Moravian Academy Journal: Limitless Learners (Spring 2021) by Moravian Academy

JOURNAL LIMITLESS LEARNERS

SPRING 2021 JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

CONTENTS

Features:

Finding Her Voice: Gabirelle Kelly ‘13SS ‘17 MA releases first single.

Our Mission Join us as we answer the questions: Who am I and who can I become?

Habits of a Lifetime A Conversation with Julia Klees ’78

Brother and Sister Establish The Bill and Congetta Humphries Memorial Fund for LGBTQ Studies. Learn more about this transformation gift.

ABOUT THE MORAVIAN ACADEMY JOURNAL

Dear reader, The theme of this issue is “limitless learners,” two words that encapsulate what it means to be a student on the Downtown, Swain, or Merle-Smith Campus. Through artistic self-expression, the pursuit of academic excellence, and the support of a compassionate community, learners can explore the depths of their unique potential. Within the pages of this issue, you will see that our growing community celebrated triumphs big and small as they went along their journey to discover that their educational possibilities are limitless. Gabrielle Kelley ‘13SS ‘17 MA saw the release of her first single (pg. 24), while kindergartners on the Downtown Campus celebrated successfully hatching chicks (pg. 22). The Swain Campus unveiled its renovated spaces as part of the ReImagine Campaign (pg. 56), and, of course, our twelfth- and eighth-graders experienced big milestones. We said goodbye to the Class of 2021 during a beautiful outdoor Commencement ceremony (pg. 6), with opportunity looming large over graduates as they took a big step toward the future. At the Swain Campus, eighthgraders were cheered on as they entered the next phase of their educational journey, with many continuing as Merle-Smith Upper Schoolers (pg. 14). Among all of the victories and celebrations you’ll find in these pages, perhaps the biggest is the strategic progress we’ve made as a school. We’re proud to share with you our mission and update you on the next steps as we further define the identity of each unique campus (pg. 30). Within these pages, you will read stories about the many ways students are empowered to become limitless learners. We’re thankful that you’re a part of our community, and we invite you to join us on our journey.

EDITORS

Julia Fox Stephanie Vasta

DESIGN

Imagevolution

HEAD OF SCHOOL Jeffrey Zemsky

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shea Andriko Emily Anglund Veronica Bocian Amy Bowser ’87 Lara Cesco-Cancian JoAnne Daniels Nathaniel Diehl Brian Elstein Robyn Endress Julia Fox Katy Kish Jeffrey Lawlis Katie MacMillan Scott McClary Paul Messman Kelley Necioğlu Susan Parent Rob Riker Yuli Vanegas Stephanie Vasta Karen Washington Christine Wetzel Grace Young Bob Zaiser Jeff Zemsky

PHOTOGRAPHY

Tom Amico Moravian Academy Archives Veronica Bocian Lara Cesco-Cancian Julia Fox Jeffrey Lawlis Susan Parent Stephanie Vasta Lindsay Woodruff

ADDRESS CHANGE

Office of Institutional Advancement 7 East Market Street Bethlehem, PA 18018

CORRESPONDENCE Office of Communications 7 East Market Street Bethlehem, PA 18018

Happy reading,

Stephanie Vasta Director of Marketing & Communications

The Moravian Academy Journal is published three times per year. Unless otherwise noted, articles may be reprinted with credit to Moravian Academy.

Julia Fox Associate Director of Communications

Moravian Academy’s mission empowers us to become limitless learners as we discover new ideas and create new self-expressions. We do more than check boxes; we celebrate the unique potential of every individual. Our path to academic excellence harnesses the teachable moments of both success and failure, as we explore the complexities of our world with curiosity, confidence, and compassion. Our commitment to courageous conversations means that we actively learn from and support the different identities we embody, we respect each other’s views, and we lead with head and heart. Immersed in an environment of love and understanding, our students answer the questions: Who am I and who can I become?

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

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Middle School Girls Explore Stem Careers with Lehigh University Faculty, Students By Paul Messman On Friday, March 26, 2021, a group of Middle School learners participated in the Charting Horizons and Opportunities in Careers in Engineering and Science program, known as CHOICES. Moravian Academy has been partnering with CHOICES for 25 years. During the program, Middle School girls explore the world of science and engineering careers under the guidance of female students and faculty at Lehigh University. Both remote and in-person learners were able to attend the event, which has been described as “the coolest engineering and science outreach program in the known universe.”

Sixth Grade Designs Spacesuits By JoAnne Daniels Sixth-grade students recently explored

Environmental Control Life Support

astronauts to bring portable life support

living and working in space on board

Systems (ECLSS) that make life possible

systems with them on spacewalks.The

the International Space Station (ISS).

on the ISS.

results were fun, creative and out-of-

Students investigated what it takes to

the-box spacesuit designs. Students,

create a human-safe and comfortable

As a culminating activity, the students

faculty, and staff enjoyed walking

environment in the absence of

used their new understanding of ECLSS

through the Sixth Grade Spacesuit Walk

gravity, learning the importance of the

to design spacesuits that would allow

of Fame to vote for their favorites.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Student-Built Robot Hits the Target By Jeffrey Lawlis FIRST Robotics Contest (FRC) team participants had a successful season this year, although the competition was virtual due to the pandemic. Students built a robot that picks up and launches seven-inch foam balls at a target eight feet above the ground, all while navigating around a playing field with other robots. Our build launches balls at 30 miles per hour, hitting a target at a distance of about 20 feet. While we didn’t have the opportunity to compete against other teams this year, we were able to accomplish all the goals that we had set for ourselves. Students on the team include programmers Alek Krupka ’21 and Sara Xiao ’21; Logan Maeding ’21 who handled electrical; and mechanical builders Grace Burcaw ’22, Ethan Krupka ’23, Joey Oltman ’24, Simon Ndi ’23, and Josh Sobiech ’21.

Students Take Third in Computer Programming Competition By Lara Cesco-Cancian On Saturday, April 24, Alek Krupka '21, Michael Baron '22, and Rohan Mehta '23 competed as a team in the Lockheed Martin Code Quest Computer Programming Competition. Typically an in-person event happening simultaneously at Lockheed Martin locations across the country, this year's competition had over 1,400 students and 568 teams compete across 15 virtual locations, globally. Students had two and a half hours to earn points by completing coding problems from a pool of 30, each problem carrying different point values to reflect the difficulty of the problem. The Moravian Academy team competed virtually through the King of Prussia location and earned third place in the Advanced Division.

WATCH THE ROBOT IN ACTION ON THE COMENIUS CORNER AT moravianacademy.org/robotics.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

Inspiration4 Commander and MA Dad,

Jared Isaacman, Talks Outer Space By Jeff Zemsky

Mr. Jared Isaacman is the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, a visionary philanthropist, a seasoned pilot, a soon-to-be space explorer, and a dad to Moravian Academy students Liv ’34 and Mila ’32. On April 6, 2021, Jared Isaacman

“It shouldn’t be that way because

pictures of the space shuttle [...] I

visited Moravian Academy and

space should be for everyone. And this

remember looking at those pictures

presented assemblies for our curious

is kind of the next great place where

and thinking, ‘Wow, this is really cool.

students about Inspiration4, the first

we’re going to go out and and explore.”

I would love to do that someday.’ I

all-civilian space mission that he is

actually told my kindergarten teacher

leading. In September 2021, Isaacman

Our students who were as curious as

that I think someday I’m going to go to

and the crew aboard the Dragon

always came prepared with questions,

outer space. And she said, well, I’ll be

SpaceX rocket will take the adventure

which we’re grateful to Mr. Isaacman

watching someday in my rocking chair

of a lifetime, paving the way for future

for answering. In fact, he remembers

when you do. And now she might get

civilian air travel.

how it was his own curiosity as a

to do that.”

young learner that ignited his passion “Only a little bit more than 500 people

for outer space.

have ever been to outer space, and

Issaacman had a successful mission, splashing back down to earth on

that’s not a lot. When you think about

“My first memory and dream of going

Saturday, September 18, 2021. Stay

the billions of people that live on

to outer space actually happened

tuned as we follow up on this epic

the earth, you actually have a better

when I was in kindergarten [...] and

adventure next issue.

chance of getting struck by lightning

I still remember the school library

than having a chance to go to space,”

today. I remember exactly where

he told students.

the book is on the shelf, which had

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

AROUND CAMPUS

Juniors Make History

as PA DECA Top International Winners By Susan Parent

Okezue Bell ’23 and Wisdom Ufondu ’23 have been named PA DECA’s top International winners! This is the first time in Moravian Academy’s history that its students have claimed the top international prize, first place in the Independent Business Plan category. Bell and Ufondu stated, “Fidutam is a credit security startup leveraging the latest developments in blockchain technology to effectively secure bank, debit, and credit card transactions. We aim to develop systems that can be used both on the corporate and consumer level and have since been in talks with leading companies such as Visa to further build and integrate our products. We hope that with this solution, we can turn payments back from a potential liability to an asset.”

