Solebury School Magazine - Spring 2010

Solebury School

Magazine Spring/Summer 2010

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Solebury School Embraces

New Public Service Program

from left, Jacob y School. They are: Front row ch2Serve Program at Solebur k row from Tea Bac the uft. off th-T kick Gro will iah ents Kez stud Eleven iener, Annie Benjamin, g-W Fun nah cher), and Han (Tea ch, ns Sut Ali Dow Richard Wu, Diane Arnold, Sasha Kerez, n Petito (Teacher), Rudy Rong, Joh l, Dah an Juli n, Che ce left, Gra Camille LeBlanc.

Solebury School is pleased to announce a partnership with the newly formed non-profit, Teach2Serve, which was created to educate, train, assist and inspire high school students who are committed to social change and community service. Students who complete this program will graduate from high school equipped with an effective set of leadership and social entrepreneurial skills.

This program is consistent with the values and respect of all humankind that Solebury has always promoted and will put the school at the forefront of public service education for high school students.

Solebury School, one of two pilot schools for the Teach2Serve program, will serve as a founding model for a network of schools across the nation with whom Teach2Serve will partner. Two faculty members, Diane Downs and John Petito are the co-directors of the program at the school. Josh Perlsweig, a 2003 Solebury School graduate, is employed by Teach2Serve, and has assumed the role of Program Director.

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Like the school sponsored Texas community service trip offered two years ago, the Teach2Serve program will enable students to explore ways of giving back to their communities.

This three year program will consist of workshops, evening classes, summer reading, community service, internships, and the development and execution of a service project. The first Teach2Serve class of 11 students was selected by an application process at the end of May. For the first year of the pilot program, applications were accepted from current freshmen, who will complete the full three year curriculum, as well as current sophomores, who were invited to participate in an abbreviated version of the program. Next year, applications will only be accepted from 9th grade students during their spring semester.

Teach2Serve will support students at member schools by providing course materials and stipends, networking for required summer internships, and assisting students in their search for colleges where they can continue their study of public service. Teach2Serve and Solebury School share the hope that students who complete this program will commit themselves to social change throughout the world.

“I cannot think of a more appropriate school to partner with the Teach2Serve Program than Solebury,” said Tom Wilschutz, Head of School. “As part of our mission, we set the bar high, offering our students a relevant education. What could be more relevant than equipping students with a perspective on the many interconnected challenges facing humanity, inspiring them to engage an issue that interests them and then equipping them with the tools they need to make a difference? Teach2Serve may well prove to be a transformative experience – for the student involved and for the world these students will inherit.”

The program will begin in the fall 2010 trimester, with the first class, Giving: The Road to Public Service. The course will focus on different philosophies of philanthropy examined through case studies and the writings of philanthropists. Throughout the year, the students will also attend workshops run by different social entrepreneurs and people who have established non-profit organizations to address problems and improve the lives of others. The course will be taught by Diane Downs, John Petito, and Alan Sheriff, the program’s founder. ❖

_________________ To learn more about the Teach2Serve program, please visit www.Teach2Serve.org

_________________

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Civics Students Learn About American Government & Current Issues Russ Carrick’s two eighth grade Civics classes were busy this year, learning the inner workings of American government; learning about the issues surrounding the national healthcare legislation, and learning about public opinion by creating and administering two scientific polls to the school community.

In the fall, Russ wanted to give his students a taste of “democracy in action,” and he decided to assign a ‘virtual trip’ to around Julie MeisingerCivics students gathered color-coded an online Town Hall meeting hosted by Jeffrey Schott, Represtitution project, a giant MacDonald’s Visual Con y to get the onl not ts den stu required sentative-candidate for Pennsylvania’s 8th congressional district.

Constitution Puzzle that fit pieces to also in proper order, but “Not knowing what to expect, I asked them merely to observe articles and amendments the proceedings, insisting on no more than a half-hour’s attendance,” within pieces.

Russ said. “Imagine my surprise when the students, with whom I’ve worked so hard, started asking the candidate probing questions on a host of different issues. I’m not sure what Candidate Schott made of it all, but the students’ questions were all thoughtful, nuanced, and, not least important, respectful.

Sitting at my computer from a distance watching these eighth graders use their minds and words to hold this candidate’s feet to the fire was a thing to behold. As I was quick to point out to them the next day: in that moment they were more a part of the democratic process than a majority of Americans - without even ‘having the vote’ yet! These are the moments a teacher lives for. I was so proud of them.”

The classes then shifted their focus to healthcare. With the health care Veronica Fitton Joe Calibeo ready to reform bill a hotly debated issue in the submits a question log on to the Town Congress and its subsequent passage, the during the Town Hall meeting. classes learned about how current Hall meeting. healthcare laws affect the American people, and how the new bill will change the healthcare system. The class was honored to have two guest speakers from the health care community visit the class and offer their insights on the complex issues surrounding health care in the United States. Dr. Margaret Eichman, parent of Margaret Emge and a family practice physician in Lambertville, and Dr. Candice Knight, parent of Melody KnightBrown and a clinical nurse specialist in Frenchtown, provided students with invaluable ‘provider’s perspectives’ on the problems facing American health care, as well as many of the proposed solutions. The class interviewed their guests.

“I really think the interviews helped us better understand the issues involved in our current healthcare system, such as quality of care versus cost of care, for one,” said eighth grader Leah Grudberg. “I realized it’s not just another everyday problem that you can solve overnight, but one that will take a long time to solve.”

These visits were part of a history-department-wide examination of the health care crisis in America, and helped emphasize this year’s school-wide academic theme on health.

During the winter, the Civics classes turned their attention to issues of measuring public opinion. They conducted two scientific polls, with the polls focused on two hot button issues at school, work job and food service. The polls were ‘scientific’ because the students made sure to use a representative sample of Solebury students, (day/boarder, domestic/international, boy/girl, etc.)

The students collected their data during several lunch periods. They needed to keep track of the polls and make sure they had a representative sample of the population. The data is still being analyzed. This project was a part of a media literacy unit. More and more, media literacy education has gained momentum in high school classrooms, and students are engaging in critical thinking activities that help them to view and interpret media, and subsequently learn to express themselves in many different ways with many different kinds of media.

