Sewickley Speaking Spring/Summer 2024

Where Are They Now?

The Motley Siblings

UNDER THECupola

Letter from the Head of School

Dear Sewickley Academy Community,

As another academic year comes to an end, I find myself reflecting upon how much we have collectively achieved since our opening assembly last fall. With graduation around the corner, I begin feeling sentimental knowing that our seniors will be spreading their wings and moving on, as each class has its own unique and special personality that will be missed. I am also filled with a sense of satisfaction knowing that they are remarkably well-prepared for their next chapter.

At Sewickley Academy, we take pride in our commitment to academics, athletics, and the arts, and while all of these contribute to developing the whole student, it is our academics that are at the core of our purpose. As Head of School, I feel fortunate and grateful to be a part of a community that values and protects our commitment to academic excellence by consistently going above and beyond to create new, unique, and memorable learning experiences that students carry with them for a lifetime. I speak for all of my colleagues when I say that we view it both as a gift and tremendous responsibility to deliver the best academics during such impressionable years being on a Pre-kindergarten through Grade 12 campus–and, as you may have heard, we look forward to extending to three year olds before we know it!

Exceptional academics take both talented faculty and remarkable students. We are fortunate to have

faculty and staff who routinely propose and develop relevant and challenging new courses, invest their own personal time in professional development, work tirelessly with their students beyond the classroom, and so much more. And, our students–whose talents are showcased both on campus and off–are often recognized with formal awards, yet remain incredibly humble and collaborative.

Inside of this issue, you will find updates from our faculty and staff on all of the various areas that comprise a comprehensive Sewickley Academy education. I draw your particular attention to the articles written by each of our division heads–Dr. Jerilyn Scott, Mark Shelley, and Jamie Nestor –who provide updates on many of the wonderful student and faculty achievements from this past year. What you will see with each individual or group accomplishment is an overriding testament to a strong and well-rounded academic program that is uncompromising.

For example, in the Lower School, our Destination Imagination teams prepared for months to compete in both international and regional competitions, taking top prizes. In the Middle School, the addition of a variety of computer science electives has sparked student interest and encouraged earlier development of skills, thereby paving the way for more advanced course opportunities. And, in the Senior School, the addition

of several new courses, including Advanced Placement classes, was extraordinarily well received by the students who eagerly filled them during registration. This excitement for academic pursuits is further evidenced by the six National Merit Scholar finalists in this year’s senior class.

I also want to acknowledge our Associate Head of School, Chris Anderson, whose incredible expertise in curriculum design provides the foundation for all that we do as a premier private school. I hope that you read Chris’ article and reflect on what elements of our curriculum stand the test of time with a commitment to a classical education, and discover with enthusiasm how the Academy continues to evolve to meet the everchanging needs of today’s world.

While curriculum may develop and change, our commitment to preparing students for the future is unwavering as we proudly send off the Class of 2024. We wish them all the best and an enjoyable summer for everyone!

With warmest regards,

Ashley (Brown ’00) Birtwell, PhD Head of School

Editor-in-Chief

Camryn Miller

Marketing and Branding Specialist

Design

Direct Axis Creative, LLC

Contributors

Chris Anderson

Associate Head of School

Dr. Ashley (Brown ’00) Birtwell Head of School

Heather Border

Assistant Athletic Director

Carey Byrnes Annual Giving Officer

Kelly Carioto

Assistant Athletic Director

Camryn Miller

Marketing and Branding Specialist

Jamie Nestor Head of Senior School

Dr. Jerilyn Scott ’86 Head of Lower School

Pam Scott

Mark Shelley Head of Middle School

Dr. Susan (Ratcliffe ’55)

Brittani

From Associate Head of School Chris Anderson

Dear Sewickley Academy Community,

When I first joined the world of independent schools, I was struck by the power of flexibility and freedom to shape for students an excellent education. Here we are able to question thoroughly, explore widely, and create a curriculum that lives, breathes, grows, and evolves as the needs of society and that of our students swiftly change. Sewickley Academy excels at this. We continually examine current practices and curricula for relevance and excellence and hold a profound commitment to professional growth and learning.

Every day at the Academy is filled with transformative experiences within and beyond the classroom, made possible by the perfect blend of deeply committed teachers and students who truly value education and are eager to learn. It is common practice to see faculty members, department chairs, and division heads engaged in passionate and high-quality discussions that serve to shape their courses, pedagogy, and practices, and to see the positive impact this has in the classrooms.

This year alone, every one of our teachers took part in multiple professional learning experiences. On campus, our recent faculty-led professional learning day resulted in a total of fifteen remarkable workshops. Beyond the walls of SA, teachers are studying topics including executive functioning, the science of reading, music and the arts, data science, world languages, physics, psychology, economics, and human geography.

Currently, we have three academic departments in different stages of a comprehensive review process designed to encourage careful reflection and to generate actionable recommendations. Often with the help of an outside consultant, departments begin with an honest assessment of their current program and curriculum. They then engage in tasks such as a literature review of key topics and practices, a study of outside standards and guidelines, visits to innovative schools, colleges, and universities, and surveys of alumni and working professionals. The result is a multi-year plan that outlines goals and key initiatives.

This combination of professional learning and careful study allows us to develop new and highly relevant programming. Next year, in the Lower School, we will enhance our curriculum based on the science of reading, introduce literacy enrichment groups, and build a fluency-focused curriculum. In our Middle School, we will introduce new math sequencing and strategic placement testing, expand our extracurricular programs, and overhaul our electives model to run courses for a full year in computer science and the arts. In the Senior School, we will augment our Advanced Placement program with AP English Literature and Composition, AP African American Studies, and AP Human Geography. Additional new courses include Machine Learning, Mixed Media & Studio Arts, Diplomacy in Action, and Global Perspectives. Our students

will continue to have access to and experiences with peers across the globe by enrolling in unique Global Online Academy courses.

Finally, this year we were among the first ten schools in the country to partner with Flint, an innovative company that continues to enhance its cutting-edge, all-in-one AI platform for schools. In just a few short months, the Flint community has grown to a total of 70 independent schools who are using this platform to design interactive AI experiences that are targeted, customized, and secure. Our first pilot group of teachers is finding immense value in this platform. They are able to design learning experiences that lift the level of student engagement and mastery. Flint will partner with us again in late August to provide training for all SA faculty members.

Please take a moment to read the division updates appearing in the pages ahead. You are sure to be impressed with the positive movement and tremendous accomplishments of our students and teachers. As always, I thank you for your support and invite you to reach out with your thoughts, questions, and ideas.

With gratitude and optimism,

Chris Anderson Associate Head of School

17

NUMBER OF AP COURSES IN SENIOR SCHOOL

44

School districts

MAKING UP SEWICKLEY ACADEMY

21

75% OF FACULTY HAVE ADVANCED DEGREES FEMALE MALE

31 last three years AVERAGE ACT SCORE of

13

Graduates attending IVY PLUS SCHOOLS (Last 3 years)

16

FACULTY & STAFF participate in PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 4K+

1326 last three years Total acres on campus AVERAGE SAT SCORE

IDENTIFY AS African-American, Asian, East Indian, Latino, or bi/multi-racial

4

Athletic fields including turf (2 turf and 2 natural grass)

135 FULL TIME FACULTY & STAFF

Unlocking Opportunities: The Rise of Esports

In the fast-evolving landscape of education, Sewickley Academy stands out for its pioneering approach to embracing emerging trends and technologies.

Over the past two years, the decision to develop a robust esports program has not only transformed the school’s extracurricular landscape but has also provided unparalleled opportunities for its students.

The journey into esports began in the academic year of 2022-2023 when Sewickley Academy took its first steps into exploring the full development of a program to support the students’ interests as well as preparing for the burgeoning field. With a vision to provide a platform for students to engage in competitive gaming, the school repurposed a classroom in the Senior School, marking the inception of its esports program. Equipped with a few computers and basic gaming peripherals, this setup laid the groundwork for what was to come.

The tech department played a pivotal role during these formative stages, enhancing the gaming experience by installing additional hardware and acquiring new monitors, keyboards,

and mice tailored specifically for gaming. With the stage set, the Academy took its first leap into the competitive gaming arena by joining the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Esports Association (PIEA), a statewide organization dedicated to promoting esports among high school students.

By joining the PIEA, the school gained access to a structured framework for competitive play, setting the stage for its students to test their skills against peers from across the state. Sewickley Academy opted to start small, focusing on the PIEA’s offerings to ensure a solid foundation for its burgeoning esports program with possibility to expand into larger leagues as the team develops and grows.

The PIEA operates on a seasonal basis, with both fall and spring seasons culminating in state championships. The Academy fielded teams to compete in popular games

such as Valorant and Rocket League during the inaugural season. Valorant, a tactical first-person shooter, challenged teams in intense 5v5 battles, while Rocket League, a fusion of soccer and vehicular mayhem, provided a thrilling 3v3 experience.

With the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year, Sewickley Academy witnessed a significant expansion of its esports facilities and offerings. The once temporary space was transformed into a state-of-the-art

EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE IN ESPORTS CLASSROOM

10 Alienware gaming PCs

2 coaches’ stations with 2 additional Alienware PCs

12 additional computers and components

7 Nintendo Switches

4 Xboxes

1 PlayStation 5

9 flat screen televisions

esports arena, equipped with 10 Alienware gaming PCs and additional consoles including Nintendo Switches, Xboxs, and a PlayStation 5. The addition of coaches’ stations further solidified the school’s commitment to providing comprehensive support for its esports teams.

With an eye toward versatility, Sewickley Academy ensured that its gaming stations were equipped with a variety of extra controllers for each console, catering to the diverse preferences of its student body. The inclusion of flat-screen televisions, some dedicated to streaming games, underscored the school’s commitment to fostering a dynamic gaming environment.

Recognizing the importance of early exposure to esports, Sewickley Academy extended its program to include middle school students. With the PIEA introducing Rocket League and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) for middle schools, Sewickley Academy wasted no time in forming a dedicated Rocket

League team. The middle school club, which meets during designated community time, provides a nurturing environment for young gamers to hone their skills and form lasting connections with like-minded peers.

As the academic year closes, Sewickley Academy’s journey into esports stands as a testament to its commitment to innovation and student enrichment. What began as a modest endeavor has blossomed into a thriving ecosystem, offering students a platform to excel in a field that seamlessly blends passion with competition.

Looking ahead, the future of esports at Sewickley Academy shines brightly, fueled by the unwavering dedication of its faculty and the boundless enthusiasm of its students. As the school continues to embrace the ever-changing landscape of esports, one thing remains certain: the opportunities it provides for its students are as limitless as the virtual worlds they explore.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATING IN EPSORTS

Developing Teamwork and Communication Skills Esports require effective teamwork and communication, essential skills that translate into various aspects of life and future careers.

Exploring Career Pathways

Esports offer pathways into various careers within the gaming industry, including game development, content creation, esports management, and marketing.

Scholarship Opportunities Many colleges and universities offer esports scholarships, providing financial aid to talented players while pursuing higher education.

Networking and Social Connections Engaging in esports enables students to connect with peers who share similar interests, fostering friendships and professional networks that can last a lifetime.

Exposure to Leadership Roles

Leading or managing an esports team cultivates leadership skills, empowering students to take on leadership roles in other areas of their lives.

By joining the PIEA, the school gained access to a structured framework for competitive play, setting the stage for its students to test their skills against peers from across the state.”

Promoting Diversity and Inclusion Esports communities often prioritize diversity and inclusion, providing students with opportunities to engage in a welcoming and inclusive environment regardless of background or identity.

Stress Relief and Mental

Well-being Engaging in esports can serve as a form of stress relief and promote mental well-being, offering a healthy outlet for students to unwind and relax.

By Charlotte Bogdewic, Christy Mulhollem, and Wes Vaina

Less than a year since its inception, the Dean Model at Sewickley Academy has quickly proven itself as it provides our Senior School students with strong support and development opportunities.

As we move towards guiding our first students through a full academic cycle within this program and subsequently over the entirety of their four year experience in the Senior School, we look forward to building the strength of this program as we continue to build relationships with our students and steer them towards their individual and unique areas of interest.

A strong partnership between the student, the family, and their Dean is essential to this support model. Each student’s path is unique, and the Dean will have regular meetings with students and families to understand their individual strengths, values, and goals.

Meet OUR DEANS!

Charlotte Bogdewic Senior School Dean

Charlotte Bogdewic brings a wealth of college counseling experience to our Senior School Dean team. She has been involved in college admissions at a highly-selective university and a private, collegepreparatory high school. She holds an undergraduate degree in English from the University of Notre Dame, two master’s degrees in Public Management/Education Leadership from Carnegie Mellon University and Education from Duquesne

Wes Vaina Senior School Dean

Wes Vaina brings extensive experience in higher education to our Senior School Dean team. Before arriving at the Academy, Wes served as Director of Admissions and Enrollment at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Education, and as Associate Director of Admissions at the University of Idaho. He holds a bachelor’s degree in History and a master’s degree in Public Policy and Management.

Christy Mulhollem Senior School Dean

Christy Mulhollem joins the Senior School Dean team after teaching History and Social Sciences at Sewickley Academy for 11 years, along with coaching varsity field hockey. She continues to teach AP Microeconomics and Macroeconomics and AP US Government and Politics while in her role as Dean. Christy holds a bachelor’s degree in history, political science, and education from Grove City College as well as a master’s degree in literacy from the University of Pennsylvania. She is working towards her doctor of education (Ed.D.) in leadership and learning in organizations at Vanderbilt University, expecting to defend in the Winter of 2024.

Top: Students gather in the Boyd Room to hear from college representatives.

This is knowledge that will allow the Dean to build an effective and tailored game plan for success in both the Senior School and the college admissions process. The student will be encouraged to develop and tell their story in an authentic and compelling way, and to identify their genuine interests, which will allow them to identify colleges and universities where they will flourish. Meetings are an open forum for any topics important to families, and they will often cover academic course planning, extracurricular opportunities, testing plans, and college list building.

Grade-specific Cohort Meetings are a regular opportunity for students to meet with their Dean in a small group of their peers.

These meetings are a space for the Dean to remind students of important upcoming dates and tasks, and for the groups to discuss topics related to academics, student best practices, time management, college preparation, and other important subjects.

The Deans invite top local, national, and international colleges and universities to campus each fall and spring to meet with our students. These college visits offer students the opportunity to both learn more about institutions of interest and to build relationships with the admissions representatives.

