Sewickley Speaking Winter 2015 by Sewickley Academy

315 Academy Avenue | Sewickley, PA 15143

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Carolyn Devens ’05

The Jane Goodall of

LEOPARDS WI NT E R

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Head of School Kolia O’Connor; Trustee Gretchen Hansen, Hansen Foundation; Student Council President Tom Mulholland ’15; Elsie (Oliver ’58) MacKenzie, Peggy (Oliver ’56) Standish, and family members; Senior School Science Department Chair Tracy Wazenegger; Trustee Douglas McAdams; and Board Chair Amy (Simmons ’80) Sebastian cut the ribbon at the dedication of the newly renovated Oliver Science Building on October 10, 2014. Read more about the exciting project made possible by generous donors on Page 18.

CONTENTS

4 AMERICA’S FAVORITE PASTIME…IN JAPAN

10 CAROLYN DEVENS ’05 – THE JANE GOODALL OF LEOPARDS

18 REACHING OUR GOALS: CAMPAIGN UPDATE

28 THE WORLD IS OUR CLASSROOM

FALL SPORTS WRAP-UP

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ALUMNI EVENTS

SUCK IT UP, AMERICA

REUNION WEEKEND 2014

2014 ARTS HALL OF FAME CELEBRATION

CLASS NOTES

IN MEMORIAM

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WELCOME TO THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY

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A Message from Kolia O’Connor, Head of School Dear Readers of Sewickley Speaking, Greetings from 315 Academy Avenue. In these dark days of winter, it is nice to be able to pause for a moment and reflect on all that is happening at our school. From the rededication and reopening of a beautifully renovated Oliver Building this past fall, to the amazing successes of our student athletes in cross country, golf, soccer, and tennis, to remarkable productions of As You Like It in the Senior School and Guys and Dolls Jr. in the Middle School, to the excellent early result on the college front, the school is humming, and our students are once again demonstrating that they are capable of truly remarkable things. Of course Sewickley Speaking is one of the ways we can connect the day-to-day life of the Academy today with the activities and accomplishments of our alumni around the world. The learning, growth, and achievements of our students lay a foundation for future contributions, and a number of stories in this issue highlight the remarkable range of ways in which our alumni make a difference in this world. One such alumnus recently passed away: William L. Standish ’44, the first recipient of our Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001. The funeral service for Judge Standish was held on January 6 at Sewickley Presbyterian Church and was attended by many family and friends. One clear theme emerged from the remarks made during the service: Judge Standish lived a life of service to others in grateful recognition for the many gifts he, himself, was blessed to receive. That Judge Standish made a difference in the lives of virtually everyone who knew him stands, for me, as a testament to a life well lived. Even more important, his

Enjoy!

Kolia O’Connor Head of School 2

life stands as a reminder of what we aim for in our work here at the Academy, which is to launch our graduates into the world with a commitment to serving “the greater good.” That commitment is explicitly part of our mission today, but I know it has been an implicit part of our mission since our founding, and when we reflect on the contributions to society and to improving the world in which we live that our alumni routinely make, I think we can all take pride in being part of a history of service to others, to our communities, and to the world. As you will note in the pages that follow, the ways in which members of our community make a difference is widely varied, from researching and seeking to protect leopards in southern Africa, to serving as an emergency room doctor here in our own community and sharing those talents with people in need well beyond our borders. You will also read about renewal and lifelong learning when Evan Kurtz, Middle School dean of students, shares his journey to Japan as this past year’s recipient of the Sculley Sabbatical. While we know that the reach of the Academy is significant (with alumni in all 50 states and 24 foreign countries) and the positive impact that our alumni have in both the local and global communities, we also know that it remains imperative that we prepare our students to take their places alongside those who came before to do their part in making this world a better place. So we continue to strengthen our educational programming, making sure that our students have a solid foundation of knowledge, skills, and dispositions that will empower them to take full advantage of their capacity to make a difference in the world.

EDITOR

Haley Wilson DESIGN

Third Planet Global Creative www.333planet.com CONTRIBUTORS

Donna Ancypa Holmes Melinda Miller Kolia O’Connor Winthrop Palmer Susan (Ratcliffe ’55) Sour Brittnea Turner

Have You Seen Our Blog? Parenting advice, gardening tips, social media how-to’s, and all the best that SA has to offer, all in one place. Parents, be sure to check out the recent posts, “3 Tips to Empower Girls” and “7 Tips for Raising Boys.”

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What Do You Think? We welcome your letters and comments on this issue of Sewickley Speaking. We may edit your letters for length and clarity, but please write to hwilson@sewickley.org or Mrs. Haley Wilson, Sewickley Speaking, 315 Academy Avenue, Sewickley, PA 15143.

Artists in Residence During the month of January, Attack Theater, an innovative company that combines modern dance, art, music, and multimedia, conducted workshops and performances with students of all ages. The group interacted daily with students in dance teacher Joe Jackson’s absence as he performed in Pittsburgh Public Theater’s performance of My Fair Lady. The group was brought to campus by the Home & School Association’s G.I.F.T. program, which provides funding to capture unexpected opportunities for innovative, interdisciplinary projects for students. WPIAL Champs x 4! Our Panthers swept the WPIAL division this fall and claimed four WPIAL Championships! Read all about it on Page 8.

What’s New, Alumni?

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It’s easy to update your home and business information – just visit www.sewickley.org/alumniupdate. We are always seeking internship connections and networking opportunities for our alumni.

As the recipient of the Sculley Sabbatical, Middle School Dean of Students Evan Kurtz traveled to Japan to observe Japanese baseball.

AMERICA’S F AV O R I T E PASTIME...IN

Japan By Middle School Dean of Students Evan Kurtz

his summer, as the recipient of the Sculley Sabbatical, Middle School Dean of Students Evan Kurtz traveled to Japan to observe Japanese baseball. The sabbatical, established in 1997, provides support for one faculty member each year to undertake enriching global travel. Having coached lacrosse for Sewickley Academy for more than 12 years, most people on campus associate me with lacrosse. While this is true, baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My passion for the game has taken me to ballparks both major and minor, in more than a dozen states. When the Sculley Sabbatical application called for “idiosyncratic” travel, I figured that watching baseball games in Japan fit the bill. I also wanted to compare and contrast Japan’s history and World War II memorials with those of the United States, so I could engage with Grade 8 students on the Washington, D.C. trip, which I chaperone each year.

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Baseball in Japan is not a post-war export, as many assume. It was brought from the United States in the late 1860s, and the professional league in Japan is currently celebrating its 80th year. The passion for baseball in Japan rivals what I knew growing up in the Boston suburbs, where all of my friends and neighbors were Red Sox fans, and even those who claimed to “not care” were still well-informed. Seeing as we here in Pittsburgh have only recently begun to experience (again) what it feels like to live in a “baseball town,” a better analogy for the fervor I experienced around Red Sox baseball would be to equate it to Steelers fandom.

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Evan Kurtz with the Marines’ mascot. Unlike many sports mascots in the U.S., Japanese mascots are always cute and cuddly.

In late June, I began my trip in Tokyo. The stadiums allow fans to bring in their own largest city in the world is home to five of food and drink, and many do. The cuisine is the 12 teams in Nippon Professional Baseball. what you may expect – noodles, rice bowls, The most famous, the “Yankees of Japan” (as and yes, sushi. they have the most money, and have won the Crowd noise is a factor at all sporting events, most championships), are the Yomiuri Giants. but Japanese baseball showed me a level The Giants play their games in the Tokyo of fan engagement I had never witnessed. Dome, a 55,000 seat stadium, which is also When the home team is at bat, the oendan host to the National Football League when – the team’s most ardent supporters – takes they play games in Japan. over. When the oendan arrive at the ballpark, Upon entering the dome, I immediately be- they sit in their own, reserved section, and came aware of many of the differences of are charged with cheering the entire time the attending a Japanese game. As opposed to home team is up. Cheers for players, cheers start times of 7:00 or 7:30 p.m., night games for hits, cheers for runs, and especially cheers in Japan begin at 6:00 p.m. This means that for home runs. Once the cheers get started the majority of adults who attend are going by the oendan, the rest of the crowd joins directly from work. Most had donned their in, creating a wall of sound meant to spur on Giants jerseys right over their work clothes. their team. Visiting teams have their oendan The earlier start time also has a higher per- sections as well. When match-ups occur becentage of fans eating dinner at the ballpark – tween teams that are geographically close, though this too was starkly different from the the visiting oendan section is larger, and hot dog, peanut, and cotton candy fare rivals that of the home team when it comes at American stadiums. Japanese baseball to noise. 6

As I left Tokyo on the fabled Shinkansen bullet train, I marveled at the Japanese countryside in its early-summer glory. Green hills and fields of flowers were visible out my window, even when traveling more than 200 miles an hour. What struck me more about fauna in Japan was how each dwelling, no matter how small, no matter how densely populated the urban area, had at least a small bit of green – a potted plant, hanging vine, or bonsai tree. Hiroshima was my second stop, known to most as the city where the United States dropped the first atomic bomb in 1945. Here, I discovered a city that is still deeply aware of its place in history due to that event, but actively works to change the future as well. While Hiroshima has a large museum and public park dedicated to the history of the atomic bomb, as well as more than 50 memorials to those who died, I was most struck by the role Hiroshima’s citizens play in ensuring an atomic tragedy never occurs again. For

the past 60 years, when a country conducts a nuclear test, each mayor of Hiroshima has written a letter to plead with the leader of that country to cease and desist their nuclear programs. In various other ways, the people of Hiroshima choose to use their tragic history to look forward rather than dwell on the past – from 1,000 origami cranes promoting peace, to the many volunteers at the numerous memorials. A much smaller city than Toyko, Hiroshima had the most ardent fans I encountered on my trip. The city lives and breathes Carp baseball. The red color with the stylized “C” adorned countless walls, shop windows, and even city manhole covers. While the new stadium (built five years ago) is not located in the heart of downtown like the previous park, it is still easily accessible by foot, trolley (the most prevalent public transportation in Hiroshima), or bike. The fans flock to the stadium dressed in red, prepared to cheer for their Carp. And cheer they do, with fervent gusto. After Hiroshima, I spent a whirlwind weekend in Osaka and Nagoya catching two games and taking in the sights in both cities. As I watched a game in the Nagoya Dome, I chuckled as the group in front of me, two couples in their 60s, cheered madly when the home Dragons were up to bat, yet seemingly napped when the visiting Marines were batting. In Osaka, I witnessed a game in historic Koshien Stadium. With its natural grass field and brick facades, Koshien is comparable to Fenway Park or Wrigley Field, as it relates to baseball history in Japan. Koshien is also home to Japan’s annual high school baseball tournament, which generates as much buzz each August as the professional games.

Evan encountered the most ardent baseball fans in Hiroshima. Here, the city lives and breathes Carp baseball. The red color with the stylized “C” adorned countless walls and shop windows, and even city manhole covers.

ing open-air stadium, space was left between the top of the wall and the roof. This allows for games to be played in the rain, yet still allows fresh breezes to enter.

While the Sculley Sabbatical allowed me to take the adventure of a lifetime, filled with so many unforgettable experiences, I am not yet able to cross Japanese baseball off my “bucket list.” After all, I am certain that I will return to Japan and see baseball again, only next time, I will bring the entire family.

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While traveling to see the Marines play the Buffaloes on my final Saturday, I saw the train car begin to fill with girls with lacrosse sticks – a completely unexpected sight. I asked the players where they were headed, and they told me about the tournament called the International Friendship Games. Little did I know, the Japanese Lacrosse Association has been hosting teams from all over the world each summer since 1989 to play laWith a break in the baseball schedule, I headcrosse, and use the sport to exchange culture ed to Kyoto. Baseball was not on the agenda, and friendship. as Kyoto does not have a team, but I was happy to take in the history and beauty of Kyoto’s My trip to Japan made me more of a baseball temples and the nature of the surrounding fan because it allowed me to examine the countryside. I saw geisha, ate sushi off a con- game on a deeper level, while at the same veyor belt, visited a bamboo forest, and found time made me think about the cultural differthe one gift I knew I needed to bring home to ences between the United States and Japan. my wife, a kimono. What does it say about the Japanese that scoring the first run in the game, even at the My trip concluded in Tokyo, with three more expense of a potential big inning, is hugely games in three different stadiums. The reimportant? What does it say about Americans markable thing about the Seibu Dome, where that when a pitcher hits a batter with a pitch, the Lions play, is how it is not really a dome at he never apologizes, even if it was a mistake? all. When a roof was put on top of the exist-

Back here at home, I continue to follow the Japanese game however I can. In November, a group of players from Major League Baseball traveled to Japan on a goodwill tour, and I watched the games and reminisced about the players and stadiums from my trip. I would now say that the Hiroshima Carp is the team that I follow – after my hometown Red Sox, and adopted Pirates, of course.

