Solebury School Magazine Summer / Fall 2016

Honoring Our Faculty The winner of our Above and Beyond Award, music teacher Cathy Block. Plus, remembering Mariella Sundstrom. pg. 4 >

The Future of Solebury School With a strategic plan in place, we have our roadmap for the next 10 to 20 years. pg. 16 >

Reunion Weekend 2016 Last spring, we welcomed back alumni to share memories, laughs, food and fun. pg. 22 >

S u m m e r / Fa l l 2 0 1 6

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

1

Board of Trustees 2016-2017 Scott Bolenbaugh P’09 Chairman Tom Hunt ’74 P’16 Vice Chairman Elizabeth Wavle P’11 Treasurer Joan Reinthaler ’53 Secretary Jay Abbe ’59 Bette Jane (BJ) Booth P’11 Dan Cohen ’63 Andrea Devereux P’14 Jonathan C. Downs ’71 P’03 ’08 ’09 Andrée Newsome Falco ’63 Dr. Ellen Faulkner P’06 ’11 Jeremy Fergusson ’63 Andrew Gespass ’73 Patrick Hernandez ’95 Whitney Parker-Klimpel P’06 ’09 Josh Perlsweig ’03 Alan Sheriff P’08 ‘16 Anne C. (Annsi) Stephano ’58 P’77 ’78 ’81 Derek Warden ’79 Brett Webber ’85 Navarrow Wright ’88 P’16 ’19

Head of School Thomas G. Wilschutz

Honorary Trustees Bill Berkeley ’49 Chris Chandor ’60 P’86 Alan Donley ’55 Betsy Bidelman Meredith ’54 P’81 Richard Moss ’48 Eric Shaw ’55 Jean Tappan Shaw ’53

THIS PAGE: Leah Hunt ’16 and J.R. Madey ’16 on graduation day.

On the Cover: During STEM Week 2015, we captured footage of our beautiful campus with a drone. Take a virtual tour at www.solebury.org/dronetour

2

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2016

Summer / Fall 2016

Contents

Solebury School Summer/Fall Magazine

Editor Jennifer K. Burns P’19 Director of Advancement and External Affairs

Managing Editor Deb O’Reilly Director of Publications and Online Communications

Alma’s Update Editor Renee LaPorte Director of Alumni Relations and Gift Planning

Contributing Editors Holly Victor ’89 Director of Marketing and Communications Kelly Roycroft Advancement Assistant

Design and Production Proof Design

Please send change of address to:

Solebury School 6832 Phillips Mill Road New Hope, PA 18938 Phone: 215-862-5261 Fax: 215-862-3366 Email: alumni@solebury.org © Copyright 2016 Solebury School

Connect With Solebury School

FacEbook Facebook.com/SoleburySchool1925

Features 8 Commencement 2016

16 Inspired Planning: Imagine Solebury

Instagram instagram.com/soleburyschool/

www.solebury.org

We proudly introduce the School’s strategic plan, the culmination of two years of effort and input from hundreds of alumni, faculty and staff, students, parents, the administration and the Board of Trustees.

20 Model Students

olebury School’s Model United Nations teaches students S diplomacy, international relations, 21st century business skills, and, through the sheer volume of work required, grit.

22 Reunion Weekend 2016

Twitter twitter.com/SoleburySchool youtube youtube.com/SoleburySchoolUWatch

On the morning of June 11, 2016, we bid farewell to 47 remarkable Solebury School students.

Last spring, we welcomed alumni from far and wide back to campus.

Save the date for next year’s celebration: May 5-7, 2017.

Departments 2 A Note from

4 Beyond the Books

the Head of School

A message from Tom Wilschutz

Celebrating our faculty, past and present

3

A LOOK BACK

31

Milk lunch, anyone?

Alma’s Update

Catch up on alumni news

A N ot e f r o m T o m W i l sc h u t z

Head of School

If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.

This cliché has always resonated with me and NOT because I’m fond of aimlessness. Rather, just the opposite. For me, it’s a reminder: I try to live, and lead, in very intentional, thoughtful ways. Thus, these past 18 to 24 months have been supremely satisfying from the vantage point of thoughtfully exploring, with hundreds of colleagues, alumni, parents, students and friends, the future of Solebury School. This Strategic Planning effort encouraged us to dream, to dream about the path this magnificent institution could, and should, travel for the next 10 to 20 years of our journey. The culmination of months of thinking, of gathering and analyzing data, and discussing what the future of education should be at Solebury School has produced a strategic plan that was approved by the Board of Trustees at the May 2016 Board Meeting.

A primary objective of the Strategic Planning Committee was to craft an inclusive process that involved as many individuals who care about Solebury School and education as possible. This plan was informed by large, small and one-on-one meetings with a variety of stakeholder groups, including one all-weekend conference in December attended by more than 60 people.

Students, alumni, parents and faculty/staff completed more than 630 surveys, sharing their hopes, dreams and expectations on what a successful future for Solebury School looks and sounds like. We also sought the input of thoughtful leaders in education, college and university presidents, admissions officers and leaders of other independent schools.

I have been pondering what Solebury School’s future could look like since the moment I arrived in July 2008. Through this

2

The Magazine

strategic planning process, we could truly focus our thinking and analysis. I am so proud of the work that we’ve done together, and so grateful for the time and talents that so many brought to this process. Andy Mozenter of Concentrics joined us nearly 18 months ago and walked with us every step of the way, offering an independent perspective and firm hand to keep our multi-layered process on track. Any effort of this magnitude and complexity needs a steering committee; ours was formed during Spring 2015, and met on the average of EVERY two weeks. The investment of time, energy and brainpower cannot be overstated, and I’m so grateful that Solebury School will benefit from their efforts. The committee consisted of Board Members Dan Cohen ’63, who served as Chair of the Steering Committee, Board Chair Scott Bolenbaugh P’09 and Board Secretary Joan Reinthaler ’53. A team of administrators and faculty brought their skills and passions for all facets of Solebury (the classroom experience, residential life, admissions, fundraising, communications and college preparation, just to name a few) to every conversation about Solebury’s future – many thanks to Steve Buteux, Steve Feld P’19, Jenn Burns P’19, Scott Eckstein, Rick Tony, Jon Freer and Cari Nelson. The committee was staffed by the invaluable Staci Freer.

“We have a vision for what

Solebury is, what it must remain and how it must change.”

What does it all mean? Simply stated, we have a plan, a vision, a roadmap for Solebury School for the next 10 to 20 years. We have a tool that we can test the many decisions – large and small – against: does this advance the school toward its stated goals, or does it deviate or distract? We have crafted a strategic plan that intentionally, and carefully, preserves the soul of Solebury, but one that recognizes that change is required if we are to stay competitive and offer our students a relevant education and preparation for college and, most importantly, for life. We have a vision for what Solebury is, what it must remain and how it must change.

We have a strategic plan that will ultimately satisfy one of the critical goals any Head of School should have: to leave the institution better than he/she inherited for the next Head. I could not be more excited for the journey we have crafted for Solebury School. I hope, as you read our vision, you are as excited as we are for Solebury’s future. Take a look at pages 16-19 to see what the future holds.

Summer / Fall 2016

A look Back

A Break Between Classes Decades ago, students gathered every morning for a “Milk Lunch.”

By Deb O’Reilly This fall, Solebury School introduced a new daily schedule.

Students now start school at 8:30am, allowing them to sleep a little later than before or eat breakfast (rather than inhale it on the go). Between the first two classes of the day, students break for an assembly or advisory meeting.

The Solebury School of yesterday also offered a midmorning respite, called “Milk Lunch.” It was a tradition that began in the early 1950s, when milk was considered a staple of a nutritious American diet, with doctors recommending up to four glasses a day. “We would gather for milk and graham crackers and a little chat,” Reverend Tad Evans ’51 told us. If it sounds like a throwback to a preciously innocent era, keep in mind that Smokers’ Terrace was considered the real social hub back then – at least, for those who had parental permission to smoke on campus.

Solebury’s faculty joined students every morning at Milk Lunch.

“Teachers also ate with us at lunch in the dining hall. There was

Summer//Spring Winter Fall 2016 2016

one teacher stationed at each student table,” Tad said.

To engage students or to keep them in line? “Probably both!” he laughed.

Milk Lunch continued into the 1970s, when Social Studies Department Head Peter Ammirati ’82 was a student at Solebury. Peter likened the tradition to the availability of our dining hall today. “Sure, who doesn’t want milk and cookies? In a way, what we have now is almost like Milk Lunch throughout the day, because our dining hall is open at various times a day, where you can grab a beverage or fruit or other snacks. The dining hall wasn’t always like that. During the mid-70s to early 80s, it was usually closed, only to be opened at meal times.

Though [Milk Lunch] did have a great name.”

T o learn more about Solebury School’s new daily schedule, go to www.solebury.org/schedule.

www.solebury.org

3

Beyond the books

Honoring Teacher Cathy Block Winner of the Above and Beyond Award

By Lauren Eckstein

While participating in a five-week summer program at the Berklee College of Music, Josh Poole ’17 got a text from his music teacher that he found both amusing and utterly predictable.

