Solebury School Magazine Winter / Spring 2019

RETRACING WASHINGTON’S STEPS Our American Studies class stepped back into history for a lesson on the Revolutionary War. pg. 12 >

WINTER / SPRING 2019

STEM WEEK This year, a tiny sustainable house made a big impression on campus. pg. 16 >

REUNION WEEKEND 2019 Come home to Solebury School from May 3-5, 2019! pg. 22>

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2018-2019 Scott Bolenbaugh P’09 Chairman Dan Cohen ’63 Vice Chairman Elizabeth Wavle P’11 Treasurer Joan Reinthaler ’53 Secretary Jay Abbe ’59 Bette Jane “BJ” Booth P’11 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 Mandy Mundy Whitney Parker-Klimpel P’06 ’09 ’14 Bill Penney ’67 P’06 Josh Perlsweig ’03 John Petito P’96 ’03 Sonya Sappington P’15 Derek Warden ’79 Brett Webber ’85 P’20 Ellen Westheimer ’63 Navarrow Wright ’88 P’16

HEAD OF SCHOOL Thomas G. Wilschutz

HONORARY TRUSTEES Chris Chandor ’60 P’86 Alan Donley ’55 Betsy Bidelman Meredith ’54 P’81 Richard Moss ’48 Eric Shaw ’55 Jean Tappan Shaw ’53

COVER: A tiny, off-grid house moved onto campus for STEM Week this year, offering an inspirational example of sustainable living. Photo courtesy of Melissa Matarese of mesalifestyle.com and minimustinyhouse.com.

THIS PAGE: Perry Udahemuka ’19 won the Young Citizens Award for his outstanding commitment to principles and service, given by the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce. Perry, a Solebury School student from Rwanda, is working on raising awareness about the global refugee crisis, among other endeavors.

WINTER / SPRING 2019

CONTENTS

SOLEBURY SCHOOL WINTER/SPRING MAGAZINE

Editor Jennifer K. Burns P’19 Assistant Head of School: Advancement and External Affairs

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

Contributing Editor Holly Victor ’89 Assistant Director of Advancement

Design and Production Proof Design

FEATURES Please send change of address to:

SOLEBURY SCHOOL 6832 Phillips Mill Road

12 Retracing Washington’s Steps

New Hope, PA 18938 Phone: 215-862-5261 Fax: 215-862-3366 Email: alumni@solebury.org

For a lesson on the Revolutionary War, Solebury’s American Studies students became tourists in our own backyard.

14 Improve Your Playlist, the Solebury Way

© Copyright 2019 Solebury School

Two student musicians (with one alumnus) released albums this school year.

CONNECT WITH SOLEBURY SCHOOL

16 STEM Week

FACEBOOK Facebook.com/SoleburySchool1925 TWITTER twitter.com/SoleburySchool YOUTUBE youtube.com/SoleburySchoolUWatch

An incredible week of learning hosted by our math and science departments.

22 Reunion Weekend 2019

Get the schedule of events we’ve planned for May 3-5, including our auction on Friday, May 3.

Bring your loved ones and join us!

INSTAGRAM @soleburyschool

www.solebury.org

DEPARTMENTS 2 A NOTE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL A message from Tom Wilschutz

9 A LOOK BACK

Remembering Robert Frost’s visit to Solebury School in 1959.

27

ALMA’S UPDATE

Catch up on alumni news

A NOTE FROM TOM WILSCHUTZ

HEAD OF SCHOOL Solebury has never been swept up in this thinking, for two reasons I believe.

The first, and primary, reason: we have been clear since our founding that the ingredient that makes a Solebury education special is the magic that happens between a teacher and student for learning, not the various bells and whistles that adorn the space or bejewel the structure that the classroom is housed in. Our investment is directed to our faculty and staff, and to building and sustaining our culture. The second reason we have avoided this tactic, though not the driver, but still important: Solebury School has always found itself on the less wealthy side of the ledger. If we wanted to compete in this buildings arms race, we couldn’t without risking the financial health of the institution. Which brings us to this moment...

Tom with Debby Qu ’19 at the Senior Class and Board of Trustees Dinner in January. Tom had just awarded Debby the prestigious Arthur H. Washburn Academic Award for Science. See page 11 for more on the dinner and other award winners.

Space.

One of the characteristics that drew me to Solebury is that we know who we are, a quality that I have appreciated more and more with each passing year.

This clarity of vision can be useful in many ways, but in this moment I am thinking specifically about our physical plant. Many independent schools (and many, many colleges) have engaged in the equivalent of an arms race around the construction of new buildings over the past few decades. The goal — to build bigger, better, ever-

Space is highly coveted at Solebury School. I think we utilize every inch of space on the Solebury campus, and we are constantly thinking about how we can use/repurpose space to maximize our efficiency so we best support the program and the education of our students. So...when I announced that Solebury would close its Middle School at the end of this school year, a line immediately began forming outside my office door of people coveting the soonto-be-available space that has served as the Middle School Lounge and offices for the Middle School Director.

more-impressive structures. This arms race has been spurred by twin propellers: the

It quickly became apparent there were

belief that new and expensive facilities will improve the education we seek to deliver

many (many) good ideas — far more

to our students, and these new and sparkling facilities will play a critical role in the

than we can satisfy. During the fall

decision of prospective families to enroll at their respective institutions.

trimester, I emailed our community

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WINTER / SPRING 2019

and requested that those interested in repurposing this space prepare a proposal describing their goals/ideas and a cost estimate if repurposing entailed construction and/or equipment.

When the deadline passed, I had received a total of seven proposals, all with merit, each advancing the proverbial ball in some material way to continuously improve the education and service we provide to our students and families. The senior staff and I weighed the merits of the various proposals, the costs and benefits of each, the short and long term consequences of the possible

Space is highly coveted at Solebury School.

I think we utilize every inch of space on the Solebury campus, and we are constantly thinking about how we can use/repurpose space to maximize our efficiency so we best support the program and the education of our students.

outcomes given that we find ourselves at the leading edge of the master plan (more on that multi-decade look at our

Our goal is to offer all Solebury

If I reflect on the 11 years I’ve had the

campus in the next issue!) with the goal

students the opportunity to explore

opportunity to lead Solebury School,

to not spend resources twice. These

deeply their passions and interests,

one of the achievements I take the

deliberations gradually pared the list of

whatever they might be. Further

most pride in is the evolution and

seven proposals to two. With the strong

investment in science and technology,

likelihood that any further discussion

with the addition of dedicated space,

would not deliver consensus, it was

resources, and personnel, will be a

time for a decision.

significant step forward for these

enhancement of our academic program.

Curricular additions/enhancements have happened in virtually every academic arena, and this investment of

facets of our program.

space and resource will continue this

community that the Middle School

Reshaping spaces on campus takes a

Lounge would be repurposed to better

little time — we anticipate that we’ll

program, better preparing our students

support our burgeoning curriculum

have this space up and running in time

in science, math, computer science,

for the 2019-20 school year — and a

engineering, and robotics. More of

little money. That’s where you come

our students are taking these courses,

in. This year’s Auction Special Appeal

and they are asking for more courses

will take on the challenge of raising the

and uniquely Solebury, for our students

added to the curriculum, especially

critical dollars that we need to make

and their teachers.

in computer science, robotics, and

this space incredible for our students.

engineering. As I write this article, we

The repurposing of this space will entail

are shaping just what this space will

internal construction, some external

evolve into, working closely with our

facelift, and the purchase of equipment

Science Department Head, Cari Nelson,

— more resources than the operating

and Engineering/Robotics teacher, Dan

budget can bear, but a perfect candidate

Perez. We also envision some curricular

for the special appeal. See pages 24 and

enhancement, including the addition

25 for more information on the appeal

of computer science and programming

and our May 3rd auction, Friday Night

courses in the coming years.

Fever: A Disco Party.

In late January, I announced to the

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long trend of enriching our academic for their next educational experience, and for the rich, full journey of life we hope for each. I hope you look forward, with me, to watching as this space evolves into something quite special,

Coming in the next issue of Solebury: The Magazine, out this fall: An update on the School’s master plan.

WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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BEYOND THE BOOKS

SOLEBURY SHARES BOARDING LIFE EXPERTISE AT TABS CONFERENCE This November, Solebury School’s Shawn Wright and Jordan Reed traveled to Washington, DC to speak at the annual TABS (The Association of Boarding Schools) Conference.

from our Stars and Strikes program (designed to inspire good behavior and character development) to our Tuesday Night Programming, which features life lessons on everything from money

BY DEB O’REILLY

management to sex education. An August

The annual TABS conference is a

At the conference, Shawn and Jordan

renowned source of professional

illustrated the programming and

development for boarding school

bond and prepare for the year ahead.

traditions, large and small, that have

administrators, faculty, and staff. This

The much-loved Walter Lamb Foosball

made Solebury School’s residential life

League helps beat the winter blues every

program successful. “A lot of hard work

January and February with a friendly but

went into making our program something

fierce competition, and the Recycled Boat

that other schools recognize and want to

Flotilla in early June helps our boarding

emulate,” said Jordan. “It was great to

students blow off steam from exams

share our story and talk about where we

and celebrate the end of the year. At our

are today, with an excellent residential

annual Stars Auction each May, students

life program that has many cherished

use the stars earned all year for good

traditions but always with an eye to

deeds to bid on gifts or experiences that

the future.”

teachers and staff readily donate.

Dorm for five years; Jordan was the head

Shawn and Jordan shared examples

From one-off events to larger, more

of Walter Lamb Hall for four years.

of programs launched in recent years,

systematic programming, every detail

year, Solebury School’s Shawn Wright and Jordan Reed were invited to present on Solebury’s robust residential life program.

Shawn currently oversees study hall for Solebury’s boarding program, and she is the Theater Department Head and Director of Advisory. Jordan is a dorm parent in Walter Lamb Hall, Assistant Director of Admission, and teaches science. Shawn was the head of Holmquist

retreat for our dorm proctors helps them

of residential life at Solebury School

“It was great to share our story and talk about where we are today, with an excellent residential life program that has many cherished traditions but always with an eye to the future.”

—Jordan Reed, Assistant Director of Admission

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was thoughtfully created to offer our boarding students the best experience possible. “Families want a boarding program that not only cares for and supports their child, but one that teaches them and gives them a true feeling of home, one that adds value to their high school experience,” Jordan added.

“This is what Solebury has to offer.”

WINTER / SPRING 2019

BEYOND THE BOOKS

Solebury School Welcomes Kristy Raska, HEAD OF THE LEARNING SKILLS DEPARTMENT Bringing years of expertise and a fresh energy, Kristy steps into a critical role.

BY MICKI McMILLAN

For decades, Solebury School’s Learning Skills department has offered transformational experiences to students with learning differences, helping them achieve academic success while navigating a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum. The program was founded in the mid 1980s by former teacher Tom Unger, under the late Head of School Bruce Bergquist; for the last 20 years, it was led by Tom Rondeau until he retired in June 2018. At this moment of transition, the new head of the department would need to ably manage the different needs of today’s students — as compared to the students of 25, 10, or even just five years ago — with modern life and all of its distractions competing for their time and attention. So, who to oversee Solebury’s Learning Skills Department?

Enter Kristy Raska. Arriving at Solebury School last summer, Kristy brings more than 16 years of experience as a learning specialist, the last 10 of those spent developing the program and serving as Director of Learning Support at Poly Prep Country Day in Brooklyn, NY. “I love seeing kids take ownership of their own learning. It’s

WINTER / SPRING 2019

important to focus on their strengths,” explains Kristy, who lives on campus with her family in Walter Lamb Hall, where she is a dorm parent. Kristy identified Solebury School’s “celebration of the individual and focus on the whole child” as matching her own personal teaching philosophy. “After spending a day on campus meeting with faculty and students and observing classes [last spring],” said Kristy, “I knew this is the school where I wanted to be.”

Since the fall, she has hit the ground running with her essential team of learning specialists, including Tim Pure, who also joined Solebury School’s faculty this year. Solebury’s Learning Skills Department supports two programs: the original Learning Skills Program for students with language-based learning differences, and the Bridge Program, an initiative started within the last 10 years that has evolved to meet the needs of students. Today, Bridge helps students improve their executive function skills (such as how to focus their attention, avoid distractions, prioritize tasks, etc.) by learning targeted strategies to apply to their school work. In both the Learning Skills and the Bridge Programs, the learning specialist serves as the main advocate for students, building their strengths, bolstering their weaknesses, and ultimately helping them thrive academically. Each program also gives students the tools they need to learn how to advocate for themselves, as they will need to do in college.

“Our primary goal for both Learning Skills and Bridge is to provide kids with a ‘tool box’ full of targeted strategies — whether for reading comprehension, memory, organization, time management, etc. — that they can then draw upon and independently use to tackle any academic task,” says Kristy. “Once students feel more empowered to capitalize on their strengths, and less inhibited by their challenges, there is obviously going to be a dramatic increase in their confidence. This confidence is critical in helping today’s teenagers, particularly those at a competitive college preparatory school like Solebury, to navigate the pressures and demands of high school and beyond.”

With less than a year under her belt, Kristy’s new role at Solebury School marks an exciting time for a critical department. “Kristy brings abundant energy and expertise to our Learning Skills department,” says Director of Studies Rick Tony. “She’s done a great job connecting with our students and the faculty. I’ve been impressed with how quickly she has integrated into the Solebury community and the obvious affection her students have for her. Kristy is also interested in doing more outreach at other schools and in the region to share what we do in Learning Skills with a broader audience.”

LEARN MORE about Solebury School’s Learning Skills and Bridge Programs at solebury.org. Read Kristy’s first blog post for Solebury School, “Organizational Tips for All Students” at solebury.org/blog.

WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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BEYOND THE BOOKS

HONORING THE 2018 WINNERS of the

Above and Beyond Award

BY DEB O’REILLY

Matt Baron Because Matt Baron finds this balance of

hysterical 10-minute abridged comedic

succeed that I have never seen before and

version of Romeo and Juliet.) Like so

maybe may not ever see again.”

many Solebury School teachers, Matt is

This deep appreciation from Amy, who

also a loyal team player, the kind of guy

articulated how many of our students feel about Matt, is one of the many reasons why he was co-awarded the 2018 Above and Beyond Award. Currently a math teacher, study hall advisor, and theater tech advisor, Matt has worn many hats During January’s Senior Class and Board of Trustees Dinner, Amy Chen ’19 took the podium to pay homage to those at Solebury who had been a source of inspiration to her. Her long list began with teacher Matt Baron. “Do you really think

production, Matt and Peter performed a

humor, kindness, and the want for you to

at Solebury School since his start in 2010: dorm head, dorm parent, assistant baseball coach, co-coach of boys lacrosse, and assistant wrestling coach. This year, Matt has enjoyed his new role assisting Theater Tech Director Peter Martino in the Theater Tech department. (But

you’re going to meet another Matt Baron

we hope he won’t leave his talents on

in your lifetime?” she said. “I doubt it.

the stage behind — in our spring 2018

who helps his colleagues move on and off of our campus after school ends, when he’s not teaching a five-week summer Pre-Calculus course as he’s done for the last few years. Or the kind of teacher who’s not only willing but happy to spend his free time on a Saturday driving a boarding student to and from a weightlifting tournament two hours away.

“What Matt does well is connect with every student on their level,” says fellow math teacher Jen Perez. “He has this innate ability to bring up a topic about guitars, weight lifting, ceramic glazes or just about anything and everything and connect to that student. A true master teacher.”

T he Above & Beyond Endowed Award for Faculty and Staff was created in 2015 by the Home and School Association as a way to recognize the Solebury School employees who truly go “above and beyond” and exceed the expectation of their position. If you would like to contribute to this fund, please contact Jennifer K. Burns P’19, Assistant Head of School: Advancement & External Affairs, at jburns@solebury.org.

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The strong connections he has with his students, his advisees, and their parents make it hard to imagine that Matt wasn’t always a teacher. He began his career in the corporate world as a successful project manager and corporate trainer.

“I always wanted to be a teacher, but I was intimidated because I was a terrible

WINTER / SPRING 2019

student in terrible schools with terrible

hold their head up and go apologize, and

teachers. I didn’t have any role models,”

they won’t take it personally because they

Matt explained. “The bell would signal

trust you. And then they learn from it.”

the start of class and 40 minutes later, the bell would signal the end of class, and I couldn’t have told you what happened in those 40 minutes.”

That lack of mentorship in school growing up is in part what drew Matt to Solebury, a school that recognizes that students learn best from teachers who know them well and share a common trust and respect. For Matt, Solebury offers its students another advantage: “grit” or “growth mindset” — the notion that when things don’t come easily in learning, they can still be won through hard work, dedication, and/or exploration. “Teachers can teach about grit, but it’s hard to teach them to work through using grit,” said Matt. “At a boarding school like Solebury, you can teach them grit before school and after school in sports,

Jen Perez, Ed.D.