Fall Sports Wrap-Up An amazing fall sports season culminated with WPIAL playoff appearances by all eight varsity sports teams, four WPIAL Championships, five PIAA tournament runs, an individual state champion, and three PIAA second-place finishes!

Cross Country (7-1) For the first time in the program’s history, the boys varsity cross country team captured a WPIAL Championship. This year, the Panthers were led by three runners who also qualified for the PIAA individual championships; Pieter Hansen ’15, Griffin Mackey ’17, and Ben Clouse ’17. In the PIAA tournament, SA continued its incredible season with a second-place finish, and Griffin Mackey earned a bronze medal. Reils O’Neill ’15, Owen Hipwell ’15, Caleb Magee ’15, and Tim Hanlon ’17 also were major contributors to the memorable season.

Field Hockey (3-7-1) The varsity field hockey team advanced to the WPIAL playoffs with a 3-7-1 record. For another year, the players and coaches demonstrated tremendous resolve by competing successfully, despite fielding a roster that matched the number of players needed to play in the field. Outstanding leadership by Caroline Breves ’15, Olivia Henry ’15, and Janelle Sands ’15 provided the impetus for the Panthers to earn a berth in the playoffs. Olivia, Janelle, and Maddy Casale ’16 were selected for the All-WPIAL field hockey team.

Boys Golf (18-0) The varsity boys golf team finished 12-0 in the section to capture the section championship en route to an overall 18-0 record. The team also won the WPIAL Team Championship at Cedarbrook Golf Course with a team score of 402. Anthony Muscato ’15 scored a 74 (medalist), Chris Johnson ’15 an 86, Jason Li ’17 a 78, Declan Hickton ’17 an 82, and Sam Sauter ’17 an 82. The Panthers finished second at the PIAA tournament by one stroke with a score of 334. Jason Li ’17 became the first individual golf state champion in Academy history by capturing the PIAA individual championship with rounds of 72 and 73, putting his name alongside such luminaries as Jim Furyk and Arnold Palmer.

2 1. The cross country team celebrates its second-place finish in the state tournament. The team also won its first WPIAL Championship this year. 2. The boys golf team celebrates its WPIAL Championship. After this victory, the team went on to finish second at the PIAA team championships.

Girls Golf (10-1) By finishing the regular season with an 8-0 record in the section, the varsity girls golf team captured its first section championship in just the fourth year of the program. The team also captured the WPIAL Championship at Cedarbrook Golf Course with a team score of 389. Tanvi Rana ’15 scored an 81 (silver medalist), Rachel Becker ’15 a 103, Kelsey Milo ’16 a 98, and Natalie Wei ’17 a 107. In York, the Panthers concluded an extraordinary year by finishing fourth in the PIAA tournament.

Boys Soccer (19-3)

Despite returning just two starters from last year’s state championship team, the boys varsity soccer team went on another astonishing run, capturing a section championship with a 12-0 record and advancing to the WPIAL Championship game. In the PIAA tournament, the team won three games to progress to the final state championship game. All of this was accomplished with just one senior, Tom Mulholland ’15, on the team. Earning honors for the season were Ryder MacDougall ’16, Jackson O’Neil ’16, Gus O’Connor ’16, and Matt Teitelbaum ’16, who were selected for the All-Section boys soccer team. Ryder, Jackson, and Matt were also named to the All-WPIAL team, and Coach James Boone was named coach of the year in the section.

Girls Soccer (10-5-3) Despite graduating 11 seniors from last year’s PIAA tournament team, the varsity girls soccer team finished the season with a 10-5-3 record and second in the section with a 9-3-2 record. The Panthers fell in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs to Freedom, who would go on to the PIAA quarterfinals. Molly Lennen ’15, Aja Thorpe ’15, Mackenzie Coles ’16, Eve Matten ’16, Maeghan Parda ’16, and Olivia Ryder ’18 were selected to the All-Section girls soccer team. Molly and Mackenzie were also named to the All-WPIAL girls soccer team.

4 3. For the first time in the program’s history, the girls golf team won the WPIAL Championship. The successful season also put them in first place in the section.

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The varsity girls tennis team captured the section championship with a 9-0 record en route to an overall 16-5 record. Despite graduating five starters from the previous year, the Panthers went on a run in the WPIAL playoffs and defeated Indiana 4-1 in the finals to capture its fourth WPIAL Championship. SA advanced to Hershey by capturing a first-round PIAA match before falling to state finalist Scranton Prep in the quarterfinals. Riley Roberts ’15 and Courtney Cook ’15 led the team. Advancing to the WPIAL singles tournament was Emily Ward ’17, and advancing to the WPIAL doubles tournament were Cara Dietrich ’16 and Caroline Becker ’17.

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4. After defeating Indiana in the WPIAL finals, the girls tennis team won its fourth WPIAL Championship.

Girls Tennis (16-5)

Carolyn Devens ’05

The Jane Goodall of

LEOPARDS Carolyn Devens ’05 can’t remember a time when working with animals wasn’t on her list of what she wanted to be when she grew up. “I would tell people that I was going to be the ‘Jane Goodall of big cats,’” she laughs. “I don’t remember exactly when I first learned about Jane Goodall or what wildlife program I must have watched on television that inspired me to start donating to wildlife organizations when I was 9 or 10 years old, but I knew I wanted to help, and I had my heart set on big cats. The walls of my childhood bedroom illustrated this by dripping with World Wildlife Foundation calendar pages.” Whether she was explaining to her parents’ friends that she wanted to help animals or signing up for every conservation-oriented biology, ecology, or environmental studies course she could find in college, the heart of her career aspirations through the years remained rooted in the desire to pursue wildlife conservation and be on the front-lines of human-wildlife conflict. While studying for her master’s in conservation biology at the University of Kent, Canterbury, Carolyn learned about the Landmark Foundation’s Leopard & Predator Project from a friend in her program. Both of them had recently volunteered with conservation efforts in South Africa: Carolyn outside Kruger National Park, and her friend on the other side of the country in the Western Cape, which is home to the Landmark Foundation’s Leopard & Predator Project.

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The foundation is conducting one of the biggest studies of leopards in the world, and also facilitates many rescues and releases. Leopard conservation in the species’ most southern range in South Africa is in a “dire state,” with the last remaining natural landscapes in the province becoming increasingly fragmented. This habitat loss results in the genetic isolation of the last leopard populations of the region.

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After learning more about the project and connecting with the program, Carolyn was delighted to be offered a position as part of the field team. She recounts, “I found myself back in South Africa in February 2012. Only this time, I traded the bush and big game reserves in Kruger National Park for the mountains and coast of the Western Cape.”

Carolyn’s main task for the foundation was to do camera trap survey fieldwork. Camera “traps” use non-invasive, remotely-triggered cameras for photographically “capturing” any warm-bodied animal that passes by. The cameras can be left unattended for weeks at a time while the supervising scientist is working miles away. The cameras enable researchers like Carolyn to accurately establish population size, identify resident cats, and track specific animals within the area. When asked about a pivotal moment in her work with the foundation, Carolyn relates, “No leopard had been GPS collared within the Robertson Wine Valley while my survey was ongoing from April 2012 to February 2013, but in May 2014, we learned of a ‘conflict cat’ responsible for the loss of livestock on the other side of the narrow mountain range to the north. We successfully caged, collared, and released this cat with the understanding that no harm would come to it at farmers’ hands because the Landmark Foundation would assume the financial responsibilities of all future livestock losses through reimbursement. This beautiful male leopard with only half a tail became my new focus, and I loved heading into the mountains 12

Landmark Foundation

Assigned to the Robertson Wine Valley region, Carolyn was tasked with starting up and managing a new regional survey. “The leopard is the most globally widespread wild cat species. What makes this local leopard population so unique is that they are the only naturally occurring free-roaming predator left in the Western and Eastern Capes of southern South Africa.” Known as the Cape leopard, these cats inhabit the mountains of the Cape provinces and are roughly half the size of their northern relatives. A male Cape leopard might weigh, on average, 6677 pounds, while a female only weighs an average of 46-50 pounds. Their male and female northern counterparts can weigh up to 200 pounds and 135 pounds, respectively.

A Cape leopard caught on camera by one of Carolyn’s camera traps. These cats inhabit the mountains of the South African Cape provinces and are roughly half the size of their northern relatives.

to track him to download his collar’s data. I felt a certain level of personal responsibility for him because his range was in an area I knew well and was also now in my ‘neighborhood’ as I had recently moved to the greater Robertson area,” she explains. “The successful collaring and release of this leopard was not only an extremely exciting and gratifying experience for me, but the data that the collar would provide promised to be extremely valuable to the Landmark Foundation for the understanding of how leopard movement and distribution is influenced by things like agriculture and livestock farming practices. More importantly, though, when collaring a cat in conflict with farmers, we hope our engagement and promise of reimbursement of losses is enough to ensure the safety of the leopard from the scope of a farmer’s gun.”

despite all of our efforts. While the death of this cat technically remains unconfirmed with no recovery of the body or collar, we’re nearly certain from reliable hearsay of the identity of the farmer who killed this stunning creature.”

Tragically, this is the most recent of three collared leopards that were lost across the Landmark Foundation’s study regions in 2014. The first was a female that Carolyn’s team rescued that didn’t survive her release, despite the specialized veterinary attention it received in captivity, and the second was a newly collared female that was also shot by a farmer. Trying to make sense of their deaths, Carolyn says, “The only silver lining that I can ever find for these completely unnecessary and heartbreaking deaths is that at the very least, by being a part of our research, their deaths didn’t happen anonymously or Unfortunately, this story starts as a wonder- in silence.” ful success, but ends as a sorrow-filled reality. The personal connection and responsibility After months of trying to track the male leop- Carolyn feels toward these animals fuels ard by surveying his territory by truck and air, her work and is apparent to all those with Carolyn and her team heard through the com- whom she works. In fact, while she regularmunity that a collared leopard had been killed. ly checked leopard cameras all across the “We wanted to believe with all our hearts that Western Cape, Carolyn became especially it was just gossip, but it explained why we familiar with the leopards from her Robertson hadn’t been able to pick up any collar signal, Wine Valley region cameras. She explains,

Landmark Foundation In her work with the Landmark Foundation, Carolyn identified 41 different leopards, which is one of the highest regional densities across the Cape. Some leopards became such regulars on camera that Carolyn was easily able to recognize them and assign them nicknames.

foundation. In fact, her doctorate is in calibration with the organization and incorporates data collected by her and her colleagues over the last many years. She remains on hand if her assistance is needed to deal with an at-risk leopard, a farmer in conflict, fieldwork, or a leopard collaring event. While she can no longer spend as much time in the field as she would like, she looks forward to the days when she can set her laptop aside and jump into her 1991 Toyota 4x4 truck to head into the mountains. While the work of Carolyn and her colleagues focuses on the immediate conservation of leopards in the Cape, she says the conflict themes they are tackling are largely the same with all apex predator species around the world. “I always hoped that I would be on the frontlines of the conflict, and whether I am still working toward preserving the leopard in South Africa in five years or another majestic predator species on another continent, I plan to always to be a part of the fight.” WINTER 2015

set up cameras on their properties, Carolyn would get a variety of reactions. Her favorite reaction came from a farmer who skeptically explained that he had been on his land for more than 20 years and had never seen a leopard. Six weeks later, Carolyn returned to check the camera and sure enough, the photographs revealed a huge, beautiful male leopard passing by. Her eyes light up as she recalls the farmer’s reaction, “It was absolutely priceless! His jaw immediately hit the floor, and the next moment he was hooting and hollering in hysterics and then gave me a huge hug. He just could not Since concluding her formal fieldwork in the believe it!” By the end of the study, the camRobertson Wine Valley, a handful of farmers eras on his property also captured a small who had been involved in the survey have installed their own cameras on their farms, and female, and soon these photographs were Carolyn loves to receive their excited updates poster size and hung on the walls of his about how “their” leopard was again spotted office. “It was the best feeling to see so many on the cameras. “Wine country generally has farmers have this kind of reaction when they a very low degree of human-wildlife conflict, saw photographs of leopards on their land. but even so, it was incredible to watch this To be the catalyst for such awareness and community become so enamored with the continued enthusiasm in this community is so leopards that they weren’t previously aware incredibly rewarding,” she says. of in their own backyards.” While most farm- While currently Carolyn has stepped away ers recognize that leopards used to occupy from full-time fieldwork for the Landmark the area, many didn’t necessarily believe Foundation to pursue her doctorate in wildthat they were still around. When initially life management at South Africa’s University approaching farmers to ask for permission to of Pretoria, she remains an active part of the

“To date, with all of my efforts in this region (covering approximately 2,500km2), I have identified 41 different leopards, which is one of the highest regional densities our organization has seen from our surveys across the Cape. While most were only photographed a handful of times, there were a dozen or more leopards that became quite the regulars on my cameras. As a result, these individuals got nicknames, and I became quite proficient at recognizing them. My boss has even joked that I could identify them like they were my own children,” she laughs.