At first, Leah and classmate Ashley D’Alessandro thought the data might not be useful, but after some review, they realized that it could help the school because it represents everyone’s views and could potentially move us toward a better school environment.

“Civics has taught me a lot about our government,” said eighth grader Ashley D’Alessandro. “It really set me in a good direction to know what I face in the future. It opened my eyes to the fact that everyone, not only adults, should think about the issues that affect our everyday living.” ❖ 4 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Spring/Summer 2010

Summer is For Fun and Learning for Faculty and Students Each summer, our faculty and students are encouraged to expand their knowledge in their respective fields or interests. Here is a look at some of the great extracurricular learning that will take place during the upcoming summer months.

The Faculty:

Hanna Elliot, Solebury’s librarian, has recently earned a Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) degree from Rutgers University, with a focus on school library media programs. “I started the program three years ago and I’ve done all the work online with the same excellent faculty who teach the face to face classes.”

Hanna will also attend the American Library Association’s annual conference in June, where she is enrolled in a special workshop about reaching teen readers using web 2.0 technologies.

Christine Niederberger, French teacher and dorm parent, will be taking a four-week long 130 hour intensive course for her TESOL certification (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, otherwise known as ESL certification).

It is being run by the same institution where she is working toward her Master’s degree, The World Learning/SIT Graduate Institute. The course will enable her to hone her skills in teaching ESL, focusing on teaching, speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and culture, as well as assessment.

The institution offers many programs around the world at various times, and Christine will participate in one being offered this summer, from June 17 – July 15 in Bangkok, Thailand. She said she is excited to be experiencing Asia for the first time. “I will be experiencing what my students go through on a daily basis by living in a new culture as I take this course. By the end of this course, I will have received a TESOL certificate.”

At the end of July, Christine will present her thesis to a panel during a week-long seminar, and will earn her Master’s degree in International Education. She completed her master’s course work over the last two years while working at Solebury.

Math department head, Britta Milks, recently completed the math class, Differential Equations, offered at Bucks County Community College. Britta plans to introduce two higher level math courses next year, Multivariable Calculus in the fall, and Differential Equations during the winter.

Rebecca Wilschutz, our dance instructor, will be returning to Hiram College in Ohio to complete a second Bachelor’s degree in Theater Education.

Steve Benoit, Solebury’s Foreign Language department head, French teacher, and Director of Advising, will head to Portland, Oregon in July for the 17th Annual Assessment Training Institute Summer Conference, Assessment for Learning: Classroom Assessment Around the World.

Nationally and internationally known keynote speakers and presenters at the conference will focus on the importance of quality assessments and assessment for learning.

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Zack Bassman, a math teacher, will attend the Park City Mathematics Institute in Park City, Utah. He received a fellowship from Math for America. The PCMI is sponsored by Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study, and is composed of several programs.

The Secondary School Teachers Program (SSTP) Summer Session is a 3-week residential program for both high school and middle school teachers of mathematics. The SSTP is structured around three goals for teachers: to continue to learn and do mathematics, to analyze and refine classroom practice, and to become resources to colleagues and the profession.

Zack will take two classes: Developing Mathematics and Reflecting on Practice. He will also participate in a small workshop entitled Implementing Lesson Study or Jugyoo Kenkyuu, which is a professional development activity that is at the heart of much of the professional development for teachers in Japan. In this group, participants will select a mathematical goal for a ‘study lesson,’ spend an extended period of time collaboratively creating a detailed lesson plan, observe a participant teach the lesson to students, reflect as a group on how the lesson interacted with student learning, and revise and refine the lesson to share with others.

Tim Gallen, Director of College Counseling, will attend the Annual Conference for the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling in Hershey, Pa as he has done for the past 11 years. The conference offers a series of professional development seminars, a keynote address by Jay Matthews, the education columnist for the Washington Post, along with college tours and many networking opportunities with colleges, other secondary schools and vendors.

The Students:

Ren Pedersen ’11, will be going to Brown University to take a three week course on Quantum Physics. Ren is very interested in Brown, partly because his father is a Brown alumnus.

He wants to get a good sense of what college campus life at Brown would be like, and plans to meet with the faculty, as well as experience the city of Providence first-hand.

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Solana Hoffman-Carter ’11, will participate in the Rockette Summer Intensive for one week in New York City. The Radio City Rockettes believe that it is important to educate young aspiring dancers about the skills and talents necessary to pursue a career in dance. The dance education program, The Rockette Summer Intensive, offers dancers the opportunity to train with the Rockettes, and a glimpse into the life of a Rockette.

After New York, Solana will travel to Chicago for four weeks to dance with Deeply Rooted, a pre-professional training program geared toward those who are interested in growing their dance technique and their artistry. The four week program highlights Horton and Graham based Modern, Ballet, and African Dance aesthetics. Deeply Rooted instructors perform with the Deeply Rooted Dance Theater and also have performed with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Complexions, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and The Bolshoi Ballet. “It is the same camp I did last year but I loved it.”

Jake Jemas ’12, will travel to Spain to attend a four week Spanish language immersion program for college credit. He will stay one week in Madrid, two weeks in Valencia, and one week in Barcelona. When he returns, he will attend an ACT and SAT prep class.

the mature artist, involved in the pursuit of higher education. Dancers will work on daily technique in ballet, and will participate in classes focused on ABT repertory, pointe work, partnering, modern dance, composition, and choreography. This is a chance for the dancer to further develop their artistic talents in a challenging and professional environment.

In July, Monique will be working with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, a summer intensive that guides its dancers to achieve their full artistic potential in the unique and exclusive style of Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Students are taught the ‘Complexions’ technique through classroom exercises and company repertoire instruction.

Anneliese Brown ’13, will be working at a yacht club in Camden, Maine this summer. In the morning, she will work with young children, teaching them the basics of sailing. In the afternoon, she will get to race with her sailing team. Her team competes in sailing races around New England which include Marblehead, MA and Booth Bay Harbor, ME. Anna said she did this when she was younger and has loved it ever since. “My whole family loves to sail so it is second nature to me.”

