this page: This year’s fall play was Puffs - or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic! a humorous and fast-paced spoof of the Harry Potter series.
on the cover:
While collaborating in the Entrepreneur Institute, Saloni Rammohan ’24 and Taylor Fiorini ’24 launched the Insight Athlete podcast to inspire a growth mindset among student athletes. Read more about the growth of podcasting on page 14.
Mark A. Devey P ’21, ’24
Editor
Bernadette Kovaleski P ’28
Contributors
Manny Ariza ’20
Paige Iacobacci ’24
Abigail Rose-Craver ’14
Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19
Photography
Manny Ariza ’20
Douglas Benedict, Academic Image
Tim Miller
Steve Pestrock
Design
Tony DeOliveira
Matters in Middle School
Design Thinking at Work Perkiomen Unveils New Classes for 2024-2025
From Consumer to Creator The Rise of Podcasting and Its Educational Potential
Commencement
Head of School Mark A. Devey participates in a demonstration in the Foundations of Design class, where Leah Neuhauser ’03 presented her work as a tattoo artist, detailing how she implements the design process when working with clients.
Dear Perkiomen Community,
Like many of you, when I am walking or driving nothing draws me in like storytelling. I like to tune into different podcasts. Some have been suggested to me by colleagues, like ReThinking hosted by organizational psychologist Adam Grant, and some are just for fun, like Road Trip Trivia, that pass the time as we drive across Pennsylvania.
Podcasts provide engagement through connection and conversation. They offer an opportunity to learn more about a particular person or a specific topic. I love that anyone can be a host – from a famous actor to a high school student, and that the medium is continuing to grow. Learn more about how both alumni and students are getting involved with podcasting on page 14.
This year I was fortunate to travel and visit family but also meet with a number of alumni and current families. It is priceless to connect with parents in Spain, or recent graduates in California, and share stories from the Perkiomen Community. In a world filled with conflict, I look for reminders that deep down, we’re all simply human beings who are seeking love and connection through quality experiences with our families and friends. We want to be heard and respected. We want to grow and thrive. We want to be a part of something beyond ourselves, and shared moments can bridge the gap and bond us to one another.
On campus, some of my favorite moments from this year have been watching the Institutes blossom. Our directors invite local professionals - some who are also alumni or current parents –to speak to students, demonstrate their work, and share how they problem-solve to tackle real-world challenges in their own work. We have welcomed photographers, engineers,
tattoo artists, and physicians. Students have also visited wet labs, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and manufacturing centers. This type of engagement leads to deep learning and lasting memories. It is an exciting time to be a part of the Institutes. I invite you to read about some of the Design Institute projects from this year, on page 8.
Hands-on engagement is crucial in the Middle School years, when we are developing young minds and setting a standard for the type of learner students will become. Research shows us that engagement is a good indicator of a student’s future success in the Upper School and beyond. At Perkiomen, we have taken proactive steps to make Middle School a time of exploration and discovery that paves the way for their next steps. Find out what they are on page 4.
Following her passing in August 2023, we celebrated beloved faculty member Paige Longstreth’s life and legacy in early October. Paige wanted all students to be fully immersed in their Perkiomen experience. In memory of her and her father, Paige’s family created The Paige S. Longstreth and William E. Seely Fund for Student Support and Engagement. Read more on page 35.
As we look back on our school year, we congratulate our graduates and their loved ones, and wish the Class of 2024 the best of luck as they take their next steps. We hope you will remember Perkiomen School fondly and remain loyal, tried, and true.
Sincerely,
Mark A. Devey P ’21, ’24 Head of School
Head of School
Mark A. Devey with Arthur Ville ’28, who was presented with one of two Lloyd Schultz Awards at the Middle School Moving Up Ceremony.
Head of School
Mark A. Devey congratulates Alice Peeler ’24.
Engagement IN MIDDLE SCHOOL
In Graphic Design and Marketing, Louisy Roest works with Lillian Kovaleski ’28 and Romy Henkelmann ’25 to recognize elements of design within the pages of magazines.
Engagement Matters
SCHOOL
On a campus that is home to both middle and upper grades, like Perkiomen School, it is important to design developmentally appropriate programming that keeps students engaged. Creating a cohesive school culture that fosters inclusivity, respect, and a sense of belonging across both divisions requires intentional effort and community-building initiatives.
The National Association for Independent Schools (NAIS) studies student engagement as a key measure in building a safe, positive, and creative school climate and a culture that increases student achievement and decreases student boredom and alienation.
A pre-pandemic poll conducted by Gallup has shown that engagement is strong at the end of elementary school, with nearly three-quarters of fifth graders (74 percent) reporting high levels of engagement, but there is a steady decline in engagement from sixth grade through high school, with about half of middle school students and only a third of high school students reporting high levels of engagement. Adding on additional challenges and setbacks faced during COVID-19 and remote learning, student engagement is an even greater concern for school officials and parents today.
In 2022, based on survey results of 3,208 students from 19 NAIS member schools, researchers determined three areas that schools can focus on to further engage with their middle school population: addressing classroom boredom, fostering critical thinking, and preparing them for high school and beyond.
How is Perkiomen School answering the call to keep our middle school students engaged at this time of transition?
Wellness is a full-term class taken by all Middle School students, at a time of significant physical, emotional, and cognitive development. Adolescents experience hormonal changes, peer pressure, and academic challenges, all while transitioning to a more independent stage of life. Learning techniques for stress management, eating well and nutrition, and balanced decision making, empowers middle school students to make informed decisions about their physical and mental health, setting them up for success in the upper school and beyond. Group work in a reality show TV-style setting allows the students to apply their knowledge to a specific task, while competing against each other, gamifying an otherwise basic project.
“Low-stakes competitive challenges engage Middle School students to do far more than learning content,”
says Associate Head of School Carol Dougherty, who taught Wellness to the Eighth Grade during the 2023-2024 academic year. “Project-based learning gives students a pathway for greater discovery. And in the process, students learn other skills. In Wellness class, students worked in teams to create a healthy snack - chip and dip style - for the nutrition unit. Not only did they apply the concept of health to a snack, but they also worked on collaboration and leadership skills.”
Dougherty also taught sixth and seventh grade Algebra this year, and developed learning strategies to support them now while also preparing them for higher level mathematics courses in the Upper School.
“A key that I see for Middle School is to help students visualize learning as more than rote doing,” says Dougherty. “I encourage them to look for and see connections. For example, word problems are not to be feared; they become a great way of understanding math. Negative numbers can seem abstract, but when connected to a drop in temperature, they suddenly make sense.”
Beginning with the Fall 2020 school year, the English Department made a conscious choice to update the curriculum to strengthen Perkiomen’s commitment to cultural diversity. Realizing that these topics were far too important to leave out of a young person’s education, the department injected more modern young adult literature into the syllabi. While some classics are still in use, new titles exploring discrimination, identity, and sources of joy allow students to hear modern voices, which can bring different perspectives, leading to more authentic classroom discussions.
“Class discussions are a great way to develop critical thinking skills, especially when the topics discussed have no one correct answer,” says Director of the Middle School Justin Sell, who also teaches English. “This allows the students to bounce ideas off each other and think about
things in new ways. This was evident in my eighth-grade English class as we read Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel, American Born Chinese . While there was a defined plot and storyline, a lot of the details could be filled in using the context clues the author laid out in his illustrations. As students share their ideas, other students can build their understanding, as well. This collaborative learning allows them to think critically about a topic in ways they may not have on their own.”
For the past two years, Middle School students participated in a science showcase, which charged them with choosing a topic or question, performing research, analyzing the results, and presenting their findings publicly at the Middle School Festival. Through hands-on learning about a topic they are interested in, students can understand scientific concepts in a practical way, which is crucial in preparing them for Upper School science classes where laboratory work is common.
Planning and executing the experiments requires students to use their critical thinking skills such as problem solving, forming a hypothesis, and data analysis. Presenting their findings necessitates the development of effective communication skills to articulate the research question, methodology, results and conclusions clearly and concisely.
“From start to finish, participation in the Science Showcase provides our students with a foundation of transferrable skills that will be applicable in their Upper School experience – in science classes and beyond,” says Sell.
