Moravian Academy Journal: Integrity (Spring 2024)

DEAR READER,

At Moravian Academy, we understand that integrity is more than just a virtue; it is a Core Value that guides our daily interactions and decisions. Acting with integrity calls us to think deeply about the potential impact of our actions and to maintain wholeness of spirit within ourselves, toward each other, and with the spirit that connects us all.

That same spirit imbues the Spring 2024 issue of the Journal

It’s what moved the late, beloved Rebecca Binder and her husband, Chuck Cohen, to establish The Rebecca Binder Memorial Scholarship Fund to support MA students in need of financial assistance (pg 16). It’s what inspired impressive Eagle Scout projects (pg. 12), award-winning research with the goal of improving community health (pg.8), and it’s what underlies the pursuits of academic excellence, long standing community traditions, joyful learning and discovery in grades of all ages, and alumni connections that continue long after our students begin careers in all corners of the country (pg. 30).

Acting with integrity is one of four Core Values Moravian Academy formally adopted last fall in conjunction with new mission and vision statements and the Portrait of a Graduate (pg. 2). We also launched More to Explore: Strategic Plan 2023-2028 (pg. 3). These aspirations and principles embody the educational journey for our students, defining who we are and what we strive to achieve. We are pleased to share them with you in these pages and invite you to see how they come to life on our campus by following @moravianacademy on social media.

To our alumni, continue sharing your Class Notes with us, joining faculty and the Institutional Advancement team for gatherings in cities near you, and returning to our shared home—Moravian Academy—for traditions like Reunion in the fall.

Until next issue,

Stephanie Vasta Director of Marketing & Communications

Julia Fox & Amanda Kulakowski Associate Directors of Communications

ABOUT THE MORAVIAN ACADEMY JOURNAL

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

EDITORS

Julia Fox

Stephanie Vasta

HEAD OF SCHOOL

Adrianne Finley Odell

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Julia Fox

Jennifer Mitchell

Adrianne Finley Odell

Manny Oudin

Susan Parent

Brad Pomeroy

Grace Sanvito

Adrian Sauers

Lori Schoenemann

Cristina Usino

Bob Zaiser

PHOTOGRAPHY

Tom Amico

Marco Calderon

Julia Fox

Amanda Kulakowski

Susan Parent

Grace Sanvito

Bob Zaiser

DESIGN

Elaynee Polentes

PRINTING

Christmas City Printing Co., Inc.

ADDRESS

Office of Institutional Advancement

7 East Market Street

Bethlehem, PA 18018

CORRESPONDENCE

Office of Communications

7 East Market Street

Bethlehem, PA 18018

Charting Our Course:

Unveiling Our Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Portrait of a Graduate

Welcome to the heart of Moravian Academy, where our aspirations, principles, and the embodiment of our educational journey converge, defining who we are and what we strive to achieve.

MISSION

Moravian Academy nurtures the joyful spirit of each learner and empowers inclusive global citizens to think critically, communicate effectively, lead with integrity, and strive for excellence.

VISION

Immersed in a community that values creativity, curiosity, love, and understanding, our students seek to answer the questions: Who am I and who can I become?

CORE VALUES

Moravian Academy’s Core Values are the deeply ingrained principles that guide all of our actions and serve as the foundational place from which we make decisions and live together as members of the community.

Engage in the COMMUNITY

Discover through CURIOSITY

Strive for EXCELLENCE

Act with INTEGRITY

PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

Moravian Academy’s Portrait of a Graduate represents our aspirations for all of our students. It highlights the skills and habits of mind that we believe are crucial for success in a rapidly changing and complex world. While mastering all of these skills is a lofty goal, we believe that striving, failing, and recommitting to them is an essential component of personal growth. The recognition that each of us is a work in progress opens pathways to grace, love, and belonging as a member of the Moravian Academy community and our greater humanity.

Collaborative and Confident COMMUNICATORS

Ethical, Inclusive and Global CITIZENS

Resilient and Adventurous LEARNERS

Critical and Creative THINKERS

Empathetic and Compassionate LEADERS

Joyful and Balanced ADVOCATES

An Introduction from the Head of School and Board Chair

By Adrianne Finley Odell and Lori Schoenemann

A year in the making, the strategic plan was developed to provide a long-range view of future school priorities created through a highly inclusive and participatory process. We are grateful to the sixteen volunteers who served on the Strategic Planning Executive Committee and volunteered their time and talents to engage with internal and external research including trends in the independent school and the education sector.

Armed with a situation analysis and a stronger understanding of the needs of the school, six areas of strategic focus were established by the executive committee. From there, over 100 community members including trustees, faculty, staff, alumni, students and parents participated on design teams to propose initiatives for consideration rooted in the research.

Our process culminated in September of 2023, with the steering committee reviewing proposals from the design teams, synthesizing them down to a smaller set of priorities for the future. As strategic priorities were developed, key school leadership expanded upon them to outline specific initiatives, action plans, and a series of sequenced priorities. Finally, the Board of Trustees engaged with the plan and ratified it on September 9, 2023. The final strategic plan has been organized into three key areas of focus:

• Enhance Our Foundation

• Expand Our Impact

• Elevate Our Sustainability

Within each of these focus areas, we have prioritized initiatives that we believe will be instrumental to fulfilling our mission and vision for Moravian Academy in the years ahead. The initiatives center around our people, our programs and the place where it all happens–our campuses. Much of the focus for realizing these initiatives will be over the next five years; however, many will extend well beyond then. Bringing this ambitious plan to fruition will require the support of our entire community. We invite you to engage with us in achieving this vision by offering your expertise, your connections and your philanthropic support.

Strategic Planning Executive Committee

CO-CHAIRS:

Dr. Christian Rice

Board of Trustee, Vice-Chair and Parent ’29

Liz Robinson Parent ’29

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

George Andriko ’07MA Assistant Director, Historic Downtown Campus

Anileys Bermudez Parent ’33 and ’35, and Faculty Member, Swain Campus

Kathryn Bulman Faculty Member, Historic Downtown Campus

Read More to Explore: Strategic Plan 2023-2028 on our website.