Monique Mclean ’11, will attend two summer intensive training programs for dance in New York City.

In June, she will train with the American Ballet Theatre for three weeks. This program is designed for

Gifford Elliott ’11, will attend the Boston University Summer Theatre Institute for five weeks. The Summer Theatre Institute curriculum combines a core set of classes with group performance projects. The core classes include acting (improvisation, monologue work, and scene study), dramatic literature, design, movement, and singing.

Each student is cast in a performance project that rehearses throughout the five weeks. At the program’s end, all students perform their projects in the College of Fine Arts studio theatres. These projects are process-oriented ensemble pieces, geared toward empowering individual students to develop a collective artistic voice. Gifford is interested in learning first-hand how a theater program works, and he plans to explore Boston.

Brett Glauser ’11, will attend precollege programs in musical theatre at Indiana University and Syracuse University this summer. They are both designed to acquaint students to a preprofessional atmosphere of study in preparation for college, specifically college auditions. The courses of study will include daily classes in voice, acting and dance, along with other special workshops to cover additional skills like auditioning and performance.

James Booth ’11, will head to a six-week musical theater program at the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Michigan. This program is designed for students with moderate to advanced experience in musical theatre. Working with a professional creative team that includes a director, choreographer, musical director and designers, students concentrate on the rehearsal and performance of a major musical theatre production, with full design and technical support. ❖

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Think Solebury School Think Global Education

Engineering era parts for their online Reverse ng work together to identify cam Wa han Ruo and Su, c Eri e, Victoria Pag around the world. worked with partner schools from

class. The students

Solebury School’s science department head, William Collier, was asked by Tom Wilschutz to begin the task of initiating a global education program and plans to work with the faculty to incorporate it into the school’s curriculum next year. A global education program will allow our students to connect globally through advances in Internet technology and the use of web 2.0 tools, which includes wikis, Skype, and blogging, to name a few. It will give students the opportunity to connect with their peers across geographical boundaries, expand their knowledge and awareness of the world, and increase their interest and curiosity in what they are learning.

“In today’s world, it is no longer enough that students learn ‘about’ other countries and other cultures,” William said. “They need to be able to work and learn along with real people from other countries and cultures in real time. The job market, and the world of increasingly global issues, which they will be entering upon graduation demand this. Classrooms have only just begun to reflect this reality. Today’s internet technologies, however, allow this to happen, and we need to implement cooperative, problem-solving programs across the curriculum, which connect our students with other students around the world in working partnerships.”

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Three students in Gretchen Faras’ honors physics class, juniors Victoria Page, Eric Su, and Ruohan Wang, tackled one of the first global projects introduced at Solebury. The Stevens Institute of Technology offers an online Reverse Engineering class that provided an opportunity for students to disassemble a common device that includes electrical and mechanical elements; two different brands of single use cameras.

Once they disassembled the camera, they used that knowledge to create a systems diagram for the complete device. The students created reassembly instructions and diagrams to share with partner schools. The partner schools then attempted to reassemble the device using the instructions provided.

“It’s quite interesting to disassemble the cameras, and learning about the mechanical and electrical parts of a system,” said junior Eric Su. “We are learning how to look at all of the parts and put together a clear and concise guide to reassembling the cameras.”

As a tele-collaborative project, the class was able to work with other students from all over the world.

Each class shared letters of introduction and submitted documents, drawings, images, reports and other products created as part of the project. Students were encouraged to submit photos of the class for posting in the student gallery on the Steven’s website. Students also had the chance to learn about each other and expand their social horizons while engaging in engineering, technology, and science activities.

“The first part of the assignment was to explain where Solebury School was located,” said junior Victoria Page.

“We had to figure out the latitude and longitude of Solebury School and look up where the other schools are located.

It is great to get a sense of where other schools are in relation to Solebury.

Working with other schools in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and one in Australia, makes our small Physics class seem more global.”

The Stevens Institute’s online systems engineering classes provides a forum for students to do engineering the way engineers do it. Students work together to identify problems or opportunities, explore alternatives, create models and test them. The Internet and computer-aided design software make it possible for students in multiple locations to work together to develop solutions to complex engineering challenges. Six schools participated in this collaborative project, including two in Pennsylvania, two in New Jersey, one in Australia, and one in Kampala, Uganda in East Africa.

“This is an excellent opportunity for my students to apply the course curriculum learned throughout this past year,” said honors physics teacher, Gretchen Faras. “They are incorporating mechanical and electrical concepts, and will hone their technical writing skills as well.” ❖

Eric Su disassembles one of the cameras as part of the tele-collaborative project.

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Focus on Alumni Charles Hayden ’74 Recently Elected Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court In November 2009, Philadelphia’s judicial election included 32 candidates who ran for 11 vacancies – seven on Common Pleas and four on Municipal Court. One of those candidates was Solebury School alumnus Charles Hayden, class of ’74. He raised over $100,000, about a third of what the top earning candidate raised, and won easily with the second highest number of votes of any other candidate. In his swearing-in speech, Charles acknowledged his loving, determined mother, who did everything she could to make sure he had the best educational opportunities, and had everything to do with where he is today. He will also tell you that it was the simple act of sharing a dream with his best friend back in junior high school that helped pave the path to his recent election as a Judge of the Philadelphia Municipal Court.

An attorney with nearly 30 years of experience, Charles has been a solo practitioner in general practice, an Assistant Public Defender and a litigator with a small Center City law firm, an environmental lawyer with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an Associate with Saul Ewing LLP, a major Philadelphia law firm, and an inhouse counsel with Waste Management, Inc. In addition, he has been a panelist/instructor for legal seminars and courses on a variety of topics including: the Clear Air Act; toxic torts; environmental law; negotiations; trial advocacy; administrative proceedings; construction contracts and litigation.