Flexibility in academic scheduling allows for some Middle School students to take Upper School courses. Lillian Kovaleski ’28 enrolled in Graphic Design and Marketing, along with three other eighth grade students.
“I felt challenged in the class as I worked alongside the Upper School students because they had previous experience working with the software and the design concepts, however, their presence was a benefit,” says Kovaleski. “It allowed me to solicit their feedback on my projects and bounce ideas off them. I’m also one step ahead in my pursuit of Institute Distinction because as an eighth grader, I have already taken one cross-listed course.”
Lizzie Theisen ’27 has just completed her ninth-grade year at Perkiomen after moving up from the Middle School.
“My transition from the Middle School to the Upper School is one that I will forever be grateful for,” says Theisen. “The Perkiomen community allows for Middle Schoolers to work with, look up to, and get to know Upper School classmates through classes and sports, which is an opportunity that immensely helped my transition. Having these connections made what might initially seem scary, a lot more comfortable.”
Perkiomen strives to build community among its members and give students voice and choice in their education, and that begins in Middle School. Faculty know that many students will not thrive with a “one size fits all” approach, and so adapting teaching methods and fostering connections to support these learners at such a crucial time in their development helps to spark a love of learning and leads to deeper engagement.
Lizzie Theisen ’27 participates in a discussion in Foundations of Literature and Composition.
In Wellness class, Associate Head of School Carol Dougherty leads the eighth graders in a team challenge to create a healthy snack, in the style of the TV show “Chopped.”
Alex Smith ’28 presents his research on the effect of sports drinks at the Middle School Science Showcase.
HANDS-ONLEARNING
Middle School students spent the day at Green Lane Reservoir and took part in outdoor environmental education with the Perkiomen Watershed Conservancy. Students spent half the day on the water and half on land participating in water quality testing, kayaking, macroinvertebrate sampling, and more.
Students in the Foundations of Artificial Intelligence class explored Virtual Reality and invited the Middle School Foundations of Institutes class to join them. The Upper School students had an opportunity to be the experts, while the Middle School students learned from them, exploring the technology, and getting a firsthand look at an Upper School class.
Design Thinking
A Showcase of Student from the Design Institute
In the broadest sense, design is what moves the world forward. The term “design thinking,” as it has come to be taught at top institutions, describes deliberate and userfocused strategies to solve real-world problems. Perkiomen School’s Design Institute guides students in developing organizational and creative skillsets that can be employed anywhere, through a methodology often summarized as empathize, define, ideate, prototype, test, and implement.
“Design is the foundation for progress across all sectors of the economy,” says Louisy Roest, Director of the Design Institute. “Advances in science, art, society, and humanity, don’t just happen, they happen by design.”
In the Foundations of Design course, students are charged with exploring a project that incorporates each step of the design process. Some projects are one-year endeavors as classwork, and some develop into multi-year ventures leading to a Capstone Project, working toward Design Distinction.
FIVE STAGES OF
DESIGN THINKING
Thinking at Work
StudentInstituteProjects
t Jackson Dorris ’27 Project: Board Game
Jackson Dorris ’27 is creating a new board game, inspired by whodunnit games like Clue. “I was inspired to add another game to the stack in Carnegie Library and make the selection more diverse,” he says.
Dorris learned that the empathize stage - when one listens, gathers, and analyzes feedback - can be the most tedious part of the design process, however, it is also the most informative. Along with the empathize stage, prototyping can take up the most time and effort.
“It is really about grit and perseverance and getting through the process,” says Dorris.
On his interest in design:
“I’ve always enjoyed thinking about how things work. I have always wondered how I can improve certain products, whether by making them better, or by fixing them.”
p Enqi (Olivia) Kan ’24
Capstone: Supporting the Grieving Process of Losing a Pet with a Jewelry Memento
Examining her own life experience, Olivia Kan ’24 identified a problem that was personal to her, but unfortunately common –the grief felt by individuals following the death of a pet.
“I am an animal lover. When my cat passed away, I was not prepared. We had to separate from him during the pandemic, when my family returned to the United States with me. I felt so sorry that I was not there when he passed, so I was looking for a way to memorialize him. I thought that there would be other people who have had similar feelings after losing a pet.”
She wanted to help people feel connected to their pet and grieve but find closure. After doing research on human and animal bonding and thinking more about her family’s traditions of gifting jewelry to commemorate a special birthday or occasion, Kan decided to explore specialized jewelry to serve as the connection piece. Ultimately, she developed two necklaces, one in silver and one in gold, which are also able to hold the fur of the departed animal, if the owner chooses.
On the design process: “In the empathize stage, I interviewed faculty members who shared their experiences around losing a pet. I learned how
to interview people, what kind of questions to ask, and how to phrase things to learn the most information.”
While visiting St. Mary’s College in Maryland, Lilly Gunder ’24 stopped on the St. Mary’s River and spotted a Breton Observation Box (BOB) placed in the water. The BOB, an inexpensive remote monitoring kit, can measure various parameters in the water, including air and water humidity, pH levels, and more. They are programed to send measurements to the internet every 15 minutes.
“I thought it was really interesting,” says Gunder. “I thought to myself, ‘this would be a cool project.’ I really like biology, so this piqued my interest.”
Gunder followed the QR code on the signage in the hopes of connecting with some of the volunteers who worked on the project. Eventually she connected with Norm and Shelly O’Foran who are helping Gunder, as well as a number of students in Maryland, to build BOBs. Gunder meets with the O’Forans via Zoom each week and they record their sessions while they work. They have one meeting per week, with the goal of completing the BOB by Spring 2025.
“It’s a win-win,” says Gunder. “I’m getting guidance on how to make them, and we are recording the project being built, which can be passed on to others who also want to create a prototype.”
At least 11 other prototypes are being built now. “The next one is always better than the last one,” says Gunder.
On solving a realworld problem:
“It is such a cost-effective system. It can help smaller conservancies and help support ecosystem conservation. Something on a small scale, can have a large impact.”
u Paige Iacobacci ’24
Capstone: Over the Hill, short film on body image
With a goal of working in the film industry, Paige Iacobacci ’24 identified a problem in the community and connected that to her interest.
“I’ve always been interested in developing my creative side,” says Iacobacci. “I wanted to incorporate film into that as it is one of my main passions that I am planning on studying at USC next year.”
In Over the Hill, she tackles body image issues among teenage girls. Jamie, the main character in the film, is a motivated runner who falls into the trap of diet culture and body dysmorphia.
“Because the design process is user-focused and problem solving,” says Iacobacci, “it made more sense to make something more impactful that something purely for entertainment purposes.”
Iacobacci wrote an initial script, and then following the empathize stage where she surveyed students, she looked back at the script to see if it reflected the research. Her analysis led to revisions in the script. For example, when asked if they looked in the mirror frequently, most survey respondents said “yes,” so Iacobacci incorporated those results in the screenplay, and directed the actors to look into the mirror.
Follow the QR code to view Over the Hill
.
“I am prouder of my film now,” says Iacobacci, “having incorporated all of the steps, then I was when I first wrote it.”
On
user-focused strategies:
“I learned that the design process can be incorporated into anything you are doing.”
Perkiomen Unveils New Classes for 2024-2025
Editor’s note: This article, written by Paige Iacobacci ’24, was previously published in The Perkiomenite Student Newspaper. Additional details about faculty professional development have been added since the original publication date.
Every school year, scheduling classes for the next year is a source of excitement for students as they choose the subjects they will dive into soon.
In line with the school’s motto to “risk becoming your best,” Perkiomen is offering 16 new courses for the 2024-2025 school year. These courses range from “Critical and Creative Writing” to “Forensics” to “Data Analysis and Collection” to “Artists as Activists.” There are also two new Advanced Placement (AP) courses being offered: “AP Seminar” and “AP 3D Design.” These new classes are being provided to expand Perkiomen students’ minds and offer them more opportunities to study subjects they are passionate about.
“New courses create an academic journey that fulfills students as individuals,” says Associate Head of School Carol Dougherty. “The process of learning and school in general should be joyful and inspiring.”