Dr. Sue Das Assistant Director, Swain Campus

Marie Ffolkes-Gierszewski Former Trustee and Parent ’31

Adrianne Finley Odell Head of School

Krish Gupta ’24 Student

Alicia Gordon ’24 Student

Dr. Sima Hodavance Trustee and Parent ’30, ’31, and ’35

Veronica Moore Parent ’34

Michael Regnet Parent ’27, Faculty Member, Merle-Smith Campus

Lori Schoeneman Board of Trustee, Chair and Parent ’25 and ’28

Karen Sonier ’78MA Former Trustee and Parent ’12MA and ’13MA

Jarred Weaver Assistant Director, Merle-Smith Campus

Strategic Plan Initiatives

Enhance our FOUNDATION

Enhance our FOUNDATION

Recruit, support, and retain exceptional people.

Recruit, support, and retain exceptional people.

Enhance our FOUNDATION

Enhance our FOUNDATION Priorities

Priorities

Foster an environment that prioritizes inclusivity, belonging and collective wellbeing throughout our community.

Foster an environment that prioritizes inclusivity, belonging and collective wellbeing throughout our community.

Establish key indicators of academic outcomes and consistency across campuses aiming to provide the best foundational framework for developing future leaders.

Establish key indicators of academic outcomes and consistency across campuses aiming to provide the best foundational framework for developing future leaders.

Enhance the quality and effectiveness of project-based and experiential learning across our campuses to improve learning outcomes and prepare students for the future.

Enhance the quality and effectiveness of project-based and experiential learning across our campuses to improve learning outcomes and prepare students for the future.

Elevate our SUSTAINABILITY

Elevate our SUSTAINABILITY

Ensure financial sustainability through plans to diversify revenue, increase enrollment and manage tuition.

Ensure financial sustainability through plans to diversify revenue, increase enrollment and manage tuition.

Ensure excellent facilities that enable and inspire our programs to thrive.

Ensure excellent facilities that enable and inspire our programs to thrive.

Expand our IMPACT

Expand our IMPACT

Design and establish a Center for Civic Leadership and Innovation with signature programs in 1) leadership training and development, 2) civil discourse, 3) exponential technologies, and 4) environmental and climate change studies.

Establish strategic partnerships beyond our classrooms to enhance our learning environment and better connect our school with mission-congruent organizations. Priorities

Design and establish a Center for Civic Leadership and Innovation with signature programs in 1) leadership training and development, 2) civil discourse, 3) exponential technologies, and 4) environmental and climate change studies.

Design and implement learning support for gifted and non-traditional learners.

Design and implement learning support for gifted and non-traditional learners.

Establish strategic partnerships beyond our classrooms to enhance our learning environment and better connect our school with mission-congruent organizations. Priorities

Moravian Academy Community Education Series (MACES)

Moravian Academy offers students more ways to explore–and become–their most authentic and successful selves. Academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular programs on all three campuses prepare students to achieve their unique potential. While our primary focus is on the education of students, we also believe it is important to provide opportunities for our community to gain knowledge and skills to be their best selves as parents, family and community members.

With this in mind, we created our own year-long virtual Community Education Series to cover topics of interest to our community, led by our in-house faculty experts and thought leaders.

All of the sessions are available for our community to enjoy online.

MACES Topics 2023-2024

The Role of the Board at Independent Schools

Presenters: Adrianne Finley Odell, Head of School; Lori Schoenemann, Board Chair

K-12 to College to Career: What Skills Do Our Students Need to Thrive in a Rapidly Changing World?

Presenters: Nacho Abia P’27, ’31, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Olympus Corporation; Marie Ffolkes-Gierszewski P’31, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Axxelist LLC; Dr. Laura Lowe Furge, Provost, Muhlenberg College; Dr. Bryon Grigsby, President of Moravian University; Dr. Nathan Urban P’22, Provost, Lehigh University

Moravian Academy’s Commitment to Inclusivity and Belonging–Past, Present and Future

Presenters: Nishant Mehta, Founder of MehtaCognition; Cristina Usino, Director of Community, Inclusion, and Belonging

Mental Health and Wellness

Presenters: Jacquelyn Economopoulos, M.Ed., LPC; David Hunt, Psy.D., Helene Perrucci-Kinsman, M.S.

Advisory and Character-building 101

Presenters: George Andriko ’07, Assistant Director of the Historic Downtown Campus; Jennifer TumSuden, MA, Dean of Students, Merle-Smith Campus; Dr. Sue Das, former Assistant Director of the Swain Campus

Digital Footprints: How to Protect Your Child’s Privacy

Presenters: Ryan Berger, Middle School Technology Coordinator; Pat Ruffing, Technology Integration Specialist; Jarred Weaver, Assistant Director of the Merle-Smith Campus

Brian Yang ’25 Gives TEDx Talk on the Impact of Radon on Health

What began as curiosity as to why the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protections was studying indoor radon levels in the Lehigh Valley has grown into a personal mission to deepen his understanding of the links between the known carcinogen, the unique geology of the Lehigh Valley. View Brian’s TEDX Talk: “A look at the impact of radon on health.”

Watch TEDx Talk on the blog.

Dr. Jeff Lawlis Publishes Article in The Journal Of Geophysical Research

Dr. Jeff Lawlis, teacher and Science Department Chair at the Merle-Smith Campus, recently published an article entitled “High-Temperature Deformation of EnstatiteOlivine Aggregates” in the Journal of Geophysical Research. It is based upon his PhD research.

Plain Language Summary

The rheology of Earth’s upper mantle is generally modeled using mechanical flow laws determined for aggregates composed only of olivine minerals, in spite of the polyphase nature of mantle rocks. In this study, we investigated the effect of phase volume proportions on the high- temperature deformation properties of aggregates composed of the two most abundant minerals in the upper mantle, olivine and enstatite. The samples were deformed under dry conditions in triaxial compression at 1150– 1300°C, under oxygen fugacity fixed at the Ni/NiO solid buffer, and confining pressures of 300 or 450 MPa, at conditions where

enstatite has two different crystallographic structures. At both pressures, in the dislocation creep regime, where deformation occurs mostly by the motion of dislocations along slip planes within mineral grains, the strengths of all the two-phase mixtures lie between the uniform strain rate and the uniform stress bounds, which assume iso-strain and iso-stress conditions, respectively, in all the grains comprising each aggregate. Extrapolating these bounds to temperatures and strain rates expected in nature indicates that the viscosity of mantle rocks can be modeled adequately with the dislocation creep flow law for olivine.

