ’12

BROOKLYN, NY Playwright and Writer, Assistant to Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Noah Rubenstein is a playwright and writer as well as an assistant to Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and MacArthur Grant fellow. Noah does both short-term administrative duties as well as longer-term research projects and, before the pandemic, script supervision. Last year, he developed his own play during a residency at SPACE on Ryder Farm, a nonprofit organization that combines art with environmental sustainability. As an assistant, Noah has contributed to five full productions that have appeared at off-Broadway and regional theaters.

At MFS, Noah learned that “it’s not uncool to take your work seriously.” Being around like-minded, driven peers helped him transition to an undergraduate workload. “When I got to NYU I was sort of shocked at how much easier it was than high school,” said Noah “That’s not because I’m a genius (I’m not) it’s because having lots of work didn’t feel like a big deal after going to a rigorous school like MFS. Doing the work was just the expectation.” Though he wishes he had been more involved in student government, his fondest memories come from being the Clerk of Meeting for Worship for Business.

Noah earned his B.F.A. in Dramatic Writing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

“I think the most valuable thing I learned at MFS was just the simple idea that it’s not uncool to take your work seriously.”

Spring 2021

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30 Under 30

Joshua Murdy ’16

PORTLAND, OR Marine Inspector at US Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Ensign Josh Murdy serves as a Marine Inspector at the United States Coast Guard’s Marine Safety Unit in Portland, OR. Primarily, he inspects vessels to ensure the safety of the crew, passengers, and onboard environment. In the past, he was able to identify two vessels that had sub-standard safety.

“Left unchecked, these issues could have contributed to a future marine casualty with significant harm to the vessel, environment, or most importantly, the crew,” he said. His other roles include Morale Fund Custodian, which deals with finances, and IT Liaison Officer, which deals with technology.

In his limited spare time, Josh likes a little friendly competition. At MFS, he participated in several academic challenges as well as varsity soccer; now, he focuses on chess and enjoys the camaraderie that comes with playing games.

Josh appreciated MFS’s academic rigor and diversity; he was able to earn college credit for four courses. He also acknowledges the impact that the Quaker testimonies had on him, citing “simplicity” as the most significant in his life. He continues to benefit from and contribute to MFS’s supportive alumni network.

Josh graduated with high honors with a bachelor’s degree in operations research and computer analysis from the United States Coast Guard Academy.

“The connections built at MFS, whether with classmates or instructors, can have significant professional impacts down the line.”

Austin Harris ’13

BURBANK, CA Current Programming Assistant at Walt Disney Television Austin Harris is a Current Programming Assistant at Walt Disney Television. He works alongside the Vice President and Executive Director of Current Programming, contributing to scripts, tablereads, sets, and more. Right now, Austin is working on five current series: Black-ish, Mixed-ish, The Good Doctor, The Rookie, and American Housewife. Austin was a finalist in the 2021 Walt Disney Television Writing Program; his goal is to become a TV and feature writer.

Austin was the editor-in-chief of both the Middle School Murmur and WordsWorth at MFS. In his English classes, he learned to write persuasively. “My English classes, especially Mrs. Galler’s where we wrote persuasive essays, have helped me in writing pitches, summaries, and loglines for projects,” said Austin. Using that persuasion, he convinced former English teacher Mr. Mark Gornto to create and advise a filmmaking elective. Both his academic and extracurricular experiences have prepared him for a career in journalism and media.

Austin attended New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts; he earned his B.F.A. in film and television production in 2017.

“My MFS English classes have helped me in writing pitches, summaries, and loglines for projects.”

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Spring 2021

30 Under 30

Alicia Link ’08

PHILADELPHIA Artist and Educator at Temple University and Westfield Friends School Alicia Link currently teaches in the Foundation and Painting Department at Temple University’s School of Art and Architecture. She also works parttime at Westfield Friends School as an assistant art teacher and world languages program manager. In the past, Alicia has held many roles, including university educator, dog walker, studio assistant, freelance writer, and more. Her priority, though, has always been her art.

Alicia’s paintings have been exhibited in numerous solo, duo and group exhibitions, with shows at MASS Gallery in Austin (TX), the Musa Collective and Galatea Fine Art in Boston (MA), the Wayfarers Gallery and Space Heater Gallery in Brooklyn (NY), and at many more arts spaces.

Last year, she began a residency at Tiger Strikes Asteroid, a non-profit network of independently operated, artist-run exhibition spaces with locations in Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Greenville, SC. Alicia also published a review on an exhibition at Galleries at Moore in Philadelphia for the Broad Street Review. She enjoys sharing stories through her work and being a lifelong learner.

While at MFS, Alicia was involved in Gender Equality Forum. She fondly remembers spending lunches, watching movies, and going on field trips with former Math Teacher Ms. Kim Greeley and former History Teacher Dr. Eliza McFeely, the club’s advisors. “My world opened up during this brief time,” Alicia said. “As I was learning about this thing called the patriarchy, I was gaining agency. I’m so grateful to those women.”

After 12 years of Quaker education, Alicia furthered her studies at Boston University, where she earned her B.F.A. in painting. In 2017, she earned her M.F.A. in Studio Art at the University of Texas at Austin.

“Gender Equality Forum will always be an incredibly special time and space for me.”

Mary Daniel ’11

LOS ANGELES, CA Third-Year Law Student at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law Mary Daniel is completing her final year of law school at the University of Southern California Gould School of Law. This past summer, she worked as a Law Clerk in the U.S. Copyright Office, and she has had several internships in music licensing. Currently, Mary is serving as an Executive Senior Editor for the Southern California Law Review and will have her article on the relationship between copyright law and street art published in the journal in 2021. After graduation, Mary plans to pursue a career in intellectual property law in the entertainment industry.

Mary was involved in sports, theater, and student government at MFS. Balancing these responsibilities helped her practice timemanagement, a skill that has proved useful in law school.

Mary earned her B.A. in communications and fine arts at Loyola University Maryland.

“MFS really helped my time management ability.”

Spring 2021

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30 Under 30

Monica Chelius ’10

PHILADELPHIA Resident in Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania Before going to medical school, Monica Chelius spent two years as a research assistant at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, a hospital that provides care to children, teens, and adults in New Jersey and New York. Now, she’s completing her residency at the University of Pennsylvania and training to be a radiation oncologist. Monica spends most of her time talking with patients about their cancer care, drawing on findings from past studies to make suggestions. She also works behind the scenes to plan the radiation treatments, from dosage to distribution. At the University of Pennsylvania, Monica frequently bumps into other MFS graduates.

She attributes her scientific enthusiasm to her former teachers Mr. Drew Newman and Dr. Barb Kreider. “I remember not liking science very much before I came to MFS,” said Monica. “That all changed when I met Dr. Kreider and Mr. Newman.

They had so much enthusiasm for science, it was contagious. They involved us in extracurriculars such as the Science Olympiads, Envirothon, and Deborah Heart Challenge. These experiences were fun, mind opening, and attracted me to science.”

Monica earned her undergraduate degree at Duke University after graduating from MFS. She finished her medical degree at Dartmouth College.

“At MFS, I learned how to analyze issues, solve problems, and dig deep into the subjects that interested me.

I learned the satisfaction of working cooperatively on team projects with my very talented classmates.”

Sadé Muhammad ’08

NEW YORK CITY Vice President, Representation and Inclusion Practice at Forbes Sadé Muhammad recently founded the Forbes Representation and Inclusion Group and now serves as the Vice President of Representation & Inclusion Practice.

She helps marketers “use their cultural influence to advance the cause of equity.” Her work has led to the creation of Forbes EQ, Forbes and Harlem Capital MORE EQUITY Pitch Competition, and For(bes) The Culture – Culturally Accountable Summit. All three programs focus on providing business opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and people of color, while Forbes EQ and the MORE EQUITY Pitch Competition center around women entrepreneurs.

Sadé Muhammad previously worked for Forbes as an Associate Director of Content Marketing; Sade received a 30 Under 30 Award from the International News Media Association for her achievements in advertising.

Her most memorable MFS moment was landing in London as part of a trip with Katy Rinehart’s AP English Class. It was “the trip of a lifetime.”

Sadé studied magazine journalism and marketing at Syracuse University.

“After spending a few years on Forbes’ content marketing team and working directly with marketing partners to amplify their thought leadership, I saw an opportunity to weave inclusion into the critical conversations they were having.”

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Spring 2021

30 Under 30

Erica D’Costa ’15 NEW YORK CITY Producer at CBS News

Erica D’Costa is a producer for CBS This Morning, which airs weekdays on CBS and CBSN. Erica researches current events, interviews experts, and collaborates with writers and edits, all with the end goal of informing the public about important issues.

At MFS, she fostered an open-minded, curious mentality. “With the myriad of minor classes to choose from, at MFS I learned the power of taking advantage of opportunities and always trying new things,” said Erica. “I still have that mentality today.”

