AMONG FRIENDS Spring 2020
Coverage of the 2020 Mock Primary Election
A Historic Year for MFS Athletics
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 2020
From the Head of School
2
Notes from Pages Lane
4
Published By The Development Office
NAIS Philadelphia Conference Highlights
8
Editor, Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Schlotterbeck
New Appointments
10
Reflections on Community
11
Fox Tracks
12
Graphic Design Alison Judah ’86, Hypno Design
Mock Primary Election 2020
20
Photography Julia Applegate ‘10, Luke Hoheisel, Mike Schlotterbeck, and alumni, student, and parent contributors
Civically Involved Alums
22
Alumni Network
32
Head of School Julia de la Torre
Class Notes
33
Director of Development Stephen Zakroff
In Memoriam
47
MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL 110 East Main Street Moorestown, NJ 08057 (856) 235-2900, www.mfriends.org
Managing Editor, Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Luke Hoheisel
Associate Director of Development Beth Stouffer Director of Parent and Alumni Programs Suzanne Abrams Assistant Director of Community Outreach Julia Applegate ’10 Director of Annual Giving Sonia Mixter Guzman ’02 Development Office Staff Roberta Fenska and Sue Giacchetto
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.
The Field Hockey, Boys’ Soccer, and Girls’ Tennis teams posed with their victory banners to commemorate a historic fall season.
Printed on recycled paper.
Spring 2020
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Message from the Head of School Dear Friends, When we originally sat down to consider the contents of this edition of Among Friends, the global community was not in the midst of an unprecedented health crisis. Little did we know at the time that our daily reality would be redefined and our community would be pulled together in new and different ways. You will see from the focus of this issue that we have much to celebrate this year, from the 60th anniversary of a foundational MFS experience in civic engagement to one of the most memorable years in the history of MFS athletics. Despite the swirling uncertainty that surrounds us today, I am eager to invite you into some of the “normalcy” that Among Friends can offer - a celebration of what our school does best. Together we engage our students in unique experiences that prepare them for living lives of courage and consequence. Perhaps there is no greater time for courage than now. The emergence and spread of COVID-19 was nothing any of us could have imagined. Our leadership team formed a Coronavirus Response Team that meets almost daily and makes key decisions on behalf of the school in light of the ever-changing health situation. We have kept our community informed through emails, video messages, and a public webpage with links to key information and resources. We are in frequent contact with our local health officials, state government officials, and peer institutions around the country to align our thinking and decisions with those of the experts. In a matter of days at Moorestown Friends School, we went from typical classes and hallways filled with laughter to a quiet campus and learning happening at home. What our students, faculty, staff, and families have achieved in a brief period of time is nothing short of amazing. I thought you might appreciate hearing a little more about what we are calling “Virtual MFS,” or remote learning from home. Moving an in-person educational experience for 700 children and 100+ adults was no small task. We formed a Remote Learning Team made up of administrators, teachers, and staff who have led the way on what it means to preserve community and learning in a remote setting. The needs of a kindergartener are far different from those of a senior, so we have leveraged our expertise in child development to create learning schedules and platforms that meet the needs of a wide range of students. For a typical Lower Schooler, there are opportunities to connect with teachers through virtual check-ins, small group instruction, or storytime, but much of their learning is happening in the company of their parents/guardians with support and materials from teachers. For Middle and Upper Schoolers, there is a rotating schedule that mixes synchronous learning (live sessions that are teacher-led) with asynchronous learning (assignments that happen on a child’s own time), as well as “flex time” where students can choose to study, seek out a teacher, create art, connect with nature, or do anything else that provides them what they need.
Scenes from Virtual MFS
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Message from the Head of School Academic learning is in full swing and students and faculty are greeting the opportunity with curiosity and flexibility. We are primarily using Google Classroom, but teachers are also making use of other tools like Zoom, Flipgrid, EdPuzzle, Loom screencasting, and more. The online space has invited teachers to consider learning in new ways, offering great opportunities for student engagement. In addition to academics, though, the core of what makes Virtual MFS different is the care for the social-emotional lives of children and the commitment to creating connection. I have been proud to witness what our faculty and staff have done to maintain the closeness and community for which MFS is known. Our staff host advisory periods, office hours, and Meetings for Worship. Students get together for “community time” where they log in to brainstorm grade-level challenges to promote a spirit of community. Division Directors host virtual coffees with parents to gather feedback and provide them with a sense of connection to their children’s school. Faculty offer each other optional yoga and mindfulness sessions to encourage a sense of balance, while maintaining a spirit of collegiality. And that was all in the first week of Virtual MFS! I have no doubt that as our circumstances evolve, we will continue to see incredible creativity and innovation, all grounded in our commitment to community. As I step back from the practicality of what is now our day-to-day life “at school,” I can’t help but acknowledge what a unique and challenging moment this is for all of us. Students are experiencing a profound sense of loss for what they thought their school year would be. Our seniors in particular are faced with uncertainty around key milestones that they have been anticipating for years. No matter where you are on the globe, you are working hard to make sense of the senseless and to find connection with what matters most in life. In many ways, COVID-19 has prompted us to consider our fragility and our interdependence on our global neighbors. As we move forward as a human race, I urge us to greet this challenge humbly and with deep care for our fellow citizens. Together we have the ability to make a difference. I feel fortunate to do that work in the company of children, and I invite you along as you read through this issue of Among Friends. With gratitude,
Julia de la Torre Head of School
Scenes from Virtual MFS
Spring 2020
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March 5
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. Third grade students personally delivered letters to State Senator Linda Greenstein and her chief of staff in Trenton. The letters expressed student opinions about the possible addition of an Alice Paul (Class of 1901) statue to National Statuary Hall in Washington, DC.
March 2
Lower School students participated in special fitness activities during the eighth annual Jumping 4 George celebration, held in memory of the late George Thomas, a long-serving faculty member and alumni parent.
February 21
Fifth graders designed activities for the “family table” at Camden’s Cathedral Kitchen in addition to collecting socks and toiletries for donation.
February 22
This year’s Choral Showcase was themed “Battle of the Bands: Vocal Edition.” Choirs in grades 3-12 sang a collection of songs from the past 50 years including a few by The Beatles, N’Sync, The Supremes, and more. The MFS Dance Team also gave a special performance. 4
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February 13
Students, faculty, and staff of all ages gathered together to celebrate Friendship Day. Thoughtful discussions around Peter H. Reynolds’ book The Word Collector, games and crafts, and Meeting for Worship created an atmosphere of sharing and community.
February 12
February 9
At the Climate Change Symposium, part of the seventh grade Quest program, small groups of students shared a variety of creative and diligently researched projects. They focused on designing and proposing ideas to help make Moorestown a more sustainable community. Director of Diversity and Inclusion Dot LĂłpez invited school families and faculty and staff to a private screening of the movie Just Mercy at the AMC Voorhees theater. More than 250 community members came to the show. At MFS, seventh grade students read a young adult version of Just Mercy, and the movie prompted a great deal of valuable discussion on the themes of diversity and justice.
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February 4
The Upper School Consumer Bowl team captured first place in the Burlington County Consumer Bowl, a quiz-show style competition in which students test their knowledge on consumer affairs.
January 18
The Upper School Chamber Choir placed second in the 2020 International Competition of High School A Cappella (ICHSA) tournament quarterfinal at Northern Highlands Regional High School.
January 14
Upper School students in one of History Teacher Eliza McFeely’s minor courses created a quilt entitled The Face of America over several months. It was hung behind candidates and speakers in the Baiada Field House Gym during the Mock Primary Election. 6
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January 11
Title
As part of the Strategic Planning process, nearly 100 community members gathered for Community Design Day, a collaborative full-day program of idea sharing, divergent thinking, and prototyping led by consultants from Leadership + Design.
November 13
Eighth Grade and Upper School students presented the fall musical Little Shop of Horrors. Pictured are leads Calvin Bell ’20 and Lindsay Perr ’21, who played the roles of Seymour and Audrey.
Spring 2020
October 11
A group of Middle and Upper School students traveled to the Friends Center in Philadelphia for a workshop about Quakerbased decision making. The day’s events brought together students from multiple Friends schools in the Greater Philadelphia area. Participants discussed their various school decision-making committees and the importance of collaborative and consensus-oriented language. AMONG FRIENDS
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NAIS Philadelphia Conference Highlights MFS Strongly Represented as National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Conference Comes to Philadelphia
MFS: Our School, Our Legacy By Julia de la Torre, Head of School Like most professionals, educators rely on professional development to glean new ideas, share best practices, and connect with others in the field. From February 26-28, the faculty, staff, and administration of Moorestown Friends School participated in the annual conference of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), which took place in Philadelphia. NAIS is made up of 1,900 member schools from the U.S. and abroad and works in partnership with educators to co-create the future of learning for young people. Moorestown Friends School was strongly represented at this year’s conference, both in workshops and on the main stage. Here are some of the highlights. Contributing to the National Dialogue In preparation for the arrival of the Annual Conference to Philadelphia, MFS was invited to participate as a member of the planning Think Tank. School leaders from the Philadelphia area collaborated with NAIS leadership to design the focus of the three-day event around the theme of Your School, Your Legacy. From topics, to speakers, to networking opportunities, to big ideas, the Think Tank contributed experience and thought leadership to the shaping of the conference.
Clockwise from upper right: Former Head of School Larry Van Meter ’68, Head of School Julia de la Torre, MFS School Committee Clerk and former Associate Head of School Barbara Caldwell, and School Committee member Peter Baily (President of the Association of Independent Maryland and DC Schools) presented “Building Bridges: Practical Tips for a Successful Head’s Transition;” Middle School Director Kimberly Clarkson, Lower School Director Jenel Giles, and Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Shu Shu Costa with NAIS Board Chair Bernie Noe and NAIS President Donna Orem; Julia de la Torre was on stage to introduce general session speaker and best-selling author Gretchen Rubin.
Sharing the Best of Our Community On the Friday of the conference, MFS used a professional development day to bring all 100 of our teachers to participate in the conference workshops. It was energizing to see our teachers at every turn throughout the Philadelphia Convention Center. Attending workshops, listening to keynotes, learning about resources, and connecting with peers, our teachers were able to share with and learn from a broad network of educators.
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NAIS Philadelphia Conference Highlights
Director of Diversity and Inclusion Dorothy LĂłpez, Math Teacher Roy Wilson, and Science Teacher Tina Corsey with keynote speaker and author of The Hate U Give Angie Thomas.
MFS faculty members take a break from the hustle and bustle. Several of our administrators were selected to present workshops to hundreds of conference participants. From governance to leadership to the student experience, MFS leaders were sharing some of the best of what we have done in our community: Building Bridges: Practical Tips for a Successful Head’s Transition (Julia de la Torre, Larry Van Meter, and MFS Trustees Barbara Caldwell and Peter Baily) Am I Lost or Am I Searching: Reflective Exercises for Journeys of Transition (Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Shu Shu Costa and Friends Council on Education members) Scaffolding Leadership Development in High Schools (Upper School Director Meredith Godley and Associate Head & Academic Dean Chris Kimberly)
Upper School Director Meredith Godley and Associate Head of School Chris Kimberly led a workshop.
Lower School faculty arrive at the conference.
Spring 2020
Creating Inclusive Environments for Transgender and NonBinary Students in Lower and Middle Schools (Middle School Director Kimberly Clarkson and Friends schools colleagues) As part of my participation, I was invited, as a member of the Think Tank, to the main stage to introduce the closing keynote speaker, Gretchen Rubin, an expert on happiness and helping people live their best lives. What a wonderful way to both connect with other leaders and also get our school out in front of 5,000 participants from around the country. The NAIS conference stretched our thinking, energized us with new ideas, and allowed us to showcase many of the successful programs taking place at Moorestown Friends School. We felt honored to be a part of the national conversation on how to prepare young people for living lives of courage and consequence.
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New Appointments Head of School Julia de la Torre announced three administrative appointments in recent months, all effective July 1: Meredith Godley, Associate Head of School and Academic Dean
Meredith Godley succeeds Chris Kimberly, who will depart to become Head of School at Friends Meeting School in Ijamsville, MD. As MFS Upper School Director for the past three years, Meredith has streamlined and strengthened the Intensive Learning program, introduced restorative practices to support students, and initiated an exciting new partnership with the University of Pennsylvania on social entrepreneurship, among other accomplishments. Prior to her current position, Meredith served as the Director of College Counseling at MFS for seven years. She taught Upper School Spanish during that span and co-designed the acclaimed MFS Peer Leadership program, which began in 2014. Meredith previously worked as Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Director of College Counseling, and as a Spanish teacher at Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, NJ. Prior to WardlawHartridge, she taught Spanish at Dana Hall School in Wellesley, MA and McLean School in Potomac, MD. She has an M.A. in private school leadership from Columbia University’s Teachers College and a B.A. in psychology from Bates College. Meredith is also a graduate of Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC, where she was the student government president.