Cathy Block P’14 “Cathy sent me a text saying ‘Update please’ with a winking face emoji,” he said. “I laughed so hard when I read that, but it also reminded me of all the other times Cathy has been looking out for me and helping on my way when I needed it.”

signs every email “Musically, Cathy.” “I have music in my head 24-7,” she said. “There is always a soundtrack. Music has always affected me and carried me away. I could never just listen to it. It would consume me.”

Cathy graduated from Berklee College and got her start in New York City by writing music and knocking on doors. Her talent led her to write songs for well-known artists including Diana Ross, Kool and the Gang and Al Jarreau. Yet when she became pregnant with the first of her three children, Cathy’s focus shifted. “I was always interested in kids,” she said, so Cathy channeled her talent in a different direction. She released an award-winning children’s music album, created preschool music programs and taught private music lessons.

When Cathy was asked to teach at Solebury School, she viewed it as a great opportunity. Yet in some ways, she almost saw it as her duty. “When you’ve devoted your entire life to something, you have to share what you know,” she said. “It pours out of you.

I’m so passionate about what I do. I get excited to share that love and joy with kids.”

For this raw enthusiasm, her ability to create what feels like a full-time curriculum even while teaching part-time and for many

This is classic Cathy Block P’14. Cathy, who has been teaching

other reasons, Cathy was the deserving recipient of Solebury

music at Solebury School for seven years, truly, deeply cares. She

School’s 2016 Above and Beyond Award. Created by Solebury

directs the Jazz Roots Ensemble and Rock Band and is always

School’s Home and School Association in 2015, this endowed

drumming up excitement for performances. She has introduced

fund received a substantial boost thanks to generous giving

innovative classes that allow students to compose, play and even

during our last Auction’s special appeal. The Above and Beyond

record music at a professional studio in Philadelphia. She has

award is a stipend awarded to a faculty or staff member who has

lunch with her students just to chat, and always pushes young

truly exceeded the expectations of their position and enriched the

musicians to find opportunities and excel. “It is unlikely that I can

community. Cathy shared this year’s award with Janice Poinsett

capture the totality of the impact she has had on me,” said Josh.

P’99 ’01, who retired in June after 28 years at Solebury (and was

“Besides being like the caring mother figure, she is one seriously

profiled in our Winter/Spring 2016 issue).

knowledgeable and experienced teacher… She has made my experience at Solebury a richer and fuller one.”

Solebury School is grateful to have Cathy Block, yet she insists that she is the one who is grateful. “It’s a privilege, I feel, to be

Cathy’s life has been dominated by music. Her earliest memory

able to be a positive force in a young person’s life,” she said. “It’s

is of her ear pressed to an amplifier to take in the sound; she

just fantastic.”

4

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2016

Beyond the books

Remembering Mariella Sundstrom Who might’ve won Solebury School’s Above and Beyond Award in decades past? Surely this beloved teacher.

By Lauren Eckstein

She was a Hungarian baroness!

She traveled the world!

She spoke six languages!

Her family’s art collection was looted by Nazis!

She was a model in the 1940s!

The way former Solebury School students have described Mariella Sundstrom makes her sound nearly mythical. Add to this list her steely gray bun, commanding voice, woolen suits and her encyclopedic knowledge of history and art, and she begins to seem like some sort of fictional grand dame from an epic film. Yet this storied teacher is not just a piece of Solebury apocrypha. She was real. And she was beloved.

“I think she was like a cultured, very smart and worldly aunt or grandmother one would always wish for,” said Brett Webber ’85. “She had this Anna Karenina life. She lived this incredibly wild journey and was sharing this window into another world with us.”

Mariella Sundstrom, known as “Mala” by many, taught art history and ancient history at Solebury School from 1966 to 1985. Born in 1914, she was, in fact, a refined Hungarian baroness. Her family’s art collection was, indeed, stolen by the Nazis. She did work as a model in New York City. And she brought a lifetime of traveling, culture, learning and sophistication to Solebury School, which she generously shared with her devoted students.

Yet while these facts are all true, there was something to Mariella Sundstrom that also seems larger than life. Former students recalled a teacher who was demanding and serious, yet Continued next page

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

5

Beyond the books whose praise could make them feel that they were standing in the warm glow of the sun. They talked about a woman who was refined and who could fix her own car. They talked of Mariella’s old stone farmhouse that featured gilded European armchairs as well as quaint artwork she made out of seashells. They admired the woman with the flawless handwriting, who made her own clothes, was an impressive cook, and who was never, ever seen in slacks. Yet most of all, students spoke about how this remarkable woman left an imprint on them that was significant and lasting.

“She was infectious in the way she talked about art and architecture,” said Brett, an architect who recently returned to Solebury School’s Board of Trustees.

“She made it exciting, exotic and interesting. She helped solidify my path in college.”

Brett said he can still remember sitting in Mariella’s darkened classroom as

6

The Magazine

she scrolled through her collection of incredible, curated art slides, and spoke with wisdom and anecdotal detail about each one. “I may be a romantic, but I always liked being in that dark room, clicking through the slides as she told stories around them,” he said.

He is not the only one who is transported back to that dark, quiet room at the mention of Mariella Sundstrom’s name.

“The lights would go off, the slides would go on, and she would show one masterpiece after another. It was just magical,” said Tom Hunt ’74 P’16. Tom was a devoted student who also became a colleague and friend of Mariella’s when he returned to Solebury School as a teacher in 1982. He recalled the woman who insisted on teaching him German, who demanded that he not indulge in nonsense with her charmingly delivered phrase, “Darling, you’re being ridiculous,” and the woman who invited him to her home, where Mariella’s delicious cooking

was only overshadowed by the vibrant dinner conversation. “I can’t overstate how lovely it was to be invited over for dinner,” Tom recalled. “As seniors, she loved to introduce us to formal, brilliant table conversation. People who had no clue about the dinner party would learn about conversations that rambled far and wide where you don’t want to leave. That’s what it was like being with her.”

Many students recalled being invited to Mariella’s house for a meal. Jonathan Keep ’85 remembered going with another student to discuss their 20-page papers.

“In a Julia Child way, she would talk to us about our projects while cooking this incredible French meal,” said Jonathan.

“There are those teachers who understand that it’s more than what just goes on in the classroom.”

In the classroom, Mariella was described as a demanding teacher who pushed her students to work hard. Her classes were challenging, yet former students said that

Summer / Fall 2016

Beyond the books Mariella’s raising of the bar only inspired them to jump that much higher. “You literally lived to please the woman,” said Alexandra Bader ‘85. “Okay, I lived to please her, but I think others felt the same way. You wanted her to connect with you – you wanted to be the teacher’s pet and you knew if you were diligent, honest and smart, you could be.”

“When I think back, I know she wanted to innately instill in us life qualities that we would use after we left Solebury... I believe I am diligent, honest and smarter because of Mariella.”

Many former students remarked that Mariella’s intelligence, sophistication and expertise introduced them to the kind of breadth, depth and rigor not often seen at the high school level. “She taught us to really look at things and analyze them.

Once that’s engaged, it’s like a light going on,” said Sarah McPhee ’78, an art history professor at Emory College. “Mala was not cozy. She was formidable. She could scare you, but also praise you and make you feel you had really done well, so you worked for her. In her art history class, I wrote a long paper – I still have it – on the self-portraits of Rembrandt.

It’s unbelievable in high school to write a 50-page paper on the portraiture of

European sophistication. We were at the knee of someone who lived it, and that was the most compelling thing in the world.”

Pat Rubin ’69 agreed that Mariella’s whole character infused her classes with authenticity. “It was a refinement and deep intelligence,” said Pat, the director of The Fine Arts Institute at New York University where she is also a professor of art history. “She was very cultured in a real sense and not a pretend sense. Some people show off what they know. She was

Rembrandt and its role in history.”

just it.”

Yet for Sarah, what she remembers

Mariella Sundstrom died in 2000, yet

most about Mala is how real she was.

her legacy lives on. In her 19 years as a

She wasn’t just teaching her prescribed

teacher at Solebury School she influenced

content, she was imparting what she had

countless students in countless ways.

experienced. “We saw how she really lived

At the mention of her name, former

history,” said Sarah. “At this small school

students seem flooded with memories of

in rural Pennsylvania, she gave us a taste of

the woman who taught them about art

Summer / Fall 2016

and history, yet so many other ineffable, intangible things. She broadened her students’ frame of reference and encouraged them to travel, see everything, drink it in, and grow from their own experiences. In life, people often talk about “those teachers,” those exceptional, singular, nearly mythical teachers whose impact is deep and significant. For many students, and for 19 years, Mala was one of those teachers.

“There are teachers who go beyond,” said Jonathan. “They understand the humanitarian impulse to educate and realize that they have this opportunity to influence a young mind. They really understand that it’s an obligation and a privilege to share their learning. In your life, there will be one or two or maybe three teachers. She was like that. She was really wonderful.”

www.solebury.org

7

C o mmen cem ent 201 6 On a picture-perfect June morning, Solebury School graduated 47 outstanding seniors.

