COMMENCEMENT 2015
Moorestown Friends School Celebrates the Class of 2015 Seventy-six members of the Class of 2015, together with their families and friends, gathered for Commencement on Saturday, June 6, on the MFS Oval. Head of School Larry Van Meter ’68 opened the ceremony with remarks on the diversity and distinctive personalities of the Class of 2015: “The class you see before you is upbeat and highly accomplished. These students are a credit to their families and the school. So let me say thank you, Class of 2015, for all you have done to make MFS a better school and a stronger community. I know from my meetings with each of you that your appreciation for the special experience you have had here with your teachers is already strong. And I know from personal experience that it will only grow stronger over time. I spent eight years after MFS in undergraduate and graduate programs, and the best teachers I ever had were right here at Moorestown Friends. Through the love and sacrifice of your parents, you have been given the opportunity to have the rare and very special experience of learning from the best.”
To view, purchase, and download 2015 Commencement photos at mfs.smugmug.com, click on “All Galleries.”
Commencement Speakers: In Their Own Words Aliya Williams “A few months ago, I was sitting in Mr. Gornto’s classroom, discussing postmodernism in author Tony Kushner’s play Angels in America. In his own words, Mr. Gornto described the movement as ‘a collage of individual experiences that make up a larger picture.’ The same could be said about the Class of 2015, and even Moorestown Friends School as a whole. Here, every student’s individual experience is not only valued and respected, but celebrated and cherished. Being an Original here, I can start from our humble beginnings in Lower School... Performing The Rainbow People play taught us love and acceptance, and performing Dig It educated us about the pride and plights of ancient civilizations. Middle School was also a time of great discovery and real intellectual growth. We conquered the quadratic formula and sang our way through the electromagnetic spectrum... Slowly but surely, we began to develop a sense of self, as well as a greater idea of our goals and aspirations for our future. Here’s to a class filled with students more inclined to drop a mixtape than an AP class, and most importantly, here’s to a class who continues to love and support each other unconditionally and authentically. I consider this class a part of my extended family, and I can’t wait to witness the incredible and influential people I am sure you’ll all become in the future.”
David White “Moorestown Friends School allows its students to express themselves in a magnitude and multitude of ways, and this is what distinguishes MFS from other institutions. Not only does MFS provide its students with a solid foundation of academic knowledge, it creates opportunities for its students to become experts in their fields or discover their hidden talents, all the while producing an unbelievable amount of support. ...Moorestown Friends has prepared this grade in ways unimaginable. Through this school, we’ve discovered passions of ours that would have otherwise remained hidden, we’ve gained an unfathomable amount of knowledge from faculty both in and out of the classroom, we’ve pushed ourselves to elusive limits, stopping at nothing to reach success, and most importantly, along the way, we stumbled across the importance of family.”
Mark Gornto Middle/Upper School Drama Teacher “Life is challenging and life can be too short. I encourage and implore you to make the most of your opportunities. Hug your friends and thank your parents – for time is fleeting, and life can change in an instant. I am proud to be a teacher and proud to be part of this community. When Shakespeare asks the 400-year-old question, ‘Who’s there?’ you can answer and do so with confidence. You are ready. Take your leap of faith. Together, we are closing a chapter. This moment also begins a new chapter – may you write it with dignity, honesty, integrity, and above all, with love.”
To view, purchase, and download 2015 Commencement photos at mfs.smugmug.com, click on “All Galleries.”
Commencement Memories
Clockwise from upper left: Spencer Kelly and Erica D’Costa process onto the Oval at the beginning of the Commencement ceremony; Yanjun Zhang, David White, David Berg, and Luke Bianco pose for a photo before the ceremony; Stephanie Walker, Kendall Whittall, Annie Levine, and Taylor McManus pose in their white Commencement dresses; Jeremy Berinson and Katie Teitelbaum hold up homemade signs as they step out of the Upper School building; Adalberto Rosado receives his diploma from Head of School Larry Van Meter; Sabrina Patel and Clemente Passariello enter the ceremony.