Bystricky, M., Lawlis, J., Mackwell, S., & Heidelbach, F. (2024). High-temperature deformation of enstatite-olivine aggregates. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 129, e2023JB027699. https://doi.org/10.1029/2023JB027699

Read the full article on the blog.

EJ Kunkle Innovation Grant Creates Stimulating Human to Human Experiment

By Brad Pomeroy

Thanks to the EJ Kunkle Innovation Grant, Moravian Academy third and fifth grade students enjoyed a very stimulating (pun intended) experience! The students learned that electrical signals travel through motor neurons to contract various muscles in the body. With our new Human to Human Interface, made by Backyard Brains, our students and teachers had a unique opportunity to use their brains to control another person’s arm!

Yes, it’s true! This instrument receives electrical signals from the “master,” via strategically placed electrodes, processes and amplifies the signal, and delivers the message to the “minion’s” arm through electrodes that stimulate the ulnar nerve. With some tingling sensations and nervous laughter, the experience begins.

As the “master” flexes their wrist strongly, the potentiometer is carefully adjusted by Mr. Pomeroy, until the “minion” begins to feel a tingling sensation. With one more small adjustment, Mr. Pomeroy instructs the “master” to flex again and the “minion’s” hand and wrist contort on their own! The master has now gained control of the minion’s arm!

Repeated OOOOH’s and AAAAAH’s resonated through the science lab along with the astonishment of the “minion.” All of the students had a chance to watch and participate with the Human to Human Interface. It clearly demonstrates how electrical messages can be captured from one person and delivered to another to elicit an involuntary contraction of the voluntary muscles of another person.

Our third graders and fifth graders are both learning about the nervous system but at different scaffolded levels. While this stimulating activity was the same for both grade levels, they were able to attach different levels of meaning and understanding to their experience.

On behalf of the Moravian Academy Community, especially our third and fifth graders, we are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Kunkle for establishing the Innovation Grant that made this purchase and experience possible. It is unique experiences like this that make for lasting memories!

Want to see the Human to Human Interface in action? Check out the video on the blog.

Cultivating Science and Wellness in Sixth Grade Through Plant Nurturing

By Jennifer Mitchell

Sixth-grade students at the Swain Campus discovered the connection between science and personal well-being by exploring the therapeutic aspects of plant care. Veronica Moore, the founder of Brown Skin Plant Mama and parent of Hunter ’34, visited the classroom to discuss the scientific benefits of nurturing plants for mental health.

Students affectionately named their potted pals, eagerly looking forward to the evolving process of care throughout the academic year. This blend of science and self-exploration will cultivate not just plants, but a rich tapestry of personal growth for our vibrant sixth-grade community.

Leading with Integrity: Seniors’ Eagle Scout Projects Impact Lehigh Valley

Fisola Oyerokun ’24, member of Troop 71, earned his Eagle Scout Rank with an improvement project at Macungie Memorial Park while Sebastian Malaver ’24, earned his Eagle Scout Rank installing a bike repair station at the Farmersville Trailhead on the D&L Trail in Bethlehem Township.

Read more about Fisola’s project:

Learn more about Sebastian’s project:

Three Students Advance as National Merit Scholarship Program Finalists

Noah Breithaupt ’24, Sunny Chen ’24, and Valia Tsirukis ’24 are Finalists in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarship Program! These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,140 National Merit Scholarships and earn the Merit Scholar® title.

Striving for Excellence: Student Scholars Shine

Rayna Malhotra ‘24 and Aadi Deshmukh ‘26 had an outstanding year, qualifying for the prestigious Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). Aadi’s innovative anti-drowning device earned second place from the US Patent and Trademark Office Society. Although Rayna, a previous ISEF competitor, didn’t participate this year due to senior traditions, both students shared their projects with WFMZ’s Jaccii Farris.

In addition Rayna was also named a 2023-2024 Coca-Cola Scholar, joining the less than 1/6th of 1% of applicants who were chosen to receive this extremely competitive award. These 150 students from across the country not only exemplify superior leadership, service, and academics, they are change agents, positively affecting others in their communities.

Imagination to Innovation:

Seventh-Grade Students Create Tabletop Games in The Imaginate Makerspace

By Adrian Sauers

This trimester in the Imaginate Makerspace, the seventh-grade students on the Swain Campus have been challenged with brainstorming, designing, and constructing tabletop games out of new and recycled material. The Imaginate Makerspace is not just a physical space; it’s a concept that embodies the very essence of creativity and innovation. It’s a place where students are encouraged to dream big, think outside the box, and transform their ideas into tangible reality. Within the Imaginate Makerspace, we embrace the principles of experiential learning, hands-on exploration, and problem-solving. It’s where students are free to tinker, experiment, and explore the realms of engineering and design.

Armed with their creativity, the support of skillful and experienced faculty, and the freedom to explore more, 7th-grade students have completed brainstorming sessions choosing the games they wanted to build. From mini pool to mini basketball, ping pong to Foosball,

connect 4 to mini bowling, and mini hockey - the choices were diverse and inspired.

To bring their visions to life, our students have worked with a variety of materials and components, such as:

• Lumber: For the structure and framework of the games.

• Hardware: To ensure everything stays securely in place.

• Plexiglass: Providing the perfect playing surface.

• Fabric: Adding an element of design and style.

• 3D Printed Components: Custommade parts for unique gameplay.

• LED Lights: For that extra touch of excitement.

• Magnets: Enhancing gameplay dynamics.

• Paint: To give their games a personal touch.

• Polyurethane: Ensuring the durability of their creations.

Once the designs were set, it was time to get their hands dirty – quite literally. Our handy students dove

into the exciting world of crafting, working with a variety of hand and power tools. They learned the ropes of saws, drills, sanders, and much more. It’s remarkable to witness the transformation from initial sketches to physical prototypes.