Among them were scholars, artists and athletes – students who have given TEDx Talks, shown their art in local exhibitions, won league championships and volunteered in countries from Cambodia to Haiti.

“We will take these four years of courage, community and self-confidence and show you the meaning of limitless,” said Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16 in his commencement speech. We don’t doubt it.

8

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2016

The celebrations began with Senior Dinner on the

Friday evening before graduation, a Solebury tradition. Seniors and their families gathered for one last meal prepared by our chefs, for awards given by faculty and staff, and for a few student performances and speeches.

“At Solebury School you had to work, often very hard, to achieve your success… To finish something you began so long ago, to be sitting here today, is a great accomplishment. It required tenacity, resilience, determination, grit – together with wonder and awe and inspiration and passion.”

At commencement, student speakers included J.R.

–Head of School Tom Wilschutz

Madey ’16, Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16 and Afrah Boateng ’16. English teacher Lauren Eckstein was selected by the Class of 2016 as the

faculty commencement speaker. Diplomas were awarded, and students became alumni.

Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Teacher Rebecca Wilschutz with Nick Lavery ’16. Athletic Director Rob Eichem P’18 with Dylan Foley ’16 and Taylor Goldberg ’16. Commencement speaker Afrah Boateng ’16. The Class of 2016.

This page, clockwise from top left: Mazzie Monchusi ’16, Kate Voynow ’16, Adeline Skovronek ’16 and Victoria Markhoff ’16 perform at Senior Dinner. Solebury School nurse Carol Hey P’03 pins a boutonniere to Kyle Miller ’16. Commencement speaker Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16. Shuang Liang’16, Mazzie Monchusi ’16, Sophia Giangrasso ’16 and Leah Hunt ’16.

To watch our entire Commencement 2016 ceremony, go to www.solebury.org/commencement2016.

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

9

Commencement 2016

Senior Awards Leaders for Today and the Future The Number One Ranked in the Class of 2016 Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16

Carlos earned the highest cumulative GPA. Carlos attends Case Western University.

Frank Ammirati Math & Science Prize Keren Zhang ’16 This prize is given in honor of Frank Ammirati P’73 ’77 ’79 ’81 ’82 ’86, who taught math and science at Solebury for more than 30 years. The recipient of this award is a senior who excels in both of these disciplines. Keren attends the University of Washington.

The Mike Mullen Award J.R. Madey ’16 This award is presented to the senior who has exemplified Mike’s characteristics of hard work, honesty and love of the Solebury community and its natural surroundings. J.R. attends New York University.

“Aim to recognize opportunities and take actions. Make choices by design and not by default. When you are present, thoughtful and intentional, you are a better version of yourself.”

–Lauren Eckstein

TOP: Our choir performs during the ceremony. MIDDLE: Commencement speaker J.R. Madey ’16 (left); and Devin Matchett ’16, Curtis Thompson ’16 and Justin Berger ’16. BOTTOM: Faculty (left) and commencement speaker and teacher Lauren Eckstein.

By DEB O’REILLY PHOTOS BY STEPHEN BARTH

10

The Magazine

Dorothy MacBrien Award Kate Voynow ’16 Given in memory of Dottie MacBrien P’79 by her husband Hugh and son Chris ’79, this award goes to a senior for his or her contributions to making Solebury School a better community and for demonstrating a willingness to help others. Kate attends Washington College.

The William P. Orrick Award Daniel Sheriff ’16 This prize honors William Pendleton Orrick, Headmaster of Solebury School from 1948-1968, and is the gift of the Dr. Marvin Solomon Family and John Lippman ’75.

It is awarded to a senior who has made the greatest academic improvement during his or her time at Solebury. Daniel attends High Point University.

Summer / Fall 2016

Commencement 2016

Special Awards

Presented on Prize Day Smith College Book Award

Bryn Mawr Book Award

The Founders Award

Given to an outstanding junior or sophomore who exemplifies the academic achievement and leadership qualities that characterize the thousands of women who have graduated from Smith College.

This student is typically in the “top tenth” of her class and serves as an example of scholarship and community service.

Given to a young woman in the junior class who embodies the core characteristics of a Bryn Mawr woman: exhibits an intense intellectual commitment, has a self-directed and purposeful vision of her life, and has a desire to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

Established by John A. Silver III ’57 and Betsy Orth Hill ’57, this award is intended for a member of the junior class who exudes personal maturity, integrity, intellectual curiosity and a sense of responsibility to the school community as well as a society in general, sympathy for others and courage.

Vikki Rueda-Juarez ’17

Arabella Taucher ’17

Andrew Underwood ’17

Rachel Carson Book Award Mei-lin Sloan ’17

Given by Chatham University to a junior student who has shown passion for the environment and interest in writing or the sciences. It includes a scholarship to Chatham University and an invitation to a reception on campus.

The Songcraft Award Jack Landis ’18

Given to the student who shows great potential as a songwriter; candidates had to submit a body of work of at least three songs. This award is not given annually, only when a student merits it.

College of the Atlantic Book Award Josh Poole ’17

Given to “an adventurous junior who is invested in creating positive change in the world, and is engaged in their learning and their community.”

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

11

Commencement 2016

The Tempo Award Nealon Edgar ’16

This is given to the instrumentalist or vocalist who exhibits great promise and potential in music. This award is not given annually, only when a student merits it.

The Commitment to Diversity Award

Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16 and Adelaide Groth-Tuft ’19

or senior for demonstrated commitment to history and social studies work, both in and outside of the classroom, and offers a scholarship in support of the student’s pursuit of these fields in college.

Established by the Class of 2014, this award is presented to students who have demonstrated enthusiasm for diversity through his or her willingness to cross social boundaries, respect of Solebury’s diverse population, participation in diversity activities on campus and encouragement of understanding within the community.

Home & School Community Service Prize

The Lucien Peebles ’65 Scholarship Prize

Afrah Boateng ’16

Josh Poole ’17

This award is given to a senior who has completed a high number, and wide variety of, Community Service hours. Afrah attends Wesleyan University.

This award is given to a junior who embodies Lucien’s qualities of hard work and intellectual curiosity.

Special Projects Award Chris O’Brian ’17

Under the auspices of the maintenance department, special projects are undertaken to improve technical aspects at the school.

This award, presented for the first time this year, recognizes the student who was most helpful in assisting these projects.

Bridge Program Graduation Prize

The Dean of Students Award Cookie Pierce ’16 and Noah Sadoff ’16

Olivia Heffernan ’18 This new award is given to the student who began at Solebury School in our Bridge Program and who has worked hard to graduate from the program with success, demonstrating hard work and determination.

The award is given to a student(s) who participates in and gives to the community unselfishly and who sees a need in the community and helps without being asked.

Cookie attends Syracuse University; Noah attends American University.

The Ned Harrington Scholarship Macio Sexton ’17

Given by the Solebury Township Historical Society to honor the memory of local historian Ned Harrington, the award recognizes a junior

12

The Magazine

Director of Studies Award Leah Hunt ’16

Awarded to a student in any grade whose actions in and outside of the classroom demonstrate intellectual curiosity, love of learning for its own sake, and speculative habits of mind. Leah attends Rutgers University.

Summer / Fall 2016

Members of Solebury School’s Class of 2016 were accepted to the following selective colleges and universities.

Quinnipiac University Ramapo College of New Jersey Regent’s University London Richmond The American International College in London University of Richmond Rider University Rosemont College Rowan University Rutgers University-New Brunswick Rutgers University-Newark Saint Joseph’s University University of San Diego University of San Francisco Sarah Lawrence College Savannah College of Art and Design School of the Art Institute of Chicago School of the Museum of Fine Arts School of Visual Arts The University of Scranton American University

Earlham College

Antioch College Arcadia University

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

The University of Arizona

Eckerd College

Art Center College of Design

Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham Campus

Bard College Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Florida Southern College

Boston University

Franklin & Marshall College

Bryn Mawr College

The George Washington University

Caldwell University

Gettysburg College

California College of the Arts (San Francisco)

Goucher College

University of California, Davis

Hampshire College

University of California, Irvine

High Point University

University of California, San Diego

Hofstra University

University of California, Santa Barbara

Hollins University

University of California, Santa Cruz Case Western Reserve University

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Centenary College

Indiana University at Bloomington

Chapman University

Ithaca College

Chatham University

Keystone College

Claflin University

King’s College London

University of Colorado at Boulder Colorado State University

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania

University of Delaware

Lafayette College

Denison University

Lasell College

University of Denver

Lehigh University

Dickinson College

Livingstone College

Dominican College

Loyola University New Orleans

Drew University

University of Maine

Drexel University

Manhattanville College

Summer / Fall 2016

Fordham University

Guilford College

College of the Holy Cross

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania Maryland Institute College of Art Marymount California University Marywood University University of Massachusetts, Boston McDaniel College Meredith College Michigan State University Millersville University of Pennsylvania Monmouth University Montclair State University Moore College of Art and Design Moravian College Mount Holyoke College Muhlenberg College University of New Haven The College of New Jersey New York University Northeastern University Nyack College Occidental College Old Dominion University University of Oregon Pace University, New York City Pennsylvania State University Pine Manor College University of Pittsburgh Pratt Institute Purchase College State University of New York Purdue University

Seton Hall University St. Edward’s University University of St. Thomas State University of New York at New Paltz Stockton University Stony Brook University Susquehanna University Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University The New School - All Divisions Ursinus College University of Vermont Virginia Tech Washington and Jefferson College Washington College University of Washington Wesleyan University West Chester University of Pennsylvania Whittier College Widener University Wilkes University The College of Wooster York College of Pennsylvania

We wish them well and hope to hear all about their college experiences, in person, during Young Alumni Day on January 3, 2017!

www.solebury.org

13

AthLetics NEWS

Athletic Award Recipients Solebury School’s annual Athletic Banquet was held on Saturday, May 21, 2016, in the John D. Brown Athletic Center. This celebratory event honored our student athletes, coaches and parents.

