Solebury School Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

Solebury School

Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

www.solebury.org

What’s Inside

Senior Awards

8

Athletes Honored

10

Focus on Alumni

16

Auction Highlights

18

Alma

24

Alumni Weekend

28

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Summer/Fall 2013

In this issue of Solebury School’s Magazine, we revisit graduation, alumni weekend, and brag about the many awards and accolades our students received during the 20122013 school year as a result of their hard work.

You will meet our newest board members and acknowledge those whose terms have ended. You’ll also read about our alumni who excel in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) and more.

A Note from

Tom Wilschutz–Head of School A Summer of Firsts I would like to think that I am still in that portion of my journey where I can claim I am middle-aged. Perhaps later-middle-aged, but who really pays attention to the second qualifier? I have, however, reached the point in life’s journey where I can offer the observation that, at least in my experience, life has been mostly evolutionary punctuated at various moments with disruptions that range from the mildly abrupt to the truly momentous.

For me, the summer of 2013 offered a couple of pretty momentous firsts. These events, in the grand scheme of history, may well fall short of capture by Clio’s descendants, but they etched their place in my pantheon of moments to be treasured.

Tom with his grandson Kai.

On July 28, 2013, Kai Owen Vagefi began his journey, born to Kate Vagefi (née Wilschutz) and Shahab Vagefi. I have a grandson. All three of my children married between October 2012 and October 2013. I said to them shortly before these three ceremonies unfolded that I was feeling a bit too young to be a grandfather, that “perhaps they should all consider my wishes” and wait. Well, silly me. As I held Kai in my arms for the first time on August 1, I realized what an adventure awaits us all.

Tom was thrilled to take a motorcycle ride on the Pacific Coast Highway.

The second “first” of summer 2013 helped to counteract the reality of being a grandfather. My wife Rebecca and I made our first trip to San Francisco and the Sonoma Valley area. What a treat it was for many reasons, but there was a particular highlight. I’ve been an avid motorcyclist for 42 years. Our host, Jay Abbe ’59, who is a Solebury alumnus and just retired as Chairman of the Board, offered me his Triumph Daytona motorcycle for a ride. On Saturday, July 27, I found myself whizzing up the Pacific Coast Highway. Wow! There are a handful of iconic roads in the world of motorcycle riding and I had just ridden on one of them.

For educators, summer is a tonic. Over these few precious weeks we allow the year just completed to slowly recede as we plan for the new one ahead. This issue of the magazine reflects our summer efforts – we revisit graduation, alumni weekend, and the many awards and accolades our students received during the 2012 – 13 school year as a result of their hard work. You will meet our newest board members and acknowledge those whose terms have ended. You’ll get to know some of our alumni who excel in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), and see how a group of Solebury’s finest reached a global audience thanks to passion, fearlessness and the TEDx media platform.

At its best, summer refreshes, regenerates, replenishes the spirit and provides a few anchor memories one can revisit when the ups and downs of the new year hit those tough stretches. For me, I’ll be able to flitter between the first time I held young Kai in my arms or leaning hard into a left-hander with the Pacific Ocean as my companion.

Sweet. ❖ www.solebury.org

Solebury Graduates

49 Seniors

Tom Wilschutz, Head of School, welcomes the Class of 2013, staff, friends and families to the commencement ceremony.

“As you sit here wistfully thinking about the final moments of your Solebury experience, know that the next chapter of your life will pass by even more quickly than did your years at Solebury. In the blink of that proverbial eye you will be attending your next graduation, pausing again to think about what you are leaving behind and what lies ahead. The danger is this: sometimes the pace is so quick that in the living we find ourselves more passenger than pilot.

So my wish for you…take some time this summer and decide how you want to approach the next four years. Slow the pace just a little.

Reflect on where you have been, what you are proud of, what you wished you had done differently. Set some goals for yourself. Four years hence, how do you want to be remembered? How do you want to be thought of by your friends, your teachers, yourself? When you sit for your next graduation ceremony – what accomplishments will make you smile? Can you chart a course from now until then such that you can say, four years from now, I made the journey with no regrets?”

Tom Wilschutz, Head of School The Class of 2013 had the distinction of riding into their senior year on the stormy tail winds of Hurricane Sandy, a storm that shut down the school and surrounding New Hope area for almost 2 weeks. It was an experience that challenged our community, but also brought us together in many ways, strengthening bonds beyond the classroom.