Evan Haine-Roberts, Middle School Director
Evan Haine-Roberts succeeds Kimberly Clarkson, who will depart after five years serving as Middle School Director to relocate to the DC area. Evan has a broad and diverse background and a proven track record as a middle school leader. He possesses nearly a decade of experience at Rodeph Sholom School in New York City, where he has served as an English teacher since 2010. In addition to his teaching duties, Evan is the Director of Middle School Student Life. In this position, he facilitates a range of programs to support Middle School students’ academic, social, and emotional growth. At Rodeph Sholom, Evan was the Chair of the Self-Study Steering Committee for NYSAIS Accreditation. This year he attended a week-long intensive seminar at the CARLE Institute for white educators working to combat racism in independent schools. Prior to Rodeph Sholom, he was a David Dulaney Teaching Fellow at Edmund Burke School in Washington DC, where he taught English, social studies, and journalism. Haine-Roberts has an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership from Brandeis University and a B.A. in English from Carleton College.
Noah Rachlin, Upper School Director
Noah Rachlin succeeds Meredith Godley, who will begin her new position as Associate Head of School and Academic Dean on July 1. Noah has worked at the University of Chicago Lab Schools (UCLS) for the past two years as the High School Dean of Teaching & Learning at the 2,200-student independent school. Prior to his time at UCLS, he was an Instructor in History and Social Science at Phillips Academy in Andover, MA and a Senior Fellow at the Tang Institute at Andover. He also has served as a History Teacher at Rodeph Sholom School in New York City and Pacific Ridge School in Carlsbad, CA. Noah is the academic leader of the UCLS high school, responsible for fostering a school-wide culture of continuous growth and development and connecting the high school with the broader University community and beyond on topics related to educational practice, research, and theory. Outside the classroom, Noah has served as a student advisor, student government advisor, and high school soccer and swimming coach. He has an Ed.M. from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education in education policy and management and a B.A. from Brandeis University in history and philosophy.
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Reflections on Community What Does Community Mean?
Reflections by Dorothy López, Director of Diversity and Inclusion As I settle into my new role, I have had a few reflections about what community truly means at Moorestown Friends School and particularly, what it means at this moment in time in the school’s history. Two years ago I wrote the invocation prayer for Julia de la Torre’s Convocation, a historical moment for the school celebrating the first woman and head of color in our long history. My prayer asked for the pursuit of Julia’s continued strength to lead in support of the diversity of all people in our community despite the adversities we may face. At the time, I had no idea that I would soon be tasked to do the same thing in my future, now current, role. As we look to our country’s history and our school’s history, we must come to terms with our progress and our shortcomings. We teach our children to be optimistic about the future despite many adults, at times, feeling like we have made little progress. And yet, we must be optimistic about the America we all call home, a country that has promised the dream of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. But for whom? Can we guarantee inclusion for all despite our country’s sometimes troubling history? Ray Suarez’s Mock Primary Election speech urged our MFS community not to resist change. He shared that in 2044 America will look a lot different than the America we once knew. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that in 2044, a child will be born who will mark the moment that America has a majority of people who trace their ancestry to Africa, Asia, and Latin America and not Europe. Currently, the MFS student body is composed of 46% students of color, a figure which has risen steadily over the past two decades. In 2003, that number was 25%. Although our community looks different, the questions for us as educators will continue to be, “What will be different about our practices?” Also, “How will we make students and other community members feel that they belong and that their voices and perspectives are included in the content and curriculum they learn?” As the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, I will use those questions to
guide our efforts around equity and inclusion into future years. They will also play an important part in our new Strategic Plan. Our goal is to make difference the norm, and to teach the community how to have courageous conversations with each other built upon shared inquiry and dialogue. We must accept that valuing and embracing the inherent differences of others makes us a stronger and richer community. We will need to prioritize the skill development of empathy and compassion as much as we do our core subjects. In addition, we will need to ensure that our Quaker values shape how we interact and engage with one another. We must rethink how silence is used in our community. When is it best to be silent for reflective purposes and when is it pertinent to speak out and stand up for justice? How can we all work towards a community that is just and equitable for all? As Ray Suarez stated in his remarks, we have to live our way into this experience of a more diverse America, see what it is like, and respond in real time. Every day within the MFS community students are grappling with their real-life experiences, working to develop and unpack their salient identities, and exploring what it means to grow up in our school and our world. Whether you are a young person living the experience or learning about it, it still impacts you, the people around you, and the community of which we are a part. These issues permeate our classrooms, advisory groups, affinity groups and more. As educators we have to embrace the complexities of supporting our students as they form their own ideals and opinions. Supporting civil discourse in our classrooms is vital to the MFS experience. And the words of my Convocation prayer continue to be relevant in the work we do for our community. We must choose to let the present guide us despite our fear and find the Light that will teach us the highest form of understanding so that we can let our lives speak and model that behavior for our students starting today. Dorothy López became the Director of Diversity and Inclusion on July 1, and continues as the Director of the Camden Scholars Program. She has previously served as a Middle and Upper School Math Teacher and the Middle School Diversity Coordinator.
Dorothy López with MFS colleagues and Mark Mitchell ’86 (third from left) at the NAIS People of Color Conference in Seattle in December 2019.
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TITLETOWN! FOXES ENJOY HISTORIC SPORTS YEAR The 2019-20 sports year has been perhaps the most successful in school history as Foxes teams have won an NJSIAA state championship, three NJSIAA sectional/district championships, two Friends Schools League championships, and a 20-team basketball tournament championship. Three additional teams were FSL finalists, and one team was an NJSIAA sectional finalist. Four teams set/tied program records for wins in a season. In addition, a number of individual athletes have captured awards in cross country, swimming, and fencing, including the school’s first-ever swimming state championship!
“We are enjoying perhaps the most successful sports year in school history,” said Athletic Director Danielle Dayton. “I am very proud of our success, but also in the way all of our student-athletes and coaches conduct themselves, win or lose.”
Veyoni Davis ’22 drives to the basket in the SJIBT championship game vs. Clearview.
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Fox Tracks
Repeat! Girls’ Tennis Wins Second Consecutive NJSIAA State Title The Girls’ Tennis team defended their NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship with a 5-0 victory over Newark Academy at Mercer County Park on October 18. It was the second Girls’ Tennis state title in school history and highlighted a season in which Coach Mike Bodary’s team made their case for being one of the top high school tennis teams in the country. For a number of weeks, they were ranked No. 1 in the state by NJ.com. They finished the season 22-1, losing to East Brunswick, 4-1, in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions (TOC) Final. The TOC combines state champions from all six groups, public and non-public, into a six-team tournament. To earn their berth in the state championship match, the team captured the school’s ninth sectional title, defeating Ranney 4-1. They also won the Friends Schools League championship for the third consecutive year. Earlier in the season, the Foxes captured the prestigious Burlington County Open title. Renna Mohsen-Breen ’21 won her third consecutive title, while Bella Pescatore ’22 (second singles), Lisa Seiler ’21 (third singles), and Elena Styliades ‘21 and Skye Mada ’22 (first doubles) also captured championships. Mohsen-Breen was named the Player of the Year for the second consecutive year by the South Jersey Tennis Coaches Association (SJTCA). Pescatore was also recognized as a Non-Public all-star by the SJTCA.
Spring 2020
Two-time South Jersey Player of the Year Renna Mohsen-Breen ’20
From the Captains:
“We were more than a team. We were a family.” – Renna Mohsen-Breen ’20, Girls’ Tennis
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Fox Tracks
Boys’ Soccer Captures Third Sectional Title in Five Years; Sets Program Record for Wins The Boys’ Soccer team continued an extended run of success by capturing their third NJSIAA Non-Public B South championship in five years on November 7 with a 4-1 win at top-seeded WardlawHartridge. The Foxes bolted out of the gate with three goals in the first 12 minutes of the match and never looked back in the comprehensive victory. The team fell to Gill St. Bernard’s on November 10 in the NJSIAA state championship, 3-0.
From the Captains:
“To be one of the leaders on a team that had great chemistry and was one of the best, if not the best, soccer teams in school history is something I’ll keep with me forever.” – Cory Dennis ’20, Boys’ Soccer Matt D’Ottavi ’21 became the all-time leading goalscorer (57) in Boys’ Soccer program history (over 100 years).
The team finished with a record of 17-6, the most wins in program history. They qualified for the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association (SJSCA) Coaches Tournament for the first time in school history, losing to Egg Harbor Twp. in a first-round match. Coach Mike Schlotterbeck’s team also advanced to the Friends Schools League (FSL) championship match for the second time in program history. They fell to Germantown Friends, 2-0, on October 30. Matt D’Ottavi ’21 finished with the school’s single-season record for goals in a season with 32 and he also now holds the program record for career goals (57). The team enjoyed a long list of postseason honors. Matt D’Ottavi, Astin Galanis ’21, and Evan Schlotterbeck ’21 were recognized as three of 51 All-South Jersey players by the SJSCA. They were also named All-State, Non-Public by the Soccer Coaches Association of New Jersey. Evan Schlotterbeck, a defender, was selected as one of two players from the FSL to be named AllState in Pennsylvania.
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Fox Tracks
Field Hockey Wins League Crown; Enjoys Historic Season Enjoying unprecedented success was Coach Danielle Dayton’s Field Hockey team, which captured the Friends Schools League championship and finished 19-2, the most wins in program history. The Foxes did not lose a league game and defeated Westtown in the championship game, 3-1. It was the third league title in program history.
Runner Finishes Fifth at NJSIAA Championships Mark Johnson ’20 worked hard to battle back from injury in time for the postseason and finished fifth at the NJSIAA Non-Public B championship race on November 16 at Holmdel High School.
The team advanced to the NJSIAA Non-Public South final, falling to Camden Catholic. They earned the championship berth with two dramatic victories. They defeated Holy Cross 6-5 in a wild quarterfinal match and then topped that with a 3-2 overtime victory at Red Bank Catholic in the semifinals. In that match, they tied the game with 43 second remaining before winning in the extra stanza. Goalie Ava Carlson ’22 finished with an astounding 25 saves in that match. A fascinating note is that the team enjoyed a 19-game winning streak. They lost their opener to Burlington Township, 3-2, and then embarked on the streak until falling in the sectional championship.
From the Captains:
“Losing the first game of the season lit a fire under our team...we didn’t ever want to feel like that again.” – Sophie Mayser ’20, Field Hockey, on her team’s 19-game winning streak
Spring 2020
Mark Johnson ’20
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Fox Tracks Allison Fenska ’21 Wins State Title in 100 Butterfly; Foxes Enjoy Banner Season in the Pool MFS sports history was made March 1 as Allison Fenska ’21 became the first swimmer to win a NJSIAA Meet of Champions gold medal. She won the 100 butterfly state championship with a time of 55.41. She also garnered a silver medal in the 50 freestyle. Allison is just the third student-athlete in school history to win an individual state championship in any sport. Christina Levins ’21 also made the podium, finishing fourth in the 100 breaststroke and sixth in the 200 individual medley. The Girls’ Swimming team captured four individual gold medals and two relay gold medals en route to a runner-up finish at the Friends Schools League Championships on February 9. For the third consecutive year, Christina Levins and Allison Fenska won two individual gold medals. Christina won the 200 IM (league record) and 100 breaststroke and Allison won the 100 butterfly and 500 freestyle. The 200 medley relay team of Fenska, Levins, Ava Parker ’22, and Jalyn Lawrence ’21 won the 200 medley relay and the 200 freestyle relay team of Fenska, Levins, Parker, and Genevieve Messina ’21 was victorious. On the boys’ side, the Foxes finished fourth in the team standings. For the second year in a row, Peter Xia ’22 captured two gold medals. He won the 200 IM and 500 freestyle (league record).
Allison Fenska ’21
At the South Jersey Interscholastic Swimming Association Championships on January 26, more hardware was captured by Allison Fenska (100 butterfly gold, 50 freestyle silver) and Christina Levins (100 breaststroke gold, 200 IM bronze), and Peter Xia (200 IM bronze). In addition, the team of Fenska, Levins, Parker, and Lawrence won bronze in the 200 medley relay.