She fondly remembers traveling to Costa Rica for Intensive Learning and engaging with a culture completely foreign from her own. “When I traveled to Costa Rica, I met people who thought and lived very differently; people whose culture was so beautiful yet a stark contrast of my own,” said Erica. “I learned so much from them. It still reminds me of the importance of meeting new people with different perspectives and backgrounds.”

Erica studied journalism, media, and political science at Rutgers University.

“At MFS I learned the power of taking advantage of opportunities and always trying new things.”

Vincent Salvano ’13

SAN FRANCISCO, CA Production Coordinator at Pixar Animation Studios Vincent Salvano is a Production Coordinator at Pixar Animation Studios in the San Francisco Bay Area. He’s currently working on Win or Lose, Pixar’s first original series, which will debut on Disney+ in 2023. He collaborates with the Story, Editorial, and Script departments on a daily basis. “I think animation is the single most collaborative art form out there,” he said. “To tell these amazing stories, it really is a team effort!”

Before moving to the west coast, Vincent lived in New York City, where he interned for DreamWorks, Nickelodeon, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Late Night with Seth Meyers. In his early days at Pixar, he had the opportunity to work on Toy Story 4, which ended up winning an Oscar. As a life-long fan of the Toy Story franchise, Vincent described this experience as “surreal.”

While at MFS, Vincent was able to explore his interests within an encouraging environment. He thanks his former English Teacher Mark Gornto for helping develop his passions in writing, filmmaking, and comedy. Some of Vincent’s best MFS memories include starting Sitcom Club, making a film for the fall musical Gypsy, and contributing to the school’s 225th anniversary documentary video.

Vincent studied film and television production at New York University.

“Being a student at MFS always felt like being a part of a community, and I think the values I learned in community and team-building at MFS directly translates to making a film or TV series.”

Spring 2021

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30 Under 30

Vanessa Kara ’15 LOUISVILLE, KY Professional Soccer Player

Vanessa Kara is a professional soccer player. Last season, she was a member of Finland’s Tikkurila Palloseura and helped the team win a silver medal in the Kansallinen Liiga (the national league). Vanessa is currently trying to break into the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), where she hopes to earn a contract. At press time, she was on trial with Racing Louisville FC. If unsuccessful, she plans to return to resume playing in Europe.

She enjoyed a very successful collegiate career at Drexel University and the University of Florida. At Drexel, she was the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Year in 2015 and a First-Team all conference selection in 2016 and 2017. Vanessa earned All-Region honors all three of those years and is the second-leading goalscorer in program history with 22.

After a medical redshirt year, she transferred to the University of Florida in 2019 and made an immediate impact. She led the team with 10 goals and was an All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) second-team selection At MFS, Vanessa was captain of the girls’ varsity soccer team and led the team in 2014 to the first NJSIAA sectional championship in program history. She had always dreamed of playing Division I soccer, but after several ACL tears, her dream seemed nearly impossible. Looking for advice, she spoke with her math teacher, Dorothy Lopez, who told her “you’re more than your sport.” This had a lasting impact on Vanessa and guided her both personally and professionally. She’s currently writing a book about the adversity she’s faced as a soccer player and hopes to eventually have it published.

“To do well at MFS, I had to be disciplined and curious about learning,” said Vanessa. “Discipline and curiosity have led me to grow tremendously personally and on the field, and I am grateful for having been introduced to these values at a young age.”

Vanessa earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Drexel and a master’s degree in sports management from the University of Florida.

“Discipline and curiosity have led me to grow tremendously.”

Matt Tamburri ’11

NEW YORK CITY Senior Consultant at Michael Page and Executive Board Member of the American Heart Association of NJ Matt Tamburri works as a Senior Consultant at Michael Page, a recruitment company that places employees in a variety of sectors. Matt focuses on the construction and development industry in the New York City Metro Area. He likes the “fun and fast” tempo of both his job and of New York City itself.

Outside of his work as a consultant, Matt, a cardiac arrest and coma survivor, is an Executive Board Member and inspirational speaker for the American Heart Association of New Jersey. His primary functions include fundraising and attending events, but he also enjoys connecting with people who have had similar experiences with heart health.

Matt’s fondest memories of MFS include doing the Monday morning announcements with Mr. Brunswick and playing for the boys’ soccer team. He keeps in close contact with his teachers and classmates.

“My MFS education has stuck with me each and every day of my life,” said Matt. “I loved every second of being at MFS and never take for granted those great memories. MFS taught me to be a nice person, to work hard, and to cherish my friends and family.”

Matt attended the College of Charleston, where he studied business and marketing.

“MFS taught me to be a nice person, to work hard, and to cherish my friends and family.”

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Spring 2021

30 Under 30

Simone Stanley ’13

BALTIMORE, MD Business Development Associate at CMC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Simone Stanley works as a Business Development Associate at CMC Pharmaceuticals, Inc. She identifies business opportunities and partnerships that will help grow the company. She is involved in sales, client communications, and networking with the end goal of boosting brand awareness in the pharmaceutical and biotechnical industries. In her previous role, Simone led a team that developed a virus-detection strategy. Her work directly addresses COVID-19 and will help reduce the likelihood of future pandemics.

At MFS, Simone was particularly close with Dr. Barb Kreider, who supervised her independent study in organic chemistry. Dr. Kreider taught Simone how to “study science” rather than study the specifics, a skill that’s been useful for Simone both academically and professionally. She travelled to Hawaii with Dr. Kreider for an environmental science Intensive Learning trip, citing it as her “most poignant memory.”

In her spare time, Simone teaches dance. She’s currently an Artist in Residence at Georgetown University and the Founder of Alafia Doula & Dance Services, an organization that combines dance with hypnobirthing.

Simone studied chemical engineering and graduated summa cum laude from Howard University. She then earned her master’s degree in biotechnology and entrepreneurship at Georgetown University.

“Dr. Barb Kreider was pivotal in my STEM education.

She told me that I wouldn’t remember the specifics in later years, but I would learn how to study science.”

Peter Barna

SAN FRANCISCO, CA Data Scientist at Coursera Peter Barna is currently a Data Scientist at Coursera, an organization that offers online courses and collaborates with over 200 companies and universities. He focuses on Coursera’s user experience, using statistical testing, data analyses, and prediction models to continuously inform the company’s decisions and provide the best possible product. Peter has helped Coursera deliver free online courses to millions of students across the globe, many of whom are taking advantage of its flexibility in response to the pandemic.

At MFS, Peter was always learning something new about the world and those around him. He enjoyed going on an intensive learning trip to Costa Rica, so much so that he returned the following summer with his family. Now, he belongs to an improvisational comedy group in San Francisco.

Peter earned his B.A. in philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) from the University of Pennsylvania.

“MFS prepared me to embrace diversity in my friends and in the workplace.”

Spring 2021

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30 Under 30

Emma Baiada ’10

LOS ANGELES, CA Producer at Tremolo Productions, Director at Hierophant Films Emma Baiada works as both a producer at Tremolo Productions, a company focused on non-fiction, and a director at Hierophant Films, a group of observational filmmakers. As a director, Emma has full creative control over a story and how it’s portrayed, “both aesthetically and structurally.” As a producer, she works with directors to help them achieve their visions; this includes doing research, creating and executing shoot plans, seeking subjects, and more. Emma was the Associate Producer on Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and the Co-Producer on Shangri-La. She is currently working on her first feature film, Song of Salt about the isolated town of Trona, CA. One of Emma’s favorite MFS experiences was Hallway Decorating, part of the Upper School’s annual Spirit Week competition. “It was so fun to be ‘director’ to [bring] a creative vision to life – and was good practice for what I do now!” she said.

Emma graduated with a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania in 2014.

“MFS instilled in me a deep sense of curiosity and openness to people from all walks of life.”

Gaby Martínez ’09

CAMDEN, NJ English & Art Department Chair at Camden Academy Charter High School Gaby Martínez serves as the English & Art Department Chair at Camden Academy Charter High School and teaches both English II and English II Honors.

At Camden Academy Charter High School, Gaby strives to “equip, encourage, and empower” her students both in and outside the classroom. Attending MFS inspired Gaby to focus on service and social justice; being able to give back to her hometown is a bonus. “The Quaker tenets shaped my understanding of what it means to have a purposeful profession – one that pursues a safer, more inclusive and equitable world,” she said. Her work aims to individualize education and celebrate student voices. Outside of being an educator, Gaby volunteers as a Youth Ministry Leader at her church.

Gaby, a former Camden Scholar, studied English and education at Haverford College before receiving her M.S.Ed in school leadership from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education.

what it means to have a purposeful profession.”

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“The Quaker tenets shaped my understanding of

Spring 2021

30 Under 30

Eric Teitelbaum ’08

HOPEWELL, NJ Senior Engineer at AIL Research, Inc. Eric Teitelbaum is a Senior Engineer at AIL Research, Inc., a research and design company that develops energy products and is sponsored by the U.S. government. Eric designs, fabricates, and evaluates energy systems specifically meant for buildings. Eric’s work has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) and featured in the Washington Post.

Overall, he is passionate about sustainability-driven science, design, and construction.