June brought the rains of Tropical Storm Andrea and her unpredictable path left the senior class and school administration faced with a venue relocation decision on graduation morning. Everyone wanted a traditional Solebury ceremony outside but the grounds behind the main farmhouse were waterlogged. Thanks to the quick and creative thinking of senior Julian Dahl, the Class of 2013

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did indeed graduate outside but this time it was on the campus circle, a fantastic alternative.

Graduation weekend started that Friday evening with a special Senior Dinner that gathered faculty, family and friends. Hosted in the John D. Brown Athletic Center, the ceremony was complemented with a catered buffet dinner prepared by Solebury chefs Carmen DiFoggio, Joe Kienzle and Pablo Naughton.

____________________ “I have been challenged, pushed, encouraged, supported and believed in. I have been taught how to be the best person I can, and I have been gently nudged out of the nest that is Solebury. I was handed a diploma, and with it, the faith that I will fly.”

-Ashley Fry ‘13

____________________

soccer field. Several faculty members presented five seniors special awards (See page 8 for awards).

The sun returned just in time for Graduation day and 49 seniors earned their diplomas. Senior speakers included Rebecca Brady ’13, Miyeon Hwang ’13, and Josh Weinstein ’13.

John Petito ’96, alumnus and Solebury history teacher, said he was honored to be selected by the senior class as this year’s speaker (see his speech on page 6).

“Solebury helped me step out of my comfort zone and form my identity, and I know it did the same for the entire class of 2013,” said Josh Weinstein ’13. “This class is a group of actors, artists, athletes, musicians and academics that amaze me every day. We all grew up here and truly became who we are today because of Solebury.” ❖

Miyeon (Kristen) Hwang ’13 told the audience about her journey to learn English and how Solebury teachers helped her to succeed.

Rebecca Brady ’13, who earned the highest GPA in the Class of 2013, was the first student speaker.

The evening unfolded with senior speakers Keziah Groth-Tuft ’13, Danielle Palermo ’13, and Junhua (Richard) Wu ’13 sharing their sentiments about Solebury, and Wyatt Bonner ’13 shared his favorite poem.

Abby Klapper ’13 and Claire Batchelder ’13 sang the song, For Good, from the Broadway musical, Wicked.

Senior Class officers Miyeon (Kristen) Hwang ’13, Junhua (Richard) Wu ’13 and Nicole Gale ’13 presented the senior class gift to the school that will help with the purchase of the new solar-powered scoreboard for the

Josh Weinstein ’13 acknowledges his advisor, Director of Studies, Steve Benoit, for his strong guidance and support.

“Solebury is a place which helps you go beyond the limit. Solebury puts the magic words on your mouth, ‘You can do it,’” said Miyeon (Kristen) Hwang ’13. “I didn’t believe in my ability and stayed in a comfort zone, taking easy classes, hanging out with friends that I’m familiar with and not trying classes or sports that I’m not good at. But at Solebury, people encourage you to take a big step and leave your comfort zone.”

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Graduation A Day of Celebration and Appreciation This year, Solebury history teacher and alumnus John Petito ’96 graciously accepted the invitation from the senior class to be their commencement speaker. Below are selected comments from his thoughtful words to the class of 2013.

“I can’t express how grateful I am to the senior class for allowing me the privilege and honor of being your commencement speaker today. It was 17 years ago that I stood at this same podium to pay homage to this institution and my classmates venturing forth into college and the chance to return here once again means the world to me.

While today is in many senses your declaration of independence, I would Faculty speaker and alumnus John Petito ’96 argue that today is a declaration of interdependence. Many people put their heart and soul into you and this school. While this is a day of celebration, it is also a day of appreciation.

Here at Solebury and in America, we rush from class-to-class, from job-to-home, and we fail to recognize all the love that goes into a day like this. So I want to give a heartfelt thanks to the people who serve the food, clean the floors and bathrooms, drive the school vans, nurse sick students and keep the grounds immaculate. These people are proud of you today just as I am.

I want to thank the Board of Trustees and the administration who work tirelessly year-round to keep a school with an eighty-eight year tradition of excellence.