Boys Basketball Most Valuable Player: Curtis Thompson ’16

Coaches’ Awards: Justin Berger ’16, London Green ’17

Most Improved Award:

Peter Sorber ’19, Devon Brewster ’18

Wrestling Most Valuable Player: Thomas McKinnon ’17

Coaches’ Awards: Ryuta Utsumi ’17

Spring Awards Softball Most Valuable Player: Julia McDonald ’16

Coaches’ Awards:

Nicole Cosner ’20, Jess Randolph ’17

Most Improved Award: Cancy Han ’17

Baseball Most Valuable Player: Dylan Foley ’16

Coaches’ Awards:

Fall Awards Girls Soccer

Coaches’ Awards:

J.R. Madey ’16, Nick Lavery ’16, Cally Kerrigan ’18

Most Improved Awards:

Justin Berger ’16, Jacob Gleason ’18

Most Improved Award: Adam Sherman ’17

Marshall Overhiser ’19, Alex Cavallaro ’21, Caitlin Miller ’18

Boys Tennis

Field Hockey

Haolun Liu ’16

Carol Wright ’16, Olivia Lutz ’18

Most Improved Award:

Most Valuable Player:

Most Valuable Player: Max Brewington ’16

Coaches’ Awards:

Most Valuable Player: Coaches’ Awards:

Ashley Weintraub ’16

Julia McDonald ’16

Jongwook Jeon ’17, Alex Kevin Yeh ’16

Boys Soccer

Coaches’ Award: Afrah Boateng ’16

Most Improved Award:

Most Valuable Player: Jongwook Jeon ’17

Coaches’ Awards: Ben Roxey ’17, Jacob Gleason ’18

Most Improved Award: Chang Yin ’18

Most Improved Award:

Daniel Wang ’17

Lakumi Dias ’18

Track and Field

Winter Awards

Most Valuable Players:

Girls Basketball

Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16, Nick Lavery ’16, Vikki Rueda-Juarez ’17

Most Valuable Player:

Coaches’ Awards:

Coaches’ Award:

Sam Benson ’17, Carol Wright ’16, Caitlin Miller ’18, Josh Zolkewitz ‘18

Cross Country

Denia Campbell ’17

Most Valuable Players;

Carol Wright ’16

Most Improved Awards:

Most Improved Award:

Lakumi Dias ‘18, Yuan Lin ’18, Cally Kerrigan ’18, Kyle Hochenberger ’19

London Green ’17, Alexandra Morrow ’16

14

The Magazine

Qiana Vigo ’18

Summer / Fall 2016

AthLetics NEWS

Annual Awards Athletic Director’s Award Justin Berger ’16, Carol Wright ’16 This exceptional honor is not given out every year – in fact, 2004 was the last time it was awarded. The Athletic Director’s Award celebrates the athletes who have had a tremendous impact on our program during their career at Solebury – multisport athletes who’ve led by example and who’ve made their teams and teammates better. Justin Berger ’16 and Carol Wright ’16 embodied these traits. “Justin and Carol played soccer, ran cross country, played basketball, tennis, baseball and ran track. They were on a sports team 11 out of a possible 12 seasons during their careers in varsity athletics. Combined, they’ve earned 16 varsity letters and won 13 awards, from Most Improved to Most Valuable, over four years, including five Coaches Awards today,” said Athletic Director Rob Eichem P’18 at the Athletic Awards Banquet. “Thank you both for the countless hours you put in, from preseason to offseason, for the work you did when no one was looking to performances when everyone was, and for your commitment to Solebury Athletics.”

Frank Ammirati Most Valuable Senior Athlete Award Nick Lavery ’16, Julia McDonald ’16 Nick Lavery ’16 is a four-year letter winner in cross-country and a three-year letter winner in track and field; he served as a captain of both teams as a senior. Nick earned two varsity letters and won a Coaches’ Award in crosscounty and an MVP in track and field. Nick has shown impressive dedication to his teams, driving his fellow Spartans to match his own intensity and even organizing teammates to participate in competitions outside of the team’s schedule, such as Philadelphia’s 10-mile Broad Street Run.

Julia McDonald ’16 began her Spartan career as a freshman and is a four-year letter winner in field hockey and three-year letter winner in softball. Often the first one at practice and the last to leave, she routinely went beyond what was required or expected of her, for example, leaving our softball practice to go to pitching lessons on her own. Julia earned the MVP Award of both teams this year.

Coach of the Year Anthony Porter Selected by the Athletic Director, the criteria for the Coach of the Year Award include team success during the season, taking into account the level of competition and difficulty of schedule; demonstrated ability to improve the athletic performance of team and/or the individual; and demonstrated respect for officials and opponents, and a consistent philosophy of fair play.

Anthony Porter, recipient of the award, is head coach of the Wrestling Team. Before becoming head coach for the 2015-16 season, Anthony served as assistant coach for two years; prior to that, he volunteered for the team. “As everyone can attest to, Anthony is one of the most genuine and positive people you’ll ever meet,” said Rob, who presented Anthony with the award.

“And he doesn’t check that at the door to the wrestling room, but continues to project that positivity — along with his incredible work ethic and reliability — to his wrestlers, pushing them to be better, encouraging them to try, try and try again, learning resilience and a little bit more about themselves along the way.

He’s helped mold his guys into competitive, dedicated wrestlers who are now putting time in the off-season to get stronger and to work on technique by getting on the mat.”

To Anthony, the year’s final record was not what deemed it a success. “This year, coaching was an absolute joy because everyone on the team showed up and bought into the program – that’s what makes a season great,” he said. “And it would’ve been a completely different experience without [Assistant Coach] Matt Baron or [Strength Trainer] Pablo Ambrosio. They’re the best,” added Anthony, who is looking forward to the 2016-17 season.

“I’m feeling great about next season because I’ve already seen a lot of dedication from our returning students,” he said. Good luck, Spartans!

By DEB O’REILLY PHOTOS BY KEVIN COOK

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

15

Inspired Planning:

Imagine Solebury

Solebury School’s Strategic Plan 2016-2030

In 1925, the founders of Solebury School started a journey to reimagine what education could be, creating a school for students (then, only boys) that fostered and nurtured imagination. The school would encourage its students and teachers to become partners in education, a revolutionary concept at the time. In the words of Arthur “Doc” Washburn, a founder and Solebury’s first headmaster, our founders believed school should

What Should the Future of Solebury School Look Like?

It was a question asked countless times as we began drafting our Strategic Plan in earnest. But, as we looked to our future we were ever mindful of some crucial tenets and foundational assumptions:

• A Mutually Respectful Teacher-Student Relationship • College Preparatory and Life Preparatory • Diversity • Informal Environment

offer the “free exchange of opinions and ideas

• Strong and Inclusive Community

outside the classroom as well as within,” where “a

• Being “Small”

boy was well-fitted not only for college, but for

• Financial Sustainability

life.” Legend has it that the Headmaster of a New England preparatory school, upon learning of the plan to open Solebury School, remarked, “Why start another school? We’ve got plenty of schools.” “Not like this one,” Doc replied.

And so began Solebury School. From its conception, Solebury was always looking forward – in its pedagogy, its curriculum, its unyielding emphasis on critical thinking, and later, its commitment to coeducation as Solebury merged with the Holmquist School for Girls in 1949.

• A Continual Evaluation of Our Value Proposition as an Independent School A broad-based, inclusive process was launched. Information was collected last fall from our various constituencies both on and off campus, through online surveys, one-on-one interviews, and specialized small-group feedback sessions. A large, multidemographic group convened in December 2015 to help inform the Plan, as did research into best -and forward-thinking educational practices, as well as direct feedback from Solebury School educators, representatives from higher education and a comprehensive market and demographic analysis.

By the winter of 2016, we were ready to assemble and analyze the data that would form Solebury’s Plan.

Today, as we approach our 100-year anniversary, the framework for the next chapter of Solebury School has been crafted, thanks to the efforts of the Board of Trustees and school leadership, as well as the input of hundreds of valued individuals: alumni, faculty and staff, current parents and students, leaders in education, potential families and friends of the school.

