AMONG FRIENDS Fall 2023
New School Year... New School Sign!
Global Leadership Summit:
Students Explore Switzerland and Germany in Hopes of Creating a Sustainable Future
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
Fall 2023
MOORESTOWN FRIENDS SCHOOL 110 East Main Street Moorestown, NJ 08057 (856) 235-2900, www.mfriends.org
Smiles from the First Week of School
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From the Head of School
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Notes from Pages Lane
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Global Leadership Summit
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New School Sign Provides Welcoming Gateway to Campus
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Fox Tracks
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New Trustees
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New Appointments
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Alumni Association Awards
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2022-23 Annual Report of Donors: Setting An Example of Lifelong Learning
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Development Office Welcomes New Team Members
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Alumni Weekend
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Class Notes
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In Memoriam
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Class of 2023 Alumni Children
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Published By The Development Office Editor, Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Schlotterbeck Graphic Design Alison Judah ’86, Hypno Design Photography Peter Chollick, Mike Schlotterbeck, Julia Tracy ’10, and alumni, student, and parent/guardian contributors Head of School Julia de la Torre Director of Development Stephen Zakroff Assistant Director of Development Justin Spencer-Linzie ‘10 Assistant Director of Community Outreach Julia Tracy ’10 Director of Annual Giving Sonia Mixter Guzmán ’02 Director of Constituent Engagement Kyrie Palan Development Office Staff Hunter Harris ’17 and Sue Giacchetto
On the Cover: A dedication ceremony for the new school sign at the intersection of Friends School Drive and Main Street took place on September 22.
Moorestown Friends School admits students without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, or sexual orientation. All photos are identified from left to right unless otherwise indicated.
Printed on recycled paper.
Fall 2023
Save the Date for Alumni Weekend 2024 Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 Events include the Dinner Among Friends and Alumni Awards; Meeting for Worship; Alumni Networking Reception; Reunions for Classes ending in 4 and 9; and much more.
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SMILES FROM THE FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL
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Fall 2023
Title Message from the Head of School
Dear Friends, The start of the new school year is always a reminder to me of how lucky we are at Moorestown Friends School. As I walk through the halls and pop into classrooms, I witness teaching and learning at its best. Not only can I see students engaged in deep thinking, trusting dialogue, and innovative hands-on learning. But I see how well our teachers know their students and how they engage with them as human beings, not just as students. If you talk to any MFS faculty member, you’ll find that they all became educators because they love learning. As teachers, we know that learning is a lifelong pursuit and that continued professional development is what allows us to bring the latest teaching strategies and current trends to our students. If you ask our faculty why they choose to work at Moorestown Friends, there is no doubt that one clear reason is because we support them to continue their own growth as professionals and as learners. As you explore this issue of Among Friends, and especially the Annual Report of Donors, I invite you to read about the exciting professional learning that takes place both in our buildings and out in the world. Our teachers explore, analyze, create, innovate, and travel. They attend countless hours of professional development in an effort to bring the best to their students. They also present at conferences, both locally and nationally, sharing the excellence found in MFS classrooms with peers far and wide. As we continue to implement our Strategic Plan, “A Compass for Our Future,” we are focused on deepening handson learning for students that connects them with their passions and interests. While in pursuit of a rigorous academic program, our students will also know what it means to maintain a healthy and balanced life. This year, we have added two new positions to our staff in service of an ever-evolving educational landscape. Jackie Dawson, Director of Teaching and Learning, is working collaboratively to re-envision the faculty professional growth program and provide professional learning opportunities to support our strategic direction. She also oversees the scope and sequence of the curriculum from Preschool through Grade 12, ensuring its continuity, consistency, rigor, and mission-alignment. Susan Bastastini, Director of Wellness and Student Support, oversees our counseling staff and student support services so that all students in our care have access to the toolkit of skills they need to thrive in school, college, and beyond. We believe these two leadership roles are critical to creating a learning environment that promotes academic excellence, as well as personal, ethical, and spiritual growth. For our alumni readers, as you reflect on your time at MFS, I have no doubt that several influential teachers come to mind for you. Individuals who saw something special in you and inspired you to think differently about the world. One of the most treasured aspects of an MFS education is the faculty who work with our students every day. I know you will join me in not only ushering in an exciting new school year, but showing gratitude for the educators in our lives who continue to nurture a love of learning among the students in their care. Warmly,
Julia de la Torre Head of School
Fall 2023
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May 25
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. Sreehita Hajeebu ‘23 worked independently for more than a year to study how the use of technology and artificial intelligence could help address disparities with wound care treatment. Her efforts have now led to a team that has grown to include eight professionals – doctors, technology experts, and health care business professionals - who are close to a provisional patent for a new wound care app.
August 26
May 19
MFS hosted 200 students on campus for a NJ FIRST FTC Robotics Workshop.
Students, faculty, and staff participated in the annual Edible Book Festival. The festival hosted over 60 entries!
May 10
May 1
Students in an Upper School Drawing class shared their talents with children residing in Cameroon orphanages by participating in the “Memory Project.” The initiative connects youth around the world through art to help build cultural understanding and international kindness.
The rain garden on the Playscape was full after a big storm and Lower Schoolers enjoyed some wet fun!
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Fall 2023
April 28
April 27
Author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow came to campus for a series of programs that featured three of her books: Your Name is a Song, Mommy’s Khimar, and Abdul’s Story.
The Science and Engineering Exposition (SEE) returned to an in-person event for the first time in four years. Students of all ages, family members, faculty, and staff enjoyed engaging over interesting scientific research and experiments.
April 20
April 17
The Middle School Spring musical featured a peppy rendition of Newsies, Jr.
The Upper School Environmental Committee hosted an Environmental Day for all Lower School students for the second year in a row. Pictured are students on a campus nature walk/ scavenger hunt, one of the many activities.
March 18
March 17
Nolan Youssef ’28 won two awards at the Coriell Institute Science Fair at Camden County College.
Upper School students put on a magical performance of Puffs. The play is a parody of the Harry Potter book series by J. K. Rowling, but from the perspective of a few “Puffs” from the Hufflepuff house.
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Global Leadership Summit “The World Is What We Make Of It” Students Explore Germany and Switzerland in Hopes of Creating a Sustainable Future A cohort of 13 Upper School students and three faculty members explored Switzerland and Germany and represented Moorestown Friends School at a three-day Global Leadership Summit – “Creating a Sustainable Future” in Berlin, Germany in July. This trip is a model for future thematic Global Engagement experiences, aligning with a Strategic Plan goal to design educational experiences that are timely and relevant and encourage global understanding as well as deeper selfawareness for students. At the Summit, 800 students (from 23 U.S. states and 12 countries) were assigned to innovation teams to prototype solutions to sustainability challenges. MFS students were leaders, thinkers, and tinkerers, collaborating across differences, and bringing an entrepreneurial mindset to international teamwork. “Working with students from different parts of the world was a unique and interesting challenge,” said Head of School Julia de la Torre, one of the faculty trip leaders. “Our students’ Quaker values were on full display as they navigated these interactions with flexibility and brought together disparate views to help their teams reach unity around an innovative idea as part of the design thinking process.” The educational theme of environmental sustainability was carried throughout the trip and beyond the Summit, as students participated in a variety of hands-on learning experiences. At the UNESCO Entlebuch Biosphere in Schüpfheim, Switzerland, the group learned about the environmental benefits of peat bogs and explored renewable energy sources. At Mt. Titlis, also in Switzerland, students explored 5,000 years of ice layers in an ice cave and stood atop a glacier that was predicted to be at risk of disappearing in the next 25 years. They learned about local efforts to minimize the impact of fossil fuels and increase selfsufficiency at Breitnau Energie in the Black Forest of Germany. A highlight was the visit to Freiburg, Germany, a community which has reinvented itself as a green city over the past few decades. Bicycles take priority over cars; 900-year waterways provide a water source and cooling mechanism for residents; an energy positive City Hall produces more power than it uses, and much more. Berlin was the location of the Summit and there were opportunities to explore the sites of this historic city. The MFS group made a point to travel via the advanced public transportation system. Mason Levens ’25 provided a reflection about his experience on the trip and at the Summit: “A key area of personal growth that I developed while traveling through Switzerland and Germany was an ability to make cross-cultural connections that I had not considered before. I think it is one thing to read about a destination, language, or culture, but a whole different experience to engage
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The MFS delegation at the Global Leadership Summit in Berlin. with these areas in person. Though I have always been a student that is interested in geography, having the ability to visit this region in Europe provided me with a much clearer picture not only of the region itself, but of the ideas, perspectives, and beliefs found within it. At the Summit, the majority of attendees were from the United States; many, just like me, had never traveled to Europe before. The conversations I had at the Summit were beyond insightful, as I learned what thoughts other students from the United States had on their experience touring different regions in Europe. The understanding of these different perspectives from fellow students not only enabled me to appreciate the presence of different ideas regarding global education, but also allowed me to develop innovative ideas to bring back to the MFS community.” Mason’s mother Victoria Kuhn commented on the transformative experience for Mason and all of the MFS students: “The Global Leadership Summit, and travel experiences like the Summit, provide our students with the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture, environment, society, and wonderment of being a traveler. It is an empowering opportunity for personal growth, and to appreciate the role we play as stewards for our amazing world. The Summit provided the incredible opportunity for personal growth and stewardship. Mason embraced the unique cultural experiences throughout Switzerland and Germany, stretched his comfort zone (including an effort to overcome an aversion of heights) as he ascended the tremendous altitude of the beautiful Swiss Alps, and grew as a global traveler and steward for our world. These in-depth global experiences are what makes MFS unique. Mason will cherish this experience for a lifetime.” Students are now charged with sharing their new learnings and perspectives with the MFS community. They are designing environmental action projects to improve and impact the MFS and/or their local communities that they will develop and execute during the 2023-24 school year. This experience was funded in great part by the generosity of an anonymous donor.