Judge Charles Hayden

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He served as Chief Counsel and Administrative Assistant for Congressman Chaka Fattah. In that position, he reported directly to the Congressman and he was responsible for all legislation and policy matters, with the exception of appropriations. A former Vice President of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia, Charles has twice received the Barristers’ President’s Commendation. He has been the Chairman of the Environmental Law Sections of the Barristers’ Association of Philadelphia and the Federal Bar Association, Philadelphia Chapter.

Charles reminisced about his years at Solebury. He attended Solebury on a full academic scholarship facilitated by A Better Chance, Inc., an organization with the mission to increase the number of well-educated young people of color who are capable of assuming positions of responsibility and leadership in American society. The Solebury campus was a very different environment for Charles, away from the crime-ridden and gang-ridden streets of North Philadelphia and West Philadelphia. At Solebury, he flourished as a student and athlete. He became head of boarding boys, played four sports, and was chosen to be his class graduation speaker. He even won a history award. It was literally a breath of fresh air for Charles.

“When I first visited the Solebury campus in the early 1970s, I saw a faculty that had a unique approach to teaching, and the small size of the school made such a tremendous difference. It was and continues to be a very progressive school.

Back then, our dorms were co-ed by floor and the campus provided a beautiful idyllic environment. In the 70s, people were talking about Black Power, talking about the anti-war movement, talking about a lot of social unrest, and Solebury School, better than most schools, handled that transition well because it was designed to allow students to think. I once attended a conference while I was at Solebury at a New Jersey college. The purpose of the conference was to discuss the topic, Should high school students be taught Philosophy? We were taking philosophy at the time, and in fact, when I was at Solebury, they were teaching not only philosophy, but it was the only school in America or one of the few that taught Chinese and Japanese as a part of the normal curriculum. It was a school where they encouraged critical independent thinking. When I went to Carleton, (Carleton College, Northfield, MN) it was an easy adjustment and I did well in college.”

Charles has worked hard and has come a long way in his career, now settling into his new role as a Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge. To his credit, regardless of his position, he always makes time to help and support others, always makes time to give back that which he has received. He offers this advice to students who are looking to define their lives and discover their passions.

Present at Charles’ ceremonial swearing-in. From left, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, “I tell all young people, have a dream, Judge Charles Hayden, Congressman Chaka Fattah and Minister Kevin R. Johnson. In background, Willie Blue, Municipal Court Tipstaff. whatever the dream is. It could be a dream to be a mechanic. It could be a dream to become a brain surgeon. It could be a dream to become a teacher or a lawyer. It doesn’t matter, just have a dream and then share it with someone. By sharing it, you claim it. It could be your best friend. My best friend was Paul Jordan. We met in junior high school. Paul was new to Philadelphia and we became very close. We went over to his mom’s house one day and he said to me that he wanted to make the Olympic team and I told him that I wanted to be a lawyer. In our community at the time, realizing either of these dreams seemed so far out of the realm of possibilities, and it was something that other people might have laughed at us for. In 1976, Paul qualified for the 1976 Olympics; he became a two-time high school allAmerican; he qualified for the 1980 and 1984 Olympic trials (triple jumper). Unfortunately, in 1980, President Jimmy Carter announced that the United States would boycott the Moscow Olympics. In lieu of competing, Carter gave the team a Congressional Gold Medal. In 1981, I graduated from law school and became a lawyer.

Paul and I remain close, the bond of a lifetime born of sharing our dreams. Now your dream can change. At one point, I thought I was going to run for Mayor, but then I met Judge Lawrence Prattis and Chief Justice Robert N.C. Nix, Jr. in 1983, and I decided I’d rather be a Judge. If you shoot for the stars and hit the moon, you’re in good shape. The last thing I tell young people is that you have to get an education. It doesn’t matter if you choose not to go to college, but you need some additional training. If you do go to college, you have to do the minimum of a Masters. The Masters is important, not so you can tell people you have a Masters, but because it shows you have differentiated yourself.” ❖

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Campus Highlights

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(p ho to un av ai la ble )

Five New Students Awarded Trustees Merit Scholarships

Rebecca Brady New Hope, PA

Claire Boylan Summit, NJ

Alex Leone Ewing, NJ

Johanna Peckham New Hope, PA

Elizabeth Mastoris New Hope, PA

Solebury School welcomes approximately 65 new students to our community each year. For these young adults, their years at Solebury will open minds and open doors. The best of these incoming students are eligible for the school’s Trustees Merit Scholarship Program with awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.

The Trustees Merit Scholarship Awards are based on the candidate’s demonstrated academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, leadership, contributions to the school community, and our assessment of the student’s potential to significantly contribute to, and enhance the educational experience for all Solebury students.

First Merit Opportunity Money Fund Scholarship Awarded New this year, Solebury School’s Class of 1956 has created the Solebury/Holmquist Merit Opportunity Money Fund. This fund is designed to provide scholarship money to outstanding students who don’t otherwise qualify for financial aid.

The first student to be awarded this scholarship is Chris Wavle ’11.

Chris Wavle ’11 Stockton, NJ

Two Seniors Earn Local Business Scholarships

Rachel Tafoya was awarded the John Fisher Scholar Award.

Will Holstrom was the runner-up.

Olivia Hagerty won the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship.

Solebury School senior Olivia Hagerty of Stockton, NJ has been selected as a recipient of the 2010-2011 Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship. This award, funded through The Comcast Foundation, recognizes high school seniors from Comcast communities for commitment to community service, academic achievement, and demonstrated leadership.

To acknowledge these accomplishments, recipients receive a one-time grant of $1,000.

The Bucks County Courier Times and the Intelligencer awarded the 2010 John Fisher Citizen Scholar Award to senior Rachel Tafoya of Doylestown. Senior Will Holstrom was the runner up.

The Citizen Scholar Award is dedicated to John Fisher, a longtime Bucks County Courier Times/Intelligencer employee, ordained minister and community leader, who died in 2003. The John Fisher Citizen Scholar Award gives scholarships to 25 Bucks County high school students who demonstrate the unique combination of leadership, academic commitment and dedication to the community. ❖ 12 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Spring/Summer 2010

Senior Projects Pave the Way for Future Endeavors Josh (Chaz) Ciliberto worked at Irick, Eberhardt, and Mientus, a civil engineering firm outside of Quakertown, Pennsylvania. He learned how to use AutoCAD Civil 2D to create models of landscapes, flood plains, and roads. Josh also went on a land survey where data was collected for flood plain planning and land development. He learned about the laws and regulations to adhere to when developing land.