Former boarding student Jamal Corbin ’12, now a First Lieutenant Army officer based in Fort Drum, NY, feels that Matt’s devotion to teaching and mentorship, in sports and in the classroom, played a critical role in his education. “I owe plenty of my scholastic success at Solebury to Matt, and I’m extremely grateful to have met him,” said Jamal. “He’s still a mentor to this day, and his continual guidance is why I’m a successful Army officer. I’m appreciative of his mentorship and I’m happy he got this award, because he deserves far more.”

While Matt was honored to win the award, he — like co-recipient Jen Perez — has decidedly not relished the attention.

That said, Matt was grateful to share

activities, through your interactions with

his honorarium with his sister to help

them in the dorms. It all comes back to

defray the costs of her adopting a sweet

trust. If a kid screws up, as some do at this

two-year old boy from China. By now, this

age, you can tell them that they need to

should not surprise you.

Jen Perez, a Solebury School math teacher and director of our Math Support Program, is someone who just inspires confidence — and also happens to be generous with sharing helpful advice. For example, one snowy day last winter when students were dismissed early from school, Jen addressed the young drivers in her class with a message delivered loudly and clearly: “Don’t stop at the dining hall or hang around waiting to talk to someone. Leave now so you get home safely, and if you start to swerve, pump the brakes gently and turn your wheel in the direction of the swerve.”

She’s the type of colleague who can tell you the best doctor in the area to see or the best way to feed a family during a busy workweek. She’s willing to fill an additional role at Solebury when needed, such as volunteering as time-keeper at every home track meet or helping to organize a blood drive on campus. And she’s the type of teacher to give up her free time to help her students when they need it most, as she did last summer for one of her advisees, a rising senior. “We met for coffee and talked about what colleges she’s seen, her plan for letters of recommendation, which schools are appropriate for her, what her major should look like, what her backup plan was,” said Jen. Solebury School

Matt performed with Jacob Potter ’19 at Solebury’s Coffeehouse concert in February.

has a comprehensive college counseling Continued next page

WINTER / SPRING 2019

WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

7

BEYOND THE BOOKS program, but as Jen explained, the student was feeling nervous that particular week last August. “She just needed someone to reinforce that she was doing what she needed to be doing.”

Her commitment is why Jen is routinely shouted out by students during speeches at graduation or special events. It’s why students often ask her to be a prom chaperone, and it’s why she was nominated by the senior class to speak at graduation in 2014. “She was my favorite teacher here,” said Rachel (Duboski) Emde ’02, who after 10+ years in the corporate world currently puts her math skills to use as Solebury School’s business manager.

Jen’s love of teaching and mentoring may be inspired by her own experience in school while growing up on Long Island. “I was the quiet kid who never got called on,” Jen explained. She was dyslexic but was never offered support for it. She was left to manage it on her own, including in her math classes. “I just had to figure it out… [but] kids shouldn’t have to figure out a new method for them to learn — that’s our job as teachers, to figure out the best learning style for each kid,” said Jen, explaining the inspiration behind Solebury School’s Math Support Program, which she has led since its inception eight years ago.

After completing her master’s degree, Jen earned her doctorate in education (Ed.D.) from Temple University while on a full rowing scholarship. While she has always been interested in math, Jen realized in her twenties that she wanted to work with kids at the high school level. “I wanted to do something where I could change one kid at a time,” she said. “That was my thing.

Making a difference in those secondary years, when you can still have influence in their lives, that was key for me.”

Solebury School’s philosophy of offering each student an individualized education

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Jen, who taught a class on architecture last year, co-chaperoned Solebury’s 2018 spring break tour of Italy.

— supported by trust and respect among

the senior class, advisor for the Hispanic

teachers and students — is why Jen has

Affinity Group, co-advisor of Red Cross

enjoyed teaching here more than anywhere

Club, and prom coordinator, among many

else. “At Solebury, the students call us by

other roles.

our first names, which breaks down so many barriers,” Jen explained. “I’m not ‘Dr. Perez’ to my students, I’m Jen. This helps you get to know the kids more quickly and in a more meaningful way, which then helps you individualize their learning.”

Former Solebury School parent and current trustee Whitney Parker-Klimpel ’06 ’09 ’14, whose children had Jen as their math teacher, was grateful for her style of teaching. “She’s patient but persistent, always available to help. She works hard at

“I’ll tell you what jobs Jen likes the most,” said fellow math teacher Matt Baron.

“She likes when there’s a lot of planning involved. She teaches the kids how to plan and execute, and they run with it. That’s what a good project manager does. Jen likes to get all the plates spinning and then hand it off to someone else. She has no ego, and she says, ‘You do it and if you do it better, great, and if you don’t, I will still help you.” Jen was Matt’s teaching mentor

challenging herself to make sure that she’s

when he began at Solebury School.

doing everything she can for her students,”

While Jen does not enjoy the spotlight,

said Whitney. “She’s also really good at

she was honored to receive the Above

relating math concepts to real life.”

and Beyond Award and was thrilled to

Jen has worked at Solebury since 2001 with a brief respite from 2005-2008, when she was pursuing her doctoral degree and taught elsewhere. She has lived essentially every part of her adult life at Solebury.

“I went from being single to dating to

use the honorarium to purchase a CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) for her son, Daniel, who has type-1 diabetes. The monitor, not covered by insurance, is a relatively new tool for checking glucose levels in real time; it helps patients make

engaged to being married to having twins

more informed lifestyle choices based

here on campus,” she said. Jen is married

on the glucose readings, leading to

to Dan Perez, Solebury’s engineering and

better health. “I feel like this was a gift of

robotics teacher, and is now a mom of

opportunity that will help set up Daniel to

three. Throughout her Solebury career,

make a difference of his own in this world.”

she has been a dorm parent, class chair for

Just like his mom.

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A LOOK BACK

Robert Frost and Solebury School The famed poet visited Solebury in 1959.

When senior Jacob Potter ’19 began considering where to go to high school, one of the many

but digging through our archives produced no answers. In an effort to uncover more of the story, Jacob decided to base an assignment for his Creative Nonfiction class on the Frost visit.

things that compelled him to apply to Solebury

He reached out to alumni from the Class of 1960 and was able

was, unexpectedly, an Instagram post from a few

senior and told Jacob that he is a big admirer of Frost, has read

years ago. Solebury School’s “throwback” post shared this image...

to interview Rex Jackson ’60. Rex had attended the event as a nearly all of his work, and has even collected first editions of a number of his books.

While Rex couldn’t remember with absolute certainty which poems Frost read — after all, the event was nearly 60 years in the past — he shared a special memory with Jacob. “I recall Frost’s gruff voice and the manner in which he read his poetry, and I have heard recordings of him since that sound the same way,” Rex said.

“The voice was different than the one I heard in my head when I read his poetry to myself — very straight-forward, lacking in dramatic intonation or sentiment.”

In his Creative Nonfiction paper, Jacob reflected on Rex’s anecdote. “It proves that the voice of the author, both literally and metaphorically, is sometimes as important as what the author is talking about; it is both the presentation and the content,” wrote Jacob. “I did not attend the Robert Frost event in 1959.

Nevertheless, I cannot help but wonder. Robert Frost stood at the front of the Performing Arts Center [aka the Alumni Gym] and read his poetry. Yes, the Robert Frost. I imagine to myself that he is wearing a tie that is too long but black-soled shoes that fit him just right. He speaks loudly but quickly. He stumbles over several

It is exciting to imagine that Robert Frost, one of America’s most beloved poets, had set foot on our campus. Yet as captured in the 1960 yearbook, Robert Frost visited Solebury School on December 12, 1959 to read his poetry in honor of the late Beverly Bowie ’31.

After attending Solebury, Beverly eventually became a successful writer and poet before his untimely death at age 43 from blood

words. But the result is the same: I am inspired. I am inspired by his words, those eternal words, which are perhaps lovely, occasionally dark and always deep; but, I am reminded that I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep.”

-DEB O’REILLY

cancer. One of his friends apparently invited “The Road Not Taken” author to campus, and the rest is history.

But... which poems did Frost read? What was he like? Where did he stay? Who had the connection to Frost — did someone from Solebury School know him personally? Many of us at Solebury (including Jacob Potter ’19) pondered these questions,

WINTER / SPRING 2019

DID YOU ATTEND the 1959 Robert Frost reading? Share your memories with us at alumni@solebury.org.

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BEYOND THE BOOKS

Solebury at the Holidays

BY DEB O’REILLY

PHOTOS BY KELLI ABDONEY

December is a special month at Solebury for our boarding students. On the weekends, students can bake holiday cookies, go ice skating at Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia, compete in a gingerbread house contest, or take in the festive displays at Longwood Gardens. Social Studies teacher Russ Carrick brings a group of international students to Tuckamony Farm nearby to cut down Christmas trees.