Major events, such as our College Admissions Case Study, gradespecific College Nights, and Summer App Labs are offered across the academic calendar to provide essential guidance, tools, and knowledge to families at the relevant points in the process:

APP LAB

App Lab is a two-day college application prep session offered by Sewickley Academy, designed to put our rising Grade 12 students on the right path to start the college application process. Led by Senior School Deans and the Head of Senior School, the program provides workshops, one-on-one consultations, and interactive sessions to help students feel prepared for the most meaningful and authentic application experience.

COLLEGE NIGHTS

Parents and students are invited to their grade-specific College Night each academic year to receive essential guidance on college preparation and upcoming priorities. While the college admissions process can feel overwhelming, our Deans make it approachable by breaking the process down into digestible pieces and spacing out the necessary work and reflection over each student’s Senior School journey.

COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CASE STUDY

The annual College Admissions Case Study allows families to get a “behind the scenes” look at how colleges review applications, what they value, and how they make difficult admissions decisions. Students and parents join admissions officers from institutions across the country to review sample applications and better understand how their applications will be viewed and reviewed.

Equal parts academic success coach and college counselor, our Deans serve as the primary point of contact throughout each student’s Senior School career. The student and their family are at the center of this process, from the summer before Grade 9 to successful high school graduation and college matriculation.

Sewickley Academy Dean, Charlotte Bogdewic, and members of the Class of 2024 at their Early Action & Early Decision Party in Fall 2023.

LORI SHERRY RETIRES

Middle School science teacher Lori Sherry arrived at Sewickley Academy 37 years ago, thanks to a high school friend who told her about an opening in the science department at a party in July 1987. A rough estimate of how many Sewickley Academy alumni she has taught here during her career would be more than 2000 students.

A Beaver Falls native, Mrs. Sherry went to nursing school at the Community College of Beaver County to become a licensed practical nurse. During the nursing strike that immediately followed graduation, she recalled that working as an LPN was difficult, both physically and mentally. She went on to Geneva College and majored in biology, then to Mississippi State, where she received a master’s degree in teaching Geo-science.

Her first year at SA, she taught Earth Science to Grade 7, Physical Science to Grade 8, and Biology to Grade 9. At that time, those three grades constituted our Middle School, and Grade 6 was still part of Lower School.

Commenting on her early career, she remembered, “I learned so much from my colleagues. The veteran teachers were great – I asked them questions and they were so helpful to me. We are so lucky to have such amazing educators here.”

“Every 3 to 5 years, we rearranged our curriculum,” she said. “I’ve taught Earth, Life, and Physical

Science separately, and then all three interwoven together at various points.” For many years now, she has been the Middle School science capstone project teacher for Grade 8.

What has made Mrs. Sherry so dedicated to SA? “I love it when students are amazed by something that happens in class and that they learn by doing. It’s great that they can enjoy themselves and learn at the same time.

“I also was able to take some wonderful trips. I went on the first trip to Belize with Lisa Heberling and our students. I spent two weeks in China in 2013 with Mary Jo Shine, Ken Goleski, Ron Kinser, and Tracy Wazenegger on an exchange program between our teachers and their teachers. We taught sessions for their teachers and showed alternative ways of testing, by doing projects instead of paper and pencil tests.”

When asked what gives her pleasure as she reviews her career at the Academy she states, “The people I’ve met, colleagues and students, have truly enhanced my life. Some of my closest friends are people I met working at Sewickley Academy. I love that our kids do such amazing things, that the choices they make are so varied. It’s wonderful when the quiet, shy kids blossom as they go out into the world. You never know what they’ll be able to accomplish!”

The people I’ve met, colleagues and students, have truly enhanced my life. Some of my closest friends are people I met working at Sewickley Academy. I love that our kids do such amazing things, that the choices they make are so varied. It’s wonderful when the quiet, shy kids blossom as they go out into the world. You never know what they’ll be able to accomplish!”

Left to right: Dr. Jerilyn Scott ’86, Lori Sherry, Sarah Lyon, Jayne Parker, Vicki Gibbons, and Holly Haddad enjoying a girls day.

Grade 2 Teacher, Holly Haddad and Middle School Science Teacher, Lori Sherry attend Sewickley Academy’s 2024 Auction.

Lower School

The Lower School has enjoyed an energetic year of academic growth and community building. Students and teachers have taken on new challenges, launched new initiatives, and reached beyond campus to learn and serve our community.

One of the unique features of Sewickley Academy is the voice that even the youngest students have in their learning. In Kindergarten, Grade 1, and Grade 3, students took the lead in designing theater performances that showcased their learning, creating new shows that incorporated dance, music, and poetry. Grade 2 students built relationships with the Masonic Village retirement community, visiting frequently. Throughout the Lower School, students made friends at La Puerta Abierta, a school in Guatemala with whom they collaborated on projects via Zoom. Our students were also able to spend time in our Certified Outdoor Learning Spaces engaging in physical challenges, caring for goats and chickens, and planting in the garden.

An exciting new initiative this year was the launch of Destination Imagination, a creativity-based extracurricular activity in which children compete in STEAM challenges with schools around the world. Sewickley Academy is the only school in Western Pennsylvania to participate in Destination Imagination. Our two inaugural teams of Grade 5 students placed second and third in the global Digital Open, for which they researched, wrote, and filmed video vignettes. Alumnus and cinematographer John Moyer ’82 visited campus to teach them filmmaking techniques. Additionally, two teams of students from Grades 3 and 5 advanced to the regional competition in Ohio. Students in Pre-kindergarten through Grade 2 began their Destination Imagination journey through noncompetitive after-school activities.

Throughout the year, faculty focused on new curriculum initiatives and professional development. Literacy teachers engaged in online coursework to continue growing their practice of the Science of Reading, which emphasizes explicit instruction in the phonetic code. Under the guidance of the Coordinator of Lower School Curriculum and Instruction, Alicia Latte, teachers examined the humanities curriculum, weaving in content at every grade level. Several faculty members were recognized for excellence in their fields, including librarian Sarah DeMicheli, who served on the national selection committee for the Walter Dean Myers Awards; science teacher Maureen Lee, who is one of three Pennsylvania nominees for the national Presidential Awards

An exciting new initiative this year was the launch of Destination Imagination, a creativity-based extracurricular activity in which children compete in STEAM challenges with schools around the world.”

for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching; and Grade 2 teacher Karen DiMaio, who was honored with Sewickley Academy’s RP Simmons Chair for Excellence in Teaching.

An exciting year of growth and academic achievement was capped off by the announcement of Sewickley Academy’s new Junior Prekindergarten, coming in 2025-26.

We will welcome three year olds to our Early Childhood program, which combines college preparatory academics with a play-based, Reggio Emilia inspired approach to learning. We are delighted to expand the Lower School, sharing the Sewickley Academy community with more young learners.

Middle School

The 2023-2024 school year for Sewickley Academy Middle School has been vibrant and engaging for our students—marked by sustained academic integrity, new avenues of support for students, and a blend of old and new traditions—all centered around our new theme, “A Commitment to Community.”

One constant is a focus on high expectations as our teachers prepare engaging lessons, promote critical and creative thinking, facilitate collaborative learning opportunities, and help our students make connections and find relevance between the curriculum, their own lives, and the world beyond the classroom. Our students have thrived with innovative learning experiences—including:

writing dystopian fantasies

building seismometers for measuring earthquake activity

visiting an Escape Room to enhance their work in their Physical Game Design course

analyzing modern media in relation to Yellow Journalism of the early 20th century.

We also focus on supporting our students on a personal level to help them succeed and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We developed a new English Language Arts support lab to provide tiered and targeted instruction for students who could use additional work on reading and writing, expanded our “Skill Lab” program so that students have time to seek help from a teacher and/or collaborate with peers on projects, and launched a new series of courses that focus on specific skills necessary for success in the Senior School and beyond.

emotional learning through an expanded and thoughtful advisory model and the corollary use of a curriculum from The Social Institute. This approach helps students understand their connection to others as they learn to navigate relationships, emotions, social media, school/life balance, and other key challenges as they make the transition from childhood into adolescence.

We continued traditions such as “Grandparents and Special Friends Day,” the return of the Grade 8 class trip to Washington, D.C., and hosting assemblies including visits from cartoonist Joe Wos and motivational speaker Marke Freeman. We have

Middle School students performing Thanksgiving skits.

also cultivated our community with new traditions and activities—ranging from our Turkey Trot which involved creative skits and a “fun run” to our inaugural “Cubing Club” to a “regatta” in which Grade 8 students work in teams with recyclable materials to design and race boats that can hold four students.

The common thread for all of these values, developments, and programs is our new theme “A Commitment to Community.”

We introduced this mantra at the beginning of the school year along with a corresponding document called our “Community Standards” that outlines the details and contours of our vision—specifically focusing on the importance of being respectful, responsible, safe, and positive. We believe that a commitment to these tenets is the key to building a successful community, as well as an understanding of our relationship within the community beyond Sewickley Academy.

Cartoonist Joe Wos visits SA and gives a demonstration on drawing cartoons. Bottom: Marke Freeman, former professional basketball player, current business owner, and a star in the sports broadcasting industry, visits SA and encourages students to be the captain of their own ship.

Our focus on supporting our students has also manifested itself with our commitment to social-

We also focus on knowing our students as learners and as people, a commitment that involves supporting each of our students on a personal level to help them succeed and thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.”

Senior School

As the academic year winds down and we reflect on the year, we have been witness to an extraordinary symphony of ambition and accomplishment. This year’s narrative has been one of illuminating triumphs and talents that have painted a vivid portrait of excellence and innovation and has collectively brightened the spirit of our community.

In the realm of academics, our Senior School curriculum was broadened by the introduction of several new courses: Introduction to Global Studies, Descriptive Statistics, and two new AP courses —AP Economics and AP Computer Science Principles. The resounding enthusiasm among our students spoke volumes about their hunger for knowledge and their unwavering commitment to academic excellence.

Yet, the essence of our curriculum extends beyond mere mastery of subjects; it is about preparing our students for the academic challenges that lie beyond our gates. We reinstated final exams, recognizing the importance of equipping our students with the study skills and resilience needed to excel in the journey ahead.

The arts thrived this year. Our performing arts students mesmerized

audiences with two spellbinding performances, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and a sold-out run of Singin’ in the Rain Our students also distinguished themselves in the visual arts, garnering recognition and awards at prestigious art competitions. Their achievements at the Scholastic Art Fair at CMU and publishworthy pieces in the nationally distributed “Celebrating Arts” magazine exemplified their creativity, innovation, and unyielding passion for the arts.

Our students also represented the Academy with distinction in national conferences and competitions. From the halls of the Student Diversity Leadership Conference in St. Louis and DECA convention in Hershey to the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science competition in State College, and Model EU and UN conferences in downtown Pittsburgh, our students showcased their intellect, ingenuity, and indomitable spirit.

The second annual Career Week marked another milestone, drawing esteemed alumni and friends of the Academy to share invaluable insights and guidance with our students. Welcoming professionals across diverse fields, our students gained

Alex Wang ’24, Swetha Menon ’26, Avni Kathju ’25, and Ben Spicer, Science Department Chair and Senior School Physics and Robotics Teacher, at the PJAS Competition in State College, PA.

perspectives on a multitude of career paths, enhancing their vision for the future.

The inaugural year of the Dean Model heralded a transformative approach to college counseling, offering a personalized and nurturing pathway to academic and college admission success starting from Grade 9. The remarkable outcomes for the Class of 2024, including six National Merit Finalists and the highest percentage of students admitted to top-tier colleges in documented history, are a testament to this model’s effectiveness.

As we close another chapter in the Senior School’s history, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated students, faculty, supportive families, and the entire school community for their unwavering commitment to fostering an environment where dreams are pursued, talents are cultivated, and achievements are celebrated.

Six Sewickley Academy Seniors were National Merit Finalists. From left to right: Alex Wang, Jose Maldonado, Libby Eannarino, Aekam Kaur, Logan Carlson, and Abby Bojalad.

ALL CHARACTERS Welcome at SA!

By Sarah DeMicheli, Lindsay Downs, Laura Jack ‘82

At Sewickley Academy, the library is not just for introducing young readers to memorable characters from remarkable books. Our librarians strive to build character by establishing a culture of information literacy, teaching students vital skills that will develop them into responsible and ethical consumers of information.

These days, finding information might look like it’s gotten easier—just type some words into the Google search bar, right? “I did my research,” often means conducting a quick search and quickly skimming a few articles. While some questions can easily be answered using this method, locating information for most academic tasks is much more complex. At Sewickley Academy, the librarians work to help students understand that there is a clear distinction between “search” and “research.”

Information and media literacy skills are more necessary than ever for both academic engagement and citizenship in the digital age. “We want our students at Sewickley Academy to understand that research and information literacy is very much an active process, and we break down and scaffold the skills for our students from K-12,” says Director of Libraries and Lower School Librarian, Sarah DeMicheli. “At SA, even our youngest students learn about reliable information, the importance of preventing plagiarism, and basic note-taking and citing principles.”

Students in the Middle School take Get Info Lit, a required class where they get a chance to practice the range of skills involved in research.

The project framework varies for each Middle School grade, but every student has the opportunity to choose topics relevant to them. “From there, we teach the stages of research, from task definition, information seeking strategies, and use of information, as well as such specifics as different types of sources and their purposes, locating and evaluating information, taking notes and presenting,” says Lindsay Downs, Middle and Senior School Librarian and Get Info Lit teacher and creator.

This year’s Grade 7 students researched a chosen topic through a science lens. “I really loved being able to learn about something I

We want our students at Sewickley Academy to understand that research and information literacy is very much an active process, and we break down and scaffold the skills for our students from K-12.”

Sarah DeMicheli, Director of Libraries and LS Librarian

was interested in,” says Brinley Miller, about her project on the science of baking. “I found the whole research process really interesting, and now I know much more about the importance of brainstorming and finding reliable sources. And I’ve gotten a lot better at citations!”

Downs adds, “We emphasize citations not only for plagiarism prevention but also as a tool to evaluate a source’s quality. When we cite, we look at the author, publication, and how long ago a source was published—the same elements we use when deciding if a source is worth our time.”

The librarians reinforce and build upon information literacy skills with Senior School students by working with faculty from different content areas as they plan their coursework and then assess the resources students will need for accurate information gathering. Through a wide variety of collaborations with librarians, faculty, and subject matter experts, students are able to apply their legitimate research skills directly in their coursework.

While the integrity of a student’s work is visible in the final product, the Sewickley Academy librarians are working behind the scenes emphasizing process. By practicing an effective research process, our students develop key knowledge and habits, including independent learning, vetting sources, correlating and combining information, and critical thinking, that create lifelong learners with strong character.

What a year it has been for the arts at Sewickley Academy. Our students have seized every opportunity to showcase and enhance their passion, talent, and commitment to artistic expression.