Welcome to the Newest Members of Our Community Director of Community & Media Relations Sewickley Academy welcomes Brittnea Turner as our new director of community and media relations. Brittnea holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication from Geneva College and a Master of Arts in corporate communication from Duquesne University. She joins us from Duquesne University where she held several positions and most recently served as finance communication specialist, creating and overseeing communications for the finance and business office. Prior to that, Brittnea was recruited to the controller’s office at Duquesne to implement a strategic communications plan when the university was planning a major transition in payroll processing. Before working in higher education, Brittnea was the producer of media and communications at Covenant Church of Pittsburgh. There, she conceptualized and worked closely with graphic designers and printers to create marketing materials. Brittnea managed diverse teams to produce a weekly television show, Something Fresh, and planned numerous conferences and musical productions. Brittnea shared that she is very excited to be a part of the Academy and its new branding campaign, “For Who You Are. For Who You Will Become.” “I look forward to getting to know our community and showcasing the things that make Sewickley Academy a great school.”

Director of Diversity & Service Learning This fall, we welcomed LaVern Burton to the position of director of diversity and service learning. Since then, she has been working hard to get to know our community. The mission of her office is to build cultural competency through diversity initiatives that support inclusion, equity, and community outreach. With a long history in independent schools, LaVern brings with her experience as a classroom teacher, a coach, and a diversity practitioner. Most recently, she served as the director of diversity at The Unquowa School in Fairfield, Connecticut. Over the course of her career, she has taught Grades 1 and 5, as well as language arts and English in Grades 6 and 8. Prior to her work in schools, LaVern served with the United States Agency for International Development in The Gambia. For the last eight years, she has served on the Connecticut Association of Independent Schools Diversity Commission. LaVern earned her bachelor’s at Boston College, where she was the first woman to receive a basketball scholarship. The mother of two independent school graduates, she understands the diversity landscape in schools both from the perspective of a parent and as a professional, and will bring her wealth of personal and professional experience to her work here at the school.

Nominations Needed for SA’s New Science & Technology Hall of Fame On October 2, 2015, the first inductee will be installed in SA’s new Science & Technology Hall of Fame. This inductee will be an alumna/us who has demonstrated the highest standards of achievement, leadership, and innovation in the fields of science and technology, and reflects the enduring principles of Sewickley Academy. For induction into the Sewickley Academy Science & Technology Hall of Fame: Nominees must have made significant contributions to the fields of science, medicine, engineering, or technology, as determined by awards, grants, original research, or practical innovation, as acknowledged by experts in their field. Nominees must have performed significant service to others in the classroom or in the field, work that has greatly enhanced the learning experience for their students or the quality of life for the community benefiting from their efforts.

Visit www.sewickley.org/sthof to submit your nomination or email Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations Donna Ancypa Holmes at dholmes@sewickley.org.

What Will Your Legacy Be? When you make a planned gift to the Academy, you ensure that our school remains a place where students are inspired and educated to engage their hearts, minds, and hands in the service of a greater good. There are many types of planned gifts that you can make to Sewickley Academy: • Gifts that provide you income such as charitable gift annuities or charitable remainder trusts. • Gifts you can make today such as memorial gifts, charitable lead trusts, or gifts from donor-advised funds. • Gifts that benefit the Academy after your lifetime such as beneficiary designations of retirement, real estate, stock, bonds, or life insurance.

Planning your legacy today supports Academy students tomorrow. Learn more about making a planned gift at www.sewickley.org/giftplanning or contact Susan Sour at 412.741.2230 ext. 3047 or ssour@sewickley.org. 15

Every gift makes a difference – including yours. Annual gifts are the engine that drives innovation in the classroom and excellence everywhere on campus, from funding the paint for lines on the playing field to beakers for the chemistry lab. Historically, tuition has not covered the full cost of a Sewickley Academy education. Gifts made to the Annual Fund have long ensured students can make the most of every opportunity they find here. Last year, more than 1,000 alumni, faculty, parents, grandparents, and friends gave at every level. Your gift helps us reach our goal of 100 percent giving participation and makes an SA education even better.

IT’S SIMPLE TO GIVE: GO TO WWW.SEWICKLEY.ORG/GIVENOW OR CALL 412.741.2230, EXT. 3044.

SPECIALIZED CHEMISTRY BEAKER:

$45

SENIOR SCHOOL MATH COUNCIL REGISTRATION:

$100

ATTENDANCE AT A “LEARNING AND THE BRAIN” WORKSHOP FOR A FACULTY MEMBER:

$1,250

KEEPING THE LIGHTS ON FOR ONE DAY:

$450

ANNUAL TUNING FEE FOR THE ACADEMY’S 12 PIANOS:

$2,400

ONE-YEAR SUPPLY OF SPECIMENS FOR THE SENIOR SCHOOL BIOLOGY LAB:

$500

PAINT FOR THE ATHLETIC FIELDS FOR ONE YEAR:

$3,500

SCRIPTS FOR THEATER COURSES:

$750

AVERAGE FINANCIAL AID AWARD FOR ONE YEAR:

$12,000

The Sewickley Academy Annual Fund FOR WHO WE ARE. FOR WHO WE WILL BECOME. 16

Alumni Events

3 1. At the annual Veterans Day assembly, Kyle Baughman ’00, retired U.S. Air Force captain, inspires students as he gives advice on what it takes to be successful in today’s world. 2. Eighteen years of ice hockey alumni emerged from their cubicles, board rooms, and college dorms to partake in the annual alumni game in November. Timely goals by Ed Lally ’11, Connor Blood ’06, and Reed Houston ’12 caused a stalemate with each team having 11 goals at the end of regulation. The first overtime thriller in alumni game history was won when the elder skatesman Nick Batyko ’99 saved Alex Pfeifer’s (’14 ) shoot-out shot, allowing Louis Pessolano ’97 to lift a backhand shot past Hayden Moyer ’13 for the victory.

4. In October, Henry Shenk ’74 conceived and directed a delightful retrospective musical evening to raise money for a performing arts scholarship in memory of legendary dance teacher Mario Melodia and the 7:40/8:40 Theater groups. Alumni who had not been on stage for as many as 40 years were persuaded to reprise their roles from musicals. Included among these sentimental favorites were Randy Masters ’74, Henry Shenk ’74, Connie (Wood ’74) Spencer, Jim Caruso ’76, Patty Cook ’76, Ginny (Moyles ’77) St. Pierre, Lisa (Baker ’77) Seymour, Tom Tiernan ’77, and Mark Melodia ’81, plus Academy parent Rosie MacKenzie Wyche and SA performing arts students. The show was produced by Susan (Ratcliffe ’55) Sour. 5. On February 2, REJECT, the documentary directed and produced by Ruth Thomas-Suh ’83, was screened on campus. The film is the first documentary to examine the universal experience of social rejection and pain in our society, and Ruth joined us for a Q & A after the film.

W W II N N TT EE RR 22 00 11 55

3. Carrie (Zuberbuhler ‘86) Kennedy and Valerie Gaydos ‘85 catch up at the Alumni Holiday Party.

Oliver Science Building: Completed! Thanks to the generosity of parents, alumni, and friends, in just under six months, Sewickley Academy completed a $3.5 million total renovation of the Oliver Science Building. In August 2014, faculty moved into spaces that are better suited to prepare students to engage in more experiential and collaborative learning of the sort they will encounter in college science courses, with an advanced approach to integrated learning supported by flexible spaces. The renovated Oliver Science Building gives students the opportunity to learn in spaces that allow for seamless lecture, lab, and collaborative class meetings.

Renovation Highlights •

Lab space increased to 1,100 square feet

•

Science project rooms for student-driven independent projects and research

•

Flexible furnishings to allow teachers to configure their spaces to support a wide range of teaching approaches

•

Enhanced learning through immediate access to computers

•

Better natural lighting

•

State-of-the-art equipment, such as advanced spectrophotometers, precision balances, and laptops

Thank you to our generous supporters who made the renovation of the Oliver Science Building possible.

Events Center: Update

Caption?

For who we are. Guided by our mission to engage, challenge, and prepare students to succeed in college and in life, and to instill in them a desire to make an impact for good beyond themselves, Sewickley Academy has a long tradition of innovation in teaching and learning. With the help of alumni, parents, and friends, we continue not only to meet, but also anticipate the ever-changing needs of our dynamic community of learners. Only by doing so can we remain the region’s premier independent college preparatory day school for generations to come.

“

We have significantly expanded our athletic program over the past 10 years. A new facility will offer students

For who we will become.

and coaches 21st Century learning

With the Oliver Science Building complete, we are moving quickly into the next project in the Academy’s Master Plan: a space for our entire community to gather together plus sorely needed expanded and enhanced athletic facilities, which will make a strong statement about gender equity at our school. Moving quickly allows us to capitalize on some cost and construction efficiencies.

and developmental experiences that

— WIN PALMER, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

“

they currently do not have.

We need your help more than ever.

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We ask that you join with our board of trustees and generous alumni, parents, and friends to support this important project so that it will be fully funded by the time construction is complete in the spring of 2016. Given how far we have come, we know that with your help, we can achieve this goal! Please join in sustaining and strengthening our ability to ensure that all students are prepared to compete, succeed, and thrive in college and in life.

The Events Center The Means Alumni Gym pays tribute to the pride and passion in the hearts of the Academyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family and friends. Since opening in 1962, this building has served generations of students who have passed through its doors. The historic transformation of the gym into a LEED-certified multipurpose center honors the tradition of advancing the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission by thoughtfully responding to the needs of those it serves. The new Events Center will serve as the centerpiece of our commitment to community. With Pre-K through Grade 12 on a single campus, it is important that our community can assemble under one roof. Our goal is to create an indoor space where students, parents, faculty, staff, and alumni can all gather together to celebrate important student milestones and Sewickley Academy traditions such as commencement, Foundersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Day, and our annual Day of Service.

In addition, the facility will feature flexible spaces that can be used for class meetings, special events, athletic competitions, training, testing, and more, making the facility a vital community hub from the day we move into the building.

A Place of Health & Wellness The number of students participating in athletics at the Academy has increased in recent years along with the number of sports programs and levels within each program. As a result, there is a need to enhance the space for physical education classes and provide safe team practice spaces for use during inclement weather. The enhanced Events Center will serve not only the 85 percent of our students who participate in interscholastic athletics, but also the remaining 15 percent who will benefit from additional health, wellness, and fitness programs made possible by the renovations.

Goal: $4.5 MILLION

Events Center Highlights

• Indoor celebration venue large enough to • accommodate the entire school community

• Offices for athletic and physical education staff and • • • coaches; athletic trophy cases

• NCAA regulation-sized basketball court that can • be divided to accommodate two high school-sized • physical education teaching spaces

• Visiting-team locker room; officials’ changing room; • separate locker rooms for Middle School and Senior • School boys and girls

• A space for new program offerings, such as • Tai Chi and yoga

• Training facility expansion with state-of-the-art equipment

• Opportunity for increased team fitness workouts, • stretching routines, and core body development • Multipurpose space for meetings, testing, or classes

• A team meeting room with video review capabilities • Indoor batting cage and swing cages for baseball, softball, and golf

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Please join us in supporting this vital project by making a gift today at www.sewickley.org/givenow or contact Melinda Miller, director of advancement, at 412.741.2230.

Suck It Up, America

Medicine According to Dr. Tom Doyle ’81

“I like to think that I have a knack for making people feel better, and that’s what I like to do,” Tom Doyle ’81, emergency care doctor at Heritage Valley Hospital in Sewickley, says with a smile. Haitian earthquake victims, Hurricane Katrina victims, and ailing Pittsburghers would certainly agree as they have Dr. Doyle to thank for doing just that. In his 25 years as a physician, Tom has made it his mission to help as many people as possible, practicing medicine here in his hometown of Sewickley and around the world. While the essence of his career has been spent here in Pittsburgh, Tom has responded to national and international disasters where medical personnel were needed. Following Hurricane Katrina, Tom joined “Angel Flights” to rescue children in Pascagoula and Biloxi, Mississippi. The medical team also had boots on the ground in makeshift clinics to bring basic care to residents who had lost everything. Tom also made two trips to assist during the crisis in Haiti after the earthquake in 2010. “On the ground there, the set-up was like M*A*S*H – open air, limited power, chickens and pigs running around our feet, and people lined up by the hundreds. I was amazed by the resilience of the human race – people who stood in line for hours, grateful to get diabetes or blood pressure medications and a moment of attention. The major issues were not so much medical trauma, although there were certainly acute cases, but were the result of infectious diseases from unclean water and parasites. What they needed were material basics – food, shelter, clean water, and sanitation. There was rampant homelessness and a breakdown in the justice system.”

“

Practicing medicine has made me realize how much less effective it is than people think.