To create new classes, Dougherty worked with Perkiomen’s Department Chairs and asked them to make a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat) sheet for their department. These analyses were then applied as they evaluated Perkiomen’s curriculum, which led to the courses they eventually decided to implement for the 2024-2025 school year.
Some classes that stand out to Dougherty are “Global Leadership” and “Scientific Investigation,” as she feels these classes will expand students’ perspectives and support them in flourishing in other activities such as Model UN and Science Olympiad. She is also partial to the “Jewelry Making” course, as it was a class she thoroughly enjoyed in high school, and “The Documentation of History,” which would have interested her as a student.
In preparation for teaching Jewelry, Director of the Design Institute Louisy Roest worked with jeweler Carly Herman Mayer ’04 this summer. Mayer shared that with nearly 20 years of experience working in the jewelry and metalsmithing industry, nothing brings her more joy than to share the wealth of knowledge she has accumulated. Mayer and Roest covered cutting, shaping, soldering, the application of various tools, and using different metals.
“This valuable professional development involved the guided creation of eight different products,” says Roest. “This was a wonderful opportunity to acquire further technical skills.”
Director of the Institutes Dr. Jeffrey Rodgers will also be teaching a new course, Technology of Wireless Communication. In June, Rodgers participated in a five-day professional development program for teachers at the American Radio and Relay League’s (ARRL) headquarters in Newington, CT.
“This was an incredible opportunity—fully funded by donors to the ARRL Education & Technology Program—in which teachers explored various approaches, techniques, and equipment related to various STEM topics, including basic electronics, radio science, satellite communication, and amateur radio, to support education programs at their home schools,” says Rodgers.
Each attending teacher received a substantial amount of radio equipment to support wireless technology in their classrooms at home. Rodgers and eight fellow teachers engaged in various workshops and demonstrations, including developing soldering skills and using a directional antenna for foxhunting (i.e., finding a hidden transmitter), as well as for satellite or space station communications.
“I’m excited to introduce the equipment and knowledge that I received in this valuable workshop in my classroom this fall and for years to come,” says Rodgers.
Overall, the new variety of course offerings will allow Perkiomen students to continue to risk becoming their best through exploring new topics, obtaining advanced skills, and broadening their overall perspective.
u Director of the Institutes
Dr. Jeffrey Rodgers participated in a five-day professional development program at the American Radio and Relay League’s (ARRL) headquarters in Connecticut. Rodgers will be teaching Technology of Wireless Communication, starting this fall.
t Under the guidance of Carly Herman Mayer ’04, Director of the Design Institute Louisy Roest learned technical skills to assist her with teaching Jewelry Making for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Theo Riedel ’25 performs at the Reid Awards.
From Consumer to Creator:
The Rise of Podcasting and its Educational Potential
According to data reported by Edison Research in April 2024, an estimated 98 million people listen to podcasts each week. Podcasts are digital audio programs that are made available for streaming or downloading over the internet. Listeners can access podcasts through various platforms or apps, allowing them to subscribe, listen, and download episodes for offline listening at their convenience.
The rise of podcasting has not only transformed how content is consumed but has also revolutionized the very nature of storytelling and communication. For students, podcasting also presents a unique opportunity to actively participate in the creation and dissemination of knowledge on topics that they are interested in, allowing for autonomy in their education and motivation to learn something new outside of the traditional classroom and coursework.
There are huge benefits for students taking ownership of a podcast, including stimulating their own curiosity, developing critical thinking skills, and learning to listen and converse. The skills they acquire and put into practice now will help to prepare them for future careers in an increasingly interconnected and technologically driven world.
When he graduated from Perkiomen School, Rich Korson ’88 could not have imagined his career steps would include the world of podcasting.
“The 1988 version of me was a creative, curious but unfocused student,” says Korson. “I tended to gravitate toward teachers that combined storytelling and information. I wasn’t great at one-path subjects, like math. I always knew humor and creativity would follow me on my career path but wasn’t really aware of the opportunities and careers for someone like me.
Consumer
Saloni Rammohan ’24 and Taylor Fiorini ’24 produce the Insight Athlete podcast in the recording room in the lower level of Kehs Hall.
Creating content, i.e. audio, is a terrific path for honing writing, storytelling and presentation skills. Creating always leads to opportunities!”
Korson is an Emmy-nominated television producer and media executive, who worked on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and oversaw the development and launch of Important Things with Demetri Martin, Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn, and The Colbert Report. He was also the executive producer and showrunner of the Emmy Award-winning kids sketch show, The Who Was? Show for Netflix.
Currently, Korson is the President of SmartLess Media, a new media venture from Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, who have expanded their reach following the success of their podcast, SmartLess. SmartLess is a comedy-based podcast and on each episode, one of the three hosts brings on a guest that is a surprise to the other two hosts. The conversation is a casual, joke-filled discussion with actors, politicians, athletes, or other celebrities.
As of May 2024, SmartLess was ranked #11 of all podcasts in the United States on Apple Podcasts. Other categories of podcasts include news, true crime, health and wellness, entertainment, and history. A 2022 Pew Research Center study of 451 of the topranked podcasts in the U.S. shows a diversity of subjects, with no single topic as the focus of more than a quarter of these podcasts.
“Every podcast is different,” says Korson. “It has its own reason for being. In general, you want to program for the platform.”
Korson believes some of the rise of podcast popularity is its intimacy and access. Essentially the listener develops a one-sided relationship with a podcast host and program. It progresses like a conversation. That perceived authenticity and connection can lead to deeper engagement and loyalty.
“This is a medium you interact with in a very personal way,” says Korson. “Walking your dog, eating dinner, commuting. I don’t spend 20 hours a week with my friends. Listening becomes a very powerful one-sided connection.”
Another reason for the popularity of podcasting is its accessibility. Podcasting requires minimal equipment and technical expertise to produce and distribute content. This allows individuals from different backgrounds and perspectives to enter the podcasting space and share their stories and perspectives.
“Podcasting is a pure way to deliver a point of view,” says Korson, “Anyone can buy a microphone. It is a democratic medium and a way to connect with people that is deeper than social media.”
As podcasting has grown in popularity, it has become an increasingly viable platform for monetization through advertising. This has incentivized creators to invest in podcast production and distribution, further fueling its growth.
“It’s incredibly good for advertising,” says Korson, “and the most powerful medium to reach people who are predisposed to like your product.”
Insight Athlete
Taylor Fiorini ’24 and Saloni Rammohan ’24 were both enrolled in the Foundations of Entrepreneurship class, and were tasked with creating a venture to pursue for the year. One day during class the two discussed their common interest in mindset and decided to work together on a project that focused on this aspect of mental health. They initially thought they would write short articles addressing mental health through psychology, but after interviewing peers they decided to create a podcast.
“There is part of me that has always wanted to start my own podcast; taking entrepreneurship class gave me the opportunity sooner rather than later,” says Fiorini.
With further conversation, the idea changed from overall mental health to a specific focus on student athletes.
“After conducting interviews with our classmates, we realized that many people were interested in the mindset of student athletes and that there were not many resources that elaborated upon this,” says Rammohan. “As student athletes ourselves, we both knew the role mindset plays in performance, and we knew sharing this information could be greatly beneficial to others.”
The Insight Athlete podcast was born, and since its launch in December 2023, 18 full-length episodes have been released in just six months.
So far on Insight Athlete Fiorini and Rammohan have interviewed Perkiomen School student-athletes and coaches, but they plan on continuing the podcast even after they have graduated.
“In the future as we go off to college, we will start interviewing athletes and coaches at our colleges and perhaps communities nearby,” says Rammohan.
The unexpected lessons and skills learned from podcasting will no doubt help them as they pursue their next steps.
“Being able to converse naturally is a hard task, but through this podcast, Taylor and I have been able to grow our speaking skills and share more accurately our views on mindset as well,” says Rammohan. “Running a venture involves a lot of trial and error, so it’s interesting to see the growth that comes from the failures and how much improvement happens over time.”