As I reflected, I realized that I would be the last teacher your kids will have at Solebury. That thought scared the hell out of me. Frankly, you should feel exactly the same way. But I am the father of a six year old daughter, so I do know how proud you are today, how proud your daughters and sons make you every day, and that they did just learn how to walk last week, that you’ll never not be there for them, that you love them more than they’ll ever know and that it doesn’t matter how many degrees get put in their hand, they will always be young and innocent. Your sacrifices and support have contributed immeasurably to the accomplishments of these young men and women we celebrate here today.

I would like to acknowledge my colleagues and coworkers. It has been a privilege to join you in the work of preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow. The Solebury faculty pours their heart and soul into their classes. Their unyielding love, 6 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

_______________ “These amazing teachers have given you an education that goes beyond the four corners of a diploma, so far outside the pages of an English textbook or the walls of a computer lab.”

John Petito ’96

_______________

caring and engagement is present on the athletic field, theater stage, dormitory, auditorium, airport, and dining hall. These amazing teachers have given you an education that goes beyond the four corners of a diploma, so far outside the pages of an English textbook or the walls of a computer lab. Since I know many of you have seen my senior page in Annette’s office, from not so long ago, I’ll share with you another quote from the poet, William Butler Yeats who once wrote that “education is not the filling of a bucket but the lighting of a fire.” My colleagues light this fire every day and for that I am humbled by, inspired by and unbelievably proud to be amongst you all.

To the Class of 2013, I say your preparation for the real world is not in the answers you’ve learned, but in the questions you’ve learned how to ask yourself. Over the past four to five years I’ve seen you tackle incredible projects, overcome fears, show compassion, and embrace that all important human need to “count in the world and make a difference in it and to it.”

I know I sound idealistic – I’ve seen your slip ups along the way as well. What has routinely astounded me is your tenacity and grit to stand back up after you’ve fallen.

Whether it was a slip up in a play, or a music concert or a bombed test – this graduating class has shown real heart and dogged determination.

Now you are leaving these fields and classrooms to venture into college and I have a favor to ask. My favor is this: whatever you do to make a life for yourself, whether you choose a career as a theater technician, a lawyer, a social worker, a business person, a scientist or a clown, please devote part of your life to making this world a better place for my child and for all children. Some of the greatest joys I’ve experienced have been working with the elderly, the incarcerated, the crippled, the innocent and the impoverished. My wish for you graduates is that you enjoy a lifetime of that kind of joy. My hope is that you will not be content to just be successful in the way that our society measures success; that you will have the courage that I know is in you to act out when things are unjust, to travel, to see things for what they are and not by what they appear to be in the media or on the web. In so doing, you will follow in the footsteps of those few who decided to live lives of purpose instead of quiet desperation. I want you to know there will be low valleys where you are going as well. Living a life of purpose is not without its sacrifices and it is certainly not easy – this is the debt you owe to your parents and their parents and anyone who put you on the path to where you are right now which is graduating with honor.

Congratulations to the class of 2013 and good luck as you continue your journey.” ❖

www.solebury.org

Senior Awards

Our Present and Future Leaders This year, the faculty presented four named awards and special prizes to outstanding seniors for specific achievements.

Rebecca Brady earned the highest GPA in the senior class.

The Number One Ranked in the Class of 2013 Rebecca Brady ’13 (New Hope, PA) This year, senior Rebecca Brady earned the Number One Rank in the Class of 2013 with the highest cumulative GPA of 4.2. Rebecca will attend the University of Vermont.

Frank Ammirati Math & Science Prize Wyatt Bonner ’13 (New Hope, PA) and Chuyi Tang ’13 (Hangzhou, China) This prize is given in honor of Frank Ammirati, who taught mathematics and science at Solebury for more than 30 years. The recipient is a senior who excels in both of these disciplines. This fall, Wyatt will attend Ithaca College and Chuyi will attend Lehigh University.

William Collier and Britta Milks presented The Frank Ammirati Math and Science Prize to Wyatt Bonner ’13 and Chuyi Tang ’13.

Rebecca Wilschutz presented Evan Beidler ’13 The Mike Mullen Award; Evan also received the Dean of Students Award.

David Choi received the William P. Orrick Prize from Steve Benoit.