“

Although Tom’s father, the universally respected physician Al Doyle, who continues to specialize in hematology and medical oncology, was certainly an influence on Tom’s decision to practice medicine, Tom says that his father never pushed him in the medical direction. Instead, his concentration in medicine grew out of his interest in geology, ecology, and environmental hazards and their effect on health. After graduating from Princeton, Tom went on to Columbia University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons, where he did an internship at Pittsburgh’s Montefiore Hospital, and then completed his residency in emergency medicine at Georgetown University.

Do You Really Need A Doctor to Tell You That? If you could get everyone in the country to do five things, you would accomplish more for public health than has ever been achieved in the history of medical practice: • Don’t smoke • Exercise • Brush Your Teeth

• Eat Right • Wash Your Hands

An excerpt from Tom Doyle’s book, available on Amazon and at the Penguin Bookshop in Sewickley.

Why emergency medicine? “It has immediate impact. As a physician you have to find ways right then and there to help people in distress.” Tom has been at Heritage Valley Sewickley (formerly Sewickley Valley) Hospital for 21 years. But while Tom explains that there are “very few things as emotionally rewarding as relieving true pain and suffering, sharing compassionate care, and actually saving lives,” he also notes that emergency room health care has changed significantly over the years – and not always for the better. “While the bar has been raised when it comes to the level of medical care one can receive on moment’s notice, the bar for emergency room services has been lowered in the sense that people use the emergency room for symptoms that are less urgent. In many of the cases I see – for instance bee stings, sunburns, and even hangovers – the patient’s symptoms will fade away in a few days without medical intervention.” He continues, “Emergency departments nationwide are being overwhelmed by the non-emergent, and doctors in general are asked to treat what doesn’t need treatment.”

As a nation, we spend an enormous amount of our gross domestic product on health care when the roots of the problem are often in the need for clean water, good diet, shelter, and security.” Specifically on the topic of health care reform he notes, “The changes in medicine are not driven by the goal of helping people, but by inefficiencies. Reform efforts are not guided by the source of the problem. We are more driven by the market than by actual need – one more test, the latest and greatest technological advance. It’s not health care reform that we seem concerned with, it’s health insurance reform.” When he is not contributing to the conversation on health care reform or serving on medical mission teams, Tom is busy being father to his five children – Meredith ’11, Shannon ’13, Todd ’16, Brennan ’17, and Eiley ’20 – who have taken full advantage of the Academy’s activities, much as their father did, actively participating in soccer and tennis, and starring in school musicals as they progress through the grades and go on to college.

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“The Academy provided a top education during my years there, but Having much to say about this problem and the issue of health care the bar has been raised in every way from then to now,” he reflects. reform, Tom authored a book in 2011 titled Suck it up, America: The “I see what my children experience every day – the academics have Tough Choices We Face for Real Healthcare Reform. In it, he explains more breadth and depth, the sports are much more competitive. The that while there are certainly still critical cases that come into the ER expectations for papers and projects are more elaborate, the results each day, the large majority of cases he sees can be improved with more polished, and the graduates more accomplished. I am thoroughly a simple medication and rest. “I continue to be amazed by the body’s impressed by the education today.” ability to heal itself. It’s an amazing phenomenon.” He goes on, “Even in an intensive care unit, with our most advanced techniques applied, Describing himself as a “profound optimist,” he says that despite our all we’re really doing is optimizing the conditions under which natural nation’s health care problems, he believes the world is a much better healing can occur. We give oxygen and fluids in the right proportions, place for the majority of people than it was 25 years ago. He continraise or lower the blood pressure as needed, and allow the natural ues, “I want to see the world become even more constructive and cooperative, and I think our children will help make that happen. As for healing mechanisms time to do their work.” me, I think and hope I have had positive impact on people I have cared He continues, “Practicing medicine has made me realize how much for. I know that I have saved lives. There are few things that make you less effective it is than people think. The great secret of health care is feel as good as helping someone else.” that there are so many things more important to health than medicine.

REUNION WEEKEND 2014 On October 10, Reunion Weekend 2014 kicked off with the Arts Hall of Fame induction celebrating Madeline Lord ’66, Judith Mikita ’76, John Moyer ’82, and the late Mario Melodia, beloved longtime faculty member. Alumni also witnessed the dedication of the newly renovated Oliver Science Building and enjoyed the Reunion Gala on Friday evening.

Saturday brought beautiful weather for a tennis reunion with Coach Whitney Snyder ’79, as well as classes and tours on campus with current faculty and students. It also marked the first annual meeting of the Sewickley Academy Alumni Association, featuring a question-and-answer session with Head of School Kolia O’Connor and discussion of the new volunteer board of visitors. That evening, two performances of the rousing musical revue A Marvelous Party celebrated the artistry of the 7:40/8:40 Theater groups and Mario Melodia. The weekend concluded with individual class parties. Thanks to party hosts and RSVP coordinators Kim (Sharp ’69) Fierst, Michael Bollinger ’74, Connie (Wood ’74) Spencer, Whitney Snyder ’79, Angela (Carerra ’79) Cooper, John Atwood ’79, Katy (Edson ’84) Koppanyi, Joe Nocito ’89, Amy (Wells ’89) Schultz, Jennifer (Riordan ’94) Miller, Nicole (Pessolano ’99) Kopel, and Morgan (Hawkins ’04) Drain.

3 1. Friends from the Class of 1969 Nancy Stevens, Joan Parker, Jaquelin “Happy” Hazzard, Kim (Sharp) Fierst, and Ashby Marshall. 2. Sid Henderson ’69, founding Head of Senior School Jim Cavalier, Hal Bittner ’69, and Marion Bittner enjoy the reception in the newly renovated Oliver Science Building. 3. The Class of 1979 with former faculty members. 4. Classmates from the 70s: Row 1: Catherine Jacobs ‘74, Tom Gordon ‘74, Martha Prine ‘75. Row 2: Michael Waller ‘77, Howison Schroeder ‘74, Mark Lord ‘79. 5. Members of the Class of 1984: Row 1: Anne (Edson) Koppanyi, Jill (Stringert) Williams, Rebecca Taylor, Maria Gaydos, Valerie Gaydos ’85. Row 2: Giselle Leonardo, Miles Smith, Clark Mitchell. 6. Members of the Class of 2004: Row 1: Morgan (Hawkins) Drain, Michael Drain, Dana Mathews. Row 2: David Quinn, Jim Wang, Jon Koliner.

Mark your calendars! We look forward to welcoming you to campus for Reunion Weekend 2015 on October 2-3.

BOYS TENNIS REUNION

1. Vijay Makar ’98, Vijay Chattha ’95, Doug Crawford ’95, Matt Riva ’94, Whitney Snyder ’79, Dinakar Golla ’92, Will Kleeman ’13, Trevor Heck ’05, Hayden Moyer ’13, and Paul Del Presto ’05. 2. Trevor Heck ’05, Matt Riva ‘94, and Whitney Snyder ‘79. WINTER

Reunion Weekend included the celebration of Whitney Snyder’s 22 years of extraordinary coaching and the newly resurfaced Snyder Courts. Coach Snyder and teammates extended a warm welcome to the parents of a former teammate, the late Deepuk Batish ’95. Special thanks to Vijay Chattha ’95 for helping to organize this tribute. Team members from 1992-2013 also challenged each other in a lively round robin.

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2014 Arts Hall of Fame Celebration 2014 Inductees

Head of School Kolia O’Connor presents the Arts Hall of Fame Award to Judith Mikita ’76.

After the hall of fame assembly, inductee Madeline Lord ’66 conducts a sculpture workshop with students.

JUDITH MIKITA ’76

MADELEINE LORD ’66

Judith earned a bachelor’s in theater and dance from Indiana University (Indiana) and a master’s in dance from the University of Michigan. As a dancer, she worked with modern dance greats Martha Clarke (Pilobolus), Gus Solomons Jr. (Merce Cunningham), Lucas Hoving (Jose Limon), Marni Thomas (Martha Graham), and Loretta Livingstone (Bella Lewitsky) in New York, Chicago, and with national touring companies, receiving glowing reviews of her performances. Judith was commissioned to create dances for the New York International Independent Film Festival and University of Cincinnati’s gala opening of architect Frank Gehry’s Vontz Center. Signature choreographed works include Mildred’s Closet (dressed in 1960s gowns), Rivers of Delight (with chamber choir), 165 Ways (with a Steinway piano), Kathy and Janet (addressing domestic violence), and Menotti’s The Unicorn, the Gorgon, and the Manticore (with chamber orchestra and choir). Judith’s dances are marked by a sense of theater, a touch of humor, vibrant imagination, and energetic athletic dancing. Judith has served on the faculties of the University of Chicago, Columbia College (Chicago), Indiana University, and Interlochen Center for the Arts (Michigan). Since 1995, she has taught dance technique, composition, history, and criticism at the University of Cincinnati – College-Conservatory of Music.

A 1970 graduate of Smith College, Madeleine taught photography and animation in Harlem, East Village, and on a Navajo Reservation in Arizona. In 1975, she returned to Massachusetts to teach and work in such varied media as silk screen, oils, woodcuts, and etchings. Earning a welding certificate at night, she had her first sculpture show in 1984. In 1986, divorced with children, she entered the business world, earned an MBA, and “never stopped making art on the thin edges of my days.” Her public installations include four minutemen and a Daughters of the American Revolution woman (Fort Washington Park, Cambridge, Massachusetts), 12 cut steel posters for the Salt II Agreement talks (now at the Lion and Lamb Peace Center, Bluffton, Ohio), St. Francis (Newman Center, Gary, Indiana), the Good Shepherd (Rancho Bernadino, California), Angels (cemetery in Milton, Massachusetts), garden and sculpture installation (Grant Park, Chicago, Illinois), and Muses (Dallas, Texas). Her piece, The Enduring American Spirit, was the first 9/11 memorial sculpture in New England (Whitinsville, Massachusetts). In 2012-2013 her work was celebrated in a show titled Chasing the Image at the Asheville Art Museum where several pieces are in the permanent collection.

On October 10, the SA community gathered in Rea Auditorium for the Sewickley Academy Arts Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for Madeleine Lord ’66, Judith Mikita’76, John Moyer ’82, and the late Mario Melodia. The Arts Hall of Fame is a society reserved for Sewickley Academy alumni and former faculty who have distinguished themselves in the visual or performing arts at the Academy and have gone on to further distinction in higher education and beyond.

MARIO MELODIA (1931-2008)

JOHN “BUZZ” MOYER ’82

Born on the north side of Pittsburgh, Mario received a full ballet scholarship at 14 and was dancing on Broadway in Brigadoon at 17. He eventually received his high school diploma in the mail, having continued his education while touring nationally as a so-called “gypsy” with professional ballet and musical theater productions. He trained to choreograph and teach as an assistant to Hanya Holm at Colorado College. Returning to Pittsburgh, Mario opened dance studios and then established the Melodia Performing Arts Center, which produced scores of professional dancers as well as Tony Award winning choreographers and feature film directors. Mario was the resident choreographer and director for the Kenley Players in Ohio and other equity theaters for 23 years, working with stars Ginger Rogers, Ann Miller, Juliet Prowse, Ethel Merman, Vincent Price, and a galaxy of others. Mario taught at Sewickley Academy for 40 years, directing and choreographing 65 musicals. In 1998, the Academy dedicated Melodia Plaza on campus to recognize his outstanding service and achievements. After retirement, he continued to teach ballroom dance for the Barclay Classes and established the musical theater workshop at Sweetwater Center for the Arts. In 1988, he was the Sewickley Herald’s Man of the Year. In 2008, he was given the Performing Art Camp’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Thanks to Mario Melodia, John began his acting career early. In fifth grade, he performed in Oliver with Vincent Price and Peter Pan with Sandy Duncan for the Kenley Players, then was later cast in commercials, including one for Diet Coke that aired during the 1983 Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics. A film class at the Academy incited his interest to study in the cinematography program at Ithaca College. The use of Steadicam in the film Wolfen inspired him to become “the best Steadicam operator I could be.” As a freelance camera operator in Pittsburgh, John worked on local and regional commercials and industrial videos. After stints as the best boy grip on film crews in Alaska and Los Angeles, he began to move into his specialty, and purchased his first (used) Steadicam in 1989. He “cut his teeth” on long, involved shots through warehouses, production lines, hospitals, and commercials. Twenty-four years later, John’s resume includes 50 feature films and television productions. The long list includes Winter’s Tale, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Jack Reacher, After Earth, The Avengers, and Rocky Balboa.

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John Moyer ’82 receives his award from Head of School Kolia O’Connor.

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Mark Melodia ’81 accepts the award in memory of his father, the late Mario Melodia.