At MFS, Eric participated in the Science Olympiad and enjoyed woodworking. With the help of science teachers Barb Kreider, Tim Clarke, and Art/Woodworking Teacher Marty Richter, Eric built such a stellar instrument for a competition that was disqualified for having supposedly “come from a kit.” Remarked Eric: “I’ve laughed at this story ever since because nowhere else could such an incredible group of teachers get a goofy high schooler to that point. It was quite an honor being disqualified!

Eric earned his bachelor’s (chemical and biological engineering) and master’s (civil and environmental engineering) degrees from Princeton University. He is currently working towards his Ph.D. in material science and architecture, also at Princeton. In his free time, he builds custom treehouses some of which can be found on Airbnb.

“The best ideas come not from dedicating yourself solely to one discipline, but thinking creatively about how to draw upon all aspects of your interests.”

Omari Scott ’08

NEW YORK CITY Assistant Vice President at CCS Fundraising Omari Scott is the Assistant Vice President at CCS Fundraising, a strategic firm that helps nonprofits plan and execute a range of initiatives. He works with organizations of several sizes and across sectors, helping them grow by developing successful fundraising strategies. This includes doing campaign management, development operations, prospect research, and feasibility studies.

Omari is passionate about service, LGBTQ+ advocacy, and racial justice. “My Quaker education has solidified my commitment to a life of service,” he said. “From teaching to working with social justice oriented nonprofits to my post-graduate academic pursuits, I owe much of it to the values instilled in me at MFS.” After graduating from college, Omari taught special education with Teach for America and stayed with the program for several years. At CCS, he’s had the opportunity to work with organizations that are focused around these issues. In his free time, he serves on the board of the Brooklyn Community Pride Center.

Omari remembers participating in MFS’s 2008 Mock Primary Election, led by former history teacher Judy van Tijn. He enjoyed learning about politics in a civil, supportive, and positive way.

Omari studied political science, public policy, and peace and conflict studies at Swarthmore College. He earned his M.S.Ed. at Hunter College and is currently working towards his Executive M.P.A. at Syracuse University.

“My Quaker education has solidified my commitment to a life of service.”

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30 Under 30

Rachel Weissler ’12

ANN ARBOR, MI Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Michigan, Research Associate at the University of Oregon, and Production Assistant at A Way with Words Radio Show and Podcast Rachel Weissler is heavily involved in linguistic research that incorporates neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, and sociology to “answer questions about variation in linguistic perception based on race.” She’s currently completing her Ph.D. in linguistics at Michigan. Her master’s thesis investigated race, gender, and identity in conjunction with the “angry Black woman” trope. She has facilitated research collaborations, given lectures, presented her research, and been published. As a production assistant at A Way with Words radio show/podcast, Rachel contributes to public understanding by viewing linguistics through the lens of history, family, and culture.

Rachel spends a considerable amount of time engaged in service. She’s worked with Detroit youth while living in Michigan, directing workshops and other sessions on leadership and research. She is a member of the Language Matters Initiative at the University of Michigan, which “promotes awareness about linguistic discrimination, social justice, inclusivity, and equality.” She has taught several classes in linguistics, including phonology, semantics, and syntax, as well as a course on language and discrimination.

Finally, Rachel has mentored undergraduate and high school students by creating “brave spaces,” encouraging student engagement, and increasing course accessibility.

More than anything, Rachel cherishes the relationships she still has with her MFS teachers. She’s grateful to Ms. Tina Corsey, Ms. Melissa Keylock, Ms. Karen Washington, and more for providing a place of refuge, support, and joy. Rachel also remembers shadowing at Orchard Friends School, which focuses on helping children with language-based differences, for her Senior Project. She credits this experience, as well as the Quaker principle of service, with catalyzing her career in linguistics and justice.

Rachel earned both her bachelor’s and master’s in linguistics, from Bryn Mawr College and the University of Michigan, respectively.

“I believe that anything can be taught well in a space that is conducive to learning, but learning requires equity and justice for all students.”

Phillip Dorsey ’10 PHILADELPHIA Senior Scientist at Merck

Phillip Dorsey is currently a Senior Scientist at Merck, one of the leading research-intensive, biopharmaceutical companies that strives to save and improve both human and animal lives. Phillip’s work involves discovering and formulating drugs and vaccines. Specifically, he conducts early stage research and uses innovative academic findings to develop drug delivery systems and other new technologies. Outside of work, Phillip serves as a mentor for students who are interested in science.

Phillip is grateful for the academic rigor at MFS. His favorite classes were math, physics, chemistry, and biology, all of which contributed to his confidence in the STEM fields. He appreciates his teachers’ mentorship and acceptance; “no question was too silly to ask,” he said.

Phillip earned a B.S. in chemical engineering at Princeton University and a Ph.D. in chemical and molecular engineering at Johns Hopkins University.

“Regardless of what my interests were, particularly in the sciences, my MFS teachers fueled my curiosity.”

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30 Under 30

Tim Stoeckle ’10

RUNNEMEDE, NJ Social Media Manager at Perfect Game USA Tim Stoeckle is the Social Media Manager at Perfect Game USA, the world’s largest high school baseball scouting service. At Perfect Game, Tim creates content for social media in order to boost brand awareness and increase registration for their various national events.

For the past five years, and before switching to Perfect Game, Tim worked as the Social Media Coordinator for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was able to travel with the team, going to spring training and working at Citizens Bank Park. He helped build the Phillies social media presence from the ground up.

Tim is grateful for the lifelong friendships that began at MFS. He still keeps in touch with many of his old classmates, with Spirit Week being one of their favorite shared memories. He joked: “Winning the Jell-O Eating Contest my junior year is still one of my greatest achievements.”

Tim earned his B.S. in business administration (Sports Marketing) at Saint Joseph’s University.

“The most important aspects of my MFS education that still impact me today are the lifelong friendships.”

Larissa Morgan ’13

PHILADELPHIA Third-Year JD/MBE Student at the University of Pennsylvania Larissa Morgan is currently in her third year of graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania, where she is earning a cross-disciplinary JD/MBE in Law and Bioethics. She is set to work on corporate healthcare regulation at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, a legal and consulting firm with 22 locations across the United States, United Kingdom, and China.

The English program at MFS helped Larissa harness valuable skills. “MFS was tremendously foundational in helping me identify and explore my passions,” she said. “I focused my studies at MFS on English and writing, which helped me gain skills I use every day in law school, including critical thinking, concision and precision in word choice, and reason-based analysis.” Larissa also is thankful for life lessons learned during her time at the school: “MFS taught me important lessons in leadership, collegiality, and community.

These are qualities I gained early on at MFS, and I am forever grateful to my mentors at MFS who guided me throughout my formative years.”

After graduating from MFS, Larissa earned her Bachelor’s degree in both psychology and political science. She graduated summa cum laude from Villanova and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa in 2017.

“MFS was tremendously foundational in helping me identify and explore my passions.”

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30 Under 30

Matt Purcell ’09

ORLANDO, FL/AUDUBON, NJ Planning and Industrial Engineering at Disney Parks, Experiences, and Products Matt Purcell has always had an interest in engineering; at MFS, he fondly remembers building a model zoo during Intensive Learning. Now, he works in Planning and Industrial Engineering for Disney, where he and his team focus on park technology, revenue initiatives, and process improvement. During his career, he’s helped lead the logistical planning behind Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge and Toy Story Land, two major park attractions at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL. He also uses his engineering skills to support Give Kids the World Village, a nonprofit resort for children with critical illnesses and a past destination for MFS Intensive Learning.

“MFS taught me to value the importance of teamwork and diversity of individuals and ideas,” said Matt. “Every Guest and Cast Member views the world differently and it’s important to embrace those differences to create a more inclusive and holistic experience for everyone.”

Matt earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and his master’s degree in industrial and systems engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Recently Matt and his wife moved back to South Jersey, as he is able to continue to work remotely in his role at Disney.

“MFS taught me to value the importance of teamwork and diversity of individuals and ideas.”

Ashley Edwards ’08

NEWARK, NJ Founder and CEO of MindRight Health Ashley Edwards is the founder of MindRight Health, a Newark-based “tech start-up providing culturally-responsive and trauma-informed mental health coaching to youth and young adults.”

As CEO, Ashley sets the company’s long-term strategy, takes fiscal responsibility, and ensures the achievement of their mission. MindRight received a $100,000 grant from the Google for Startups Black Founders Fund in 2020. Ashley is the first Black female founder to raise $1 million in venture capital in New Jersey, and she is one of Forbes’ top “healers” of the century. She credits MFS with fostering her interest in service, a key theme in both her work and her personal life.

Ashley fondly recalls an MFS Intensive Learning trip to Tanzania. “It was my first trip to the African continent and catalyzed my passion for learning more,” she said. “Since then I’ve worked in East Africa, studied Yoruba in college, and have made several trips back to the continent to visit other countries.”

Ashley attended Yale University before earning her M.B.A. and M.A. in Education at Stanford University. At Stanford, she received the Miller Social Change Leadership Award.

“What I appreciated most about my experience at MFS was how everything was grounded in service and giving back.”