READ THE FULL STORY ON THE COMENIUS CORNER AT www.moravianacademy.org/decawin

Photos: Top: Okezue Bell ’23, Bottom Wisdom Ufondu ’23 JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Congratulations, Class of 2021! On June 4-5, 2021, we celebrated the Class of 2021 during both Baccalaureate and our 278th Commencement Ceremony.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

AROUND CAMPUS

During Baccalaureate, held in the Athletics & Wellness Center, Leon Galitsky, Upper School math teacher and faculty speaker selected by the Class of 2021, shared these thoughts:

“ You have worked hard to graduate and to attend a suitably challenging college, and you should be proud of your achievements. But remember, paying the tuition to attend Moravian Academy, which already gives you a leg up on your competition, was not your doing. And those people pushing you daily to academic, musical, theatrical, and athletic highs, they were bestowed on you. Now you didn’t shy away from these advantages to get to the next level, and I’m certainly not suggesting you should have, but I am pleading with you. Take the responsibility that comes with those advantages to make the next generation better by example and by the people you encounter.” At Commencement, class president Luisa Capobianco ’21 reflected,

“ As I think about our journey here at Moravian Academy, I’m confident that the defining factor of our high school experience will not be pandemic limitations but rather out determination and perseverance. Life moves very fast, so on this special day, let’s appreciate and enjoy what we have and what we have shared, while we still have it. That is the principal lesson that this year has taught me.”

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Onward and Upward:

College & University Matriculation No matter where they’re headed this fall, we know the future is bright for the Class of 2021. University Matriculation American University Babson College Barnard College Boston University Bryn Mawr College* Case Western University Champlain College Claremont McKenna College DeSales University* Elizabethtown College Emory University Franklin and Marshall College George Washington University Harvard University Haverford College James Madison University Johns Hopkins University* Kutztown University Lafayette College* Lehigh University* Maine Maritime Academy Muhlenberg College* New York University NJIT/Rutgers University BS/DMD Northeastern University Pennsylvania State University* Purdue University Quinnipiac University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute* Rutgers University Savannah College of Art and Design Stevens Institute of Technology Tulane University United States Military Academy University of Colorado, Boulder University of Hawaii, Manoa University of Miami University of Michigan University of Notre Dame* University of Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh University of Richmond University of Scranton University of Texas, Austin Ursinus College Villanova University Wagner College * 2 or more attendees

Class of 2021 Graduates Emily Alchaer Jules Bemporad Dale Berkove Elizabeth Bloys Benjamin Borsuk Paige Busch Luisa Capobianco Angela Chen Sophia Cunningham Audrey Dai Stephen Ender Anastasia Endress Selim Eris Olivia Fabiano Jacob Farr Adam Fatebene Brooke Foran Emma Gross Jalen Harper Claudia Hernandez Deirdre Hoffman Jordyn Holjes Gianni Hrousis Zheng Jiang Elizabeth John Zayd Kaleem Deborah Katz Aleksander Krupka Michael Laureti Peter Lega Amelia Loftus

Keith Lutostansky Madeleine Lynch Ethan MacLean Logan Maeding Lila Mangino Kyla Manja Ravi Manne Rayne McKay Abraham McWilliams Emma McWilliams Nikhil Mhatre Krysta Nichols Maya Ohlandt Maclaine Oskin Armaan Pandher Leila Pervizpour Canyon Reeves Sophie Reynolds Nader Rifai Pepperrell Ritchey Tristen Rodney Samuel Russell Abel Saft Kavin Sampath Grace Sanborn Neha Skandan Jacob Sobiech Joshua Sobiech Niketh Surya Mason Tran Seyla Velez Emir Veziroglu Joseph Waterman Olivia Wee Chloe Wreaks Sara Xiao Henrik Zahl-Batlle Devorah Zambas Franco Zelada

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

AROUND CAMPUS

Showcasing Creativity Across Campuses By Veronica Bocian & Brian Elstein

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Artistic expression was in full bloom during spring 2021 at the Downtown, Swain School, and Merle-Smith Campus.

The Swain School Campus’s 31st Annual Art Show

Mrs. Lande worked tirelessly at the Swain School Campus to bring the work of our students to the virtual spotlight. From Melted Crayon Art Pieces in Preschool, to our infamous eighth-grade Chair Project, families were able to peruse the show from the comfort of their own home. The show was released on Special Friends’ Day 2021, where we also shared various musical performances virtually with our community.

1 Downtown and Merle-Smith Campus Virtual Art Show

Mr. Elstein, Mr. Brennan, and Mrs. Woodruff guided students’ imaginations and creativity to create a showcase of paintings, drawings, sculpture, film, mixed media, photography and more.

“This is your ticket to the virtual art show! When you get to the site, try out our virtual scavenger hunt and share in all the exciting projects we created with friends and family. Congratulations on an amazing year guided by creativity and imagination.” -- Mr. Brian Elstein

VIEW THE ART SHOWS ONLINE AT: moravianacademy.org/artshow2021 Downtown and Merle-Smith moravianacademy.org/swainschoolart Swain

1. Mixed media project by Maya Ohlandt ’21 2. Cherry blossom hand by Aleeza Akbar ’35 3. Self-directed project by Raymond Nembhard ’25 JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

AROUND CAMPUS

The Spring Ring Sing Thing By Rob Riker On Thursday, May 27, Moravian Academy held the Spring Concert on the Merle-Smith Campus. It was a live, in-person event open to our whole community. Families brought a lawn chair or a blanket and spread out on Alumni Circle at Snyder House to enjoy performances by Chorale, Chamber Singers, Coda Red, MA Handbell Ensemble, and the Moravian Academy Ringers.

WATCH THE FULL PERFORMANCE ON THE COMENIUS CORNER AT moravianacademy.org/springring.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Small Concerts, Big Talent By Christine Wetzel What to do if you can’t have a big concert at Foy Hall? Have a lot of mini classroom concerts! That’s what Lower School violin and cello students did this spring to showcase their progress in the Suzuki strings program. Students rehearsed and got creative making up stories for their pieces and stage names for themselves such as The Super Cool Puppy Girls, Five Rock Samurai, and Sonic Blue Dragons.

Middle School Handbell Concert By Nathaniel Diehl The Middle School handbell ensembles

Handbells.They recorded their pieces in

We very much missed our usual

compiled a virtual offering of some of

their rehearsal classroom in the Devey

performances at the various Lovefeasts,

the pieces that they studied this spring.

Building at the Middle School. Each

concerts, and the winter tour, but we’re

The virtual concert features sixth grade

ensemble met every other school day

excited to hopefully add some more

handbells, seventh grade handbells,

since the beginning of the school year.

of those opportunities back into our

and the two groups of eighth grade

schedule next year.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

SWAIN SCHOOL

Swain School Moving Up Ceremony By Veronica Bocian

On Friday, June 11, the Swain School Campus community came together to celebrate and honor the eighth-grade class as they move forward in their educational journey. While many pieces of this year’s ceremony were affected due to COVID-19 safety measures and protocols, for many of us, it was the first time throughout the entire school year the community was able to be together (in one room), for a common purpose. And in so many ways, this made the ceremony all the more memorable. As our eighth-grade students move on with their education, many of whom will head to Merle-Smith Campus, we know they are more resilient and ready than ever, because they made it through the 2020-2021 school year with grace, compassion, and an appreciation for being together.

“ The Swain School 2021 graduates are ready, not just because of their attention to learning and academic achievement, but because they are kind, and they are good.” -- Dr. Armistead Webster, Head of Swain School Campus

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Campers are all smiles during Mr. Carrizo’s Soccer Skills Camp on the Merle-Smith Campus.