Christina Levins ’21
The teams also enjoyed some regional and national postseason honors, with more expected to roll in this spring. Allison Fenska was named First Team All-State in Girls’ Swimming by NJ.com. Allison Fenska (First Team) and Christina Levins (Second Team) were named All-South Jersey by the South Jersey Interscholastic Swimming Association.
Girls’ Fencing Sabre Squad Win District Championship The Girls’ Fencing sabre squad captured the NJSIAA District 5 Championship on January 26. The team consists of (from left): Kathryn Sebastian ’22, Bailey Butterworth ’20, Rachel Liu ’20, Skye Mada ’22, and Sreehita Hajeebu ‘23. In addition, Skye Mada won gold and Rachel Liu won bronze medals respectively in the district individual sabre competition. The sabre squad also won bronze at the NJSIAA State Squad Championships on February 23. Rachel Liu placed fifth in sabre at NJSIAA individual championships on March 1. The Girls’ Fencing team also captured the United Fencing Conference championship on February 29.
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Girls’ Fencing Sabre Squad
From the Captains:
“Fencing is a very detail-oriented sport. Everyone on our team watches, analyzes, and gives suggestions to the fencer despite what weapon they use. It really brings in new perspectives and reminds us that we are not alone on the strip.” – Rachel Liu ’20
Spring 2020
Fox Tracks
Girls’ Basketball Wins SJIBT Tournament and Advances to FSL Final For the first time in school history, Moorestown Friends won the South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament a 20-team tournament featuring schools of all sizes. The Foxes won three consecutive games over large Group 4 schools (Shawnee, Eastern, and Clearview) to win the title. They downed Shawnee (49-41) and Eastern (44-41) to advance to the final where they put forth a dominating performance in beating Clearview, 68-45. Villanova University recruit Bella Runyan ’20 was named tournament MVP and ended her career as the all-time leading scorer in SJIBT history. Sara Coppola ’21 and Veyoni Davis ’22 were also named to the All-Tournament Team. The Foxes ended the season with a record of 21-6, which included an 8-0 record in the Friends Schools League (FSL). They advanced to the FSL final, losing to Westtown, 55-46, in the league championship game on February 9. In the NJSIAA playoffs they advanced to the sectional semifinal before falling to nationally ranked and eventual champion Trenton Catholic, 66-55. Bella Runyan concluded her basketball career as the MFS all-time leader in steals (524) and assists (410). She is also the secondleading scorer in program history with 1,741 points. Veyoni Davis surpassed the 1,000-point barrier for her career during the season as well.
Spring 2020
Among many postseason honors, Bella Runyan was named Player of the Year by the Burlington County Times and Veyoni Davis and Sara Coppola were also recognized with several postseason honors. Coach Mike Brunswick was named Coach of the Year by the Courier-Post and the SJIBT.
Bella Runyan ’21 Commits to Villanova University for Women’s Basketball
Senior three-sport standout Bella Runyan ’21 signed her National Letter of Intent on November 13 sealing her commitment to play basketball at Villanova University.
From the Captains:
“We brought energy to everything. Whether that was an 8 a.m. practice or a film session, everyone was always so enthusiastic about basketball and so excited to work together. ” – Bella Runyan ’20
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The 2020 MFS Mock Primary Election
Previous Years’ Nominees
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Year
MFS Nominee(s)
Actual Nominee(s)
1960
Stuart Symington
John F. Kennedy
1964
William Scranton
Barry Goldwater
1968
Nelson Rockefeller
Richard Nixon
1972
Hubert Humphrey
George McGovern
1976
Mo Udall
Jimmy Carter
1980
George H.W. Bush
Ronald Reagan
1984
George McGovern
Walter Mondale
1988
Michael Dukakis
Michael Dukakis
1992
Jerry Brown
Bill Clinton
1996
Arlen Specter
Bob Dole
2000
Bill Bradley/ John McCain
Al Gore/ George W. Bush
2004
Dennis Kucinich
John Kerry
2008
John McCain/ Barack Obama
John McCain/ Barack Obama
2012
Jon Huntsman
Mitt Romney
2016
Donald Trump/ Bernie Sanders
Donald Trump/ Hillary Clinton
Spring 2020
Santo Messina ’20
Keynote Speaker Ray Suarez
Students voted for candidates and on a number of ballot issues.
Former faculty member Lynne Brick and US History Teacher Eliza McFeely celebrated famous MFS alumna Alice Paul.
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The 2020 MFS Mock Primary Election Following a tradition now spanning 60 years, the Mock Primary Election was held on January 14. Cory Booker, portrayed by Calvin Bell ’20, was the winner of the primary. To mirror the real election, if an incumbent president is running such as President Trump in 2020, the school only holds a primary for the other party. Thus, MFS “elected” a Democratic candidate. Eleven students represented the men and women in the Democratic race: Sammy Bastien ’20 (Amy Klobuchar), Calvin Bell (Cory Booker), Bailey Butterworth ’20 (Andrew Yang), Aaron Clark ’20 (Joe Biden), Shelby Deibler ’20 (Elizabeth Warren), Aani Desai ’22 (Tulsi Gabbard), Aaron Klein ’20 (Bernie Sanders), Kobe Koren ’20 (Julian Castro), Bobby Lodge ’21 (Pete Buttigieg), Kayla Patel ’21 (Kamala Harris), and Om Patil ’21 (Tom Steyer). The program included the traditional entrance parade, “stump” speeches by the candidates, final campaigning efforts, educational workshops, and casting ballots. The keynote speaker was journalist Ray Suarez, co-host of WorldAffairs, a nationally syndicated radio broadcast aired on National Public Radio (NPR) stations around the country. A diverse offering of workshops featured topics and activities related to politics or governance, including political humor, the Electoral College, the impact of public speaking, social activism, international relations, and much more.
Mock Primary winner Calvin Bell ’20 (Cory Booker) with MPE Coordinator and History Department Chair Clark Thomson.
2020 MPE candidates. Back: Shelby Deibler ’20 (Elizabeth Warren), Sammy Bastien ’20 (Amy Klobuchar), Kayla Patel ’21 (Kamala Harris), Kobe Koren ’20 (Julian Castro), Aani Desai ’22 (Tulsi Gabbard). Front: Bobby Lodge ’21 (Pete Buttigieg), Calvin Bell ’20 (Cory Booker), Bailey Butterworth ’20 (Andrew Yang), Aaron Klein ’20 (Bernie Sanders), Om Patil ’21 (Tom Steyer), and Aaron Clark ’20 (Joe Biden).
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Ray Suarez Delivers MPE Keynote Journalist and nationally syndicated radio host Ray Suarez spoke with Middle and Upper School students and faculty about the changing demographics of America. His speech explored what these changes may mean for MFS students as they grow up and become voters and engage with political life. The following are a few highlights from his remarks: “I want to tell you how happy I am to be with you today, as you get ready to rehearse for your life as active citizens in a big, complicated country, that’s part of a big, complicated world. I have been talking about what’s coming in the next America for a few years now, as the numbers, and the social trends, began to gather strength, and began to point the way ahead to what the country would look like when you are in your 20s, 30s, and beyond. “The US Census Bureau estimates that in 2044, a child will be born, somewhere in the United States, who will mark the moment that America has a majority of people who trace their ancestry to Africa, Asia, and Latin America…and not to Europe. Our transition from where we are today to that American future will be the unfolding story of your adult lives. It will be the America of your college years, your young work lives, your creation of families, friend groups, your life in neighborhoods in towns and cities, and the America of hard choices about what kind of country this is going to be…politically, socially, culturally. “We also know that highly motivated and enthusiastic voters tend to try to get other people they know motivated and enthusiastic. To be sure, there are millions of people who will head out to vote in the coming cycles who will do it dutifully, but
Spring 2020
Ray Suarez • Co-Host, WorldAffairs (NPR) • Former Host, Inside Story (Al Jazeera America) • Former Senior Correspondent, PBS NewsHour • Former Host, Talk of the Nation (NPR) won’t try to make sure others do, won’t discuss their choices and their candidates with friends and neighbors to try to convince them to vote. Social media has the ability to supercharge voter engagement, especially if the messages you get about a coming election are from people you know, or trust, rather than some random organization or web site that got your name from a mailing list it bought. The facility, the skill, with using social media will play a larger role in contacting, educating, and energizing young voters. “We are a country always in the process of becoming. The debates we’re having right now about who gets to come, who gets to stay, and under what rules, will have a lot to say about whether we reach 2044 unremarkably building that promised ‘more perfect union’ or snarling at each other through clenched teeth. If I’m alive, I’ll be very old, and it’s really up to most of you in this audience to decide what kind of country that’s going to be.” The honorarium for Ray Suarez’s visit was provided through the Cully Miller Social Studies Endowment at MFS.
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CIVICALLY INVOLVED ALUMS In conjunction with this year’s Mock Primary Election, MFS reached out to alumni whose careers have led them to work in politics, public affairs, and public policy. Interviewees provided details about their past and present experiences, memories of MPE, and memories of MFS overall.
Sarah Lynn Geiger has built a career around representation, lobbying, and discussion in the health care industry. As Vice President of the New Jersey Association of Health Plans, Sarah represents the leading health care plans in the state, which cover over seven million state residents. She shared, “We work with our members on important issues facing residents and ultimately work to help ensure that healthcare in the state is affordable and accessible. We constantly battle tough questions for which there is often not a right or wrong answer.” Sarah is also active in the New Jersey chapter of New Leaders Council, a national nonprofit group aimed at recruiting, training, and promoting the next generation of progressive leaders. She serves as a faculty member of the NJ Young Democrats’ High School Leadership Academy, and she served as Associate Director in the Research Division of the New Jersey Education Association for five years. Sarah got her political start after college when she began to work on local campaigns, starting with her experience on the fundraising team for the late Congressman John Adler’s (NJ) 2010 reelection race. “We lost that race, but I learned a lot about politics and governing from the Congressman - he was a great mentor,” Sarah said. “After that campaign, I packed up my car Sarah Lynn Geiger ’05 and drove down to DC...I enrolled in graduate school at George Vice President, New Jersey Association of Health Plans Washington University, ultimately earning my master’s in public administration, and worked on Capitol Hill for several members of Congress.” “MFS is where I learned to be an advocate Sarah credits MFS with helping her throughout her career and to use my voice.” and life. “MFS is where I learned to be an advocate and to use my voice,” she said. “MFS encouraged opinions - developing them and expressing them. It was a safe space to learn and ask hard questions.” My MPE Memory (2004): “I participated in the Mock Primary my junior year. My classmate Sejal Babaria and I had an interesting opportunity to debate the merits of the USA PATRIOT Act. We weren’t candidates, but issue advocates...It was a spirited discussion… I recall that it was a really fun opportunity for collaboration and disagreement at the same time – principles that MFS really digs into. Mock Primary makes important, big concepts come to life for a high schooler.”
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Civically Involved Alums Mark Dann ’97
Director of Government Affairs, Freedom From Religion Foundation
Elizabeth Adler ’14
J.D. Candidate, University of Virginia School of Law Elizabeth Adler’s primary reason for attending law school is simple. “I want to help people,” she said. “We have an obligation to address the systemic inequalities that impact the most vulnerable communities - particularly low-income people of color.” The first-year law student at the University of Virginia is pursuing a career in public defense or reproductive justice. When reflecting on her MFS experience, she cites Quaker values as a significant influence on her life. “Equality drives my commitment to social justice, and community gives us the support and energy to lead meaningful lives,” said Elizabeth. She earned her B.A. from UVA in public policy and leadership in 2018. During her undergrad years, she served as a campus tour guide on the venerable Charlottesville campus as well as a guide at Monticello, making history more accessible to visitors from all backgrounds. She also worked as a “We have an obligation Communications Intern at the to address the systemic U.S. House of Representatives inequalities that impact in the summer of 2017. Prior to entering law the most vulnerable school, she worked on communities.” Senator Claire McCaskill’s reelection campaign in St. Louis and as a speechwriter in Washington, D.C. “I would not be the writer I am today without the amazing faculty in the MFS English department, whom I think of often whenever I annotate a great new novel,” said Elizabeth. “I also have MFS to thank for instilling in me the importance of friendship; I am lucky to still be in touch with some of my best friends from high school.” My MPE Memory (2012): “My friend Dante Bucci ’14, with whom I always clashed politically, but jovially and respectfully as well, was Newt Gingrich. Jon Huntsman (represented by Joe Kiernan ’13) won the Republican primary, which is fascinating in retrospect. MPE is such a unique event, and it promotes education on the issues and a degree of respect for the people who share views that one disagrees with.”