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Spring 2021

30 Under 30

Janak Bhatt ’09

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ Chief Resident at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Janak Bhatt is the Chief Resident in anesthesiology at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. As an anesthesiologist, he performs epidurals and nerve blocks, places breathing tubes, and resuscitates trauma patients, all with the overarching goal of keeping patients comfortable. At MFS, Janak learned the importance of empathy; in medical school, this lesson was further realized. He uses his sense of humor to lighten the mood, and every day, he enjoys making a “small but significant” difference in someone’s life. Outside of work, Janak enjoys playing Jeopardy! and supporting Philadelphia sports.

According to Janak, his MFS experience was quite meaningful to his medical school experience and career. “At MFS and in medical school I learned about empathy but empathy is woven into the culture at MFS, not taught,” he said. “What medical schools preach to future physicians is already instilled in MFS graduates which made my transition into medicine seamless.”

Janak graduated from Emory University in 2013 and from St. George’s University School of Medicine in 2017.

“Empathy is woven into the culture at MFS, not taught.”

Katie Loane ’12

NEW YORK CITY Clinical Coordinator at the Bowery Residents’ Committee Katie Loane is a Clinical Coordinator for the Bowery Residents’ Committee Transit Homeless Outreach Stabilization Program, one of the leading nonprofit organizations that provides housing and other resources to 8,500 New Yorkers each year. In her day-to-day work, she screens client referrals, manages crises, corresponds with city agencies, and conducts psychiatric evaluations, all while supervising a team of 15 clinical staff. She enjoys working in homeless services, making connections with her clients, and using her voice in both clinical and political processes.

“I tend to think back a lot on the Quaker values that MFS taught – in both my personal and professional life,” said Katie. “Being a part of a community that I saw as valuing equality, acceptance, and helping out one another has always been something I’ve been grateful for.”

Katie earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in social work at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

“It feels wonderful to see a client make a breakthrough in their case or take that first step to coming inside off the street.”

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30 Under 30

Alyss Vavricka ’08

NEW YORK CITY Vice President at Extend Enterprises, Inc. Alyss Vavricka leads implementations and operations at Extend Enterprises, Inc., a digital credit card distribution platform. In this role, she is responsible for both internal and external work— interacting with clients, selling products, developing processes, and managing a team. Alyss enjoys the revolutionary aspects of working in technology as well as the systematic, efficient nature of her job. She credits MFS Math Teacher Michael Omilian with inspiring her affinity for economics, her confidence in her coursework, and her love of learning. In the coming years, Alyss hopes to continue her education and earn her Ph.D. by researching the impact of cultural variables on economic outcomes.

Alyss studied economics and Italian at Barnard College, part of Columbia University. She has become an active volunteer to Barnard alumnae and students and just concluded a four-year term on the Board of the School’s Alumnae Association, serving as Chair of the Young Alumnae Committee. Said Alyss: “Now, I’m thrilled to kick off my role as a member of Beyond Barnard’s new Advisory Council, helping to develop our strategy and programs supporting students and alumnae in their post-college lives.

“The diversity of thought encouraged while I was a student at MFS is something I reflect on often.”

Spencer Dennis ’17

NEW YORK CITY Drexel University Student/Audio Engineer and Assistant at Manhattan Beach Recording While still finishing up his bachelor’s degree at Drexel University, Spencer Dennis is an audio engineer and assistant at Manhattan Beach Recording, a studio in New York City. He spends the bulk of his time in engineering sessions, which include setting up instruments and equipment, collaborating with other artists, and recording, mixing, and mastering audio. As an engineer, Spencer sometimes teams up with “A-list” artists requiring him to keep his work professional and confidential. One of his projects — a collaboration with a popular hip-hop artist — is set to be released later this year.

In February, Spencer broke Manhattan Beach’s long-standing record for most hours spent engineering audio. “I work with other professionals with the same drive and passion for music and in an environment that challenges me to be better and grow as an audio engineer,” he says of the studio. Over quarantine, Spencer produced a song called “How We Used To” with singer-songwriter Candice Lee. The single broke 20,000 Spotify streams in its first month and was mentioned in Rolling Stone India.

Spencer credits former teachers in the Arts Department for positioning him for his early-career success. “The MFS Arts Department, especially former English and Theatre Teacher Mr. Mark Gornto and Arts Department Chair Mr. Brian Howard, pushed me to follow my passion and gave me the environment to learn and grow,” he said. Spencer also credits his MFS English classes with helping him write both academically and professionally.

Spencer fondly remembers his time on the varsity soccer team. “From the long bus rides to and from games and the grueling fitness runs of preseason to winning regional titles and ‘Fast Food Friday,’ I’ll always think back to my four years playing soccer with the Foxes,” he said.

Spencer will graduate from Drexel University this spring with a B.S. in music industry and a concentration in record arts and production. He is simultaneously working towards his Master’s in music production at Berklee College of Music.

“The MFS Arts Department pushed me to follow my passion and gave me the environment to learn and grow.”

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Spring 2021

30 Under 30

Jake Rosvold ’16

COLLEGE PARK, MD Ph.D. Candidate and Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Maryland College Park Jake Rosvold is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in optics and working as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Maryland College Park’s Optics Biotech Lab. On a normal day, Jake can be found in the lab, using his strong background in design and theory to inform his newest optics experiment. His dissertation aims to “leverage light-matter interactions to actively modulate the optical properties of microscope cover glasses for various aims, such as super-resolution and light direction.” In other words, he hopes to create better microscopes.

At MFS, Jake learned the importance of balancing community with self-expression. No matter where he goes, he tries to be a leader. To that end, he served on the executive board of the Optical Society of America when he was an undergraduate at the University of Rochester. He connected students of all ages – preschool through grad school – with science as the common ground.

Jake’s former physics teacher, Mr. Clarke, taught him problem-solving, teamwork, and creativity. He tries to emulate Mr. Clarke by creating a “fun-loving atmosphere” wherever he goes. In his free time, Jake brews coffee with his sister Carly and plays chess with his brother Luke.

Jake earned his B.S. in optical engineering and his M.S. in optics at the University of Rochester’s Institute of Optics. After completing his Ph.D., he hopes to become an intellectual property attorney.

“I think that my MFS education really instilled the importance of community and self-expression in me.”

Louise Peterson ’11

SEATTLE, WA Senior Product Manager at Amazon Louise Peterson is a Senior Product Manager at Amazon.com, Inc. and is headquartered in Seattle. Her role includes pitching ideas to company leaders, crafting requirements for approved ideas, and working with several teams, like marketing, legal, and sales, to build and launch new products. Right now, she’s working on a novel (and confidential) consumer shopping experience. In the past, Louise has helped launch Amazon Hub, Same-Day Delivery, Amazon Prime (in Turkey and Saudi Arabia), and Prime Gaming.

At MFS, Louise learned how to think critically and write effectively, two skills she still uses daily.

“MFS taught me how to think and how to write,” she said. Louise also enjoyed Meeting for Worship: “I reflect fondly on that time and miss the weekly opportunity for communal meditation,” she said. She keeps in contact with a number of MFS alumni who work at Amazon, including Nathan Owens ’11, Bryce Langlotz ’11, and Alex Levy ’07. In her free time, Louise plays violin, goes hiking and running, and mentors for Built by Girls, an organization that helps female and non-binary teens get involved in technology.

Louise graduated with a B.A. in economics from Bucknell University.

“Teachers encouraged us to ask questions and challenge assumptions.”

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Virtual Alumni Gatherings

In February and March, Head of School Julia de la Torre and the Development Office, along with a senior and a faculty/staff member, hosted a number of virtual regional alumni gatherings. Thanks to all who joined in these special events.

New York City Area February 4 Attended by Kennette Banks ‘02, Ina Schachter Bransome ‘61, Vincent Cebula ‘82, Adrian Concepcion ‘04, Jennifer Donato ‘09, Sarah Fischer ‘09, Janice Johnston ‘88, Ruth Ann Geyer Jurgensen ‘91, Pilar Martinez ‘15, Ethan Medley ‘97, Urbi Utley Medley ‘97, Anastasia Pozdniakova ‘96, Alex Schank ‘04, Alyss Vavricka ‘08, Charis Warchal ‘84, Dorothy López - Faculty Host, and Evan Schlotterbeck ‘21 - Student Host.

New England Region February 10 Attended by Sonia Ananthakrishnan ‘93, Anne Blood ‘87, Susan Blood ‘92, Ethan Carilli ‘13, David Cebula ‘83, Maurice Collins ‘54, Helen Archer Crawford ‘58, Shelby Deibler ‘20, Sophia Demuynck ‘09, Emily Einhorn ‘04, Ryan Flynn ‘06, Thomas Hedges ‘67, Aaron Klein ‘20, Kenneth Mayer ‘68, Patricia Metzer ‘59, Vernon Miller ‘64, Andrew Searle Pang ‘80, Tyler Radack ‘17, Kevin Schlagle ‘08, James Scott ‘54, Michael Strambler ‘92, Debra Galler - Faculty Host, and Nolan Schenk ’21- Student Host.