There are trips to the King of Prussia Mall for holiday shopping excursions, and each dorm holds white elephant or Secret Santa gift exchanges. Scott and Lauren Eckstein (Director of Admission and English teacher, respectively) host a fun Hanukkah party at their home.

But on one evening in mid December, our boarding students get dressed up and sit down to a special meal prepared by our chefs and served by administrators and faculty, as shown in these photos. Solebury School has a long history of students and teachers dining together, but this particular meal is designed as a respite from the month’s buzz of activity and classroom demands, a way to connect meaningfully before students leave for an extended winter break the following week — and an opportunity to indulge in prime rib or some exceptional vegetarian lasagna. Students can choose which teachers or dorm parents they want to sit with, and all tables are free of cell phones. The event tends to mark a milestone for some freshman boarders as the first time they attend a more formal dinner without their parents.

“The thing I love most about this is the extended opportunity to sit down with a small number of students to eat a meal,” says Associate Head of School Steve Buteux. “The formality of it creates a momentary shared identity, where kids offer glimpses of their personality that you don’t get to see in the hectic pace of a regular school day. Even now, months after the recent holiday dinner, my tablemates and I still talk about some of the things that came up around that table.”

FROM TOP: Terrance Glover ’21, Javon Brewster ’22, and Martin Krob ’19. Jane Wei ’19 and Vicky Zhang ’20.

Tom and Rebecca Wilschutz. Adrian Monzon ’21.

Amel Ouji ’20, Julianna Tes ’20, and Helen Matthews, Head of World Languages Department.

LEFT: Stacie Anastasio, Head of Walter Lamb Hall, with Proctors Jacky Li ’19, Ben DeSchutter ’19, Dess Chimurenga ’19, Jupiter Shi ’20, Perry Udahemuka ’19, Tim Carroll ’21.

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WINTER / SPRING 2019

THE 11TH ANNUAL

SENIOR CLASS AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES DINNER JANUARY 25, 2019

BY DEB O’REILLY

PHOTOS BY KELLI ABDONEY

Always a memorable, emotional night, this annual dinner honors our senior class. Students get the chance to connect with Solebury School’s Board of Trustees over a delicious, family-style meal. Through speeches (whether practiced or impromptu, both are welcome) seniors also mindfully reflect on the past few years while looking ahead to their final months at Solebury before becoming alumni.

“Four years ago when I was filling out Solebury’s application, I started early and finished it quickly,” said Jason Burns ’19, one of the night’s speakers. “Now it’s four years later and a whole new set of applications have come my way for college, but I didn’t find myself filling them out with the same gusto that I had for Solebury’s. I think it’s because I know that no matter where I go, nowhere is like Solebury.”

In her speech, Amy Chen ’19 reflected on those who made a difference in her life, beginning with teacher Matt Baron and continuing with a long list. “I ask you to think if you’ll ever meet another Zack Arrington. I’m almost positive that I’ll never meet another person more compassionate than him. Do you think you’ll meet someone who knows more random facts than Angelo [Coclanis]? Or who is more caring than Hanna [Howe]? Or who is cooler than Peter Ammirati? Someone as loving as Helen [Matthews]? More spirited than Scott [Eckstein]? Realer than Bill Christy? Or someone as talented and passionate as Erika [Fairchild]? Someone kinder than Sarah Lanzetta? Do you really think there’s a better friendship than Michelle [Gavin’s] and Britta [Milks’]? Or someone stronger than Shawn [Wright]? People sweeter than Jess, Heather, Deb, Holly, Patti, and Jenn [of the Advancement Department]? Or someone more down to earth than Anthony Porter? Do you genuinely think there is another person out there like Peter Martino? And those are just to name a few. To all of the faculty and staff out there, I will remember you. The way you changed my life and made me who I am.”

“The people here will help you with anything you need, the students will show you where to go, and the faculty will make sure you get there,” said Chanler Sharpe ’19 in her speech. “They are caring and helpful, and sometimes I think about what my life, or any of our lives, would be like if we went somewhere else.” Glad we don’t have to wonder.

At the dinner, Head of School Tom Wilschutz announced the winners of Solebury’s prestigious Founders Awards. Congratulations to this year’s winners: Laurie Erskine Award for Literature: Ellie Borthwick ’19 and Jacob Potter ’19 Arthur H. Washburn Award for Science: Debby Qu ’19 Arthur H. Washburn Award for Math: Jacky Li ’19 The Founders’ Award for Language: Addie Groth-Tuft ’19 Julian L. Lathrop Award for Social Science: David Getter ’19 and Alex Klemens ’19 Karline Holmquist Award in Performing Arts: Amy Chen ’19 and Gabe Parsons ’19 Karline Holmquist Award in Visual Arts: Marshall Overhiser ’19 and Emma Salerno ’19

ACROSS TOP: Miles Smith ’19. Lulu Talerico ’19 and Jane Shuster ’19. Shawn Rowley Wright, Head of Theater Department, with Amy Chen ’19. Social Studies Teacher Peter Ammirati ’82. Vivian Mou ’19.

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WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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RETRACING Washington’s Steps For a lesson on the Revolutionary War, Solebury’s American Studies students became tourists in our own backyard.

BY DEB O’REILLY Solebury School’s location in Bucks County, PA, is an area rich in American history. On a beautiful and crisp November day, our American Studies class relived a part of that history, embarking on a lengthy walking tour to retrace George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River on December 25, 1776, and subsequent march to Trenton, NJ, where the Continental Army engaged with Hessian troops in the Battle of Trenton during the Revolutionary War. Students prepared by reading a passage from historian David McCullough’s book 1776 about the journey. The tour began by the Delaware River at Washington Crossing Historic Park,

ABOUT AMERICAN STUDIES Known around campus as “AmStud,” American Studies is a unique, interdisciplinary course that combines Honors American Literature with Honors U.S. History and covers the economic, social, and political connections between literature and history. In the course, connections are drawn from U.S. historical developments to the works of notable American writers — Irving, Cooper, Emerson, Thoreau, Poe, Hawthorne, Melville, Twain, Whitman, Dickinson, Frost, and Ginsberg, to name a few.

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where students viewed replicas of the boats commandeered by the Continental Army from the nearby Durham Ironworks.

Afterward, they walked across a bridge over the Delaware River to New Jersey, then down a leafy towpath that runs along the river to Trenton, NJ. During the roughly nine-mile march, Henry Knox, one of the Continental Army officers present in 1776, was known to have said that the troops pushed on toward Trenton “with the most profound silence.” “To honor that, students walked in silence for 20 minutes, and it was one of the most memorable parts of the trip,” said teacher Angelo Coclanis. Angelo team-teaches American Studies with English teacher Sarah May, who co-hosted the field trip.

The class concluded their march with a visit to the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton. There, they watched a musket demo and learned about smallpox inoculation which, according to Angelo, students found especially fascinating.

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OPPOSITE PAGE: Touring the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton. LEFT: Crossing the Delaware River to New Jersey. TOP: Walking the tow path to Trenton. BOTTOM: The class at Washington Crossing Historic Park.

Washington’s controversial decision to inoculate new recruits to the Continental Army constituted one of the earliest largescale military inoculations in history.

early in his career and has enjoyed the

“How lucky we are to be so immersed in Revolutionary War history here in Bucks County,” said Head of School Tom Wilschutz, who was trained as an historian

of our teachers who designed this field

same landmarks. “Battlefields and pivotal moments in America’s founding are literally at our doorstep. The ingenuity trip, as well as our proximity, helped our students soak in the subject material in an impactful and enriching way.”

History buffs, if this walking tour sounds like your idea of an afternoon well spent, this opportunity can be yours! Get your tickets for this year’s auction, Friday Night Fever: A Disco Party, and you can bid for your very own walking tour, with history teacher Angelo Coclanis as your tour guide. See page 24 for details on our auction.

WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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IMPROVE YOUR PLAYLIST, THE SOLEBURY WAY

Two student musicians (with one alumnus) released albums this school year.

BY DEB O’REILLY

How students choose to spend their downtime says a lot about them and, indirectly, their influences.

So while it is remarkable that two current students have released albums this year — not just a song or two, but well-crafted, thoughtful bodies of work — it is perhaps not surprising considering Solebury School’s Music Department and its department Brian Wedderburn ’20, Cathy Block, and Gabe Parsons ’19.

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head, Cathy Block P’14.

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SOMEWHERE IN PARADISE

BY TRAPHOUSE JAZZ (Brian Wedderburn ’20 and Eli Bramnick ’18) Available on Spotify and iTunes To make the jazz album Somewhere in Paradise, which was released this past fall, junior Brian Wedderburn ’20 teamed up with recent grad Eli Bramnick ’18, now a freshman in the pop program at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. Brian and Eli played together often in Solebury’s Jazz Roots Ensemble and Rock Band, but it was in their Scoring for Film and Video class last spring when the two started talking about collaborating on a record.