“The process started over two years ago when the strategic goal of achieving programmatic and financial sustainability was agreed upon by the Board, [Head of School] Tom Wilschutz, and the administrative staff. At that point, the decision was made to conduct extensive research on all internal and external issues that would shape a strategic plan,” Dan Cohen ’63, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, explains. “The result was the adoption last May of the strategic plan by the board. Coincidentally, Solebury will celebrate its 100th anniversary (2025) near the end of this period, and I think this plan will serve the school well as it enters its second century.”

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

17

Our Path Forward, 2030 and Beyond The Plan shares the goals and strategies that will propel Solebury School forward while compelling us to remain true to the values that define a Solebury School experience. The Plan outlines our vision for Solebury School for the next 10-20 years, the tangible goals to achieve this vision and the strategies that live under these goals. Over the next year, the tactics of how we will go about accomplishing these strategies will be defined. Tactics will develop and evolve as we encounter the day-to-day and respond to our environment.

Our Vision Solebury School’s future will be a time of measured and mindful growth in enrollment, academic program, residential life and physical plant. Our vision is to pave the path to student success in all aspects of life through academic excellence, life-changing experiential learning opportunities, a robust network of mentorship, and partnerships created beyond our corner of Phillips Mill and School Lane. The Plan is ambitious and aspirational but thoughtfully crafted with careful consideration of our small school’s financial capacity and bottom line.

Goal 1: Grow Enrollment

Goal 2: Academic Program

Grow enrollment to 300 students, with a balance of 150 boarding students and 150 day students by 2030. Modest growth of our boarding student population will enrich the overall student experience. Additional students will allow for richer classroom discussion, robust athletic teams, populated clubs and activities and an active residential life program.

Advance a distinctive, dynamic and relevant academic program which guides and supports students in discovering their passions, setting ambitious goals and confronting rigorous challenges.

2030 2016 40% boarding

228 total students

50% boarding

300 total students

Strategies: Reaching this goal will require additional residential facilities for students (including a new girls dormitory) and faculty, as well as an increased emphasis on recruitment within domestic markets for residential students.

18

The Magazine

Strategies: Reaching this goal will include creating a school-wide Mission of Academics that unifies our educational vision and emphasizes finding opportunities for crossdisciplinary work. With a commitment to a progressive, college-preparatory academic program that focuses on student-centered, interdisciplinary education, we will explore technology, as well as opportunities for deeper, experiential learning (such as student intersession programs, global studies, culminating projects) that crafts individual pathways for success.

Goal 3: Faculty & Staff Create and sustain a culture of continual professional learning and sharing where all colleagues are inspired, engaged and held accountable for growing their knowledge and advancing their skills as professional educators.

Strategies: Inspiring life-long learners in our faculty will help reinforce the School’s love-for-learning culture. To reach this goal, the School will invest the resources needed (time, space,

Summer / Fall 2016

Inspired Planning: Imagine Solebury budgetary support) to advance the professional growth and development of its faculty and staff. This goal also recognizes that Solebury School must remain thoughtful in providing compensation and benefits for its faculty and staff, ensuring that our employment package allows us to engage and retain stellar mentors, colleagues and educators for every position.

Strategies: Review and expand our residential life program,

Goal 4: Strategic Partnerships

Goal 6: Master Plan

Develop mission-aligned partnerships that strengthen our academic program and assist students and alumni in determining their passions and careers.

Create a physical campus environment that serves all the strategic goals and supports the school’s vision, mission and culture.

ensuring that we have the technology, training, policies and resources to grow. We will develop a life-skills learning program that emphasizes health and wellness, ethical and informed decision-making, independence and community participation.

Strategies: Our corner of Phillips Mill and School

Strategies: This goal supports individuals – students and alumni – as well as the institution as a whole. Within the next year, the school will develop a framework outlining our ideal factors in creating a partnership and who needs to be part of that decision-making process. Strategic partnerships will strengthen and expand our global and community service programs. They will also include opportunities to engage the greater community by tapping the significant talents of our alumni. Potential tactics include: speakers series, onsite art installations/galleries and music events – all that invite friends to campus and that complement our current school calendar.

Goal 5: Residential Life A growing boarding population needs an expanded and comprehensive curriculum for boarding students, one that fosters self-sufficiency, as well as physical and emotional well-being. Solebury School’s residential life program will inspire students as members of a vibrant living and learning community and send them into the world understanding the importance of building and sustaining communities.

Summer / Fall 2016

Lane provides the perfect location for the type of education envisioned by our founders. Our physical plant profile is integrated into the environment, with the goal of incorporating sustainable thinking and practices. Reaching the plan’s goal requires thoughtful attention to long-term planning, both to ensure that the needs of our students, faculty, staff and families are met today and in the future.

By revisiting our campus master plan through the lens of this strategic plan, we will scope and pace the changes needed on our campus, including building new dormitories, renovating existing spaces for optimal usage, improving and expanding faculty housing and creating additional learning and community spaces. The implementation of this plan is anticipated in three phases over the next two decades.

Goal 7: Prosperity The bedrock upon which our vision and all of our goals rests is to ensure Solebury School’s financial sustainability by creating and/or enhancing multiple revenue streams to support all aspects of the strategic plan.

Strategies: Our vision for the future is ambitious and will require significant investments of capital, both human and financial, to be successful. The plan will inform and guide our fundraising efforts, particularly with regard to capital campaigns, and provide the critical resources needed to enrich every aspect of the Solebury School experience. This focus on increased revenue, coupled with sound and forwardthinking financial management, will provide the resources needed for a sustained and thriving Solebury School as we look ahead to our second century.

BY JENNIFER K. BURNS P’19

www.solebury.org

19

Model Students Solebury School’s Model United Nations Club enters its second year after an impressive debut.

By Deb O’Reilly In the spring of 2015, Solebury School’s Model United Nations Club was born out of a discussion with students, as are many great ideas on this campus. Our students wanted an opportunity to practice their speaking and conflict-resolution skills in an experiential format. Model UN fit the bill. As defined by the United Nations Association, it is “an authentic simulation…[one] that introduces students to the world of diplomacy, negotiation and decision making. At Model UN, students step into the shoes of ambassadors of countries that are members of the UN, from Argentina to Zimbabwe.”

When Solebury School’s Model UN Club launched in the fall of 2015, more than 40 students signed up. Advisors Don Kaplan and Dr. Helen Matthews began working with students, teaching them the basics of parliamentary language, negotiation and public speaking. The goal? To participate in the Washington Area Model United Nations Conference (WAMUNC) in Washington, D.C. “Rather than use our pilot year to attend one-day conferences here and there,” said Helen, “we decided to go big and start with WAMUNC.” Students were assigned countries to represent and had to familiarize themselves with that country and its political history, as well as draft potential conflict-resolution ideas. At WAMUNC, our students would assume the role of UN delegates. They, along with students from high schools around the country, would be challenged with international diplomacy simulations. Students would need to be well-versed in their subject material. They would need to network. And they would need to be persuasive.

“Model UN offers students a unique opportunity to gain real-life, 21st century business skills in a culturally and ethnically diverse world,” said Don. “In our prep work, we also focused on things like how to greet people, how to make eye contact, and what it means to show up to a meeting fully prepared.”

Preparation for WAMUNC continued throughout the year, requiring a significant amount of time and effort, in addition to

Model UN advisor Dr. Helen Matthews (far left) with our delegates.

20

The Magazine

our students’ everyday coursework. Unsurprisingly, membership

Summer / Fall 2016

decreased. Solebury School ultimately headed to the WAMUNC conference at the end of March with a group of six delegates: Afrah Boateng ’16, Leah Hunt ’16, Alexandra Morrow ’16, Arabella Taucher ’17, Ben Roxey ’18 and Victor Yu ’18. “It’s amazing, noble in fact, that these kids followed through considering the amount of work on their plates,” said Helen. “For example, Leah’s position paper for her Iranian committee – she put so much work into it, it was flawless. She became that delegate.”

After the first day of the conference, our delegates were energized and excited. “This being our first rodeo and with a small group, we approached WAMUNC as a fact-finding mission; we were there to absorb,” Helen said. “But our students amazed us with how they assimilated immediately.” Students kept up with the conference’s long hours, often collaborating into the night. International crises do not always limit themselves to meeting hours during conferences – as Arabella learned when she woken to triage a crisis and had to present at midnight. (She was excused from her early morning committee the next day.)

It proved to be an exhausting four days but a hugely rewarding, cooperative learning experience. One decidedly “Solebury” moment? When Ben Roxey marveled to Helen and Don that some delegates seemed only to want to “win” and get people to agree with them, rather than to actually resolve the conflict at hand. “You definitely had to learn to work with all different types of people. It was intense, because you also had to speak in front of a large audience. There were maybe 150 people in my room,” Ben told us.

“There’s a difference between gaining support and being the loudest voice in the room. Our kids understood that,” said Don. In between sessions, students got to sit in on lectures from international relations professionals. Our group also managed to squeeze in a six-mile walk of the National Mall and its monuments, complete with cherry blossoms at their peak.