Fiorini agrees. “When it comes to the field of interviewing, you may need to ask the same questions in different ways to get the answer you’re looking for; this was unexpected for me,” says Fiorini. “In the future I plan to pursue sports broadcasting, so getting a head start on this path has given me an understanding towards the future. I thank Perkiomen for these opportunities because it is within unexpected environments that you learn the most.”
Rich Korson ’88
Cookies & Cupolas
Emma Zhao ’19, who as a student was passionate about words and stories, found a way to make her voice heard – figuratively and literally - by debuting Perkiomen School’s first student-run podcast, Cookies & Cupolas , in February 2018.
Working with both the Communications and Development Offices as an after-school activity in the winter of 20172018, Zhao was given the opportunity to work on a specific project and fleshed out the idea for a Perkiomen School-focused podcast, where she would be the creator, producer, and engineer.
“The podcast began as a way for me to explore my personal interest in the complex, intriguing, and storied lives of others,” says Zhao. “I loved the opportunity to engage with some of the essential parts of being human through connection and community. It also brought joy into my life knowing that I could create works that spoke to me and brought the community together, even if in a small way. Producing the podcast was definitely one of the first instances where I put out a creative work in a space and manner that mattered to me. I cared about how others would receive it. The feedback I received opened my eyes to the many people who supported me that I didn’t even realize. It greatly built my confidence to continue to be creative throughout my life, even if it meant being vulnerable.”
Fast-forward to May 2024, when Cookies & Cupolas transitioned to its fifth host, Mia Frizzell ’26, who will take over the hosting responsibilities in the fall of 2024.
“I feel incredibly grateful that the show went on, and the fact that there have been hosts even after me really excites me,” says Zhao, who just completed her first year as a high school biology teacher in the San Francisco/East Bay Area of California. “It’s a testament to this idea that there is great power in stories and in understanding the experiences of others more deeply. I’m so grateful that, through the podcast, I could plant a seed that many others have resonated with and that they’ve expanded that basic premise into something that feels alive. The show is constantly evolving because it needs to. As it continues, I hope
Emma Zhao ’19 working on the Cookies & Cupolas podcast in 2018.
it can reflect the needs and experiences of the student body today.”
Whether the goal is storytelling, education, entertainment, or community-building, podcasting continues to evolve as an effective way to engage with an audience and share a point of view. For students, it is an accessible, multifaceted platform to cultivate essential skills, amplify their voices, and explore topics of personal and academic interest in a dynamic format.
Wondering how to get started with your own podcast? Make it a Solvitur vivendo moment. This is something one learns through doing.
“Just start doing it,” says Korson. “Figure out your voice and what you want to say and say it.”
Emma Zhao ’19
2024 Commencement
Under the bright May sun, on the campus sward, faculty, family and friends gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of the Class of 2024, a dynamic group of scholars, athletes, artists, and performers.
In his address, Salutatorian Garrett McKenzie ’24 reminded his classmates of their significance in the world.
“We all have the opportunity, every day, to do the little things,” shared McKenzie. “What you do does matter.”
“I’ve noticed that this community has an incredible ability to care,” continued McKenzie, “from all of the small deeds to the large ones… we take on problems and face them
boldly. Let us go forth now with the same mentality. That we are not just visitors in this life, but invaluable, significant members of a global society, that have the power to leave behind a legacy of change.”
Valedictorian Paige Iacobacci ’24, asked classmates to recall their first day at Perkiomen and in times of uncertainty to remember the strength they relied on to get through that first day and know that change is what catalyzes the most valuable growth.
u Commencement
q Salutatorian Garrett McKenzie ’24
Speaker and Trustee
James Ratigan P ’17
q Valedictorian Paige Iacobacci ’24
u Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Phillip A. Lloyd ’65, GP ’24, ’26 presents his granddaughter Addison Nessel ’24 with her diploma.
q Shaelin Leach ’24 and Stefan Radoychev ’24
Commencement
“The step you are currently taking will always seem like the biggest and scariest one you’ve ever taken,” said Iacobacci. “Indulge in the pain, excitement, and anxiety of this new beginning… you are prepared for the challenge and will experience moments of joy and prosperity that will make the grief worth it.”
The Commencement Address was delivered by James T. Ratigan, P ’17, member of the Board of Trustees. His goal was to have the graduates remember what he said, and admitted he was cheating a little bit by stating the Perkiomen motto – Risk Becoming your Best.
t Benio Misawa ’24
“The motto actually means something,” said Ratigan. “It is tangible. It is good advice… it means ‘put yourself out there, take control of the one life you have, figure out what you want, and take calculated risks to go get it.”
Ratigan continued with some more concrete advice for the class, sharing three “Bs” – be grateful, be empathetic, and in his opinion, the most important, be optimistic. He closed with a quote from Helen Keller: “No pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.’ You can’t accomplish things without hope and optimism.”
Congratulations to the Class of 2024. May you remain loyal, tried, and true.
q At Baccalaureate, Perkiomen “chips,” “blocks,” and “twigs” were honored. L to R: Greg Wilson ’94, Claire Wilson ’24, Larry Frankenfield ’94, Natalie Frankenfield ’24, Robbie Frankenfield ’22, Bryan Sanft ’94, Natalie Sanft ’24,
After a strong showing in the regular season. Volleyball earned the number two seed in the PAISAA tournament, and made its first semifinal appearance in school history.
Sports Recaps 2023-2024
Cross Country placed first at the Panthers Invitational, earned second place at the PJAA Boys League Championships, and placed 14th at the PAISAA Championships, putting them among the strongest independent school programs in the region.
Girls Tennis finished with a 7-2 regular record and won the PJAA Championship.
Girls Soccer took another step forward building the program’s foundation, as they faced new competition with schools from the MAPL and Friends School League.
Boys Soccer made its second consecutive appearance in the PAISAA Commonwealth Cup Championship Game.
Football finished with a 5-3 record, with wins over league rival Mercersburg and an overtime thriller against Delaware County Christian.
The Boys National Basketball team has continued their success, finishing with a 27-9 record, winning their second consecutive PAISAA Championship.
The Boys Prep Basketball team finished with 12-6 record with wins over Phelps, Germantown Academy, and Penn Charter.
The team also ended up finishing in second place in the Elite Prep League regular season, and earned a third consecutive appearance in the National Prep Championship.
Panther Swimming had a strong year in the pool. Our boys and girls team placed 26th and 25th respectively at Easterns, as well as broke numerous records.
Girls Lacrosse beat AIM Academy 11-1 to win the PJAA Championship to go along with a berth to the PAISAA Tournament.
Boys Tennis finished with a 9-3 record, sweeping all five events in the PJAA Championships and making an appearance in the PAISAA tournament.
For the second straight year, the Girls Prep team advanced into the second round of the PAISAA Tournament. Lauren Patnode ’24 became the first player in eight years to score 1000 career points in a Panther uniform.
During Winter Track, several school records were broken in sprinting, distance, and jumping events.
Prep Lacrosse continued to show its emergence as a lacrosse power with wins over Shady Side Academy, Hun School, and St. Albans.
Softball earned an appearance in the PAISAA tournament and capped the season off with a PJAA Championship, beating Community Academy 11-1.
Baseball earned the second seed in the PAISAA tournament, where they would reach the championship game for the second year in a row.
Nine school records were broken in Track & Field, and seven first place finishes were earned at the PJAA Championship, in addition to four medals at the PAISAA State Meet for Spring Track.
Golf finished the year with a 6-1 record, undefeated in league play. Despite falling one stroke short of a league championship, all four golfers finished in the top ten in the PJAA Championship.
Garrett McKenzie ’24, Khoi (Ben) Nguyen ’24, Khalem Walker ’24, Sadie Case ’24, Enqi (Olivia) Kan ’24, and Allison Hughes ’24 pose together at the Senior Celebration Photoshoot.
Breaking Ground for the Future of Perkiomen School
On April 27, Perkiomen held the Groundbreaking ceremony for the new Student Center. A celebratory tone was a common thread of our speakers, each hitting high notes that included the great fundraising success and the purposeful investment to provide spaces that reflect our community needs in order to enhance programming now and going forward.