Summer Explorations 2021 By Scott McClary and Stephanie Vasta

All summer long, campers explored arts, sciences, athletics and more on the Swain School and Merle-Smith Campus during Summer Explorations, Moravian’s series of summer camp programs.

Hand-on science experiments are a hallmark of summer programs that campers look forward to year after year.

TO SEE THE FULL OFFERING OF CAMP PROGRAMS OFFERED DURING SUMMER 2021, VISIT www.moravianacademy.org/camp.

Mr. Elstein explains how to create stop-motion films during Animation Camp on the Swain School Campus.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

When Learners Lead: By Julia Fox

Students Take Over as Guest Head of School and Director

Rylee DeRemer ’28 faithfully served as Guest Head of School, while Noah Farr ’29 acted as Downtown Campus Director for the Day! Under Rylee’s leadership, the Downtown Campus showed off their silliest socks during Crazy Sock Day and enjoyed blondies (her favorite snack)! Rylee then had the privilege of joining Head of School Jeff Zemsky during the live broadcast announcing the winners of the 2021 Red & Gold Cup Challenge on Friday, May 14.

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AROUND CAMPUS

While serving as Director for the Day, Noah declared Monday, May 24, a dress-down day (support your favorite sports team!) His favorite activity from the week was reading the story Ocean to the Primer class.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

AROUND CAMPUS

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Culture & Creativity:

Japan Week 2021 By Emily Anglund, Shea Andriko, & Yuli Vanegas

During second grade’s extensive

Incorporating additional experiences

incorporate art, science, and music

study of Japan, we learned about its

beyond the classroom, we attended a

into our studies. In science, the class

geography, culture and traditions,

virtual Japanese Dance Workshop live

learned about earthquakes, tsunamis,

the tea ceremony and cherry

in Japan, held a picnic under cherry

and volcanoes using Japan as the

blossoms, how children celebrate

trees, flew the Koinoboris we made,

geographic platform. In music, the

Children’s Day, and how schools in

and enjoyed guest speakers.

students reenacted a Japanese Folk

Japan are different from ours, among other things.

legend called “Momotaro.” In art, the Thanks to the dedication of our

children created masks, paintings,

creative faculty, we were able to

clay tea bowls and sushi!

TO WATCH VIDEOS FROM JAPAN WEEK 2021, VISIT THE COMENIUS CORNER AT www.moravianacademy.org/japanweek

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

AROUND CAMPUS

Exploring Asia at the Swain School Campus By Katy Kish and Kelley Necioğlu As a staple curricular piece in fifth grade, students explore the continent of Asia. They do this by beginning with the physical features of each region to discuss the impact that physical features have on the people’s way of life. Next, our young travelers learn about the people and cultures of that region while hitting the historical highlights. The study of each region concludes with a “country of focus” in which fifth-graders learn what the modern day struggles and successes are for that particular country. In previous years, the study concluded with a culminating trip to Chinatown and the MET in Manhattan, where students take in the food, art, and culture of their learning firsthand.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Adventures in Africa By Robyn Endress

First-graders prepared their passports, safari hats, Swahili dictionaries, and travel journals for their adventures through Africa this spring. Learners channeled their curiosity and creativity as they delved into details about the continent and culture. They worked together to create an African safari bulletin board and read books by Kenyan authors: I Am Eyes - Ni Macho by Leila Ward and Bringing Rain to Kapiti Plain by Verna Aardema. After reading Wangari’s Trees of Peace by environmental activist Wangari Maathai, we talked about her mission to plant 40 million trees. Inspired by the stories they read and their new knowledge of African folklore, students created magical kente cloths before imagining their own African folktales about animals of their choice. Finally, they brought their stories to life by creating masks of their animals.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

Welcoming

Spring Chickens By Katie MacMillan & Amy Bowser After weeks of caring for eggs in their classroom incubators, kindergarteners in both the English and Spanish Immersion Program classes during spring 2021 welcomed chicks into the classrooms! Learners were overcome with joy when, after a month of gently monitoring and rotating eggs, the first cracks appeared in the egg shells. Their patience was rewarded when they finally held the chicks. This favorite spring tradition on the Downtown Campus instills a compassion for living things in our students. We look forward to it every year, and last spring was no exception.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

AROUND CAMPUS

Plant Therapy By Veronica Bocian During the 2020-2021 school year, Veronica Moore, Swain parent to Hunter ’30SS, Bethlehem blogger, and plant therapy advocate with over 10,000 followers on Instagram, @ brownskinplantmama, catalyzed the newly adorned Plant Therapy Program on Swain’s campus. Throughout local shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Veronica noticed Hunter struggling with the isolation. “She was having a hard time not being able to see her friends, not being able to go to school and really kind of transitioning to that place of ‘What do I do?’ ” Moore said. “It was a really hard transition for her as well. So we took care of our plants together.” Once the school year began, Veronica told Hunter’s teachers about the concept, and they were ready to bring it to campus. “I really wanted to be able to gift the pre-K class, not just my daughter but the entire class, with houseplants for them to take care of, for them to learn how to adapt to different things and to acquire skill sets that are lifelong through plant care.” Working with local businesses and parents, the program took on a life of its own until eventually, students from all grades at Swain were caring for a plant right from their desk.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

ALUMNI PROFILE

Finding Her Voice

How Gabrielle Kelly ’13SS ’17 MA went from the Coffeehouse stage to releasing her first single By Julia Fox The year is 2015. Students are filling

did something brave. “I performed an

into Dyer Auditorium for that year’s

original song, which was a big moment

Coffeehouse, and then-sophomore

for me, because I had always written

Before the Merle-Smith Campus, Kelly

Gabrielle Kelly ’17 is about to perform

songs in the quiet of my bedroom,” she

was a student on the Swain Campus.

Gwen Stefani’s “The Sweet Escape”

says. Kelly is a self-described extrovert,

“Swain, and its people, truly changed

with alumni Zach Shaff ’16 and Jeff

but she still felt “stage fright,” especially

the trajectory of my life,” she says. She

Brown ’15. This will be the first time

when sharing lyrics that held deep

describes her time there as “something

she has ever performed in front of an

personal meaning for her.

of magic,” and remains close with

audience. She doesn’t know it yet, but the experience will change her life.

friends from those early years at Swain, “I don’t know if I was ready for that

some of whom she has known since

yet, but Coffeehouse gave me the

they were two years old.”

Kelly would return to Coffeehouse the

space to do it. That was really the

following year, and then as a senior she

start of becoming comfortable with

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

performance. It was at Moravian.”

Fast forward to 2021, and it’s evident

business and artistic sides of

you. And you always have to let your

that Kelly has found her voice. After

her career.

passion shine through.” For Kelly, the

starting at Berklee College of Music in

encouragement she had from her

Boston, she transferred to New York

“I think at the end of the day, my music

community of peers and teachers was

University’s Clive Davis Institute of

has always been the thing that I’ve

pivotal for her journey.

Recorded Music, where her ascendant

been most confident about,” she says.

career in the music industry is taking

“If Tom Bloxham ’16, a student just a

off despite her classes going virtual at

Now, Kelly is eager to return to New

grade above me, hadn’t led the way for

the onset of the pandemic in 2020.

York so she can record her forthcoming

me in production, I probably wouldn’t

EP and collaborate with fellow

have gotten into that at all. If I hadn’t

“Even though this time was

musicians and producers in person. As

gone to Coffeehouse, or if my friends

devastating for so many, it allowed

a side project, she’s been interviewing

and teachers hadn’t inspired me to

my creativity to flow. It sparked a

“some cool up-and-coming artists” for

sing my original music on the stage, I

new genre of music for me and

an emerging artist podcast that she

probably wouldn’t have performed as

official production.” Finding creative

started with a friend. And, she has been

much.” Her advice for current students

inspiration in isolation, Kelly “wanted

juggling coursework outside of music.

is to seek out the people on campus

to get into the pop, electronic space.”

After all, she is still a college student

who will support you.