Scoring is taught by Cathy Block — in the class, students learn how to write and record music using Pro-Tools software while working from digital audio workstations (DAWs). They’re assigned film or video clips, often by our Digital Filmmaking class, to score. The class is meant to inspire all student musicians, but especially those interested in composing.

Last spring, Brian and Eli began meeting in The Music Center’s Studio A to write music of their own under the name, Traphouse Jazz. “I had my laptop with sounds and plug-ins, and we’d play our instruments around them, come up with a melody or chord progression and go from there,” said Brian, whose primary instrument is guitar, like Eli’s, though both play multiple instruments. “We were going back and forth being on the computer, programming the drums, playing the instruments.”

Eventually they recorded their songs, continuing to collaborate after Eli’s graduation from Solebury. Even though the project was not for class, Cathy served as a support system for Brian and Eli. She was thrilled to see the project come to fruition when Traphouse Jazz released Somewhere in Paradise last October. “It was always fun to see the camaraderie between Brian and Eli and how they would bounce ideas off of each other,” said Cathy. “They’re both exceptionally talented musical artists. It gave me great satisfaction to see them continue to collaborate even though one moved on to college.”

For Brian, making the album was an incredible learning experience. “Being in the studio really gave me a spark,” he said.

“It was an experience that I will cherish forever.”

BEYOND THE SEAS

BY GABE PARSONS ’19

Available on Spotify and iTunes Singer/songwriter Gabe Parsons ’19 attended a Solebury School field trip in the spring of 2017 that proved to be a turning point for him.

Every spring during Solebury’s Arts Festival Week, Cathy Block brings a select group of students to MorningStar Studios in East Norriton, PA, to have their music recorded by Glenn Barratt, a Grammy-winning engineer. It is a unique opportunity and a milestone event for our student musicians, who get to experience what it’s like recording at a professional studio with an industry pro. “That was where I first recorded my song, ‘Was It Just Yesterday’, which made it onto my album. Going to MorningStar and getting to record my music there was huge for me,” Gabe said. After his first experience at MorningStar, Gabe continued to write songs with his friend Koji Sakano. “Back then I had no idea that those early sessions, where I began to find my feet as a songwriter, would shape into an album that I could point to and say ‘this is who I am,’” Gabe said. He returned to MorningStar Studios in 2018 on his own to record the rest of his debut album, Beyond the Seas, which he was proud to release this past November.

Gabe, who plays guitar, has performed with our Rock Band and has been a regular at our Crib Notes concerts (unplugged sets that take place in the Crib). He has also taken our Scoring for Film and Video class, and this year, Gabe is also a member of our Jazz Roots Ensemble. In January, Gabe was awarded a prestigious Solebury School Founders Award, the Karline Holmquist Academic Award for Performing Arts. “Solebury School has been the place that has allowed me to develop and grow as a musician over the past three years,” said Gabe. “Thank you so much to Cathy Block and Solebury School for helping me find my creative voice and hone my skills.”

On April 5, our community will get to hear Gabe perform songs from Beyond the Seas at our Young Artist Series spring concert.

At the show, Gabe plans to play all seven songs from the album.

“Gabe is a student who is always up for a challenge. I’m proud of what he has achieved and I look forward to hearing how his musical voice will evolve in the future,” said Cathy.

Is your work featured on Spotify, Soundcloud, and/or iTunes?

Let us know! Email us at alumni@solebury.org.

“We want our alumni and parents of alums to know they are always welcomed faces in the audience if they would like to join us for this next Young Artist Series Concert on April 5, 7:30pm, featuring Gabe Parsons ’19 and pianist Anna Schmidt ’20.”

— Music Department Head Cathy Block

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WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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WEEK 2018 [STEM = Science, Technology, Engineering and Math] This year, a tiny sustainable home made a big impression on campus.

BY DEB O’REILLY Chances are, you may have seen tiny homes on HGTV and marveled at the preciousness of their size and the simplified lifestyle they require while simultaneously wondering “how does anyone live like that?” During STEM Week this fall, Solebury School students learned exactly how as they were introduced to an eco-friendly, off-grid, and extremely Instagrammable tiny home called “Minimus.” Students also met its creator and owner, Melissa Matarese, and learned her inspiring story and vision.

Melissa’s 240-square foot home on wheels runs on solar power and is built of 90% renewable, recyclable, and repurposed materials. The house came together almost miraculously in 2017. Melissa, an artist, was inspired years ago to live a more eco-friendly

Many students were surprised to discover just how livable the small, self-sustaining home felt.

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life after an extended trip to New Zealand, where sustainability is part of the culture.

Knowing she could drastically reduce her own carbon footprint with a tiny house, she decided to tackle the project herself and realize her childhood dream of building her own home. She pitched the idea to Delaware Valley University, who let her use their property for the construction. With no knowledge or background in construction and with few resources, Melissa spread the word about her passion project and invited local businesses and volunteers to be a part of it. After many months of hard work and learning as she progressed — and more volunteers than she ever imagined — Melissa’s new house came to fruition.

Minimus is now not only her home, but an educational tool that she uses to raise consciousness about sustainability in everyday life, as well as to encourage people to never give up on their dreams.

Cari Nelson, Solebury School’s Science Department Head, found Melissa’s story and home inspiring and was excited to share it with our students. “When I was in school, we weren’t talking about environmental science, we weren’t

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talking about sustainability or what we could do for the planet,” said Cari. She invited Melissa to park her tiny home on campus during STEM Week and open its doors to our community.

During her time on campus, Melissa hosted a school-wide assembly. She shared her story and encouraged students to ask themselves what small steps they could take to live more sustainable lives. Melissa also gave tours of Minimus each day to students and faculty from her temporary address across from The Music Center.

“The concept of this home is that any of the features can be applied to any house,” she said. Students took in every detail, from the rooftop solar panels to how Melissa collects and purifies rainwater for use in her shower to how she employed a centuries-old Japanese technique for treating the home’s wood siding. (Called shou sugi ban, the technique involves charring the wood, which requires zero toxic chemicals yet renders the wood waterproof and insect-proof, and happens to yield a stunning aesthetic.)

“There’s more science behind Melissa’s house than you’d think,” said Em Law ’20, one of Cari’s Honors Environmental Science students. Em and her classmates learned the challenges of constructing sustainable tiny homes as they worked on building their own tiny house models for a class project that month.

“Our models were less about interior designing and more about which renewable energy sources were best for our houses,” said Em. The class started the project by calculating the space that each item in the house would take up, then built their models. They also had to explain the energy efficiency components they used. “We had to analyze costs and make sure our models were livable by working out details like, ‘Should I use double-paned windows for better insulation? Should I use normal insulation or something that’s better for the environment?’ We needed to plan space

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TOP: Classes toured the tiny house all week long. BOTTOM: Students in Cari Nelson’s Honors Environmental Science classes built models of tiny sustainable houses, like those shown here.

Students had to incorporate energy efficient components into their models.

for solar panels and a compostable toilet like Melissa’s. A tiny home also has size restrictions if you want to transport it, so that was limiting, too.” The project gave students a deeper appreciation for the construction of Minimus.

To many, Melissa’s stay at Solebury School was nothing short of profound.

“She had a dream and despite all of her challenges along the way, she accomplished it,” said Em. “Her story made me think, ‘I’m not limited.’”

WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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MORE STEM WEEK...

Here are some of the activities, workshops, and guest speakers hosted by our math and science departments.

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1. A local paramedic and EMT workers spoke to our Anatomy and Physiology students about what it’s like saving lives for a living — the stress, intensity, and incredible rewards of their jobs. They brought students to their vehicles to show them the equipment, tools, and medicines they often use.

2. A lumnus Riley Murphy ’02, Ph.D gave a special STEM Week presentation. Riley is the Technical Director of NMS Labs.

He spoke to our Chemistry and Honors Biology classes about spectrometry, choosing chemistry as a potential career path and the education required.

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3. M ath students spent a week building Geodesic Domes with teacher Jen Perez.

4. M ath and science students enjoyed a presentation by pilot Wayne Fowler, who has worked for the Air Force and Delta Airlines. He discussed the mechanics of flight and what happens to your body in flight, and he shared an entertaining video of him experiencing a centrifuge machine.

5. D igital filmmaking students and teacher Brian Pearson (shown) test-drove a new

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trend in the industry, the 360-degree camera. Equipped with at least two lenses, the camera requires you to rethink how to shoot scenes. For example, the director can’t be in the room!