Peter Ammirati ’82 presented Annie Benjamin ’13 with the Dorothy MacBrien Award.

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The Mike Mullen Award Evan Beidler ’13 (Princeton, NJ) This award is presented to the senior class member who has exemplified Mike’s characteristics of hard work, honesty, and love of the Solebury community and its natural surroundings. Evan will attend DeSales University.

The William P. Orrick Prize David Choi ’13 (Gyeonggido, South Korea) The Orrick 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. David will attend Penn State University.

The Dorothy MacBrien Award Annie Benjamin ’13 (Flemington, NJ) Given in memory of Dottie MacBrien by her husband Hugh and son Chris ’79, this award goes to a senior for his or her contributions to making Solebury a better community and for demonstrating a willingness to help others.

Annie will attend Ithaca College in the fall.

Special Awards Presented on Prize Day The Founders Award Alex Leone ’14 (Ewing, NJ) The Founders Award, established by John A. Silver, III ’57 and Betsy Orth Hill ’57, is intended for a member of the junior class who exudes personal maturity, integrity, intellectual curiosity, a sense of responsibility to the school community as well as society in general, sympathy for others, and courage.

The Commitment to Diversity Award Rebecca Brady ’13 (New Hope, PA) pictured and Miyeon Hwang ’13 (Seoul, South Korea) not pictured Established by the Class of 2003, this award is presented to a student(s) who has demonstrated enthusiasm for diversity through his or her willingness to cross social boundaries, to be respectful of Solebury’s diverse population, to participate in diversity activities on campus, and to encourage understanding within the community. Miyeon will attend New York University. Rebecca will attend The University of Vermont.

The Home and School Community Service Prize Keziah Groth-Tuft ’13 (Lambertville, NJ) This prize is given to the student who has made the most outstanding contributions to the Community Service Program at Solebury. Keziah will attend Dickinson College.

The Lucien Peebles Scholarship Prize Ashley D’Alessandro ’14 (Doylestown, PA) The Lucien Peebles Scholarship Prize is funded by Robert and Barbara Hillier and presented to a junior who embodies Lucien’s ’65 qualities of hard work and intellectual curiosity.

The College of the Atlantic Book Award Claire LeGall ’14 (Doylestown, PA) The award is designed for a current junior who is a community-minded citizen and a passionate steward of change in our social, economic, and environmental systems. The recipient is someone who, seems to intuitively grasp the interconnection among these seemingly different ways of

understanding the world, someone who has challenged themselves academically, and who goes beyond the norm to make the world a better place.

The Bryn Mawr College President’s Book Award Michaela Finley ’14 (Hopewell, NJ) This award goes to a member of the junior class who embodies the core characteristics of a Bryn Mawr woman: a driven and passionate learner with a clear sense of purpose; who is inspired by and celebrates differences, and who seeks to transform herself, her community, and the world.

The Princeton Book Award Alliyah Allen ’14 (Irvington, NJ) This award goes to a rising senior (present junior in high school) for outstanding academic achievement and exemplary community service.

The Smith College Book Award Zonia Rueda ’15 (Trenton, NJ) This award goes to an outstanding junior (or sophomore) who exemplifies the academic achievement, leadership qualities, and concern for others that characterize the thousands of women who have graduated from Smith College.

The Director of Studies Award Rebecca Brady ’13 (New Hope, PA) The Director of Studies Award goes to a student(s) in any grade whose actions in and outside the classroom demonstrate intellectual curiosity, love of learning for its own sake, and speculative habits of mind.

The Dean of Students Award Evan Beidler ’13 (Princeton, NJ) The Deans Award is given to a student who participates and gives to the community unselfishly. It is given to a person who sees a need in the community and helps without being asked. ❖

www.solebury.org

Solebury Athletes Honored at Annual Awards Banquet Frank Ammirati Most Valuable Senior Athlete Award Christopher Ciccodicola ’13, Rebecca Brady ’13

Chris Ciccodicola - Senior Male Athlete of the Year

Rebecca Brady ’13 has been a two-sport athlete since her arrival on campus three years ago. While her true passion has been girls’ lacrosse, she played soccer her sophomore year and ran cross country the last two years mainly to stay in shape for the spring season. Fortunately for the soccer and cross country teams, she wasn’t just a lacrosse player; she was an athlete who contributed to the success of both teams.