Spring 2020
Mark Dann has over a decade of experience executing successful advancement of public policy legislative agendas at the federal, state, and international level. He is currently the Director of Governmental Affairs at the Freedom From Religion Foundation. “We’re the largest freethought organization in the United States and work to educate the public about nontheism and to defend the constitutional principle of separation between state and church,” he said. “My job is to advance our legislative agenda on Capitol Hill and build a strong coalition of religious and nonreligious groups to go up against a wellfunded opposition.” He has also worked on democracy development projects in Moldova and Iraq, and served in the US Peace Corps in Crimea, Ukraine. Mark is on the Victory Fund Campaign Board which helps to endorse, raise funds for, and steward LGBTQ candidates for political office. My MPE Memory (1996): “During the Mock Political Convention my team and I were supporting Bob Dole for President. We had to figure out a way to convey our ideas in a quick and simple way to a more liberal audience and not deviate from the Dole campaign. When I supported the Dole campaign, it helped me to speak from and understand conservative ideals without surrendering my values.”
Former Senator and U.S. presidential candidate Robert Dole (KS) with Mark Dann ’97.
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As a committee aide for the Senate Democrats in the New Jersey State Legislature, Alea Couch is the principal researcher and advisor to legislators for issues related to the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee and Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. Alea’s first foray into government work occurred while she was an undergraduate at Rutgers University (she has a B.A. in political science and government) and completed a four-month internship in Burlington County with then-Assemblyman Troy Singleton who is now a State Senator. “My internship turned into a job offer and I was able to rise through the ranks to become his Policy Coordinator which is when my love for public policy truly began,” she said. In reflecting on her MFS experience, Alea pointed to Alea Couch ’12 an Intensive Learning experience in Philadelphia that made an impact on her. She reflected: “At the time the Northern Committee Aide for Senate Democrats, Liberties neighborhood was up and coming so we learned about New Jersey State Legislature gentrification and the impact that it has on communities. It was the first time I learned what gentrification was and what it looked like but now it’s a concept I come in contact with often. That experience was memorable in the sense that it put emphasis on the need to weave a community and its neighborhood development together to make sure there is a holistic transformation that positively impacts the neighborhood and its residents.” My MPE Memory (2008): “It was an exciting year to participate even though I was only in eighth grade at the time. The odds of history being made were high because there was a chance we’d have our first female President or our first African American President. Having the opportunity to be part of that experience shed light on how important civic engagement is because the MPE gave students a chance to see how democracy is supposed to work. You listen, you learn, and you make a decision with your vote; it was an invaluable experience.”
Nate Riggins works Nate Riggins ’13 “MFS provided me with as a legislative aide for Legislative Aide, Congressman Andy Kim (NJ) leadership opportunities Congressman Andy Kim in New Jersey’s Third District and faculty pushed me (Burlington and Ocean to engage on issues counties). He handles a I was passionate diverse policy portfolio consisting of energy issues, about outside of the the environment, education, classroom.” infrastructure, and others. Prior to working with Rep. Kim, Nate worked with Congressman Ted Lieu (CA), and spent a year on the Middle East/North Africa team at the National Democratic Institute, an international development firm. According to Nate, an “MFS Original,” the values of service and community are central to who he is today. “MFS provided me with leadership opportunities and faculty pushed me to engage on issues I was passionate about outside of the classroom,” he said “Today, I’m honored to go to work every day in Washington, D.C. with the goal of passing legislation to benefit the people of Burlington and Ocean counties and serving my community back home.” My MPE Memory (2012): “I helped the candidate who played Jeb Bush with putting together talking points and getting buttons made, and I just remember how much fun I had going with him from place to place around the school to talk about his platform. Mock Primary is such a unique event and I really think that my experience during the 2012 MPE was what solidified my interest in politics.”
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Spring 2020
Civically Involved Alums Keith Benson ’98 currently serves as the President of the Camden Education Association, which is the teacher’s union for public school educators in Camden - the second-largest public-sector union south of Trenton. He is also an independent researcher on a variety of topics related to urban education, education reform, and teacher union activism. “I was a teacher in Camden City School District high schools for 14 years prior to being elected to this position,” Keith said. “I served as the Education Chair for the Camden County NAACP from 2015-2017 and authored Education Reform and Gentrification in the Age of #CamdenRising: Public Education and Urban Redevelopment in Camden, NJ (2018), where I try to demonstrate how the effort to dismantle our public school district is directly linked to politically connected redevelopment plans.” Keith is also an Adjunct Professor at the Rutgers-Camden Graduate School of Education (GSE). Last year, he walked from Camden to Trenton to publicize the need for funds for Camden City schools. Keith received his Ed.D. and M.Ed. from the RutgersCamden GSE and his graduate thesis reflected his activism: “Better for Whom? Present and Prospective Camden Resident Perspectives of Mandated Charter Schools and Recent Camden Keith Benson ’98 Development.” Keith’s op-eds are frequently published in The President, Camden Education Association Philadelphia Inquirer and Courier-Post. On January 10, Keith received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Human and Civil Rights Committee. Camden parent Ronsha Dickerson, a national organizer for the Journey 4 Justice Alliance, remarked on Keith’s work during the ceremony: “We’re working as one full coalition toward one ultimate goal: for us to be able to save our schools and also give our children equitable opportunities in the city of Camden and throughout the state of New Jersey.” Upon acceptance, Keith shared: “This award is a positive reflection of all the great work of our CEA leadership team and the rest of our CEA family.” Keith offered the following reflections on his time at MFS: “Because of the breadth of things I was exposed to at MFS, I noticed how I began knowing a ‘little bit of something’ “Because of the breadth about a wide range of of things I was exposed things. And from being to at MFS, I noticed how I exposed to a range of began knowing a ‘little bit subjects and concepts, I developed an intellectual of something’ about a wide curiosity to simply know range of things.” more things...that curiosity becomes part of who we are as ever-developing and evolving individuals. Thus, the desire to get more information, to ask more questions, to make connections has helped in both important matters like research, but also in the not-so-small matters of being able to make ‘small talk’ in a variety of spaces with all sorts of different people. In becoming intellectually curious, learning things, knowing things and developing that trait as a personal attribute, it becomes contagious to where other people around you adopt a similar desire to learn - which benefits everyone.” Bottom Right: Keith Benson ‘98 with his wife Jeanette (left) and daughter Nadine (right). Top Left: Keith accepts the NJEA Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award on Jan. 10. (Photo by George Bilyk)
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Civically Involved Alums Simone Hall Wood ’06
Senior Law Clerk, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP Simone Hall Wood moved to Washington, DC two weeks after graduating from the University of Virginia for what she thought would be a shortterm job before returning to school. “I was always interested in politics and public policy, but knew very little about how those interests might translate in my professional life,” Simone said. “It turns out, this first job exposed me to some great mentorship early on, and several years “My career has taken later led to a dream job many twists and turns, working on Capitol Hill in a but the recurring theme U.S. Senate office.” throughout has been In the Senate, Simone the pull to be a part of served in the Office of Senator Cory Booker (NJ) something bigger than and later on the Senate myself.” Commerce Committee. “In both roles I worked on communications and technology policy, which included improving access to broadband, public safety communications, and consumer protection laws,” Simone said. “Outside the Senate, I remained active on the political side through volunteering and other efforts to help local and national political campaigns. After recently graduating law school [at Georgetown University], I now work at a law firm in a communications regulatory practice where I am still active in government affairs and advocacy.” Simone recalled that MFS imparted values that have stayed with her. “I think the value of service, instilled throughout my time at MFS, was a big driver in my early interest in government and public service,” she said. “My career has taken many twists and turns, but the recurring theme throughout has been the pull to be a part of something bigger than myself. I am grateful for my years at MFS for helping guide me toward this passion.” My MPE Memory (2004): “I have great memories of the Mock Primary Election and can definitely credit that experience with getting me excited about the political process...Getting to watch your classmates transform into candidates and debate the issues was an engaging experience that helped bring to life the process playing out in real life that, understandably, can feel quite distant to those not immersed in politics.”
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Michael Murza ’06
Attorney, California Energy Commission The State of California has made environmental justice a fundamental requirement for any of its environmental policies. For the past six years, Michael Murza has been an attorney with the California Energy Commission. For two of those years, he was the Chair’s Legal Adviser and Lead Adviser on China. “My role at the Commission is to ensure that our agency utilizes its statutory authority to decarbonize our state’s economy by 2045 as well as to make sure that this progress is a just transition,” said Michael. His areas of expertise are in establishing appliance and building energy efficiency standards. He also helps manage the agency’s communication with the U.S. Department of Energy, looking to represent the interests of Californians in regulatory proceedings with national implications. Michael also worked alongside the California Attorney General’s Office to defend the Commission from a legal challenge from the lighting industry over standards that the current Department of Energy is trying to withdraw In reflecting on his MFS experience, he shared, “There were a number of values that I learned at MFS that have served me well. The emphasis on acknowledging our differences and embracing diversity makes our communities stronger and more resilient. This fundamental value has served me well in my career.” He also appreciates the time spent in Meeting for Worship: “Meeting for Worship taught me how to utilize opportunities for introspection and contemplation. This formed the basis for many of my academic and personal studies, including my undergrad honors thesis on meditation and the neurophilosophy of free will, and has become a daily practice in my life.”
Spring 2020
Ethan Hasbrouck ’98
Associate Director, State Government Affairs at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
Ethan Hasbrouck represents Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) before state legislators, regulators, governors, and other health care stakeholders in the Mid-Atlantic region, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. “I lead efforts to advance public policies to ensure an optimal business environment and that patients have access to innovative life-saving/enhancing medications,” said Ethan. Before joining BMS in 2016, Ethan was the New Jersey Director of Government Relations at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS-CAN). Before that, he served as Chief of Staff to New Jersey State Assemblyman Herb Conaway, MD and former Assemblyman Jack Conners. He began his career as a legislative aide to former New Jersey Assemblyman David Mayer. He has also worked on several state legislative and local political campaigns. “What drove me to enter this crazy world of politics and policy was wanting to make a difference in people’s lives,” said Ethan. “That is something you can do working for an elected official but also lobbying for policy changes on behalf of an organization or cause.” He traces his career roots back to his MFS days. During a high school summer internship, he was able to help a military veteran receive Veterans Administration (VA) benefits which had been previously denied. “At MFS, I really learned how to look at an issue, study the issue, form my opinion, and be able to articulate that position. Those skills have really carried me through that internship, college, graduate school, life and professional life.”
“What drove me to enter this crazy world of politics and policy was wanting to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Ben Spielberg ’06
Public Engagement Officer, San José Unified School District
“The Mock Primary Election helped solidify my belief that true political change is possible.”
Spring 2020
Ben Spielberg is a prolific writer and active political volunteer whose career has included positions of campaigning and advocacy. Ben graduated from Stanford University in 2010 and taught middle school math and science in the San José Unified School District for three years, followed by a year as a math instructional coach. He was highly involved with the San José Teachers Association and served as the Executive Board’s Outreach director from 2012-14. Ben moved to Washington, DC in 2014 with his wife; from 2014-17, he worked at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) in Washington, DC. Ben left CBPP to run Marc Elrich’s Democratic primary campaign for County Executive in Montgomery County, Maryland. “Elrich’s campaign was publicly financed and one of our opponents – a multimillionaire who self-funded most of his campaign – outspent us 6.5 to 1, but we ended up winning the primary by 77 votes,” he said. Ben co-founded a blog, 34justice.com, where he continues to write about a variety of economic, social justice, and policy issues. His writing has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and on msnbc.com and several other news outlets. He moved back to California in late October 2018 to take his current position as Public Engagement Officer for the San José Unified School District. Ben remembers MFS and the Mock Primary Election fondly. “The Mock Primary Election helped solidify my belief that true political change is possible,” he said. “We may face major obstacles, and entrenched interests may do everything they can to stop us, but effective organizing and communication can overcome those obstacles and inspire mass movements behind social justice policies...My time at MFS strengthened my conviction that it is a moral imperative to constantly reflect on why we believe what we believe, question authority and conventional wisdom, and demand a more equal distribution of power, privilege, and wealth.”