Reflections on the Class of 2015 Justin Brandon, Upper School Director The Class of 2015’s legacy is that of a cohesive group of students with diverse interests. They represented Moorestown Friends in athletic and academic competitions, visual and performing art showcases, and around the world during Intensive Learning. This class of 76 individuals will be remembered for their school spirit (they won Spirit Week twice) and camaraderie. The impact the Class of 2015 had on the Upper School community was farreaching. Some students in the class were part of the first Peer Leadership program designed to support ninth grade students’ transition to Upper School. The program’s first year was a resounding success thanks to the initiative taken by the seniors. The class as a whole helped strengthen our community, whether it was in the hallways or at Meeting for Worship. Their stewardship will be missed. I expect to hear about their achievements in the near future.
Student
College Destination
Senior Project
Primary Service Project
Scott Abrams
College of Charleston
Flying W Airport
Summer Camp in Costa Rica
Armon Adibi
Virginia Tech
Syscom Tech
Cuba Service Trip
Sydney Arce
University of Alabama
Omega Energy
Service in Spain
Yi Bao
Georgetown University
Medford Leas
Chinese Language Tutor
Brett Barbin
University of Chicago
Michael Smerconish Show
Summer Chemistry at MFS
Brandon Beach
Emerson College
Moorestown Theatre Company
Medford Village Swim Club
Joseph Beideman
Elon University
Holman Ford and ARI
Broadstreet Ministries
David Berg
Muhlenberg College
Perkins Center for the Arts
Service in Dominican Republic
Jeremy Berinson
Muhlenberg College
Franklinville Family Dentistry
Costa Rice Service Trip
Mankaran S. Bhasin
Virginia Tech
Airborne Systems
Selfless Service in India
Luke Bianco
Cornell University
Neil Johnson Architecture
Habitat for Humanity
Brandon Boyce
Rowan University
Starlite Productions
The Order of the Arrow
Arianna Caiazzo
Arcadia University
Moorestown Friends School
Choir Trip to Florida
Andrew Cook
Rowan University
Holman Ford and ARI
Arizona Service Trip
Hannah Creighton
James Madison University
Canal Calem Periodontics
Cuba Service Trip
Macey Cropski
Florida Atlantic University
Atlantic City Aquarium
Marine Mammal Stranding Center
Erica D’Costa
Rutgers University
South Jersey Magazine
CONTACT of Burlington County
Ryan Dorsey
New York University
Villanova University
Night Market: Food for Thought
Shailen Doshi
Cornell University
Holman Ford and ARI
SJ Boys Read
Andrew Edzenga
George Washington University
Edmund Optics
Riverton Yacht Club
Christopher Eni
Gettysburg College
Vincentown Florist
Costa Rica Service Trip
Student
College Destination
Senior Project
Primary Service Project
Molly Fischer
Washington College
Haddonfield Friends School
MFS Lower School Teacher’s Aide
Chelsey Flax
Rutgers University
Superior Court of NJ
Cuba Service Trip
Emma Foster
Arcadia University
Perkins Center for the Arts
Cuba Service Trip
Molly Foster
Arcadia University
Westfield Friends School
Cuba Service Trip
David Golden
Emory University
BaseCamp Ventures
Women’s Shelter in Spain
Colby Gottlieb
Muhlenberg College
Franklinville Family Dentistry
Costa Rica Service Trip
Amanda Gregory
Rowan College at Gloucester County
Clover Gardens and Florist
Mural Arts Intensive Learning
Thomas Heitzman
University of Pittsburgh
Sea Box, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity
Sarah Henig
Drew University
Monmouth University Athletic Department
Costa Rica Service Trip
Crystal Hershey
Widener University
Animal Adoption Center
Philadelphia Yearly Meeting
Samantha Hovatter
West Virginia University
7th Street Surf Shop
Costa Rica Service Trip
David Howarth
Colby College
Burlington County Public Works Department
TOPS Soccer
Jonathon Hurley
University of Delaware
Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
Costa Rica Service Trip
Vanessa Kara
Drexel University
Long Engineering & Land Surveyors
Costa Rica Service Trip
Spencer Kelly
Howard University
RiverWinds Golf & Tennis Club
Special Olympics
Alexander Knowlton
Johns Hopkins University
BaseCamp Ventures
Group Work Camp Mission Trips
Megan Le
Boston College
Buzz Marketing Group
International Girl Scout Program
Annie Levine
Syracuse University
Congregation M'kor Shalom
Tikkun Olam in Israel
Thomas Martin
Pennsylvania State University
Holman Ford and ARI
New Visions in Camden
Pilar Martinez
New York Film Academy
Visionary Media
Champions Against Bullying
Alex Master
Bates College
Price Systems L.L.C.