Courtney Lok works with Craig at the SPARKS Academy.

During the last three weeks in May, seniors have the opportunity to do a senior project that explores a field of interest that could blossom into a future career. They may apprentice, volunteer, conduct independent research and development, or pursue a creative project. This year, 21 of our 42 seniors participated. Here is what they did: Tiffany Bethea worked with Tawanna Prilo at the Children of Integrity Learning Center. She assisted with the children’s daily activities which included circle time, free play, indoor and outdoor play, and growth and development skills. She followed a monthly prepared curriculum for each child, fed them, and cared for them. Tiffany also helped with other activities such as movement, music, and arts and crafts.

During her free time, Tiffany discussed the rules and regulations of owning a business for children.

Adam Blasch worked with Randy Hanks, the CEO of First Choice Bank. Adam learned about each of the bank’s major operations. He also traveled to the bank’s three branches, located in New Jersey and worked with those managers.

Ashley Colón worked at the Liberty Humane Society, where she took care of abandoned or stray cats.

She performed general cleaning and maintenance, and cleaned the animals.

She interacted with both docile and feral cats. She offered information to potential cat adopters, supplying them animal bios and directing them to cats that seemed appropriate for their particular situation.

Sarah Duff volunteered at the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary in Woodstock, NY. She learned to care for the animals, learned about the Sanctuary and gave tours that informed the public about the ethical and environmental issues surrounding the modern day farming industry.

Sasha Eyre worked with the Lower Makefield Township Police Department to learn about life as a police officer. Sasha studied the different aspects of police work, including desk work, and the D.A.R.E program that is run in the local high schools. In addition, he went out on patrol with officers.

Olivia Hagerty worked at The Clubhouse, a preschool located five minutes from Solebury in New Hope, Pennsylvania. She had a chance to work with each of the age groups of children at the school, first observing the classes and then helping the teachers. She hopes to learn more about teaching.

Will Holstrom worked with Congressman Patrick Murphy. Will spent most of his time at the District and Legislative Office in Doylestown, working alongside the Congressman as he met with constituents, prepared legislative agendas and most importantly, ran for reelection. Will assisted Susan Deflavio, the head of the district office, with casework and with constituents. He feels he has gained a better understanding of public policy at the local level.

Mark Hopkins worked at the Princeton Airport and flew many hours preparing for a private pilot’s license, while learning some of the operations of small airports and the mechanics of small aircraft. He visited air museums of historical and experimental aircraft to inspire his own air craft creations.

Fylia Huang worked in a jewelry company called Frederick Goldman Inc. in New York. The company deals

Sarah Duff worked with many animals at the Woodstock Animal Sanctuary.

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with expensive metals and gemstones.

While there, she dealt with the distribution and shipping of the merchandise, and created some PowerPoint presentations about the company.

Kara Kelton interned at The Carriage House Spa & Salon. The salon offers a wide variety of different treatments, such as massages, facials, manicures, pedicures as well as makeup application. Kara has a strong interest in cosmetology, and worked with different beauty and cosmetic tools. She shadowed a spa employee and learned to network with customers, a valuable skill. She also learned how to apply make-up on different skin types and colors.

Max Levites assisted with the herpetological component of the Bucks Country Natural Areas Inventory Update Project. He performed field work and kept a field journal documenting populations of different reptiles and amphibians around Bucks Country.

Courtney Lok worked at the SPARK Academy with the school’s founder Joanna Belcher. Joanna started SPARK Academy with 100 kindergarteners for the 2009-10 school year. Courtney worked alongside Joanna and the new first grade teachers to help create the first grade program and curriculum.

Courtney also tutored kindergarteners who need extra help in order to make it to the first grade.

Elliot Miller worked with Quinn Waters at his recording studio in Philadelphia. Elliot learned how to rig microphones and equipment for different styles of recording, use several different professional recording and video software, and how to edit and mix raw recordings into a finished product that will be ready for postproduction distribution.

Ariel Needleman volunteered at the Peace Valley Nature Center in Doylestown. She learned about the various types of organisms that live

within the park and learned how to create a hospitable environment for the organisms and for the visitors that come to the Park. Ariel also worked on community education projects and helped to inform the public about the ecosystems within the park.

Ashley Nugent interned with athletic director Ginny Hofman, at Germantown Academy in Fort Washington. She learned the inner workings of being an athletic director at a large private high school. She also shadowed Ginny in her lacrosse coach duties, and learned the work that goes into being a successful coach.

the sheriff. Chase gained a greater understanding of the county legal system, how it operates and runs on a daily basis, and in particular, from a police officer’s perspective. He saw firsthand the various roles of the people who work at the courthouse and observed what goes on in a variety of cases.

Alyssa Pimpinella interned for the Rachel Tafoya attended Book Expo America where she met a clown Sunfastic Salon & who was promoting author Bonnie Barnett’s book, Bobo’s Daughter.

Resort. She learned about the salon equipment; how it works, what it does, Rachel Tafoya worked with the and the benefits of its use. Also, Alyssa Philly Liars Club, a group of learned how to apply airbrush makeup published authors who live in or around Philadelphia. She divided her and offer all-organic skincare. Alyssa time between different members, gained more knowledge about observing and working with them to skincare, art schools, and how to experience different aspects of the create an impressive portfolio. writing world. She worked with nonfiction, fiction, part-time, and fullNatalie Sicroff studied Tibetan time authors, to learn as much as she Thangka with Nanji Davison in can about what it is like to be a Western Massachusetts. Thangka is a published author. traditional art form in which Buddhist deities are painted onto silk. Natalie Jimmy Woo worked at the Station learned about the iconography and Creek Golf Course in Gormley, how to make the paints and canvas Ontario, Canada with Steve Kolean. before painting her own Thangka.