She has the ability to be the best player on the field, and that is matched by her heart, determination, attitude and confidence.

Rebecca Brady - Senior Female Athlete of the Year Chris Ciccodicola ’13 is a versatile athlete, playing three sports with gusto this year. He’s a hard worker and a leader who is determined to be the best on the course, the mat, and the diamond. For the first time, Chris ran cross country this year, becoming the top scorer in every race. During the winter season, he joined the wrestling team and won 20 matches during his very first season. Chris played for four years on Solebury’s baseball team, serving as team captain for three of them. Chris graduates from Solebury having left his mark – all-time leader in atbats, hits (99), doubles (29), stolen bases (64), and average (.467).

Coach of the Year Eric Soroka: Boys’ Soccer During the past two seasons, Eric has shown tremendous dedication to making Solebury soccer a showcase program. He has led Solebury to 21 wins in two seasons and is 16-3 in league matches. He guided the team to the Penn-Jersey Championship in his first year, and returned back to that game this fall where they ultimately fell 3-4 in overtime to Life Center. This season, the team went 12-4 overall and was over .500 in non-league competition against schools with much larger athletic programs. Boys’ Soccer beat South Hunterdon Regional High School to take home the River Cup in the first game of what will become an annual tradition. Even their losses were impressive. They lost 0-2 to New Hope-Solebury High School, a team that was coming off a state championship the previous year, and 2-3 to the Shipley School, a loss that could have easily ended in a tie or a win at home. Eric is committed to the sport of soccer, his athletes, and to building a strong program at Solebury. ❖

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Athletic Awards Recipients: Fall Awards

Winter Awards

Girls’ Soccer Most Valuable Player: Claire Boylan ’13, Cassidy Patterson ’15 Coaches’ Award: Hadiyyah Graves ’14, Tess Richards ’14 Most Improved Award: Tavorsia Talley ’14

Wrestling Most Valuable Player: Christopher Ciccodicola ’13 Coaches’ Award: Matthew Maldonado ’13, Anthony Hipple ’14 Most Improved Award: Matthias Erdmann ’14, Jeffrey Gordon ’15

Boys’ Soccer Most Valuable Player: Garrett Vail ’13 Coaches’ Award: Dean Linkroum ’13, Wyatt Bonner ’13 Most Improved Award: Dakota Morrow ’14, Matthew Ludak ’15 Cross Country Most Valuable Player: Christopher Ciccodicola ’13, Rebecca Brady ’13 Coaches’ Award: Sam Arnold ’14 Most Improved Award: Jeff Lin ’14

Girls’ (Varsity) Basketball Most Valuable Player: Tavorsia Talley ’14 Coaches’ Award: Clover Stieve ’14, Ava Redmond ’13 Most Improved: Lena Renninger ’15 Boys’ (Varsity) Basketball Most Valuable Player: Justin Berger ’16 Coaches’ Award: Dan Jablonowski ’13, Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16 Most Improved Award: Keson Bullock-Brown ’15, Chen Yan ’15

Field Hockey Most Valuable Player: Alliyah Allen ’14 Coaches’ Award: Clover Stieve ’14, Eliot Hagerty ’14 Most Improved Award: Sara Bosak ’15

Spring Awards Golf Most Valuable Player: Joshua Weinstein ’13 Coaches’ Award: Nicholas Serdaru ’13, Katie Li ’13 Most Improved Award: Alex Kim ’13 Girls’ Lacrosse Most Valuable Player: Rebecca Brady ’13 Coaches’ Award: Claire Boylan ’13, Lena Renninger ’15 Most Improved: Danielle Palermo ’13 Softball Most Valuable Player: Clover Stieve ’14 Coaches’ Award: Bria Wilkins ’13, Veronica Fitton ’14 Most Improved Award: Hailey Tasch ’14 Boys’ Tennis Most Valuable Player: Dan Jablonowski ’13 Coaches’ Award: Asaf Davidov ’13 Most Improved Award: Justin Berger ’16, Chen Yan ’15