Top: From left, Leah Hunt ’16, Afrah Boateng ’16 and Alexandra Morrow ’16 taking in D.C. between sessions. Bottom: From left, Model UN advisor Don Kaplan, Ben Roxey ’18, speaker Dr. Celia Realuyo and Victor Yu ’18. Dr. Realuyo is a professor and former U.S. diplomat; she gave a lecture on ISIL during the conference.

One decidedly “Solebury” moment? When Ben Roxey ’18 marveled that some delegates seemed only to want to “win” and get people to agree with them, rather than to actually resolve the conflict at hand.

This year, Solebury School’s Model UN Club will focus on building skills and membership by participating in local day conferences, such as the Bucks County Intergenerational Model UN in April 2017.

Arabella Taucher ’17 speaks to her small crisis committee.

For Model UN updates and to view more photos from their time in Washington, D.C., visit www.facebook.com/SoleburySchoolModelUN.

Special thanks to Solebury School’s Home & School Association for helping to fund the trip to WAMUNC.

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

21

20 16 Reunion

Solebury School

Weekend

This year, alumni from as far away as California, Washington state, Florida and even Spain came back to the Solebury School campus for a weekend of reminiscing and reconnecting. The weekend kicked off on Friday night with cocktails at the Hotel du Village, the original site of the Holmquist School for Girls and the venue for the following night’s spring dinner auction, Havana Nights (see page 25).

THIS PAGE: Alumni from the Class of 1996, including former French teacher Michelle Emery (far left), who drove down from Vermont to see her students!

Middle: Dan Cohen ‘63 with his wife Patricia.

Bottom: David Sterns ‘89 (left) with Matt Wahrhaftig ‘89 (right).

22

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2016

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Head of School Tom Wilschutz with Annsi Stephano ’58 P’77 ’78 ’81 and Jean Tappan Shaw ’53; former Head of School John Brown ‘67 P’95 ‘98 and Leslie Rubin Perlsweig ‘73 P’03; Jeremy Fergusson ’63 with his wife Holly; Annsi with Mike Sienkiewicz ’56 and Dan Anthonisen ’88 (center).

On Saturday morning, alumni joined Head of School Tom Wilschutz in the Memorial Garden to honor members of our

This year, we remembered:

community who are no longer with us. The Memorial Garden

Holmquist School

was established in 2005 by family and friends to honor the memory of Stephen Mueller ’55 and Philip Guthrie ’69.

Adele Farlee Hantin ’46 Susanne Elsaesser Lassen ’33 Selma Waxman Widem ’47

Solebury School John Bauhan ’49 William Kershaw, Jr. ’41 Greg Kyde ’79 Josh Lomas ’16 Nicole Hahn Fischer Rafter ’57

Former Faculty Pat Berg

Relatives and Friends of Solebury School Afterward, alumni, friends and families had lunch in the dining hall before heading to the John D. Brown Athletic Center to

Jean Bridgers P’14 Jane and Ian McNeill P ’00

watch our Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony (see page 28).

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

23

Reunion Weekend 2016

Clouds rolled in that afternoon but in no way put a damper on our festive Burger and Beer Bash. John Petito ’96 and Lana Whitehead ’96, who helped organize their 20th reunion, served as grill masters.

Shoutouts to John, Lana and Dominique Wiggins ’11 for spearheading efforts to grow the Page and Otto Marx Jr. Foundation Scholarship endowed fund, which was a huge success. This fund provides tuition assistance for students of color with demonstrated financial need.

The party reconvened that night at our spring dinner auction. Brunch in the dining hall that Sunday morning closed out a fun and memorable weekend.

If you’re interested in donating to the Page and Otto Marx Jr. Foundation Scholarship Fund, or hearing about our other endowed funds, please contact Director of Alumni Relations and Gift Planning Renee LaPorte at rlaporte@solebury.org or 215.862.5261.

Top left: Grillmaster Lana Whitehead ’96 Top right: Athletic Director Rob Eichem P’18 with Phil Walker ’11 and Director of Admission Scott Eckstein Middle left: John Petito ’96 serves it up. Middle right: Meera Downs ’08 (left) with Anna Franzini ’08 Bottom: Courtney Lok ’10, Social Studies Department Head Peter Ammirati ’82, Dominique Wiggins ’11 and Julia Oppong ’11.

SAVE THE DATE for next year’s Reunion Weekend, May 5 – 7, 2017.

By DEB O’REILLY PHOTOS BY KEVIN COOK

24

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2016

Reunion Weekend 2016

Havana Nights

By DEB O’REILLY PHOTOS BY KEVIN COOK

Our annual spring dinner auction is Solebury School’s largest fundraiser, and this year, a buzz of anticipation grew in the weeks leading up to it. The reason? An exciting change of venue.

Formerly held in the John D. Brown

more than $138,000, one of our largest

Athletic Center on campus, the

sums ever.

auction moved down the road to the

“We could not have done it without

Hotel du Village, the original site of the Holmquist School for Girls (which merged with Solebury School in 1949) and now a gorgeously remodeled event space. The night was a tremendous success. The room was a bidding

the generosity of those who purchased tickets and bid on items – or those who logged countless hours volunteering, especially our fabulous and energetic auction co-chairs, Robin Sherman and Sue Cooper,” said Donna Cosgrove

blur with our community of parents,

P’16, former president of the Home

faculty, alumni and friends of the

and School Association which runs the

school lifting their paddles to raise

event each year. “Robin and Sue truly

created an event to remember, and we were absolutely thrilled with the results.

It was heartwarming to experience the generosity of the Solebury community, all together in one room, supporting our great school.”

The funds raised have already been put to good use in a myriad of ways, from bolstering scholarships and improving faculty facilities to funding renowned speaker events and upgrading technology in our Visual Arts program.

As the auction also supports the Annual Fund, every aspect of Solebury School benefits from the auction.

The Above and Beyond Endowed Award FOR FACULTY AND STAFF Included in the total raised at the auction was $67,000 for this year’s special appeal, which supported the Above the Beyond Award. Created by the Home and School Association during the 2014-2015 school year, the award honors the faculty or staff member who has truly exceeded the expectations of their position – even

by Solebury’s high standards. The special appeal helped grow the award, ensuring that it will inspire our educators for generations to come. In June 2016, Head of School Tom Wilschutz presented the award to Assistant Director of Admission Janice Poinsett P’99 ’01, who retired that month after 28 years with Solebury School, as well as music teacher Cathy Block P’14. See page 4 to get to know Cathy.

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

25

Reunion Weekend 2016

Many thanks to our auction sponsors Platinum ADVERTISERS Princeton Brain and Spinal Care, LLC The First National Bank of Newtown

Platinum SPONSORS Hongwei and Di Li ’19 Te-Shou Lin and Li-Chun Yu P’14 ’16 Guoping Yin and Jiehua Tang P’18

Gold SPONSORS Daniel Arnold and Linda Chaille-Arnold P’20 Jeff Benolil and Amy Branch P’18

Silver ADVERTISERS Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin and Schiller Luciano Sturla and Sandra Nazzaro-Sturla P’20

Silver SPONSORS Annsi Stephano ’58 P’77 ’78 ’81 Yi Shi and Lan Luo P’19

Bronze SPONSORS Alan and Karen Sheriff P’08 ’16

Patron Brad Acopulos ’76 Carolyn and Martin Dorph P’15 Heather and Dan Goodman P’18 ’21 Jeffrey Brian Loomer, MD ’76 Bob Stockton ’58 Top: Tia and Robert Cavallaro P’20 SECOND FROM TOP: Jean Tappan Shaw ’53 SECOND FROM BOTTOM: Just a few of the bottles from the Solebury School Wine Cellar, a wildly popular item from our live auction.

BOTTOM: Dick Moss ’48 (left) with Mike Sienkiewicz ’56

Save the Date for this year’s

auction on Friday, May 5, 2017!

26

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2016

From top left, clockwise: Teachers Dan Perez and Dr. Jen Perez; Tom and Rebecca Wilschutz; Karen and Mikel Waldon P’19; students creating artwork for the auction; Michelle and Audi Peale P’18; our auctioneer assisted by Carol Wright ’16; and Pam and Chuck Thompson P’20.

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

27

Reunion Weekend 2016

Solebury School

2016 Athletic Hall of Fame Each year, Solebury School recognizes and honors student-athletes, exceptional teams, coaches and other members of our community who have made outstanding contributions to its athletic program.

This year, we inducted the following alumni into the Athletic Hall of Fame:

Mellisa Brozena Prester ’01 Jermaine Gillard ’96 Keith Pinckney ’87 In addition, Solebury School awarded its first Distinguished Alumni Award for Athletics, recognizing achievement in athletics by our alumni outside of their time at Solebury School and honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to athletics. The award was presented to:

Dick Moss ’48 Honorees Jermaine, Keith and Mellisa were all standouts on the basketball court during their respective careers at Solebury School – each also excelled in other sports, such as soccer and track and field. Dick Moss was described as “one of the innovators of baseball’s salary arbitration system,”

by Director of Athletics Rob Eichem at the ceremony.