Fall 2023
Top: The MFS delegation shows their school spirit atop the Swiss Alps. Above: Students learned a great deal from their guide, an environmental scientist, about the positive impacts of peat bogs during their tour of the Entlebuch Biosphere in Switzerland. Upper left: The MFS delegation reflects on the design thinking process at the Global Leadership Summit in Berlin. Left: Students designing a community impact project at Holzmarkt 25, a sustainable neighborhood cooperative in Berlin. Below: The MFS delegation in Berlin.
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Ann and Mark Baiada stand with Head of School Julia de la Torre at the new school sign. The Baiadas were presented with a “water struck” brick which came from the sidewalk in front of the Meeting House on Main Street. The school collected them years ago when they were pulled up in favor of new bricks. “This brick has been in the ground, just steps away from the new Main Street sign, for at least 150 years if not more. It’s just a small memento to note the lasting impact of your special gift,” said Julia de la Torre.
New School Sign Provides Welcoming Gateway to Campus A new school sign at the intersection of Main Street and Friends School Drive welcomed students and families to campus for the first day of school. The sign matches the brickwork and architecture of the campus. It is a combination of brick and cast stone with several unique features. Pillars on either side of the sign include engravings of the familiar “MFS 1785” logo. On the back are white marble bricks which contain the graduating class years of all students currently enrolled at the school, as well as a plaque recognizing the generosity of alumni parents and grandparents Mark and Ann Baiada who funded the new sign. A dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place on September 22 with School Committee members, preschoolers, seniors, and members of the Baiada family. At the ceremony, Head of School Julia de la Torre provided the historical context for the land on which the sign was built at the entrance to the school. “In 1781, this ground that we are at today was purchased by Chester Preparative Meeting of Friends in 1781 from Ephraim Haines, and right here in the middle of the Oval, a Stone School House was built and opened in 1785.” She continued: “In the 1980s and early 1990s, a sign with the words ‘Moorestown Friends School’ flanked by some evergreens stood about two-thirds of the way up the Oval. Alan Craig, when he
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became Headmaster in 1990, noted that the sign was so low that it was almost hidden by the town’s electrical equipment boxes. He took up the challenge of getting a more prominent sign in place, one that would be much closer to Main Street, and could be clearly seen throughout the Main Street and Chester Avenue intersection. The new sign was installed in the 1993-94 school year. That white sign, with a red top, and marquee for news and messages that faced either side of Main Street, served the school well for nearly 30 years. But its wood and fiberglass structure began to deteriorate over time.” Julia expressed gratitude to donors Mark and Ann Baiada for making the leadership gift for the new sign, while also providing critical guidance and suggestions throughout the process to ensure the sign integrated well with campus architecture and brickwork and also offered a prominent welcome to the community at Main Street. Mark Baiada shared: “We have to reach out and help bring people here so we can be a beacon and a model for others in the world. I want our students to get a wonderful education, feel strong and in touch with the beauty within themselves and the spirit of love. I think the sign reinforces that, and also tells the world what this is about and hopefully brings them here so more people are clamoring to come to Moorestown Friends School.” Aegis Property Group, ThinkGreen, and Kent Design were the construction partners for the project.
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The Baiada family poses with the Fox at the back of the new school sign, which includes a plaque recognizing the generosity of donors Mark and Ann Baiada. Also included on the back of the sign are white bricks engraved with the graduating years of each class currently enrolled at MFS.
School Committee Clerk Ivy Brown ’89, Ann Baiada, the Fox mascot, Mark Baiada, and Head of School Julia de la Torre officially cut the ribbon to commemorate the new school sign.
A Look Back… Signage for the school has taken many forms over the past decades:
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Fox Tracks 1 For the third time in five years, the Moorestown Friends Golf team captured the Friends Schools League championship! The league tournament was hosted by MFS on May 11 at Ramblewood Country Club. Leading the way for the Foxes was Hannah Puc ’24 who won the league individual championship by carding a 79. She is the school’s third individual league champion (Adam Briggs ’00 – 2000 and Alec Ryden ’19 – 2016). Alex Kwak ‘23 placed third and carded an 82. Rounding out the championship team were Katherine Lee ’25 and Collin Montenegro ’23. The Foxes are coached by Joe O’Hara.
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2 For the second consecutive year, the Baseball team captured the Friends Schools League Quaker Cup. This time it won the championship with a decisive 9-3 victory over George School which came after a thrilling 5-4 extra inning semifinal victory over Friends Select. 3 The 2023 Herm Magee Award recipients were Andrew Mercantini ’23 (Cross Country/Fencing/Baseball) and Chelsea Mohammed ’24 (Soccer). The award is presented for outstanding athletic achievement, leadership, and sportsmanship contributions. 4 Goalies have provided some major highlights in the past year. In the Spring, Boys’ Lacrosse goalie Leo Dabrow ‘24 (left) established a new MFS program record for career saves with 550. The previous record was held by Josh Murdy ‘16 (536). Last Fall, Jonah Bierig ’24 (right) set the Boys’ Soccer program record for saves in a season (190) and also surpassed the career saves record (269). Chelsea Mohammed ’24 (center) did the same, setting Girls’ Soccer program records for a season (168) and career (311). 5 Bryan Wright has joined the MFS community as the Assistant Athletic Director and Health/PE Teacher after a long history with both the town of Moorestown and Moorestown High School (MHS). A lifelong town resident, Bryan served as the School Resource Officer for MHS since 1998. After graduating from Moorestown High School, he earned a B.S. in psychology from Hampton University. Throughout his career he has also been the Moorestown High School Athletic Site Manager, the sports announcer/clock operator, and Boys Varsity Assistant Lacrosse coach. Bryan currently serves as a lacrosse official for the New Jersey Lacrosse Interscholastic Officials Association.
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Fall 2023
New Trustees
Two trustees have been appointed to the School Committee. Brett Berman is a partner and litigator at Fox Rothschild. He is Co-Chair of the firm’s national Litigation Department and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He is a proven trial attorney who represents businesses in a full range of complex commercial litigation in state and federal courts and arbitral venues throughout the United States. Brett is a trusted legal adviser, leveraging his M.B.A. and operational business knowledge to serve many clients as outside general counsel. He represents a broad array of businesses including banks, large international restaurant chains, finance companies and alternative lenders, construction and professional design firms, real estate developers and large commercial landlords, transportation companies and manufacturers. Brett and his wife Jessie Hessert Berman are parents of two girls at MFS. They have volunteered in numerous Parent Council roles, including serving as All-School Parent Council Coordinators. Brett has also been a member of the MFS Head’s Council. They have been active supporters of the Annual Fund, the Voluntary 5% Program, and the Playscape Project. The family resides in Cherry Hill.