THE WORLD

IS OUR CLASSROOM

Many alumni will fondly recall international travel experiences to Germany, France, and even Russia coordinated through the Academy. Our school has offered students the opportunity to participate in international exchanges since the mid-1970s. Started by retired German teacher Larry Hall, the longest-running partnership is 37 years old and exists between SA and the Erasmus-Grasser Gymnasium in Munich, Germany. In addition, the Academy currently supports exchanges with the First High School of Changsha, China; The Perse School of Cambridge, United Kingdom; John Talabot School of Barcelona, Spain; and Central Coast Grammar School of Australia. In addition, Middle and Senior School students have also had the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica, Lyon and Nice (France), Quebec, and Romania.

we all stayed with families and not in a hotel, our experiences varied greatly – some amusing and some almost tragic. But in the long run, we all learned a lot, both hosting a student and being a good guest over there. I think that the students who participated in the exchanges came out of the experience a bit more mature, a little more tolerant, and certainly with memories and escapades that I am still hearing about years later.”

While clearly these experiences were enduring and significant for both faculty and staff, as the international exchanges developed and became more ambitious, members of the Academy faculty and administration began to conceive of a much larger, more comprehensive program that would still include an exchange experience, but would also involve classes and service components. Upon the 30th anniversary of the German The Global Studies Program developed out of exchange, Larry Hall reflected, “I made life- this vision. The mission of the program is to long friends with the families I lived with and enable Pre-K–Grade 12 students to cultivate my colleagues at Erasmus Grasser. Because a globally-informed personal identity and

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equip them to be creative leaders and con- and social studies classes. A three-year Glob- tors, faculty, and parents invite speakers and structive citizens in the service of building al Studies curriculum is currently under devel- plan events that bring global awareness to positive partnerships with others near and far. opment by social studies and history teachers campus. Recently, Lower School parent Dwight Matthis, who sits on the board of Head of School Kolia O’Connor explains, “The in Grades 4, 5, and 6. the non-profit foundation dZi (www.dzifounGlobal Studies program grew out of our de- In Middle School, students choose to study dation.org), visited the Kindergarten class sire to grow our exchange programs to pro- French, Spanish, Latin, or Mandarin and to talk about the work that dZi does with vide additional opportunities for students to are immersed in the culture and history of ‘be strangers in a strange land,’ to immerse the United States and Asia. Each May, stu- communities in Nepal to increase health and themselves in worlds very different from their dents engage in an International World’s Fair reduce poverty. Last winter, several students own, and through those experiences to grow and must extensively research a country’s attended a lecture and reading by Helene and strengthen a range of skills and capaci- geography, culture, history, government, and Cooper, journalist, Liberian refugee, and ties that are often referred to at 21st Century economy. International travel opportunities to author of a memoir of her experience titled skills, including intercultural competency, re- Spain and China are offered to Grade 7 and The House at Sugar Beach. Also last year, Sewickley Academy hosted Kim Phuc, who silience, and adaptability.” 8 students. is best known for being photographed as Director of Teaching & Learning Patty Butz In the Senior School, multiple school ex- a young girl while running away from her adds, “Global Studies is not only about travel. changes and international travel opportu- napalmed village during the Vietnam War. It means understanding the worldwide im- nities are offered each year, as well as a Ms. Phuc spoke to stdents and faculty plications of environmental shifts, political full schedule of world language courses in about how that day changed her life and movements, and technological developments, French, Latin, Spanish, Italian, and Manda- about forgiveness. all while seeking to understand these events rin. Interdisciplinary courses in Middle East in the context of history. It means understand- history, Chinese culture, and Latin America “These activities and learning experiences ing that language is integral to culture, and are offered as electives. Through the use of are all aimed at helping our students, faculthat learning about a culture will never bring multi-media approaches, students converse ty, and even our parent community become the same perspective as experiencing that with students their own age from countries globally competent individuals,” explained Judy Stewart, Global Studies coordinator culture firsthand.” around the world. and Lower School French teacher. “Globally Since the inception of the program in 2008, Faculty is deeply involved with curriculum competent individuals are aware, curious, and cultivating globally informed students is a planning for Global Studies. This past sum- interested in learning about the world and thread that is intentionally woven throughout mer, Grade 5 teacher Christina Pales along how it works. We want our students to be able the curriculum beginning in the Lower School. with Mandarin teacher Shan Callaghan trav- to use the big ideas, methods, and languages International mindedness is learned and eled to China to attend “Two Nations, One that are central to any discipline to engage practiced by our youngest students through Dream” hosted by the Asia Society – a Chi- the pressing issues of our time. They deploy the study of either French or Spanish, and nese studies seminar at East China Normal and develop this expertise as they investigate an after-school program option in Chinese University in Shanghai, China. Not only did such issues, recognizing multiple perspecis available for students in Grades 1 through the teachers return energized and full of ideas, tives, communicating their views effective5. Intercultural experiences are provided in they both enhanced their own global aware- ly, and taking action to improve conditions.” world language, visual and performing arts, ness. Throughout the school year, administra-

Students from SA and France’s Institut Stanislas overlook Monaco last March. This exchange is the newest to be added to the growing roster of international travel opportunities for students.

While Global Studies is integrated throughout the curriculum, students in Grades 8-12 may also opt to enroll in the Global Studies Certificate Program. Developed under the leadership of the late Claudia Gallant, former associate head for academic affairs, the Global Studies Certificate Program was developed with more than student enrichment as its goal. Rather, the program aims to help students develop global competencies and to support students in directing their activities and curriculum based on interests that are relevant to them. Currently, there are 58 students enrolled in the certificate program.

home stay in another country or as simple as attending and reflecting on a concert by a South African band. Finally, the “Global Action” domain includes any globally-informed activity that inspires students to take what they have learned in the classroom or through travel and put that knowledge “to the service of a greater good,” which is part of Sewickley Academy’s mission. Global Studies Certificate candidate Ali Hrishenko ’15 has done exactly that with her work with the Children’s Village in Karmi’el, Israel. Last March, she traveled to the village with Classrooms Without Borders and spent 10 days volunteering with a family who is fostering 12 underprivileged Israeli children. Before she went, she helped to organize a clothing drive and fundraisers to support the children in the village. This year, her senior project centers on a fundraiser for the children. “These children come from awful situations, but to see how positive they are despite it all is really inspiring. To see the smiles on their faces when they received a small gift made me want to continue to help them smile.”

In order to graduate with a Global Studies Certificate, students must demonstrate competencies by earning points in four domains. The first is “Language Study,” imparting to the student full-spectrum fluency in a language other than English. The second domain, “Cultural Study,” includes academic experiences where students are enrolled in formal instruction in a course with a global or international aspect. The Academy offers courses that help students explore issues of poverty, religion, gender, social, political, Certificate students like Ali are encouraged to scientific, and statistical concepts in a global be the architects of their experiences rather context. The third domain, “Cultural Engage- than passive consumers of experiences that ment,” includes experiences that allow a stu- have been designed by the Academy. This dent to have enriching cultural interactions. means that the curiosity, imagination, and a This could be as in-depth as a semester-long willingness to take personal risks to stretch

oneself even to the point of discomfort are qualities that help students benefit most effectively from participation in the program. Students are encouraged to chart their own paths to certificate completion and be creative in imagining for themselves a pathway that will be most meaningful and personally enriching. Ali can attest to the life-changing impact of the program. “At first, it was all about getting the ‘points’ to get the certificate to put on my college application, but it soon grew into a real love for other cultures.” Next year, she will attend American University and study international studies and journalism. She concludes, “Without a doubt, this program has shaped me. It is me.”

Class Notes

Alumni Gym in 1962, the year the gym opened. Since then, the gym has served generations of students, and is now set for completion in the summer of 2016. Learn more on Page 19.

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being transformed into a LEED-certified multipurpose center,

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Students square dance during the dedication of the Means

1931

1950

Leaugeay (Stevenson ’31) Berman recently celebrated her 99th birthday in Hawaii where she lives with her daughter, Leaugeay (Curry ’55) Buck.

1940 75th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

Bill Arrott ’40 shares an indelible memory of Sewickley Academy, “I flunked kindergarten because I was considered too immature for first grade, but I ended up in a great class. Technically ‘retired,’ my wife, Elizabeth, and I now keep busy with Internet marketing on Amazon.com. However, there are times when we feel ‘in over our heads’ competing with kids who seem to be genetically endowed with computerized minds. Our Amazon page is www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CGBS4E0, and our website is www. benevitadistributors.com. We are both also serving as associate ministers of the Center for Spiritual Living in Fort Lauderdale.”

1945 70th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

1948

65th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

1955 60th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

Susan (Ratcliffe ’55) Sour still loves working at SA, continuing the garden business with her sister, Missy (Ratcliffe ’60) Zimmerman, and spending as much free time as possible at Chautauqua. She stays in touch with many of her classmates. In the last few years, she visited with Don Foster ’55, Sue (Wheeler ’55) Mason, and Mariel (Robinson ’55) Goss. She reports on her classmates:

barge trip in Burgundy this fall where they explored the countryside at leisure and enjoyed great food and wine. Joan (Foedisch ’55) Adibi and husband Siamak went to NYC for the opening of daughter Elise’s solo show at a gallery there. The Adibis spend a lot of quality time with their Pittsburgh grandchildren. Wynne (Paffard ’55) Delmhorst and husband Art celebrated their 50th anniversary in Bermuda with their family. Most went by air, but son Fred joined them by sailing there in a race from Newport, Rhode Island, to Bermuda. Leaugeay (Curry ’55) Buck is still living in paradise (Hawaii) and enjoying her multi-generational family, which includes her mother, Leaugeay (Stevenson ’31) Berman. Carolyn (Malone ’55) Bonier has shared some beautiful paintings with friends on Facebook this past year.

Betsy (Gardner ’55) Riley and husband Gil 1958 love their place on Tenant’s Harbor in Maine Susan (Mann ’58) Flanders just had a where Gil has become an excellent photog- book published titled Going to Church: It’s rapher. (“All are welcome!” says Betsy.) They Not What You Think! “It’s a non-pious memtravel across the USA to visit their extended oir about my life as an Episcopal priest – it’s family. probably not what you think, and includes my fears, hopes, and dreams about the future of Sue (Wheeler ’55) Mason, Sara (Wheel- the church.” She is hoping to have an author er ’58) Forster, and Laurie (Wheeler ’59) event at Penguin Bookshop in Sewickley in Brown, and husbands gathered at Sara’s the near future. house in Philadelphia at Christmas. Sue, Laurie, and their husbands also took a great

Alex Brassert ’48 writes, “I left SA at 14 years old in 1946. My small class consisted of Sybil (Adams ’48) Herron, Amy (McKean ’48) Van Buskirk, Virginia (Snyder ’48) Citron, Bill Booth ’48, and Teddy Stevenson ’48. Madame Rougraff (mother of Fifi Rougraff ’45) came once a week to teach us French and sing French songs – now I live most of the time in France! I also have interests in Vietnam; Costa Rica; Stowe, Vermont; and Auburn, Alabama. Are my classmates still here? Would be happy to see some alums of those years.”

Joan (Foedisch ’55) Adibi and her husband, Siamak, with their daughter, Elise, at the opening of her solo show at a gallery in NYC.

’55

Steve Ratcliffe ’58 shares,“This past September, Madell and I spent a month in Australia. We rented a car in Brisbane, drove up the Sunshine Coast, then drove all along the southeast coastline, on the back roads, to Melbourne. I commend this trip to everyone, as it’s fascinating to see the coastline change as you go south, see all the wonderful bays, inlets, and natural parks, and experience the wonderful people in the “mom and pop” restaurants and shops. The ultimate goal of the trip was Madell’s son’s wedding in the Yarra Valley, which is amazing wine country nestled in beautiful, green, rolling hills. Of course, winter was turning to summer and the new blossoms were magnificent. The wedding went great, and the whole trip was well worth the 14-hour plane trip to and from LAX. Incidentally, I also recommend taking Quantas Airlines, as the food was good, seats as comfortable as a coach seat can be, and the staff was great.”

’69

’58 Steve Ratcliffe ’58 and Madell Dobrushin celebrated Madell’s son’s wedding in Australia. Ray and Cherry (Semple ’69) White and Heather Semple ’78 visit Lake Como in Italy. Niland Mortimer ’69 and Brenda Anne Austin were married on October 18, 2014.

’69

1960 55th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

1962 Carol (Ranson ’62) O’Keefe reports that she has “just finished my eighth medical mission to Uganda in July. Looking forward to retiring in February 2015 and moving back to southern California to be near kids and grandkids.”

1965 50th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

1966

1969

Cia (Henderson ’67) Marion just retired after 12 years at AmeriCares, an international aid organization. She writes, “My husband is also retired, so it’s great not to be on any schedules except tee times and our various classes at the Y. I’m really enjoying being able to quilt and hike again now that I have the time. Our son, Jamie, is an intellectual-property lawyer in San Francisco, which gives us a great excuse to visit once a year. Our daughter, Hetty, lives with us in Westport, Connecticut, where she has a baking business and is trying to get acting jobs. She takes excellent care of us and is my new hiking partner. My mother is going on 93 and lives in nearby Darien where she is still very active. I visited our hometown of Zelienople this summer and waved a big hello to Sewickley from the airport.”