Her professor paired her with

with a full plate of responsibilities. No matter your passions, search for

producer Gabby O’Leary, and her first released single “Ur Not Satisfied”

The full-throttled pursuit of music and

“the niche group of people, or club,

was born.

life in general is inspired by her mom,

or anything you can find” and “just

who passed away when Kelly was

go for it,” she says. “It doesn’t matter

“I had this idea for a song on my

young. “I felt like music was a vehicle

if it’s not what other people think

guitar, and we wrote it for class. Gabby

with which to express the grief that I

you should be doing. I think that’s

O’Leary produced it within a matter

went through as a young child, whether

how you make it in today’s world. Be

of an hour. He’s incredible. When we

it was the loss of my mom, friendships,

unique and be yourself.”

presented it, the teacher was like, ’Oh

relationships or anything like that.

my gosh, I didn’t expect this at all.’”

Music is a healer and, and that’s really what I want to do.”

Boldly deviating from the acoustic songs she had been writing, Kelly had

“The main thing [my mom] said to me

found an exciting new sound, which

was to embrace your passion, to always

she describes as “indie pop new wave

go for what you’re most passionate

with a little bit of soul in it.”

about.” Fortunately for Kelly, Moravian

YOU CAN LISTEN TO GABRIELLE KELLY’S SINGLE “UR NOT SATISFIED,” STREAMING NOW ON SPOTIFY AND APPLE MUSIC, AT www.moravianacademy.org/gabkelly.

is a place of like-minded people. While she has a clear talent in performance and songwriting, Kelly’s

“Each year I go back with my dad and

music-industry ambition extends

sister to honor my mom’s scholarship

beyond that arena. She’s interested

award at Swain’s eighth-grade

in production too (something she

graduation ceremony, and I hope to

began exploring as a student with

continue that tradition with my own

Tom Bloxam ’16 at Moravian). She’s

children one day.”

especially passionate about A&R (artists and repertoire), which deals

“Mrs. Shaugnessy and Mrs. Dubreuil

with scouting for new talent and

and the people at Moravian inspired

pitching artists to record labels. She’s

me to keep going forward. It doesn’t

keeping her options open, envisioning

matter if you’re taking the classic

a future where she balances the

route or not if it’s what’s best for

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

OUR COMMUNITY

Windows and Mirrors:

An Update from the Director of Community and Inclusion By Karen Washington

I spent much of the summer thinking about community, happily preparing for the return of in-person learning on all of our campuses. The health of a school community is paramount to achieving positive outcomes in our hallways and classrooms, and part of what constitutes a healthy, strong community is inclusion and a genuine sense of belonging among everyone there, adults and students alike.

As educators at Moravian Academy, we impart to our students the importance of and an appreciation for our diverse population and the gifts that we all bring. As we nurture their intellectual development, we are also shaping them to be excellent citizens of our increasingly global society. This is no easy task, and we must be deliberate on the methods to achieve it. One of my mentors and co-founder of the National SEED Project, Emily Jane Style, uses the metaphor “curriculum as window and mirror.” This serves as an excellent snapshot of the work before us. In simple terms, think of your own perspective in this way: You are reading a novel. Based on your life experiences, all of the things that ring familiar for you are your mirrors. The things that you find unfamiliar, or perhaps foreign, are your windows. You could apply the same lens in a new job setting, a new neighborhood, or while traveling -- you get the idea. Now imagine yourself as a student in a classroom where you experience mirrors throughout your day; you would typically feel pretty safe and comfortable, provided with a welcoming space for learning. If you never or rarely see mirrors, on the other hand, it can be alienating, uncomfortable and actually a hindrance to your ability to thrive and learn. Both views are valuable and important and should be well balanced in order to best serve students. Windows are places for seeing new perspectives and accepting the experiences different from one’s own as valid and valuable.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Charting Our Progress

Summer gave us an opportunity to develop plans to further the work of creating welcoming communities on our campuses and begin the work of reviewing and refining our curriculum. Our progress includes:

✓ C ampus directors and I attended a 3-day

conference focusing on bringing a sense of justice,

✓ A team of four teachers participated in the

2021-2022 Curriculum Renovation Cohorts

love and belonging to our schools and will work

program sponsored by the Multicultural Resource

together all year to accentuate the positive and

Center at the Association of Delaware Valley

focus on areas for growth.

Independent Schools (MCRC@ADVIS). Over

✓ H ead of School Jeff Zemsky and Assistant Head

the course of 8 months and working in teams of educators from member schools, cohorts will

of School Erica D'Agostino launched a summer

“learn to assess, develop and deliver curriculum

curriculum grant program, wherein small teams

through a racial equity lens.

of teachers (including one cross-campus team) collaborated on the following projects: • Big-8 Identity audit of classroom materials, creation of discussion guides for books in their classrooms, and developed guide for self-audit of classroom for teachers (Downtown) • Review and revise the fifth-grade social studies curriculum (Swain & Downtown)

✓ T he leadership team, faculty, and student support

staff attended another MCRC@ADVIS event during Welcome Week in August. The Cheryl Irving Cultural Competency Institute provided a relevant and timely forum for all of us to develop a common language and purpose, allowing us to do this important work together.

“I am proud to be part of a school where this work is valued. It is indeed work for all of us to do. I am proud to work with other professionals on campus who see this work as integral to Moravian Academy’s mission.” Contact Karen Washington, Director of Community and Inclusion, at kwashington@mamail.net. JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

Let’s Talk

Starting a Conversation to Achieve Action and Dismantle Bias By Veronica Bocian

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

During the summer or 2020, forms of collective activism and

in this country is the choice of whether or not to engage

protests as part of the Black Lives Matter movement swept

with the fact of racism [...] If I were a person of color [...] that

the nation in response to systemic racism, police brutality,

choice would not be open to me. Therefore, I must make an

and the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna

affirmative commitment every day to work toward creating a

Taylor. A sea of black boxes engulfed social media platforms,

society that is truly anti-racist.”

prompting our school community to talk about what we could do, not just post, in response to what America was facing.

In the months that followed, we continued to bring experts

How could we do our part and take a stand against racism?

into the discussion (virtually) with topics such as Indigenous

And, how could we put our Antiracist stance to work in a way

People and the True History of Thanksgiving, Teaching Early

that truly makes an impact?

American History, and Protecting our LGBTQIA Youth. Each Zoom meeting had its own focus, activist, and motivator, but

On Wednesday July 15, 2020, we began answering those

the mission of the series remained consistent throughout: to

questions by kicking off our Let’s Talk Virtual Discussion

continue Swain Campus’ inclusive culture for our students

Series, with the first symposium focusing on Antiracism.

and to bring action awareness as we dismantle bias and prejudice through our own teaching, discussions, and

We welcomed guest speaker and Swain parent Tyrone

examples.

Russell (pictured) and heard from Swain Head of School Dr. Armistead Webster, who shared, “I have recognized that one

We look forward to continuing the conversation and the work

of the benefits, one of the privileges, I have as a white person

ahead as we have only just begun.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

The Moravian Story Continues:

Our Mission

As the world and our community evolve, we look out from the strategic crossroads of our journey and see tremendous opportunities. Guiding us on this journey is our school mission: the ideas, beliefs, and values that unite us as students, teachers, parents, alumni, and community members. We’ve been making important, incremental progress at our three distinct yet interconnected campuses, united by a shared mission. It is our pleasure to share that mission with you now.

MISSION STATEMENT

Moravian Academy’s mission empowers us to new ideas and create new self-expressions unique potential of every individual. the teachable moments of both success and world with curiosity, confidence, and conversations means that we actively learn we embody, we respect each other’s views, Immersed in an environment of love and questions:

Who am I p

become limitless learners as we discover We do more than check boxes; we celebrate the Our path to academic excellence harnesses failure, as we explore the complexities of our compassion. Our commitment to courageous from and support the different identities and we lead with head and heart. understanding, our students answer the

and who can I become? JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

About Our Mission

Our Vision

This mission, crafted with the input from our community over the span of nine months, is an expression of who we are. It captures the essence of what connects us. It positions us to rise to the contemporary challenges of the current moment while respecting the Moravian and Swain history of the past. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, who shepherded our mission from one generation to the next, we want to thank the many people who provided insight through surveys and focus groups, especially the task force of trustees and faculty who worked so hard to make our mission one that we can all stand behind with pride.