The process was not without its challenges, but our budding engineers embraced each obstacle as an opportunity to learn and grow. Teamwork and problem-solving skills were honed, preparing them for the real world where such abilities are priceless. With tabletop games as their canvas, they are painting a vivid picture of their boundless creativity and determination, one piece at a time.

Full STEAM Ahead: Discovering through Curiosity with the Da Vinci Science Center

By Julia Fox

On Friday, February 23, 2024, the Da Vinci Science Center brought a traveling exhibition to the Historic Downtown Campus, transforming our spaces into interactive STEAM exploration centers for students in grades Kindergarten-6. Students rotated through fun learning and were wide-eyed with wonder and the joy of discovery as they participated in STEAM activities led by Da Vinci staff.

Student-Centered Original Research Experience

Another important highlight of STEAM Day was the presentation of SCORE Projects by students in grades 7 and 8. SCORE, or the Student-Centered Original Research Experience, is an independent research project that uses the Stripling Model of Inquiry to guide students while their curiosity drives the research process. Students choose the topic and faculty mentors guide them through each stage until students become experts on their topic. Completing a SCORE project is an important milestone for Historic Downtown students as they strive for excellence and prepare to build upon their research, critical-thinking, and presentation skills at the Upper School level.

A Legacy of Leading with Integrity: The Rebecca Binder Memorial Scholarship

Fund

According to Chuck, Rebecca thought that seeing a student’s lightbulb go off was the best thing ever. Every time students and teachers experience these lightbulb moments, Rebecca’s legacy is at work.

From L to R: Chuck Cohen, Rebecca Binder, Leah Cohen ’16SS, Benjamin Cohen ’11SS

By Julia Fox and Bob Zaiser

Rebecca Binder was never a bystander. She was a woman of action, someone who championed equity and justice, unafraid to ask the hard questions, who believed deeply in the mission of Moravian Academy. Growing up in a family of educators, Rebecca knew teaching to be one of the most important professions and recognized good teaching when she saw it. She was a graduate of Columbia University’s Teacher College.

Her children, Benjamin Cohen ’11SS and Leah Cohen ’16SS, loved their time at the Swain Campus of Moravian Academy (then The Swain School). She and her husband, Chuck Cohen, were inspired by the creativity and joy that Swain brought to their children’s education and the successful lives they are building because of it.

Benjamin Cohen ’11SS is a Harvard University graduate and founder of Proton.ai, an AI-powered CRM for distributors. He made Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list for 2024 in the Enterprise Technology category.

“The teachers and experiences I had during my eight years at Swain helped me to grow into the driven, independent person I am today. I also have Swain to thank for giving me some of my best friends who I still talk to almost daily. I will forever be grateful for my experience at Swain,” says Leah. She is a student at Georgetown University pursuing an English major with a minor in journalism.

“They’re not the people they are without their Swain foundation,” Chuck says.

Rebecca embraced the Swain community and became one of its fiercest supporters. She was a longtime member of the Swain School Board of Trustees who championed the 2020 merger with Moravian Academy. Her voice was instrumental in the shaping of today’s beloved threecampus school.

“She was always a person to throw her hat in the ring,” says Chuck Cohen. “It was certainly not her nature to be front and center, but she understood the right thing to do. And she fought hard for it, whether it was raising money or making sure that we had the best teachers at Swain and Moravian. She was a big fan of the merger and worked hard on the Swain side to make it happen.”

Following a valiant battle with breast cancer, Rebecca passed away on July 28, 2023. With the same generous spirit that guided her life’s work to make an impact for those most in need, she and Chuck established the Rebecca Binder Memorial Scholarship Fund to support Moravian Academy students in need of financial assistance in grades one through eight. “It comes back to this idea of not wanting to be a bystander,” Chuck says.

Both he and Rebecca were grateful for the education their children received. Helping students afford an independent school education was important to them, and establishing this Fund made it possible for Rebecca’s legacy to serve as a call to action for the school community dear to her family.

“We’ve been lucky enough to have the resources to be able to make significant gifts to Swain and Moravian,” Chuck says. He hopes that Rebecca’s story inspires others to make a gift to Moravian Academy. Already, 75 donors have contributed more than $535,000 to The Rebecca Binder Memorial Scholarship Fund.

According to Chuck, Rebecca thought that “seeing a student’s lightbulb go off was the best thing ever.” Every time students and teachers experience these lightbulb moments, Rebecca’s legacy is at work. We invite you to honor her legacy by contributing. Gifts of all sizes are appreciated and make a difference for the school that Rebecca devoted much of her life to advancing.

To make a gift to the The Rebecca Binder Memorial Scholarship Fund, visit www.moravianacademy.org/give.

Make a gift to the The Rebecca Binder Memorial Scholarship Fund

Seven endowed funds were established at Moravian Academy in 2023-2024.

To learn more about planned giving and other ways to support the school, contact Bob Zaiser, Director of Institutional Advancement, at bzaiser@mamail.net.

About Rebecca Binder

Rebecca was Executive Director of the Benco Family Foundation, having spearheaded projects that improved access to dental care around the world.

About Chuck Cohen

Chuck is the Managing Director of Benco Dental Company, a national, family-owned dental distributor.

GOLF DISTRICT XI CHAMPIONS!

The Varsity Golf team won the District XI Team Title this fall. From an individual standpoint, Mara Dubacher ’26 won gold in the individual golf District Tournament and Emma Xu ’25 earned a bronze medal. In the Colonial League tournament, Emma earned a first-place finish with Mara finishing in 2nd place. On the boys’ side, Colin Schreiber ’26 earned a silver medal in the District XI tournament. Colin, Mara, and Emma all qualified and competed in the PIAA State Championship.

Field & Court: Fall and Winter Sports

By Manny Oudin

CROSS COUNTRY

The boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams both had solid seasons with finishing in 6th place in the Colonial League. The girls’ team’s postseason run was also a success. They secured a second-place finish in the District Championship which earned them an opportunity to compete in the State meet. On the boys side, senior Krish Gupta ’24, also earned a spot to run in the State meet as he finished in 15th place.