2023-24 SCHOOL COMMITTEE Ivy Brown ’89 Clerk Barbara Rose Caldwell Assistant Clerk Andrew Searle Pang ’80, Recording Clerk Mindy Holman Treasurer Kennette Banks ’02 Brett Berman Julia de la Torre Ex Officio Haley Coles Driscoll ’86
Mindy Holman is a third generation head of Holman, the company founded by her grandfather, where she is currently Chairman of the Board. Holman has long been established as a leader in the automotive industry, and it has grown to include seven integrated companies – Holman Automotive, ARI, Auto Truck Group, Kargo Master, Holman Parts Distribution, Holman Insurance, and Holman Growth Ventures. She has chaired the Board of Trustees for the United Way of Camden County, and has served as a member of the Board for the United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey. Mindy served a prior term on the School Committee, which concluded in 2020. She continued to volunteer as a member of the Assets Subcommittee, and the Advisory Committee. Mindy and her husband Frank Beideman are alumni parents of Brad Beideman ’12 and Joe Beideman ’15. They have established the Beideman Family Camden Scholars Endowment at MFS, and made leadership gifts to the Playscape Project. In 2020, Frank and Mindy received the Alumni Association’s Service Award. They reside in Moorestown.
Fall 2023
Jennifer Galambos Carol Henry ’71 Janice Johnston ’88 Ruth Geyer Jurgensen ’91 Braheim Knight ’92 Neuman “Larry” Leverett ’91 Louis Matlack ’53, Emeritus Emily Orel Nicole Young ’06
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New Appointments Susan Batastini Director of Wellness and Student Support Susan Batastini is the school’s first Director of Wellness and Student Support. She returns to campus after a three-year hiatus as she previously served as the Coordinator of Educational and Psychological Services from 2010-2020. She left in 2020 to start her own business, Walk 2 Wellness, an innovative counseling and coaching program that supports health and wellness. Susan has also served as an adjunct professor at Drexel University, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in the Creativity and Innovation Program. She has a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Learning from Drexel University, an M.A. in School Psychology from Rowan University, and a B.S. in Psychology from Clarion University. The creation of the Director of Wellness and Student Support position is the direct result of the strategic priority to situate health and well-being as central to student success. At MFS, the whole child is nurtured so that they may excel academically while maintaining a critical sense of balance that will serve them for life. The goal is that graduates emerge not only more resilient and adaptable, but they will have learned essential skills to care for themselves and others, develop healthy relationships, build support networks, understand who they are as people and learners, and self-advocate with confidence at every stage of their lives. In this new role, Susan facilitates learning plans, as well as coordinates departmental programming and communication across all three divisions, including counseling services, learning support, community education, and more. She will evaluate and bolster the existing academic support structures at MFS, including the partnership with the Educational Services Unit (ESU) of Burlington County, as well as the various in-house supports such as peer tutoring, study skills resources, office hours, and in-house teacher-tutoring. Susan will also enhance and streamline social-emotional programming across counselors, advisors, Peer Leadership, special programming, and more. The expanded Wellness and Student Support Department partners with students, families, teachers, administrators, and outside professionals to ensure the academic, social, behavioral, and emotional success of all students
Jackie Dawson Director of Teaching and Learning Jackie Dawson is the first Director of Teaching and Learning at the school. She works closely with and reports to Associate Head of School and Academic Dean Meredith Godley. Jackie comes to MFS from Germantown Friends School (GFS) where she previously served as the Assistant Director of the Upper School for Student Life and as an Upper School social studies teacher. She also is an adjunct professor in the Penn Graduate School of Education’s Reading, Writing, and Literacy Program where she teaches a course on literacy learning and instruction to pre-service and in-service K-12 teachers. Prior to GFS, Jackie was a middle school English and history teacher at the Bryn Mawr School in Baltimore. Jackie brings a broad range of experiences and skills to the MFS community which will greatly benefit students, faculty, and staff. She works collaboratively to re-envision the faculty professional growth program and provide professional learning opportunities to support the school’s strategic direction. Jackie oversees the scope and sequence of the curriculum from Preschool through Grade 12, ensuring its continuity, consistency, rigor, and mission-alignment. Her deep knowledge, experience, and expertise in best pedagogical practices will help to lead innovations in curriculum, instruction, and assessment. “I hoped to continue my work in a Quaker school community that is deeply committed to rigorous and revelatory pedagogy, to helping students achieve greatness on their own terms, and to fostering global citizens that seek to peacefully transform the world,” said Jackie. She has an Ed.D. in Reading, Writing and Literacy as well as an M.S. in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in English from the College of William and Mary. In recent decades, leadership positions overseeing the academic program at MFS have taken several forms. The Director of Teaching and Learning position builds on this work and is a direct result of the Strategic Plan goal to more broadly integrate approaches to curriculum, instruction, and assessment that best promote student growth and learning.
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Fall 2023
New Appointments Chanelle Walker ’01 Director of Diversity, Community, and Belonging Chanelle Rivers Walker ’01 is the new Director of Diversity, Community, and Belonging, replacing Dot López, who was appointed Head of School at Friends School of Atlanta. Chanelle brings a passion for building and maintaining relationships in school settings, with over a decade of experience working in independent education, most recently at The Thacher School in Ojai, CA, where she was the Director of Alumni Relations and Community Engagement. Chanelle previously was on the staff at Gill St. Bernard’s School in Gladstone, NJ, where she worked in the Development Office for nine years, first as the Alumni Director and then Associate Director of Development. “I am thrilled to serve the Moorestown Friends community in this way,” Chanelle reflected. “As an alum of the school and the Camden Scholars Program, I understand how important the commitment to inclusion and belonging is to the fabric of the community. I remain steadfast in my personal and professional commitment to fostering a community where students feel encouraged to show up authentically with the confidence of knowing they are seen, heard, and valued. This is indeed a joyful homecoming for me.” Her responsibilities at both Thacher and Gill St. Bernard’s included engaging diverse populations - alumni, parents/guardians, and students. Before her positions at these two independent schools, Chanelle worked at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center Foundation in Paterson and, prior to that, worked in development for the New York Public Library. She has a B.S. in History and Studies in Women and Gender from the University of Virginia and a M.A. in Museum Communications from University of the Arts in Philadelphia. Chanelle has served as a member of the MFS Alumni Awards Selection Committee since 2017.
Chris LaTempa Director of College Counseling Chris LaTempa is the new Director of College Counseling. He follows Damian Long who departed for a leadership position at The Haverford School. Chris comes to MFS with extensive experience in college counseling and independent schools. He was previously the Associate Director of College Counseling at Malvern Preparatory School where he advised nearly 100 juniors and seniors throughout their college search process and also designed and taught a College Seminar/Social Entrepreneurship course for Malvern students. In addition to being a SEED (Seeking Educational Equity & Diversity) Facilitator who has co-led diversity and inclusion sessions for faculty, Chris is also a trained facilitator around health topics as they relate to the college process. An adjunct professor at Villanova University, Chris teaches the “College-Bound Athletes” course for the school’s College Admission Counseling Certificate program. “I tremendously appreciate the Quaker philosophy of education that MFS embodies and cherish the opportunity to join a culture of inquisitive learners and stewards who embrace collaboration and holistic growth of mind, body, and spirit,” said Chris. Prior to Malvern, Chris was a College Counselor at Salesianum School in Wilmington, DE and, before that, served as Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at his alma mater, Lafayette College. He has been active in professional development circles, serving as faculty and performing committee work for both the National and Pennsylvania Associations of College Admission Counseling (NACAC and PACAC). Chris has coached either softball or baseball at all three institutions where he has worked. Chris has an M.S. Ed. from the University of Pennsylvania School Leadership Program and a B.A. from Lafayette in American Studies.