We have celebrated remarkable achievements by our gifted musicians at all levels. Fourteen students across the Lower, Middle, and Senior Schools were chosen to participate in distinguished Pennsylvania Music Educators Association ensembles, collaborating with students regionwide. Sewickley Academy was also represented in the Junior Mendelssohn Choir, conducted by our own Choral Director, Mr. Timothy Heavner. Two instrumentalists, Albert Dong (’27) and Marcus Zhan (’26) were named winners of the prestigious Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artists Auditions, for which they devoted themselves to rigorous rehearsals to perform under renowned guest conductors, with their love for music shining through their accomplishments.

Two impressive recitals were held on campus, featuring students from all divisions. Winter Concerts provided both musicians and audiences with memorable experiences, while our Spring Concerts showcased the growth of our Middle and Senior School ensembles and the debut of the newly acquired skills of our Lower School musicians.

The introduction of a ukulele class in Grade 3 has been met with enthusiasm and success, culminating in its premiere concert experience. Visual Artists have actively showcased their creations in various gallery exhibitions this year. Four talented Middle and Senior School students, Tino Cercone (’27), Makenzie

Fourteen students across the Lower, Middle, and Senior Schools were chosen to participate in distinguished Pennsylvania Music Educators Association ensembles, collaborating with students region-wide.”

Raining on the Rea Auditorium stage during Singin’ in the Rain.

Minji Kim ’25’s piece, “Mitochondria,” wins a Gold Key at the Regional Scholastic Art Awards in Pittsburgh, PA.

Dice (’26), Lisette Niepa (’28), and Minji Kim (’25) were honored with Regional Scholastic Art Awards, amassing an impressive nine total awards, with one of Minji’s pieces earning a prestigious Gold Key Award, qualifying it for the national competition. As a complement to campus classroom experiences, students had the wonderful opportunity to learn from visiting artist John Tronsor, exploring the realm of macro photography.

Five mainstage productions captivated audiences this year. From the imaginative Matilda, Jr., performed by Middle School students, to the critically acclaimed Senior School Fall Play, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, our students have demonstrated exceptional talent and creativity.

The Senior School Musical, Singin’ in the Rain, brought the house down with extraordinary performances that included incredible tap dancing in actual rain on the Rea Auditorium stage.

Lower School students also thrived artistically, with their love of the arts growing organically through annual performances featuring dance, music, acting, and creative costume and projection designs. Embracing their interests, including light and color, nocturnal animals, and Charlotte’s Web, students developed and refined their personal contributions to artistic creativity. The Grade 5 class told a heartwarming story of family, friendship, and adventure, showcasing students’ singing, acting, and dancing talents

in their production of Finding Nemo Kids. And for the much anticipated community celebration, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, attendees were treated to performances by all Lower School students.

The Spring Arts Fest, a showcase of Senior and Middle School theater, dance, music, and visual arts students, ended the year on an eclectic and artistic high note, spotlighting not only student creativity but dedication to their craft.

The arts at Sewickley Academy thrive because of the support of our families, friends, faculty, staff, and alumni, whether you are in the audience at performances, lending a hand behind the scenes, offering words of encouragement, or helping from afar, your support fuels our students’ passion for the arts at Sewickley Academy and beyond. We thank you for being a part of the journey!

Lower School students perform Finding Nemo Kids

Middle School students perform Matilda Jr.

Students attend Regional Scholastic Art Awards with Art Teacher, Stephanie Martin.

GIRLS TENNIS

RECORD: 14-3

The girls tennis team returned to the WPIAL Team Finals this season. Falling to Knoch High School in the WPIAL final match, the team

Tracks SPRING

advanced to the PIAA team tournament where they won their first-round match, but fell in the quarterfinal round to the PIAA 2A State Champions, Scranton Prep. Seniors: Gwyn Belt, Anjali Shah, Abby Bojalad, Alexandra Bock,

GIRLS SOCCER

RECORD: 7-8

The girls soccer team qualified for the WPIAL playoffs with Quincy Sirko, Marie Bigi, Libby Eannarino, and Katherine Varghese being named to the WPIAL All-Section Team. Katherine was also named to the All-WPIAL team. As a young team with only one senior, they look forward to further accomplishments next year. Senior: Libby Eannarino

SWIMMING

RECORD: Boys 3-7, Girls 8-2

The Quaker Valley/Sewickley Academy swim and dive teams had a fantastic season. The girls team were section champions, and numerous athletes qualified for the WPIAL and PIAA finals. Sewickley Academy’s own Lydia Kilpela ’27 and Marcus Zhan ’26 qualified to compete at the PIAA finals. Marcus finished 7th in the 500 Meter Freestyle, 9th in the 200 Meter Freestyle, and was a member of the 15th place 200 Medley Relay Team, while Lydia was a member of the 16th place 200 Medley Relay Team.

CHEER

The cheer team brought new cheers, new routines, and tons of spirit to the basketball games this winter. The team also hosted The 2nd Annual Panther Cubs Cheer Mini Camp for all Prekindergarten through Grade 5 students. Over 40 Panther Cubs trained with the team for a week and cheered at a home boys basketball game with the varsity team. Seniors: Julia Glance and Molly Russell

HOCKEY

RECORD: 0-19

Hockey returned this fall and winter as a coop under Sewickley Academy’s name. This young team, made up of athletes from Sewickley Academy, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, South Side High School, and Northgate High School, is excited to come into the next season ready to compete Senior: Jayden Garcha

GIRLS BASKETBALL

RECORD: 8-12

The girls basketball team began the season by winning the Carlynton Tip-Off Tournament. The young team continued to improve throughout the season, winning 3 of the last 4 games. Senior: Libby Eannarino

BOYS GOLF

RECORD: 8-4

Juniors Severin Harmon and Karan Kad represented Sewickley Academy at the WPIAL individual tournament. Severin qualified for the PIAA individual tournament where he tied for 35th place. The team did not have seniors this year and is excited to compete next season.

GIRLS GOLF RECORD:

2-5

After leaving the WPIAL six years ago, the girls golf team has shown their ability to complete a full schedule and will rejoin the WPIAL for the Fall 2024 season. Seniors: Lia Frazzini and Julia Glance

BOYS BASKETBALL RECORD:

13-10

BOYS SOCCER

RECORD: 13-3

The boys soccer team had a strong season, finishing first in their section and qualifying for the WPIAL playoffs as the #2 seed. Five players were named to the All-Section team, Chase D’Antonio, Jackson Quigley, Cooper Wentz, Finn Wentz, and Blake Wilmont, along with one honorable mention, Luca Peluso. Cooper Wentz was also named to the All-WPIAL

CROSS COUNTRY

RECORD: Boys 5-7, Girls 0-6

The cross country team had the opportunity to participate in numerous invitationals this season against a high level of competition. The team had many season and personal records set. Senior: Zachary Kerrish

An Everlasting Legacy for Coach Palmer

Sewickley Academy recently established the Win Palmer Excellence Fund in honor of the late Athletic Director and Coach, Winthrop “Win” Palmer. This scholarship fund, generously initiated by a donor, and supported by others, aims to provide tuition assistance for exceptional students who embody Coach Palmer’s values and sportsmanship.

To commemorate Coach Palmer’s legacy, a Spirit Day was held on January 20, 2024, featuring the dedication and naming of the basketball court in the Means Alumni

Gymnasium and Events Center as “Win Palmer Court.” Derek Chimner ’04, Sewickley Academy’s Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and a former athlete under Coach Palmer, formally introduced the Win Palmer Excellence Fund during the event and unveiled the design of Win Palmer Court. The new design includes Coach Palmer’s signature and a silhouette of the school’s façade, including the iconic cupola. The court’s completion is expected in Summer 2024. The festivities of the day included four Sewickley Academy basketball games, culminating in an alumni

An exciting tribute to Win involves the court where we are standing. It seems quite fitting that he should now put his signature on it—literally. We are pleased to unveil that the new court will be named the Win Palmer Court.”

Derek Chimner ’04

Rendering of new court floor. Left to right: Jim Miller, Director of Buildings and Grounds; Heather Border, Assistant Athletic Director; Dr. Ashley (Brown ’00) Birtwell, Head of School; Dave DeNardo, Chief Financial and Operations Officer; and Kelly Carioto, Assistant Athletic Director.

game (see recap and photos on page 34), with attendees witnessing the unveiling of renderings for Win Palmer Court in between games. Dr. Ashley (Brown ’00) Birtwell, Head of School, spoke of Coach Palmer’s enduring impact during the ceremony, emphasizing the celebration of his life and contributions.

Win Palmer’s remarkable 22-year tenure as Director of Athletics and coach left an indelible mark on Sewickley Academy. His coaching achievements included 12 WPIAL titles and numerous PIAA championships, with a career coaching record of 704 wins and 317 losses. Coach Palmer’s profound influence extended far beyond his coaching achievements, encompassing the values and spirit that define the institution. The establishment of the Win Palmer Excellence Fund and the dedication of Win Palmer Court serve as enduring tributes to his legacy.

The Significance of the National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference for Sewickley Academy

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion has become not just a goal but a necessity. Recognizing this, Sewickley Academy decided in 2023 to once again participate in the National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference (NAIS PoCC).

For Sewickley Academy, the NAIS PoCC represents more than just a conference; it is a gateway to a deeper understanding of the multifaceted dimensions of diversity and the tools needed to cultivate an inclusive environment. The decision to send faculty, staff, and students is grounded in the belief that true transformation happens through collective engagement and shared learning experiences.

Derek Chimner ’04, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Sewickley Academy, highlights the importance of this learning opportunity: “The whole point of any conference is to bring back different thoughts and perspectives. One thing that we discussed at the conference, and after we returned to campus, was ‘What does a mentorship program look like for students of color who are coming in from different areas? How can we help improve their experience and make sure that they are set up for success?’ It falls on us as educators to help these students. So how do we, as a school, make sure they succeed?”

Similarly, Priscilla Morales, Assistant Director of Admissions at Sewickley

Academy, emphasizes the practical implications of attending such conferences, noting, “As a staff member, attending NAIS PoCC helped me recognize the blind spots in our institutional practices and empowered me to advocate for more inclusive policies within our school community, particularly in how we support incoming students in a new environment.”

Perhaps the most profound impact of the NAIS PoCC was felt by Sewickley Academy students, Christa Sims ’25, Jack Terrell ’24, and Bailey Criswell ’25 who participated in the Student Diversity Leadership Conference:

Christa: “Being in our family groups and talking with other students, we realized that we share similar experiences going to independent schools as students of color. That made things easier and our affinity groups were really fun.”

Jack: “What really stuck with me was a guest speaker who talked about allyship. He said ‘It’s one thing being there and saying you support these causes, but it’s another thing being a partner, side by side with people who really need the support.’”

Bailey: “A big thing that we want to incorporate here, is to encourage people to have conversations they don’t always want to have. And it doesn’t have to be uncomfortable getting to know other people, and where they come from and where they stand in general is important. Coming back from this conference, we’re trying to make it more normal and less like a hard conversation.”

The Academy’s commitment to attending future NAIS PoCC conferences is grounded in the belief that diversity is not just a buzzword but a core value that must be continuously nurtured and reinforced. By participating in events like NAIS PoCC, we ensure that our educational community remains at the forefront of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Being in our family groups and talking with other students, we realized that we share similar experiences going to independent schools as students of color. That made things easier and our affinity groups were really fun.”

Christa, SA Student

ELLEN BISHOP MARTIN

Memories

OF A LOVING DANCE INSTRUCTOR AND GRACIOUS FRONT OFFICE PRESENCE SPANNING 50 YEARS

Ellen Bishop Martin passed away peacefully on January 11, 2024, at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh after a short but irreversible illness. She was 85 years old. Ellen is survived by David, her husband of 64 years, their son James ’83 and his family of Sewickley, and her sister Carole Backus and her family of Wardsboro, Vermont. She was predeceased by their daughter, Dr. Elizabeth Martin ’79 of Ferney-Voltaire, France.

Ellen’s husband’s early career required numerous family moves: from Pittsburgh to New York, to London, to Frankfurt, Germany, briefly to Chicago, and back to Pittsburgh. Ellen quickly set up a household in all those places and, while they lived in Frankfurt, learned to speak German. Ellen had learned French as a schoolgirl, and during the family’s years in Europe, she introduced them to France and its culture. They vacationed there frequently after their return to the States.

Ellen was born and grew up in New Haven, Connecticut. She graduated from Smith College where she majored in music, and gave her family an appreciation for classical music, ballet, and opera. During their years in Germany, Ellen found a job teaching dance to children of American military families at several bases in the Frankfurt area. When the family returned to Pittsburgh in 1974, she began assisting in the dance program at Sewickley Academy, teaching tap, jazz, and ballet after school and later helped found the summer Performing Arts Camp. Starting in the early 1980s, she began assisting in the school’s main office and became the Academy’s receptionist, a role she filled for over 40 years, long after she retired from dance. In all, her relationship with the school spanned fifty years.

Alumni across several generations remember Mrs. Martin fondly. Tributes from former students include: “Mrs. Martin was such a beautiful light for those of us who had the fortune to meet and be with her. She was kind, generous, and loving. I have many fond memories of her working countless hours in the studio and backstage at SA. She was such a strong and gifted artist. She will be missed by many.”

Mrs. Martin was blessed with a strong memory for people and an exceptionally gracious way ’to be in the moment’ with each of us. She was a quiet blessing to Sewickley Academy.”

Ellen Martin is remembered and honored with a memorial plaque in the garden near Rea Auditorium, where she taught dance and assisted with the musical theater programs for many years. It reads: “In memory of Ellen Martin: Everyone who knew her loved her.”

Ellen Martin outside of Rea Auditorium during her early years at the Academy.

JOHN ROBERT

BASINGER

Remembering BELOVED

LONG-TIME MATH & DEPARTMENT CHAIR

John Robert Basinger, 55, of Pittsburgh, formerly of Mill Run, Pennsylvania, passed away unexpectedly on February 11, 2024, at his home. He was born January 27, 1969, in Connellsville, Pennsylvania, a son of Peggy Sherbondy Peck of Normalville and Robert E. Basinger (Karen) of Connellsville. In addition to his parents, he is survived by: his son Rodney B. Basinger and fiancée Jessica of Vandergrift; his brother James Brad Basinger and girlfriend Tara Kelyman of Meadville; and his nephews Mack and Miles Basinger. John was Methodist by faith.

John was a graduate of Connellsville High School, class of 1987. He continued his education at Penn State University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics Education and then earned his Master’s Degree from West Virginia University. While in college during the summer months, he worked with the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Conestoga. He also served as a tour guide at Fallingwater, the historic landmark built by Frank Lloyd Wright. In recent years, he actively and enthusiastically participated in plays at R-Act in Rochester, Pennsylvania.