Heather Semple ’78, art appraiser and consultant, served as personal docent to her sister, Cherry (Semple ‘69) White, her cousin, Anna Singer ‘76, and their husbands on a tour of Italy in October that included Florence, Siena, and Tuscany.

Alison (Walter ’67) Martin is enjoying being “Grammie” to granddaughter (6) and grandson (4) who live nearby. Her younger son married the daughter of her dear friends in May. “I celebrated my 65th on a walking tour of Tuscany, and am still working. Life is good.”

Liz (Coyle ’69) Devens writes, “I was sorry to have missed our 45th reunion this fall. Trip and I decided to go to Venice and then cruise down the coast of Croatia with stops at various islands and Dubrovnik, which had a spectacular coastline and pristine water. It’s a gorgeous part of the world. We are super happy here on Seabrook Island. We have a couple of gators and lots of turtles in the lagoon off our back deck. Deer are everywhere! Egret and blue heron are spotted fishing for a meal. And the golf games have improved. If anyone is in the Charleston area, please give us a call!” Niland Mortimer ’69 married Brenda Anne Austin on October 18, 2014, in San Francisco, California, where he’s lived for the past seven years.

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Nancy (Bennett ’66) Haynes proudly writes, “Our nephew, best-selling author Steven Johnson, had a new documentary series, How We Got to Now, make its debut on October 15 on PBS. The book, How We Got to Now: Six Innovations that Made the Modern World, is also available on Amazon in hardcover, Kindle, and audio editions. Steven has written nine books so far.”

1967

1970 45th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

Mark Cresap ’70 was recently elected to the FINRA Board of Governors. FINRA is the primary regulator of the securities industry. He also is finishing his term as president of the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford, Pennsylvania. He still owns the broker/dealer Cresap, Inc. that he founded in 1990. Margaret “Peggy” (Prine ’70) Joy reports, “I am still happily doing ‘marital reorganizations’ in my law firm and loving watching my three grandchildren (ages 4, 2, and 10 days as of this writing). Their mother is Katie (Joy ’98) Rosinski.” Sally Snook ’70 had a wonderful visit with the late Chris (McCoy ’70) McCarthy in March 2014. They toured the Daytona Beach area where Chris had lived for many years, and enjoyed many hours of conversation, including reminiscing about their years at the Academy.

with several SA alums and would love to hear from more! Find me on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.”

1976 Jim Caruso ’76 continues his show biz pursuits, hosting, producing, and celebrating talent across the country with his Cast Party. He can currently be found in NYC, singing at Bemelmans at The Carlyle Hotel on Sundays, and at Birdland on Mondays. Mike Reed ’76 is in need of your support for his 24-year-old son, Alex. Alex was diagnosed with end stage renal failure and needs a kidney transplant. His immediate family has been disqualified as potential donors due to a rare clotting disorder. Alex attended North Allegheny High School and Penn State University, Altoona College. An avid athlete at both schools, he was a pitcher on their baseball teams. He was awarded their Sportsmanship Award for his positive attitude and easygoing personality. The doctors say that a living donor organ would give Alex the best outcome because of his young age. For more

than a year now, Alex has quietly been enduring the fight for his life. Mike writes, “He is now in end stage renal failure and needs a kidney ASAP! Please share this need with everyone you know.” You can contact Mike Reed at 412-367-2233 (work), 412-951-5619 (cell), or reedinsurance@verizon.net.

1977 Jeff Canter ’77 began to serve his first appointment as pastor of Harrisville United Methodist Church in July 2014. He shares, “Kathy and I feel unmeasurably blessed to have received God’s grace in this new chapter of our lives. If you’re coming north to Grove City to shop, take a short side trip to Harrisville to stop in and say hello.”

1979 Amy (Baribault ’79) Powell writes, “We recently had an impromptu gathering at my house in Davidson, North Carolina. Carol (Hays ‘79) McLaughlin, Bob Kaveny ‘79, Leila (Gould ‘79) Oliver and Lisa (Gebhardt ‘79) Turner were here for the night. We had lots of laughs together.”

1975 40th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

Allan Macdonald ’75 writes, “I’m back at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, South Carolina, now as associate program director for the Family Medicine Residency Program. In conjunction with this position, I have just been promoted to associate professor of clinical family medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina.” As the founder of From the Inside Out Project, a program that helps hourly employees increase their skills, Laura MacLeod ’75 was interviewed on CBS MoneyWatch (http:// cbsn.ws/1xVprFF) and shared advice for employees on surviving the Black Friday work shift. She writes, “I recently reconnected 34

’70 Sally Snook ’70 had a wonderful visit with the late Chris (McCoy ’70) McCarthy in March 2014. Alex, the son of Mike Reed ’76, is in need of a kidney transplant. The doctors say that a living donor organ would give Alex the best outcome because of his young age.

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1980 35th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

1981 Carolee Bull ’81 shares, “I reconnected with my SA friends recently through Facebook. My husband and I nearly ran to San Francisco when we realized Mary Jean (Foy ’81) Bretton was posting pictures from the city. We had a lovely time with her and her daughter, Carol. I am hoping to see other SA grads soon. I am still loving my work as a phytobacteriologist, educator, and dancer.”

the thought processes I learned and the debate skills I gained at SA and LU on a daily basis running www.smhinc.com. I had dinner last week with Becky (Downs ’87) Mazariegos when she brought her husband and kids to tour the Mariner’s Museum in Newport News, Virginia. I also get together regularly with Jon Chandler ’87 in Atlanta and Todd Groff ’87.” After nearly 14 years in New York City, a few more before that in Boston, and a couple before that in Chapel Hill, Bridget (Regan ’87) Monahan and family are back in Pittsburgh. “They say you can never go home again, and it’s true. Pittsburgh is a very different city than the one I left many years ago. But with our son in kindergarten, I convinced my husband that Pittsburgh would be a better

life than Brooklyn, especially with grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins all nearby. We’re both working in downtown Pittsburgh. I’m at MAYA Design, Anthony is at Brunner Advertising, and we’ve bought a lovely home in the North Hills. I am looking forward to seeing more old friends.” Joelle Mellon ’89 has written a new book, Swynmoor, which is a humorous fantasy novel, available on Amazon in e-book and paperback. She writes, “I’m pleased to say that it’s sold better than anything I’ve ever written. For a few days, while it was released as a free e-book for promotional purposes, it climbed to No. 33 in the humor category for Kindles. Because it has been so popular, it looks like there will be a market for sequels.”

John F. Harrison ’81 recently authored a book, Fighting Back. “It’s a suspense novel (or more accurately, literary fiction with a hefty dollop of suspense) about the life-altering complications that ensue after a seemingly minor confrontation between two strangers,” he explains.

1984 In May 2014, Aimee deChambeau ’84 received her doctorate in sustainability education from Prescott College where she studied ways in which communities of practice support student success in higher education. Currently, she is the head of electronic services for university libraries at The University of Akron.

’81

1985 30th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

1987

John F. Harrison ’81 recently authored a book, “Fighting Back,” which he describes as “literary fiction with a hefty dollop of suspense.” Carolee Bull ’81 and her mentor, former SA science teacher Jane Konrad, pose for a photo. Carolee has presented numerous workshops for Jane at the PRCST Stem in Action program at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. Class of 1979 friends Carol (Hays) McLaughlin, Amy (Baribault) Powell, Bob Kaveny, Leila (Gould) Oliver, and Lisa (Gebhardt) Turner gather at Amy’s house in Davidson, North Carolina.

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After Sewickley Academy, Leif Berner ’87 went on to Lehigh University (LU) where he became a mechanical engineer with a minor in East Asian studies. “This allowed me to get a job in 1991 in a down economy during my senior year in college. This job took me to Tokyo for four years and back to Virginia in 1995. While no longer working as an engineer, I use

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1990 25th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

On June 22, 2014, Claire (Lang ’90) Ballantyne married Todd Andrew Ballantyne in an intimate beach ceremony in Stone Harbor, New Jersey, which was followed by a luncheon reception at the Peter Shields Inn in Cape May, New Jersey. “My dear Academy friend, Miranda Berner ‘91, was in attendance, and she also made my bouquet. Todd and I had a heavenly honeymoon in Bermuda. Last fall we bought a house in the village of Marshallton in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and are enjoying ‘country’ life. I am still commuting to Philadelphia for work in the veterinary emergency room at the University of Pennsylvania. Todd works in television production and runs his own business, Todd Ballantyne Creative.”

three weeks at Stanford University polishing her speech and debate skills in a program focusing on American and global politics. I journeyed to Germany to spend several weeks with my brother and his family. They had a packed itinerary for me, and I spent time hiking, visiting castles and other attractions (including the Mercedes Benz Museum in Stuttgart), enjoying the food prepared by my chef sister-in-law, and enjoying time with relatives and new friends. All in all, it was a wonderful summer!”

1995 20th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

’90

www.sewickley.org/reunion

1991 Shannon Schinagl ‘91 is thrilled to be the early literacy consultant for the Maine State Library and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services. She lives in Portland, Maine, and gets to travel the entire wonderful state. “It’s my dream job. If you are ever in the far northeast, please contact me so we can get together.”

’91

Ethan Stanton ’91 writes, “Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in Minnesota. Because it is a complementary sport to hockey, kids are signing up in droves in my hometown of Rosemount, Minnesota. I coached my son Troy’s U9 team this summer. We went 13-1 and won a tournament against Eagan, our biggest rival. I’m one of the few coaches with lacrosse experience. I’m thankful that Sewickley Academy exposed me to the awesome sport of lacrosse.”

’93 On June 22, 2014, Claire (Lang ’90) Ballantyne married Todd Andrew Ballantyne in an intimate beach ceremony in Stone Harbor, New Jersey. Ethan Stanton ’91 coached son Troy’s successful lacrosse team this summer. This summer, Lydia Roberts ’93 journeyed to Germany to spend several weeks with her brother and his family.

1993 Lydia Roberts ’93 writes, “Our family was quite busy this summer! Kalia (9) played Hermia in Tacoma Youth Theatre’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Kaia (17) spent 36

’89

Joelle Mellon’s (’89) new book, “Swynmoor,” is a humorous fantasy novel and is available on Amazon in e-book and paperback.

1996 Shelley (Harris ‘96) McRae and her husband, Sean, happily welcomed son Trevor into their family in June. The new parents thought life was busy before their son was born, and now they are learning a whole new meaning of the word. Adam Shuty ’96 writes, “My classmates may remember the term ‘autodidactic’ from our commencement speech back in 1996. The path of continued learning and self-education has become the through line of my life. On many levels, I have SA to thank for that. After graduating from the Academy, I went on to get a degree in industrial systems engineering from Virginia Tech. Since then I’ve studied Chinese medicine, improv, and acting and have appeared in more than 50 television commercials. In 2009, I opened a fitness studio called ATOMIC Total Fitness in New York City, and we just celebrated our five year anniversary. I continue to pursue my professional and creative passions as I work on my second musical album and will soon finish my first book. The education, guidance, and nurturance I received at SA set me firmly on my path. I’m extremely grateful for the time and energy put in by the faculty, alumni, families, and students to make Sewickley Academy an excellent place to get a start in this competitive, complex, and often confusing world.”

1997 On June 22, 2014, SA Grade 4 teacher and varsity ice hockey coach Lou Pessolano ’97 married his wife, Kaira, in a ceremony in Curaçao. Among those in his wedding party were Blaire Modic ‘98 and Academy Grade 5 teacher Christina Pales.

1999

’97

’99

Shelley (Harris ‘96) McRae and her husband, Sean, welcomed Trevor into their family in June. Lou Pessolano ’97 and wife Kaira were married in a ceremony in Curaçao. Among those in his wedding party were Blaire Modic ‘98 and Academy Grade 5 teacher Christina Pales. Lauren (Shuty ’99) Smathers married Jason Smathers on June 21, 2014, at her parents’ home on Neville Island.

ried next June! Jason and I live in Dormont, and I am teaching ESL at Keystone Oaks School District.”