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Alumni Association Awards
Ron Obermeier Provided Teaching and Coaching Expertise for Nearly Three Decades Assistant Director of Athletics Ron Obermeier, who taught and coached almost three decades of MFS students, retired at the end of the 2022-23 school year. Ron began in 1995 as a full-time math teacher, and in the early 2000’s designed the finance class that is still enjoyed by many 12th grade students today. In 2002, he assumed the role of Assistant Athletic Director as he continued teaching math parttime. In 2021, Ron decided to step down from teaching math and focus only on his Assistant Athletic Director responsibilities. “Ron’s role as Assistant Athletic Director has been instrumental to our program, and his positive attitude and support of our student-athletes, coaches, and teams has been felt by generations of MFS student-athletes,” said Head of School Julia de la Torre. “He was a staple at MFS sporting events, whether it was serving as site manager, chatting with fans, helping with the scoreboard or clock, or cheering on the Foxes.” A former collegiate baseball player for St. Joseph’s, Ron served two stints as the MFS Boys’ Varsity Baseball Coach amassing 167 career wins (by far the most coaching wins in program history), highlighted by a 2014 Friends Schools League Championship and a NJSIAA Non-Public B South championship game appearance in 2013. “Simply put, Ron is a legend at Moorestown Friends,” said Director of Athletics Danielle Dayton. “He is one of the most successful and beloved coaches in school history. I am forever indebted to Ron for the amount of time and effort he has put in to support our student-athletes and coaches in his Assistant
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Ron Obermeier (seated at center) was recognized for his retirement at the Dinner Among Friends in May. Seated from left: Ron’s girlfriend Maureen Fitzgerald, daughter Savannah Obermeier ’26, Ron Obermeier, Tia Obermeier ’23, and Hadley Schival. Standing: Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Schlotterbeck, Woody Rosenbach, former Math Teacher Brooke Smith, former Math Teacher Kathi Bernard, Director of Athletics Danielle Dayton, Math Department Chair Katie LuBrant, Math Teacher Michael Omilian, Surya Reddy ’18, and Adam Quaranta ’15. Director role. Many do not realize how much goes on behind the scenes to support Middle and Upper School Athletics. Ron has a can-do attitude and always has been willing to go the extra mile to ensure that things run smoothly for our teams, officials, and fans attending our home competitions.” Ron has served as Treasurer of the Friends Schools League and was also a member of the MFS Athletics League Membership Committee in 2023-24. Ron has four children: Jordan ’21, now a student at the University of Tampa, Tia ’23, now a student at Auburn University, Savannah ’26, and Brett ’30. In retirement, Ron looks forward to spending more time with his family and helping coach Brett’s sports teams. Ron was recognized at the Dinner Among Friends on Alumni Weekend and former players, colleagues and friends also provided the surprise gift of sending him to Phillies Fantasy Camp in January.
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Alice Paul Merit Award: Nancy Polutan-Teulieres ’88 Has Devoted Her Life’s Work to the Protection of Refugees and Displaced People Nancy Polutan-Teulieres received the Alice Paul Merit Award at the Dinner Among Friends on Alumni Weekend. At the time of her recognition, Nancy was the Deputy Coordinator with the Global Protection Cluster which is led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), based out of Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Protection Cluster (GPC) is a network of non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and United Nations agencies engaged in protection work in humanitarian crises including armed conflict and disasters. GPC staff deal with child protection, gender-based violence, housing, land and property issues, and action on mines. Nancy worked on legal, protection, and managerial matters for staff stationed in Africa, Asia, and Europe, often in tough situations. Nancy was recently appointed to a new position based in Dakar, Senegal, as the Senior Policy Adviser with the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Central and West Africa. “We were taught at MFS to not forget that we live in a community and that our actions can impact others,” reflected Nancy. “From my perspective, social justice and the importance of individuals embodies the Quaker perspective that I learned throughout my six years at MFS from the time I started in the seventh grade.” Many stateless people are denied citizenship because of discrimination on the basis of their age, gender, where their parents came from, their religion, ethnicity, or skin color.
Fall 2023
Nancy Polutan-Teulieres ’88 (second from right) is pictured on Alumni Weekend with Cyndi Rivas, Rene Polutan, Nancy’s mother Elizabeth Rubio Polutan, and Nancy’s husband Laurent Teulieres. Nancy’s dedication to the rights of refugees, particularly women and children, is one way in which she has “let her life speak,” expressing the Quaker value of equality. Today, there are over 150 million people in the world in need of protection, to whom she has devoted her life’s work. “The Quaker values of peace, integrity, community, and equality I learned from MFS teachers informed the path that I’ve taken over the last 20+ years,” said Nancy. “Education was key to the path that led me to my interest and work with the United Nations, from my elementary school in Cherry Hill to the time when I moved to MFS during my Middle School years. I learned from the incredible English and social studies teachers at MFS - Mitzi Kade, Margaret Mansfield, Will Perkins, and Bill Blauvelt, and advisors like Mary Williams.” Following studies at Penn (B.A. in History) and The London School of Economics and Political Science (M.A. in International History), Nancy earned her J.D. from American University and practiced law for a time before finding her life’s calling. Nancy joined the United Nations as a Junior Officer, stationed in Zambia. Later, she became part of the United Nations High Commission on Refugees. In 2011-2012, on sabbatical from the UNHCR, she was a Fellow at The Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University. Her research there resulted in an important policy paper, “Children and their Search for a Home: What it Means to be Stateless in the 21st Century.”
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Service Award: Barbara Rose Caldwell Recognized for Three Decades of Leadership and Service Assistant School Committee Clerk Barbara Rose Caldwell was presented with the Alumni Association’s Service Award at the Dinner Among Friends in May. She has been an integral part of the MFS community for three decades serving in a wide variety of key roles. Barbara retired from MFS in 2012, capping off a stellar 19-year career as Associate Head of School and Academic Dean. Earlier, she served as the Upper School Director and prior to that, she was the Chester Reagan Chair for Quaker and Religious Studies. Her contributions strongly underscored the importance of Quakerism at MFS, including helping Upper School students develop the Meeting for Worship for Business form of government, and co-clerking the school’s 2011 Strategic Plan Committee. Barbara also steered the Upper School through its expansion, helping to develop the Mandarin world language program, and increasing the number of AP and honors offerings. During the past decade in her post-retirement years, Barbara has continued to generously devote her time, energy, and wisdom through her exceptional volunteer leadership, including nine years on the School Committee. After joining the School Committee in 2014, she succeeded Nick Smith as Clerk in 2017 and served in that role until 2021 and now is the Assistant Clerk. She co-clerked the Search Committee for current Head of School Julia de la Torre with fellow trustee Nick Smith. From 2012 to 2014, Barbara served as a consultant, helping to clerk the Strategic Plan Oversight Committee and managing the school’s Membership Renewal Process for its accreditation as a Quaker school.
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Barbara Caldwell received the Alumni Association’s Service Award at the Dinner Among Friends. Front row: Zoey Dunne, Susannah Henderson, Barbara Caldwell, Sam Caldwell, and former faculty member Priscilla Taylor-Williams. Back row: Ryan Dunne, Charlotte Dunne, former faculty member Linda Vizi, former faculty member Lynne Brick, and David Williams. “For nearly 30 years, Barbara’s vision for what Quaker education can be - and her gifts as a teacher leader, senior administrator, School Committee Clerk, trustee, and mentor to many - have been incredibly valuable to the school community, which owes her a great debt of thanks,” reflected Julia de la Torre in her introductory remarks at the Dinner Among Friends. “She deeply believes in the school’s mission, making Quaker principles visible, and putting those values into action.” Barbara’s acceptance remarks were consistent with her commitment to Quaker values and education. “I recently read a short talk given by Darryl Ford, the retiring head of William Penn Charter School,” she said. “He emphasized both the spiritual power of Quaker schools and our commitment to social justice as what he called ’our gift to the world.’ These strengths are what make this school and others like it so crucial to the advancement of peace, justice and truth. The one leads to the other; the light will lead us to right action. I am proud to have served this wonderful school and will continue to do so.” She continued: “My years at MFS as an employee and now as a volunteer have allowed me to live out and act on the essential tenet of that faith: that guided by the promptings of the Inner Light I can make a positive difference in the lives of my students and colleagues and in this institution. What matters in the end is that the outcomes are consistent with living meaningfully and faithfully.”
Fall 2023
Alumni Association Awards Young Alumni Award: Social Entrepreneur Ashley Edwards ’08 Models Servant Leadership at MindRight Health Ashley Edwards accepted the 2023 Young Alumni Award virtually from Portugal on Alumni Weekend. Her parents Jeff and Debbie Edwards accepted the award in person. Ashley is the founder and CEO at MindRight Health, a Newark-based tech startup dedicated to making mental health services accessible and inclusive of underserved communities. Ashley has raised over $2.8 million in capital for the platform. She was the first Black female founder to raise over $1 million in venture capital in New Jersey and at the time she was one of only 35 to ever do so in the United States. Ashley is currently the Inaugural Visiting Social Entrepreneur at the Center for Social Innovation at Stanford University Graduate School of Business. She has been recognized for her work as a Forbes 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneur, named as one of the top “healers” set to influence the next century. During her acceptance remarks, Ashley cited leadership lessons learned at MFS. “One of the most significant lessons I learned during my time at MFS was the importance of servant leadership,” she said. “This school instilled in me a deep sense of responsibility to give back to my community and to make a positive impact in the world.” She continued: “The foundation of my approach to leadership was laid at Moorestown Friends… I was surrounded by teachers, classmates, and staff who modeled what it means to be a servant leader… MFS showed me how to lead with empathy, compassion, and a deep commitment to making a difference.” Ashley serves as the East Coast Impact Chair of the Global Forbes Under 30 community. Ashley has been profiled for her work in media outlets such as Fast Company and Huffington Post. She has also been recognized by a number of organizations, including the Tribeca Disruptor Awards, the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Awards, and the Elle Impact Awards for her leadership in social innovation. Her speaking engagements have included Stanford, Yale, Harvard Business School, Google, the Women’s National Basketball Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Before founding MindRight, Ashley served as Director of Operations for Newark Prep Charter School in Newark, NJ, where traditional face-to-face classroom learning was blended with online learning. She developed the school’s operations and data management system from launch to 300+ students.