Dick’s ground-breaking work in the 1970s as a sports lawyer created free agency for professional baseball players who, until then, were notoriously under-served, retiring with little to nothing. Dick represented more than 250 major league players, negotiating the first million-dollar-per-year contract in professional team sports for Nolan Ryan in 1979. A Harvard law grad, Dick is a member of the Board of Directors for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Sports Lawyers’ Association and is an honorary member of the Board of Trustees of Solebury School.

“Thank you, Solebury School, for inviting me back to where so many memories were made at a place that helped mold me into the woman I’ve become.” –Mellisa Prozena ’01

Watch highlights from the ceremony at www.solebury.org/athleticHOF.

Top: Athletic Director Rob Eichem P’18 with Dick Moss ’48 (center) and Head of School Tom Wilschutz Middle left: Keith Pinckney ’87 with his wife, Ladonna. Middle right: Mellisa Brozena Prester ’01 Bottom: Jermaine Gillard ’96 (left) with John Petito ’96.

28

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2016

Thank you to the individuals who nominated this year’s recipients and to the Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

2017 Nominations Nominations for our 2017 Hall of Fame can be made by completing the online nomination form at solebury.org/athleticHOF, or by mailing a printed and completed form to Rob Eichem, Director of Athletics, Solebury School, 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA, 18938. The deadline for submitting nominations is December 15, 2016.

Top, from left: Dashawn Hendricks ’11, Lana Whitehead ’96, John Petito ’96.

Middle: Peter Ammirati ’82 with Jermaine Gillard ’96. Bottom, from left: Dave Cane ’86, Navarrow Wright ’88 P’16 ’19, Bic Hendricks ’87 P’11, Candido Rivera ’88 (front) and Keith Pinckney ’87.

By DEB O’REILLY PHOTOS BY KEVIN COOK

“If it wasn’t for Cleve Christie, if it wasn’t for John Brown, seeing the potential in me, this wouldn’t have been possible.”

–Jermaine Gillard ’96

“We had an unbelievable run for three years... I think we went 56 or 58 and 6... They started writing articles about how good we were, and then folks would see us and say, ‘Hey, they only have seven players!’” –Keith Pinckney ’87

Summer / Fall 2016

www.solebury.org

29

Leadership

Solebury School Welcomes

Five New Members to Our Board of Trustees

BY JENNIFER K. BURNS P’19

Our volunteer trustees play a critical role at Solebury School, meeting multiple times throughout the year to strategize around the future of our school. Last year’s Board of Trustees devoted countless hours to the development of our Strategic Plan (see page 16).

We’d like to offer them a sincere thank you for their time, expertise and leadership.

Andrew Gespass ’73 rejoins the board this year, having formerly served from 1997-2003. He brings vast expertise as an attorney specializing in estate and trust law, tax and business succession planning, estate and trust administration, charitable gift planning, and fiduciary litigation. Andy is a graduate (phi beta kappa) of Kenyon College and Columbia Law. He’s a partner at K&L Gates LLP. Andy is also a former adjunct professor at Duquesne University School of Law, where he taught estate planning. He is a fellow with The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Andy and his wife, Debbie, live in Pittsburgh, PA, and have three children, Daniel, Katy and Samuel.

Patrick Hernandez ’95 is a Managing Law Clerk in Palo Alto, CA. While a student at Solebury, Patrick accrued both academic and athletic accolades, playing basketball and track and field and winning the Frank Ammirati Outstanding Senior Athlete Award as a senior. Patrick attended Columbia University, where he continued to play basketball. “The memories, the platform this place created for me, it’s hard to put in words,” Patrick said while being inducted into Solebury School’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.

“The trajectory that [Solebury School] put me on led me where I am today.” Patrick and his wife Jennifer Choy live in Mountain View, CA, with their daughter, Hammy.

Whitney Parker-Klimpel P’06 ’09 has been more than a familiar face around campus for the last 14 years – she’s been a dedicated champion of our school in a myriad of ways.

She has served as president of Solebury School’s Home & School Association, she’s been a co-chair of our spring dinner auction, she’s worked at the front desk answering phones and helping our Admissions department and has even worked part-time for the Advancement Department. Whitney has also been on several committees, including the most recent head search committee, she

30

The Magazine

has shared her time and talents helping to beautify our campus for Commencement, Parents’ Day, Open House and other events, and she has even taken classes at Solebury. Whitney graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor’s degree in Education and Psychology. Whitney lives in Pittstown, NJ, but regularly spends time in the San Juan Islands of Washington State, where she harvests apples annually for her famous canned applesauce. Whitney and her husband Ken have two sons, Andrew Parker-Klimpel ’06 and Spencer Parker-Klimpel who attended Solebury from ’08-’12, and daughter Morgan Parker-Klimpel ’09.

Elizabeth Wavle P’11 brings a host of management and leadership expertise to the Board of Trustees. She currently consults with healthcare companies, and is the lead director of the Board of Directors of Principal Financial Group, Inc. and also serves on the Board of Anthem, Inc., Meredith Inc., and Qiagen Inc. Liz served as a principal of Hunter Partners, LLC, a management company for the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical industry, from 2002 until February 2015. She has been President and CEO of Transcell Technologies Inc., President of Centocor Pharmaceuticals, a member of the Parke-Davis Executive Committee and Director of Worldwide Strategic Planning for Warner-Lambert Company. Liz was also a founding board member of the Biotechnology Council of New Jersey. She graduated from Nottingham University, England, with dual bachelor’s degrees with honors in mathematics and economics. Liz served on Solebury School’s Board of Trustees previously, from 2009-2015. She and her husband, Jim, live in Moultonborough, NH, and are parents to Christopher Wavle ’11.

Brett Webber ’85 rejoins the board this year, having previously served from 2009-2015. Brett is President and Founder of Brett Webber Architects, PC and leads architectural and interior design projects for clients throughout the Philadelphia-New York metropolitan area and across the country. He is active in a number of local organizations and lives in a historic farmhouse in Erwinna, PA, with his partner, Sandra Dillon. Brett also recently spoke to us about one of his favorite Solebury School teachers, Mariella Sundstrom (see page 5).

Barbara Fordyce P’07 ’13, John Petito P’96 ’03 and Mike Sienkiewicz ’56 completed their terms of Board service in May 2016, and we offer them a sincere thank you for their dedication to Solebury School!

Summer / Fall 2016

A l u m ni N e ws a nd C l a ss N ot e s

Alma’s Update Submit a Class note Mail: Solebury School Attn: Alumni Office 6832 Phillips Mill Road New Hope, PA 18938-9682

reports that there is quite a bit about Solebury

kids and three grandchildren. Yoav blogs at

in the book, as our campus is where she met

jerusalemheart.wordpress.com.

her first husband, James Macarthur ’56.

Class of 1959

Filming has begun on a documentary on George Nakashima Woodworker, the father

E-Mail:

(and family business of) Mira Nakashima

alumni@solebury.org

and Kevin Nakashima ’73. Called “Collecting

Class Notes are edited for length and clarity.

George Nakashima,” the film is supported

by Rago Auctions in Lambertville, NJ. It will examine the market response to and the aesthetic of Nakashima’s work since his

Class of 1938

Everett Morse regrets not being able to attend Reunion Weekend last spring but shares that he’s still going strong at 98. He

emergence in the 1950s.

Class of 1962

his wife, children and grandchildren.

Class of 1952

Malcolm “Skip” Drezner writes that after Solebury he attended Tufts University, despite He later graduated medical school, then did a postgrad study to become qualified as a general surgeon. Skip served as a Lt. Commander with the US Marines in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 and received several honors, including the Presidential Award by President Johnson.

Peggy Johnson was honored to see Margaret Hawthorn at the premiere

continues to volunteer and spend time with

receiving three football scholarships elsewhere.

Class of 1965

of “Requiem: Learning to Fall,” which featured poems written by Peggy and is Pat Dale visited

based on Philip Simmons’ book, Learning

Alexa Shaw

to Fall: The Blessings of an Imperfect Life.

McDonough

The Manchester Choral Society, along with

(pictured) at her

an orchestra, premiered this celebration of

condo in Halifax,

life in New Hampshire’s beautiful Ste. Marie

Nova Scotia, last

church. Peggy continues to write daily. Mary

December. The two

Azarian illustrated her work, Anything Out

were roommates

of Wood, produced in a very limited edition.

as seniors at Solebury. They reconnected through the loss of a dear mutual friend.

Shown below: Peggy’s grandchildren, Charlie at one month and sister Louisa Wood at 2.

Despite the occasion, they were thrilled to find each other after so many years.

Class of 1964

After the war, he returned to Bucks County and

Yoav (Bo) Peck is the director of Jerusalem’s

the medical profession, cofounding St. Mary’s

Sulha Peace Project, which works to bring

Hospital. Skip retired to Key West, FL, in 1996

Palestinians and Israelis together for

and now works as a playwright. He credits all

person-to-person reconciliation. He helps

of his successes to Solebury School.

lead an initiative called “Beyond Persuasion” for training peace activists in the art of

Class of 1969

Class of 1956

influencing the public in nonescalating ways.