John began his teaching career at Essex High School in Tappahannock, Virginia, also coaching soccer, followed by two years at the Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School for Environmental Studies, a magnet school for the most talented math and science students in the region. In 2000, he moved on to teach at Sewickley Academy where he taught math at every level in the Senior School, most recently Multivariable Calculus, and AP Calculus BC. During the 2023-2024 school year, he was also teaching Pre-Algebra in Middle School and a Lower School computer science

class, which gave him great joy. For several years, he coached soccer. He served as math department chair from 2008 – 2013, and again from 2022 until his unexpected passing.

He was “the driving force behind the math department’s use of technology,” former department chair Sharon Matthews recalled. “He was very supportive of our adopting the use of graphing calculators, and then Smart Boards. He both led us and pushed us.” Mr. Basinger created many of his own videos for what he termed the “flipped class” where students would watch a lesson online before class time as often as they wanted, then come to class prepared to ask questions. When asked what he liked best about teaching at the Academy, he said,

The opportunity to be creative in what I do. I am free to come up with new ideas and new projects that add excitement to what I do.”

An active advisor to student activities, he was always an instigator of good times. For Halloween, he would come up with clever costumes to tease student imagination as they guessed who/what he was portraying. He was the positive force behind “Pi Day” in March, now an annual phenomenon, when he dressed up with a favorite bow tie, and served pies all day long with a huge smile on his face. This past March 14, the faculty and staff honored the man who loved this day by wearing colorful bow ties and their own big smiles to camouflage their sadness at his loss, saying “Happy Pi Day” to everyone they saw. Mr. Basinger was honored by the school at a reception for the entire Sewickley Academy community on May 13, 2024.

SEBASTIAN TAN ’25

Sebastian Tan ’25 is the founder of “OutsideConnection,” an online job platform that is pioneering economic empowerment for formerly incarcerated individuals. By facilitating their access to job openings at various businesses, the platform enables them to achieve the financial stability to actively participate in their communities. Tan draws inspiration from his upbringing in his family’s bakery, where he worked alongside a diverse team that included formerly incarcerated individuals. Viewing these co-workers as an integral part of his extended family, he became determined to break the cycle of recidivism which so often occurs when former inmates are unable to obtain employment due to the stigma of their past. By providing access to employment opportunities, leveraging both manual and artificial intelligence, OutsideConnection builds and organizes job listings in a user-friendly online marketplace tailored specifically for reentrants. Currently, the platform showcases opportunities from over 40 companies across 17 states.

AMINA JOSEPHS ’25

During Winter Break, Amina Josephs ’25 embarked on a journey to Nigeria and Ghana accompanied by Dr. Onome Oghifobibi, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh and a pediatric surgeon affiliated with UPMC Magee and Children’s Hospitals as a Neonatologist in their Newborn Medicine Program. During the Fall of 2023, Amina and Dr. Oghifobibi organized a fundraiser in Pittsburgh, gathering monetary donations and medical supplies for a community hospital in Nigeria. Subsequently, Amina, accompanied by her mother, Dominika Brown, joined Dr. Oghifobibi on a trip to a Nigerian village where they presented the 1 million Naira (approximately 627 USD) they raised, along with the donated infant-specific medical provisions.

JACK TERRELL ’24 AND ALEX WANG ’24

During their time in elementary school, Jack Terrell ’24 and Alex Wang ’24 attended Carnegie Science Center’s summer camps annually, where mentors led them in engaging activities and taught science and experimentation concepts. This sparked their passion for STEM. Fast forward to Senior School, they came to appreciate the value of exploring their interests at an early age and of having older mentors spark their curiosity. They thought it would be beneficial and fun for Lower School students to share similar experiences. Jack and Alex created Science Buddies, a mentoring program to inspire young students to explore STEM interests. Since 2022, they have held weekly sessions in the Lower School, conducting hands-on experiments. With the help of Mr. Ben Spicer, they worked with 10-12 students each trimester. For their senior project, they expanded their program to local schools and organizations such as Northgate School District and Fern Hollow Nature Center and plan to create a digital platform for nationwide access to these experiments, lesson plans, and video

OnBreak!Spring

Share your Flat Panther photos with marketing@sewickley.org. Be sure to include the location and identify anyone in the photo. Or post them on Facebook @SewickleyAcademy or Instagram @sewickleyacademy. Use hashtags #WheresFlatPanther, #FlatPanther, #SAPanthers

1-2:

6:

7:

Julia Moya ’34 explores Portugal with Flat Panther.

3: Matt Michaels, Cristy McCloskey, Mark Shelley, and Flat Panther chaperone students on a trip to Greece.

4: Flat Panther joined Senior School students in Greece.

5: Emma Kasky ’33 and Flat Panther catching rays at Universal Studios Resort, Florida.

Senior School Registrar & Testing Coordinator, Cathy Bamrick brought Flat Panther to meet her new grandson at Magee Women’s Hospital.

Flat Panther and Addison Batyko ’34 enjoying Atlantis, Bahamas.

8: Talon Ivy ’34 with Flat Panther at Moon Palace Grand in Cancun, Mexico.

9: Flat Panther travels to Erie, PA with Senior School science students to see the Solar Eclipse on April 8, 2024.

Congratulations CLASS OF 2024!

As you embark on your next journey, may you continue to achieve greatness and make a positive impact on the world. Best wishes for a bright and successful future!

Abby Bojalad Emory University

Aekam Kaur Northwestern University

Alaina Ohr George Washington University

Alex Wang Stony Brook University

Alexandra Bock Carnegie Mellon University

Andrew Caridad Purdue University

Anjali Shah University of Pennsylvania

Ashley Close Wake Forest University

Bernie McGroder LIM College

Cait Donohue Georgetown University

Claudia Kronk Duke University

Colleen Busher Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Cooper Wentz Southern Methodist University

Gwyneth Belt Clemson University

Jack Terrell University of Pennsylvania

Jackson Quigley Elon University

The Sewickley Academy Class of 2024 is attending the following colleges and universities:

Jayden Garcha University of Notre Dame

Jordan Smith Michigan State University

Jose Maldonado Duke University

Joseph Stephan High Point University

Julia Glance Kenyon College

Kathryn Colwell Ringling College of Art & Design

Kendall Sykes Chapman University

Lia Frazzini Villanova University

Libby Eannarino Vanderbilt University

Logan Carlson University of Chicago

Lucas Ratkovich Duquesne University

Max Peluso University of Michigan

Michael Gorloff University of Michigan

Michael Woo University of Pittsburgh

Molly Russell University of Mississippi

Natalia Mancino Penn State University

Peter Shillingsburg University of California, Santa Barbara

Raph Jones Duquesne University

Sasha Ahmad Georgetown University

Sophia Linhardt Carnegie Mellon University

Tejas Mitra University of Pittsburgh

Xavier Nicopulos University of Pittsburgh

Zachary Kerrish

Purdue University

Where Are They Now?

The Motley Siblings

The Motley siblings always reached for the highest rungs during their high school years and have not stopped since. Being talented academically did not diminish the fact that hard work and diligent study were the mainstays of both siblings’ lives. The Motley parents, Darlene and David, are continuously encouraging and supportive. They understand the value of education, which is why they entrusted their children to Sewickley Academy.

Renée went to Harvard and later to Stanford for her MBA. Carrington went to MIT and later earned his Master’s and PhD from Stanford. Today, Renée is the founder and CEO of RM Coaching, a personal and professional development coaching firm, and Carrington is a tenure-track professor specializing in entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University. At first glance, it may seem that their journeys were clear and direct, but there were numerous twists and turns along the way.

Renée Motley ’10

“Leap and the net will appear.”

hat philosophy has guided Renée Motley’s choices through her life and career for the past fourteen years since she graduated from Sewickley Academy in 2010. As a senior, even with a long string of AP 5’s and the highest academic average, she was unsure of what she wanted to do professionally. Two things she did know for sure: she loved languages and she loved learning.

Renée shared one of the quotes that has always encouraged her from Steve Jobs’ 2005 Stanford commencement speech: “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future.” Her advice to today’s SA seniors is exactly that, “You never know what the future will

hold, so your best bet is to do what you enjoy!” Renée thanks her language teachers at SA, especially Jennifer Bennett-Brown, Ken Goleski, Sira Metzinger, Julia Tebbets, and Pascale Selini Spinelli, for nurturing her interest in foreign languages and cultures. Her experience in the Swiss Semester program as a Grade 10 student was the beginning of what would be numerous international experiences. “Swiss Semester pushed me to the max and forced me out of my shell,” she remembers, “I loved every minute of it!”

Academy friends fueled her interest in languages and cultures as well. “One of my classmates spoke Arabic at home and I remember being fascinated by the books filled with intricate swirling script. I checked out “Arabic for Beginners”

Dr. Carrington Motley ’12

wo years behind Renée came her younger brother and only sibling, Carrington. He too graduated at the top of his class with numerous awards, as well as being a star athlete. Asked if he had foreseen a certain career path for himself when he was a senior at SA, Carrington said, “No, I did not have a clear direction. I had many interests and I was still figuring out what I was good at and what I did not enjoy. My advice to SA students would be: Do not limit yourself.

I did not have a clear direction. I had many interests and I was still figuring out what I was good at and what I did not enjoy. My advice to SA students would be: Do not limit yourself. Explore all kinds of options, do not get boxed in. It’s fine not to have a clear North Star; look at all the stars on the horizon.”

from the Hansen Library and began to teach myself Arabic. I spent hours tracing the alphabet, hoping to one day not only be able to duplicate the intricate calligraphy, but create and read it for myself.”

By high school, Renée’s passion for foreign cultures and language had grown so strong that she narrowed her college search to schools with Middle Eastern Studies departments and opportunities for language immersion. At Harvard, she majored in Economics and Middle Eastern Studies and received foreign language citations in Arabic and French. She spent four months of the summer of 2012 in an Arabic immersion program based in Jordan, with travel to Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, and Turkey. During her senior year, she spent six months in Paris studying global finance and economics at the Sorbonne. After graduation, she went to work for J.P. Morgan in New York City, focusing on asset allocation strategies for institutional clients in the US as well as Asia and the Middle East. Her ability to speak French, Spanish, and Arabic fluently and her performance as an investment analyst landed her a position in J.P. Morgan’s London headquarters, extending her investment reach to Europe and Latin America. During her two-year

Explore all kinds of options, do not get boxed in. It’s fine not to have a clear North Star; look at all the stars on the horizon.”

opportunity to learn the basic design and manufacturing skills needed to build things from toys to prosthetics. “Looking beyond the academics to the actual job functions is essential,” he said. “Rarely is the job well aligned with what you think it will be.”

Throughout his four years at MIT, Carrington also participated on the varsity track and field team, excelling as a triple jumper and twice earning Academic All-American honors and becoming captain of the team.

“It took a lot of discipline to be on a varsity team and maintain a 5.0 average,” he said. “I was also fortunate to be surrounded by incredibly motivated teammates and friends who supported me and made sure I also found time to have fun and enjoy my time in school.”

In the summers, he sought internships. “It’s not easy to get them, especially in your first two years, because many firms prefer upperclassmen. The big, established firms are often not interested in freshmen and sophomores. I looked at some start-ups, which turned out to be really good, because they are smaller and need help, so you get to see all aspects of what they do.”

Carrington chose MIT for college and joined Renée in Boston. He liked the sciences and had a particular interest in how things work. In determining a major, he tried to look at what the job functions might be following certain majors. As a freshman, he considered bioscience, aerospace, and chemical engineering, but mechanical engineering captured his attention after he took an introductory course that provided the

He worked for a start-up that made wearable speakers, BodyMedia, and learned about product design, standards, and quality assurance. “I was included in meetings with some great people. I loved the environment and there was a lot of flexibility.” Another summer, he did academic research and enjoyed the autonomy to answer questions he found interesting. Anything that involved design, ideas, and innovation piqued his interest.

Inspired by his sister’s time at JP Morgan, Carrington spent his junior summer at Goldman Sachs

Top: Carrington competes for the SA track and field team in 2012 during his senior year. Bottom: Carrington as a senior at Sewickley Academy in 2012.

overseas tenure, she regularly used her language skills to conduct client investment reviews and macroeconomic updates in French and Spanish.

J.P. Morgan sparked her interest in investing, venture capital, and technology enterprises, so when she began to think about going back to graduate school, she set her sights on the West Coast and Silicon Valley.

Renée looks back on her time at Stanford Graduate School of Business with great fondness.

“The MBA program exceeded my wildest dreams”, she said. She was drawn to their focus on innovation and creativity and the leadership skills involved therein. The program emphasized the importance of personal discovery, authentic and conscientious leadership, and creating a lasting community. It built her confidence and encouraged a multidimensional approach to leadership—combining traditional strategy, business acumen, and negotiation skills with thoughtful introspection, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal dynamics, a much more holistic approach than exists at many other business schools.

In the spring of her first year at Stanford, Renée earned the distinction of being selected for the Arbuckle Leadership Fellowship, the GSB’s flagship leadership development program. Fellows complete a rigorous curriculum to prepare to guide and support the incoming first-year MBA students by sharing their leadership expertise, skills, and insights. This was her first formal experience as a coach to others and she loved it.

Her professional experiences at Stanford focused on investing in consumer tech start-ups and going into her final year, she made a strategic pivot to explore the operating side of start-ups. Joining a securities trading platform, Robinhood, as a Senior Manager, she

but realized that the career of an investment banker was not him. After graduating from MIT, he interned at a startup in Paris, where he was able to reacquaint himself with his French language skills. Then, he taught the fall semester in Zermatt in the Swiss Semester program that he had enjoyed as a student at SA. That teaching experience was very satisfying for him.

During his six-month stint in Europe, Carrington applied for full-time roles and to graduate school. At the start of the new year, he began a full-time position at Flagship Pioneering, a Boston-based venture fund. However, he soon found out he’d been accepted to the doctorate program at Stanford in management science and engineering. The program was a great fit and he decided to head west. Two years later, Renée joined him at Stanford, and they lived together for almost a year during the COVID-19

pandemic, playing a lot of golf and tennis with each other to take a break from studies at their apartment. Their graduations from Stanford—she with her MBA and he with his doctorate— were held on June 11 and 12, 2022.

Today, Carrington is a tenuretrack assistant professor at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, where he researches and teaches entrepreneurship. He finds his interactions with students very fulfilling.

He is also working with several start-ups on their design and implementation projects where he can be involved from both a management and an engineering perspective, combining both his major interests.