Fall 2023
Above: Young Alumni Award recipient Ashley Edwards ’08 accepted her award via Zoom early in the morning from Portugal during the Dinner Among Friends. Below: Parents Debbie and Jeff Edwards accepted the Young Alumni Award on behalf of daughter Ashley from Middle School Science Teacher Tina Corsey at the Dinner Among Friends.
Ashley holds an M.B.A. and an M.Ed. from Stanford University, where she was the recipient of the Miller Social Change Leadership Award and served as President of the Black Business Student Association. She graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in Economics, where she received the Yale Franciscus Fellowship in Entrepreneurship.
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Title
Young Alumni Award: Thermal Engineer Eric Teitelbaum ’08 Provides Groundbreaking Climate Solutions Dr. Eric Teitelbaum received the Young Alumni Award on Alumni Weekend. He is the Senior Engineer at AIL Research, Inc. in Hopewell, NJ, a postdoctoral researcher at Princeton University, and an adjunct assistant professor at the Irwin S. Chanin School of Architecture at The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City. Eric is also the owner of Teitelbaum Carpentry. He became well-known for his appearances on Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters series as a fabulous treehouse and furniture builder before he started achieving prominence as an innovative engineer. Eric completed a dual degree Ph.D. in 2020 from Princeton University in Architecture and Material Science, researching how materials enable energy-saving thermal comfort regimes beyond standard air-based methods. He has applied his thermal comfort framework to many projects, including a Department of Energy integrated dehumidification facade. He is named on eight patents on sensing and construction of radiant systems. During his graduate studies, Eric worked as a Project Manager at ETH Zurich, a Swiss public research university. There he managed the design and construction of a world first - a membrane-assisted radiant cooling system known as the “Cold Tube.” He conducted thermal comfort studies for the novel conditions deployed in the Cold Tube and produced several high-level papers furthering knowledge in thermal comfort and radiant cooling domains. He demonstrated the Cold Tube to great effect in tropical Singapore during tests in 2019 where a Cold Tube pavilion offered relief outdoors from heat and humidity. It used 50 percent less electricity than air-conditioning. He and his team are excited
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Eric Teitelbaum ’08 pictured with his father Larry, son Cedar, son Fern, wife Megan, and mother Marianne. about possible applications as the planet warms. Eric’s work on better human cooling solutions has appeared in popular journalism from The Washington Post to Scientific American, and is also reflected in numerous peer-reviewed publications. A recent example of an article he co-authored which achieved wide notice was, “A Fresh (Air) Look at Ventilation for COVID-19: Estimating the global energy savings potential of coupling natural ventilation with novel radiant cooling strategies,” which appeared in Applied Energy. In his acceptance remarks, Eric expressed appreciation for the opportunity he had to pursue all of his passions and skills at MFS. “Something that makes my approach to research unique is the time I spend not just in the lab, but in the shop,” he said. “And that was absolutely an approach fostered at MFS, where I spent time in equal parts chemistry and physics labs with (former Science Dept. Chair) Barb Kreider and (former Physics Teacher) Mr. Clarke and woodshop with (former Woodworking Teacher) Mr. Richter…I left MFS with the understanding that the best way to learn something is to build it, a mindset I used to lead research covered by The Washington Post, Scientific American, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and other outlets. I certainly attribute my hands-on approach to my MFS education and mentors who all played a huge role in molding my style.” Prior to completing his Ph.D. at Princeton, Eric earned his M.S.E. from the Princeton School of Engineering and Applied Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering. As an undergrad at Princeton, Eric majored in Chemical and Biological Engineering.
Fall 2023
Development Office Welcomes New Team Members
Development Office Welcomes Three New Team Members Justin Spencer-Linzie ’10 has returned to MFS to serve as the Assistant Director of Development and Coordinator of the Camden Scholars Program. In addition to his work with key annual giving and leadership gift donors, Justin will provide daily support for the students in the Camden Scholars Program, as well as guide the application process for prospective Scholars working closely with Chanelle Rivers Walker ’01, the new Director of Diversity, Community, and Belonging. Since 2021, Justin has been the Executive Director of the West Philadelphia YMCA. Prior to joining the West Philadelphia YMCA, Justin worked at the Camden branch of the YMCA as the Senior Director of Community Youth Programs for nearly five years, where he focused on organizing, developing, and maintaining community relationships in Camden through the programs and services offered at the Y, including partnerships with Camden schools. Justin has a B.A. and M.B.A from Springfield College. Kyrie Palan began in January as the new Director of Constituent Engagement. She develops and orchestrates programs and events especially for parents, guardians, alumni, and grandparents; manages volunteer opportunities for alumni, parents, and guardians; serves as the liaison to the MFS Alumni Association, Parent Council, and other parent/guardian groups; recruits and and supports Class Reunion volunteers; and connects with Annual Giving prospects. She formerly served as the Director of Community Engagement for New Leash on Life USA. She has also worked at the American Association for Cancer Research Foundation in Philadelphia, where she managed multiple development events. Kyrie has a B.A. in Corporate Communications from Penn State University. Hunter Harris ’17 is the Administrative Assistant to the Director of Development. An original at MFS, he returned to the school in January. He supports all aspects of the Development program, serves as a technology resource for the office, and provides critical direction and logistical support for numerous Development Office events. In addition, he is a co-teacher for the new Life Skills elective class in the Upper School. Hunter is a recent graduate of New York University. He is a background actor, serving on the professional sets of Law and Order and other productions. Also, he worked in numerous roles in the production studios at the Tisch School at NYU.
Fall 2023
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Alumni Weekend
1958 Seated: Sandy Coles, Mary McAllister Teale, Holly Archer Crawford, Sandy Bray Wasson, Rochelle Lario Towers, Sigrid Schwarz Kunz, Alison Borton Lipshitz, and Cathy Roberts. Standing: John Coles ’59, Cappy Loveland, Art Evans, John Chigounis ’57, Bill Teale, Eric Kunz, and Peachy Roberts ’57. Not pictured but joining later for dinner at Van Meter Hall were Warren ’58 and Susan Nelson, Sam ’57 and Diane Allen, Doug Boehm, and Skip Lipshitz.
1963 The Class of 1963 gathered for dinner at Riverton Country Club: Ed Graff, Wendy Ries Brunt, Eric Clever, Dave Campbell, Floyd Johnson, Ross Corotis, Whitty Ransome, John Blair, Pat DeCou LaMountain, Louisa Wright Khanlian, Patty Loney Sidelsky, Butch Chase, Tina DeCou Krutsky, Bill Wilhelm, Gretchen Capehart DeCou, Ross Hagstoz, Barbara Silberstein Cianci, Bob Landgraf, and Ron Luber.
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Fall 2023
Alumni Weekend
1968
1968
The Class of 1968 met at Barone’s for dinner: Suzanne Wilson Lankenau, Laurie Mitchell, Phil Elberson, Larry Van Meter, John Harrison, Jon Tomar, Eric Jones, Ann Moser Trenka, Renee Kaufman, Lynne Tomaselli Gibbs, Renee Kaufman, Jay Novick, and Paul Pinsky. The group was also pictured on campus: Front row: Ann Moser Trenka, Lynne Tomaselli Gibbs, Renee Kaufman, and Larry Van Meter. Standing: Phil Elbertson, Eric Jones, Paul Pinsky, John Harrison, and Jon Tomar.
1983 The Class of 1983 gathered at the Sweetwater Bar and Grill in Cinnaminson: Terrie Culver, F. Deming Love, Sheryl Huggins Salomon, Steve Walsh, Kim Atchison Fletcher, Dave Cebula, and Beth Reinbold.
1973 The Class of 1973 celebrated their 50th reunion at the Pie Lady in Moorestown. Front row: April Davis Bird, Carol Cleaver Stoneback, and Chiyo Moriuchi. Second row: Bob Hazelwood, Richard Lappin, and Mary Haines Ginter. Third row: Trish Soffer Mainwairing, Betsy Mastran Small, Mary Hazelwood, and Escamillio Davis. Fourth row: Toba Lubarr Spector, Deborah Scoblink, and Bob Barnett. Top row: Tim Small, Sandra Hartman Reid, Bruce Haines, Robin Beaver, and Julia Rabkin.