Washington, DC, Virginia & Maryland February 18 Attended by Fanny Mixter Babajide ‘03, David Berg ‘15, Gregory Billings ‘84, Jennifer Briones ‘08, Morgan Burgess ‘08, Mark Dann ‘97, Steve Decker ‘10, Rebecca Fallick ‘20, Jeffrey Harris ‘03, Gary Holtzman ‘89, Charles Hurley ‘63, Lance Johnson ‘88, Mark Johnson ‘20, Sami Keim ‘20, Tom Kennedy ‘76, Charles Kropiewnicki ‘17, Alison Borton Libshitz ‘58, Jillian Mackuse ‘20, Tineke Mulder ‘84, Warren Nelson ‘58, Helen Pettigrew Partridge ‘95, Lawrence Riesenbach ‘78, Judd Ullom ‘02, Judith Wallner ‘95, David White ‘15, Simone Hall Wood ‘06, Jocelyn Ziemian ‘91, Clark Thomson - faculty host, and Kathleen Johnson ’21 - Student Host.

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Spring 2021

Virtual Alumni Gatherings

Southeast Region (NC, SC, GA & FL) February 22 Attended by Robin Bachin ‘84, Calvin Bell ‘20, Bethell Forbes ‘87, Seth Garcia ‘78, Barbara Gardiner ‘70, Martin Lehfeldt ‘57, Joan Herbst Lumb ‘50, Will Miller, Jay Novick ‘68, Ki Perry-Cooney ‘91, Rodney Sadler ‘85, Nancy Horner Sjostrom ‘64, Will Miller - Faculty Host, and Christine Chandran ‘21 - Student Host.

West Coast Region March 10 Attended by Naomi Alterman ’08, Lindsay Auer ’95, Palav Babaria ’98, Dave Barber ’67, Darcy Berenberg ’08, John Henry Beyer ’62, John Blair ’63, Joe Bundens ’01, Wyatt Cain ’08, Ann DeCou Cranmer ’62, Katharine Darlington ’72, John Donnelly ’71, Carol Henry ’71, Laura Duffy ’05, Liana Hershey ’13, Karan Hiremath ’12, Tim Johnson ’63, Debra Basilicato McLaughlin ’93 Sean Meckley ’98, Mark Mitchell ’86, Chelsea Norton ’09, Nathan Owens ’11, Bonnie Greenfield Reagan ’64, Steven J. Poliakoff ’70, Ben Spielberg ’06, Chris Tegley ’88, Bonnie Wood ’75, Peter Winsky ’03, Michael Omilian - Faculty Host, and Maddie Bouggess ’21 - Student Host.

Philadelphia Area March 24 Attended by Robert Abramowitz ’67, Kara Brown ’07, Mike Carter ’91,Gary Deutsch ’81, Sarah Lynn Geiger ’05, Lauren Hawkins ’08, Bethanie Baker Henderson ’83, Maeve Kelly ’09, Karen Kozarsky ’77, Karinne Damadio Lindner ’97, Brian Litten ’82, Rebecca Salowe ’09, Adam Serlin ’02, Hannah Spielberg ’09, Donna Basilicato St. Germain ’89, Katie Stutz ’09, Ann Stouffer Thornton ’07, Luke Van Meter ’05, Jordan Zaid ’10, Danielle Dayton - Staff Host, and Priya Shah ’21 - Student Host.

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Class Notes Photographs of alumni are now indicated with . If you see this symbol, a photo featuring a class member is either on the page or nearby!

1946

George Krusen has shared that he recently caught up by phone with classmate Richard Hollerith, Jr. who lives with wife Romy in Williamsburg, VA. George was also pleased to report that he had a visit at his home in Massachusetts from his granddaughter Jennifer Krusen, her husband Marc Lucas, and George’s first great grandchild, Grace Reinhardt Helitte Lucas, all of whom live in Paris, France.

1948

Jack Murray writes from Santa Barbara, CA, that he has turned 90 and is doing much better than he expected. The biggest news lately is that, after his father’s separation from his mother shortly after Jack was born, Jack has finally gotten in touch with his father’s family through Ancestry.com. They have welcomed him with open arms, provided him with photos and lots of information.

“We are all thrilled to have found each other. I guess it pays to live a long time!”

1950

Frances Janney Ventola, in Melrose, MA, was sorry to miss Class Reunion 2020.

She “prays things will get back to normal,” and had a good visit with family last summer on Long Beach Island, but misses her sister Nora (Nora Janney Dunfee ‘53), who passed away in 2019. Frannie’s message for her classmates is to stay “safe and warm.”

Joan Herbst Lumb writes from Riviera Beach, FL: “Still acting as a docent at the Norton Museum of Art, but this time doing virtual group tours from home.

Like everyone else, I’m anxious for this pandemic to get behind us. Solitary confinement is for the birds...or really moles and other reclusive creatures.”

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1963 The Class of 1963 held a virtual reunion on January 30.

1951

Elizabeth (Betty) Rose Heiney says that she is “obeying the rules and doing well up here in Connecticut.”

1952

Janet Aaronson writes that - due to the pandemic - she is still in Columbus, NJ, “waiting on the virus shot,” although she would much rather be in Florida. She hopes that all her classmates are well and sends her best.

Checking in from Queenstown, MD, Galt Siegrist, Jr., reports that they are transitioning from hard crabs to oysters on the beautiful Wye River.

1953

Paul Roland has an exciting year in store.

Although he plans to retire from the active practice of law this year, his last client has become the CEO and President of McLaren Racing. Paul will attend the Indianapolis 500 and the Monaco Formula One Race, and travel to Italy to spend time with his Italian family. He will also visit the mayors of Milan, Padua, and the commissioners of Venice, whom he has come to know in his role as the former Vice Consul of Italy for Indiana. He wishes all a happy 2021, and safety from the virus.

1954

Nancy H. (Nan) Elsbree sends greetings to classmates. “We’re doing well. Active in Annapolis Friends Meeting (for 45 years)... daughters (3) live nearby. We have two grandsons and two granddaughters, all growing up fast, 26 years to 16 years.

We’re blessed.”

1955

Alfred Driscoll writes that he and Ann are fine, and surrounded by their family in Moorestown.

1958

Brenda Kumpf Donahue writes words of encouragement from Cleveland, OH, to her fellow alums: “2021 will bring a vaccine and a need for patience as we attempt to re-stabilize our country and grief stricken population. We can do it!”

Faithful correspondent Saundra Griffith Nottingham in Berryville, VA, wishes that her daughter Robin could come to Moorestown with her for an MFS reunion and meet her 1958 classmates. Happily settled in her apartment, she is continuing to work on her memoirs. Her sister Bonnie Griffith Jamison ’59 is living in Raleigh with Bonnie’s daughter Lisa and son-in-law Doug.

Spring 2021

Class Notes

Legacy Society Member Debbie Ohler Bowman ’66 shares why she has included MFS in her estate plans.

I wanted to contribute to the life of Moorestown Friends School because MFS made such a positive contribution in my life. I am also grateful to our parents who provided the experience for me and my sister because they believed in the Friends philosophy, values, faith and education. I’d like to share a bit of what the MFS experience has meant in my life. First though, I’ll define what I mean by the MFS experience because I think it’s different for each of us, and this is just what it has meant to me.

The MFS experience encompassed the Quaker values that, to me, lead to a balanced, full and meaningful life. They were embodied in compassionate, thoughtful and challenging teaching and lived by the people involved. These Friends/friends walked their talk. Most powerful of all, for me though, was the open, honest discussions or as we now say conversations - meaningful ones about important life issues fostering decision-making skills. All of us were equal and could contribute our thoughts. As one friend said about Friends schools, “They taught you to think,” so true for me.

We also learned from our mistakes, weren’t humiliated by them and didn’t fear them. For those of you at MFS in the sixties (Go class of ’66!), some examples of the activities at MFS included the Religious Life Committee assemblies on Monday and the relaxed assemblies on Fridays and work camp to clubs and teams, dances, class plays and many essay tests. (I think it was so emblematic that there were multiple teams. I remember hockey teams, from the First team all the way to the Sixth team, to enable everyone who wanted to play to do so.) There was something else, though, and it is the intangible spirit of the School, more than atmosphere. I attribute that spirit to the recognition of the Inner Light in all who went there. There was fun, joy and balance in growing up with MFS for me. Oh, and tough moments and disappointments from which to learn.

So how did I apply what I experienced? I have to admit that I absorbed the experiences and didn’t realize that I had until freshman year in college. I was walking across a grassy lawn at Sweet Briar on a Thursday and I was suddenly startled by the realization that I missed (longed for) Meeting (when we were at MFS it was on Thursdays). But I didn’t really ponder that feeling then. Though I guess I incubated all I had gained, and I know I referred to my Quaker school experiences and the faith in action that I had seen. During my sophomore year my roommate asked, “Why don’t you major in what you’re really most interested in?” It was Religion so I changed my major from Psychology to Religion. I believe both fields served me well in my work as a school psychologist and special education supervisor through some challenging, difficult times when special education was implemented in public schools. They have helped me subsequently in my volunteer work.