Phil Lloyd ’65, GP ’24, ’26 (Campaign Committee Co-Chair and Board Chair); Head of School Mark A. Devey P ’21, ’24; Karlee Fain ’00 (Campaign Committee Co-Chair and Board member); and Scott Schultz ’83, P’11, ’13 (Board member and owner of Emmaus Constructors) celebrate the official start of construction for the Student Center.
“The Student Center will provide a hub – the heartbeat –where all points of our community meet.”
Saloni Rammohan ’24
“Our Moment to Lead Campaign is about caring for what has been provided in the past, advancing the strategic priorities of the present, and securing a strong future. Perkiomen’s future is strong because of our faculty, our leadership, and our tremendous student body.” Head of School Mark A. Devey P’21, ’24
“Perkiomen was just a dream of local leaders 150 years ago. See where we have arrived. Perhaps years from now, students will be in my position, talking about the next dream being fulfilled with strategic plans to keep the community vibrant and the campus beautiful.”
Luke Stubblefield ’25
“The student center is the start, and we have done well. Athletic facilities are next, so our work is not done. Let’s forge ahead.”
Karlee Fain ’00, Campaign Committee Co-Chair and Board member
p Luke Stubblefield ’25
q Saloni Rammohan ’24
William C. Fritz
A Legacy of Dedication and Impact at Perkiomen
If you ask Trustee Emeritus Bill Fritz what he wants his legacy to be at Perkiomen, it’s not a dormitory, a wing in Kriebel Hall, or even his name on a plaque. He’ll simply respond, “I don’t need any of that. I just want Perkiomen students of today and of the future to receive a quality education like I did.”
Most recently, he was offered a naming opportunity for the new school bookstore to recognize his campaign gift to Our Moment to Lead and honor his lifelong service to his alma mater. This time he simply said, “Okay, that’s fine.”
A graduate of the Class of 1964, Fritz went on to receive degrees from LaSalle University and The American College of Financial Services which led to a long, successful career in the insurance industry.
As Fritz entered the professional world and started a family with his high school sweetheart, Mary, he wanted to stay involved with his alma mater. In 1970, he joined the Alumni Council. At the Alumni Day held in 1972, Donn Greiner ’44, P ’75, then-President of the Alumni Council, told Fritz that he had nominated the two of them for seats on the Board. That nomination began a 43-year tenure on the Board of Trustees, 27 of which were spent as Board Chair.
Throughout his 43-year tenure, Fritz contributed significantly to five capital campaigns, leveraging his financial planning expertise to help steer the school through moments of growth and challenges.
Although Fritz insists that he stumbled into his Trustee role by accident in 1972, the timing was perfect for someone with his dedication to join the Board. The 70s and 80s were difficult eras for many boarding schools in the United States as they faced hardships such as declining enrollment and changing social climates. Once Fritz became familiarized with the inner workings of Perkiomen at the Board level, he was determined to help restore Perkiomen so that future generations of students would receive a transformational education, as he did in the early 60s.
“I didn’t realize the value of my Perkiomen experience until much later,” says Fritz. “Perkiomen taught me how to study, how to be curious, and how to apply myself. All those skills were the keys to success in obtaining advanced degrees to further my career.”
While Fritz emphasizes the importance of education at Perkiomen, he also cherishes the camaraderie he shared with his friends and his teachers. More than 60 years later, he remembers connecting with classmates from Saudi Arabia and Mexico and engaging in political discussions with students from Puerto Rico. He recalls frequenting the snack bar at Hendricks Little Store and walking to Main Street to buy donuts with his friends. If you ask him, he’ll even tell you about sneaking into the dining hall through the roof one evening to steal ice cream alongside some partners in crime.
Fritz also fondly remembers English teacher and Director of Athletics Hal Cragin’s reading of “The Gift of the Magi” to their English class the day before winter break. Another revered faculty member of Fritz’s time was School Hostess Marian Stefano who always took the time to make their students feel
seen and welcomed on campus. After her retirement, she remained a beloved fixture at school functions. The Fritzes occasionally took her out to dinner, and she even gifted them a set of silver teaspoons which they keep to this day.
Once Fritz joined the Board, his Perkiomen connections continued to grow as he enjoyed the relationships he formed with his fellow Board members.
In 1972, Fritz was by far the youngest Trustee, but he was always made to feel included.
As a notable New York attorney, Chairman of the Board Charlie Read intentionally built connections among his peers. Each time new members joined the Board, Read invited them into his home to introduce them to the responsibilities of trusteeship. Beyond the initial onboarding, he continued to offer opportunities to build fellowship. Board meetings ran from 8 to 10 p.m., and afterwards, Read and Fritz could be found at Cab Frye sharing conversation over drinks.
“I was just a kid in 1972, and Charlie was a high-powered attorney, however he was very down-to-earth,” says Fritz. “Spending time with him outside of meetings to share our personal and professional lives with one another was a great experience, and I learned a lot from his leadership at a young age.”
Thanks to Charlie Read and other mentors of the time including Ruth Rothenberger Harris, Fritz came to understand personal connections as a crucial tool to creating a robust and cohesive Board. When Fritz became Chair in 1983, he too, prioritized the relationship building aspect of his leadership role.
“I wanted trusteeship to be more than attending a Board meeting in the library and then leaving,” he says. I instituted a wine and cheese hour at the headmaster’s house before meetings so that we had a chance to socialize.”
In the mid-80s when the school was searching for a new leader, Fritz took an immediate liking to George K. Allison who would become Perkiomen’s 13th Headmaster. He could tell that Allison was ready to step up to the plate as headmaster and was the person that Perkiomen needed at the time.
“We immediately clicked, and that led to an amazing 24-year working relationship,” says Fritz. “When George retired from Perkiomen, he still visited me, and we’d catch up on my patio over his favorite Scotch. It’s so important for the Head of School
and the Board Chair to be on the same wavelength, and I was lucky to have this with George.”
Fritz will be one of the first to admit that Perkiomen faced difficult moments before George Allison became Headmaster. In their early work together, Allison and Fritz tackled deferred maintenance and finances. This groundwork to restore more stability to the school laid the foundation for successive efforts to grow our institution to the Perkiomen of today.
In the late 80s, they launched a campaign to renovate Kehs Hall, to create a formalized space for the fine and performing arts. After a fire destroyed Kriebel Hall in 1994, they rebuilt it under Fritz’s fundraising leadership. In the early 2000s, they took on the Moving Forward campaign to build Schumo Academic Center.
When asked how Perkiomen has remained resilient through the ups and downs of the decades, Fritz responds, “It’s about finding
the right people in terms of leadership. George Allison and I were a great team, and we were fortunate that many other dedicated community members rose up as leaders through the years.”
As Fritz neared his professional retirement, he stepped down from his position as Board Chair in 2010 in preparation for his retirement from Perkiomen.
“At that point, we had done a lot of good work, but I felt my time was up and it was time for other people to step up to the plate,” shared Fritz. “In my 27 years as Board Chair, I was constantly cultivating our younger Trustees to push them towards leadership and encourage partnerships. It was important to nurture peer relationships so they would continue once I had left.”
In May 2015, Bill Fritz retired from Perkiomen’s Board of Trustees. Though he is not someone who wants to be lauded with tons of fanfare, his sendoff dinner included speeches and toasts recognizing his service to his alma mater.
In June, 11 members of the Class of 1964 attended their 60th reunion. While unable to attend Robert K. Morgan ’64 credits Bill Fritz in stewarding the class’ loyalty to their alma mater: “Bill, as a class Board, gave us great pride that brought us even closer as the decades went by. All he did for Perkiomen, these years.” L to R: Andy Wade, Art Abplanalp, Fred Melpolder, David Wade, Bill Morton, Bruce Sanft,
“Bill Fritz was the chair when I joined Perkiomen School’s Board in 2001,” says Board Member Luanne Stauffer. “He guided the school and trustees through some of the most challenging moments with strong, unwavering and calm leadership. He had a rare combination of polished confidence and humbleness that inspired well-placed trust. He was intentional and inclusive in his cultivation of future leaders. I remember him as a respectful, insightful listener who encouraged and mentored younger trustees. As a person, I think of Bill as the quintessential gentleman. He was always professional, appropriate, and kind.”