Carrington’s wife, Haley Strouf Motley, a pediatrician, matched for residency at UPMC Children’s Hospital this spring, ending seven years of long-distance. Carrington and Haley enjoy being in Pittsburgh and close to his parents, Darlene and David Motley. The Motley parents are also shining examples of successful careers and giving to others— Dr. Darlene Motley is recently retired from Chatham University where she was the inaugural Dean of the School of Arts, Science and Business when Chatham went co-ed, supervising programs at both the undergraduate and the graduate level. David, a former trustee at Sewickley

Carrington and his wife, Haley Strouf Motley

focused on strategy and operational insights. At the same time Renée started coaching colleagues and fellow MBA alumni as a “side hustle,” not fully considering converting it into a career. Her image of leadership coaches had been one of senior executives at the end of their careers. Renée’s coach encouraged her to expand her definition of coaching—coaches didn’t have to fit just one mold and were needed across the spectrum of leadership. With experience working across the globe and in various companies, she was wellpositioned with the skills needed to coach ambitious professionals committed to personal growth and equally importantly, she had the enthusiasm to do the work. Thus, RM Coaching was born. After two years on her own, she finds it challenging, intellectually stimulating, and incredibly rewarding. She has clients in various stages of their careers with many different questions and goals. Referrals from her strong network of academic and industry contacts are a core part of her growing business.

It’s exciting to see the growing interest in coaching from both professionals and their employers. People are seeking deeper awareness of their strengths and their areas of opportunity—which thought patterns are holding them back and need to be reframed,”

Academy, is a venture capitalist who co-founded Black Tech Nation Ventures with Sean Sebastian, SA parent of three alumni. They invest in software companies that are led by Black or diverse founders.

Carrington happily acknowledged his older sister’s influence on his life. “Renée has been incredibly supportive from childhood on. I watched her achieve and learned so much from her. I saw how persistent she was and thoughtful in her choices. She passed information and insights down to me, including how to approach different situations and how to take some time for myself. When I graduated from MIT, Renée said, ‘Don’t go to work right away; do something that gives you pleasure.’ That’s how I decided to work in Paris and teach at Swiss Semester, something I really wanted to do.”

Carrington summed up their relationship today.

“Employers are interested in investing in their top performers and want to provide expert resources to support employees as they become leaders and managers in their organizations.” Renée works with her clients to define their developmental goals and then execute their strategies to achieve those goals.

“I see coaching as having three core pillars: Awareness, Action, and Accountability,” she said, “At the same time, I am always working on myself, developing my strengths, and honing my craft. I have taken many leaps, in education and business, where the future was uncertain, and they have been exhilarating—I not only survived those leaps but have loved the resulting experience. One of my favorite parts about coaching is helping my clients do the same.” By learning to trust herself, the net did indeed appear.

As we have gotten older, we’ve become even closer. We can talk about any stage, any happening in life. She is my cheerleader for the highs and the lows. She is steady and wise.” He gives a wide grin, “And sometimes now, I can even give back some wise words to her!”

As active representatives of the greater alumni community, the Alumni Council continues to keep abreast of the most current and innovative happenings at Sewickley Academy.

Possessing first-hand knowledge, they are best informed for promoting alumni interests and enhancing alumni engagement throughout the vast SA network.

In recent months, the council has examined admissions processes in order to understand two fundamental questions: 1) What does Sewickley Academy offer that inspires prospective students to apply for admission; and 2) What does Sewickley Academy provide educationally to ensure that students will ultimately be admitted to the colleges best suited to their abilities and interests?

To understand the former, the council was treated to a full campus tour conducted by Jayme Thompson, Director of Admissions, who highlighted familiar areas that have been updated, and brand new spaces within existing walls. Here, the council was able to see the learning environments, complete with all of the latest technology, while hearing about course offerings and student benefits.

As for the latter, the council enjoyed an energetic interactive meeting with Charlotte Bogdewic, Senior School Dean, who explained the newly implemented college counseling process under the Dean Model, and the impact that has upon students throughout their Senior School years. Of particular interest was her explanation of rapidly evolving college admissions standards and criteria, especially at the higher levels of competitiveness nationally. Hence, the Academy’s program remains fluid in an ever-changing admissions world.

As for its own initiatives, this spring the council began undertaking an ongoing project of relative magnitude. Many may recall that historically each alumni class had a class agent from

among their ranks, whose primary responsibility was to gather class notes for Sewickley Speaking and to maintain open communication with classmates, particularly at reunion times, to help garner participation. Somehow, in recent years, the class agent program fell by the wayside, thereby reducing alumni interaction and involvement.

Consequently, the Alumni Council is reviving this important program and is actively seeking volunteers to serve as agents for their respective class years as point people between the alumni office and each class directly. Some individuals may have received personal correspondence from a member of the council, but the program is open to all who are interested. With over 4,000 living alumni spanning about 85 class years, the task of retaining representatives for each class may seem a bit daunting, but it is manageable with your help.

If you have any suggestions or would like to serve as an agent for your class, or perhaps as a co-agent with

Council members include:

Virginia (Nimick ’00) Elliott President

Clayton Morris ’11 Vice President

Logan Cole ’16 Co-Secretary

Ciara Donohue ’17 Co-Secretary

Ian Carroll ’11

Meredith Doyle ’12

Jason Fincke ’93

Willie Paul ’16

Todd Thompson ’85

Anna Zappala ’07

someone else, please contact the SA Alumni Relations Office, as soon as possible, via alumni@sewickley.org or by calling (412) 741-2230 x 3692

This is an excellent opportunity to stay in touch with old friends and reconnect with those who may have lost touch. The responsibilities are minimal and the rewards are great. Please join us.

It may seem a little premature to be thinking about fall when summer is just upon us and our thoughts turn toward warm weather, swimming pools, picnics, and vacations.

But, in the Sewickley Academy Alumni Office, we will be busy getting ready for Alumni Weekend 2024. That’s right, it’s not too soon to start making plans, so be sure to be in Sewickley on October 4th and 5th to spend time with classmates and friends. We will have a variety of events for people to get together to relive old memories and make some new ones.

This year we celebrate reunions for the classes ending in ’4 and ’9 and they will gather for individual class parties on Saturday evening, October 5th. While some have plans well underway, we still need people to serve as hosts for certain classes. This would include establishing a venue (such as a private home, a restaurant, a bar, a community space, etc.) and reaching out to your classmates to encourage everyone to attend. Often, several people combine to serve as co-hosts, which is always a lot of fun. Please let us know if you would like to help coordinate your class party as a host by emailing alumni@sewickley.org

Although people tend to think of Alumni Weekend as being only for classes celebrating milestone

reunion years, it is far from the case. We encourage people from all class years to attend and celebrate their time at Sewickley Academy together. Formal invitations will be going out later in the summer and will include a confirmed schedule of events. However, we can tell you for certain that there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy one another’s company and to have a good time throughout the weekend.

There will be numerous all-alumni events, including a festive evening of good cheer at the Edgeworth Club and several on-campus activities highlighting student life today. Also, after great success last year, we will once again hold an Alumni Tailgate and Spirit Day at Nichols Field, where we will show our Panther pride by rooting for both the varsity girls and varsity boys soccer teams at each of their games.

There is much more to come as our team prepares for the events. Please let us know if there is something in particular that you think people might enjoy on Alumni Weekend. But, above all, save the date and be sure to join us!

CLASS OF 1974

50 YEAR Reunion!

Sewickley Academy will pay tribute to the Class of 1974, as they celebrate their 50 Year Reunion, with a special private dinner on Saturday, October 5th. We want to encourage everyone in the Class of 1974 to attend this landmark occasion and to catch up on the last half century since graduation. Don’t let another 50 years go by!

2024 ALUMNI

Basketball Game & Spirit Day

On Saturday, January 20, 2024, the Means Alumni Gymnasium was filled with students, faculty, families, friends, and alumni who all came together to celebrate Panther Pride for a winter Spirit Day. It was a full day of basketball competitions featuring JV and Varsity boys and girls games, capped off by an Alumni Basketball Game which brought back team members from years past and was rounded out by some current parents. While there were a few mentions of aches and pains and several knee braces in use, it was an exciting game and thoroughly enjoyed by all who participated and all who watched.

L to R: Tom Droney ’10; Ryan Birtwell P’35; Nick Mross ’01; Derek Chimner ’04; Corey Diethorn ’04; Sean Hickey ’04; Pete Schramm ’10; Mike Hammel P’36; Declan Hickton ’17; Josh Fogle P’25; Dave Groetsch ’18; Andy Ellis P’31, P’34, P’37; Justin Pryor ’17; Dave Hammel P’33, P’35.

Justin Pryor ’17 can still dunk like a varsity player.

A favorite event each year is the traditional Alumni Holiday Party where Sewickley Academy Alumni of all ages gather for an evening of celebration in the festive spirit of the season. This year’s event was held on December 23, 2023, at the Edgeworth Club and was attended by about 100 guests, including alumni, spouses, former faculty members, and friends.

Emma Pigman ’19, Eiley Doyle ’20, and Morgan Magee ’20 enjoying a spectacular night at the Edgeworth Club

Dr. Ron Kinser, Senior School Science Teacher, hears about first-year life at Vanderbilt University from Jayne Miner ’23

John Zimmerman ’85, Hunter Ligo ’13, Billy Sullivan ’14, and Beau Blaser ’95

Dr. Susan Zawacky, Faculty Emerita, with a few of her fans, Samantha Smith ’19, Emma Pigman ’19, Eiley Doyle ’20, Morgan Magee ’20, and Isabel Iwanonkiw ’19

Wenning Workshop

The annual Wenning Workshop took place in March this year in Hansen Library. This is a full-day interactive seminar that engages a select group of creative and highly motivated Senior School students in the creation of art or literature with prominent practitioners.

This year, 12 students from the classes of English teacher AnnaClaire Myers were privileged to spend a day learning the art of fiction writing from noted author Jill George, Ph.D. Dr. George is an historical researcher and fiction writer specializing in Victorian-era London and Cornwall, UK. Her writing mission is to rebalance history based on women’s successes and the men who supported them. Her published books to date include The Light Among Us: The Story of Elizabeth Carne, Cornwall, and Illuminating Darwin: Arabella’s Light.

As the facilitator of the Wenning Workshop, Dr. George immersed

Students from Ms. Anna-Claire Myer’s Grade 10 English class spent a day learning handson fiction writing with author Dr. Jill George at the Wenning Workshop. L to R: Herlynn Niepa, Ben Holsopple, Milagros de Jong, Iman Mahmood, Nathan Victor, Caroline Kain, Olivia Busatto, Arjuna Pandey, Sanaa Grant, Luke Palguta, Ms. Myers, Dr. George

the students in the creative process as she guided them through genres, character profiles, mapping story arcs, symbolism, themes, settings, audiences, and more. Throughout, the students wrote their own works and presented them to their peers, thereby not only learning the fiction writing process but becoming comfortable with the presentation of their own prose. Ultimately, the students expressed their overwhelming appreciation for this unique creative experience, while Dr. George observed that she saw a great deal of talent in the room.

The Wenning Workshop was created in memory of William F. Wenning III ’85, known to all as Bill, by his classmates and family who wished to create a legacy of inspiring artistic creativity both through visual arts and literature, as Bill did throughout his life.

A Special Gift

Sewickley Academy’s oldest known diploma recipient, David Nimick ’40, age 99, paid a visit to campus to deliver a very special gift. In a previous issue of Sewickley Speaking, Mr. Nimick observed a photo of Dr. Birtwell reading to Early Childhood students on the floor of her office. Feeling that she needed a more comfortable place to sit, while still being at the children’s level, he had a canvas designed with the Academy crest and meticulously completed a beautiful needlepoint stool for Dr. Birtwell to use when conducting storytime for the school’s youngest learners.

“The detail in Mr. Nimick’s needlepoint is extraordinary, and the sentiment of his gift is overwhelming,” said Dr. Ashley (Brown ’00) Birtwell. “It serves as a constant reminder of the kindness and generosity of our alumni as well as the Academy’s rich history.”

Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Officer, Brittani Vuono, Head of School, Dr. Ashley (Brown ’00) Birtwell, David Nimick ’40, Susan (Ratcliffe ’55) Sour, and John Zimmerman ’85

Do you enjoy reading CLASS NOTES?

So do we, but we need

your news to share!

It’s your turn to tell us how proud you are of your family, report on the interesting work you do, put in a plug for community service, or anything else going on in your life these days.

Submit a Class Note for the next issue of Sewickley Speaking by visiting the Alumni section of our website, sewickley.org. If you have a digital photo to share, please send it to alumni@sewickley.org with a note identifying the people in the photo.

1960s

1967

Billie Spencer loved traveling last summer in her new, very comfortable home on wheels that enables her to go wherever she likes for part of the year. “Having the equivalent of a tiny house on wheels will make it easier to get out of Arizona for the summer and to SA for reunions and the like.” She and Susan (Ratcliffe ’55) Sour had a great visit together at Susan’s cottage on Chautauqua Lake in upstate New York as Billie toured between Arizona and New Hampshire.

Dingy and Robin ’73 Hays have made a major move from the well-known house on Academy Avenue – “The Haystack” – where a fantastic display of Easter bunnies and eggs have miraculously appeared annually on Easter morning – an 80-year tradition! – for the whole community to enjoy. They now share a villa at Masonic Village where many Sewickleyites have retired. Dingy assured that the Easter tradition on Academy Avenue would continue with the new owners, and “We will have our own mini Easter yard on our ‘postage stamp’ front yard! It is bittersweet, but we are happy with our decision.” Dingy was correct – bunnies did appear on Academy Avenue, but not quite as many as in the days of the Hays sisters there.

1970s

1974

Calling all hands to join together for the celebration of your 50th Anniversary from Sewickley Academy on Alumni Weekend, October 4 & 5, 2024. A special dinner in your honor will be held, plus many other reunion activities. Don’t miss it! Contact Randy Masters at randy_masters@sbcglobal.net or Susan (Ratcliffe ’55) Sour at alumni@sewickley.org

1975

Leslie Bates Johnson wrote, “For the Spring 2023 issue of Sewickley Speaking, I submitted a note about a volunteer opportunity I found on VolunteerMatch.org which led me to The ENGin Program (www. enginprogram.org). This is a platform that allows for using Zoom to teach English to Ukrainians displaced by the ongoing war. Since April, I’ve been tutoring a 33-year-old woman, and after 6 months of weekly sessions, we’ve become friends. She will reside in Poland until the war ends at least, and she’s working to perfect her English in order to have more career choices. She and I were able to meet

Billie Spencer ’67 enjoyed her new home on wheels for a trip across the country last summer.