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Matt Riggins ’99 has taken on several civic leadership roles, including Vice Chair of the Burlington County Bridge Commission and a member of the Camden County Workforce Development Board. His interest in political involvement began with his work for the nonprofit Save the Children: “Part of that experience was to send me out to Iowa for the Democratic caucuses,” Matt said. “We were talking about global poverty and trying to make it an issue that the candidates talked about. I caught the bug there, and I came back to DC after that. Congressman Rob Andrews (NJ) had an opening for an entry-level position.” After working as Congressman Andrews’ Legislative Assistant and Deputy Communications Director for several years, Matt went on to earn his M.B.A. at Georgetown University. He then Matt Riggins ’99 began work as a Strategy and Organization Associate at info-tech Vice Chair, Burlington County Bridge Commission; consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton. Since 2012, Matt has worked as Strategy Director at Member, Camden County Workforce Development Board; petroleum supplier Riggins, Inc. As a member of the Camden Strategy Director, Riggins, Inc. County Workforce Development Board, Matt volunteers his time to help train people to be prepared to enter the workforce. “My focus is mostly with youth, especially in Camden City, where there’s a high dropout rate and high youth unemployment rates,” Matt said. Matt was also recently appointed as Vice Chair of the Burlington County Bridge Commission, which runs the Tacony-Palmyra Bridge and the Burlington Bristol Bridge as well as other bridges around the county. The Commission also acts as an economic development authority for Burlington County. In reflecting on his time at MFS, Matt recalled the focus on service and silence. “At work, I’m involved in so many different things, and we’re always bombarded by information and screens and text messages and social media. Sometimes it’s hard to let your mind rest, and I think that’s actually a skill that you have to learn. MFS definitely helped develop those skills...Being able to separate yourself and find some peace, it helps you think through what’s happening around you. It makes you a better parent, a better leader, a better public servant, a better citizen.”
Lisa Hummel, a fourthLisa Hummel ’05 “At MFS I learned year Ph.D. student at Stanford Ph.D. Student in Sociology, Stanford University the importance University, is currently working of taking time for on a dissertation with a focus on identity and political ideology. quiet reflection “Specifically, I study the and the value of experiences of being a political everyone coming to minority,” Lisa said. “In the Bay a consensus.” Area I research how conservatives and Republicans navigate their politics in a blue state.” Lisa’s work has been supported by Stanford’s Laboratory for the Study of American Values, which, according to its website, assists graduate students in conducting surveys to enhance research. Prior to graduate school, Lisa worked as a teacher. She also volunteers and fundraises for a local organization in East Palo Alto called Girls to Women, which provides resources, role models and support for girls of color as they grow up. Lisa thanks MFS for its role in her personal and professional life: “At MFS I learned the importance of taking time for quiet reflection and the value of everyone coming to a consensus.” My MPE Memory (2004): “I remember Dennis Kucinich winning the Mock Primary at MFS and actually coming to our school in person! It felt like such a big deal to actually have the winner make the trip from Ohio to visit us in New Jersey based on the results from a high school election.”
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Civically Involved Alums Brett Barbin ’15
Campaign Manager, Richards for Congress (Manilla, IA) Brett Barbin is the campaign manager for Bret Richards (IA), who is currently running in the Republican primary against the incumbent congressman Steve King. In college, Brett worked on several campaigns in different capacities: “I originally ended up in Iowa through a program at the University of Chicago, where I graduated in June,” he said. “The program placed students in Iowa sometime before the caucuses to work in politics as interns.” Brett previously worked as a deputy field director in Chicago during the 2016 election cycle. He found particular enjoyment in his work as a volunteer in the 2018 cycle, which involved knocking on doors and talking to voters directly. “That’s what really interested me in politics, because at this moment in our political climate it seems that people have difficulty discussing matters of public policy with each other,” he said. “When you’re out knocking on doors and just talking to people on their front doorstep, it’s reassuring that, as Americans, there are many more of us who simply want to see that things are done well in our government rather than picking “There are many more petty partisan fights.” Brett has also worked as an of us who simply want intern investigator for the Public to see that things Defender Service in Washington, are done well in our DC. He taught English to Chinese kindergartners in Beijing in the government rather summer of 2017, having started than picking petty his Chinese language education partisan fights.” at MFS in sixth grade. Brett recalled the opportunities that MFS provided for independent work throughout his education. “Early on you could set your schedule in terms of what your interests were,” he said. “So it let you explore - and really own - different areas of study that were important to you and that you really wanted to improve on.” My MPE Memory (2012): “I was a freshman and I was Mitt Romney, who was the eventual winner, but I was not the winner that day. Instead it was Joe Kiernan ’13, a good friend of mine who played Jon Huntsman. And my other friend Dante Bucci ’14, he was Newt Gingrinch...One of the things I remember most was shooting ads. I really like political ads and I naturally spent time on YouTube watching political ads with less than a thousand views. So I remember trying to shoot commercials for Mitt Romney... It was interesting to impersonate Romney and hold his positions when speaking to fourth graders and younger elementary students and trying to explain his positions on the issues to very different audiences.”
Spring 2020
Wesley Share ’15
Finance Assistant, Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Wesley Share had significant volunteer and internship experience even before graduating from Temple University in 2019. In college, he was a Field Volunteer for Congressman Scott Wallace, a Constituent Services Intern – and later a Finance Assistant – for Congressman Andy Kim, and an Operations worker for the Camden County Democratic Committee. Wesley is currently a Finance Assistant for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. “We have a really big national fundraising operation that works closely with a political team, which is regionally blocked out,” Wesley said. “Legislators from different corners of the country have a lot of different priorities, but we all share one goal, which is to bring as much money to our national organization as possible so that we can spend it this October and November on as many resources as Democrats can possibly get.” Redistricting - the process of creating electoral district boundaries - occurs every 10 years, which means that 2020 is an especially important year for fundraising and voter engagement. “I feel strongly it’s the most important part of the ballot,” Wesley said. Wesley’s work involves significant research, outreach, and communications. “My daily responsibilities involve working a lot with a handful of legislators, researching potential donors, and getting them information that’s simplified, shortened, and digestible, so that they can make calls and raise as much money as possible,” he said. “And that’s every corner of the political universe - corporate money, labor money, individual and grassroots funds.” In reflecting on his time at MFS, Wesley said: “Being full of a lot of smart and curious people, the culture at MFS reinforces that being curious about the world is cool. It sounds silly, but I think it’s really important. Growing up around focused and civically engaged peers drives home that what most people would consider ‘quirks’ in high school are actually really special and unique traits that will define you for a lifetime, and you should embrace them.”
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Career Day
Tony Yi ’91 • B.S. Johns Hopkins University • Senior VP of Corporate Strategy and Partnership at OpenSlate also partners with large media companies to develop content distribution strategies. Career fields represented at this year’s Career Day event included art/graphic design, computer science, engineering, fashion, food science/business, law, medicine, psychology, and sports management. In addition, four “Life Hack” presentations were offered: “Developing Your Personal Brand,” “Exploring Career Possibilities Through Internships,” “Personal Money and Management Skills,” and “Sharpening Your Negotiating Skills.” After Yi’s keynote remarks and a reception, students dispersed throughout the school for three consecutive sessions led by guest presenters. Yi’s remarks summarized three MFS life lessons that have served him well:
Lessons from the Startup World, “Life Hacks,” and Guest Presenters Highlight Career Day Juniors and seniors spent a good part of their day on February 7 exploring potential career paths and gaining insight from alumni and parents on a wide variety of professional fields at the school’s annual Career Day. Keynote speaker Tony Yi ’91 highlighted a diverse list of alumni, parents, and trustees who offered sessions for students related to their areas of expertise. Tony, who – along with his family – came to the U.S. from Seoul, South Korea when he was very young, joined the MFS community in tenth grade from Cherry Hill East. He quickly made his mark as a scholar and an athlete: he and his friends started club lacrosse at MFS before the school officially had a boys’ lacrosse team, and Tony was a captain and leading scorer on the soccer team. He went on to Johns Hopkins University, where he felt the twin pulls of medicine and business, and double majored in chemistry and economics. He had started grad school when he caught the wave that was the Dot Com Era and started working in the fast-paced and exciting world of technology startups. He has successfully brought over half a dozen of them to market, and they have been acquired by companies like Oracle and IBM. Tony is currently the Senior Vice President at OpenSlate in New York City, in charge of corporate strategy and partnerships. He develops data science solutions for agencies and brands who want to reach consumers on digital video in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific Region. He
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“POSITIVE BELIEF. At the end of the day, people who operate startups believe and know that the next unicorn billion dollar company will start out as a scrappy startup. It’s this hope and belief in myself and my colleagues and my industry that is a direct part of my positive experience at MFS. This consistent strength underpins my biggest asset.” “RESILIENCE. I learned this MFS life lesson from the school’s competitive sports, challenging academics, choir, and supportive environment. Where many colleagues struggled in these trying times and volatile companies, I have always found a center from both myself and for my colleagues. “INDEPENDENT THINKING. You are surrounded by very successful families/classmates, alumni and members of a very special network/community... Success is individually defined. It’s about setting goals both professionally and personally that are achievable and give you satisfaction one step at a time.”
15 professionals visited MFS on February 7 to discuss their respective career paths with 11th and 12th grade students and share advice. Each presenter, along with keynote speaker Tony Yi, hosted Upper School students in three breakout sessions.
Spring 2020
CAREER DAY PRESENTERS
Everett Aldrich ’14
Ivan Arzu, MFS Parent
Urbi Utley Medley ’97
Alejandro Mazzotta, MFS Parent
Shinette Sirmans-McRae, MD, MFS Parent
Candice Burke, Psy.D., MFS Parent School Psychologist Cherry Hill Public Schools
Manager, Sports Marketing & Sponsorship Dept. KPMG
Deb Edmund Colitas ’96
Karinne Damadio Lindner ’97
Mara Cutler Katsikis ’99 Chief of Staff Conant Leadership
Integrated Designer & Graphic Designer FCB Health; Educational Testing Service
Managing Product Editor YOOX Net-A-Porter
Internal Medicine Physician Jefferson Health, Philadelphia
Digital Marketing Consultant Co-Owner of 3 Businesses
Charles Martin ’72
Applications Engineer Google
Senior Vice President of Global Food Quality, Safety, & Regulatory Affairs Chobani
Valve Component Engineer Exelon Nuclear
Cindy Perr, MFS Parent
Chief Legal Officer & General Counsel Advocare, LLC
Career Coach For the Love of Work
Ryan Connelly ’05
A team from Republic Bank shared a Life Hack session on Personal Money and Management Skills
Bridget Weise
VP & Store Manager Republic Bank
Spring 2020
Robert Worley
SVP & NJ Market Manager Republic Bank
Pam Hisler
SVP & Retail Market Manager Republic Bank
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MFS Alumni Network Connections Made Through the MFS Alumni Network
One of the many benefits of a Moorestown Friends School education is the powerful and diverse alumni network. Locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, connections are made professionally, socially, and in the community. On March 6 and 7, MFS alumni returned to campus for the Head’s Advisory Board meetings. The Head’s Advisory Board is a group of 15-20 young alumni (ranging from the classes of 1991 to 2009) who provide guidance to the Head of School on a wide range of topics. The group meets once a year on campus. At its 2020 meeting, the group worked with Head of School Julia de la Torre on components of the new strategic planning process, explored conversations on diversity, equity, and inclusion, learned about the new seventh grade Quest program and Upper School Quaker leadership curriculum, and discussed ideas for fundraising from alumni. Back row: Ryan McWilliams ’05, Ryan Mulligan ’06, Emily Jones ’08, Molly Kreider Viscardi ’02, Alexis Siemons ’01, Chad Brown ’91, and Maeve Kelly ’09. Front row: Lauren Hawkins ’08, Tara Thomas Dehner ’07, Sarah Rosenbach ’08, Nicole Young ’06, Laurien Gilbert ’07, Kate Tierney Koehler ’02, and Alaetra Combs ’09. Not pictured: Vicki Chen ’02, Jackie Draper ’07, and Will Stouffer ’05. Alumna Nancy Polutan-Teulieres ’88, a Senior Protection Officer with the United Nations High Commission on Refugees in Geneva, had lunch with MFS Model UN participants in January during a furlough in the U.S. Behind Nancy are students Shelby Deibler ’20, Andrew Mercantini ’23, Roma Jha ’22, Sammy Bastien ’20, Heera Dalal ’23, Kian Canelas ’21, Kayla Patel ’21, Christine Chandran ’21, and Aani Desai ’22.