Fall 2023
1980’s Joining the Class of 1983’s 40th Reunion at Sweetwater Bar and Grill were: Beth Petrie ’84, Anthony Pozzi ’85, Kate Vecchio Helgen ’85, Tom Schneider ’85, Lisa Thomas Martin ’84, Jackie Fischman-Shweky ’84, and Greg Billings ’84.
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21
Alumni Weekend
1998 The Class of 1998 gathered at LaScala’s Fire in Marlton on May 13 to celebrate their 25th Reunion. Front row: Barry Koen, Kate Golden, Kristin Roach, Liz Holden, Rachel Melroy-Husser, and Melissa Morrow; Back row: Dan Zemaitis, Jeff Croshaw, Dave Mouber, Ryan Winkelspecht, and Matt Sutton. The Class of 2008 gathered at Barcade on May 6 for its 15th Reunion. Thanks to Rebecca Machlus and Tommy Stackhouse for organizing the event.
2003 The Class of 2003 celebrated their 20th Reunion. Seated: Abbey Morgan, Rachel Cope Tarvin, Whitney Pennington Rodgers, and Jennifer Harris; Standing: Tristan Bresnen, Brian Schopfel, and Fanny Mixter Babajide.
1988 The Class of 1988 celebrated its 35th Reunion at Maurizio’s in Moorestown. Seated: Deitra Huff Smith, Janice Johnston, Emily Romero, and Nancy Polutan-Teulieres. Standing: Chris Tegley, Janet Vincent Merriman, and Brian Wyatt. Later the group was joined by Ted Kushner.
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Fall 2023
Alumni Weekend
Alumni of Color
An Alumni of Color reception was held on Alumni Weekend. Attending were: Front: Dakota Chambers ’18, Kennette Banks ’02, Maya Wohler ’26, Sadie Lang ’98, her niece, and Fanny Mixter Babajide’s daughter. Second row: Janice Johnston ’88, Sollie Pinkston ’80, and Sarah Huynh ’25; Third row: Jenavi Martinez ’25, Simone Stanley ’13, and Chelsea Mohammed ’24; Fourth row: Emily Romero ’88, Olivia Neri ’24, Autumn Talley ’11, and Jen Harris ’03; Fifth row: Leola Williams Denson ’75, Kim Atchison Fletcher ’83, former Director of Diversity and Inclusion Dot López, and Pierce Williams ’14; Sixth row: Greg Billings ’84, Kenan Soso ’14, and Fanny Mixter Babajide ’03; Top row: Brian Turner ’98 and Julian Austin ’91.
Former Faculty and Staff
Former faculty and staff gathered for fellowship, stories, and laughs. Front: Rose Frola, Pam Coles, Lynne Brick, Mary Ann Griffis, and Sandi Federici; Middle: Linda Vizi, Brooke Smith, and Emily Romero ‘88 (who has returned this year to MFS as a Spanish Teacher); Back: Eliza McFeely and Maggie Beck. Linda Vizi shared a presentation on her Moorestown Historical Society exhibit “Inscribed Quilts: A Portal to Moorestown History,” which concluded the Former Faculty and Staff event.
Fall 2023
AMONG FRIENDS
23
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!
Reagan who had traveled from Portland. The Class is looking forward to celebrating its 60th Reunion on Alumni Weekend, May 3-4, 2024.
1952
Christine Wagner Oliver lives in Folsom, CA and reports that “Patrick and I have been enjoying our newly landscaped garden. We are planning to travel some. Children are all doing well. We feel very fulfilled and happy.”
1964
John Dick decided to retire last Fall (2022) after 30 years at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, far longer than he was a Russian-language teacher at the University of Massachusetts/Boston, at Georgetown, and at George Washington. Now, post-COVID, he hopes to begin traveling internationally again.
1958
Saundra Griffith Nottingham lives in Berryville, VA and recently visited family in New Jersey. She continues to work in ministry which she enjoys very much.
1964
Members of the Class of 1964 gathered in Ellen Tyler Miller’s home in Moorestown on August 23 to welcome classmates Pete and Bonnie Greenfield
In attendance at a gathering of classmates at Ellen Tyler Miller’s home on August 23 were: (standing) Lydia Hunn and Charles Derr, Pete Reagan, Bonnie Greefield Reagan, Ross Hagstoz ’63, Carol Tomaselli Brown, Tom Hagstoz, Lindy Thomas Barocchi, Dorie Neuber, and Harold Wright. (Seated) Lyn Buckwalter Wargny, Karen Read Lautzenheiser, Carolyn Kleiner, and Ellen Tyler Miller. Joining virtually were Buck Miller and Ned Schellenger.
Larry Van Meter ’68 Retires from Foundation Leadership Role Former Head of School Larry Van Meter has retired for a second time, this time from his role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Forman Acton Foundation in Salem, NJ. He initially joined the foundation in 2015 as a trustee, serving as Chair of the Board’s Scholarship and Grants Committees. He then assumed the role of President and CEO of the Foundation in 2019. Since that time, he led the Foundation through a period of tremendous growth, overseeing the expansion of the organization’s programs, staff, and impact in the Salem community. The Forman Acton Foundation’s mission is to inspire, educate and empower Salem youth. Founded in October 2014, it is named after Forman S. Acton, a Salem resident, pioneering computer scientist, engineer, and university professor who sought to provide children from his hometown with the same access to education that made him successful. The Foundation provides educational opportunities through financial assistance and inspirational support that removes barriers and creates pathways for students to advance their education and achieve career success. “I feel especially fortunate to have capped my career in education by leading an organization whose mission I believe in so deeply, especially in Salem, my parents’ hometown,” Larry said in the organization’s public announcement. “I’m proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish during my tenure, and I strongly believe the foundation is poised to have an increasingly profound impact on the students of Salem in the years to come.”
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Fall 2023
Class Notes
1973
Trish Soffer Mainwaring recently celebrated her son Zach’s wedding with family. From left: Ben Mainwaring, Robert Mainwaring, Trish Soffer Mainwaring ’73, Zach Mainwaring (holding his daughter Ivy) and his wife Rachel Mainwaring, Chloe Mainwaring ’28, Jesse Mainwaring, Chloe Mainwaring ’31, and Third Grade Teacher Rachel Mainwaring.
1978
Marilyn Pitock Schatz reports that her son Matt’s play The Burdens was published and displayed at the Drama Book Shop in New York City.
1968
Larry Van Meter
1971 Larry Riesenbach (center) and husband Tim Ky wth their son Aaron.
1978
Larry Riesenbach met with Renate Klauser-Braun during a recent trip to Vienna, Austria.
Fall 2023
Kurt Klaus reports that he enjoys venturing around Biscayne National Park and spending time with friends and family in beautiful Dade County, FL.
1972
Paul Harrison reports: “After an almost 20-year hiatus my spouse, Jeanne, and I resumed foreign travel with a trip that took us to Lake Como, Milan, and Venice, Italy before stopping on the way home in North Yorkshire to visit with my sister Diana Harrison Comber ‘67. Italians clearly know how to live and Venice exceeded our wildest expectations. Oh, and why don’t we have trains like the Europeans do? If only, then General Eisenhower hadn’t fallen in love with the Autobahn!”
1973
Trish Mainwaring reflected: “We were thrilled to finally celebrate my son Zach and Rachel’s wedding which took place two years earlier. I also had a great time at our Class of 1973 reunion!”
1976
Peter Boutin resides in Mount Vernon, OH and comments that he “would love to see everyone, anytime/anywhere!”
1978
Larry Riesenbach reports from across the Atlantic Ocean: “My husband Tim and I have been living in Madrid, Spain since the beginning of 2022. I have to give a call-out to my MFS Spanish teacher, Roberta Stern, for inspiring a love of Spanish in me, and 45 years later I’ve finally had the chance to achieve a level of proficiency! We’ve loved living here, and it’s given us the chance to travel to many different parts of Europe, including to Vienna, where we had a wonderful visit with my MFS friend and classmate, Renate Klauser-Braun. Our son Aaron is a junior at Northeastern University in Boston, but comes to Madrid whenever he can!”
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Class Notes
1982
1983
1991
Darnel Barnes pictured with Math Department Chair Katie LuBrant during his May campus visit. Warren Sedar, Vice President at Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School, pictured with students.