GIRLS’ SOCCER DISTRICT XI CHAMPIONS!

The Girls’ Soccer team had an historic season as they reached the PIAA State semi-final for the first time in program history. After earning a 6th seed in the Colonial League tournament, they reached the finals before the team moved on to compete in the District tournament where the girls won gold for the sixth consecutive season. The team looks poised for another strong season next fall with a strong number of returning players.

BOYS’ SOCCER DISTRICT XI CHAMPIONS!

The Boys’ Soccer team had another successful season as they secured their 11th consecutive District Title! Their run in the state playoff ended in the quarter-final round as they were defeated by a familiar foe, Faith Christian Academy. The team will look now to the off-season to continue to develop their younger players for next fall.

FIELD HOCKEY

The field hockey team’s quest for a District title ended in the District XI semifinals as they lost to District runner-up, Palmerton. The team should be proud of their accomplishments as they finished the regular season with an 8-7-1 record and competed in both the Colonial League and District XI Tournaments.

GIRLS’ TENNIS DISTRICT XI CHAMPIONS!

The Girls’ Tennis team finished the regular season with a 11-1 record. The team captured both the Colonial League regular season and tournament titles and the District XI team title. In the State tournament, the girls lost to eventual state champion, Scranton Prep. Individually, Chessie Bartolacci ’24 ended her high school career successfully by finishing in third place in the state singles tournament. She also won the individual Colonial League and District XI singles title.

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

The Varsity Girls’ Basketball Team ended the season with a 7-14 record overall. There were many strong performances, including a victory against Lehigh Valley Academy to end the year.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

The Varsity Boys’ Basketball team’s competed fervently throughout the winter, ending the season with an overall record of 6-16. Thank you to all of the basketball players for their commitment during the season.

SWIMMING

Our Varsity Boys’ Swim team experienced a very successful meet season with a record at the end of the year of an impressive 11-2. The Varsity Girls’ Swim team also had a strong season. Here are some highlights from the District XI Swimming Championships:

District XI champion Olivery Ritchey ‘27 set a team record in the Boys 500 Free with a time of 4:52.82. Sebastian Malaver ‘24 finished 4th in the Boys 100 Back, Max Williams ‘26 finished 5th in the Boys 100 Breaststroke. Girls 400 Free Relay finished 7th with Charlene Liu ‘26, Abby Wegner, Tessa Francis, and Megan Dadio ‘24. Boys 400 Free Relay finished 2nd with Oliver Ritchey ‘27, Max Williams ‘26, Jack DeLuca and Aidan Rodrigues.

Oliver went on to compete at the PIAA Swimming Championships at Bucknell University, where he placed 11th in the 500 Freestyle with a new boys’ team record of 4:51.83 and 19th in the 200 IM.

Athletes Commit to College Sports Teams

Moravian Academy celebrated college commitments from the Class of 2024 during College Signing Day on May 15. Family, friends, teammates, and faculty turned out to support the student-athletes who will advance their athletic careers at the following colleges and universities:

Megan Dadio ‘24 - Franklin & Marshall College - Field Hockey

Saleem Diakite ‘24 - Muhlenberg College - Soccer

Joseph Phillips ‘24 - Bowdoin College - Track

AJ Sasso ‘24 - Elizabethtown College - Soccer & Track

No matter the mascot these athletes wear next, Moravian Academy will always be proud that they were Lions first (and forever).

Moravian Academy Inducts Honorees into The 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame

By Grace Sanvito

On Saturday, December 2, 2023, Moravian Academy held its annual Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony & Luncheon inducting 4 distinguished individuals who excelled in and contributed to Moravian Academy’s Athletic Program: Lauren Calabrese ’03, Christopher Balshi ’02, Samir Ghia ’02, and Will Murphy ’96

Lauren Calabrese ’03 played Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Soccer, and Varsity Basketball while at Moravian Academy, where she eventually became a soccer coach, English teacher, and now parent at the school. Lauren has been the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Lehigh University since January 2022. Samir Ghia ’02 and Chris Balshi ’02 led the Boys’ Tennis Team from 1999-2002, winning League, District, and 2002 State Championships. Will Murphy ’96 played varsity tennis his freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years at Moravian Academy, coached by Tom Schuett. He was a 3-sport athlete, playing tennis, cross country, and basketball. He also played varsity golf his freshman sophomore years.

It was wonderful bringing alumni, family, friends, current and retired faculty, and parents of alumni to celebrate and honor our inductees. During the reception, attendees were presented with a surprise video presentation of members of the MA community saying a few words of congratulations and sharing memories. The room was filled with laughter and energy, and our inductees were filled with emotion as they reminisced and heard from loved ones.

The Moravian Academy Athletic Hall of Fame honors past student-athletes, teams, coaches, faculty, staff, and friends who have brought distinction through athletics to Moravian Academy and themselves. Consideration will also be given to athletes who display a lasting commitment to the mission of Moravian Academy.

Learn more about the Athletic Hall of Fame and the 2024 inductees

College Panel Day: Alumni Visit Campus to Speak with Current Students

By Grace Sanvito

Alumni give the best advice! Their support and mentorship help students strive for excellence.

On Thursday, January 4, alumni from the Classes of 2021 and 2022 came back to Moravian Academy to participate in a college panel on the Merle-Smith Campus. They spoke with current sophomores and juniors about their college experience including topics such as the application process, finding a roommate, social life, and more.

Thank you to Andrew Burke ’22MA, Mikail Jaffer ’22MA, Dale Berkove ’21MA, and Chloe Wreaks ’17SS ’21MA for joining us to share their insight.

Our Community Brought the Sunshine to Country Fair and Reunion Weekend

By Bob Zaiser

Country Fair

Even on a rainy autumn day (our 6th consecutive Country Fair to happen in the rain!) more than 100 participants started the event with our annual 5K Run/Walk. The weather did not deter the more than 650+ attendees from enjoying student performances, inflatable rides, grade booths and games, a petting zoo, goat yoga, an escape room, and a rock climbing wall. Thank you to all the student volunteers and performers. Special thanks go to families for attending and to our volunteers, especially our leaders--Mehreen Chaudhry, Maggie Fischer, and Kim Krupka--for their support.