6. O ur Forensics class took a field trip to the Philadelphia Insectarium and Butterfly Pavilion, where expert John Cambridge gave an engaging presentation on Forensic Entomology.

7. T eacher Dave Merola held daily math contests, as well as an “Instant Math Contest” sent via email to all students.

His winners were...

Overall School Winner / 10th grade winner: Neptune Xu ’21 12th grade winner: Louisa Qiu ’19 11th grade winner: Kevin Zhou ’20 9th grade winner: Youran Wang ’22 Winner of Instant Math Contest: Connor Phillips ’20

See the entire list of STEM Week activities at solebury.org/STEMWeek2018.

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SUMMER 2019 CLASSES The following classes are taught by Solebury School faculty and are open to our students and the community.

Not local to the area? Students (rising 7th to 12th graders) can live on campus through our boarding program!

NEW: SAT PREP COURSE This class is designed specifically for students who want to perform well on the SAT test and have the drive to work both in an intense, small-group setting as well as independently study outside of class.

Taught by math teacher Dr. Jen Perez and English teacher Shawn Wright

NEW: SHAKESPEAREAN ACTING – WILL POWER! Shakespeare? Stuffy? NO! Difficult? NOPE!

FIVE-WEEK COURSES FOR CREDIT

JUNE 24-JULY 26

Finish a full-year high school course in just five weeks, freeing up your schedule to take more advanced classes during the school year.

CHEMISTRY Taught by science teacher Sarah Lanzetta GEOMETRY Team-taught by math teachers Dave and Christine Merola PRE-CALCULUS Taught by math teacher Matt Baron

Fancy? NOT CHANCE! Actors need never again be confused about where to begin or how to follow through when developing a Shakespearean or any other acting role.

Taught by English teacher and Theater Director Shawn Wright

NEW: STUDIO MUSIC SCORING Students will explore and learn about writing music for video and film, as well as the use of music to express visual and emotional imagery. Students will work on from their own state-of-the-art digital audio

TWO-WEEK COURSES FOR ENRICHMENT DATES VARY, GO TO SOLEBURY.ORG/SUMMER FOR DETAILS. Take a deep dive into a subject of interest! Some of these classes offer credit.

COLLEGE ESSAY WRITING WORKSHOP During this workshop, we will find those stories inside you that evoke universal ideas and emotions – joy, sadness, fear, truth, identity, wonder – and translate them into an epic college admissions essay, one that is vivid, structured, and meaningful.

Taught by English Department Head Sarah May

workstations (DAW) in class using Pro-Tools 12 software for writing and recording. Space is limited.

Taught by Music Department Head Cathy Block

NEW: STUDY SKILLS PREP For students who want to get the most out of next year’s academic year, we will examine how we learn and how we can maximize educational opportunities, and we will work

INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING Learn basic engineering design methods and apply them to solve fun design challenges. Open to curious builders of all experience levels, we will use teamwork and creativity combined with technology, including 3-D printers and laser cutters to find solutions to a number of missions.

Taught by Engineering and Robotics teacher Dan Perez

INTRODUCTION TO ROBOTICS WITH LEGO® MINDSTORMS® This class will explore robotic design and programming principles through entertaining games and challenges. Challenging activities will be presented to students with greater experience.

Taught by Engineering and Robotics teacher Dan Perez

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on organizational skills.

Taught by Social Studies (and former Learning Skills) teacher Don Kaplan

For prerequisites, costs, dates, and to register, please go to solebury.org/summer.

WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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ATHLETICS NEWS

Boys Basketball Coach Cleve Christie

EARNS 500TH CAREER WIN

This year’s boys basketball season began with a remarkable milestone. At Solebury School’s 10th Annual Tip-Off Tournament at home, our varsity team defeated The Pennington School, 54-51, earning Coach Cleve Christie his 500th career win at Solebury School. The tournament began the night before with a tough loss to George School, which made the 500th win that much sweeter.

“Coach Cleve will humbly say 500 is just a number, but it’s a pretty big one that the majority of his peers will simply never reach,” said Director of Athletics Rob Eichem. “It is the direct result of decades of hard work, personal sacrifice, and tons of patience.

This moment, this milestone, was a perfect opportunity to celebrate him and all he’s done for Solebury.”

ABOVE: The 2018-19 varsity boys basketball team. Coach Cleve Christie has been the head coach of Solebury’s boys basketball team since the 1983-84 season.

RIGHT, FROM TOP: Director of Athletics Rob Eichem and Coach Cleve Christie.

Fans cheer on Coach Cleve Christie after the buzzer sounded. The team celebrates their coach’s 500th career win. Assistant Director of Athletics Stacie Anastasio and her son at the big game. Alumni came out to the tournament to root for Coach Cleve, including EJ Lewis ’10, Terrane Polnitz II ’10, Manny Matlock ’10, and Gerald Truehart III ’12.

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IT’S COMING… Solebury’s One-Day Giving Challenge,

#OURSOLEBURY One day to make a difference for Solebury School

WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

WE GOT THIS! www.solebury.org/oursolebury

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WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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ALUMNI NEWS

Solebury School

2019

Reunion Weekend Come back to campus to reconnect and reminisce with your fellow Solebury School alums this spring!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY, MAY 3

3:00 - 4:00 pm REGISTRATION

School memorabilia available for purchase.

7:00 - 11:00 pm

SOLEBURY’S ANNUAL DINNER & AUCTION AT LAMBERTVILLE STATION Friday Night Fever: A Disco Party Join us for a groovy night of food, drinks, dancing, and fun! $125 per person, reservations required.

SATURDAY, MAY 4 9:30 - 11:00 am REGISTRATION

School memorabilia available for purchase.

9:30am - 3:30pm CAMPUS TOURS

Student-led tours of campus available.

10:00 - 11:00 am MEMORIAL SERVICE

Honor the memory of alumni and friends of Solebury School who are recently deceased.

11:00 am - 12:00 pm STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE

Head of School Tom Wilschutz discusses the State of the School.

Q&A to follow.

12:00 - 1:30 pm LUNCH IN THE DINING HALL

1:30 - 2:30 pm

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CEREMONY Honor those inducted into the Hall of Fame.

2:30 - 5:30 pm

BURGER AND BEER BASH A relaxed, super-fun party benefiting Solebury’s Page and Otto Marx Jr. Endowed Fund. $10.00 suggested donation

6:00 - 8:00 pm ALUMNI RECEPTION Hotel Du Village

SUNDAY, MAY 5 PLEASE RSVP AT

solebury.org/reunion2019

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10:00 am - 12:00 pm FAREWELL BRUNCH Join your classmates for a farewell brunch!

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ALUMNI NEWS

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME 2019 INDUCTION CEREMONY SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2019 • 1:30PM AT H L E T I C C E N T E R

CLAUDIA KEEP ’11 • DOMINIC MARANO, JR. ’98 Please join us as we induct these remarkable athletes into the Athletic Hall of Fame and honor their contributions to Solebury School’s Athletic Program!

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SATURDAY, MAY 4, 2019 • 2:30 - 5:30PM $10.00 suggested donation

A can’t-miss event that supports a great cause! All of the proceeds from the Burger & Beer Bash go to Solebury’s Page and Otto Marx Jr. Endowed Fund, which provides tuition assistance to students of color with demonstrated financial need.

This school year, the fund awarded more than $60,000 in financial assistance to Solebury students. Marx Scholarship recipients have gone on to attend a number of prestigious institutions, from Haverford to Morehouse, Bryn Mawr and Smith.

Join us at the Burger and Beer Bash and support our students!

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WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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A GROOVY CELEBRATION OF FOOD, DRINKS, MUSIC, DANCING, AND FUN!

Join us for Solebury School’s annual auction, hosted by the Home and School Association.

The auction continues to be the School’s largest fundraising event, supporting educational programs, student activities, and facility improvements. Friday Night Fever: A Disco Party is also wonderful opportunity to share fabulous food, cocktails, dancing, and a moonlit view of the Delaware River from the gorgeous ballroom at the Lambertville Station with fellow parents, faculty, alumni, and friends of Solebury School.

Come dressed to party the 1970s way! Themed attire is encouraged, but not required.

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2019 • 7:00 - 11:00PM

LAMBERTVILLE STATION’S RIVERSIDE BALLROOM

JOIN THE PARTY!

Send in your RSVP card (invitations were mailed recently), or RSVP online at solebury.org/auction.

On the website, you can also get a sneak peek of our auction items!

We are also looking for auction sponsors.

If interested, please contact Auction Manager Christine Thiel at cthiel@solebury.org.