Steve Walsh with daughter Eileen and granddaughter Imelda Mary O'Connor.
1981
1986
Phil Evaul and wife Heather Jones (MFS Faculty: 1989-94) recently moved and will be the custodians for 10 or more years of Love Point Homestead in Stevensville, MD. According to Phil the house was built in 1883. “I thought it might be the oldest house on Kent Island but research shows it to be more like the 25th oldest,” he noted.
1982
Warren Sedar is starting his 33rd year in education. He is Vice President at Adelante Selby Spanish Immersion School, a combined elementary and junior high magnet school in San Francisco. Dr. Andrew J. Young is a radiation oncologist in Gettysburg, PA and is affiliated with UPMC Hanover. He received his medical degree from Drexel University College of Medicine/ Hahnemann University and has been in practice for more than 20 years.
1983
Steve Walsh attended a family wedding in Donegal, Ireland and visited with his daughter and granddaughter.
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1992
Cindy Thomas checked in from Colorado: “After four years of happily renting homes...my chosen human and I have purchased a lovely house and we are settling into the new Hobbit Hole in Castle Rock. I continue to work for the public school district as a school social worker at an alternative high school with students who are at high risk of dropping out. They keep me on my toes, keep me laughing, and teach me tons. My daughter, Sophie Smrcka, just finished her first year as a scenic design student at the University of Tennessee’s M.F.A. program in Knoxville. I love visiting Knoxville to see her shows. I have joined the Pickle Ball obsessed - try it!”
1988
Nancy Polutan-Teulieres was recently appointed to a new position as the Senior Policy Adviser with the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Central and West Africa to be based in Dakar, Senegal. She received the Alumni Association’s Alice Paul Merit Award at the Dinner Among Friends in May (see page 15).
Annemarie Orth receives the Educators for a Multilingual Maine (EMME) Teacher of the Year award from EMME President Stephanie Carbonneau.
1991
Darnel Barnes visited the MFS campus in May. He is a math teacher at Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts. Darnel was on sabbatical last year pursuing research in math education and visited a variety of classes.
Fall 2023
Class Notes
Adam Serlin ‘02 Featured in Philadelphia Inquirer Article Focusing on Inequities in City Juvenile Justice System A report co-authored by Adam Serlin on the state of girls’ justice in Philadelphia was featured in the April 4 edition of The Philadelphia Inquirer in an article titled “Philly’s juvenile-justice system leaves girls out of programs that could help them, new report says.” The report offers more than 30 recommendations on how to reform Philadelphia’s juvenile justice system, which routinely leaves girls out of programs designed to divert youth from detention facilities. Adam was quoted in the article: “The organizing principle of our work … is to display how a targeted redesign of the juvenile justice system for girls may offer leaders a unique chance … to craft a fairer system for all youth,” he said. A former youth justice fellow with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office, Adam is Founder and Principal of Independent Variable, a consulting firm that uses technology and design principles to help nonprofit and public sector entities reimagine more equitable and effective service delivery models.
1999
(EMME). She is a Spanish teacher at Casco Bay High School and a world language specialist for the Portland Public Schools. Annemarie was recognized at the EMME’s annual conference held in March.
1999
Adrian Rowan currently runs a boudoir photography business, House of Rowan. She gave birth to a son, Parker, in 2020 and also renovated a Queen Anne Victorian home in Merchantville during the pandemic. Her business has been featured on ABC News and NJ.com and her home restoration was featured by The Philadelphia Inquirer.
2002
Adam Serlin
2006
Aaron Grossman - see Class of 2009
Adrian Rowan with her son Parker.
1992
Annemarie Orth was named Language Teacher of the Year by the Educators for a Multilingual Maine
Fall 2023
Sean Mulligan joined the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in March as an assistant district attorney, returning to the Delaware Valley after six years in Seattle, WA. There Sean served as a National Treasury Employees Union local chapter leader in the Department of Health and Human Services, eventually
representing tens of thousands of his fellow employees in national collective bargaining agreement negotiations. As a steward and later elected union leader Sean helped win hard-fought victories for HHS employees concerning COVID-19, remote work, and flexible work schedules. He hopes alumni will reach out to reconnect. Michael Murza recently completed a detail at the White House Council on Environmental Quality as a Senior Policy Advisor for Clean Energy and NEPA. He is now a senior attorney at the California Energy Commission focusing on building decarbonization efforts, including developing standards for home appliances to communicate with the electric grid to optimize low-GHG energy consumption.
2007
Alix Ablaza married David Rosenbaum on May 5 at the Down Town Club in Philadelphia.
2008
Jen Briones was appointed Deputy Director of Policy and Research at the District of Columbia (DC) State Board of Education in May.
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Class Notes
2008
2007
Pictured at Alix Ablaza’s wedding to David Rosenbaum are Rachel Denby Smoker, Danielle Nutt, Eve Zausner, Alix Ablaza, Emily Greenberg, and Sammi Ocher.
Sarah Rosenbach-Jordan successfully defended her dissertation, “The Role of School Social Networks in Explaining Mental Health Among Sexual and Gender Minority Youth,” for a Ph.D. in Psychology and Social Intervention at NYU.
2009
Jen Briones has a new position at the DC State Board of Ed.
2008
Jacob Rosenson Montgomery married Iracema Torres Drew on July 29, in Parksville, NY. Jake and Iracema met at the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, from which they both received MFAs. Other MFS attendees included Jake’s sister Esther ’12, Justin Stark ’10, Robert Rinaldi ’10, and Jake and Esther’s mother Sarah Rosenson, who was a long-time ethics teacher at MFS. Kevin Schlagle was promoted to Resident Producer at The Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, where he previously worked on more than 40 productions in 14 seasons as a Stage Manager. This spring he was also presented with the Cohen Award for Excellence at the annual Gala.
2009
Alexandra Friedman and Aaron Grossman ’06 got engaged this past summer. Alexandra received her master’s
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Alexandra Friedman and Aaron Grossman ’06 were engaged this summer.
Kevin Schlagle, pictured with presenter Chloe Peddle, received an award for his work at The Huntingdon Theater Company in Boston at their annual gala. He was recently promoted to Resident Producer.
Fall 2023
Class Notes
2010
MFS alums and community members gathered for a photo at the wedding of Julia Applegate Tracy and John Tracy on February 3. Front: Victoria Rodgers Smith ’10, Elizabeth Waxman Nick ’10, Gina Tamburri ’14, Nicolette Tamburri ’15, Colleen Convery ’10, Julia Tracy ’10, Heather Moore ’10, and Katy Schlechtweg Edmonds ’10. Back: CJ Eni ’15, Emily McKeown ’14, Buck Smith ’10, Cat Reilly Palazzola ’09, John Tracy, Sarah Applegate ’14, Director of Athletics Danielle Dayton, and Director of Marketing and Communications Mike Schlotterbeck.
2009
2010
Ezra Dunkle-Porter and Anya Gelernt with their newborn twins Benji and Dov. Jacob Rosenson Montgomery ’10 married Iracema Torres Drew on July 29 in Parksville, NY. In attendance were (left to right) Carleton Montgomery, Sarah Rosenson, Jacob Rosenson Montgomery, Iracema Torres Drew, Esther Rosenson Montgomery ’12, and Nick Citrone, Esther’s fiancée.
Fall 2023
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Class Notes
2010
2012
Gianya Breland gave birth to her son Cassius in July 2022 (photo by Jazmin Ortiz ’12).
2013
Josh Sackstein and wife Julia with their son Elijah, who was born in January.
2013
Kristina Shah recently completed medical school and has started her residency. degree from The London College of Fashion and was a marketing executive at Ralph Lauren in NYC. She is now working alongside Aaron who received his bachelor’s degree from Monmouth University and moved to Los Angeles to begin his career in the film and TV industry as an assistant director. They both recently completed work on the hit TV show Yellowstone. Anya Gelernt and her husband Ezra Dunkle-Polier welcomed twins, Benji and
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Vani Hanamirian ’22, Nate Riggins and Meredith Godley met for lunch in Yerevan, Armenia in June. Dov Dunkle, on January 27. Both are happy and healthy living at home in Natick, MA.
2010
Gianya Breland gave birth to a baby boy on July 24, 2022 named Cassius. They live in Riverside and are enjoying their time together.
Julia Applegate Tracy and John Tracy were married on February 3 in Philadelphia. Julia is the MFS Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications. The couple lives in Somers Point, NJ. Emily Watts recently moved back to New York after living in London and working for Louis Vuitton as their senior visual
Fall 2023
Class Notes
2013
2019
Amanda Fisher and Kyle Eiffes were married on June 3.