Alumni Reunion

Alumni from all across the country reconnected with classmates, teachers, and their fellow alumni. More than 135 alumni joined us on campus as we gathered at Benigna on Friday evening and then at the alumni luncheon and at other activities on Saturday. Clearly, the connections and relationships developed at Moravian last a lifetime. I was especially touched by the outpouring of love from former colleagues and students for our new Honorary Alumnae Lois Kehoe and Diane Taylor and this year’s Distinguished Alumnus Neil Johnson ’73 whose classmates came out in force to celebrate him.

Golf & Pickleball Outing

We capped off the weekend on Monday at our annual Golf and Pickleball Outing at Lehigh Country Club. With 92 people registered for golf and joined by 22 for pickleball, the day was a great success. I saw camaraderie on the links and on the courts as people came out to support the school and enjoy each other’s company. Congratulations to our Golf Outing Chairs, Greg Carolan and Matt Petrozelli, and our Pickleball Chair, Regina Carolan on a job well done.

Unity in Diversity: Our Annual International Festival for All Families Celebrates Community and Culture

By Cristina Usino

On March 22, 2024, our school community came together once again to celebrate a cherished tradition that speaks volumes about who we are and what we stand for. The annual International Festival for All Families (IFF) isa celebration of the diverse backgrounds and traditions that make up our global family. I will never forget taking a moment close to the end of the evening to look around and take it all in. It was then that Senor Sommers approached me, saying, “This is who we are— this is the true Moravian.” His words resonated deeply, encapsulating the essence of our community and the spirit of unity that filled the air.

Every year, families from all three campuses come together to share a piece of their heritage through the universal language of food. From savory dishes to sweet delicacies, each offering represents a unique culinary journey from across the globe. But the IFF was more than just a culinary adventure. It was a celebration of multiculturalism in its truest sense. Learning tables

adorned the campus, offering glimpses into the artistry and traditions of different cultures. Guests could immerse themselves in the intricate designs of henna art, sway to the rhythms of Indian dancing, learn the delicate craft of Ukrainian flower making, or try their hand at Chinese letter writing.

What made this event truly special was the spirit of inclusion and belonging that permeated every corner of the campus. This year, we were proud to announce that the IFFwas hosted and sponsored by the newly minted DEIJB Board Committee, chaired by Fatima Jaffer. Former co-leader of the Justice Belonging & Love Committee, Fatima brought a wealth of experience and a passion for inclusion to the table. The members of the JBL Committee, now part of the board committee, brought with them a dedication to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our school community. The transition of the IFF under the umbrella of the DEIJB Board Committee marked a significant milestone in our

journey towards greater unity and understanding, as the committee includes parents from all three campuses represented across all grade levels. The members who serve on the board committee for diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and belonging are: Fatima Jaffer (Chair), Kellie Green, Nancy Monestime, Edith GutierrezHawbaker, Ingrid Alvarez Russell, Janicca Covington, Sima Hodavance, Challon Perry, and Tyrone Russell.

In a world often divided by differences, events like the IFF serves as a powerful reminder of the ties that bound us together. On that Friday evening, on the Merle-Smith Campus, amidst the laughter and chatter of families from every corner of the globe, we found a glimpse of the world as it could be – vibrant, diverse, and united in love. And as we took our place at the table, we were reminded that the true beauty of humanity lay in our willingness to embrace each other, just as we were.

An Enchanted Evening: The Benefit for Moravian Academy

By Bob Zaiser

Saturday, April 13, 2024, was an “Enchanted Evening!” Families, alumni, faculty and staff, and friends joined at SteelStacks in South Bethlehem to celebrate Moravian Academy and its three campuses. Guests were treated to beautiful music, fine food, a live and silent auction as well as fundraising activities such as the wine grab and our sweepstakes. Most importantly, our guests shared fellowship and a love of Moravian Academy.

Funds raised at the event will be used to support classroom technology, faculty and staff salaries and benefits, buildings and grounds, and financial assistance. Funds raised for Champion a Project will support Lehigh Valley Summerbridge.

The Moravian Academy community is grateful to our volunteer leaders, especially the Benefit Chair, Kausar Jaffer, and our Benefit Co-Chairs, Lisa Suppan, Maureen Falcone, and Sara Collins

We also appreciate the Advancement Office’s efforts, especially those of Jess McPherson, who directed the event! Most importantly, the event would not have succeeded without the philanthropic support of our families at MA, our faculty and staff, and our friends.

Coast to Coast Alumni Travel:

New York City, Philadelphia, Florida, and California

By Susan Parent

Thanks to many alumni for continuing to answer invitations to Coast to Coast gatherings.

California alumni braved rains and mudslides to gather from San Diego up to Sacramento this February. Susan Parent, Director of Annual Giving, in collaboration with the Alumni Association, gathered with the largest group in West Hollywood, hosted by Neil Johnson ’73.

Thanks to the following alumni who came out to share Moravian Academy stories! Eric Michaelis ’10, Kim Green ’90, Sarah Trebat-Leder ’09, Julia DiPillo ’17, Sam Thayer ’72, Coco Rodale ’12, Scott Ogilvie ’72, Alex Battisti ’14, Eric Papir ’88,

Alex van Gaalen ’96, Neil Johnson ’73, Mary Ann Groner ’74, Becca Margolis ’08, Chelsea Severson ’02, Rhea Malhotra ’20, David Barnes ’75, Rachel Licht ’06, Jeff Risberg ’75, Libby Michaelis ’19, Saman Kannangara ’91, Eli Zemsky ’23, Kristi Arend ’92, Mary Lois Tompson ’47S, Frances Niksic ’62P, and visiting Claire Hylton ’19.

Florida’s February visits with Bob Zaiser included some of these familiar faces: Barbara Freeman ’68, Nancy Scheid ’65, Susan Kretz ’65, Rissa Senderowitz ’10, and Jovi Rodriguez ’17.