The MFS experience has been my core, and I finally began to realize that after I had lost both parents (within a year and a half of each other). I was 25 years old at the time, and I believe I had little personal insight at that point, and that was when I relied on the core automatically. I grew more reflective with help and became so much more aware of the influence of the experience. As I grew personally through missteps and fortunate ones, the Friends mercy and direction steadied me and helped me continue through the rest of my life.

Watching MFS continue to grow, talking with development staff over the years, meeting with our Head of School virtually, reading about the wonderful students, outstanding graduates and wanting others to benefit from MFS, I knew I wanted to give a financial bequest. In some small way I want to help the school to continue to flourish.

Debbie Ohler Bowman ’66

To learn how you can include MFS in your estate plans, visit https://mfriends.plannedgiving.org/ or contact Steve Zakroff, Director of Development at szakroff@mfriends.org

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Class Notes

1964

1967

Pete and Bonnie Greenfield Reagan.

During the pandemic, Rochelle (Shelly) Towers has been going back and forth between Cherry Hill and Ocean City.

“A year making all our travel plans and socializing impossible! Not good for our mental health.” She is grateful for her three sons and daughters-in-law, and for the seven grandchildren that they have, ranging from ages 9 to 20. This April, she and her husband will have been married 59 years.

1961

Karen Sieg Barton reports that she has become more active in retirement than she expected to be! On September 23, she was elected to the Lower Merion (PA) Township Human Relations Commission for a three-year term. This joins her work as Coordinator of the Bryn Mawr Peace Coalition, and board membership in the Bryn Mawr Business Association. She is also a member of the Bryn Mawr Civic

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Association, the Philadelphia Area AntiDrone Network, and has been an active participant for many years in the Campus Community Dialogue Group, which works to smooth the relationship between Villanova University and the surrounding community. All these activities complement what she refers to as her “insane exercise program,” involving walking six miles a day, and lifting weights three days a week. She admits to looking forward to slowing down sometime.

1963

(p. 36) Class representative Butch Chase hosted a virtual reunion for members of the Class of 1963 on January 30. Thanks to the more than 20 members of the class who participated.

1964

Pete Reagan wrote to us about his wife Bonnie Greenfield Reagan making

Janet Sawyer Thomas and husband John celebrated Janet’s retirement with a cruise, pre-pandemic. her debut as a composer, since, he says, Bonnie was too modest to write. Seven years ago, early in her retirement from medical practice, Bonnie helped to found BRAVO Youth Orchestras in North Portland, OR, a music education program dedicated to community involvement and social change. It has grown to serve upwards of 800 underprivileged students in kindergarten through high school. She became so inspired by the young musicians that she decided to begin the study of violin herself, and is progressing, despite arthritic fingers. Her teacher encouraged her to also learn some music theory, which has led her to try her hand at composing. Her short composition, “Ionian Meadow,” was premiered by BRAVO students online this past December to rave reviews!

Spring 2021

Class Notes

1970

Larry Hinds is administering the COVID-19 vaccine in Hawaii.

1966

Debbie Ohler Bowman p. 37

1967

Percy Ransome p. 43

Janet Sawyer Thomas was lucky enough to squeeze in a cruise celebrating her retirement last year, before COVID-19 restricted travel. Her new pandemic hobby has been taking up gardening at home in Moorestown, with which she is enjoying moderate success.

1970

Janet Hinds Pilvalis ‘71 shared a photo of her brother Larry Hinds, who has retired from the Southern Sarasota, FL Fire Department. He maintains his paramedic license and is part of emergency response teams. Currently, he lives in Oahu, HI where he is administering up to 1000 vaccinations per day.

1974

After her retirement last June, Lora Urbanelli and husband Bill moved back to New England. They are again in the Providence, RI area and she is consulting for a search firm, recruiting museum

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1986

At his retirement ceremony in July 2020 following 30 years of active Federal service, Colonel G. Shawn Wells (center) is pictured with Lieutenant General (Retired) Ben Hodges (former US Army Europe Commander) and Shawn’s daughter, Katie Wells. directors and staff. She shares, “It’s been a tough year for everyone, nonprofits and cultural organizations included. Stay well, friends.”

1983

1976

Lisa Bobbie Schreiber Hughes was able to complete her last overseas assignment for the Department of State (an inspection of the Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania) before the pandemic spread worldwide.

She reports that she and her dog Voxie, and cats have been dividing their time between SportingArt Farm, the Jersey Shore, and DC.

1978

Stuart Fisher, senior psychologist with The World Bank, reports that his father, retired physician George R. Fisher III of Haddonfield, aged 95, has just published a book, Philadelphia Revelations: Twenty Tours of the Delaware Valley. The book is a companion piece to his blog, “Philadelphia Reflections.” (Dr. Fisher’s other alum children are George ’69, Miriam ’70, and Margaret Fischer ’75.)

In September, Sheryl Huggins Salomon was promoted to Chief Communications Officer for the McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research at New York University, from Director of Communications.

1980

Mary Jo Coll has moved. “After 21 years in Center City on the tenth floor with amazing news, made the move to the ‘burbs, Glen Mills, PA, to a 55+ community.

Fifty-five plus… yes, that’s us, hard to

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Class Notes

Michael Carter ’91 Releases Second Book The Mission Corporation Michael Carter ’91 , founder and CEO of BizEquity, a financial technology company, recently published his second book, The Mission Corporation. Co-written with his friend Michael Moe, founder and CEO of GSV Holdings, the book has been endorsed by business leaders including the CEOs of Starbucks and Nike and the publisher of Forbes.

Carter and Moe were motivated to write the book because they felt that the capitalism that is prevalent today was not the “capitalism that we grew up with.”

The authors think that modern capitalism has lost its moral bearings. Available through Amazon, The Mission Corporation is a call for corporations to follow “seven declarations” which would make capitalism more equitable. They hope to start a movement with what they term “The Mission Corps,” and, according to Carter, “...get a million business to be created this way, and help to change the world one entrepreneur at a time! What the Peace Corps did for service, we want to do for business.”

Carter has founded and successfully sold five startups, including BizEquity, which is now owned by a subsidiary of Advance Media. In addition to his continuing role there, he is an angel investor through his St. Michael’s Ventures.

Reflecting on his time at Moorestown Friends, what has stayed with him most, rather than a particular course or a single teacher, were the dynamics of his small class.

Carter shared “...my time at MFS taught me that there can be common ground that you can build on even among those that were completely different from you. We were blessed (the Class of 1991) to grow up at a time when social media did not exist and conversations and differences could not simply be ‘cancelled’ but had to be listened to and talked out and absorbed. We had a diverse group of 49 students from different races, creeds, social-economic- and even political backgrounds or traditions. America was built on our differences and on one big idea really, that there was God in everyone.”

Carter’s first book How Much is Your Business Worth? was co-written with Daniel Priestly. An alumnus of St. Joseph’s University (B.S. and M.S. from the Haub School of Business), Carter and his family live in Haverford, PA. Michael and Meredith Carter, with their children Harrison William and Catherine Rose believe! Enjoying the extra space, the grass, and the new community with John (together five years) and my dog Titus.

And loving the garage! Still working as a hospice nurse. When we’re not unpacking, the three of us enjoy our North Wildwood condo purchased in January 2020. Lots of changes in 2020, all good, and feeling very blessed and grateful.”

1981

Susie Harrison wrote to send her regards to all alumni, especially to those from the classes of 1980 and 1981. She reports that she is still teaching high school art in Louisville, KY, and is married to “a dear man” named Paul Reid.

1983

Sheryl Huggins Salomon p. 39

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1986

(p. 39) G. Shawn Wells retired from the United States Army as a Colonel, at a gala ceremony at The Ritz Carlton Pentagon City, VA, on July 17. At the event, he received the Legion of Merit with the bronze oak leaf cluster and a flag that was flown over the Pentagon in his honor. He began his career in the military at Fort Bragg, NC, as an armor officer in July

Spring 2021

Class Notes

Linsey Davis ’95 Named ABC World News Tonight Weekend Anchor Linsey Davis ’95 was named the Sunday anchor of World News Tonight and began in her new role in February. ABC News President James Goldston was effusive in his praise in a statement: “Linsey has had an impressive rise at ABC News as a result of her unflinching interview prowess, her versatility and experience. Last year she was named anchor of ABC News Live’s first-ever streaming evening newscast in primetime, which has surged in viewership by over 200% since launch a year ago. Her presidential debate moderating performance was nothing short of commanding, holding candidates to account on racial inequality before social unrest swept the nation last summer. Linsey co-anchored our 2020 election coverage, including all eight nights of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, two presidential debates, the vice presidential debate, five straight days of presidential election coverage until a winner was declared and Inauguration Day. Her interviews have included a wide range of newsmakers from Hillary Clinton and Mike Pence to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Camille Cosby and a powerful jailhouse conversation with Myon Burrell. She conducted the first roundtable discussion with Black female mayors from across the country during the height of protests against police brutality and anchored the documentary Homegrown Hate: The War Among Us – a chilling look into hate-inspired violence and intimidation, and the growth of domestic terrorism. She’ll continue to anchor ABC News Live Prime Monday through Thursday, and we’ll rotate anchors on Friday nights.”