Thank you, Bill Fritz, for being the right person at the right time at Perkiomen.
FRITZ’S BOOKSTORE IN THE NEW STUDENT CENTER TO BE NAMED IN HONOR OF FORMER BOARD CHAIR
Located on the ground floor of the Student Center, Fritz’s Bookstore will sell student essentials including school supplies, uniforms, and spirit gear.
attend Reunion and Alumni Weekend, classmate class leader and the long-term Chairman of the Perkiomen, and therefore our class, kept us close for all Sanft, Bill Fritz, and Davy Goldsmith
“When we envisioned the Bookstore, we wanted this to be an inviting space for all of our community members to show their Perkiomen pride— whether it’s a new family buying their first set of school polos, students looking for the latest sweatshirt design, or a Perkiomenite of a previous era purchasing a Perkiomen Alumni baseball hat. Bill Fritz is one of the greats at Perkiomen who has dedicated so much of his life and energy to Perkiomen, from his steadfast leadership to extraordinary generosity. It is fitting that we are honoring his legacy and love for his alma mater with Fritz’s bookstore right in the heart of campus.”
Head of School Mark A. Devey P’ 21, ’24
“Bill has been a steady and reliable force in handling the challenges that Perkiomen has faced over the years, and he did it because he loves the school. Additionally, he has been extremely generous in giving to the school, and that has shown in his support of Our Moment to Lead Campaign. In his work as Board Chair, he encouraged others to give to the Perkiomen Fund and previous capital campaigns, setting the foundation to cultivate a robust group of loyal donors that has helped us to find success in funding OMTL. It’s an honor that Lloyd’s Café will be located next to Fritz’s Bookstore.”
Phil Lloyd ’65, GP ’24, ’26; Board Chair and Campaign Committee Co-Chair
Reunion and Weekend
The weather was spectacular, and the spirit of camaraderie was palpable for this year’s Reunion and Alumni Weekend, held June 7-9, 2024. Each conversation revealed the deep bonds formed at Perkiomen, bridging the gap between generations and creating a tapestry of shared experiences and memories. From reminiscing about dorm life and favorite teachers to discussing the latest developments at the school, every interaction was a testament to the enduring impact of a Perkiomen education.
On Saturday, our alumni said farewell to Robbie’s as the weekend also offered a glimpse into the exciting future of Perkiomen. Tours of the
new facilities and updates on the Our Moment to Lead Campaign and upcoming projects underscored the school’s commitment to growth and innovation. Alumni were thrilled to see the advancements and to know their legacy continues to shape the school’s future.
This sense of unity and shared purpose is what makes Perkiomen so special. It’s not just a school but a lifelong community where each member is a valuable piece of the puzzle, contributing to the greater whole. As we look forward to future reunions, we carry with us the joy and connection of this weekend, knowing that no matter where we go, Perkiomen will always be home.
and Alumni Weekend 2024
Tony Coleman ’14 and John Williams ’13
The Class of 1974 celebrated their 50th reunion. L to R: Patty Oeschlager Tachayapong, Margie Wade Harryman, David Cohen and Sharon Rayser Ritter
David Wade ’64 and Jack Civitts ’63
David Wade ’64, Bruce Sanft ’64, and Andy Wade ’64
Reunion and Alumni
This year, we were excited to offer a digital photo album and guest book to see Reunion and Alumni Weekend from our guests’ point of view. Here are some of our favorite uploads!
Amy Brand ’99, George Abruzesse ’98, and Laura Marsh Hudson ’99
Nate Leventhal ’69 and Chris Reshower ’69
Back L to R: Benita Trotter, Cheryl Price ’73, Bill Bassert ’72, Nate Leventhal ’69, George Myers ’72 Front: Joe Procak and Doug Trotter
t Adam Olson ’03, Josh Glass ’03, and Dean Smith ’03
u Margie Wade Harryman ’74 and Karen Lewis Stork ’73
p Class of 1978: Les Banyard, JoAnne Lester Rosansky, and Glenn Bundesmann
p Fred Ernico ’94, Kelly Ernico, Tilghman Lesher ’94
Alumni Weekend 2024
Akshay Kripalani ’14 flew in from Jamaica for his 10th reunion
L to R: Bill Vogel ’79, Wade Neiman ’78, Mike Drelling ’78, Les Banyard ’78, Max Francis ’78, Bill Knight ’78, George Edwards ’78, Gino Brangman ’78, John Waldron ’79
The Class of 2014 celebrated their 10th reunion
In Memoriam
Tribute by Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P’ 19
Dr. T. Chester Bright, D.D.S. ’48
RADM Fred J. Metz, USN (Ret) ’54
Richard J. Bodine ’59
Richard K. Wetterau ’59
Richard M. Turner ’60, P ’92, GP ’12, ’14
M. Jeffrey Scholl ’61
Stephen W. Sweely ’63
Jonathan M. Hancox ’66
Jennifer Seiberlich ’79
Kevin Kinney ’84
David Worthington ’84
Richard L. Brittain ’86
Former Faculty & Friends
Joseph M. O’Brien
John W. Thomas
Jennifer Weiss
Paige Seely Longstreth P ’14, ’17, Faculty Member
Mother, daughter, wife, friend, teacher, administrator, leader, mentor, runner, reader… these are just a few of the many ways we can begin to describe the incredible force we knew as Paige Longstreth. We could add advocate, cheerleader, cookie baker, and environmentalist. Yet, perhaps the best way to remember Paige is as the official welcomer of Perkiomen School.
Though “welcomer” may not be a word in the dictionary, it captures Paige perfectly. Any new member of the Perkiomen community would instantly be “Paiged.” This means she’d have you saying yes to something before you even knew what you were agreeing to—usually a walk or run, followed by a meal, book recommendations, and several check-ins during your first few months.
Paige was always the first person to lift up others, regardless of what was happening in her own life. She consistently offered her support to her students, fellow faculty members, family, and the community at large. Paige would also challenge you. She had great expectations and was unafraid to express herself. She wanted to bring out the best in everyone and wanted them to have the opportunity to live their best life, including experiencing the best of Perkiomen.
Early in life, she shared this call to help others with her father. To honor the memory of Paige and her father, Michael, the Seely and Longstreth families established The Paige S. Longstreth and William E. Seely Fund for Student Support and Engagement. This fund supports students who may need additional assistance to fully enjoy their Perkiomen experience.
Perkiomen on the Road
Throughout the year several members of the Perkiomen School community including Head of School Mark A. Devey P ’21, ’24, Director of Development Karl A. Welsh, Alumni Director Diana Weir-Smith ’85, P ’19 and Co-Director of College Counseling Erin Davidson-Kellogg P ’28 visited with alumni and their families across the US and the world.
“At Perkiomen School, we believe that fostering meaningful connections with our alumni across the globe is essential to our progress and growth,” says Weir-Smith. “This year, we’ve been on a mission to visit as many of you as possible, and it’s been an incredible journey filled with memorable moments and inspiring stories.”
West Coast and Idaho
In August 2023, Karl Welsh and Diana Weir-Smith embarked on a journey that included stops in San Francisco, Washington State, and Idaho.
t In Washington State, they visited Cloude Ludeman ’02 and his family on their farm.
u In the Seattle area, Meghan Seok Hipp ’07, along with her husband Michael, daughter Theodora, and mother Cindy, welcomed Karl and Diana for breakfast in their home. Be sure to check out Meghan’s Instagram and YouTube for all things knitting at @a_knotty_mess
t While in Seattle, they also spent time with Yin-Shiuan Jessica Chen ’09, discussing tennis and her family.
t Along the Puget Sound, they enjoyed dinner with Megan KeltonRehkopf ’92, reminiscing about Perkiomen people and places and sharing travel plans for the year.
u Moving up to Redmond, WA, Eric Fanning ’12 shared his experiences in basketball and his career in law enforcement.
q Northern California included lunch with Buzz Baylis ’64 and a hot pot dinner with Yichen Edison Yao ’16.
y Out in Sun Valley, Idaho, they spent the afternoon with Jeffrey Bumgardner ’05 and his family at their farm and stables.