Moravian Academy seeks to be

Task Force: Amy Ahart, Trustee Ian Gutgold ‘10MA, ‘06SS, Faculty Jeffrey Haviland, Faculty Barbara Medina, Faculty Christian Rice, Trustee Armistead Webster, Head of Swain School Campus Jeff Zemsky, Head of School

learner, critical thinker, and global

the premier school destination for students, families, and educators by combining student-centered methods for teaching, time-tested values for character and community, and the experiences to empower every student to thrive as a lifelong citizen. In pursuit of this vision, we make four commitments: to innovation, to inclusion, to relationships, and to excellence.

It is important to know that our mission is a living document. Designed to encapsulate who we are today, it also leaves space for growth as a collective and as individual campuses with specific cultures and programs. The values and ideas represented here will remain firmly at the core of our work, but the words of the mission statement itself may change in the future as we learn more through our identity and strategy work.

WANT TO LEARN WHAT THE MISSION MEANS TO OUR FACULTY? CHECK OUT THE VIDEO ONLINE AT moravianacademy.org/mission.

THE STRATEGIC BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A THRIVING SCHOOL THE STRATEGIC BUILDING BLOCKS FOR A THRIVING SCHOOL

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

PHILOSOPHY & PRACTICES

SIGNATURE PROGRAMS

PHILOSOPHY & PRACTICES

PORTRAIT OF A LEARNER

ORTRAIT V IP S OIF O A N LEARNER

M IO VISS IO NN 32

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

MISSION

PORTRAIT OF A LEARNER

Portraits in Progress

Creating the Portrait of a Learner for the Swain, Downtown, and Merle-Smith Campus

On the Horizon:

Signature Programs

Signature learning programs have always been

We want each campus to maintain its distinct character because the

a hallmark of the Moravian Academy experience.

philosophies and practices that bring this mission and vision to life

Independent research presentations dazzle

look and feel different at each campus. Our next step is to articulate the

on the Merle-Smith Campus. In the Spanish

essential characteristics that make Downtown, Swain, and Merle-Smith

Immersion Program at the Downtown Campus

special and distinct.

students are becoming fully bilingual. Swain’s Public Speaking Program leads students to find

We will express these separate campus identities through what’s called a

and use their voices.

“portrait of a learner”, which is a distillation of the values that our students embody while immersed in each learning environment. Your input is

As our school grows, we’re excited to enhance

necessary and we will hold sessions this fall with faculty and staff,

these programs and develop new, innovative

students, and parents to help us create these portraits of our learners. If

offerings that align with the philosophy and

you refer to the strategic building blocks graphic, this work corresponds

practices of each campus, increasing the

to the third tier: philosophy and practices. Once we’ve completed

learning and leading options for students across

the community portraits, we will begin the work of creating signature

our school. Developing these programs will be

programs that align with the identity of each campus and support our

the result of our vision and will be shaped by our

shared mission.

mission and portraits of the learner.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

We’ll Miss You, Ann Mindler ’71

After faithfully serving Moravian Academy for 47 years, Ann Mindler ’71 retired at the conclusion of the 2020-21 school year. As a retirement gift, students created portraits of Ann which were compiled into a keepsake book, and her colleagues gifted her a painted tile from the Lower School Main Building as well as a collection of signed books from authors near and far.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

OUR COMMUNITY

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

Introducing Torsie Judkins, Executive Director of Admissions Torsie is our first all-school Director of Enrollment Management, whose focus each year will be on enrolling a

For seven years he was an instructor with the Black Student Fund (DC) and for three years was on the Leadership Team at the New Principals Academy in Denver. Armistead is married to Suzanne

starts with managing and supporting

Meet Dr. Armistead Webster, Head of Swain School Campus

the admissions offices at each campus,

By Veronica Bocian

looking for ways to stay engaged and

student body of more than 900 children and young adults at our school. This

but extends to providing leadership for retention and re-enrollment as well as institutional research, market forecasting, financial aid management, and strategic innovations. In plain words, Torsie brings to our school over 20 years of experience in independent schools, both as an admissions director, a consultant for families, and as a director of diversity. He joined us this summer from the International School of Brooklyn, a PK-8 independent, language immersion school in New York City, where he served as the Director of Admissions and Enrollment. He holds a Master of Professional Studies in Educational Leadership from Manhattanville College and a B.S. in Business Administration from North Carolina Wesleyan College. He is also a graduate of an independent school, Durham Academy.

“ It has been such a pleasure joining the Moravian and Swain communities. Everyone has welcomed our family with open arms, and it feels like

we have been here for years. My wife, twin daughters, and I cannot wait to spend time on all three campuses and build lifelong friendships.”

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Dr. Webster began his career in education as an elementary teacher in three public schools in New York and Colorado, and eventually moved

Barnard, who works for the Annie E. Casey Foundation. They have two grown children who live in NY and MA. Always grow, Armistead has most recently been taking improv classes; he also enjoys reading, crosswords, hiking, yoga, and soccer in his spare time.

into administration. After holding

School (PK-8) in MD. Armistead

Benita Griffin Assumes Role as Director of the Downtown Campus

remained there for eleven years

Benita Griffin is a friendly, familiar

before becoming Head of School at

face to families and faculty on the

Renbrook School (PK3 – Grade 9) in

Downtown Campus. Previously serving

CT. He left Renbrook four years later

as associate director, she assumed the

to accommodate his wife’s career and

role of director following the retirement

became Lower School Head (PK-5)

of Ann Mindler ’71 at the end of the

at Gilman School (PK-12) in Baltimore

2020-21 school year. Benita comes to

in 2014 before taking the helm of The

Moravian Academy from her previous

Swain School in 2020.

position as Head of Lower School at

two principalships, he moved into independent education to become Lower School Principal at the Norwood

St. Christopher’s School, a boys’ day He holds a BA in Religion from

school in Richmond, Virginia. Having

Princeton University, an MA in

served in a variety of schools as division

Deafness Education from New York

director and coordinator of teaching

University, and a Ph.D. in Educational

and learning, Benita is a seasoned and

Administration, Supervision and

decisive leader who brings with her a

Curriculum from the University of

deeply student-centered approach to

Colorado. In addition, Armistead has

all facets of professional development.

served on numerous boards, including

Benita earned a BA from Hunter College

the CT Association of Independent

and a MEd from the University of

Schools (CAIS), the Westminster

Massachusetts.

School (CT), and Princeton University.

New Faces DOWN TOWN CAMPUS

Our school continues to grow! Meet our newest employees and see who has taken on a new role at one of our three campuses.

Dawn Brews

Jackie Andreychak

Alejandro Monedero Romo

Morgan DeTura

Tarik Haddad

Chengpen Gu

Emily Hulme

Ben Reiter

Bria Judkins

Jake Waylen

Tara Warnke

Johanna Ordonez

Darah Donaher

Helene Perrucci-Kinsman

Amy Bolger-Santucci

Third Grade

Spanish Immersion

Coordinator of Learning Services

DOWN TOWN CAMPUS

Assistant Director

Mandarin

Middle School Latin

Technology Assistant

SWAIN SCHOOL CAMPUS

Seventh Grade Science

Seventh Grade Humanities

Sixth Grade Humanities

Spanish

SWAIN SCHOOL CAMPUS

Middle School Math

Drama & Theatre

School Counselor

Kindergarten Collaborative

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

Faculty Milestones With 260 years of service to our school between them, this year’s faculty and staff celebrating a milestone year of employment are truly amazing. For the curiosity they inspire and the compassion they show, they truly make a difference in our community.

Pictured from left to right: Becky Miller - 30 years, Holly Haines - 35 years

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Pictured from left to right: Bud Brennan - 15 years, JoAnne Daniels - 15 years, Bob Zaiser - 15 years, Shannon Danaher - 20 years, Dr. Katie Burd - 10 years, Laura Riker - 10 years

Celebrating 5 years: Christana Crivellaro, George Andriko, Elizabeth Stitt, Ben Wallace

Not pictured, but still amazing! Jeff Zemsky - 5 years, Lijian “Jane” Wang - 10 years, Jarrod Yuskauskas - 10 years, Dr. Catherine Moore - 15 years, MacNair Randall - 15 years, Michael Petko - 15 years, Robert Gray - 20 years

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

ALUMNI PROFILE

Habits of a Lifetime:

A Conversation with Julia Klees ’74SS ’78MA By Julia Fox

When Julia Klees ’78 was assigned to research Alice Hamilton, the mother of occupational medicine and the first female professor at Harvard Medical School, as a student at Lehigh University, she knew she had found her calling in the field of public health.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

At the time, this was a revelation for

says Klees, “it has to do with protecting

She says, “I’m not just teaching them

Klees, who as a student at The Swain

people in the workplace.”