Leslie (Bates ’75) Johnson (right) shared a visit with her Ukrainian friend in Prague last

in person in Prague in October — she arrived by train from Wroclaw. We chatted easily over coffee, then lunch, and a brief walk around the city before we had to say goodbye. Meeting in person was a surreal experience for both of us and one of the highlights of my retirement so far!”

1977

Michael Waller and Tracy Potter were married on October 21, 2023, in the Catskill Mountains at the Emerson Resort & Spa Hotel. The Reverend Dr. Graham Standish officiated the ceremony. The couple makes their home in the Hudson Valley in Kingston, New York, where Tracy is a working Artist and Michael continues his practice as a Journeyman Rolfer.

1980s

1985

Valerie Gaydos was featured in City and State magazine’s Fifty Over 50 article highlighting some of the commonwealth’s most influential difference makers. First elected as a state representative for the 44th Legislative District in Allegheny County in 2018, she brought with her a two-decade entrepreneurial and technological career. Now in her third term, she founded the House Cybersecurity Caucus and co-chairs the Life Science Caucus.

Valerie began her career in politics

interning for Senator H. John Heinz III. In her subsequent business career, she launched numerous ventures, including Capital Growth, the angel investment and business development firm she founded in 1994. As the first woman to head the Pennsylvania Angel Investment Network, she launched the Angel Venture Forum in 2012, a coalition of several dozen angel investors throughout the mid-Atlantic.

1989

Jessica Handy loves to stay connected with classmates. See the photo of her with Tom Mack and Gray Linsley, attending a concert together on the beach in southern California.

2000s

2000

Colleen Minnock Chulis recently joined Dayforce, a global HCM technology provider, as the Group Vice President for Large Enterprise and Public Sector Sales in the USA. Colleen lives in Charlottesville, Virginia, with her husband Matthew, and 3 children Luke (14), Adelle (12), and Declan (9).

town with the Cleveland Cavaliers. John is the play-by-play TV sports broadcaster for the team.

Outside of work, Colleen cheers on her kids (and husband) at soccer games and horse shows, and is on the board of Stepping Stone Charlottesville, an organization that ensures a healthy, safe start to life for children from local, under-resourced families by providing the items they need from their earliest days to age three.

Michael Waller ’77 and his bride Tracy Potter were married by the Rev. Dr. Graham Standish ’77 in the Catskill Mountains.

Above: Classmates Tom Mack ’89, Jessica Handy ’89, and Gray Linsley ’89 attended a concert together.

Below: John Michael ’90 and former SA tennis buddy Jessica Handy ’89 attended an art show in Santa Monica, California, when John was in

Colleen (Minnock ’00) Chulis enjoys supporting the myriad activities of her husband Matthew and their three children in Charlottesville, Virginia.

2010s

2010

Eleanore Marsh has just moved to Japan with her fiancé, Jack Simone. They will be living in Tokyo while he works for Mitsubishi for the next few years. They will be back stateside for their wedding this August in Sewickley, PA.

2012

Meredith Doyle recently passed her FINRA licensing exams and started a new career path in finance sales after several years as a professional actor.

She credits part of her ability to pivot in such a different direction to the Academy’s various opportunities to explore multiple interests. “I’ve been surprised and delighted by the similarities between the sales world and the theater world, and have found a real passion for finance that I did not expect to gain. I’m very grateful to have had a background that allowed me to be flexible and try a variety of things that interested me—it gave me the courage to try something new and step into this field.”

Last November, both Meredith and her father Tom ’81 were in the Child Health Association show—CHAOS, A Musical—written and directed by Marguerite (Gregg ’95) Park to celebrate the organization’s 100th year of serving children in the Sewickley Valley.

2016

Andrew “Drew” Zbihley ’16, medical student at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University, initiated an innovative podcast called Science in Society. He based this idea on conversations with friends who were struggling to understand the relevance of complicated scientific concepts to real life. He and his wife Olivia “Liv” co-host a series of 6–8 podcasts a year where they, with a network of doctors and scientists, tackle a variety of concepts and translate them into valuable information for people from all walks of life to understand.

Podcast topics include: The Science of Studying; Caffeine, Habit Formation, The Science of Love, Cryotherapy, The Science of Gene Therapies, The Science of Metabolism and After the BS: Advanced Degrees in STEM.

Since their initial podcast in August 2020, their audience has grown to more than 7,000 listeners. Thirty episodes are currently available at drewandliv.com, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your podcasts. Join their many followers and benefit from informative downto-earth advice from Drew and Liv and experts in their fields.

At Sewickley Academy, Drew especially enjoyed his science classes and was actively involved in clubs, sports, musicals, and community service. He encourages current students to “try a myriad of experiences and see what sticks. Reevaluate as you proceed on your journey through your education and life.” He would be pleased to connect with current high school and college students to encourage them as they investigate their paths to the future.

Drew ’16 and Olivia Zbihley were married July 2, 2022, and now co-host a series of medical podcasts.

and daughter

Eleanore Marsh ’10 with fiance Jack Simone.

Tom Doyle ’81

Meredith Doyle ’12 backstage at the Edgeworth Club after performing in the Child Health Association’s 100th anniversary show—CHAOS, A Musical.

2018

Ben Miller shares, “I joined ROTC in college (High Point University) and served time in the reserves with a Drill Sergeant unit out of Hickory, North Carolina. I was commissioned as a 2LT in the Ordnance Corps in May of 2022 and completed my officer training at Fort Gregg-Adams (formerly Fort Lee), Virginia, in January of 2023. The biggest lessons I learned from my time in ROTC were resilience and persistence. ROTC started rough for me, losing my scholarship and getting injured were just the tip of the iceberg.

I currently serve in the Reserves out of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where I am a platoon leader. I manage and am in charge of 20-30 soldiers. On the civilian side, I am training to become an Army Civilian at Fort Gregg-Adams. Army Civilians serve a variety of roles from admin to contractors to coordinators. I am wrapping up my second on-the-job training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Come April, I will graduate year 1 of the Army Fellows program and move to Warren (just north of Detroit) to work for the Tank Automotive and Armaments Command. I do not know what position I will fulfill, but I am very excited to get there and get started. I have never been to that area and am looking forward to the new experience.”

2020s

2020

Katie Hughes reported, “I am excited to share that I’ve been inducted into the Order of the Cross and Crown, the oldest and most prestigious honor society in the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston College. Among 55 selected from a class of 1500, I am proud to be recognized for academic excellence and contributions to service and leadership.

During the summer of 2022, I worked for the Foreign Commercial Service as an International Trade Intern. This was a full-time position located in Paris, France. I collected and analyzed information for market research reports to advise U.S. companies. I assisted in the preparation of trade events and trade missions, and I helped U.S. companies find partners and distributors in France. I also supported the local Paris staff with event planning.

During the fall semester of 2021, I worked part-time with the U.S. Department of Commerce in Boston. I served as an International Trade Intern to support the office staff with event planning and counseling U.S. companies. I used the U.S. Commercial Service’s information databases to access economic and market trends to support the office’s client activities. Through market research, I identified channels for new market penetration for U.S. exporters. In addition, I focused on international education and helping international students connect with American universities.”

Katie is a senior studying Economics and International Studies. Her paper on Healthcare in the United States and France in an Aging Society was featured in the 2023 edition of the Boston College Eagletarian. She will work for Citibank in Manhattan after graduation.

2021

Isabella Alvarado visited the Academy on Welcome Back College Alumni Day before Thanksgiving. She is enjoying her involvement in the nursing program at Penn State University. During her afternoon back on the SA campus she enjoyed reconnecting with some of her former teachers and learning about the exciting new programs in the Senior School since she graduated.

Katie Hughes ’20, graduated from Boston College in Spring 2024.

Jackson O’Neill ’16 ran 26.2 miles in the NYC Marathon on November 5, 2023. Jackson is a Senior Associate on the TerraCRG Investment Sales team in Brooklyn.

Isabella Alvarez ’21 reconnected with Global Studies Coordinator Mrs. Nataliya Di Domenico in November 2023.

Stepping into the magical land of Oz, Sewickley Academy’s 37th Annual Auction, There’s No Place Like SA, transported guests down the yellow brick road to an evening of enchantment and generosity. With ruby slippers and glittery shades of emerald green as far as the eye could see, attendees clicked their heels in excitement as they bid on an array of items, from whimsical memorabilia to exclusive experiences. The event, which supports Sewickley Academy’s SA Fund, was made possible thanks to a sold-out crowd, sponsorships, and a generous community of donors. Funds raised directly impact students across academics, arts, and athletics, and provide resources and professional development opportunities to faculty and staff. Another important beneficiary is Breakthrough Pittsburgh, a Sewickley Academy academic program that is dedicated to creating a community of students who have access to programs and resources that enrich their knowledge, experiences, and skills. This year’s Auction donations exceeded the fundraising goal for this unique and sought after program.

The highlight of the night consisted of student and faculty testimonials and performances. Max Peluso ’24 and Severin Harmon ’25 took the stage to represent the arts and treated the audience to a singing and tap dancing performance of

“Moses Supposes” from the 2024 Senior School Spring Musical, Singin’ in the Rain. The multi-talented Severin, also the 2024 WPIAL Singles Champion in tennis, then joined Marie Bigi ’25 to share how their involvement in athletics at Sewickley Academy has forever impacted their lives. True Robinson ’27 shared his experience with Breakthrough Pittsburgh and the reward of being involved with such an

Clockwise from top: Robert James ’85 poses with characters from The Wizard of Oz. Middle School Science Teacher, Lori Sherry, Lower School Art Teacher, Molly Kraybill, Grade 4 Teacher, Lexi Shazer, Grade 3 Teacher, Jayne Parker, Grade 5 Teacher, Bianca Christof, and Grade 2 Teacher, Holly Haddad enjoy a night out supporting Sewickley Academy. Photo booth fun for these SA Parents.

Health and Physical Education Teacher, Casey Calland, and Assistant Athletic Director, Heather Border at the 2024 Auction.

NEARLY $400,000 raised!

influential organization in the lives of young people across the Pittsburgh community. Senior School Science and Global Studies Teacher, Dr. Ron Kinser, gave a behind-the-scenes look at the education of a Sewickley Academy student and how the curriculum is ever-changing and staying current.

Much appreciation and gratitude is extended to the members of the 2024 Auction Committee who volunteered endless hours of planning, crafting, and preparation: Annie Batyko, Carey Byrnes, Maddie Byrnes, Dru Cox, Tammy DeFallo, Lauren Garraux, Lesly Kasky, Kati Kearns, Sonia Khanna, Susan Kinser, Annie Mancos, Naomi Marshall, Amy McConnell, Camryn Miller, Rachel Murphy, Lindsey Petruska, Elizabeth Purpura, Jessica Revtai, Terri Schubenski, Dawn Schultz, Jayme Thompson, and Brittani Vuono.

MAX GILLESPIE ’16

Max Gillespie ’16 knew from an early age that he wanted to be an entrepreneur with a start-up of his own. It was only a matter of how and when to realize his ambition. Max came to the Academy as a freshman in high school, and immediately began friendships with classmates who had interests similar to his. He remembers his talented friend Louis Smidt ’16 and their delight in solving problems in classes. After starting his career as a software engineer, he moved into tech sales and found himself asking: how might he help solve problems for others and come up with solutions that would meet their needs?

His initial plan when entering college was to become an electrical engineer, but that morphed into thoughts of computer engineering. At SA, he took all the computer classes that Mrs. McCloskey offered, “They helped me through college,” he said. Max spent two years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, before transferring to Washington University in St. Louis, where his twin sisters Annabelle ’18 and Lucinda ’18 were attending. On his first day in St. Louis, he met his future business partner, Jack Crawford. During his time at Washington University, his love of entrepreneurship grew as he enrolled in a class taught by a venture capitalist

When he graduated from college in 2020, Max worked as a software engineer, while at the same time, he did software consulting with a friend from college. They designed apps for various businesses impacted by COVID-19, including a mobile checkout app used today at a restaurant near Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. The app has processed more than 30,000 orders for the business since its release. After he moved to Austin and built a payment processing software for cryptocurrency projects, eventually building infrastructure that processed around $4 million in payments.

a platform for their customers to store and visualize unique real estate datasets. The portal allows customers to present information more effectively to prospects and clients, and ultimately enables them to sell and communicate more effectively.

Rebar Radar is the name of the company he and Jack founded and currently run, Jack in Chicago and Max in New York City. They launched the business in February 2023, and began with a 3-D model of buildings in Chicago used for repositioning downtown real estate. From there, they partnered with a real estate newsletter that circulates to millions of monthly readers and built a subscription service based around their proprietary data. The service uses AI to read articles as they are released and distills the information into easy-to-digest visual and searchable records, broken out by project. Since launching in late 2023, they have grown the service to around 100 corporate customers. At the same time, they are building

Max is in charge of sales and infrastructure at Rebar Radar, working to enlarge the network for their firm. Rebar can build toolkits for each company’s needs—from spreadsheets to Google Maps to data automation, whatever might improve their operations.

Max shares this mantra: “If you solve one person’s problem, then you have something special. It’s easier than you might think. You can go through months of figuring something out through trial and error, and you will feel ecstatic when you get it right.”

If you solve one person’s problem, then you have something special. It’s easier than you might think. You can go through months of figuring something out through trial and error, and you will feel ecstatic when you get it right.”

Max Gillespie, ’16

Max Gillespie ’16’s start-up company

Rebar Radar 3-D designs.

María Camila Arbelaez Solano ’15 and her sister Natalia ’18 left their native country of Colombia during civil unrest in 2007 to join their father Fernando who had come two years previously to prepare a place for his wife Maribel and daughters. The Arbelaez Solano parents, who had operated their family-owned shoe factory in Bogota, left everything behind to start a new life in the United States.

MARÍA CAMILA ARBELAEZ SOLANO ’15

aría Camila remembered the difficulties of making the transition. “My sister and I started school two days after arriving in the U.S., knowing no English. Nobody in our local school knew Spanish, which was hard, especially for my sister. The neighborhood school I attended was way behind where we were academically in Colombia. My parents had big hopes for our life in the U.S. Although Sewickley Academy, which we heard about from a classmate, seemed out of reach, my dad wanted to know more and secured a visit to the school. Recognizing the academic talents of these young girls, the school helped make it possible for them to attend.

“Receiving the opportunity was mindblowing,” María Camila said. “On my visit day as a prospective student, I shadowed a Grade 6 student.

Mrs. Cerniglia was teaching World Cultures and the topic was the asylum system why some people got in and others did not. I couldn’t believe it! At my school, all we would have done was color maps and memorize names.