Food Bank of South Jersey
Oscar Mayer
Ithaca College
Camp Ockanickon
MS 150 Bike Ride
Brianna McKenzie
Princeton University
Westfield Friends School
Choir Trip to Florida
Taylor McManus
Indiana University
Dare Boutique
Service in Camden
Adam Mohsen-Breen
Harvard University
BaseCamp Ventures
Service in Camden
John Nutaitis
Catholic University of America
REM Audiology Associates
Special Olympics
Brian Pansius
Bates College
Senator Diane Allen
Special Olympics
Clemente Passariello
Bentley University
Passariello’s Pizzeria
Soup Kitchen in Camden
Student
College Destination
Senior Project
Primary Service Project
Sabrina Patel
George Washington University
Refugee Health Collaborative
Service in China
Jamal Pratt
Ithaca College
R Malik Construction L.L.C.
MFS Summer Scholars Program
Adam Quaranta
Franklin & Marshall College
Dietz and Watson
Service Youth Leadership Conference
Lara Repholz
Rutgers University
Cisco Systems
Virtua Hospital
Marlene Richards
Drew University
Kressville Pediatrics
First Baptist Church of Jericho
Adalberto Rosado
Princeton University
Ronald McDonald House
Church of Immaculate Conception CCD Assistant
Supti Roy
Bryn Mawr College
Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
Habitat for Humanity
Jaclyn Sackstein
George Washington University
Cordasco Financial Network
Service in China
Matthew Scalamandre
University of Chicago
Syscom Tech
Food Pantry in Cherry Hill
Luke Shaffer
Temple University
Greyhound Angels Adoption
ESF Summer Camp
Wesley Share
Elon University
Holman Ford and ARI
Costa Rica Service Trip
Alaina Shivers
University of Mary Washington
Larc School
Cranks Creek, KY Mission Trip
Olivia Sowa
Lehigh University
Wolf Commercial Real Estate
Costa Rica Service Trip
William Strickland
University of Michigan
Virtua Hospital
Sandy Hill Summer Camp
Nicolette Tamburri
College of Charleston
Methodist Hospital
Costa Rica Service Trip
Rachel Tarter
George Washington University
Orchard Friends School
Bianca’s Kids Foundation
Emily Tatum
Johns Hopkins University
Roofmeadow
MFS Lower School Teacher’s Aide
Carly Teitelbaum
George Washington University
Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge
Moore College of Art
Katie Teitelbaum
Lehigh University
BaseCamp Ventures
Moorestown Tennis Club
Katherine Thai
University of Edinburgh
Voorhees Veterinary Center
Burkina Faso Dental Clinic
Laila Van Cleve
University of Delaware
Burlington Animal Shelter
TOPS Soccer
Stephanie Walker
College of Charleston
Future Fitness
Westwood Swim Club
David White
George Washington University
Keller Williams
Service in China
Kendall Whittall
High Point University
The Yoga Center
Costa Rica Service Trip
Aliya Williams
Rutgers University
Marrone & Kaye Orthodontics
Soup Kitchen in Camden
Jason Woloshin
Temple University
Idea Lab, Inc.