’Okay. Here’s how you do an exam.’

School and Moravian Academy, loved

It’s teaching them how to think about

music and sports but wasn’t terribly

“One of the most fun things I get to do is

that exam. How do you organize the

passionate about the sciences. “It’s

walk around the plants and follow

information? How do you think about

interesting because I wasn’t so sure I

the process.”

your practice area for decision-making

was going to go into medicine, nor was

and where are the technical resources

I so sure I was going to go into a STEM

The work that Klees does became

field either for that matter,” she says.

indispensable at the outset of the

to do that?”

pandemic. She says, “We always had

Her students then apply this approach

Klees attended Swain from preschool

a mission to protect people in terms of

to a project. “They have to think through

until sixth grade, and she fondly

infectious diseases and travel medicine,

a process, and they have to provide the

recounts her encounters with D. Esther

but now we actually have to do a little

references that they use. Then they

Swain. “She was a very neat lady. She’d

more than that. What we’re trying

author a presentation explaining the

always come around and talk to the kids

to do is protect the workplace from

procedure and background subject

and want to know what you were doing

community spread of COVID-19”.

matter suitable for teaching my nursing

and learning.”

staff about what it is that they’re “So,” she continues, “we ended up

proposing as a program.”

She continued her education from

looking at questions like what kind

seventh until twelfth grade at Moravian

of system we need to put in place?

As for students at Moravian Academy,

Academy, where she explored her

And what are the criteria we use for

Klees has different advice. “Study as

passion for music. “I was really active.

decision-making? When it’s a new

much as you can so that you leave

The school had a piano contest, which

disease, that makes it really interesting.

your options open when you actually

I won as an eighth grader, which was

And difficult.”

do decide what you’d like to do,” she

really funny because I mean, there were

says. “I think that’s one of the really

high school juniors who competed in

That methodical approach to decision-

good things about Moravian. It helps

that thing. When I got to the Upper

making travels with Klees to worksites

you grow and enhance your skills. It

School, I was very active in chamber

as well as into academia.. She serves

doesn’t matter if it’s in languages or the

music and chorus.”

on the residency advisory committees

sciences, or the arts; it’s all part of the

for both Rutgers University and the

learning and development process.”

Eventually, volunteering at a hospital

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount

would inspire Klees to pursue the

Sinai. Every two years, she teaches

“It builds the habits of a lifetime, so you

medical sciences as a university

courses in administrative medicine and

know how to go find the information

student. “I realized that I like working

occupational medicine for the residents

yourself and continue to learn and

with people, and I liked that part of

from both programs.

to grow.”

matter. So I took the history of public

“What I teach is how do you organize

Klees is a role model for students,

health course.”

and administer an occupational

showing them by example that, as

medicine, and I liked the subject

medicine program for a corporation,

learners, their potential truly is limitless,

Today, Klees is the Associate Corporate

and how do you meet the regulatory

if only they are bold enough to see

Medical Director for BASF Corp. Her

requirements as well as the preventive

where their curiosity and passion

job, one that covers occupational

medicine needs?” Ultimately, she

leads them.

and preventative health, ranges wide in

teaches students to answer the

scope and deep in expertise. “Mostly,”

question: “How do we prevent disease?”

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

FIELD COURT

THE SPRING ATHLETICS SEASON FINISHED STRONG.

FIELD & COURT

BASEBALL The varsity baseball team finished out the year on a two-game winning streak. The boys defeated Notre Dame of East Stroudsburg by a 6-5 score on Senior Day. Before the game, we took the time to recognize our seniors and their families, including Dale Berkove '21, Ben Borsuk '21, Michael Laureti '21, Logan Maeding '21, Abel Saft '21, and Henrik Zahl-Battle '21! The team then followed that performance with a 14-0 victory over Lincoln Leadership Academy. Abel Saft '21 pitched a shutout to secure the win for the Lions.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

LACROSSE The boys’ lacrosse team’s season ended with a loss to Southern Lehigh in the first round leading up to the District XI Championship, but their season was filled with strong performances and fighting spirit.

The girls’ lacrosse team also had a strong season and enjoyed celebrating seniors DeDee Hoffman ’21 and Maya Ohlandt ’21 during a special ceremony.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

FIELD & COURT

BOYS TENNIS

WILL MENICHELLI ’24 NAMED TO ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS FIRST TEAM Will Menichelli ’24 has been recognized by lehighvalleylive.com for his exceptional tennis talents this season. While this is an impressive feat for all of the Moravian Academy athletes who routinely qualify for the all-area rosters, Will has made the first-team cut during his freshman year of competition. According to lehighvalleylive.com, “The Lion reached the semifinals of the District 11 Class 2A singles tournament. Menichelli also teamed with Ford Koch to advance to the semifinals of the district 2A doubles tourney.” Ford Koch ’24 has been named to the third team. Okezue Bell ’23 and Jules Bemporad ’21 are honorable mentions.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

A Weekend of Celebratory Events October 22-23, 2021 We are excited for the upcoming in-person events, October 22 and October 23, to welcome all alumni back to the Downtown and Merle-Smith Campus, starting at a quintessentially Bethlehem location: the SteelStacks! This will be a weekend of unforgettable performances and activities. Check out the schedule at right or online for most up-to-date happenings.

Friday, October 22, 2021 1:30 pm

Campus Tour, Downtown Campus

5:30 pm

All-Alumni Reception, Balcony at ArtsQuest

7:00 pm SteelStacks Concert An all-school musical celebration with student performances, special guest, and featured musicians. Don’t miss this one-time musical event where we can celebrate together!

Saturday, October 23, 2021 9:00 am

5k Run/Walk, Athletic & Wellness Center

10 am-4 pm 52nd Annual Country Fair, Merle-Smith Campus Rides, games, grade booths, musical performances, escape room, petting zoo, big wheel races, food trucks, and so much more! Bring your entire family to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery on our historic campus. 11:00 am

Campus Tours, Merle-Smith Campus

12:30 pm All-Alumni Reunion Lunch & Program, Walter Hall 2:00 pm

Coffee, Tea, Dessert, Snyder House

2:30 pm

Brick Dedication, Alumni Circle

3:30 pm Alumni Basketball pickup games, Athletic and Wellness Center 5:00 pm MPS Cocktail Reception, Alumni Gym, Downtown Campus 6:00 pm Class Dinners celebrating Classes ending in 0’s and 1’s, 5’s and 6’s. Let’s all join together to make new friends, meet up with friends from the past, and make more memories that will last a lifetime.

Visit www.moravianacademy.org/reunion for details & registration or contact Susan Parent sparent@mamail.net or 610-868-8571 JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Staying Connected through Virtual Reunions By Bob Zaiser

Alumni from across the globe joined in on Zoom two days of Zoom sessions to reacquainted themselves with their classmates, faculty, and retired faculty members at this year’s Virtual Reunion. More than a dozen Zoom gatherings took place as well as special “Return and Learn” teaching sessions with retired faculty members Tom Bross, Bill Caldwell, and Gaby Dee. The Virtual Weekend was kicked off with a special Zoom panel with nine alumni sharing their career paths with more than 50 Upper School students. The Virtual Reunion was a way in which alumni who normally could not be on campus for an in-person Reunion could participate and Zoom connections will continue into the future.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

The Class of 2020 Reunites by Susan Parent

Fifteen months after the Class of 2020 left the Upper School for spring break 2020 at the onset of the pandemic, they joyously gathered once again on the Merle-Smith campus to reunite and reconnect. The one-year reunion, held on June 12, 2021, was multifaceted. It started at the Alumni Circle where parents joined in to see the Class of 2020’s personalized bricks in front of Snyder Hall. Laughter and good cheer filled the air well into the evening. Director of the Upper School, Dylan Deal, presented each student with a special class memory book which included each student’s graduation comments and photo, the baccalaureate speech, and special messages from Head of School Jeff Zemsky and Rev. Jennifer Nichols. Additionally, they received Moravian mugs, magnets, and a special Class of 2020 t-shirt with QR codes linking students to their senior videos. The Class of 2020 endured many hardships and challenges over the past year, but we can confidently say that their perseverance brought them through stronger and more resilient than ever, ready to continue to engage in life’s next chapter in college and beyond.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

AROUND CAMPUS

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

Spreading Positivity at the

Spring 2021 Country Fair By Grace Young On Saturday, May 15, 2021, Moravian

safety of our students and their families

magicians, a petting zoo, pony

Academy held its annual Country Fair

continues to remain our top priority.

rides, big wheel races, bee-keeping

on the Merle-Smith Campus. Following

presentations, and more. The fun

a year of challenges, we were so

While this year’s fair was a modified

extended into the evening with virtual

happy to come together and spread

version of previous years, we enjoyed

activities like Color Me Mine lesson,

positivity among our community. We

seeing parents and students mingle

online gaming tournaments, and Netflix

followed all Moravian Academy and

and enjoy the beautiful weather.

movie parties.