At the Upper School Music Retreat on March 2, Mustapha Khan ’80 presented a special screening of his documentary Song for Our People, which is currently traveling the festival circuit and earning praise from audiences. The film, according to its official Facebook page, shows “eight musicians, five singers, a producer, rapper, and tapper coming together to create a powerful new anthem to honor the perseverance of their African-American ancestors.” In addition, several accomplished musicians hosted clinics for music classes throughout the day. Marco Lucchi and Strings Teacher Mary Lucchi hosted a strings clinic. Dennis Walter and John Lindner joined Brian Howard’s Advanced Ensemble class, and Laura Camp hosted a choir clinic with Choral Director Steve Weber. Left to right: Jalyn Lawrence ’21, Arts Department Chair Brian Howard, Zach Fox ’20, Mustapha Khan ’80, Jack Heffelfinger ’20, Santo Messina ’20, and Bobby O’Donnell ’20.
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Spring 2020
Class Notes Photographs of alumni are indicated with . If you see this symbol, a photo featuring a class member is either on the page or nearby!
1963
1950
Joan Lumb is celebrating her tenth year as a docent at the Norton Museum of Art in West Palm Beach, FL. She writes that it has been rewarding in every way (and fun too!). She particularly likes the museum’s Chinese collection, but notes that it has outstanding American, photography, European and contemporary works as well. The museum recently hosted an exhibition on Georgia O’Keeffe’s modernist aesthetics, which, besides her art, included her clothing, the way she was portrayed, and the life she lived. Current and upcoming exhibitions include a Robert Rauschenberg retrospective and American Art Posters. Joan notes that if you’re in the area and would like to visit, you are welcome to let her know at hlumb@bellsouth.net. Maurice Stevenson has moved to Medford Leas since the passing of his wife Anne. He is enjoying time with his family - five children and their spouses, ten grandchildren, and three greatgrandchildren.
1952
Janet Carslake Aaronson shared that she is still living in Columbus, NJ in a smaller house in a retirement community. She plays bridge often but has given up golf. She sends well wishes to the rest of her classmates. Wesley Manuel wrote that he and his wife Bev are learning the lifestyle of their third rescue German Shepherd in Florida. The dog is now six and has gained 20 pounds since they adopted him a year ago, now weighing in at 95. He guards Bev who has been slowly recovering from aorta surgery complications last winter. The German Shepherd has Wes taking him for long walks three or four times a day and he pulls him a mile on a recumbent
Spring 2020
Tina DeCou Krutsky shared a photo of Louisa Wright Khanlian, herself, John Blair and David Campbell (all class of 1963) hiking near Monument Valley along the San Juan River in Southern Utah on September 6. The trip, Tina said, was a celebration of their lives, their friendships, and their class. tricycle four or five days a week. He loves to play with the five grandchildren when they visit. Wes and Bev have three grandchildren in college. One graduated from Lehigh and is now with ABC News covering election issues. Wes also sent some classmates Christmas cards with the German Shepherd in Christmas finery.
1954
Jim Scott was in London last spring for academic reasons and met with Janet Vaughn Crisler at the Ashmolean Museum, where Janet is a benefactor and contributor to the archeological collection. They then had “high tea” at the Museum cafeteria - literally “high” in the sense of a sterling-silver, four-tiered pyramid of beautiful and tasty desserts to go with the tea.
Jim has also been in touch with Ray Dull who, Jim notes, seems to keep up an amazingly active reading program on every topic under the sun, including a book that Jim recently wrote.
1957
Martin Lehfeldt is the co-author of the newly published book The Liberating Promise of Philanthropy, copies of which are available from Amazon or at theliberatingpromiseofphilanthropy. wordpress.com.
1958
Sandy Griffith Nottingham has moved into an apartment and is enjoying it very much. She missed this past reunion at MFS but hopes to be at the next reunion. Sandy is active in retired clergy activities (church and community) and returned
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Class Notes recently from visiting her beloved sister, Bonnie Griffith Jamison ’59. Sandy has many wonderful memories of their sister times and says that both loved their time at MFS. She thinks often of days gone by and looks forward to all that is to come, and she sends her best wishes to everyone.
1971
1962
Tom Russell shared that he and Bea got married in Florida on January 10. Many friends and relatives attended. Tom sends his thanks to Gretchen Capehart DeCou ’63 for organizing get-together dinners throughout the year.
1963
Ron Luber reports that his son Ben is now the George School Head Boys’ Basketball Coach. He has turned their program around to the point where they finished second in the powerful Friends Schools League this season. Ron’s daughter Katie graduated from Northeastern University with a B.S. in psychology and behavioral neuroscience. Ron’s son David is Vice President of Casino Marketing at Baha Mar Resort and Casino in the Bahamas and continuing to make a name for himself within that industry. Tina DeCou Krutsky (p.33) Richard Mason writes that although he’s missed teaching in his retirement, he has welcomed the opportunity for more travel. In January 2019, he spent eight days in London where he visited a different museum each day. In July, he and Carol visited his youngest sister and her husband in Maine, where they enjoyed lobsters. Then in October, he and Carol traveled to Los Angeles, where they each gave a talk at the Getty Villa and soon thereafter Richard spent a long weekend birding in Cape May. He and Carol haven’t made a start on downsizing she still has two horses and together they share in taking care of the horses and two miniature donkeys. Bill Wilhelm retired in 2019. He was a long-term agent for MassMutual, but
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Jeff Miller ’71 is excited to announce that he’s signed a book contract for a hardcover 300-page book with Rowman & Littlefield, which publishes about 1,500 books a year. The new book details WWI’s Commission for Relief in Belgium (CRB), which became the largest food relief program the world had ever seen. It was founded and run by Quaker Herbert C. Hoover, who became known to the world as the Great Humanitarian long before his rather rocky presidency. Jeff has self-published two other award-winning books on the subject: Behind the Lines, which was included in Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2014 and WWI Crusaders, which was one of only 100 self-published books included in Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2018. He’s also working on selling an eight-episode limited TV series on the topic to anyone who will buy him a cup of coffee and share his dream. spent his most valued time coaching Duxbury High School soccer and hosting his long-running radio show, Sports Talk, on WATD.
sailing more and more. He is enjoying spending time with his grandson, now four, and new granddaughter.
Patty Loney Sidelsky retired in December after a long career of hospital and pharmaceutical research followed by 45 years of teaching microbiology at Cherokee High School and later at Jefferson and Drexel Universities.
Louise Mitchell writes that she had the best teachers anyone could ever have at MFS, including Mrs. Ricketts, Miss Armstrong, and Mr. Carr to mention a few. Louise knew in tenth grade that she was going to art college. She expresses gratitude that “our teachers at MFS loved us and found and searched for our talents.”
Butch Chase retired in 2019 after 48 years of practicing veterinary medicine. Butch shared a quote from Mark Twain: “Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life.” He feels blessed to have experienced this in the profession he chose.
1967
Tom Hedges is still working at Tufts and
1968
Kenneth Mayer remains busy with projects and meetings in India, Mexico, Switzerland, the UK, and South Africa. He says that great progress has been made in addressing the global HIV epidemic, but more needs to be done.
Spring 2020
Class Notes
Stan Sclaroff ’80 Appointed Dean at Boston University Stan Sclaroff ‘80 was appointed Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (CAS) at Boston University in May 2019. “In light of his performance and established reputation, his talent for organization-building and track record of collaborative leadership, and his strong commitment to improving diversity and the climate of inclusion within the College, we believe Professor Sclaroff is the right person to lead CAS to even greater levels of excellence,” said Jean Morrison, University provost, in an announcement of Stan’s appointment. Stan joined the Arts & Sciences faculty in 1995 and has served in a number of roles: Chair of the Department of Computer Science, Associate Dean of the Faculty for Mathematical & Computational Sciences, and, prior to his appointment, as Interim Dean of CAS. An internationally respected scholar, he founded the Computer Science Department’s Image and Video Computing Group, a research initiative into machine learning, human-computer interaction, and computer vision (which seeks to automate functions performed by the human visual system). He has authored almost 50 journal articles and is the co-author of the book Visual Saliency: From Pixel-Level to Object-Level Analysis.
Photo by Cydney Scott for Boston University Photography
Stan received his B.S. from Tufts University with majors in Computer Science and English, and he received his S.M. and Ph.D. from the MIT Media Lab. When asked what he still carries with him from his MFS experience, Stan cites the importance in the MFS community of human equality and inclusiveness, freedom of conscience, and social justice. “Being a closeted but obviously gay kid, in the late 1970’s, I was accepted for who I was and welcomed at MFS,” he said. He credits MFS for instilling in him a love for the humanities and the arts, specifically mentioning “art class with Chris Lilly Backus, learning Latin and math with Polly Caughey, and learning how to use slide rules, scientific calculators, and programming in Fortran for the first time in John Caughey’s physics class.” Stan also fondly recalled “a weekend spent with a few MFS classmates working with David Richie to help local families in the Mantua community of South Philadelphia.” Stan currently lives in Boston and enjoys growing vegetables in a local community garden.
1969, 1975
Spring 2020
For the past five years, Julie Houston ’69 (professor of English) and Brian Alnutt ’75 (professor of history) have been sharing an office, and lots of fun conversations, at the Monroe County campus of Northampton Community College in Pennsylvania. Brian shared that he and Julie are both “applying the great education we received at MFS for the benefit of our students.”
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Class Notes
The Memorial Meeting for Worship for alumni parent and retired long-time MFS staff member Ramona Thomas, which took place on Saturday, September 14, at Moorestown Meeting, brought together many current and former MFS teachers, staff, and alums. Alison Judah submitted a group photo. Alums pictured here are (seated) Tracey Whitesell ’86, Alison Judah ’86, Cindy Thomas ’86, Lisa Thomas Martin ’84, and Beth Petrie ’84; (standing) Amy Weeks ’86, Louisa Wright Khanlian ’63, Julia Graham Slater ’86, Jennifer Douglas ’87, Sarah Feyerherm ’82, Jill Geary Patterson ’86, Haley Coles Driscoll ’85, and Kiyo Moriuchi ’71.
1969
Julie Houston (p.35)
1970
Laurie Barnett currently works as Senior Vice President of Gotham Artists & Gotham Creative.
1971
Jeff Miller (p.34)
1972
Paul Harrison is encouraging teammates to start getting in shape for the Alumni Soccer Match in the fall of 2021. He looks forward to celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first MFS team to win
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Misha Jenkins ’89 currently lives in Brooklyn with his dog Milos. He and Milos were in a recent Facebook campaign which featured the two of them in murals across the country. The murals were displayed in Times Square and Brooklyn in New York City, Chicago, Williamsburg, VA, Venice, CA, and on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood, CA. Misha was the location scout and location manager on the project as well as the talent; he is also a photographer and poet. Milos, who turned 14 in January, has been featured in advertisements for Kate Spade, PBS, Coach, and Ralph Lauren, among many others.
1989
Spring 2020
Class Notes
Kym Golden ’96 Completes 245-Mile Walk to Honor the Life of Harriet Tubman Kym Golden ’96 spent several weekends in the summer of 2019 remembering and honoring Harriet Tubman through a journey that spanned over 700 miles, including 245 miles walked (from Preston, MD to NYC, then Niagara Falls to Salem Chapel BME Church in St. Catharines, Ontario). Kym was joined at various points on the journey by her friends Metra and Selina, who documented the journey through film and photography, and her father Roland, who trailed them during several portions of the walk in a vehicle equipped with gear, food, and minor first-aid supplies. The idea came about after Metra and Kym toured the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center in Church Creek, MD in May 2018. Each stage of the walk, completed over four weekends from June-August 2019, mirrored Tubman’s life and activism - the horrors of slavery she faced in Dorchester County, MD; her escape to Philadelphia and subsequent return to her family in Maryland; and her ensurance of safe travel to Canada (then British North America) via the Underground Railroad for freedom seekers.
Kym with a bust of Harriet Tubman.