Cuba Service Trip
Yanjun Zhang
Case Western Reserve University
Moorestown Friends Thrift Shop
Bayshore Discovery
Upper School Academic Awards Upper School Academic Awards
Cum Laude Society Members in the Class of 2015 Inducted as seniors: Yi Bao, Shailen Doshi, Emma Foster, Molly Foster, David Golden, Vanessa Kara, Emily Tatum, and Katie Teitelbaum Inducted as juniors: Brett Barbin, Luke Bianco, David Howarth, Adam Mohsen-Breen, Matthew Scalamandre, William Strickland, Carly Teitelbaum, and Katherine Thai
BOOK AWARDS Bryn Mawr Book Award Mia Zayas Swarthmore Book Award Andayah Sams Haverford Book Award Joshua Murdy
Members in the Class of 2016 Erin Chen, Edward Gelernt, Alexandra Katsnelson, Samuel Milligan, Joshua Murdy, Andayah Sams, and Jacob Schoifet
ENGLISH John “Doc� LaVia English Award David Golden and Katherine Thai
National Merit Scholarship Finalist: Matthew Scalamandre Commended: Shailen Doshi, Brianna McKenzie, Adam MohsenBreen, Lara Repholz, William Strickland, and Katherine Thai
Douglas Searle Poetry Award Medina Shah
National Achievement Scholarship Finalist: Brianna McKenzie Outstanding Participants: David White and Aliya Williams National Hispanic Recognition Program Pilar Martinez and Adam Mohsen-Breen Baccalaureate Honor Roll Brett Barbin, Luke Bianco, Shailen Doshi, Emma Foster, David Golden, Adam Mohsen-Breen, Matthew Scalamandre, Scott Strickland, and Katherine Thai Herman Hollerith Award (awarded to a student who displays an inventive and entrepreneurial spirit) Carly Teitelbaum Thomas V. Sedlacek Award (awarded to students displaying sportsmanship, skill, and commitment to a sport at a high level while also demonstrating outstanding ability in the sciences) Andrew Edzenga and Lara Repholz David & Mary Richie Service Award Katie Teitelbaum ARTS 2D Studio Arts Award Carly Teitelbaum 3D Studio Arts Award Mankaran Bhasin Instrumental Music Award Aliya Williams Choral Music Award Molly Fischer and Spencer Kelly Beth F. Oliviero Memorial Theater Arts Award Scott Abrams, Brandon Beach, and Pilar Martinez ATHLETICS Herm Magee Award Joe Beideman, Sarah Henig, and Alaina Shivers Floss Brudon Award Alexis Watson Scholar-Athlete Awards from the Class of 2015 Shailen Doshi, Andrew Edzenga, Thomas Martin, and Alaina Shivers
HISTORY History Award Brett Barbin MATHEMATICS Math League Award Matthew Scalamandre Marjorie F. Overholt Mathematics Award Matthew Scalamandre SCIENCE Richard J. Turley Memorial Prize in Chemistry Katherine Thai National Association of Biology Teachers Award Laila Van Cleve American Chemical Society Award William Strickland American Association of Physics Teachers Award Matthew Scalamandre TECHNOLOGY Technology Award Armon Adibi WORLD LANGUAGES Chinese Language Award Brett Barbin French Language Award Katherine Thai Spanish Language Award Adam Mohsen-Breen Inductees into National Chinese Honor Society 2015: Marirose Aleardi and Erin Chen 2014: Brett Barbin, Luke Bianco, Matthew Scalamandre, William Strickland, and Katie Teitelbaum. Inductees into National French Honor Society 2015: Edward Gelernt, Andrew Harkaway, and Alexandra Katsnelson 2014: Jasmine Brown, Emily Tatum, Carly Teitelbaum, and Katherine Thai Inductees into National Spanish Honor Society 2015: Gabriela Montes, Margaux Vellucci, and Mia Zayas 2014: Adam Mohsen-Breen and Lara Repholz
Congratulations, MFS Class of 2015! 110 E. Main Street
Moorestown, NJ 08057
(856) 235-2900
www.mfriends.org