In March, Adrianne Finley Odell, Bob Zaiser, and Susan Parent greeted alumni in downtown Philly. Thanks to the following folks (front to back

in group photo) for bringing their stories and good cheer! Mikail Jaffer ’22, Bill Roberts ’91, Jonathan Devries ’00, Michael Tieff ’96, Rachel Schuchman ’17, Alison Larkin ’17, Michael Gibson ’17, Avani Gandhi ’16, Tara Sheska ’96, Emily Alchear ’21.

Nearly 60 alumni gathered at The Yale Club in New York City. Friends old and new connected with each other as well as with Head of School, Adrianne Finley Odell; history teacher, Mr. Kevin Ferdinand; and Director of Institutional Advancement, Mr. Bob Zaiser. Many thanks go to Matt McQueen ’99 for hosting!

Follow @moravianacadey on social media for more photos from alumni visits and events from coast to coast.

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@mamail.net

1947 Sem

Mary Lois Thompson ’47S enjoyed her elementary years (K-grade 3) leading up to WWII when she left, but returned for her sophomore year. Mary Lois remembers great friends, kind teachers, and the Mrs. Naomi Haupert De Neufville family. Mrs. Susan Parent visited Mary Lois where she currently resides in Stockton, CA.

1965 Prep

Nicholas Butterfield ’65P shared “Five of us enjoyed lunch at the Bonefish Grill in Whitehall on July 27, 2023. That’s Nicholas Butterfield, Nancy Frankenfield, Jane Corey, Helen Mack and Jeff Frankenfieild in the picture. We talked about vacations. Jeff and Nancy had been in Florida and visited Jorey Burkowitz. Jane keeps involved in horse shows. Jeff, Nancy and Jane have grandchildren. Rachel and I traveled to France for my daughter Laurel (Swain)’s wedding. She and Thomas Serre had a civil ceremony.

Now is the formal celebration, by the Mediterranean, near Montpellier where his family is from. They have both been world travelers and their friends and family are coming from all over.”

1965 Sem

Nancy Horwatch Scheid ’65S shared news regarding her granddaughter: “Angela Fama holds the distinction of being a

double USF alumna. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Policy and then pursued her Master of Arts in Sustainable Business, accompanied by a certificate in Climate Adaptation and Mitigation at PCGS. Currently, she is working as an Environmental Scientist at the Environmental Protection Commission of Hillsborough County, where she remains dedicated to advancing sustainability efforts.”

Mary Lois Thompson ’47S

Nicholas Butterfield ’65P

1966 Seminary

Lucinda Hicks-Beach ’66S wrote “Hello fellow Class of 1966 classmates! We are now considered ’snowbirds.’ We live on Cape Cod during the summer months and winter in Stuart, Florida.

I keep in touch with Judith Maltz Class of 1965. She was one of my roommates at Benigna House.

Two years ago, I drove through the Merle-Smith Campus, and a lot has changed! But Snyder House still stands proudly, as does Benigna. I could see through a Snyder House window some of the needlepoint chair seats we had all done years ago. I have not been able to find Dawn Munro (from Bermuda) or Connie Applegate who were also my roommates. Would love to hear from them, and other residents as well. Nothing but good memories of my time on that campus!

1984

Joe Posh ’84 received the Award of Honor from the Boys and Girls Club of Allentown last year. After serving on the club board for ten years and helping the club stay open and fight through the COVID-19 pandemic as President of the Board in 2020-21, he was granted the opportunity to receive this award for all his hard work and dedication. During the ceremony, he received the Good Helper Award from Lehigh Valley News, further showing his commitment to bettering the lives of young kids in our area. Joe is a second-generation volunteer and board member for the Boy and Girls Club of Allentown with his two children, Jason and Sydney ’17, who began working with the club in 2022.

1993

Sara Byala ’93 shared “I published a book titled Bottled: How CocaCola Became African (Hurst, 2023; Oxford University Press, 2023). This history is based upon archival work and fieldwork across Africa. I owe my love of history to Moravian’s Mr. Spahn (though I went against his advice and got a PhD in it). To learn more, please visit https://www. hurstpublishers.com/book/bottled and www.sarabyala.com

Joe Posh ’84

Robert Vidoni ’91SS ’95MA, Katie Krum ’00, Ally Dorey ’00, and Gabriel Vidoni ’96SS ’00MA

1995

Robert Vidoni ’91SS ’95MA, Katie Krum ’00, Ally Dorey ’00, and Gabriel Vidoni ’96SS ’00MA, gathered at Gabe’s house on a crisp winter Saturday in Bucks County, PA. Standing around a large fire, they were reminded of how lucky they are to have old friends and fond memories. After working for Bethlehem City Council, Robert moved into the City’s Department of Community and Economic Development and manages community development and affordable housing grants. Gabe recently transitioned from the U.S. Department of Justice into Merck & Co.’s Office of General Counsel. Katie and her husband are renovating an old house in Hastings-On-Hudson, NY and finding joy in hearing about Kindergarten from their son Crosby each day.

1999

David Orsi ’99 writes, “I’ve started a software company with a few real estate friends in the Twin Cities that combines AI and digital marketing for generating bookings and sales leads in the real estate space. We are looking to expand our proprietary AI Chat bot to other industries, like healthcare, legal services, auto sales. We have built our own AI Chatbot which can book showings, meetings, and appointments, and gather marketing data for businesses. Our AI can also buy digital ad space and track metrics on it.”

2002

Geoff Finger Thomas ’02 is still enjoying life in Costa Rica and working for the State Department. He and Claire and the kids love having visitors and Tony Viscardi and Cheryl Dougan visited in the fall of 2023.

2003

Nathan Barrett ’03, Nina Schwartz ’03, Danielle Koren ’03, Daniel Sussman ’03, Nishali Amin Rose ’03, Madeline Ofrichter ’03, Anjuli Gupta ’03, Gillian Kindel ’03, and Shailee Viroja ’03 reunited at Alumni Weekend in October of 2023 and gathered for a dinner at Social Still in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Class of 2003 reunion

2007

Meaghan Ryan ’07, and her husband, Matt Bass, welcomed their first child, Cameron William Bass, on October 22.

2008

Kelly Molewski Francis ’08 shared “My husband Andy and I had a baby in September, a boy named Remy Michael Francis. He is the perfect addition to our family!”