“I was still experiencing culture shock and climate change, but

NATALIA ARBELAEZ SOLANO ’18

atalia came to Sewickley Academy in Mrs. McCormish’s Grade 4 classroom. Following the family’s love of music, she chose to play the cello (“an arbitrary decision by a nine year old,” she said) and began private lessons in Grade 5. As her proficiency improved, she played in SA’s Middle and Senior School orchestras and represented SA for various Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) festivals at the district and regional levels. For her senior capstone project, she gave a cello recital before an appreciative audience prior to graduation.

Always a serious student, Natalia excelled at academics. She enrolled at Princeton University where she majored in Comparative Literature. In 2021, she was recognized by the University’s Lewis Center for the Arts for ’Outstanding Work by a Junior in Creative Writing.’ Even though the COVID-19 pandemic played havoc with most of her college experience,

Natalia pursued her love of the cello, first by joining the Princeton Sinfonia and then the Princeton University Orchestra with whom, in her postgraduate year, she traveled on an “amazing” concert tour to Hungary, Serbia, and Bulgaria.

“I loved my classes in the Comparative Literature Department,” she said, “but I soon realized I did not want to work as a professor in academia, which left me searching for other paths.” In the 2022/2023 school year, Natalia observed all types of schools in the Princeton area, from public to charter to private, with different philosophies and methodologies, absorbing as much as she could from each.

I learned that teaching is about how to engage students, especially those who are least interested in the subject matter.”

Natalia Solano

“I learned that teaching is about how to engage students, especially those who are least interested in the subject matter, and while I think teaching is amazing, I realized I was more interested in the broader, systemic issues in education,” she said.

After she completed the program, Natalia continued to attend lectures at Princeton informally while she applied

luckily I was able to find some good friends when I began Grade 7. Our teachers Natalia’s and mine were so supportive. They really cared for us. In Grade 8 especially, Mrs. Rose was very impactful. She nurtured my love for reading and writing. Her passion for Shakespeare and mythology was very compelling.

“In Senior School Mrs. Russell was deeply encouraging to me. She engaged all our ideas with profundity and respect. Dr. Edwards was another supportive mentor. His art room was a safe haven. Several of us often ate lunch there, especially because we could discuss anything we wanted. He gave me materials to work with, taught me the techniques of master painters, and encouraged self-expression while pushing me to be better. He helped me explore art, and he was so supportive.

“In the Senior School, I saw my classmates experience a lot of pressure around college acceptances and standardized tests. I had one friend who was so anxious before the SAT that she vomited. I felt lucky that my parents were not as aware of these processes, and just wanted us to do our best.”

María applied to colleges across the country and settled on Brown

In Colombia, there is a strong tradition of midwifery in rural areas that has recently been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. For generations, children have been born safely this way. Hospitalbased childbirth is not accessible in many parts of the world.”

María Solano

University where she had no career plan, just a desire to “engage in something that involved social issues with immigrants and refugees.” She majored in Ethnic Studies and at one point thought she would be a film director where she could combine storytelling with music and visual arts. She learned the histories of indigenous peoples, anthropology, sociology, archaeology, firsthand accounts of migration, and how people formed new societies. Fluent in Spanish and French, she went on to learn Brazilian Portuguese, Hindi, Urdu, and Persian. She uses all of those languages in her work today.

In one of her internships, María worked near the border in Tucson, Arizona, with an archaeologist to assist in the Missing Migrant Project at the Colibri Center for Human Rights. They helped the family members of migrants who had gone missing while attempting to cross the border. The head of the project had previously helped to excavate mass graves from war and ethnic violence in Guatemala. The Missing Migrant Project collaborated with the local morgue to identify the bodies of people who were found dead, using interviews and DNA to match them with their families.

She questioned herself: “Should I go into law and try to improve the situation? How can I help these people find peace? How can I help relieve their chronic stress?”

for jobs. A course on Education Policy inspired her to direct her career towards this area. “With no real policy background from college, I needed a job that would allow me to learn as much as possible about the different voices and ideologies in education as well as the obstacles to success people and communities face when it comes to schooling, and I found one as a Student Advocate at Harlem Children’s Zone.”

She works in one of the Harlem Children’s Zone’s after-school programs called A Cut Above which serves 80 students in grades 6, 7, and 8 from various schools in the area. This program aims to fill in gaps in learning and development by providing enrichment and exposure opportunities (art, fashion, culinary pursuits, music), nutrition and financial wellness classes, and tutoring. “I work closely with 24 students, working with their parents and teachers as well. I help identify problems—why is this child failing in school? What are the stressors in their home lives that impact their performance? What are their social-emotional needs and how can we help them? I function as an investigator, doing school visits all over Harlem gathering as much data as possible. I am learning a lot at this point in my life, which is exactly what I want to be doing.”

She took a job helping unaccompanied minors find shelter. “I love children,” she said. For six months, she learned about trauma and informed care in various situations. She was interested in care treatments for psychological aspects both short and long term.

While searching for new opportunities, María Camila found that Magee Women’s Hospital was looking to train a new cohort of birth doulas for The Birth Circle Doula collective. “In Colombia, there is a strong tradition of midwifery in rural areas that has recently been recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage. For generations, children have been born safely this way. Hospital-based childbirth is not accessible in many parts of the world,” she said, “which is why midwives play a key role in global health.”

She became a doula, reconciling the traditional method of midwifery with the modern medical world at Magee, which had absorbed the local community of doulas in 2019. “Attending births was humbling and life-changing. It was fantastic working with colleagues who had vast knowledge of birth from diverse sources and shared a passion for serving families and healing medical mistrust. I was able to focus more and more on the experience of immigrant mothers, many of whom were assigned to me since I speak many languages.”

After the fall of Kabul in 2021, many pregnant women were evacuated from Afghanistan and experienced birth and motherhood in an unfamiliar country and health system. María

Camila worked with many of them and learned of Hello Neighbors’ emerging Smart Start program to support refugee and immigrant mothers. She was interested in integrating her knowledge of birth work with the world of resettlement and immigrationfocused social work.

“I am interested in the healing, thriving, and growing of mothers and children as a broader mission towards peace for all,” she said. “I have worked with mothers who have been raped at the border, people with no resources who come from complete chaos to Pittsburgh. My language training helps me with barriers in communication I use Dari Persian and Spanish almost daily and often have opportunities to use other languages as well. How we as a society treat these mothers is critical it determines the outcomes for their children as well.”

Now a caseworker, who makes home visits with pregnant women, María Camila helps to provide care and badly needed resources. She offers a listening ear, encouragement, and an invaluable helping hand to dissect the chronic stress, so they might begin a positive future.

She is happy to be back in Pittsburgh, near her parents. Her sister Natalia lives in New York City, but they are in close touch. She said, “I could not live without my sister. It has been a privilege to watch her grow and mature into the brilliant woman that she is. She has always been so curious and sensitive to the world. I remember the passionate rabbit holes she would go down as a young student, like having “a day without electricity.” She pretended that she lived in the 1880s and only used candles and prepared Victorian food. Although, I need her advice and support all the time. She has always been so disciplined and worked so hard, she deserves all the good things that come her way.”

At some future date, Natalia expects to go to graduate school but wants to have more professional experiences first. What advice would she give an SA senior? She remembers clearly the stress that she and her friends felt about getting into “the right” college. “I would say to them—no one decision will ruin your life. You will be fine. Explore as much as you can. Think of the future as a chessboard—take this move, then another move, across the board with faith that every move will open up more opportunities. Also, remember that the college you go to or the job that you have is not your whole identity. It’s important to have a rich life of interests beyond your work. Find enjoyment. Keep learning and improving yourself.”

“And do something that serves others, even if it is not the main focus of your career you can always advocate, volunteer, and vote.”

Natalia encourages others to pay attention to the plight of teachers in our country. “Wherever you live and work, push for better wages. My respect for teachers has deepened after being in education.”

What does the younger sister say about her relationship with her older sister? Natalia said, “I look up to my sister so much. She has so much compassion and sees the good in everyone. She is someone who lives according to her values, which is hard to do. When I am thinking about my career, I always have her voice in my head encouraging me to do the right thing. She pushes me to think deeply about myself and others.”

“Now that we are both older, we are more equal: we give each other advice, have long conversations about life, and learn a lot from each other.”

ALUMNI

JAMES FRANCIS ADAMS ’44

James Francis Adams, ’44, 94 passed away on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at Brighton Gardens Senior Living in Dunwoody, Georgia. Born January 7, 1929, in Pittsburgh, he was the son of the late John Morse, Sr., and Elizabeth Wyckoff Adams, who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Lucia Foster Adams, and his brothers John Morse Adams, Jr., W.W. Adams (Bro); and is survived by his sister, Sybil Adams Herron ’48, and by his five children: James (Chip) F. Adams, Jr. (Heather); D. Scott Adams (Beth) and children Jamie, Erin, and Abigail; Thomas (Tommy) W. Adams, and children Logan, Colin, and Griffin; Elizabeth (Wendy) A. Steck (Fred) and children Julia, Lily, and Sophie; Andrew (Andy) M. Adams: former wife Alyssa Pinkerton and children Otis and Lulu; and step-daughter Page Holmquist (Fred).

Raised in Sewickley, Jim attended Sewickley Academy, St. Andrew’s School in Delaware, and Brown University from 1948 to 1950. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1950 to 1952. Upon discharge from the Navy, he received a BA in history from the University of Virginia in 1955 and on a Ford Foundation Fellowship Award earned an MA in teaching from Yale University in 1956.

His long and distinguished career in education included serving as a teacher at North Haven High School, Connecticut, from 1956 to 1958 and in various capacities at the Tatnall School in Wilmington, Delaware, from 1958 to 1968. That is where he met Lucia, whom he married in 1963.

In 1968, he was appointed Headmaster of the Montgomery Academy in Montgomery, Alabama, where he served from 1968 to 1973. From 1973 to 1990, he served as Headmaster of East Woods School in Oyster Bay, New York. His final role as Headmaster

was at St. Margaret’s-McTernan School (now known as Chase Collegiate School) in Waterbury, Connecticut, from 1990 to 1994.

Upon retirement in 1994, he and Lucia settled in Cashiers, North Carolina, where he became an advisor to the Hampton Preschool. Soon afterward, he became involved in the severalyear creation of the Summit Charter School in Cashiers. Mr. Adams served on the school’s board for six years and was the first recipient of the Summit Charter School Outstanding Service Award. He was also an ardent Pittsburgh Pirates fan, a voracious reader, and loved to travel.

JANE (EDSON ’49) SCOTT

Jane (Edson ’49) Scott, of Fox Chapel, affectionately known as “Jenny,” passed away Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at the age of 88. Born December 18, 1933, in Sewickley, she was the daughter of John Joy II and Jane P. Edson. She attended St. Margaret Academy, followed by Robert Morris College. Jenny married Porter H. Scott in 1955 and lived in Fox Chapel with their children, Porter Jr., Montgomery, and Darcy. Her love and accomplishment in skiing, golf, tennis, paddle tennis, and trap provided numerous opportunities to travel around the world with her family and to build long-lasting friendships.

She was co-owner of the first ski shop in Pittsburgh, The Ski Barn, located in Aspinwall. She was a long-term board member of the Fox Chapel Parks Commission, Fox Chapel Golf Club, Fox Chapel Racquet Club, Iron City Fishing Club, and Squaw Run Garden Club. Jenny is survived by her sons, Porter (Gail) Scott, of Hampton Township and Montgomery (Brian Pinter) Scott, of Ligonier; her daughter Darcy (Ted) Branch, of Pittsburgh; brother, Thomas A. Edson ’46; her grandchildren, Samantha A. Scott, Heather S. Scott, Riley E. Branch, and Kelsey H. (Katie) Branch; and 20 nieces and nephews.

ANNE (RICHARDSON ’51) JOHNSON

Anne (Richardson ’51) Johnson, 87, formerly of West Hartford, Connecticut, and Boca Grande, Florida, died December 14, 2023, in Blue Hill, Maine. She was born on June 19, 1936, to Frank E. Richardson Jr. (Bud) and Rosamound Richardson, in Sewickley.

Anne graduated from The Westover School in 1954 and earned a B.A. from Connecticut College in 1958 and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Connecticut in 1978. She subsequently worked at the UConn School of Social Work, Connecticut General Insurance, and the Connecticut State Capitol.

Anne was very active in the communities where she lived. She volunteered as a docent at the Wadsworth Atheneum in Hartford, was the President of the Garden Club there, and was an active member of the Garden Club of America. She was a long-time member of the Hartford Golf Club, the Kollegewidgwok Yacht Club in Blue Hill, and the Blue Hill Country Club where she served as President for four years. She was known as a cheerful if serious, competitor at tennis, golf, and paddle tennis, and in later life for her crack bridge game. Anne and her husband greatly appreciated the world travel they were able to enjoy after their children were grown.

Anne is survived by her husband of 65 years, Edward (Ted) Johnson, and her daughters, Elizabeth Johnson (Jim Marrs) of West Hartford; Mimi Johnson of Bradenton, Florida; and Laura Hill (Glenn) of Wellesley, Massachusetts; and by her adored grandchildren, Timothy, Caroline, John, and Eliza Hill. She is also survived by her siblings Frank Richardson ’54 (Kimba), Thomas Richardson ’57 (Joy), Beth Clements ’60 (Robin), Susan Richardson ’61, John Richardson ’66 (Renée); and many nieces and

nephews. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister Gray Richardson.

EMILY (STEVENS ’51) WILLETS

Emily (Stevens ’51) Willets passed away on January 21, 2024, at Masonic Village in Sewickley. She was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on August 14, 1936, to Edward Dyer Stevens and Helen Williamson Stevens. Emily is survived by her children, Charles S. Cross ’76 of Baden, Pennsylvania; Joan C. Queen ’87 (Norm) of Swanton, Maryland; Mary L. Cross ’80 (Denice Roy) of Moultonborough, New Hampshire; four stepchildren; cousin, Mary Zipser; and a niece, Clara Bingham. She was predeceased by her husband, Elmore A. Willets, Jr. ’35; son, Edward D. Cross ’77; and sister, Joan Bingham.

Emily moved from Ohio to Sewickley and attended Sewickley Academy before graduating from Miss Porter’s School and Briarcliff College respectively. In the late 1950s, prior to her first marriage, she was a music teacher and physical education assistant at Sewickley Academy.

Emily played the piano beautifully and loved to accompany carolers at Christmastime to everyone’s delight. Music was just one of her many passions. She also enjoyed gardening and was involved with many of the area’s garden clubs; her agapanthus was legendary, and her gardens were featured on the Sewickley Garden tour. From the golf course to the tennis courts, Emily was a fierce competitor. She had a bridge table set up at all times and was always eager to beat you in a game of Scrabble. Most Sundays she could be found with her many reference books and the New York Times crossword puzzle, which she often completed successfully.