Washington DC Area
In September 2023, Erin Davidson-Kellogg visited with alumni attending Washington, DC area colleges and universities including American University, George Washington University, and Morgan State University.
q Alumni she visited included: Maddie Cummings ’21, Victoria Zhou ’21 (upper left), Jillian Ruscavage ’23 (middle left), Kyle Silbert ’19 (lower left), Samuel Gilio ’23 (upper right), Tyler Merchant ’23 (middle right), Ocean Mayer ’23 (lower right), and Ma’lasha Ezell ’23. Shout out to Ma’lasha for visiting in some rainy weather – hence, no photo!
Savannah to Pennsburg
In November and December of 2023, Diana Weir-Smith made a trip from Savannah, GA back to Pennsburg meeting alumni and friends of the school along the way.
In Bluffton, SC she had a lovely dinner with Mills Morrison ’92 and his family. From there she headed north where she met up with p David Frederick ’79 and Bob Novick ’57 in Charleston.
In Spartanburg, she spent some time with u Paul Landsberry ’64 and his wife, Sue. In NC she spent time with Dean Fergson ’61 and wife Christine Fergson.
Spain
t Sonny Ziegler ’84 and Chris Ziegler, and in Pinehurst she met q Cara Mathis ’05 and her husband Gavin Mathis.
Next, she traveled up to VA where she visited with Tim Snyder ’82 and t Sophia Taylor ’22
q Elena Lopez ’09, Blanca Eizmendi ’10, Blanca De Luis ’09, Ines Fanjul ’08, and Marta Gimenez ’09 spent an evening in Madrid with Mark A. Devey, Diana Weir-Smith, Cindy Mack P ’16 (sister of Jeff Mack ’72), and Karl A. Welsh. Over tapas, the group caught up on the latest news from Perkiomen and we were able to hear about their lives and time as students. Special thanks to Cindy who acted as our guide/interpreter. Perkiomen made the trip in October/November 2023 and also visited with current parents in Spain.
Asia
Mark A. Devey and Karl Welsh visited with alumni and families in Asia in early December 2023.
In Hong Kong they were able to connect with t Leo Chang ’01, a leader in technology manufacturing, and Steinway Artist Norman Lee ’83
While in Vietnam, they met Tu Anh Pham ’12, the visionary behind Cooper Denim. They were also able to meet with Ken Chen, a former faculty member in Taiwan. Sherry Yeh ’06, Leo Peng ’01, Arthur Li ’06, Darren Lin ’09, and their friends had dinner with Mark and Karl q
California
California was visited twice this year, and round two took us from San Francisco to San Diego.
While catching up in San Diego, Frank Stefano ’48 learned about Perkiomen’s latest developments and shared his upcoming cruise plans. In San Francisco, Bob Morgan ’64 spent a reflective evening that included music, theater, and Perkiomen. In Los Angeles, David Cohen ’74, his husband Lee Klosinski, and their puppy Winston shared their plans for travel to South Africa. We were also lucky enough to see David this year on Alumni Weekend for his 50th Reunion. In Marina del Rey, Jean Rosenthal ’75 and her husband Nick Freygang engaged in lively conversation over coffee which included theater, small schools, homes using artificial intelligence, and more. In Venice Beach, Drew Pedrick ’76, Founder of MCTIGUE Conscious Architecture spent a fascinating morning chatting about organic
building materials and sustainability in architecture. Danny Leggitt ’81 and his wife, Marianne, welcomed Karl and Diana at their home for dinner (worthy of a James Beard Award). The topics included the NY Yankees, NYC, and Pittsburgh. A Little Lunch in Venice Beach was the perfect spot for the owner, p Aaron Master ’05 to share his entrepreneurial and community-building thoughts and superb hospitality.
Florida
In February 2024 Diana and Karl traveled throughout Florida and met with an abundance of alumni.
t Michael DeMas ’61 shared lunch and discussed the impact Perkiomen had on his life as a day student scholar. Bob Kay ’64 spent an impactful year at Perkiomen as a freshman but has been loyal, tried, and true ever since.
u Alan Bobb ’80 also reflected on his year at Perkiomen and its profound impact on his life.
q Bruce Sanft ’64, P ’92, ’94, ’97, GP ’24, and his wife, Jane Kornblunt, along with his daughter, Dr. Brianna Garrett ’97 and her husband, James, celebrated their family’s commitment to the Our Moment to Lead Campaign. In May 2024, Bruce and Jane were on campus to celebrate the graduation of their granddaughter Natalie Sanft ’24. Natalie is the daughter of Bryan Sanft ’94. In June 2024, Bruce and Jane returned to campus to celebrate the Class of 1964’s 60th reunion!
Barry Solomon ’68 exchanged stories about music, Perkiomen, and shared experiences on campus. Jay Levy ’70 enjoys golf, traveling to play as well as being a spectator at professional events. George Berry ’71 had a robust conversation with Diana and Karl about travel, deep sea fishing and enjoyed the beautiful weather in Lake Worth.
p Phil Kelly ’73, his wife, Judy, and classmate Sue Matthews Eichler ’73 met in the Orlando area, and there is a promise of another dinner next year with Phil and Judy hosting. p Leslie Banyard ’78 and Karl met on the tennis court. They also met up again on Alumni Weekend.
Trustee t LeeAnn Ashford ’78 and her husband, George Levy, gave an incredible tour of the National Motorsport Hall of Fame in Daytona Beach, where George is the Executive Director.
Chris Easton ’80 and Wellington, his faithful black lab, told us all about their new addition Jackie, another black lab who would be arriving soon to join them for summer adventures on the road. u Colleen Smale ’81 has completed an intensive certification in massage therapy. q Jason Toll ’88 is always looking to connect with other alums in Central Florida.
Jason and Alex Arboleda ’88 are still friends and get together when Alex is in the US.
u Jose Bacardi ’89 works in property management in Florida and Puerto Rico. He enjoys sports and watching his boys play football.
u Alan Brody ’51 and his wife, Sherna, shared stories of their travels and life in Miami. q Miles Longstreth ’17 and Chandler Junk ’14 are also enjoying life in Miami. Miles is the co-owner of Seller Amp SAS - you can find him on social media at Flips4Miles where you can learn about Amazon FBA
Puerto Rico
In March, Perkiomen celebrated Coach u Kendall Baker P ’86, ’92, and 29 years of Perkiomen Baseball in Puerto Rico. Many alumni, current parents, and alumni parents attended the event including: u Francisco San Miguel and Sofia Baoza P ’15, Juan Carlos Sierra P ’13 and Juanky Sierra ’13 ; Ken and Sue Baker, Mark A. Devey, and Henielys M. Ramos ’19 ; Kevin Smith P ’19, Carlos Torres and Wilka Alicea P ’19 and Samuel Urbina P ’18.
(fulfilled by Amazon). Chandler works as a senior analyst with KIND and is also a digital creator sharing his passion for running and fitness.
Alumni were able to attend some of Perkiomen’s baseball games while in Puerto Rico, including u Juanky Sierra ’13 , Joseph De Los Santos ’13 , and Axel Rivera ’12 , with Ken Baker.
Perkiomen on the Road continued from previous page
Thank You For Your Service
t Greg Steele ’93 was selected to serve as the Director of the Engineering Directorate for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), a 4-Star Army Command headquartered at Fort Eustis, Virginia. He is responsible for the advocacy and interface with the U. S. Army on behalf of TRADOC for both the Headquarters as well as 13 TRADOC installations across the U.S. He shared the following via email: “I’m looking forward to finally making an alumni weekend in a few years once my daughter has graduated high school and I can travel in early June - but I did bring my family by briefly last October to see the campus one Saturday morning when we were in Philly. I love reading the Perkiomen magazine and getting all the updates!”
In gratitude for the support shown by the Perkiomen School community during her recent deployment, faculty member t Sgt. Maddy Glinski ’15 presented Head of School Mark A. Devey with an American flag, which was flown over Iraq and Syria near the area where she served. Sgt. Glinski, a United States Army Reservist, returned from deployment this fall. We are grateful for her safe return to Perkiomen and we thank her - and all those who have served - for their dedication and sacrifice.