2000 15th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

familiar faces and, in part, felt like I never left. I even pointed out to Ashley the very spot where I asked her out on our first date back in 1998. We still reside in the suburbs of Atlanta, and I continue to work at Goldman, Sachs & Co. as a vice president in the private wealth management group. Our three children, Reid (6), Brooks (4), and Emery (2) are doing well.”

www.sewickley.org/reunion

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Stephanie Peglow ’00 finished her psychiatry chief year at Eastern Virginia Medical Kyle Baughman ’00 recently visited SA to School having won the Research Award, speak at the 2014 Veterans Day assembly. Highest PRITE award, and the American Psy“It was special because my wife, Ashley chiatric Association Resident Recognition (Hopkins ’02) Baughman, joined me, and Award. During residency, she presented at we brought our daughter, Emery, with us. It’s two conferences, won awards for three been 13 years since I last stepped on that poster presentations, and won the American campus. I was in awe of the changes since Society of Addiction Medicine Scientific my time attending school, yet I still saw some Program Planning Committee Award for a

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Lauren (Shuty ’99) Smathers married Jason Smathers on June 21, 2014, at her parents’ home on Neville Island. Brother Adam Shuty ’96 and friend Kate Van Sluyter ’99 were among those in the wedding party. Also in attendance were Elizabeth (Bryson ’99) Milano, Marco Gruelle ’95, Arash Danaie ’95, and Daniel Mross ’96. “My brother, Adam, caught the garter, and his girlfriend caught the bouquet. A month later they got engaged, and they are set to be mar-

’96

paper she second-authored. This fall, she started an addiction psychiatry fellowship at Yale University.

’00

’01

Hank Wilde ’00 recently took a new job at AutoMap, LTD, a small startup in Pittsburgh, focused on developing advanced technology for the automotive industry. He writes, “I hope this note might encourage some soonto-be grads that it’s not necessary to relocate to Silicon Valley (or Detroit) to find a job in the career you want. There are plenty of opportunities right here in the ‘burgh. And if you can’t find it, start it up, because we have a great community of entrepreneurs and tons of support.” T.J. Goodwin ‘00 and his wife, Joyce, welcomed their first child, Logan Thomas Goodwin, in late September 2014. The Goodwin family resides in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. T.J. recently began a new position as territory manager for Bus Parts Warehouse, a company that specializes in school bus parts.

2001 Over the holiday, Michelle (Lapp ’01) Fernandez, Holly Seifert ’01, Allie (Theis ’01) Dolan, Allie Gilkey ’01, Rebecca Oliver ’01, and Annie (Ruscitti ’01) O’Leary gathered for an informal reunion at Holly’s childhood home.

’01 Kyle Baughman ’00, wife Ashley (Hopkins ’02) Baughman, and children Reid, Brooks, and Emery. In late September 2014, T.J. Goodwin ‘00 and his wife, Joyce, welcomed Logan Thomas Goodwin into their family. Friends from the Class of 2000 Stephanie Peglow, Katie Campbell, and Caroline Galle on a visit to San Francisco. Nick Smyth ‘01 and his wife, Ariana, welcomed their first child, Marina, into the world in early September. Class of 2001 members Michelle (Lapp) Fernandez (with daughter Mia Clemencia Ferandez), Holly Seifert, Allie (Theis) Dolan, Allie Gilkey, Rebecca Oliver, and Ann (Ruscitti) O’Leary.

Nick Smyth ‘01 and his wife, Ariana, welcomed their first child, Marina, into the world in early September. Three weeks later, they moved home to Pittsburgh, settling in Shadyside. They were fortunate to have moving help from David Riordan ‘01 and Nicholas Mross ‘01, and lots of advice on Pittsburgh parenting and home ownership from Wesley Pegden ‘01. After they finish up their parental leaves, Nick plans to join Reed Smith, where he will practice financial regulatory law, and Ariana will join Allegheny Health Network as a counsel.

2002 Derek Bloom ’02 has been living in Las Vegas for the last seven years, and on January 23, 2015, he and his wife, Kala, had their first child, Violet Grace.

Ben Harris ’02 married Ashley Leichtenberger at an outdoor wedding at Rolling Rock Club in Ligonier on September 20, 2014. They traveled to Rome, Positano, Naples, Florence, Tuscany, and Venice for their wedding trip, and now reside in downtown Pittsburgh. Ben is a fourth year radiology resident at Allegheny General Hospital, and Ashley is an optometrist in Wexford. Megan (Osterhout ’02) Brakeley was married to Gus Brakeley in August of 2013 in Middlebury, Vermont. Megan is currently in her second year of studies pursuing a Master of Environmental Management at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. Her work focuses on food systems, water management, and education via GIS mapping tools.

2003 Tony Innamorato ’03 served five and a half years with Navy Special Operations as a bomb disposal technician. He made three deployments and earned a Bronze Star and a Combat Action Ribbon. He lived overseas for most of that time and left the Navy in 2012 to get his MBA at Wharton. Upon graduating, he seized an opportunity to come back home and took a job at McKinsey’s Pittsburgh office. “I still travel quite a bit, but I’m happy to spend my weekends at home. I took up residence downtown and started playing ice hockey with my brothers, Art ’01 and Angelo ’06. None of us knew how to ice skate, so there have been a lot of laughs at our expense, but it has been a ton of fun. I love being back in Pittsburgh, and I was happy to see that the Academy looks better than ever. My journey started there, and I’d like to tip my hat to the faculty and staff who guided me.”

’02 Ben Harris ’02 married Ashley Leichtenberger on September 20, 2014.

Bald & Blue York for an audition – a process he describes as “unlike anything else I’ve ever done.” A unique audition is apropos for a group whose shows are hard to explain as anything other than eccentric – an interactive, entertaining blend of comedy, percussion, eye candy, and just plain fun. Through the years, Eric has performed as a Blue Man in Boston, New York, and Chicago, and is currently a part of the company at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Here, Eric is one of the six cast members on staff, who perform up to eight times a week.

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After graduating, Eric took on the role of director of marketing and creative initiatives for Propared, a software startup that has developed project management applications specifically for live event professionals. His role includes everything from promotion/brand management, social media management, and advertising/

While juggling skills are required for his Blue Man role, some skillful juggling is also required as Eric manages his multiple jobs along with his role as husband to his wife, Caroline, and father to their young sons, Banjo and Leo. Stressful at times, without a doubt, but Eric is enjoying the ride, “Even though my life is busy, I’m having my cake and eating it too.”

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Director of marketing and creative by day, and bald and blue by night – such is the life of Eric deLima Rubb ’97. No, the baldness is not a sign of age, nor is the color reflective of his mood, rather those adjectives describe the uniform he dons each night as a member of Blue Man Group, the wildly popular theatrical group that has been entertaining audiences in venues all over the world for a quarter century. Eric’s involvement in the group reaches back to his undergrad career at Boston University, where he was pursuing his Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. After seeing the group perform in town, he developed connections with the casting director, and the day he graduated, was flown to New

With an interest in all things creative, he recently completed his Master of Business Administration with a marketing concentration at Rollins College Crummer Graduate School of Business. “While I was in New York, I sort of fell into writing creative copy for CBS Radio, and it really opened my eyes to how many different ways I could apply my creative background and what that could mean for the future.”

PR, to overseeing the creative direction of the website, graphic design, and copywriting. The company launched its first application publicly in November 2014 and has been overwhelmed by the positive response. The software is already in use by professionals at New York Fashion Week, the New York Musical Theatre Festival, and various other live event venues.

A few years ago, Saren Stiegel ’03 quit her job as an attorney and started a business called The Glow Effect (www.gloweffect. com). The business helps women who have lost their lust for life realize their power and brilliance so they can uplift themselves and others. “Currently I’m leading workshops across the world. I just did a workshop in Pittsburgh at The Center for Women. Next up is an LA workshop for teachers and a workshop in rural Uganda. This is the first step in starting an international coaching organization called The Glow Exchange. I’m also promoting my recently completed book that’s still in the beta phase.”

2004

’04

’04 ’04

’08 ’04

Rebecca K. Harris ’04 was married to Scott Everett Greer on June 20, 2014. The ceremony took place at Lake Norman, North Carolina. The couple currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky, where Rebecca is employed by The Rawlings Company in LaGrange, Kentucky, and Scott is a student at the University of Louisville in the J.B. Speed School of Engineering. Tommy Kehoe ’04 married Brittany Steidle on August 30, 2014, at the Philadelphia Country Club. Tommy and Brittany met while attending Gettysburg College, which is widely considered to be the best school in Gettysburg. They reside in Fort Worth, Texas, with their dog, Otis.

2005 10th Class Reunion October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

Rebecca Harris ‘04 and Scott Greer wed on June 20, 2014.

Since completing her bachelor’s in English from Dickinson College and master’s of education in reading/writing/literacy from the University of Pennsylvania, Marina (Perkins ’05) Wood has been teaching seventh grade language arts at The Langley School in McLean, Virginia, for the last four years. “Each decision I make in the classroom is influenced by the dedicated and truly wonderful teachers I had throughout my 13 years at Sewickley Academy. I live in the Shaw neighborhood of Washington, DC, with my husband, Matthew.”

At the wedding of Tommy Kehoe ’04, many SA alums were in attendance including Julia Clark ’07, Pete Kendall ’07, Corey Diethorn ’04, Bryan Wise ’05, Mark Rafalko ’04, Grant Abraham ’12, James Merrills ’05, Caylee Rafalko ’08, Austin Abraham ’04, Alex Homyak ’05, Rob Morgan ’05, George McGovern ’04, Scott Fetterolf ’05, and Philip Caputo ’05. Tommy Kehoe ’04 married Brittany Steidle on August 30, 2014. Rebecca (Gillespie ’08) Casey and Joe Casey were married on September 14, 2014, in Nashville, Tennessee.

2008 Rebecca (Gillespie ’08) Casey and Joe Casey were married on September 14, 2014, in Nashville, Tennessee. A large group of SA alumni were in attendance. Becca is currently registrar at the Nashville Ballet.

We Want to Hear from You! Just married? Found a new job? Took an exciting trip? Whatever your news, we want to hear it. Submit your class note today! www.sewickley.org/classnotes

’08 Rebecca (Gillespie ’08) Casey married Joe Casey this past September in Nashville. Pictured here, members of the Class of 2008 Allison Buterbaugh, Erin Kelly, Dayne Weber, Rebecca (Gillespie) Casey, Joe Casey, Jimmy Barbuto, Matt Kaye, Alex Kiefer, and Brett Ekberg.

4 Paws Up We work with them so that they are able to stay calm in all situations and be very good listeners. This entails following commands, ignoring a piece of food on the floor, and being well behaved during class.” Colleen recounts a favorite moment with Blarney, “It has to be when we first took Blarney to class. He would fall asleep, which was always the goal, but he was the loudest snorer. So loud that the professor would have to stop class to see what all the noise was!”

Colleen Compliment ‘11 (left) with housemates and their foster service dog, Blarney.

Colleen is excited to see that the 4 Paws program has grown at Wooster. In fact, this past semester, four 4 Paws groups were fostering four dogs on campus. But more rewarding for her will be when she attends Blarney’s graduation and meets the family to whom he will be assigned. As he serves in his important role, she and her housemates will receive updates on his progress. “We get so attached to each dog that we foster, so it is nice to hear how great they are doing and how they are helping the people who need them.”

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In their sophomore year, Colleen and her three friends brought the program to Wooster, and since then have trained three dogs, with Blarney being their third. The young women have the basic responsibilities of any dog owner, but their main job is to socialize the dogs and get them exposed to any situation they could encounter as a service dog. Colleen explains, “To do this, we bring them to class, the grocery store, the cafeteria, and basically anywhere we would normally go. This way, they are comfortable in all situations, and if they aren’t, we can identify the problem and work on that with them.

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Colleen Compliment ’11 will smile with pride at her own graduation this spring from The College of Wooster, and will be just as proud as when her furry friend, Blarney, graduates from a program of his own. Blarney is a 9-month-old golden retriever that has spent the last four months with Colleen and her three housemates who are volunteering to foster him through 4 Paws for Ability, a program that provides service dogs for children with disabilities and veterans who have lost a limb or hearing. The dogs in the program can become anything from autism-assistance and seizure-alert dogs to hearing-ear and allergen-detection dogs.

Completing his semester at college last December, Blarney was evaluated based on his strengths and weaknesses and was then placed into advanced training to focus on a specific service. He is set to graduate from his training in the near future and will be assigned to his own person in need.

2010 Fifth Class Reunion

October 2-3, 2015

www.sewickley.org/reunion

2011 Elena Corcoran ’11 is a senior at The George Washington University and co-captain of the GW Colonials gymnastics team. During the 2013-2014 season, Elena scored a 9.9 on vault, becoming only the 10th gymnast in GWU’s 30-year gymnastics program history to achieve that score. Elena received the “Top Performer – Vault” and “Outstanding Rookie” awards her freshman season and qualified for the 2012 NCAA Regionals on vault. She received the “Top Performer – Vault” again in 2013. At the end of her 2013-2014 season, Elena received the “Stoicovy Award for Most Consistent Gymnast” and the “Star-ter Award on Beam.” Elena has maintained Student Athlete Dean’s List status her entire time at GWU. A political science major with minors in history and international affairs, Elena also serves as a university justice at the school. Tim Macdonald ’11 won the U.S. Scottish fiddle championship on September 6, 2014, at the Highland Games held at Edinboro University (PA). He will be one of eight competitors in the 2015 Glenfiddish Fiddle Championship in Scotland in October 2015. He played pieces written before 1793 on period instruments.