Linsey joined ABC News as a New York-based correspondent for ABC NewsOne, the network’s affiliate news service. Before joining the network in June 2007, Davis was anchor of the weekend evening newscasts at WTHR-TV in Indianapolis. There, she started out as a reporter in 2003 and reported from New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, from Torino for the 2006 Winter Olympics and from Athens for the 2004 Summer Olympics. From 2001-2003, she was a reporter at WJRT-TV, the ABC owned station in Flint, Michigan. Davis has received several honors for her reporting, including two Emmy Awards and a regional Edward R. Murrow Award.

Her children’s book, The World is Awake, became a bestseller in February 2019; in August 2019, Davis released her second book, One Big Heart, which also became a bestseller. Davis’ third book, Stay This Way Forever, was released in February 2021.

Active at MFS as a member of student government, the Instrumental Ensemble and the Varsity Tennis team, Linsey was also chosen by her classmates as their Commencement speaker. She has stayed involved with MFS through keynoting Career Day, participating in the Head’s Advisory Board, holding a book signing at the school, and helping host MFS journalism students during a 2019 visit to New York.

Davis earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Virginia and an M.A. in communications from New York University.

1990. He has served in several overseas assignments, including Germany, Italy, and Korea, as well as operational deployments in East Timor, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and received numerous decorations including the Bronze Star. He has also participated in several national events, including

Spring 2021

Operation Noble Eagle, the US-Canadian joint homeland security mobilization following the events of 9/11. He was looking forward to enjoying some time off before going back to work within the National Capital Region.

1988

Dana Calvo writes that “Due to COVID-19, this marks the longest stretch of my life that I have not been back East from my home in Los Angeles. As I write this, it’s been ten months since I have seen my parents or sister, Lisa Calvo Haas

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Class Notes

Tiffany Taylor Jenkins ‘97 Featured in New Book on Those Impacted By Racism in the Work Place Tiffany Taylor Jenkins ’97 is featured in the new book Shut Em Down: Black Women, Racism and Corporate America by Dr. Corey Yazeed, the stories of 20 women experiencing racism in the workplace.

Tiffany is the founder and CEO of Awakening Change Counseling Service, LLC, located in Cherry Hill. She has worked in the behavioral health field for over 20 years and is in the process of completing the requirements to complete a doctorate in organizational leadership.

Tiffany has shared that she is “proud to have been chosen as a contributing expert for an anthology on Black Women and Racism in corporate America. The anthology reached #1 on Amazon with just pre-sales. The anthology shares stories from 20 workplace trauma survivors and advice from three experts (all Black women) in an effort to facilitate conversation around this difficult topic. I am super excited to add this publication to my list of accomplishments in the midst of such a difficult year.” Signed copies can be obtained through Tiffany’s website: www.awakeningchange.org

1989

1996 Donna Basilicato St. Germain, with her husband Brian St. Germain, and their son Jack. ’84. Sending care and health to the MFS community from the West Coast.”

We also heard from Heather Guthrie Martin in Portland, OR: “Living in the Pacific Northwest for the last 16 years we already appreciated our access to outdoor recreation, but that became even more valuable during COVID. My family, including my two sons, are doing well and enjoying proximity to my brother’s family in Seattle (David Guthrie ’86).”

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Jimmy Stanley reports that after a tenyear hiatus from flying, he took a position as an airline pilot for Horizon Air, the regional airline of Alaska Air Group, based in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. This past summer he was upgraded to airline captain and once again has enjoyed work as an aircraft commander and mentor to up-and-coming airline pilot first officers.

He has enjoyed occasional get-togethers with MFS classmate and fellow Portland resident Kacy Kozloff and her family.

Ariadne Moore welcomed baby girl Bellamie Ann to their family.

1989

In December, Donna Basilicato St. Germain achieved an M.B.A. with a minor in marketing from Drexel University. Her career has been focused on leading corporate communications for multinational companies. She lives in Downingtown, PA, with her husband Brian, ten-year-old son Jack, two dogs, and two cats.

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Class Notes

1998

1998

Edwin Darlow and Tracy Ransome Darlow with daughter Starla.

At the wedding of Tracy Ransome and Edwin Darlow in August 2019 in Kauai, HI were: Tracy’s father Percy Ransome ’67, Grace Ransome, Tracy’s mother Marie Ransome, Tracy, Edwin, Mason Ransome, Fran Ransome, and Eric Ransome.

1991

Michael Carter p. 40

1995

Linsey Davis p. 41

1996

Ariadne Moore, in South Charleston, WV, welcomed baby girl Bellamie Ann into the fold in August, joining big brothers Philip, Jonathan, Maxwell, Nikolai, and Aleksei.

1997

Tiffany Taylor Jenkins p. 42

1998

Tracy Ransome Darlow and her husband Edwin Darlow were thrilled to welcome their daughter Starla Ransome Darlow into the world on the island of

Spring 2021

2003

Waiheke in New Zealand on September 12. Still making their home in New Zealand, the Darlow family hopes to return to the U.S. when the COVID situation gets better. Tracy and Edwin were married on the Hawaiian island of Kauai on August 24, 2019.

1999

In November, Matt Riggins was named Chair of the Burlington County Bridge Commission, succeeding State Senator Troy Singleton who stepped down in October. Matt had been serving as Vice Chairman. In his new role, Matt will lead the three-member board which oversees the agency responsible for the operations of the Tacony-Palmyra and Burlington-Bristol toll bridges over the Delaware River, as well as several smaller bridges in the county and within the Palmyra Cove Nature Park. The

Ella and Kingston Hall, children of Kareem and Erika Richardson Hall.

Commission also serves as Burlington County’s improvement authority and oversees regional planning and economic development for the county, including the small business loan programs such as the recently launched Health Emergency Loan Program (HELP) for businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Matt lives in Moorestown and is CFO and Executive Vice President of Riggins Oil.

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Class Notes

2003

2007

Lindsay Michaelson Kelemen and Dylan Kelemen, with their children Warren and Neve.

Although they had to postpone their big celebration to 2021, Emily Hummel and Ryan Murray got married in a small backyard ceremony in Media, PA this summer. Alums joining them via Zoom included Emily’s sister Lisa Hummel ’05, who lives in California, and Emily’s classmates Rebecca Cope, Kathleen Osborne, and Rosie Reilly.

2007

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Spring 2021

Class Notes

2010 & 2012 2007

Emma Bradfield Hurt, daughter of Katherine Hoelz Hurt, arrived in late December.

2008

Joe Wittman and Lauren Joffe were married on October 10.

2003

(p. 43) Erika Richardson Hall and her husband are happy to announce the birth of their son Kingston Alexander Hall on November 8. Their daughter Ella is now three. The Halls live in Decatur, GA. (p. 44) Classmates Dylan Kelemen and Lindsay Michaelson Kelemen and their son Warren welcomed a new member of the family, daughter Neve Audrey Kelemen, on October 20. They live in Washington, DC.

2006

Claire Kaiser McLean and Sterling McLean welcomed baby boy Caden Kaiser McLean on December 5, 2020.

They live in St. Petersburg, FL.

Spring 2021

Noelle’s Light, the nonprofit organization that Alex Laughlin and Jodi Schantz Laughlin founded in memory of their daughter Noelle, continues to grow.

This year on the eve of what would have been Noelle’s fourth birthday, a new partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia was announced. The fund will provide emergency financial support to families transitioning from CHOP’s Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment to the Newborn/Intensive Care Unit. It will give help to distressed families toward covering costs such as transportation and

lodging, co-pays, and uninsured medical costs, lost wages from unpaid time off work, and funeral costs. The Laughlins live in Riverton.

2007

Emily Hummel Murray p. 44

Katherine Hoelz Hurt and her husband Ben welcomed a baby girl named Emma Bradfield Hurt on December 22, just in time for Christmas! “We are all happy and healthy.” The Hurts live in Charlottesville, VA.

2008

Claire Kaiser McLean

2010

Joe Wittman ‘10 and Lauren Joffe ‘12 were married on October 10 in a small ceremony for which they wrote their own vows. The couple resides in Moorestown with their dog Jeffery. Joe is Director of Engineering with Dayton Inspection Services and Lauren is a real estate agent with Evergreen Real Estate, LLC and a developer with Creekview Development Company, LLC.

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Share Your News with Friends

2012

Moorestown Friends School encourages all alumni to share their news for Class Notes. To contribute, please email communications@ mfriends.org with updates on your life and any high resolution photos you would like to submit for publication. If you prefer, you can also write to Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Schlotterbeck, Moorestown Friends School, 110 E. Main St., Moorestown, NJ 08057.

Class Notes received after March 15 will be printed in the next issue of Among Friends.