Kym candidly described the challenges of making the trip: blisters, sunburn, and burning feet. “Without preparation tips and gear suggestions from Nora [my trainer], I don’t think I would have made it through the first day,” Kym said. The trip was also impacted by personal tragedy, as Kym’s mother passed away from breast cancer in January 2019. “If my mom were alive, she would have traveled alongside us, with my father,” she said. “Since she was not able to join in body, I carried her with me in my heart and mind.” Kym’s friend Metra is currently working on a documentary about the trip entitled A Walk in Her Shoes. “It includes people she shared the walk with at different points and highlights historical or educational places related to Harriet Tubman, including interviews at some of these places,” Kym explained. When looking back on her travels, a lingering image remains in Kym’s memory: butterflies. Kym affixed her mother’s brooch, in the shape of a butterfly, to her hydro pack at the beginning of the walk. Throughout the trek, she saw real butterflies on many occasions, but she lost the brooch somewhere along the road at one point. “When I returned to work a few days later, I told a co-worker the story of the butterfly brooch,” Kym said. “She was moved by my story and surprised me with a new brooch. This one was of two butterflies, a larger one connected to a smaller one, both fiery Kym with her father Roland. red. It was very thoughtful - a symbol of my mom and me on the journey together. A constant reminder to keep going, don’t give up and that I’m never alone.” 12 games in a single season (“of course we played more games than any previous team!” Paul adds). Paul is still at Middlesex School in development work, looking for a path to retirement - possibly in 2021? He also asks to “please start saving money for our 50th Reunion gift.”
Spring 2020
1975
Brian Alnutt (p.35)
1980
Stan Sclaroff (p.35)
1986
Colonel G. Shawn Wells, Jr. will retire this coming year after 30 years of honorable military service to our country, culminating as the Executive Officer to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy, and Environment
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Class Notes
1997, 1999
1997
Meg Parrington Hollingworth ’97 shared this photo from the Field Hockey alumni gathering in October. Pictured are Angela Dixon Guerrera ’99, Sarah Weiss Domis ’97, Meg, and Mara Cutler Katsikis ’99. Angela’s baby’s name (her fourth daughter with classmate Justin Guerrera ’99) is Frankie. at the Pentagon. He has enjoyed serving and looks forward to starting the next chapter of his life with great anticipation. His daughter Katie is on track to graduate from Hayfield Secondary School in June 2020 and planning to study forensic science in college. Shawn and Katie have had quite a few adventures, with trips to Colorado, Florida, and visits to prospective colleges/universities.
1997 Classmates Meg Hollingworth ’97 and Cynthia Vance Harris ’97 are pictured with Meg’s daughters Ruby and Emma. They met at Cynthia’s stall for her Lawnside, NJ organic farm, Free Haven, at the Haddonfield Farmers Market.
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Classmates Jennifer Totis Obsatz from Chappaqua, NY, Kristin Bromley Fitzgerald from Medford, and Suzann Schellenger Bouchard from Roanoke, VA, (all Class of 1997) gathered for their annual get-together in Atlantic City.
1989
Misha Jenkins (p.36)
1996
Kym Golden (p.37)
Chris Denniston, who most recently was VP for Global Creative Content at 20th Century Fox, has taken a position with Apple TV+ where his title is Head of A/V Creative.
Spring 2020
Class Notes
1998
2005
2005
Katie Van Cleve ’05 and her husband Scott Comand welcomed their son James Victor Comand on January 18, 2018. Keith Benson ’98 was given the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) Martin Luther King, Jr. Human and Civil Rights Award on January 11 at NJEA’s annual Human and Civil Rights Awards Ceremony. Haddon Township High School Coach Jim Bonder was named the South Jersey Soccer Coaches Association Boys Coach of the Year for the 2019 season. Jim, a fourth grade teacher at Strawbridge Elementary School, led the Hawks to a 19-2-2 record, Group 1 South championship appearance, and Colonial Conference Patriot Division championship.
1997
Mark Dann (p.23)
Meg Parrington Hollingworth, Cynthia Vance-Harris, and Sarah Weiss Domis (p.38) Jennifer Totis Obsatz, Kristin Bromley Fitzgerald and Suzann Schellenger Bouchard (p.38)
1998
Keith Benson See profile on page 25.
1999
Angela Dixon Guerrera and Mara Cutler Katsikis (p.38) Matthew Riggins was sworn in as Vice-Chairman of the Burlington County
Spring 2020
2005 Sean DiStefano ’05 and Marina DiStefano welcomed their daughter Nora in August. Bridge Commission on November 13. The Commission is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the county’s roads and bridges, including the Tacony-Palmyra and Burlington-Bristol bridges. It also assists communities throughout the county with economic development and community revitalization projects. See profile on page 28.
2001
Jordan Barbour (p.40)
2003
Matthew Van Meter (p.41)
2005
Sarah Lynn Geiger was a member of the 2019 fellows class of the New Jersey Health Executive Leadership Academy (NJHELA), a cross-sector, collaborative partnership between New Jersey’s hospitals, physicians, and payers. Each year, the fellows focus on a substantial healthcare delivery and policy issue facing New Jersey. For Sarah’s cohort, the work focuses on reducing the impacts of the opioid epidemic by breaking down public policy and regulatory system challenges, reducing stigma for individuals in treatment and recovery, evaluating
Cornell Woodson ’05 and Juan (“Manny”) Verdeja Lopez were married on December 7 in San Luis Obispo, CA. provider and payer processes, and analyzing access to recovery supports. See profile on page 22. Sean DiStefano Katie Van Cleve Cornell Woodson
2006
Maura Burk was promoted to Shareholder at the law firm of Capehart Scatchard. Nicole Young (p.40)
2007
Sarah Van Cleve is now working as the Manager of US Energy Policy at Tesla.
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Class Notes
Jordan Barbour ’01 Makes His Broadway Debut in The Inheritance With a varied and successful acting career already under his belt, Jordan Barbour ’01 made his Broadway debut in November as a cast member of The Inheritance. This sweeping two-part play tells the stories of a group of gay men living in contemporary Manhattan and addressing challenges from their past and present. Jordan portrayed Tristan, a doctor and close friend of lead character Eric Glass. Jordan navigated an atypically lengthy audition process to land the part. He advanced through four rounds of auditions, then received a call asking him to return to New York for a callback while he was in Ashland, OR to see friends in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (which he performed in for the prior three years). “They kind of put me through the wringer for the whole summer,” Jordan said with a laugh. “And what was really refreshing was on the first day of rehearsal, both [Inheritance writer] Matthew Lopez and Stephen Daldry, the director, individually came up to me and apologized for how nerve-wracking the summer was for me. They were both so happy I was in the room.” Jordan felt an instant connection to Tristan as he prepared to play the character. “I realized, in thinking about this play and who Tristan was as a character, that he is actually not terribly different from me,” Jordan says. “He’s dealing with being HIV positive. I am not HIV positive, but I do understand the trials and the difficulties of being a black gay man in America.” In many prior productions, Jordan has determined ways to inhabit characters with various traits and qualities, but The Inheritance required a new type of vulnerability. “I did what was actually probably the scariest thing for an actor to do, which is try and be myself as much as possible on stage,” he said. The Inheritance is a two-part play that runs nearly seven hours, so it required a long rehearsal process. This allowed the cast to develop a natural camaraderie that is reflected in the strong friendships onstage. “What’s so lovely about this group of people is that we really do like each other and we really like the material that we’re working with,” Jordan says. The Inheritance garnered significant critical and audience acclaim, up to its final performances in March. As he looks ahead to his next roles, Jordan reflected fondly on his past experiences and his time at MFS. “I had really supportive teachers, in the arts and in my humanities education, that were encouraging me and that were supportive of me,” he said. Jordan also described the life-changing impact of Meeting for Worship. “When you’re a kid, the last thing you want to do is sit in silence in a room for about an hour, once a week. But there is so much power in silence. There’s so much power in stillness, and there is so much power in community. Having to do that once a week was a very essential tool that I did not understand the full power of until I became an adult.”
2006
Anni Weisband is currently executive producing the new Netflix sketch comedy series Astronomy Club. It debuted in December.
2008
Nick Harbist served as an economics consultant for the TV show Mr. Robot, which aired its final season on USA Network in the fall. Nicole Young ’06, daughter of Allison Barclay Young ’75, is getting married to Pete Mauer on May 30 at the Anthony Wayne Mansion. Allison shared Nicole and Pete’s engagement photo.
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Spring 2020
Class Notes Alumni Volleyball Game
Former faculty member and Varsity Boys’ Lacrosse Coach Michael McGinn hosted an alumni volleyball game in the Baiada Field House Gym on January 6. Joining in to spike a few were: Top Row: Brad Devlin ‘17, Lauren Radack ‘19, Charles Kropiewnicki ’17, Michael McGinn, Tanay Parnaik ‘19. Bottom Row: Tyler Radack ‘17, Zach Swope ‘17 and Dragon Ding ‘17.
Alumni Panel for Seniors
Seven alumni panelists returned to campus on November 18 for the annual Senior and Alumni Luncheon, which featured advice on college and careers for the Class of 2020. Back Row: Hannah Spielberg ’09, Evelyn Feigeles ’14, Mike Stobbe ’08, and Joe Wittman ’10. Front Row: Liz Boccolini ’11, Ciani Green ’14, and Aleanna Harris ’11.
Matthew Van Meter ’03’s Acclaimed Book Chronicles Groundbreaking Louisiana Court Case Matthew Van Meter ’03’s book, Deep Delta Justice: A Black Teen, His Lawyer, and Their Groundbreaking Battle for Civil Rights in the South, was released May 19. As described on Amazon: “In this powerful work of character-driven history that benefits from the author’s deep understanding of the law, Van Meter brings alive how one court case changed the course of justice in the South, and eventually the entire country. The events that Gary Duncan set in motion brought to an end a form of injustice – denial of trial by jury — that led to the incarceration of thousands of poor and mostly black Americans. Duncan vs. Louisiana changed America, but before it did it changed the lives of the people who litigated it.” The book is available via preorder from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other retailers. It was recognized as “Best Book of the Spring,” by Observer. In addition, Library Journal named the book a 2020 “Title to Watch,” and Publishers Weekly listed it as one of the “Most Anticipated Books of Spring 2020.”
Spring 2020
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Class Notes
2009
The Class of 2009 celebrated its 10-year reunion at Frankford Hall in Fishtown on November 30. The co-organizers were Matt Purcell and Drew Bachman. Pictured are: Back - Russell Hensley, Matthew Purcell, Michael Stobbe, Drew Bachman, Sarah Connell, Orysia Bezpalko, Lindsay Stevenson Clough, Robert Ryczak, Maeve Kelly, Kelly Barna, and Nicole Pollitt. Middle - Sophie Demuynck, Rebecca Salowe, Paige Joffe, Justin Adibi ’08, Sarah Martin, and Andrew Malik. Front - Hannah Spielberg, Katie Stutz, Brianna DeGroat, Sarah Fisher, Jennifer Donato, and Tim Yingling.
2013
2009
Class Reunion Photo
2013
Ari Levine Matthew Brown (p.43) Carl Durkow (p.43)
On October 27, Ari Levine ’13 was married to Sarah Dinetz. In the photo, he is surrounded by four of his groomsmen, all Class of 2013. They are Luke Timber, Kyle Price, Joe Kiernan and Andrew Jaffe.
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Spring 2020
Class Notes
2015
Adam Mohsen-Breen, who graduated from Harvard last spring, is working in Texas for the American Bar Association on a pro bono project helping migrants at the border. The project, called ProBAR, “empowers detained immigrants through high-quality legal education and representation. Located in Harlingen, Texas, ProBAR serves adults and unaccompanied children in immigration detention in the Rio Grande Valley.” Adam is an unaccompanied child specialist. Vanessa Kara (p.43)
2013
2013
The colorful candles of Carl Durkow ’13 were featured in Philadelphia Magazine last October. From the issue: “The maker is a wunderkind Drexel grad, and his beeswax and soy sculptures have been an overnight success. He creates the molds on a wood lathe and uses wax from a South Jersey apiary. Fashion designer Bela Shehu says of Carl’s work: ‘I’m tickled by good design and thoughtfulness, especially in ordinary objects.’” (Photo credits: Philadelphia, October 2019, p.27; Tom Gralish, Philadelphia Inquirer) Vanessa Kara ’15 joined the nationally ranked University of Florida Women’s Soccer Team this season as a graduate transfer for her final season of NCAA eligibility after graduating with a civil engineering degree from Drexel University in 2019. She led the Gators with ten goals and was named Second Team All-SEC. At Drexel, she was a three-time All-CAA selection and is second on the all-time career goals list with 22 and third in assists (11) and points (55).
2016 Matthew Brown ’13 is currently a first-year medical student at Emory School of Medicine. He shared a photo from the day that he received his first White Coat from Emory. The ceremony took place on October 5 in Atlanta. Matthew has been elected to two leadership positions: Vice President of Student National Medical Association (SNMA) and a Senator in the Emory School of Medicine Senate.