He was assigned as a golf boy and proshop manager responsible for booking Chase Spring worked with the director of the Police Training Center tee times for members. He also served of Bucks County, in Doylestown. as a golf teacher. Jimmy is interested Chase attended several classes for in becoming a golf pro, golf club officers, watched a case unfold in the owner, or an owner of a hotel with a courtroom, accompanied a police golf course. ❖ officer in his patrol car and shadowed

14 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Spring/Summer 2010

Arts Festival

A Campus Lit With Luminaries, Moved by Music, Art, and Dance Each day during Arts Festival week, this year orchestrated by Kirby Fredendall and William Collier, was filled with a wide variety of workshops, several evenings of euphonious musical performances, and some great daily activities. These activities included several days when students created sidewalk chalk labyrinths, created luminary bags, then arranged the bags around the labyrinth and enjoyed a beautiful twilight luminary lighting. There was an acoustic music circle, music video workshop, cooking demonstration, and a fashion design workshop.

Musical theater and dance students had a chance to polish their dance moves with Broadway actor Alex Puette’s musical theater dance workshop. The New Hope Capoeira performed an amazing workshop.

Capoeira is a martial art developed over 400 years ago in Brazil by African slaves as a means to resist oppression.

On Wednesday evening, our fantastic Jazz Roots Ensemble along with the talented Soul*Berries, took the stage and delivered a great evening of music and song. On Thursday, some of Solebury’s aspiring artists starred in a delightful talent show, and on Friday, singer/songwriter Skip Sullins, up from Charleston, South Carolina, entertained with original folk and Americana music.

The week culminated with a day of artist workshops which included creating friendship bracelets, pen and ink calligraphy, jazz and contemporary dance, photo-microscopy, ceramics Raku firing, marbleizing, and pinwheel making.

Many workshops across all types of art media were offered by Solebury students, faculty and special guest artists. Workshops offered by local artists include yoga with Amy Conise Mead, painting with Linda Guenste, creating accordion books with Jon Hertzel, paste paper for collage and more with Gloria Kosco, sand

Amy Mead demonstrates some basic yoga poses.

The Soul*Berries were part of the Jazz Roots concert.

The Jazz Roots Ensemble rocked the campus with a great concert.

Elliot Miller tries out the didjeridoo.

Keziah Groth-Tuft and Jonah Winkler performed at the talent show.

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sprinkled collographs with Susan Roseman and Jim Feehan, batik fabric design with Gabrielle Kanter, wrapped objects sculpture with Nura Petrov, exploring didjeridoos with Matthew Merwin, mixed media laboratory with Stacie Speer Scott, learning Photoshop with Zeke Jenei, ceramics workshop with Tim McLaughlin, and song writing with Skip Sullins. ❖

Environmentalist John Cronin Speaks At Solebury

Cubby artwork by Chaz Ciliberto.

Learning to make friendship bracelets.

Clover Stieve sings at the talent show.

Skip Sullins performed original folk music.

Pinwheels created by students.

16 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Spring/Summer 2010

Solebury School’s Creative Thinkers Series continued in April with John Cronin, internationally renowned Hudson River environmentalist and Time magazine “Hero for the Planet.” John served as the Hudson Riverkeeper from 1983 – 2000, inspiring the creation of 200 Waterkeeper programs worldwide. He told an audience of over 100 how he and others began the Riverkeeper program and how they had gathered evidence on big corporations that pollute the Hudson, and subsequently brought them to justice. However, our rivers remain polluted today.

John said it is very important that top scientists partner with technology experts to begin to find ways to not only get water to those who have none, but also to clean up our oceans, and make sure the earth has plenty of clean water in the future. This is his work at the Beacon Institute and Pace University, where he advocates technology and policy innovations for the protection of rivers and estuaries, the critical and imperiled links between our communities and the ocean.

Cronin co-authored the book, The Riverkeepers, with Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and wrote and co-produced the film, The Last Rivermen, which was named an outstanding documentary by the Motion Picture Academy Foundation. For information about John, check www.johncronin.net. ❖

nd Angelo Lewis, Cronin with long time frie mber. me rd boa and ent Solebury par

Alumni Weekend at Solebury provides the perfect setting for alumni to return to campus and socialize, reminisce, even hoot and holler. This year, alumni and friends found their way to events that included the Michener Museum Reception, Coffee House, the Burger ...A Time to Reminisce and Beer Bash, and athletic games.

On Saturday morning, a small number of people gathered for a Memorial Service in the Alumni Memorial Garden, a quiet space between the Abbe Building and Founders Library nestled among the swaths of blooming daffodils. The Kelly Marlin ‘00 & husband Brian Peroni.

Garden was a gift from the family and friends of Stephen Mueller ’55 and Philip Guthrie ’69.

Tom Wilschutz presided over the service, inviting those who attended to remember the deceased and share their memories. Solebury School may be, in its entirety, hallowed ground to many of our alumni, but it is a blessing to have the Memorial Garden to gather and focus this loving inclination. For those in attendance it was certainly welcomed – joining us this year was Alumni gathered for the Memorial Service, led by Tom Wilschutz.

Tony ‘55 and Penny Evans from Annapolis, MD, Joe ‘50 and Patricia Schaechter from Mexico City, Mexico, Bill Frankenstein ‘60 from Calabasas, CA, Tom Cooper ‘41 from Radnor, PA, and Carolyn Klinger-Kueter ’55 from Westfield, NJ. Later on, across campus, our Andy Mahar ‘89 with alumni gathered at Tom and his family.

Rebecca Wilschutz’s house for the Burger and Beer Bash. Nearly 80 guests, faculty, past and present, Hall David Sterns ‘89, Peter Ammirati ‘82, Pablo Schor ‘80 with of Fame inductees and their guests, son Nicholas, Ron Potesky ‘80, & Meike Kopp ‘80. and alumni dropped by the relaxed social gathering that included classes back to the 40’s and as recent as 2003. Many came for the opportunity to say goodbye to Geoff Tilden who is retiring after 40 years.