Naiomi Gonzalez ’08 shared “The last few years have been a whirlwind. I graduated with my third master’s degree right when Covid hit. As a result, my final semester pivoted online. Then I moved from Texas to Wisconsin and spent a year living and working at a deserted church camp because of well Covid. I then moved to Cincinnati, where I have spent the last two years as part of Mercy Volunteer Corps. I lived in community and served at Ignite Peace, a local nonprofit that focuses

on education and advocacy. My biggest project was creating and facilitating a 5 session certificate program on nonviolence. Now I am getting ready to move to Richmond, VA where I will live and work at an ecumenical Christian retreat center. I am hoping to set down some roots and catch my breath for a bit.”

Rachel Large Heiserman ’08 married her best friend Ryan Heiserman on Saturday, October 28, 2023, with 130 guests at the ArtsQuest Center on Southside Bethlehem. Rachel was surrounded by her lifelong friends and fellow Moravian Academy Alumni: Caitlyn Davies (’08), Amber Harding (’08), Joey Hartmann-Dow (’08), Caitlin Hoffman (Nallo), Michael Liiro (’08), Rebecca Margolis (’08), Emily Monsen (’08), Alex Parzych (’07), Karalynne Parzych (Clark) (’07), Samantha Redles (’08), Rebecca Wertling (Reynolds) (’08) & former faculty member, Gabby Dee.

2009

Adam Fix ’09 works for the BioRad Laboratories as the Clinical DIagnostics Content Writer. He is the Science and Medical Writer for their website.

2010

Caitlin Magness Merced ’10 shared “My husband Miguel and I welcomed our second child, Levi, on November 30, 2023. Our daughter Annelise is thrilled to be a big sister.”

2014

Maria Biery Consolini ’14 wrote, “I got married on October 2, 2023 to Nicholas Consolini (my last name now is Maria Consolini) in Banner Elk, NC. I also graduated from Georgetown University in December with my master’s in security studies. I now work as a federal government contractor as a data scientist for Booz Allen Hamilton. We live in Alexandria, VA.”

Kelly Molewski Francis ’08

Meaghan Ryan ’07

Rachel Large Heiserman ’08

Maria Biery Consolini ’14

Max Fisher ’14 works for Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. He uses Japanese and speaks it about 50% of his day. He is living in New York City and is treasurer of the JET Alumni Association of New York and meets Japanese dignitaries.

Joshua Smythe ’14 wrote “Never give up on your dreams. No matter how hard life pushes you down, just get up! Make lemonade when life gives you lemons. I’m working at Microsoft as a Data Scientist and these words of wisdom helped me get where I am with the support of my teachers, especially Ms. Kylie! Thanks so much!”

2015

Cavan Haas ’15, former Swain and Moravian Academy student, assisted in the creation of a documentary made at a local Animation Studio in Easton titled “The ABC’s of Book Banning” by MTV Documentary Productions. The film features their animation and has recently been nominated for Best Documentary Short Film at the 96th Academy Awards.

Owen Parent ’15 shared “On September 30, 2023, Maren and I got married at my family’s home in Stroudsburg after 7 years together! We had the perfect day, surrounded by our good friends and family. Thanks to everyone who made it possible. Three weeks later we moved from Washington, DC to the city of Eindhoven and then Utrecht in The Netherlands for work and adventure.”

2017

Leah Belman ’17 began a new position as an Assistant Wellness Caregiver at Farm Sanctuary.

Owen Parent ’15

Owen Parent ’15

2019

Katie Fisher ’19 shared “I recently graduated from University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies. I am currently working at Delaware Nature Society as a Summer Education Intern where I work with children to spark their love of learning about the outdoors!”

2020

Abe Atiyeh ’20 was honored on Senior Night prior to Boston College’s final home basketball game against Pittsburgh. Abe was on Boston College’s basketball team for four years.

In Memoriam

OUR DEEPEST SYMPATHIES GO TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WE HAVE LOST.

Marion Zehner Bair ’44P September 30, 2023

Suzanne Bassett ’58S November 16, 2023

Darlene Borst Former Teacher on the Historic Downtown Campus November 28, 2023

Walter Buckley Jr Former Trustee October 30, 2023

Jesse Gress ’73 February 21, 2023

David Hassler

Former Athletic Director September 22, 2023

Barbara Fleming Luehning

Former Head of Fine Arts Department September 13, 2023

Irma Schoeppner

Former Teacher of Languages October 13, 2023

Anne Krajsa Snyder

Former Teacher at the Swain School November 22, 2023

Katherine Spagnola

Former Teacher November 9, 2023

David Strohl

Former Math Teacher September 7, 2023

Katie Fisher ’19

Moravian Academy

11 West Market Street

Bethlehem, PA 18018

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Events

To view a full list of events, visit www.moravianacademy.org/calendar.

July 2, 2024

July 10, 2024

July 24, 2024

July 25, 2024

August 5, 2024

Swain Campus Summer Storytime #1

Historic Downtown Pals in the Park

Historic Downtown Pals in the Park

Swain Campus Summer Storytime #2

Merle-Smith Golf Begins

August 12, 2024 Merle-Smith Fall Sports Begin

August 13, 2024 Historic Downtown Play Date: Preschool - Grade 5

August 15, 2024 Swain Campus Storytime #3

Swain Campus Summer Socials

August 19, 2024 Historic Downtown and Swain Fall Sports Begin

August 25, 2024 All-School Community Picnic

August 27, 2024 Parent Conferences - All Campuses

August 28, 2024 First Day of School - All Campuses

Follow @moravianacademy for a glimpse of the everyday life and learning that happens on the Historic Downtown, Swain, and Merle-Smith Campus.

There’s More to Explore on our website.

If you or a family you know is considering a Moravian Academy education, we would love to meet! Visit moravianacademy.org/admissions to:

• Schedule a campus visit

• Take a virtual tour

• Message with current parents through PeerPal

• Save the date for upcoming admission events

• See application deadlines

• Inquire about Moravian Academy!

(610) 332-5200 admissions@mamail.net moravianacademy.org