’11

’13 Tim Macdonald ’11 won the U.S. Scottish fiddle championship on September 6, 2014, at the Highland Games held at Edinboro University (PA). Michael Countouris ’13 (second from left, first row) a junior at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, with his fellow midshipmen on a cruise with the Surface Navy on board the USS Vicksburg.

2012 Currently at Wake Forest University, Danny Timpona ’12 studied abroad in Venice, Italy, and will depart for Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile, in the spring. “In the meantime, I’ve become a global ambassador for the university, a marketing strategist for the Office of Personal and Career Development, a Kemper Scholar representing the university, and also work as a freelance photographer for university events. I definitely have to give thanks to the Academy for preparing me for success in college and giving me the skill set to make the most of the opportunities around me!”

2013 Michael Countouris ’13 is a junior in the aerospace engineering program at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and is also a part of the Navy ROTC unit. “Right now, as part of my midshipman training, I go active duty for a couple weeks to a month for a cruise with the Navy in order to spend time in different communities. This is so that midshipmen are able to get an idea which community they would like to enter upon commissioning. In a year and a half, I will commission as a United States naval officer and become an active duty member.”

Last semester, Alexis Krey ’13 had a lead role in the musical, Carousel, at The Catholic University of America’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music. She was cast as Louise Bigelow and danced the 12-minute ballet in the second act. The show was performed for two weekends in October. “It was unbelievable to work in a professional musical theatre show during my sophomore year of college.”

In Memoriam

As of January 20, 2015

ALUMNI Barbara (Burnham ’42) Lee of Pebble Beach, California, died October 11, 2014, at the age of 89. Barbara was born September 6, 1925, in Pittsburgh. Her parents passed away when she was six, so she was raised by her aunt and uncle. Barbara attended Sewickley Academy and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Silvermine College of Art. She married Joseph A. Lee Jr. in 1948 and moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, where they raised four children. They retired to Carmel, California, in 1976. Barbara was predeceased by her husband in 2006. She enjoyed golf and tennis all her life and was active in community organizations. She was a retired teacher. She is survived by daughter Linda Smith; three sons Donald Lee, Allen Lee, and Andrew Lee, and their families, which include five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; and a Bichon named Charlie. Cynthia (Laughlin ’44) Cooper passed away on October 22, 2014. After Sewickley Academy, she graduated from Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Connecticut, in 1947. She received an associate’s degree from Finch Junior College, New York, New York. She remained in New York and was employed by Bellevue Hospital. She met her husband, a surgical resident at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP), when she was visiting a patient there. They married in 1955. Cynthia was an active volunteer for the Nearly New Shop in Ardmore, proceeds from which benefitted HUP. She assisted in the gift shop and thrift shop at Waverley, and served for many years as treasurer for the Women of the Church for the Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr. She was an active volunteer at the Agnes Irwin School where her daughters were students. She received her certification in braille transcription in 1983 and transcribed documents to braille. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. David Y. Cooper, and is survived by daughters Lucy Karlsson and Alison Hamilton, and four grandchildren.

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Joan Elizabeth Stambaugh, Ph.D. ’46 passed away July 7, 2013. After Sewickley Academy, she attended the Madeira School and Vassar College. A professor of philosophy at Hunter College, City University of New York, she was the author of numerous works on Buddhist and existential topics, including Impermanence is Buddha-Nature: Dogen’s Understanding of Temporality (The University of Hawaii Press, 1990); The Other Nietzsche (Albany: SUNY Press, 1994); Translator of Martin Heidegger, Being and Time (Albany: SUNY Press, 1996);The Formless Self (Albany: SUNY Press, 1999); Translator of Martin Heide-

Judge William (Bill) Lloyd Standish ’44, a highly respected federal judge, died January 1, 2015. After the Academy, Bill graduated from St. Paul’s School and Yale, then earned his law degree from the University of Virginia. He joined Reed Smith Shaw & McClay in 1956 as a clerk and rose to general partner, specializing in civil cases. In 1979, noting his “ability and integrity” and his skill as a trial lawyer, Gov. Dick Thornburgh nominated him to fill a vacancy in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court, where he served for seven years in the family division. Recommended by Senators Arlen Spector and John Heinz to President Ronald Reagan, Bill received a personal call from the president to nominate him to the U.S. District Court. Here, he served for 25 years, with a universally acclaimed reputation for fairness and compassion on the bench. Bill and his brother, Peter ’47, who died in 2007, were among the original investors in the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1967 and remained involved with the second set of owners until the late 1970s. They also helped to organize the local chapter of the Leukemia Society, following the death of Peter’s wife Carolyn (Richards ’53) Standish. Judge Standish was involved in many local civic organizations through the years, including the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, The Laughlin Children’s Center in Sewickley, and served as an elder at the Sewickley Presbyterian Church. He was inducted as the first Distinguished Alumnus of Sewickley Academy in 2001, honoring his outstanding achievements in public and private life. He is survived by his widow, Marguerite “Peggy” (Oliver ’56), and children Baird ’75, Graham ’77, Jim ’83, Connie ’85, and a large extended family.

In Memoriam

As of January 20, 2015

gger, Identity and Difference (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, reissued 2002); Translator of Martin Heidegger, On Time and Being (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, reissued 2002); Translator of Martin Heidegger, The End of Philosophy (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, reissued 2002). Joan became professor emeritus in 2001. Joan’s good friend during her Sewickley years, Peggy (Smith ’46) Wenzel, M.D., remembers almost daily phone chats, outdoor play, and roller skating in the basement on rainy days, before they went separate ways. Lynn (Favorite ’57) Pollinger of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away on June 11, 2014. She was born in Michigan, and lived her life in Pennsylvania and North Carolina. She was married to Donald K. Pollinger on December 16, 1960. Lynn worked as a teacher’s assistant at Albemarle Road, Idlewild, and Windsor Park Elementary Schools. She was an avid reader and lover of gardening and animals. She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Donald K. Pollinger, and her children, Paul L. Pollinger, Heather P. Cato, and Cyndy P. Faulkner. She is also survived by three grandchildren, and her brother, Lewis Favorite ’59. Janet (Smith ’68) Maguire died July 28, 2014, in Canton, Georgia. She attended Pine Manor College after Sewickley Academy until her marriage to Kenneth Maguire, a marriage that ended in divorce. In subsequent years she worked in real estate, in markets ranging from San Mateo, California, to the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, where she lived with her mother, following the death of her father in 2001. She is survived by her six siblings, Carole Scholder, William Smith, Alan Smith, Valerie (Smith ’72) Rivers, Elaine Smith ’74, and Lee Smith ’74, as well as many nieces and nephews. Janet will be remembered as a person with a keen aesthetic sensibility and love of order and beauty, expressed in her many interests including gardening and interior design. She was deeply appreciative of wit (both her own and others’), and was a loyal friend and family member. Christiane “Chris” (McCoy ’70) McCarthy died October 1, 2014, after a long, courageous battle with breast cancer. She graduated from Sewickley Academy then completed a bachelor’s degree in English literature in 1989 at Florida International University. She earned her master’s degree in English at the University of Minnesota, remaining to teach in Minnesota for several years. Chris was most recently employed by the Volusia County Public Library System in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she specialized in children’s literature. Those who knew Chris appreciated her intelligence and gracious dignity. She loved animals, literature, the arts, travel, history, and the outdoors. She re44

mained positive throughout her illness. Despite mobility limitations, she delighted in going out with friends and family, and shortly before her death was able to travel to the New Hampshire mountains where she enjoyed the vistas and dipping her toes in an icy mountain lake. Jerry D. Freeble Jr. ’70 died on January 7, 2015, after a long illness. Jerry was born in 1951 at the Fort Campbell Kentucky Army Base, where he returned in 1981, serving as a combat infantry training instructor with the 101st Airborne Division. He attended Sewickley Academy from nursery school until Grade 9. After graduating from Quaker Valley, he traveled alone to East Africa and enrolled in the Outward Bound Mountain School in Kenya, a 32-day program of survival training, and then climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Jerry later became a military training consultant, where he specialized in the research and development of small unit tactics and simulated weapon systems for the U.S. Military. For his second career, he returned to his first love: nature. He was a talented landscape architect and formed Leetsdale Landscaping. He is survived by his parents, Jerry D. Freeble Sr. and Honey Freeble; his sister, Leslie (Freeble ’71) Morgan; his brother, Christopher; and his nephew, Robert B. Morgan III, and niece, Alison Elizabeth Morgan. Mark Gable ’76 of Cape Canaveral, Florida, died July 29, 2013. Mark came to the Academy as a junior and was immediately active on the basketball and baseball teams, and was a member of the Varsity Club. After graduation, he attended the Citadel for a year, and then transferred to Waynesburg College for his bachelor’s degree. At the time of his death, he had recently retired as president of Asphalt Additives and moved to Florida. He was predeceased by his parents, James and Beverly Davis. He is fondly missed by his sister, Michelle Gable Napoli, and her family. Kevin Michael O’Rourke ’77 of New Waterford, Ohio, died November 6, 2014. He graduated from Sewickley Academy and attended St. Andrew’s Presbyterian College. He worked for his father, Martin M. O’Rourke, at O’Rourke Storage and Transfer Company in Pittsburgh, and Timberline Ski Resort in West Virginia. Kevin always had a compassionate heart for people in need. He is survived by his sons, Kyle C. O’Rourke and Michael D. O’Rourke; his mother, Nancy O’Rourke; his brother, the Rev. Dr. Martin K. O’Rourke ’69; his sisters, Kathryn (O’Rourke ’69) Bennett and Deborah (O’Rourke ’72) Billinge; nine nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.

Leonard E. Muckle II ’00 passed away suddenly on January 20, 2015. Lenny will be remembered by many for his active faith in Jesus Christ. In recent years, Lenny started Ambassadors Football Pittsburgh, a Christian football outreach organization dedicated to the transformation of individuals and communities through innovative programs focused on football, faith, and future. Lenny touched countless lives with the gospel through soccer. He passed away shortly after a regional tournament where he coached one of his teams to win the championship. He was the beloved son of Lenny and Jane Muckle; proud grandson of Mary Jane Muckle and the late Allen A. Muckle Sr. and Saula and Mele Tilini Finau; and dear brother of Melia and Marcus Stoney Muckle.

FRIENDS OF THE ACADEMY Diane Latulippe Former Lower School librarian; wife of George Latulippe; mother of Marie E. Latulippe and the late John P. Latulippe

FAMILY OF ALUMNI Brandi Jomai Kann Coburn Wife of Matthew Coburn ’87

Justin Vincent Molinari Restauri ’03 passed away on December 17, 2014, after a long illness, surrounded by friends and family. Justin was the son of Janice K. Molinari and Vincent J. Restauri Jr.; brother of Sara (Restauri ‘99) Kreidler; and uncle of Owen, Oona, and Benjamin Kreidler. In addition to grandparents, aunts, uncles, and beloved cousins, Justin leaves behind many cherished and dear friends. After graduating from the Academy, he graduated in 2007 with high honors from NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Study, and was completing his master’s at NYU’s ITP Tisch School of the Arts. Navdeep Singh Kang ’07 passed away on August 27, 2014. He was the beloved son of Jasbir Singh Kang and Prabhjot Kaur. After Sewickley Academy, Navdeep graduated magna cum laude from George Washington University, with a bachelor’s in biology and a minor in French. He was a senior at George Washington University School of Medicine Batch of 2015. Navdeep enjoyed kite surfing, hiking, yoga, marathon running, and at SA, he played varsity lacrosse. Navdeep was a very bright, empathic, compassionate person, who was willing to help anyone at anytime, anywhere.

Joseph Paul Dallain Son of the late Helen King (former Lower School teacher); brother of John G. Dallain ’68 and Susan (Dallain ’74) Colarossi Mary Margaret “Mimi” Hayes Sister of Andrew Hayes ’60, Nancy (Hayes ’62) Kilgore, and K.C. Hayes ’66 Penny Jones Widow of the late Benjamin Franklin Jones IV ’46; mother of Franklin Dalzell Jones ’77 and Kathryn Holdship Jones ’78 Ann Ward Ranson Mother of Carol (Ranson ’62) O’Keefe, Ward Ranson ’71, James Ranson ’68, and Laurie (Ranson ’75) Griffin Patricia Black Reibel Mother of Karen (Black ’76) Meredith and Heather (Black ’80) Procaccino William Drake Roberts Father of W. Drake Roberts Jr. ’74 and Caroline (Roberts ’76) Wentling Sarah Isabel Hosack Schaff Mother of John H. Schaff ’76 and Isabel (Schaff ’77) Cabanne

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315 Academy Avenue | Sewickley, PA 15143

It’s Here! The new www.sewickley.org! User-friendly, mobile-friendly, and redesigned

Carolyn Devens ’05

The Jane Goodall of

LEOPARDS WI NT E R

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