Daphni Sawyer is featured on billboards promoting the Rutgers M.B.A. and is currently in the Merck Finance M.B.A. Rotational Program.
2014
designs made the cover of two worldrenowned magazines, for both Louis Vuitton, and Tory Burch FW23 fashion show. She will be designing a handful of galas, pop-ups, and fashion shows across Europe and the United States in the coming months.
2012
Josh Sackstein and his wife Julia welcomed their first child, Elijah, on January 31. They live in Newtown, PA.
2013
Kenan Soso pictured during a family trip in Valencia, Spain. image designer for the past seven years. She now leads a team at production company Bureau Betak designing fashion shows and Dior galas. Her most recent
Fall 2023
Foxes are everywhere! While on a June visit to Armenia, Associate Head of School and Academic Dean Meredith Godley and her daughter Vani Hanamirian ’22 caught up with Nate Riggins in the capital of Yerevan to chat and introduce him to Armenian food. Nate is a Program Manager for Democratic Governance at the National Democratic Institute. He works to strengthen global legislative bodies and has previous experience managing a diverse range of legislative areas in the U.S. House of Representatives, including foreign affairs, defense, military issues, energy and environment, and infrastructure. If you recently took New Jersey Transit trains to North Jersey or New York City, you might have seen Daphni Sawyer’s photo on billboards. Daphni is
currently an M.P.H./M.B.A. candidate at Rutgers University and was chosen as the face for Rutgers M.B.A. After graduating with her undergraduate degree from Cornell University, Daphni worked in healthcare. This summer Daphni completed an M.B.A. finance internship at Merck and was offered a full-time position in their competitive 2024 M.B.A. Rotational Program, program which looks to develop future finance leaders at the Fortune 500 pharmaceutical company. Kristina Shah graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine in Grenada and started her Internal Medicine residency at St. Mary Medical Center in Langhorne, PA. She also is recently engaged. Vashti Williams started a new position as the Senior Operations Associate for the American Flood Coalition in Washington D.C. She lives in Baltimore, MD.
2014
Lawrence Mullen accepted a full-time tenure-track professor of English position at SUNY Schenectady County Community College in Schenectady, New York. Kenan Soso is now a Lead Engineer for Meta/Facebook, working on developing test fixtures for their prototype devices. He recently bought his first apartment in Ewing.
2019
Amanda Fisher and Kyle Eiffes were married on June 3. Reported Amanda: “Together, with many MFS alums, we celebrated at Historic Shady Lane in Manchester, PA. We met on the first day of freshman year of high school, introduced by my maid of honor Mya Corsey, and we also had neighboring lockers. We started dating that year and have been together ever since!” In addition to maid of honor Mya Corsey, also in the bridal party were Lisa Eiffes ’14, Brett Eiffes ’13, Hunter Arcé, Lauren Cates, Julianna DeNittis, and Christian Moorhouse.
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Class Notes
Alumni Boys’ Lacrosse
Continuing a great tradition, alumni lacrosse players returned to campus for a spirited game on June 3. Head Coach Greg Yingling ’11 scored the golden goal in overtime to break a 12-12 tie. Standing: Spencer Krohn, former Varsity Head Coach and current Volunteer Coach Steve Yingling, Wesley Yingling, former Varsity Coach Michael McGinn, Rob Conlin (Official), Joseph Nyzio ’17, Jackson Blanchard ’17, Buck Smith ’10, Harrison Kelly ’21, Joe Beideman ’15, Sam Madamba ’14, Andy Cook ’15, Roman Daniel ’18, John Tsignounis (Official), and Larry Miles ’18. Kneeling: Chase Eni ’21, Jack Bader ’20, former Varsity Assistant Coach Tim Yingling ’09, Volunteer Coach Tyler Mills ’14, Daniel McGinn ’14, Varsity Head Coach Greg Yingling ’11, Blaze Nyzio ’18, and Tyler Radack ’17.
Alumni Baseball
There was a great turnout on June 3 by alumni baseball players to play ball with former Coach Ron Obermeier upon his retirement from MFS. Standing left to right: Former History Teacher and former MFS baseball coach Jacob Greenberg, George Bader ’11, Mark Pelligrini ’04, Surya Reddy ’18, Tim Stoeckle ’10, Peter Bader ’14, C.J. Eni ’15, A.J. Dunham ’16, Assistant Athletic Director and former Varsity Coach Ron Obermeier, Andrew Dilks ’02, Sean Cohen ’10, Shailen Doshi ’15, Mitchell Mullock ’16, Volunteer Coach and Assistant Director of Development Justin Spencer-Linzie ’10, Ryan Solow ’09, Vishal Doshi ’18, Jackson Fox ’20, and Jon Zaid ’04 and son. Kneeling: Adam Quaranta ’15, Colin Gregory ’13, Steve Haines ’08, Volunteer Coach Stephen Mannion ’14, and Mike Stobbe ’09.
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Fall 2023
Class Notes/In Memoriam
65th Anniversary of Girls’ Lacrosse
The 65th anniversary of Girls’ Lacrosse at MFS, one of the founding schools for the sport in South Jersey, was celebrated on Alumni Weekend. Alumni attending were front: Deb Collins Williams ’74, Caroline Brunt Moriuchi ’66, Lisa Thomas Martin ’84, and Jen Harris ’03. Standing in second row: Janet Sawyer Thomas ’67, Whitty Ransome ’63, and Mary McAllister Teale ’58. Pictured in the third row second from left is Assistant Coach Izzy Pillows ’18 and next to her is Head Coach Julie Rothwell. In the top row at far left is Assistant Coach Ailsa Stevenson Moriuchi ’11.
In Memoriam Helen Brotzman mother of Michael Brotzman ’99 Elizabeth Rose Heiney ’51 Sister of Charles ’46 and Doris Rose ’57 Crystine Tyler Kavalunas ’60 Sister of Ellen Tyler Miller ’64 and Joseph Tyler ’62 Anne Held LaBudde ’46 Richard Matlack ’59 Brother of Louis ’53 and James Matlack ’56 Susan Nelson Wife of Warren Nelson ’58
Thomas Reilly Former husband of former Librarian Martha Reilly, father of Rosemary Reilly ’07 and Catherine Reilly Palazzola ’09 Mary Ricketts ’53 Sister of Rowland Ricketts, Jr. ’57 Elizabeth Schellenger ’65 Sister of Ned Schellenger ’64 Frank Walker ’57 Margaret Ann Warwick ’49 Sister of David Warwick ’55 Meredith Wynne ’80
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.
Fall 2023
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Class of 2023 Alumni Children There were six alumni children in the Class of 2023, the most in quite a while, who celebrated Commencement on June 10:
1980
Ken Zekavat ’80 with Anya ’23 and Sasha ’20.
1986
Mike Kowalski ’86 with Marcus ’21, wife Maria, Michael ’23, and Matt ’19.
1988
Jill Carey Melton ’88 and her daughter Mikayla ’23.
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1985
Jay Patel ’85 with his family, Saiya ’22, Sonia ’19, Sachin ’23, wife Yogini, and Sarina ’17.
1986
Tracey Whitesell ’86 with her family Lizzie Huettl ’19, husband Terreance Huettl, and Michael Huettl ’23.
1994
A.J. Patel ’94 and his son Jaylen ’23.
Fall 2023
Congratulations Moorestown Friends School Class of 2023!
Members of the MFS Class of 2023 are attending: American University • Auburn University (2) • Bentley University • Boston College • Boston University (3) Brown University • Catholic University of America • Clark Atlanta University • Clemson University Cornell University (3) • Dickinson College (2) • Duke University • Fairfield University • George Mason University George Washington University • Haverford College • Indiana University • Monmouth University Morgan State University • New York University (2) • Northeastern University (3) • Penn State University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute • Rochester Institute of Technology • Rowan University Rutgers University-New Brunswick (4) • St. John’s University (2) • Stevens Institute of Technology Syracuse University • The College of New Jersey • The New School-Parsons • Thomas Jefferson University University of California-Los Angeles • University of California-San Diego • University of Chicago (2) University of Delaware (5) • University of Maryland • University of Miami (2) University of Pennsylvania • University of Pittsburgh (2) • University of Rochester University of South Florida • University of Vermont University of Wisconsin (2) • Villanova University • Widener University Commencement for the Class of 2023 was held on the Oval on Saturday, June 10.
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Setting An Example of Lifelong Learning Read in the 2022-23 Annual Report about experiences of MFS faculty as they continue on their lifelong learning journeys.