CDC guidelines as the health and

Families enjoyed food trucks,

See page ## to learn more about the fall 2021 Country Fair and other Reunion activities!

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

Brother and Sister Establish

The Bill & Congetta Humphries Memorial Fund for LGBTQ Studies By Bob Zaiser and Julia Fox

Moravian Academy is pleased to announce that William “Bill” Humphries ’69P and Marilyn Humphries ’71P have established The Bill and Congetta Humphries Memorial Fund for LGBTQ Studies.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

The Memorial Fund expresses love for

has devoted her life, in the most visceral

the Moravian Academy community in

sense of the word, to documenting civil

support of individual students’ journeys.

rights and gay/transgender issues with

Importantly, this Fund also supports the

her camera. When I approached her

legacy of the Humphries family and

with the idea, she eagerly agreed to help

their leadership.

develop endowment projects,” says Bill.

Bill, a retired software engineer and

Together, the Humphries family is

technical writer whose clients include

making a difference for present and

numerous Fortune 500 companies, and

future students, faculty, and families,

his sister, Marilyn, a photographer and

particularly those who are members of

photojournalist who has covered social

the LGBTQ+ community. Bill remembers

justice issues for 40 years, established

his own “stilfling experience” of

the Fund in honor of their parents.

“being a gay teenager in Bethlehem in the sixties.” According to Bill, “This

“The dedication to our parents, Bill and

endowment is intended to reinforce the

Congetta, is a thank-you for providing

accepting and even curious culture that

the love and environment, of which

is replacing that of 50 years ago.”

Moravian was a key part, that allows both of us to enjoy full, gratifying lives

Marilyn hopes their gift will continue to

in diverse communities. They were

grow visibility and awareness. “I believe

astonishing individuals. They would be

the curriculum represents the values

thrilled to know that this endowment

of the school and LGBTQ studies will

was named for them,” says Bill.

engender a sense of inclusiveness, strengthening the community not just

“My parents were progressive and had

for LGBTQ people but for the entire

an expansive perspective about life,”

school,” she says.

says Marilyn. They supported her when she came out as a teenager, which was

Moravian Academy thanks Bill and

“remarkable” given the attitudes toward

Marilyn for their inspiring gift. The

LGBTQ people at the time. “My mother

establishment of this Fund will support

lived nearly 30 years longer than my

Moravian Academy, and its various

father, and as she aged she became a

programs, in realizing its mission

mom to many of our LGBTQ friends,

to develop the unique potential of

lending her love and support. She

every individual through courageous

always said the most important thing in

conversations and learning about

life was to love your children.”

identities within our community.

Marilyn is thrilled that her brother is

The Bill and Congetta Humphries

taking the initiative to establish the

Memorial Fund for LGBTQ Studies will

endowment, while Bill credits his sister

extend the environment of love and

for serving as inspiration behind the

understanding to more students.

decision. “My delightful sister Marilyn

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

The Robert T. Hartman Endowment Fund By Bob Zaiser Established in 2021 by the Marty and

Mr. Hartman was known as the

produced results that are remarkable

Catherine Theron-Parkes and their

architect of Moravian Academy’s

for any school: five Colonial League

children, Trevor ’11 and Nicole Parkes

championship boys soccer program,

titles, 10 District XI titles, and two PIAA

’07, and supported by 28 parents,

coaching the boys for 18 years and the

State championships. Mr. Hartman

alumni, parents of alumni, and friends

girls for 10 years. He and his teams

was named Coach of the Year twice

of Moravian Academy to honor Mr.

built a tradition of excellence that

by the Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches

Robert (Bob) T. Hartman, teacher

taught hundreds of students how to

Association and was also selected

and coach at the Academy from 2002

be highly dedicated student-athletes.

as National Coach of the Year in 2014

through 2020, the funds will be used for

The work ethic and honorable play

by the National Soccer Coaches

unrestricted purposes.

of Coach Hartman’s teams have

Association of America.

To support The Robert T. Hartman Endowment Fund, visit www.moravianacademy.org/giving or mail your donation to Bob Zaiser, Director of Institutional Advancement, Moravian Academy, 7 East Market Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

INSTITUTIONAL ADVANCEMENT

Moravian Academy Raises Millions Across Three Campuses

By Bob Zaiser

Moravian Academy is pleased to announce that close to $2.7 million was raised for the Merle-Smith Campus, the Swain School Campus, and the Downtown Campus in the 2020-2021 fiscal year. More than 2,500 gifts were received and close to 1,600 donors showed their support to the school and the three campuses. The funds raised will be used for unrestricted purposes, financial assistance, building projects on each campus such as the CE Building renovation on the Downtown Campus and the classroom renovations on the Swain School Campus. As part of the funds raised, the Annual Fund raised more than $510,000 between the campuses. Our school and its three campuses are enhanced by the generosity of members of our community and we are deeply appreciative. More information on philanthropy will be shared later in the fall in the official Report of Giving.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

ReImagine Campaign: The Swain School Campus 56

MORAVIAN ACADEMY

This past summer, Swain’s campus continued the renovations designed under the ReImagine Campaign; a campus-wide effort to structure student-centered classrooms. We worked hard to finalize the Beginning School Wing, as well as the Lower School, and Intermediate School hallways, all of which are represented by their divisional color and age-appropriate details focused solely on how students learn best. Taking some of the original personality of each Swain classroom and partnering them with this progressive approach ultimately created a beautiful marriage of old and new, the foundations of Swain and the future of our three campuses.

JOURNAL | SPRING 2021

Alumni Gather for Good Times in California By Susan Parent

Coast-to-coast alumni visits are back in action! In July, I visited with alumni in California. It was great connecting with graduates from across the decades, including Molly Kistler Rinke ’99, Scott Ogilvie ’72, Michael Gainey ’03, Neil Johnson ’73, Alex Battisti ’14, Victoria Tersigni ’10, Mary Gainey ’03, Coco Rodale ’12, Tyler Thomas ’12, Taylor Bausch ’07, Chelsea Severson ’02, Gina Low ’60P, and MaryAnn Groner ’74.

Keep the connections coming! This fall and winter, expect more Zoom calls and alumni gatherings: NEW ENGLAND VISITS November 8-11 MOUNTAIN TIME ZONE VISITS January 22-26 FLORIDA VISITS February 28-March 3 NEW YORK VISITS April 26-28 Would you like us to visit your part of the country? Reach out today. We’d love to hear from you!