Campus Visits and Other Sightings
u During the Friday night of Reunion and Alumni Weekend, Perkiomen co-hosted a 60th Reunion Celebration for the Class of 1964. Art Abplanalp, David Wade, Andy Wade, David Kaplan, Bryce Manthorne, Bruce Sanft, Davey Goldsmith, and
co-host William Fritz enjoyed dinner together. The following day they were joined by Fred Melolder and Bill Morton
t Tom Stearns ’70 connected with the students in the Design Institute and shared his 45 years of experience in land planning and landscape design.
p During Reunion and Alumni Weekend, Max Francis ’79, George Edwards ’79, and Gino Brangman ’79, took the opportunity to not just reconnect to but recreate this photo from the 1979 yearbook.
Tom Diascro ’85 is the Chief Advancement Officer at the Hopkins School in New Haven, CT.
Nicole Allison ’92, her dogs Teddy and Brady, and her mom Lucy Allison P ’92, ’94 had a visit with Diana Weir-Smith at their home in Norwalk, CT.
u The Rev. Gregory M. Wilson, MDiv, MSS, LCSW ’94, P ’24 was this year’s Cum Laude Induction and Institute Distinction Ceremony Speaker. Greg recently celebrated with his daughter Magdalene (Claire) Wilson ’24 at Perkiomen’s Commencement. Congratulations to this Legacy pair.
t Alex Berkhimer, R.N. ’15 joined the Medical Institute’s Usability study for an infusion/ IV pump currently under development. Thanks for lending your expertise to this project!
Nikki Ciocari ’17 presented to the students in the Design Institute. As an industrial designer, she has a focus on sustainability. Recently she has been working in makeup design.
p Wes Johnson ’18 and Gabe Delp ’17 performed for Arts Week at Perkiomen and also at Alumni Weekend. They are members of Woodflower, a bluegrass band who has played at The Podunk Bluegrass Festival, Wind Gap Bluegrass Festival, Dogfish Head Brewery, and Godfrey Daniels.
Maeve Gleeson ’19 is teaching in Wilmington, NC. Currently, she is a first-grade classroom and K-5 resource room teacher. Maeve graduated from Elon University and holds a dual certification in Special and Elementary Education.
u In November, Shae Leach ’24 caught up with Chris Arcidiacono ’19 at a Villanova University reception at the Battle for the Atlantis basketball tournament in the Bahamas.
q Molly Hughes ’20 came back to campus to watch her sister, Sarah Beth Hughes ’26, compete in a Perkiomen swim meet.
Edrick Padilla ’20 was named first-team All-North Coast Athletic Conference. Edrick played outfield at Ohio Wesleyan University.
Owen Taylor ’21 earned the ninth annual Frank Pindar Athlete of the Year award from the University of Toronto. The award is given annually to athletes competing in a sport whose official season concludes with either an OUA (Ontario University Athletics) or other university-recognized championship event. He also was selected Most Valuable Player for baseball.
u Rianne Moll ’21 was on hand to cheer on fellow Perkiomen classmate Tony Holden ’21 at a Fall 2023 Ursinus football game. Also in the crowd were John Williams ’13, Patrick Downey ’23, who plays basketball for Ursinus, Perkiomen football coach Casey Perlstein, and Diana Weir-Smith.
Ryan Dunn ’22 (University of Virginia) and Thomas Haugh ’23 (University of Florida) faced off in an NCAA season matchup at the Hall of Fame Series in Charlotte, NC. The Cavaliers beat the Gators in a 73-70 thriller. Ryan was recently acquired by the Phoenix Suns as pick #28 in the first round of the NBA draft.
u Teagan Nayak ’23 and Max Renquist ’23 stopped in to say hello and catch up with faculty.
t Kent Nguyen ’23 stopped by campus to visit with friends and faculty. Kent attends Duquesne University School of Pharmacy.
t John Derham ’23 and Baia Grdzelishvili ’23 performed at York College. Dr. Burns, President of York College, commended them on their fantastic performances. John and Baia are both Presidential Research Fellows, two of only five incoming freshmen received this scholarship, and both were from Perkiomen. John also visited Perkiomen later in the year to rehearse with t Dr. Jeff Rodgers. The two worked on a Rachmaninoff piece to perform at Make Music Upper Perk.
q Alex Rutan ’06, Pete Dougherty P’11, ’13, Kevin Robertson ’05, and Dustin Wimmer ’05 were the winning foursome in the Perkiomen Athletics Golf Outing Honoring Coach Kendall Baker and Perkiomen Baseball held in April 2024 at Linfield National Golf Course. Other alums joining in were Jim Sheedy ’83, Peter Sharkey ’03, Dave Krupnick ’81, Greg Grauer ’81, Warren Schmidt ’81, Melissa Weinstein ’05, Julian Gentile ’10, Brett Ciocari ’16, Steve Ratigan ’16, Sung Sik Yang ’84, John Hallahan ’84, Ken Jennings ’84, Maddy Faraco ’14, and Bill Campbell ’86
Los Angeles Gathering
q The annual LA Area Gathering included many Perkiomen faces, including Richard Waisfisz ’86, Amy Hoppenfeld Kay ’86, Marianne Liggett, Aaron Master ’05, Pu Paul Haung ’05, Danny Liggett ’81, Mark A. Devey, Drew Pedrick ’76, and Karl Welsh.
New York City Gathering
q Alumni and community members from the greater New York City area joined us at 230 Roof Top Bar on October 4.
Philadelphia Gathering
On October 17, Peter Sharkey ’03 hosted our Philadelphia Gathering.
Alumni Baseball
Out on Baker Field this year for the alumni game were Manny Ariza ’20, David Smith ’19, Josh Cruz ’17, Dane Tobin ’93, Jared Sapirman ’16, Joey Pena ’14, Mark A. Devey, Jorge Montes ’11, Sam Glavin ’18, Garrett Knowles ’21, Chris Pow ’19 and Zach Smith ’21.
HeydtFundScholarship Honors a Commitment to Education
Five years ago, as part of the Our Moment to Lead Campaign, Perkiomen set out to grow the endowment by $3.5M. With one year of the campaign remaining, it is remarkable to report that we have already exceeded that goal by $7 M. One gift that deserves an extra bright light shined upon it is the bequest from the Heydt Family.
Through the generosity of John A. Heydt ’70, and his mother Florence E. Heydt P ’70, Perkiomen School has received the largest scholarship bequest in the school’s history.
In memory of the Heydts’ profound commitment to educational access, the $8 M gift will provide scholarship funding to Perkiomen students who demonstrate financial need. A similar gift was made to American University, of which John was a Class of 1975 graduate.
Both mother and son shared a love for Perkiomen School and welcomed lunches and dinners with an array of staff and former classmates, and especially Carol Dougherty, Associate Head of School.
Joining John and Florence Heydt for dinner for decades was truly a lesson in how Perkiomen can transform a life. John shared that he learned more at Perkiomen than he did in any other academic setting. He spoke about teachers who cared and pushed him to think as an individual. Those lessons made him a successful investor. He believed in the contrarian model of thinking and applied that very successfully to his investments. After college, his mom, Florence, gave him a small sum to invest. He transformed that initial amount into a healthy portfolio. Florence always beamed with pride when John reminded her how well he had managed her investments. In his later years, John shared that every morning, he woke up to the thought, “What can I do for Perkiomen today?” John and Florence Heydt embodied the phrase from the Alma Mater –they were loyal, tried, and true. - Carol Dougherty P ’11, ’13
Together, John and Florence were motivated by a desire to give all students access to a Perkiomen School education.
In its extraordinary scale and scope, the Heydts’ scholarship fund truly represents a transformative opportunity for generations of Perkiomen students – now and for years to come.
“ The timing of a substantial gift like this can change the course of a school’s history. These two humble individuals will never be forgotten for their generosity at a pivotal time in the growth of Perkiomen School.” - Mark A. Devey P ’21, ’24.
In 2001, they established the John A. Heydt and Florence E. Heydt Fund to support student scholarships. Their estate gift has subsequently grown the Fund’s impact, as well as the school’s overall endowment.
Purple & Gold Field Games are a highlight of Orientation each year.
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