Joyce Bulifant just completed her book,

the public sector. Slowing down a bit, he

of working with children, ages two through

“Life With My Four Hollywood Husbands” and

stills enjoys running and chopping wood in

teens, in various settings. She now enjoys

is currently searching for a publisher. Joyce

the Jerusalem forest, and celebrating his

volunteering.

Summer / Fall 2016

He is also an organizational consultant in

Mary Hulse Garvin retired after 20 years

www.solebury.org

31

Alma’s Update

Class of 1977

Max Hansen plans to open a 25,000 square foot farmhouse catering venue in Princeton, NJ, in the summer of 2017. The venue will host weddings, corporate events and other catered gatherings. Max operates Max &

transition of the next President, Secretary

environmental management. She also

of Transportation, and the agency’s

received a Fulbright Scholarship to

administrator when they take office.

continue her studies in Spain next year at the IE Business School in Madrid.

Class of 1999

David Shrank founded Empowerment

Me Catering, Max Hansen Caterer, and the

Behavioral Therapeutic Services as a way

Max Hansen Carversville Grocery in Bucks

to change mental health and improve how

County, PA.

various mental/behavioral health issues are handled. He is also a clinical supervisor of

Class of 1979

a diagnostic assessment program agency in

NC, whose goal is to preserve the quality of life,

Class of 2001

Fred Royal is a town engineer in Pittsboro, the environment, natural habitats and water quality. He is currently working to prevent the redevelopment of 8,000 acres of land.

Washington, DC.

Metalworker and artist John T. Howell creates artful metal installations from his North Philadelphia studio. His work has been commissioned by various

Class of 1981

Julia-Ann Silberman-Bunn has been a hospice chaplain for nearly a year. After almost 25 years of serving Unitarian Universalist congregations, she has found a ministry that feeds and inspires her soul. She was recently

Class of 2008

Mike Bardi is the cofounder of Project Toe, an app to help those going through life’s struggles, and is the author of “The Word Toe: How One Word is Redefining Mental Health.”

In a recent TEDx Talk hosted by Solebury School, Mike shared his vision for improving mental health by empowering people to help one another cope with life challenges such as depression, addictions, and illness. He called it “social therapy” – the idea that we can leverage both technology and our personal struggles to help those currently working through similar experiences.*

establishments around Philly, but John has also been a lead fabricator for the Superbowl and helped revamp a popular music venue in New York City. John shares his work on Instagram @johnthowell.

Class of 2009

Technical analyst Anders Simpson-Wolf also presented at Solebury School’s TEDx conference defining what “big data” is – how corporate America studies your behavior

selected as the employee of the quarter.

online and how they use this information.*

Class of 1995

Valerie Minakawa-Parker recently moved

Class of 2011

to the Bay Area, south of San Francisco, to

Brett Marco Glauser performed in “Cats” on

teach Japanese at The Nueva School.

the Royal Caribbean

Class of 2005

cruise ship, Oasis of the

Steve Higgins

Noah Lyons received a master’s degree in art

October. “The job is hard

and his wife,

and religion from the Graduate Theological

work, and working on a

Erin, recently

Union. His thesis, defended and accepted with

ship is a crazy experience

had a baby

honors, was entitled “Prism, Mirror, Lens:

in and of itself, but the

girl named

Negotiating Religion, Apocalypse, and Science

rewards are enormous,” he

Adeline.

Fiction in Samuel R. Delany’s Dhalgren.”

told us. “I get to travel and

Steve was also

It explores how language and images of

make friends from all over

promoted to a

apocalypse in Dhalgren act as disruptions and

the world, all while doing

new position

reconfigurations to the novel’s form, and its

what I love. I feel very lucky

in the U.S.

reoccurring ends. Noah works at a bookstore

to have this job.”

DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety

and is applying to English doctoral programs.

Administration. He will be moving to

He misses Solebury very much.

Class of 1997

coordinate and promote the agency’s

Julia Oppong presented at Solebury’s Tedx conference last spring. Julia’s talk,

the Office of Government Policy, Affairs, and Strategic Planning, where he will

Seas, through the end of

Class of 2006

“The Power of an Open Mind,” discussed the importance of cultural competency

efforts with the legislative branch and other

Tristanne Davis received her master’s

and service, and the openmindedness and

federal agencies, including working on the

degree from Yale University in

humility necessary to make change.*

32

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2016

Alma’s Update

Class of 2012

Jamal Corbin was commissioned from McDaniel College this past spring. He earned his bachelor’s degree in communications while completing his Cadet Initial Entry Training (CIET) in Fort Knox, KY. Jamal branched into Field Artillery in the U.S. Army and will attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course in Fort Sill, OK.

Class of 2013

Claire Batchelder studied art at the Marchutz School of Fine Arts in Aix-enProvence, France, during the fall 2015 and summer 2016 semesters. She plans to finish her undergraduate degree there. She is getting certified to teach English and will work in Asia after she graduates, where she would like to aid refugees fleeing the Middle East. She has also pursued band photography and has done work for groups like Mumford & Sons and The Flaming Lips. Claire is also developing her skills in wildlife and journalism photography.

In her Solebury School TEDx Talk, “Learning ‘Learning’: Understanding and Accepting Learning,” Meredith Agran shared her personal challenges in accepting her learning differences to help validate viewers’ own experiences with different learning styles.* Riley Brady ran the Vermont 100 Mile Endurance Run this summer, completing 100 miles of running in roughly 24 continuous, relentless hours. Riley started at 4am and

the Bonner Leadership Service Corps, which requires 300 hours of community service. She volunteers at the Chester Boys & Girls Club, the Widener University Childhood Development Center and Stetser Elementary School. Most recently, Veronica spent July 2016 in Pejeng, Indonesia, teaching English to young children. She is double majoring in Middle Years Education and Criminal Justice at Widener.

Class of 2015

Zonia Rueda participated in a research program at Ursinus College called Fellowships in the Ursinus Transition to an Undergraduate Research Experience (FUTURE) Program.

It provides research opportunities to students traditionally underserved in the sciences and mathematics, including students from minority groups, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, and women in science and mathematics. During the program, Zonia learned proper cell culture techniques including monitoring cell growth. Zonia has been accepted into the first annual Penn Honors (PHD) Symposium at the University of Pennsylvania.

* View all four of our alumni Tedx Talks at www.youtube.com/SoleburySchoolUWatch.

Weddings Class of 2005 Meredith Bostock married Emily Busik on April 30, 2016.

completed the run around 5am the next day.

Class of 2014

During a gap year, Veronica Fitton joined City Year Philadelphia, an affiliate of AmeriCorps, as a teacher’s assistant.

She worked with 6th graders and ran the afterschool program. Thanks to her exemplary service, she was asked to be the keynote speaker at their annual fundraising dinner. Veronica started Widener University last fall, where she was accepted into

Class of 2011

Phil Walker married his college sweetheart Annie Hudson this spring. Phil also graduated

from Morehouse College this year and will enroll in Wright State University’s Boonshoft School of Medicine to study neuroscience.

DEATHS

Maureen Ammirati A former Solebury School nurse and wife of the late Frank Ammirati (a Solebury teacher), Maureen Ammirati passed away on July 2, 2016, at the age of 86 after a brief illness. Born in Manhattan, she was educated at Mount St. Vincent College where she earned her RN degree. She later got a master’s degree in school nursing and worked in the field for many years. Maureen lived in Solebury Township for 63 years and was a devoted member of the St. Martin’s Catholic Church, volunteering and contributing to many causes and programs. Maureen greatly enjoyed living in the area and could often be seen browsing the bookshelves at Farley’s, picking up peaches at Manoff’s Orchard, strolling the Stockton Bridge, and savoring a softserve at Dilly’s. Maureen is survived by her brother; her adoring children – The Great Eight (Michael Ammirati ’73, Mary Lanaras ’74, Katie Ammirati, Teresa Ammirati ’77, Joseph Ammirati ’79, Margaret Ammirati ’81, Peter Ammirati ’82, and Helen Maxwell ’86) – 13 grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren.

She will be missed.

Lilla Giambra Smerkanich Former teacher Lilla Giambra Smerkanich of Doylestown, PA, passed away peacefully at her residence on Sunday, July 10, 2016.

She was 59. Born in San Cataldo, Italy, Lilla immigrated with her family to the United States in 1968 and grew up in New York City.

She was a graduate of Monsignor Scanlon High School in Bronx, N,Y and received both a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in International Relations from Fordham University in New York.

When her children were born, Lilla became a devoted mother and homemaker. She moved with her family from New York City to Crotonon-Hudson, NY, and finally to Doylestown in 1990. After raising her children, Lilla became a teacher at the Solebury School. She was the beloved wife of 35 years to Matthew Smerkanich and devoted mother to Lauren Smerkanich ’04 and husband Kevin Rice, and Nick Smerkanich, ’08.

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Bellmawr, NJ Permit No. 280

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

Save The Date

Young Alumni Day................................................................ January 3 Into the Woods Musical........................................ February 16-19 Winter Concert............................................................... February 24 Reunion Weekend......................................................................May 5-7

For all events, please visit solebury.org.