Emily especially cherished her family and friends and was a beloved grandmother to her three grandchildren. Church was a constant in her life, and she was a devoted

member of the congregation at Christ Church at Grove Farm, often offering her flower-arranging expertise. After the death of her husband, Emily found a winter refuge in Florida and enjoyed spending time near the ocean that she loved, having spent summers as a child on the shores of Cape Cod.

ROBERT ROWLEY LEIGHTON, JR. ’62

Rob was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 17, 1947, and passed away peacefully at Masonic Village Sewickley on March 24, 2024, after a long illness. He was surrounded and loved by his family: his wife, Libby Andrews, and his brother, Christopher Leighton ’68 (Betsy) of New Harbor, Maine. Rob’s children were the joy of his life: Scott Leighton ’92 (Sara) of Charlotte, North Carolina; Frances Leighton ’95 (Nicholas Maier) of Belmont, Massachusetts; Christine Leighton ’96 (Hua Ye) also of Belmont; and step-children Jennifer Habel (Chris Bachelder) of Cincinnati, Ohio; Rebecca Habel of Brooklyn, New York; and Jeffrey Habel of Yonkers, New York. Rob was a beloved grandfather to Megan Leighton, Henry Leighton, Kai Leighton-Ye, Logan Leighton-Ye, Alice Bachelder, Claire Bachelder, and Madeleine Heller.

Rob grew up in Sewickley, attended Sewickley Academy, and graduated from the South Kent School and Kenyon College. In later years, he earned an M.B.A. from The University of Pittsburgh. After college, Rob joined the U.S. Navy and served in Vietnam aboard the USS Henderson. Upon returning from active service, he married Kathy Eustis and returned to Sewickley where they raised their children, and where he lived until his passing.

Rob began his career at Steelite, a small family-owned business. He was awarded a wide range of roles as the company expanded into a multinational company, NCI. He retired after 40 years in 2015.

Rob was an active member of the Sewickley Presbyterian Church for 62 years and a member of Allegheny Country Club. He was involved in the community and supported many local charities, as well as serving on the Quaker Valley School Board. He was an avid skier, paddle and tennis player, an occasional golfer, and loved running and walking the streets of his beloved community. He was known to add a skip to his walk and was a force of nature on the dance floor. A devoted husband and father, family always came first for him. He truly loved life, the good company of friends, a good glass of wine, and his many dogs.

CHRISTINE KYOKI ROBERTS ’69

With her family at her bedside, Christine Kyoki Roberts ’69, died December 19, 2023, at the age of 72, in Omaha, Nebraska. She is survived by her son, Joe Eliason (Isabel); three grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; and her two sisters, Melinda Jane Roberts ’67 and Jean Shaw Roberts ’68

Known as Chris growing up in Sewickley, she led a remarkable life as both a farmer and a conflict mediator for the State of Nebraska. She was renamed Kyoki while she trained to follow the path of a Zen priest at an austere Japanese monastery. Upon returning home, she founded the Zen Center of Pittsburgh in the hills above Sewickley and continued her work of justice, being instrumental in the creation of ethical guidelines for Zen communities, and doing mediation work during times of conflict. She returned to Nebraska in 2016 to care for her aging teacher and to be closer to her son and his family. According to Zen Fields in Iowa, “She died how she lived: she held a lively birthday party for herself in her hospital room, surrounded by friends, her toothy grin lighting up the room, and then passed peacefully in the early hours in the company of her family.”

HELEN GENE (BOAL ’70) STURGULEWSKI

Helen Gene “Susie” (Boal ’70) Sturgulewski, 71, of Pittsburgh passed away on December 14, 2023, at St. Clair Hospital. She was born June 17, 1952, in Rochester, the daughter of the late Dr. William Erwin S. Boal, M.D., and Vivian (Ritter) Boal. She was the beloved wife of Raymond Sturgulewski; mother of Julia Martinez Soto (Jacob Soto) and Benjamin Martinez (Erika Lesniak), both of Portland, Oregon; grandmother of Felix and Ester Soto; sister of Margaret Schroth of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Erwin S. “Pete” Boal of North Port, Florida; and Robert Boal of Strongsville, Ohio.

A longtime resident of Aliquippa, she worked for many years at the B.F. Jones Memorial Library as a media services specialist, sharing her love of books and film with others. Throughout her life, Helen cultivated many interests, sharing her numerous talents with her family and others, including art, travel, cooking, and crafts. More recently, she had found a passion for gardening as a member and past president of the Green Tree Garden Club. She was also a member of Hilltop Baptist Church of Pittsburgh (The Log Church). She attended school in Freedom and graduated from Sewickley Academy. Helen was a bright and passionate person, touching many with her charismatic personality, easy sense of humor, and warm thoughtfulness.

STEPHANIE (HITCHENS ’75) LEREW

Stephanie (Hitchins ’75) Lerew, 66, of Monaca, Pennsylvania, passed away on January 10, 2024, after a sudden illness. She was born June 4, 1957, in Pittsburgh, to Larry and Jane Hitchins. Her brother, Owen Eaton Hitchins, joined the family soon afterward. After graduation from Sewickley Academy, she attended the Pennsylvania State University in Harrisburg where she met Daniel Lerew. They were married

on May 26, 1984, and divorced in May 2012. Stephanie and Dan raised two active children: Ian Lerew (Amanda) and Caitlin Lerew (Hillary).

Stephanie began her career in the hotel and restaurant industry but found her true calling working in the landscaping business. Her talent and passion shone beyond growing and caring for beautiful gardens. She frequently visited her children and beloved grandchild, Reed Lerew. She was a dedicated caregiver for her parents. Stephanie is survived by her children and grandson; father Larry Hitchins of Sewickley; and brother Owen Hitchins (Dorothy) of Zionsville, Indiana. She was predeceased by her mother, Jane Hitchins.

CARL F. “TRIP” HOFFMAN III ’78

Carl F. Hoffman III ’78, known as Trip, passed away on October 15, 2023. He was predeceased by his brother, John F. Hoffman ’86; his father, Carl F. Hoffman Jr.; and his stepfather, Vernon R. Loucks. Trip enjoyed living in Charlotte, North Carolina, for many years. He returned home to Sewickley several years ago.

He is survived by his loving family: mother, Barbara L. (Bunny) Loucks; his sister, Wendy Hoffman Burchfield ’80 and her husband, Peter H. Burchfield IV; his nephew, Peter H. Burchfield V (Molly) and daughter, Claire; his aunt and uncle, Rose and John Linfoot; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Trip attended Sewickley Academy, graduated from Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts, and the University of North Carolina. He was a member of Christ Church at Grove Farm and a veteran of the Coast Guard. Trip was an avid reader and could share good conversations with anyone. He especially enjoyed American history and his beloved Pittsburgh Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins.

The family expresses sincere appreciation to the exceptional staff

at UPMC Cranberry Skilled Nursing Center and to his close friends who devoted many hours sharing friendship and love through laughter and conversation. Trip fought a long battle with myotonic dystrophy with such honor and grace. Never once did he ever say “why me”; Trip’s personal faith gave him a healthy anticipation that his home was with the Lord Jesus, at his passing.

FORMER FACULTY/STAFF

ROBERT J. MICHALOW

Robert J. Michalow, 51, of Bentleyville, passed away on December 9, 2020, at home. He was born on December 23, 1968, in Pittsburgh, the son of Carol Koerner Michalow of Indianapolis, Indiana, and the late Alfred Michalow. Rob graduated from Saint Vincent College in 1991 with degrees in Biology and Chemistry and a minor in Education. He went on to earn his master’s degree at Duquesne University and his PhD from West Virginia University in Wildlife Management and Forestry. He taught science at Sewickley Academy for several years and then became a professor at St. Vincent’s College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, for the rest of his career.

Rob was kind, caring, and helpful to everyone that he met. He loved his family, friends, and being a college professor. He could always be found outdoors in his garden. His passion for nature and teaching led to his involvement with Boy Scout Troop 1419 for over 10 years. He was a member of Saint Katharine Drexel Parish and the Knights of Columbus Council #5826 in Bentleyville.

Rob is survived by his wife, Megan Perchinsky Michalow; his children, Kaitlyn Michalow (Jesse Richardson) and Robbie Michalow; three brothers, Allan Michalow (Rowena) of Poland, Indiana, Thomas Michalow (Wendy) of Pittsburgh, and David Michalow (Jan) of Mineral Point.

LORI ANN YOST

On November 5, 2023, Lori Ann Yost, age 61, a vital, energetic presence at Sewickley Academy for 32 years, passed from the physical world after a phenomenal 16-year battle with renal cell carcinoma. Born March 2, 1962, she joins her late mother, Sylvia Keister Yost. She is survived by her wife, Julia Tebbets; her father and step-mother, C. James and Glenda Yost; sister Deborah Yost Bryson (Fred); nephew Kyle Bryson; niece Amy Bryson Wertz (Craig); and grandnephew Brady James Wertz; and many important members of her extended, blended family.

Genuine in her diverse passions, Lori also leaves a truly extensive network of chosen family—friends who loved and supported her throughout her remarkable life. They describe her as “an unforgettable inspiration for how to live” and known for her “enthusiastic unwillingness to waste a moment of her too-brief time here.”

The ferocious beauty of her acts of leadership and generous participation in shared enterprise included: setting the 800-meter dash record at Warrior Run High School in Turbotville, Pennsylvania, in 1980 (which stands in 2024); admission into the Warrior Run Hall of Fame for her notable athletic achievements; becoming a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Navy Reserve; teaching Physical Education at Sewickley Academy and coaching multiple sports.

Inducted into the Woman Divers Hall of Fame, Captain Yost is also missed by the faithful Navy deep-sea diving community of the Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 2 (Cleveland). She helped to break the glass ceiling for younger female deep-sea divers by competing internationally for the United States in the NATO CIOR, Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers, and military pentathlons; raising the history-making turret and Dahlgren cannons of the sunken Civil War vessel the USS Monitor; supporting peace-

keeping missions in Bosnia, earthquake relief efforts in Pakistan, and salvaging efforts of the sunken Japanese fishing vessel Ehime Maru with the return of its lost crew members. As empathetic as she was strong, Lori was designated to speak at the ceremony for their families, cry with them, and express our country’s remorse for the accident, which she felt deeply.

A graduate of Slippery Rock University, her influence on the lives of others, as a teacher and coach at Sewickley Academy, effectively impacted hundreds of students and young athletes who experienced her commitment to everything from lacrosse and field hockey to setting world records with Cup Stacking, to initiating the beloved Halloween obstacle course, Olympics events, and even a very successful Jump for Heart Disease fundraiser motivated by the illness of a colleague’s spouse. An alumna recalled her “mentoring gift: She was a strong, fit, joyful example for us all.” Lori was also fun. Friends brighten at the memory of her “Flashlight Ops” dance parties. Colleagues adored her as “the Faculty Fun Committee of One.”

She passionately embraced the deep friendships associated with her diverse interests. These included traveling the world; rock-climbing; competing in marathons, triathlons, and orienteering challenges; trading thousands of Olympic, Disney, and Little League pins; bird-watching; and more recently, building LEGOs; carving wooden spoons; polishing cabochons; faceting gemstones; and turning pens. Ever a collector and a teacher, she taught 17 people to make a personal pen. Eschewing offers to purchase her creations, this humble force of nature delighted in giving all of her pens and many of her lapidary pieces away, even researching the most meaningful stones to present to each of 52 colleagues. She donated dozens of her K’Nex kits to the Warrior Run School District where she started.

Lori Yost is also remembered by students for her striking appearance in her Navy uniform at the annual Veterans Day assembly, as well as for her classes and team leadership. Tributes prior to her death included:

“Ms. Yost was an incredible coach and role model for all of us that played on her team. My memories from multiple field hockey and lacrosse seasons at SA are some of my very fondest memories. She was intense and competitive, yet supportive of her players. She pushed us to be our very best. We wanted to perform well to make her proud and she brought the best out of us. At the same time, we had a blast!

She led by example with good sportsmanship, a competitive drive, impressive athleticism, excellent communication, clear leadership, strong teamwork, well organized practices, mental preparedness, and a positive, fun attitude. I have so much respect and admiration for Ms. Yost... even more looking back as an adult, of course.”

“Ms. Yost was so fun and kind. I actually loved PE class and ALWAYS looked forward to spending time with her. She inspired my passion for lacrosse which was such a huge part of my childhood. I also really looked up to her as an athlete she was always in such incredible physical shape and could play any sport!”

FAMILY OF ALUMNI

ARTHUR A. “BING” BRINKWORTH, brother of Christine (Brinkworth ’71) Pittman, Debra (Brinkworth ’73) Leese, Donna (Brinkworth ’74) Cullinan, and Louise (Brinkworth ’76) Snyder

PETER M. CULLEN, husband of Sarah Buescher ’85

RUSSELL FUHRER, MD, father of Evan Isaac Black ’12

RACHAEL KILBOURNE GOULD, mother of Andy Gould ’71, Karen (Gould ’72) Boyle, Isabel (Gould ’73) Hoversten, Megan (Gould ’74) Benedict, George M. L. “Josh” Gould, Jr. ’77, and Leila (Gould ’79) Oliver

MARGARET “MARGI” GREGORY, mother of Katie Clarke, Maggie Manuel, Jim Gregory, David Gregory, and Betsy (Gregory ’93) Tseronis

ROBERT Y. KOPF, father of Rob ’84, Tom ’88, and Maggie ’91, grandfather of R.Y. ’12, Jarrod, Max ’27, and Silas

KAREN LOUISE RUBB, mother of Eric ’97 and Tamara Rubb ’01

JOAN BLAIR SULLIVAN, mother of Graham ’76, Paul ’78, and Jedd ’73 (deceased)

JEFFREY W. TOTT, father of Natalie ’08 and Jeff ’11

JANET TRAUPMAN, mother of Eric ’83, Lisa ’84, Heidi ’86, and Ellen ’92

KEVIN WEIR, father of Cameron ’07, Kendall ’08, Christopher ’10, and Katharine ’12

FRIENDS OF THE SCHOOL

MOSHE (MORRIS) BARAN

Moshe and his wife Malka came to Sewickley Academy for many years to tell of their lives in concentration camps during World War II. Students learned of this chapter in history first hand, through this kind and gracious man. Moshe passed away on February 3, 2024. He was a beacon of strength, hope, and resilience throughout his life. A special tree is planted on campus for Moshe and Malta with a plaque dedicated to their memory. For a complete obituary and story of his remarkable life, see Legacy.com