Josh Sackstein and Julia Rubin became engaged on November, 28, 2019, and plan to wed this June. Pictured here (L to R) are Josh’s parents, Adam and Sharon Sackstein, Josh, Julia, and Julia’s parents, Andi and Paul Rubin.

2012

2017

Katherine Sowa Hammer - see Class of 2020 note.

2018

Paige Dubrow is now living in Salt Lake City, UT, and pursuing her Ph.D. in psychology.

note.

Lauren Joffe - see Class of 2010

Josh Sackstein

2014

Lawrence Mullen has been elected to serve a three-year term as the Business Agent (de facto head) of the SUNY at Buffalo GSEU-CWA Local 1104, the Graduate Student Employee Union, part of the Communication Workers of America.

Lawrence is pursuing doctoral studies in 19th century American literature and cultural studies there.

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Congratulations to Katie Schuyler, who graduated in December 2020 from Tulane University with a B.S. in neuroscience.

Amanda Cooper, Brown University Class of 2022, last year achieved high honors with distinction, maintaining a 4.0 while playing NCAA Division 1 field hockey for the Bears.

2020

Wellesley College freshman Shelby Deibler was interviewed in the Oct./ Nov. Issue of Girls’ Life Magazine about voting for the first time in November. Her interviewer was Girls’ Life Digital Director and Associate Editor Katherine Sowa Hammer ’12.

overall and 9-5 in Big East play. She finished among the top five on the team in scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals.

Former Faculty

Jack Schneider, who taught history at MFS from 2002-05 (and also coached baseball), recently published his fourth book, “A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door: The Dismantling of Public Education and the Future of School.” A frequent contributor to The Washington Post and The Atlantic, he also co-hosts an education podcast, “Have You Heard?” He left MFS to pursue a Ph.D. at Stanford University, and now is an Assistant Professor of Leadership in Education at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He remains connected to the MFS community through his mother-in-law, School Committee Clerk Barbara Caldwell.

Bella Runyan ‘20 was a significant contributor to the Villanova women’s basketball team which finished 17-7

Spring 2021

In Memoriam Maria Randall Allen ‘41

John “Jay” Hatfield III ’71

Stephen Balaban ’63 brother of Donald Balaban ’59 Ray Cabrera husband of Patricia A. Drake ‘66

Gail MacColl Jarrett ’72 daughter of late head of school Alexander MacColl, sister of Carol MacColl ‘73, Katherine MacColl ’75, Pamela MacColl ’76, Kim MacColl ’80, and Christina MacColl ’81

William T. Caldwell ’46 brother of Mary Rose Caldwell Schlatter ’51 and the late Margaret Caldwell Karb ’49

Carol Dickerson Kaufman ‘53 sister of Mary Dickerson Reed ’55 and the late William Dickerson ’59

Arthur J. Collins III ’58

Brenda Kirkland-Constantino ’65

Alan R. Craig former Headmaster and husband of former Fifth Grade Teacher Mary Craig

Francis Merrick Murphy ’63 brother of the late Mark Murphy ’63

John Dawson husband of former Lower School Teacher Marge Dawson Antoinette Green mother of Patricia Green Lee ’83 James Green father of Patricia Green Lee ’83 Donald M. Haley ’63

Jane Carpenter Post ’51 sister to Charles Carpenter, Jr. ’52 and the late Cynthia Carpenter Wilson ’43 Thalia Little Putney ’53 Andrew Robert Wasson ‘81 brother of Michael Wasson ‘83 Joan C. Weber mother of Meg Weber Garza ’78, Beth Weber Hermann ’82, and Christian Weber III ’87

Editor’s Note: Full obituaries are found on the MFS website. “In Memoriam” lists the passing of the following: alumni; immediate family of alumni (father, mother, child, spouse, sibling); current parents; current and past faculty and staff; spouses, partners and children of current faculty, staff and administration; current and former trustees; and spouses and children of current trustees. Notices will include any of the deceased’s relatives who are MFS alumni. To locate full obituaries on the MFS website, navigate to “News” in the top menu of www.mfriends.org and then select “Among Friends Magazine.” Alumni who do not have access to the Internet may contact Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Schlotterbeck at (856) 914-4434 to request a hard copy of an obituary.

Spring 2021

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LOWER SCHOOL PLAYSCAPE COMING SUMMER 2021 At Moorestown Friends School, we believe that outdoor play should be a natural extension of the learning that happens in our classrooms.

Rooted in Quaker values, we support children to play collaboratively, resolve conflicts peacefully, and connect to the simplicity of nature and their responsibility as environmental stewards. Outdoor play nurtures and develops these qualities, sparking creativity and the inner light in each child, all while allowing kids to be kids.

Features: Multiple play zones with wheelchair accessible pathways Hammock and benches to invite conversation and connection Rain garden with steppers to explore nature up close Sandbox and adventure paths nestled in meadow grasses Open field space for groupbased games and activities Custom-built “onion pod” that invites a hidden treehouse experience

The current Lower School playground was constructed 23 years ago, and is in need of a major refresh. Thanks to a successful fundraising campaign led by the School Committee, MFS has partnered with Studio Ludo and Metcalfe Architecture & Design to dream up a natural play environment that promotes solitary and collaborative activities for children to encourage complex thinking and problem-solving. The result is a one-of-a-kind natural environment that invites adventure, tactile experiences with nature, and exploration of play structures, hidden spaces, and social areas.

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Native plantings that invite pollinators and change in the seasons, dropping berries, pods, and leaves to prompt creative play for all ages

Spring 2021

VIRTUAL ALUMNI WEEKEND MAY 7-8, 2021

Friday, May 7 4 p.m. Former Faculty and Staff Gathering via Zoom Hosted by Lynne Brick and Marge Dawson 7 p.m. Alumni Weekend Kickoff and Awards Presentations via Zoom Hosted by Alumni Association Clerk Meg Hollingworth ’97, this event will highlight the 2020 and 2021 Alumni Association Award winners

Saturday, May 8 12 p.m. Meeting for Worship via Zoom Hosted by Chester Reagan Chair Melissa McCourt 12:30 p.m. Faculty and Student Panel via Zoom Learn about the challenges and opportunities of teaching and learning during 2020-21 at MFS. Head of School Julia de la Torre will moderate this panel featuring English Department Chair Debra Auspitz Galler, Director of Diversity and Inclusion Dot López, Social Studies & Economics teacher Jake Greenberg, and members of the Class of 2021.

4 p.m. Alumni Gathering and MFS Trivia Contest via Zoom Alumni Association Executive Committee members Chris Tegley ’88 and Meg Hollingworth ’97 will host this gathering that will feature breakout groups for alumni with a Quizzostyle trivia contest.

Reunion Zooms for 0’s, 5’s, 1’s and 6’s Reunion Committees have been working on fun plans for class gatherings via Zoom, most on Saturday, May 8, featuring breakout rooms, reflections, trivia,and more.

Individual Explorations Available on the Alumni Weekend website starting on the afternoon of May 7: • Welcome Video with Head of School Julia de la Torre and friends • Campus Tour – Enjoy this special recorded walk through campus on a busy school day • “All Hail the Red and Blue” – Listen to the Upper School Choir sing the school song • Send a special message of support and cheer to the Class of 2021 • Check out music from various decades and eras • Explore the senior class Capstone Projects • Download an MFS virtual background • And more!

The Alumni Association Awards will be presented on May 7 at 7 p.m.

2021 Alice Stokes Paul 1901 Merit Award Mark Mitchell ’86 Vice President of the National Association of Independent Schools, Mark has been a career-long advocate for opening the doors of access and opportunity at schools, helping to shape best practices on tuition pricing, affordability and school financial aid policy.

2021 Young Alumni Award Ryan A. Flynn, M.D., Ph.D. ’06 Ryan is being recognized for his amazing work in the field of RNA biology and stem cell research. Ryan is the newest Principal Investigator in the Stem Cell Program at Boston Children’s Hospital and an Assistant Professor at Harvard University in the Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology.

2021 Service Award Meridee Duddleston Alumni Parent Meridee Duddleston is being honored for her nine years of leadership volunteer service as an MFS Trustee, including: involvement with strategic planning, governance, property, and development; her current service on the Head’s Council; as well as for her generous philanthropic support of the school.

2020 Alumni Award Recipients: Alice Stokes Paul 1901 Merit Award – S. Merrill Weiss ’65 Service Award – Frank Beideman and Mindy Holman Young Alumni Award – Cornell Verdeja-Woodson ’05

Visit mfriends.org/AW21 for everything about Alumni Weekend 2021!

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Cinnaminson, NJ Permit No. 81

110 East Main Street Moorestown, NJ 08057-2949

VIRTUAL ALUMNI WEEKEND MAY 7 & 8, 2021

This spring, your visit to MFS is only a click away!

Virtual Alumni Weekend features several all-alumni Zoom gatherings, Class Reunions, plus lots of opportunities for you to explore MFS on your own.

Visit mfriends.org/AW21 for all Alumni Weekend information and event registrations.