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AUCTION 2019 SPECIAL APPEAL

IDEA (Invention, Design, Engineering, and Art) LAB GIVING STUDENTS CREATIVE SPACE FOR SCIENTIFIC LEARNING With your help and generosity, we will transform the former

area for project builds. The perimeter of the space will feature

middle school lounge into a hub of scientific inquiry and creative

fixed workstations for 3D printers, a bank of high performance

learning. The new Idea Lab will launch this fall and enable us

desktop computers for virtual reality and game design, and a

to broaden our STEAM course offerings, featuring plenty of

separate area for robotics projects, including a robotics arena

workspace, a design that inspires collaboration, and all the right

for test-driving proto-types ahead of class or regional robotics

state-of-the-art tools and equipment. This space will not only be

competitions. In the Lab, students can print designs throughout

used as a classroom for robotics, engineering, computer science,

the evening without impacting the library’s resources or evening

and digital design, it will be available to any teacher who wishes

study hall, as they currently do. The Lab will also feature a

to add an engineering component to a project in their discipline.

secure room with brand new industrial equipment, including

What’s possible? An open concept will create separate but visible classroom spaces, as well as a large central area for

a computer controlled CNC milling machine (laser and vinyl cutting tools) for advanced student project use.

classwork, project work, and meeting space. There will be plenty

Realizing this vision requires an investment in equipment as

of room to theorize, create, execute, fail, learn, and try again

well as modification to the space, including updated ventilation

in pursuit of a design that works. Desks can be configured to

and exhaust systems. We are very excited to offer this new

accommodate varying class sizes or to create one large working

facility to Solebury students for the 2019-20 school year!

WHAT IS A SPECIAL APPEAL? During the live auction, we seek donations to fund a specific program or project. Last spring, the Special Appeal raised funding for an improved LED-based lighting system in the Barn Theater, which was installed last June. The appeal has also recently funded a new HVAC system in the dining hall and launched our annual Home and School Above & Beyond Award for Faculty and Staff. If you attend the auction, please donate during our Special Appeal, which will be featured during the live auction. If you’re not able to attend, make your gift online at solebury.org/auction.

Solebury School is a 501 (c)(3) corporation and all Special Appeal contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

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WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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ALUMNI NEWS

YOUNG ALUMNI DAY JANUARY 9, 2019

BY JESSICA HARMS, ALUMNI RELATIONS MANAGER PHOTOS BY KELLI ABDONEY “It’s so great to be back!” I heard that sentiment echoed from many of the alums who came home to Solebury School for Young Alumni Day in January.

This event continues to be such a joyful one. Walter Lamb Lounge fills to the brim with a cacophony of laughter as classmates catch up with each other; excited shrieks punctuate the space as our faculty and staff enter, anxious to reconnect with former students. For me, the event is particularly special because I get to see how our alumni continue to evolve as they move on to new academic and life experiences after their high school graduation. Catching up with these talented, courageous, hopeful young alumni brings me back to the many conversations I have had with them over the years in the Carriage House.

Following my two and a half years as Parent Relations Manager, this was my first alumni event in my new role as Alumni Relations Manager. This year I also joined our Residential Life program as a dorm parent in Holmquist, and I live on campus in the Barn with my family. I have the honor of being a part of many of our boarding students’ lives through movie marathons, hosting spa nights, helping with college applications, and often just hanging out and talking when they have something on their minds. My experience with our students has given me a great perspective on who a Solebury graduate is today. Now I’m looking forward to widening that perspective into this incredible community with so much history.

Being a small school means we have the privilege of really getting to know our students, and when they graduate their absence is felt by all. Young Alumni Day is a great reminder that our students maintain their bond with Solebury School. Many alumni shared with me that their appreciation for our community is deeper now than when they were a student here, where they were challenged and inspired, known and heard.

My advice to our all of our alumni: keep coming back to visit and stay in touch!

It’s fun to catch up with familiar faces and meet new friends. Our doors are always open.

IN THE AREA AND WANT TO VISIT YOUR ALMA MATER? Contact Jessica at jharms@solebury.org FROM TOP: Friends from the class of 2018 reunite: Olivia Heffernan, Will Gao, Ben Weinberg, Teva Skovronek, Cally Kerrigan, Jackson Becker.

SECOND ROW: The Bauman sisters, Fiona ’17 and current Social Studies teacher and librarian Kristina. Lakumi Dias ’18 catches up with Lauren and Scott Eckstein P’22. THIRD ROW: Christopher Cuthrell ’18 and Allie Duff ’18.

FOURTH ROW: Michael Glass ’17 and Jian Dempsey ’14. Kate Voynow ’16.

LAST ROW: Friends from the class of 2016: Afrah Boateng, Carol Wright, and Ariel Bonneau.

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ALUMNI NEWS AND CLASS NOTES

ALMA’S UPDATE SUBMIT A CLASS NOTE MAIL: Solebury School Attn: The Alumni Office 6832 Phillips Mill Road New Hope, PA 18938

E-MAIL: alumni@solebury.org Class Notes are edited for length and clarity, and they will be published online.

CLASS OF 1947

PETER WHELAN recently completed his third novel, The Escapee From Room 416 and continues to send short stories to The New Yorker magazine.

to working on his next book, number eleven.

He tells us it’s about elegant entrances to apartment buildings in New York and is called Posh Portals. It will include professional photographs, watercolor ink drawings of many of the entrances from an artist in Australia, and short historical profiles of the more than 100 examples Andrew has selected. He promises to send us a copy for the Solebury writers shelf in

CLASS OF 1964

YOAV “BO” PECK, an Israeli since 1972, is co-director of the Sulha Peace Project, bringing Palestinians and Israelis together for people-to-people solidarity.

He conducts “Beyond Persuasion” workshops for training peace activists in the art of reaching out to a hostile public.

For 25 years, he has conducted systemic

the Founders Library.

organizational interventions for the

HAYWARD HOLBERT ’53 P’86 joined his brother

institutions. Yoav chairs the Community

JOHN HOLBERT ’56 (both shown in photo) in western Massachusetts for John’s 80th birthday. They reminisced about Hayward shooting many baskets in the gym with a young and very talented Ken Cromwell ’57, and John riding horses bareback with Jobst Kaemmerer ’56. John would love to

advancement of human dignity in public Development Committee in Israel’s first senior co-housing project. Frumit, Yoav’s wife, is a practitioner of the Feldenkrais body work approach. Two of his kids and three grandkids live in the north and south, and his youngest child, Aviv, is a professional jazz singer in Tel Aviv.

reconnect and say hello to any old friends.

CLASS OF 1950

After a second move within one year,

Reach out to alumni@solebury.org so we can pass along information.

CLASS OF 1965

Two of ED BUFFMAN’S large sculptures

NATALIE (WITKIN) SIROTT is now adjusted

were featured in the Works in Wood show

and enjoying retirement near her son,

at New Hope Arts Center this fall. Ed,

daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters in

a self-described “jock” when he started at Solebury School in the 1960s, credits

Pittsburgh, PA.

Solebury and especially art teacher George Mellor for discovering the artist within him.

CLASS OF 1955

CAROLYN HOLDER LIVINGSTON’S home in Georgia was in the path of Storm Michael last fall; fortunately, she and her husband made it through safely. She says, “I still thank Solebury for such a great start on my life adventure!”

CLASS OF 1956

CLASS OF 1960

RICK SMITH’S short story “Snowed In With Carl Sandburg” will appear in Under The

After 16 years as General Counsel to an

Sun Literary Journal. The story mentions

Investment Adviser firm dealing in hedge

Michael Casey, Rick’s 11th grade English

funds (and reaching his 80th birthday a

teacher at Solebury School. Rick is still

week later), ANDREW ALPERN decided to

recording and playing music, too. Check out

join the ranks of the “retired” and get back

his work at docricksmith.com.

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WWW.SOLEBURY.ORG

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ALMA’S UPDATE

CLASS OF 1967

CLASS OF 2003

CLASS OF 2017

after 35 years, as a psychotherapist with

name Carter Winter, is a screenwriter and

Indiana Pennsylvania where he is working

reduced days. All is well in Northern

is producing his first fully funded feature

towards a BA in Theater. He was the first

film. He resides in Manhattan.

recipient of the Patrick McCreary Memorial

HARRISON MCCORMICK continues working,

Central Pennsylvania on his farm. He

ALEX UNGER, who goes by the professional

Scholarship. Shown, from right to left Mary

welcomes calls and emails from Solebury people. Reach out to alumni@solebury.org so we can pass along his information.