Spring 2020
On November 7, Rachel Brown was inducted into the national Lambda Pi Eta Communications Honor Society. The ceremony took place at Elon University. She graduates on May 22.
Class Notes received after March 1 will be printed in the next issue of Among Friends.
2015
Share Your News with Friends
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.
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Class Notes
Alumni Soccer Game
A large number of former players returned to campus for the Alumni Soccer Game on November 30. Front: Mike Stobbe ‘09, Matt Mullock ‘16, Andrew Karolidis ‘16, Brad Devlin ‘17, Shane McAleer ‘92, Peter “Ollie” Frank ‘19, Matt Grahn ‘19, Hunter Arce ‘19, Jon Devlin ‘19, Brian Cronk ‘19, and Liam Schenk ‘19. Back: Drew Bachman ‘09, Boys’ Junior Varsity Soccer Coach David Howarth ‘15, Chris Grahn ‘16, Steven Mannion ‘14, Mitchell Mullock ‘16, Piercson Sheehan ‘18, Josh Murdy ‘16, Colin Gregory ‘13, Tim Latimer ’13, John Latimer ‘11, Nick Cook ‘11, Ethan Carilli ‘13, Matt Tamburri ‘11, Kyle Koste ‘11, and Boys’ Varsity Soccer Coach Mike Schlotterbeck.
Alumni Basketball Game
There was an excellent turnout for the annual Alumni Basketball Game on December 20 in the Baiada Field House gym. Thanks to Ron Obermeier for organizing the blue and grey squads for a great night of hoops. Top Row: Blaize Nyzio ‘18, Dylan Carilli ‘17, Spencer Dennis ‘17, Chris Grahn ‘16, Dhalil Sadiq ‘14, Greg Billings ‘84, Mike Stobbe ‘09, Tommy Martin ‘15, Jack Stern ‘19, Joe Beideman ‘15, and Wesley Share ‘15. Middle Row: Bill Brown ‘84, Michael Cunningham ‘12, Steve Haines ‘08, Alyssa Runyan ‘18, Charlotte Stern ‘18, Jackson Blanchard ‘17, and Devin Johnson ‘19. Front Row: Leola Williams Denson ‘74, Julie Martin ‘08, Jordan White ‘17, Shawn Gupta ‘10, Justin Spencer-Linzie ‘10, Math Teacher and Assistant Director of Athletics Ron Obermeier, Sean Denson ‘08, Elijah O’Neil ‘17, Olivier Bastien ‘17, Dozier Coles ‘17, and Adam Quaranta ‘15.
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Class Notes Philadelphia Reception with Julia de la Torre
Alumni gathered at Barbuzzo in Philadelphia on November 20 to meet with each other and Head of School Julia de la Torre.
Janet Sawyer Thomas ’67, Julia de la Torre, and Martha Sawyer DeLuca ’66.
Nicole Young ’06, Ann Stouffer Thornton ’07, Tyler Basara ’07, Emily Greenberg ’07, and Brendan Beckett ’07.
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MFS Community Members Create Masks for People in Need The Edmund and Barna families, among many others, have been busily printing and creating masks for healthcare workers, individuals, and organizations in need. MS/ US Art Teacher Nicole Edmund ’86 (pictured at right) and her artistic family (which includes husband Gene Sloan, Morgan ’14, Braeden ’16, and Mattie ’17) have created hundreds of do-it-yourself masks. Building on their work, Nicole led a group of faculty and staff to continue this work during a recent Faculty/Staff In-Service Day. Lower School Librarian Ruth Malwitz has been making masks for neighbors and for Sew Face Masks Philadelphia. Half-Day Preschool Teacher Jennifer Yeung has also been hard at work, creating over 175 masks throughout the past several weeks to send to healthcare workers in New York City. Computer Science Teacher Gail Barna, husband Pete, and two of their three children (Peter ’11 and Kelly ’09) have spent some of their time together producing nearly 100 3D printed face shields to be used to protect local medical professionals. They have been delivered to nursing staff at Cooper Hospital, University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Hainesport Fire and EMT Squad, and to a friend in Virginia who is caring for COVID patients in the maternity ward.
Below, L to R: Gail Barna and her husband Pete with completed face shields; Kierra DeVaughn ’16, an EMT in Maple Shade, NJ who was one of many recipients of masks from Nicole Edmund ’86 and her family; Ruth Malwitz and her daughter Penny showcasing finished masks.
Gail passes along her thanks to the Technology Department for allowing her to use the school’s MakerBot 3D Printer from home, as well as Academic Technology Coordinator Diana Day for sharing the detailed settings required to properly use the printer to bring the designs to life!
Former Faculty/Staff
Chris Musulin ’80 reported that his mother, Elaine Coward, former Director of Volunteer Services and Nurse at MFS, passed away on March 13.
Elaine was a very active parent volunteer since the early 1960s. Reflected Chris: “My mother had long and deep connections with MFS, the students and employees. She loved the place.”
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Elaine worked with other parents to organize the annual Friendship Fair as well as Color Day and the quadrennial May Day celebration. She operated the Book Nook, next to the Library, which sold paperback books to students. After her first husband, Dr. Nicholas Musulin, died in 1974, Head of School Alex MacColl offered her a position at the school and she became Director of Volunteer Services and the first (informal) school nurse. According to Chris, Elaine was also integral to the creation of the Thrift Shop: “She suggested a fundraiser to Alex MacColl – let parents drop off unwanted clothing and household items for sale. She
began operations in Room Three in the basement, and moved to the Community House by the mid 1970s. This was the start of the MFS Thrift Shop. It was her creation, along with Mrs. Wildman and Mrs. Evaul.” Elaine was the wife of the late Chuck Coward ’52, mother of Rade Musulin ’75, Chris Musulin ’80, and the late Nicholas Musulin ’78, and the stepmother of Chip Coward ’78 and the late Mark Coward ‘81. She was also the host mother of Anders Arling ’78, who lived with the family in Moorestown throughout Upper School.
Spring 2020
In Memoriam Andy Backus former faculty member and husband of Christine Lilly Backus ’64
William W. Dickerson ’59 brother of Carol Dickerson-Kauffman ’53 and Mary Dickerson Reed ’55
Mary Ann Bacon former trustee, mother of the late Alice Edgerton ‘03, and wife of former faculty member the late Steve Edgerton
Alice Edgerton ‘03 daughter of former trustee the late Mary Ann Bacon and former faculty member the late Steve Edgerton
Joseph Basara father of Tyler Basara ’07 Arthur Brecker ’52 brother of Rebecca Brecker ’56 Daniel Wills Collins ‘49 former trustee
N. Thorne Griscom ’48 brother of the late Samuel T. Griscom ’47 and the late Richard A. Griscom ‘53 Charles Wills Haines ’57 brother of Joseph Haines ’59 and Meg Haines Kendall ’69 Kathleen Hanley-Lloyd mother of Christopher Lloyd ’05
Sandy Cosenza ’49 Charles W. Coward husband to the late Elaine Coward; father of the late William Mark Coward ‘81 and Charles W. Coward III ‘78; stepfather of Rade Musulin ‘75, the late Nicholas R. Musulin ‘78, and Christopher Musulin ‘80; father-inlaw of Pamela Harrison Musulin ‘78, brother of Paul Coward ‘55 and the late Louise Coward Anderson ‘59 Elaine Coward (see also p.46) wife of the late Charles Coward ‘52; mother of Rade Musulin ‘75, the late Nicholas R. Musulin ‘78, and Christopher Musulin ‘80; mother-in-law of Pamela Harrison Musulin ‘78; stepmother to Charles W. Coward, Jr. ’78 and the late William Mark Coward ‘81
Stephen Harding ‘71 brother of Debra Harding Lamb ‘72 James Harris father of Tracey Harris ’86 Jeff Kelemen ’63 brother of Scott Kelemen ’66, James Kelemen ’68, and the late Mark Kelemen ’71; brother-in-law of Scott’s wife Susan Stapler Kelemen ’68; father of Tarryn, Tealin ’00, and Dylan ’03; father-in-law of Lindsay Michaelson Kelemen ’03 Jane Kielt mother of Andrew Kielt ’04
Kenneth A. Kirchhofer former faculty member Theodore Kushner father of Theodore Kushner, Jr. ’88 Eleanor Lippincott Murray ’54 sister of Ann Lippincott ‘53 Carmen Lydia Paneque mother of Vanessa Paneque ’93 Joan Rothgeb wife of Paul Pinsky ’68 Patricia Patterson Rech ’55 Alice DeKlyn Sperry ’44 Asa Matlack Stackhouse III ’57 brother of the late Patricia Stackhouse Lowrey ‘46, the late Kendal Stackhouse ‘48, and Thomas Stackhouse ‘60 John I. Stroud ’46 Robert S. Tate ’53 Rosario Vecchio father of former Lower School Teacher Kate Vecchio Hilgen ’85 and Ross Vecchio ’81; grandfather of Kate’s daughter Andrea Pennet Cotter ’09 Carl Wilson husband of former receptionist Doris Wilson Elizabeth Parkhurst Wiltshire former faculty member
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.
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MFS has established a Virtual Community page with programming in arts and crafts, food and cooking, virtual story time and book reviews, reflections, exercise, and more! Visit mfriends.org/virtualcommunity to view these videos and activities.
Community Challenges
Arts & Crafts
Food & Cooking
Virtual Story Time & Book Reviews
Reflections
Exercise
CARES Act Expands Tax Deductions for Charitable Giving If you itemize deductions, take advantage of the “Unlimited” Deduction for Cash Gifts. If you itemize deductions, you may now deduct up to the entire amount of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for cash gifts you make to charities like MFS in 2020, without reference to the 60 percent limitation that would otherwise normally apply.
For example, an individual who has $100,000 in AGI can make cash gifts to charities totaling $100,000 and take a charitable deduction for the full $100,000 for the year 2020. New Gifting Opportunity for Non-Itemizers If you do not itemize deductions, you may nonetheless take an “above-the-line” deduction for up to $300 in cash gifts you make to MFS this year. Only contributions actually made during 2020 qualify. In other words, any excess cash contributions carried over from prior years are not eligible for this one-time, “above-the-line” deduction. Please contact your financial advisor for further details. MFS is not providing financial or legal advice. Speak with your professional advisors if you are considering a sizeable gift.
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ALUMNI WEEKEND
2020 Title
Alumni Weekend has been postponed. Stay tuned for more information. 2020 Alumni Association Award Recipients
We look forward to celebrating the Award Recipients in the future. Alice Stokes Paul 1901 Merit Award: S. Merrill Weiss ’65 A member of the Academy of Digital Television Pioneers, Merrill has been a leader for decades in broadcasting and in the creation of standards for digital television. He holds a number of U.S. and international patents in broadcast transmission technology. The author of countless technical papers, several books, as well as chapters in the National Association of Broadcasters Engineering Handbook, Merrill is one of the fathers of digital and high-definition TV. The Service Award: Frank Beideman and Mindy Holman MFS alumni parents of Brad ’12 and Joe ’15 and executives with the Holman Automotive Group, Frank and Mindy have been pace setters in their roles as active parents at Westfield Friends and MFS, as dedicated members of
their church, and as top volunteers and philanthropists in support of many area not-for profit organizations, including Urban Promise, MFS, the Community Foundation of South Jersey, and the United Way. They share a deep interest in the young people of Camden and believe strongly in giving to communities where Holman Automotive employees and customers live and work. Young Alumni Award: Cornell Verdeja-Woodson ‘05 A Teach for America alumnus with degrees from Ithaca College, where he was student body president, and the University of Vermont, Cornell has worked at NYU and Cornell University, where he became the University’s Lead Diversity and Inclusion Officer. He also developed his own firm, Brave Trainings, LLC, which consults with organizations to promote authentic social justice dialogue. He is now the Global Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Looker, a software company in Santa Cruz.
June 2020 Retirements Eliza McFeely has taught history for 15 years, developing curricula for U.S. history that focuses on race and slavery, as well as prominent Quakers including Lucretia Mott and Alice Stokes Paul. Mother of Clara ’10 and Maggie ’13 Fischer, she serves as an advisor to the Gender Equity Forum and Girl Up Club.
Brooke Smith has taught Middle and Upper School math since 1996, and advised the Middle School robotics team. A seasoned traveler, Brooke has created and led Intensive Learning adventures for students around the world. Mother of Sarah ‘08 and Andrew ’10 Rosenbach, she has been a mentor and resource to MFS international students and Camden Scholars.
“I’ll be there!”
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