The event had been named the Young Alumni Burger and Beer Bash as a way to encourage young alumni to return and remain connected to Solebury, but it became clear that the event appeals to alumni from all classes. We were happy to welcome Doug Haigh ‘67, Dan Cohen ‘63, Linda Brown, Diane everyone back to campus. ❖

Reunion Weekend

Levell ‘65.

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Herb Markman ‘60, Peter Grover ‘61, Bill Frankenstein ‘60, Monica McGoldrick ‘60, John Siebel ‘60, & Rick Smith ‘60.

Kevin ‘73 and Mira ‘59 Nakashima in the Nakashima Reading Room at the Michener Museum.

The Alumni Reception took place in James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown, the perfect venue considering the museum’s relationship with alumni Mira Nakashima-Yarnell ’59 and Kevin Nakashima ’73. In 1993, the Nakashima Reading Room, designed by Mira, was permanently installed at the museum, showcasing classic work from the Nakashima Studio. The display includes a Claro walnut free-form table, five Claro walnut Conoid lounge chairs, cherry bookshelves and handcrafted cabinets, all of which celebrate nature.

Also placed in the room is a beautiful oil portrait of renowned furniture maker, George Nakashima, painted by Bucks County artist William A. Smith, father to alumnus Rick Smith ’60.

.

Tracy Anne Janjigian ‘85

Carl Klingler ‘74, Donna Brucker ‘75, Alida Ramsey Porter ‘75, Sharon Royal ‘77 and daughter Olive, Peter Gilford ‘75 & Liza Ander ‘75.

Valerie Weber ‘85 and Brad Rosman ‘85.

Ed Beemer ‘74, Liza Ander ‘75, Geoff Tilden, Donna Brucker ‘75 and Keith Sandberg ‘72.

Eric Berkowsky ‘95 and Rachel Salmon ‘95 and friend.

Mrs. Smith and Rick Smith ‘60 stand in front of painting of George Nakashima, painted by Rick’s father, William Smith.

18 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Spring/Summer 2010

Peter Ammirati ‘82, Matt Mahmet ‘95, Shaughnessy Naughton ‘95, Eric Berkowsky ‘95 & Scott Eckstein.

Pablo Schor ‘80, Joe ‘50, Patricia Schaechter, Bill Frankenstein ‘60, Tony ‘55, Penny Evans ‘55, Tom Cooper ‘41, Carolyn Klinger-Kueter ‘55.

A Huge Success!

The Weinstein’s won a fabulous trip to Hawaii.

Aloha!

Thanks to everyone who joined in the fun and celebrated with us on May 1st as the Home and School Association hosted the annual dinner auction. The 300 guests including parents, alumni, friends and faculty, helped us raise $115,000 for Festive ‘Hollywood tables’. the school.

For those of you not lucky enough to attend this year, the Hollywood theme provided a sparkling backdrop for the evening, as the John D. Brown Athletic Center was transformed into a star-studded venue. Guests entering on the red carpet were greeted with the smooth sounds of students Cooper McKim and Ruohan Wang on the piano and Jordan McBride on the bass, while our student waiters passed hors d’oeuvres. Tickets for raffles baskets, prize drawings, and the Best of Live drawing were sold as guests enjoyed the sizable Silent Auction, featuring gift certificates and merchandise donated by the local business community and Solebury families.

The highlight of the evening came during the spirited Live Auction, when we paused for a Special Appeal, to raise money for the renovation of The Crib, with a new Student Center, in the middle of campus. The guests’ generosity was astounding, as over $52,000 was contributed toward this cause. The remaining funds raised during the evening will be used to complete the renovation of the new Music Building, to supplement the Annual Fund, and to provide the operating budget for the Home and School Association, which funds special requests and projects for the school community throughout the year.

The annual auction is more than just a fundraiser, however. It’s a celebration of community; parents of the HSA plan the event, faculty and staff work behind the scenes, students entertain and serve, alumni join current parents in attendance, and families and businesses provide auction items, ads, and sponsorships. Many, many hands join together toward the common goal of supporting the mission of Solebury School… and have a great time doing so. It’s not too early to mark your calendar for next year’s auction on Saturday, April 30, 2011. Hope to see you there! ❖

Student helpers Olivia Hagerty and Will Holstr om.

Former parent Barbara Smith bids at the silent auction.

Chinese figurines in the Sherri Getta won beautiful of the Live drawing.

Best

Nancy Fox brought home the hot Justin Beiber Tix & lovely Nakashima table.

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Athletic Hall of Fame Honoring Our Best Athletes The ceremony for Solebury School’s Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, May 1, during Alumni Weekend was more than just an induction for some of the school’s best athletes. It was a testimonial to how much the school meant to these athletes and how the Solebury community did what it does best – honor, respect, and accept the individual, while helping them to realize their own potential in the classroom and on the playing field.

Throughout the ceremony, the audience heard about the impressive accomplishments of each athlete honored, and the legacy they left for the studentathletes that have followed them. These athletes played football, basketball, baseball, field hockey, ran track and field, and wrestled. They set school records, reached milestones, and earned varsity letters, numerous awards and distinctions on the local, regional, or national level.

They were captains on the court and on the playing fields, leaders in the community and in the dorms.

Many earned athletic or academic scholarships. They went on to play football at Penn, Wake Forest, Rutgers, Trinity College, play basketball at Vassar, UNCGreenboro, Holy Cross, George Mason, American, Adelphi, run track and field at Penn, play baseball, lacrosse, and even squash.

“The Hall of Fame was created to recognize and honor outstanding athletes like these men and women, and acknowledge their place in Solebury history and contribution to Solebury athletics,” said Robert Eichem, Director of Athletics. “Hearing them speak passionately about their time at Solebury was extremely moving, and meeting each of them a real honor.”

Bill Berkeley ‘49 recognized Frank Craven ‘67.

Mike Sienkiewicz ‘56 presented the award to Ken Cromwell ‘57.