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CLASS NOTES

Class Notes SUBMIT YOUR NEWS FOR THE NEXT ISSUE! We love to help you celebrate your milestones. Send us a quick note and a picture if you have one and we’ll include your news in the next issue of the Moravian Academy Journal. Swain Campus alumni, we look forward to featuring your notes in future issues! Be sure to share your news with us! Send submissions to: bzaiser@mamil.net

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1997 & 1998 Ryan Dietrick ’97 and Gio Castro ’98 recently saw one another and are enjoying watching each other’s children grow up. (Photo 2)

2000

Andrew Corsa ’00 writes “I am deeply saddened that my mother, Cheryl Hoffman Corsa, passed away in June 2021. I miss and love her dearly. She graduated from Moravian Academy in 1969, and she is survived by my brother, Michael Corsa ’02, by her

1 1980 Jeffrey Ethan Lee ’80, formerly Jeffrey Ethan Loo, is teaching in the humanities program at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. One of my books was published by White Pine Press, The Autobiography of Somebody Else. It includes a chapter about Moravian Academy, and some people might recognize themselves in this little episode (Peter Dudley, Fraser Glickman, Sandra Muff, and there are some

brother Tom Hoffman ’75, and by my father, Jim Corsa, whom she met while taking a course at Lehigh University. In June, I flew up to Bethlehem from Florida, where I am a professor at Lynn University in Boca Raton, to be with my family for several weeks.” Thomas Stitt ’03 and his wife and Downtown Campus employee Elizabeth Stitt share the news of the birth of Daniella James Stit on March 28, 2021. (Photo 3)

appearances by Mr. Devey and Mrs. Rand, et al.) though most of the names were changed. Other books can be found by searching for “Jeffrey Ethan Lee” at Amazon or at bn.com. (Photo 1)

1981 Bill Regan ’81 was highlighted in the Charlotte Observer with an article entitled “A Passion for teaching in a multitude of fields” which highlights many of his volunteer and career pursuits.

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2003 Mary Gainey ’03 shares, “I have been living in Southern California for 8 years now and I love it! Most of my time is spent outside hiking or walking the beach with my amazing wife. We met while she was in physical therapy school and got married this past January. We are fortunate enough to live close to my

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brother, Mike, his wife, Emma, and my nephew Oscar. I originally moved out here and trained to join the Fire Service but ended up finding my calling as a manager for a billing company that partners with medical facilities.” She continues, “When I think about Moravian, I think about how fortunate I was to attend and all the great experiences I had there. I was part of the Outdoor Ed program with Dr. Ballard and Mr. Caldwell which would not have been an option at any other school. I also participated in basketball, soccer, and cross country. In addition to those extracurricular opportunities, Moravian’s rigorous academics and supportive faculty and staff played an important

2004 Sarah Denlinger ’04 is currently the Associate Director of Development

role in shaping who I am today.”

for Arts & Sciences at Tufts University

Anita Thomas ’03 writes, “My husband

fundraising efforts on the West Coast.

Abhishek and I welcomed our pandemic baby, Orson Alexander Skariah, on 6/25/2020. He joined his 2.5 year big sister Ophelia Salome Skariah. We are trying to stay safe and healthy in Seattle, WA, where I am working as a pediatric emergency medicine physician at Seattle Children’s Hospital. We miss our family in the Lehigh Valley and can’t wait to visit!” (Photo 4)

where she oversees major gift She’s been at Tufts for 5 years; prior to this role, she worked at a few other colleges in New England. Her first job after graduating from Colgate was as an Associate Producer for CBS News in New York City. If you ever watch old episodes of the show 48 Hours you may see her name flash by in the end credits. She and her boyfriend, Josh, are looking forward to traveling again and love spending time with her hound dog mix, Jack Lemmon.

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2005 Andrew McNellis ’05 and wife Allison welcomed their second daughter, Mae, in November 2020. She joined big sister Evelyn (3 years old). They recently moved just north of NYC to Westchester from their apartment in the city. He joined Earnest Research in early 2020, a data analytics company, after they acquired his startup Alpha Hat.

2008 Nishant Rastogi ’08 announces the birth of Vihaan Rastogi on March 11, 2021. (Photo 5)

2010 Kelsea Gaspari ’10 earned a master’s degree from Pepperdine University. (Photo 6) Justin Walker ’10 writes, “Our household is crazy as ever, and we recently added our third daughter, Quinn Marie, to the chaos! I’ll be completing my residency at the end of the year (which I’ll be spending as chief resident) and capping off my training with a fellowship in adult cardiothoracic

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anesthesia! My wife, Olivia, is busy as ever chasing our three girls, being the rock of the family, and helping new residents and their families transition to Hershey as the president of our Partners in Medicine group.” (Photo 7)

2011 Gianna Beleno Neal ’11 and her husband Bill Neal announce the birth of their twins, Albert Anthony Neal and William Joseph Neal, on March 20, 2021. (Photo 8)

2013 Alec Talsania ’13 graduated from Temple Medical School. (Photo 9)

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2016

Nilaya Sarah Knafo ’16 recently married Ben Magidish.

2017 Anna Crumpler ’17 has been accepted to a position as the Associate Director of Middle School and Ministries in Highland Park Presbyterian Church in

2014 Justin Manhoff ‘14 received a Doctorate of Physical Therapy From Temple University in the spring of 2021. (Photo 10) Alex Battisti ’14 has relocated from New York City to Los Angeles, where he is rooming with his longtime friend, Deniz Citak ’13. Both alumni are attending

Dallas, Texas, starting in June 2021. Devika Knafo ’17 is a Technical Recruitment at Motion Recruitment. (Photo 11) Griffin Richards ’17 graduated from Villanova University this spring and is headed to the University of Denver to study sport and performance

Hamilton College highlighted Catherine Ryczek ’17 where she graduated last spring. “There’s a lot of really cool things that you can study with physics,

psychology. (Photo 12)

but I feel that if we don’t solve our energy crisis within my lifetime, none of

UCLA for grad school; Alex is pursuing

that’s really going to matter. [...] I want

an MBA, and Deniz a PhD.

to help with that matter, help with that push, by either working on renewable

energy or carbon capture that can really make an impact before it’s too late,” said Catherine Ryczek, who will soon join the applied physics doctoral program at the California Institute of Technology.

2018 Daniel Depillo ’18 was selected for membership in the Beta Gamma Sigma Society at Rutgers University. Beta Gamma Sigma is the collegiate school’s business honor society.

2020 In May, Neil Deshmukh ’20 was a panelist for the “Beyond the Lab with National Geographic Young Explorers” panel at Regeneron ISEF 2021.

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Alumni/ae Deaths OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WE HAVE LOST.

Sally Ellen Avery ’61S May 16, 2021 Bruce Becker ’69P March 8, 2021 MaryEllen Thomas Blass ’65S November 16, 2020 Shirly Williams Campbell ’47S January 27, 2021 Cheryl Hoffman Corsa ’69P June 16, 2021 Nancy Willenbecher Dickinson ’52S August 19, 2019 Barry Joseph ’56P February 18, 2021 John Garnjost ’SS January 1, 2021 Suzanne Holton Hunsicker ’48S July 10, 2021

Remembering Ellen (Brown) Barber Former teacher, Ellen Barber passed away Friday, August 13, 2021 at the age of 91. Ellen graduated from Keuka College in 1951 and earned her M.Ed. from Cornell University in 1954. She was a Ford Foundation Fellowship recipient. She taught elementary school for over 20 years including 16 years at Moravian Academy from 1970 (at Moravian Preparatory School) to 1986. She read avidly and read The New Yorker cover to cover every week. She traveled extensively with a formative trip to Israel in 1950 to work on a kibbutz, a year in England while her husband, Saul, was on sabbatical at Oxford University, and pleasure trips to the Galapagos Islands, Tunisia, Italy, Portugal and numerous Caribbean Islands. Ellen and her husband fulfilled their dream of relocating to Cape Cod for their

Dr. Virginia “Gini” Maulfair ’56S, Distinguished Alumna August 13, 2021 Michael Schmerbeck ’10 April 10, 2021 Thomas Smull ’65P January 5, 2021 Richard C. Theis ’53P February 10, 2021 Sandra Avery Titus ’63S January 2, 2021

retirements where they enjoyed the natural setting and making new friends. She is survived by her children including Lisa Barber Beittel ’75MA.

S Moravian Seminary for Girls P Moravian Preparatory School SS The Swain School

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Mark Your Calendar Upcoming Events To view a full list of events, visit www.moravianacademy.org/calendar.

October 20

Family Lovefeast

October 22-23

Reunion Weekend

October 22

Limitless: All School Celebration

October 23

5K Run/Walk Event & Country Fair

October 30

Trunk or Treat

November 23

Grandparents’ Lovefeast

November 24-26

School Closed, Thanksgiving Break

December 1

Giving Tuesday

December 20-January 1

School Closed, Winter Break

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