CLASS OF 1974

The composer CHRIS JARRETT continues to perform his own music, often as a soloist but also in different ensembles. He still lives with his family in Southern Germany and would love to hear more from Solebury friends. Newer developments in his life include his interest in the pipe organ — he has already performed his improvisations in Germany and Austria on some of their illustrious church instruments. His new piano solo CD, Tales of our Times, was recorded in Germany but released in the U.S. on Centaur Records. Visit www.chrisjarrett.de for more details.

CLASS OF 2013

MEREDITH AGRAN graduated from Smith

In the fall of 2017, SARAH MCPHEE was named Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Art History at Emory University.

McCreary (wife of Patrick), Sam Benson, and Pat Adams (Resident Stage Manager at The Wilma Theater).

College in 2017 with a degree in English and is now a second year MFA candidate at the University of Southern California, School of Cinematic Arts in their Interactive Media and Games Division, with a focus on video game development.

KEZIAH GROTH-TUFT attended the United Nations Climate Change talks in Poland in December. After graduating from Dickinson College in 2017 with a degree in International Studies, she earned her LL.M. degree from Lancaster University in England in December 2018. She has begun a three-year JD program at The George Washington University Law School in Washington, DC, while continuing to research climate change and human rights law. She also works for the International

CLASS OF 1978

SAM BENSON attends the University of

Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) as a volunteer student caseworker. This February, Keziah returned to Solebury for Global Education Week to share her

OBITUARIES

David Collier P’04 Professor Emeritus, David E. Collier, 83, of Hamilton Township, passed away on July 10, 2012 at his residence. Born in Manchester, Great Britain, Mr. Collier was the son of the late Laura (Williams) and Edwin W. Collier, and husband of the late Mary Alice Quigley.

He is survived by his two wonderful children, Victoria F. Collier of Lawrenceville, and William T. Collier ’04 of Hamilton Township, and several nephews and nieces.

experiences abroad with our students.

Douglas Henrys ’69

CLASS OF 1983

Douglas E. Henrys, 63, of Siesta Key, FL, born in Montclair, NJ, died on July 19, 2014.

He is survived by his wife, Karen; children, Damien Henrys, Asa Panatero, and Andy Remfrey; three grandchildren, Matthew, Coraline, and Elizabeth; and two sisters, Cynthia Beam, and Pat Henrys. He is predeceased by his parents and sister.

ANDREW BELLWARE is working on an MS in professional music composition through the University of Chichester. His latest album is by Tyrannosaurus Mouse, called The Electric Dutchman, and is available on bandcamp.com and Amazon.

CLASS OF 2001

LAUREN LEMUNYAN recently published her first book, Spitting Fire: Your Guide to Reignite and Maintain Your Passion at Home, Work and Beyond, and credits

CLASS OF 2014

LILY MAE OPPENHEIM was accepted into NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, where she will attend this fall. Lily’s EP, Closer, released in 2016, includes seven tracks and showcases her as a vocalist, songwriter,

Solebury with being “a big part of me

musician, and producer. Her music can be

finding my voice.” Learn more about

found on iTunes, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Lauren’s work at www.spitfirecoach.com.

Visit lilymaemusic.com for her latest news.

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The Magazine

Agnes Hubbard Former French teacher (1954-1960), Agnes (Agi) Steven-Hubbard, died on March 19, 2018 in Canada after a long and adventurous life. Born Agnes Kramer on August 22, 1918 in Satoraljaujhely, Hungary, her childhood was spent in Hungary and Romania, and with relatives in Czechoslovakia. She grew up speaking many languages and was a natural linguist.

WINTER / SPRING 2019

ALMA’S UPDATE Her immediate family emigrated to Kenya just before WWII, fleeing the coming Holocaust, but she refused to go with them, stating, “I’m staying in England to help win the war.” Agi spent the war years primarily working with the BBC Listening Service and putting her languages to work in the war effort. But she was on the first civilian ship headed to East Africa when the war ended in order to reunite with her family. In Kenya, she met her best friend, partner and love, Norman (Steve) Steven-Hubbard, and the two courageous adventurers began their new life together in the United States.

Dr. Berdj Kenadijian ’47 Dr. Berdj Kenadjian, age 87, passed away peacefully of natural causes on June 23, 2017 at his home in Haymarket, VA. He was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He came to the U.S. in 1946 to further his education and earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and his Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University. He interrupted his graduate studies to join the U.S. Army. He served at Ft. Dix, NJ, and obtained his U.S. citizenship in 1954.

He was chairman of the Department of Economics and Business Administration at Wofford College, then he worked as an economist for the U.S. government and private economic research organizations in Washington, D.C. His last position was I.R.S. Chief Economist (Compliance Estimates). Upon retirement, he volunteered full-time with many service organizations and received the Virginia Governor’s Award for Volunteering Excellence in 1993. He is predeceased by his parents, his brothers Ara and Vahe, and his first wife Barbara.

Harrie Lewis ’35 Until his death on December 20, 2018 at age 101, Harrie Francis Lewis of Kennett Square, PA, was Solebury’s oldest alum.

He was the husband of the late Margaret Johnson Lewis with whom he shared 61 years of marriage.

Born in Yonkers, NY, in 1917 he was the only child of Meyer and Ada Lewis. Harrie graduated from Solebury School and subsequently graduated cum laude from Harvard University. Following college he served in the United States Army during

WWII. After his release from the Army, he taught Statistics at the University of Pittsburgh. After teaching for a number of years, Harrie was named Director of Market Research at Kauffman’s Department Store. In 1956, Harrie and family moved to North Tarrytown, NY, where he assumed management of the A. F. Lewis Co, a small family run business in New York City previously run by his father, Meyer.

Harrie continued as president of the company until his retirement in 1982. After retirement, Harrie and Margaret took on consulting roles with the International Executive Service Corps and worked on assignments in both Zimbabwe and Bulgaria teaching technical and managerial skills.

In 2006, Harrie was awarded a trade association Lifetime Achievement Award for “his tireless service to the industry [which] is matched by his dedicated advocacy of industry education, and his commitment to a wide variety of worthy causes.”

In 1997 they moved to Crosslands Community in Kennett Square, PA. After Margaret’s death in 2003, Harrie renewed a past friendship with JEANA LEVINTHAL ’39, his erstwhile high school sweetheart. Jeana and Harrie enjoyed participating in various Crossland activities and remained best of friends.

Harrie was well-educated and curious, and actively pursued lifelong learning. He especially enjoyed reading, music, travel, and the outdoors. His sense of humor and broad worldview made his companionship a true pleasure for his friends and admirers.

Harrie leaves behind son Timothy (Florine), daughter Jean (Jerry), grandson Mark (Heather) and great grandson Gavin as well as his dear friend Jeana Levinthal.

Gail Rackoff ’64 Gail was born July 23, 1945, in Morristown, NJ, and passed away on September 10, 2018 in Exton, PA. Gail attended Buckingham Friends School, Solebury School, and Mills College of Education. She was a teacher at Brooklyn Friends School, Brooklyn, NY, and later at A.W. Cox School in Guilford, CT, where she was named Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America in 1973. Beginning in 1975, she lived in Lewisburg for nearly 40 years, where she served as Director of Kinderfolk Nursery School and partner in Quinlan-Rackoff Originals, a manufacturer of original women’s clothing designs.

She will be remembered for her uncommon good sense and wisdom, commitment to education, her passion for helping those who are underserved, and her many interests, including knitting and fabric arts, photography, kayaking, and computers.

Daniel “BJ” Smookler Affectionately known at BJ, short for Bagel Junior, Dan attended Solebury School in the early aughts. He passed away tragically in an auto accident in December at the age of 29. Born in Abington, PA, Dan resided in Warminster, PA, in his youth traveling far and wide before moving to Point Pleasant, PA, two years ago.

He was employed as an automobile mechanic with Liberty Gas Station of Doylestown, PA, for the past two years. Dan was a graduate of ATG Learning Academy and held certifications as ASE Master Technician, PA State Certified Master Mechanic, MACS Section 609 as well as many more. He was an avid collector of classic cars, trucks, motorcycles, and a fine assortment of shoes and hats. He was a firearms enthusiast, daoist cowboy, and all around boss.

He was the beloved husband of Kate (Lowry) Smookler; cherished son of Kathleen Smookler and fiancé Robert Frantz; dear brother of Matthew Smookler; devoted son-in-law of Dale Kastle and Michael Lowry; loving nephew of Eugene (Brenda) Suplee, Elizabeth Tisdale, John Suplee, Richard Suplee, Frances (Khalil) Rizq, Robert (Karen) Suplee, and the late Charles and Stephen Suplee; also survived by many cousins and dear friends. He will be dearly missed by all whose lives he has touched.

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SAVE THE DATE Young Artist Series Concert........... April 5 Reunion Weekend....................... May 3-5 Graduation................................... June 8 For all events, please visit solebury.org.