Here is the list of Solebury School’s first Hall of Fame inductees. Congratulations to them all: Renee Bostic ’92 Frank (Fred) Craven ’67 Ken Cromwell ’57 Dave Hovey ’49 Neil MacLean ’52

Bryant Mitchell ’65 Pigeon Orrick ’63 Esker Tatum, Jr. ’79 Bill Warner ’60

Bill Berkeley ‘49 with Pigeon Orrick ‘63.

Boys Basketball Team 1988-1989 Led by tri-captains Brian Gilgeous, Andy Mahar, and Shepard Garner, the team also featured Jemel Buck, Eddy Manoyrine, Mark Bell, Lawrence Brown, Sedric Curry, Ben Thornton, Matt Wahrhaftig, and James Thomas. ❖

Bryan Mitchell ‘65 is honored by his daughter Phillips Mitchell.

20 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Spring/Summer 2010

SOLEBURY SCHOOL ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME Purpose The Solebury School Athletic Hall of Fame was created to recognize and honor student-athletes, exceptional teams, coaches, and other members of the Solebury community who have made outstanding contributions to its athletic program.

Bill Berkeley ‘49 with award recipient David Hovey ‘49.

Esker Tatum ‘79 received his award from his third grade teacher Elizabeth Lacy.

Jemel Buck’s mom, Miriam Hendryx, Matt Wahrhaftig, Ben Thornton, Cleve, Alan, Brian Gilgeous and Andy Mahar represented the ’88-89 Basketball team.

Classmate Monique Walker ‘91 presented Renee Bostic ‘92 her award.

Qualifications 1. A nominee must be an alumnus or alumna of the Solebury School.

Coaches and other community members with extraordinary cases may also be considered.

2. Eligibility for admission begins: a. In the fifth (5) year after the nominee graduates; b. Reaches retirement after coaching; or c. Has been actively involved in the athletic program for at least twenty (20) years.

3. Selection is based primarily on athletic accomplishments while at the Solebury School. Subsequent achievements in athletics and other areas may also be taken into consideration.

Nomination Process 1. Any member of the following constituency may nominate: alumni, family of alumni, current and former faculty and staff, current and former trustees.

2. A nomination form is available on our website: www.solebury.org.

Nominations may also be sent to Robert Eichem, Director of Athletics, at 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA, 18938. The deadline for submitting nominations is October 15 of each school year.

3. The Selection Committee meets during the school year. The Committee consists of two or more permanent members and includes current and former Directors of Athletics and the current Director of Advancement, and no more than four rotating members (each serving a 3-year term) selected from among the following groups: former Heads of School, former Directors of Advancement, current and retired coaches, and current and former trustees. ❖

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2009-2010 Solebury School Spring Magazine Editor Peter Pearson Director of Advancement

In Memory of

Associate Editor Beverly Berkeley Director of Communications Design & Production EnForm Graphic Productions, Inc. Photography Beverly Berkeley, Alex Keller Please send change of address to: Solebury School 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA 18938 Phone: 215-862-5261 Fax: 215-862-2783 E-mail: alumni@solebury.org Web Site: www.solebury.org Copyright ©2010 Solebury School BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2009-2010 Charles J. Abbe ’59 (CA) Chairman Thomas Hunt ’74 (NJ) Vice Chairman Dan Cohen ’63 (FL) Treasurer Diane Carugati (PA) Secretary

Carol Chianese VanDuyne ’52 January, 1934 – February 2010 Honorary Member of Solebury School’s Board of Trustees Carol ’52 was a longtime board member and generous supporter of Solebury School. As part of a gift, she named a wing in Walter Lamb Hall after her father, C. Thomas Chianese. ❖

22 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Spring/Summer 2010

William D. Berkeley ’49 (NC) Ezra Billinkoff ’03 (PA) Christopher B. Chandor, Jr. ’86 (MA) David Christiansen (PA) Lou Cyktor (NJ) Jonathan Downs ’71 (PA) Mary Beth Kineke (PA) Ken Klimpel (NJ) Margaret Kornblum (PA) Angelo John Lewis (NJ) Holly Mullin (PA) Gregg Rackin (NJ) Joan Reinthaler ’53 (DC) Alan Sheriff (PA) Anne C. (Annsi) Stephano ’58 (PA) Thomas S. Stevenson, Jr. ’65 (PA) Elizabeth E. Wavle (NJ) Brett Webber ’85 (PA) Barbara Slaner Winslow ’63 (NY) Charlie Woo (So. Korea) Navarrow Wright ’88 (NJ) Head of School Thomas G. Wilschutz Honorary Trustees Chris Chandor ’60 Alan Donley ’55 Betsy Bidelman Meredith ’54 Richard Moss ’48 Eric Shaw ‘55 Jean Shaw ’53

Crib and Music Building Projects

Above: The Crib ready for transformation.

Right: Proposed Student Center – Outside.

Left: Proposed Interior for New Student Center.

This summer, two wonderful transformations will take place on Solebury’s campus. For years the Crib, located right in the heart of the campus, has been the home of teachers or administrators. Most recently it has been Annette Miller’s home. Last year, it was gutted to determine if it was solid enough to be converted into a new Student Center, complete with two handicapped accessible bathrooms, a small place to make

coffee and heat up sticky buns and a large area for students, parents, teachers and administrators to gather for a good cup of coffee and stimulating conversation. Work on the reconstruction will begin this summer.

The second renovation will be to the old Maintenance Building as we convert it into an amazing new Music Center. There will be practice rooms, two larger rooms for the jazz ensemble

and chorus to meet and a special climate controlled locker to store musical instruments. It’s proximity to the Performing Arts Center (the Old Alumni Gym) makes it a perfect place for our talented musicians to prepare for their performances. Come visit the campus in October or November when we move into these two new special spaces. Enjoy a cup of coffee while the music from the Music Center wafts across the campus. ❖

Above: The old maintenance building will be renovated as the new music building.

Right: Floor plan.

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6832 Phillips Mill Road New Hope, PA 18938-9682 Address service requested

This Magazine is printed on Forest Stewardship Council certified recycled paper using vegetable-based inks.

Photo by Alex Keller ’11