Baseball Most Valuable Player: Christopher Ciccodicola ’13 Coaches’ Award: Matthew Maldonado ’13, Julian Dahl ’13, Liam Brooks ’13 Most Improved Award: Kyle Moretti ’13 Track & Field Most Valuable Player: Matthias Erdmann ’14, Ava Redmond ’13 Coaches’ Award: Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16, J.R. Madey ’16, Hadiyyah Graves ’14, Ilona Wilde ’15 Most Improved Award: Justas Janonis ’14, Ian Berwick ’15, Caitlin Miller ’18, Carol Wright ’16 ❖

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Celebrating the

Class of 2013

The Senior Class – Board of Trustee Dinner, now an annual event, is a special night that brings members of the school’s Board of Trustees together with our seniors to celebrate their accomplishments. Attendees enjoyed a lovely home-style dinner and dessert prepared by our dining hall chefs and served by our middle school students.

Our seniors earned their official Solebury School pin, which was given to them by our trustees during a pinning ceremony. Student speakers included seniors Nikki Gale ’13 and Julian Dahl ’13. Solebury School’s Vice Chairman of the Board, Scott Bolenbaugh, addressed the class as did Annsi Stephano ’58, who shared her

journey and relationship with Solebury first as a student, then alumna, parent and board member, and noted how important it is to continue to support the school after graduation. Annsi then led the special toast to the Class of 2013, and our seniors had the opportunity to toast their class, their friends, or their favorite teacher. It is a special dinner, a night that paves the path toward graduation.

“This senior class has upheld the traditions of generations of Solebury School students that have preceded them,” said Tom Wilschutz, Head of School. “They have challenged themselves in the classroom, performing in ways that have amazed

us all. They have provided tremendous leadership on athletic teams and excelled in the school productions.

They have, over the years, found their special places on campus, carving out various preferred spaces such as the Quiet Lounge, the Rec Room, the Crib, the Performing Arts Center, the Library, and other places neither you nor I really wish to know about. If they are anything like the eighty-five Senior classes who have preceded them, they have crafted lifelong friendships and created lifelong memories while making their educational journey here on the corner of Phillips Mill and School Lane.” ❖

The school’s Founders Awards were presented during the dinner: Arthur H. Washburn Academic Award for Math Chuyi Tang ’13 (Hangzhou, China) Arthur H. Washburn Academic Award for Science Wyatt Bonner ’13 (New Hope, PA) Julian L. Lathrop Academic Award for Social Science Keziah Groth-Tuft ’13 (Lambertville, NJ) Rebecca Brady ’13 (New Hope, PA) Laurie Erskine Academic Award for Literature McKenna Todd ’13 (Flemington, NJ)

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Robert W. Shaw Academic Award for Languages Meredith Agran ’13 (Newtown, PA) Nicole Gale ’13 (New Hope, PA) The Karline Holmquist Academic Award in Performing Arts Brynleah Wiedorn ’13 (Yardley, PA) The Karline Holmquist Academic Award in Visual Arts Nicole Gale ’13 (New Hope, PA)

John and Linda Brown

Faculty Enrichment Award Winners Named

Five years ago, Solebury’s Home and School Association established an endowed fund to honor John D. Brown, ’67, Head of School from 1989–2008, and Linda Brown, Director of Advancement, 1989–2008, for their years of dedicated service to Solebury School. Each year, this endowment funds an award for a Solebury faculty member to pursue a personal interest that serves to enrich his or her experience as a teacher. The funds may be used in a way that directly relates to a teacher’s academic field or more generally by stimulating his or her creativity and enthusiasm as a teacher, learner, and citizen of the world.

Christine Le Gall and William Collier

William and Christine in Nicaragua

Science Department Head William Collier and French teacher Christine Le Gall received the John and Linda Brown Faculty Enrichment Award for 2013. After their trip to Nicaragua with students in spring 2013, they found themselves totally invigorated as teachers by that experience, and they wished to deepen their knowledge of the people and culture. With the help of this award, William and Christine returned to Nicaragua in June to La Mariposa and to the Barrio of San Caralampio. During this visit, they worked to establish a long-term relationship between Solebury and San Caralampio. They met community leaders, teachers, and families to talk with them about their needs and how they can help them. They immersed themselves in speaking Spanish by attending classes.

William and Christine continue to fine-tune this service trip experience and plan to organize future trips to Nicaragua. They felt they were very fortunate in meeting Paulette Goudge of La Mariposa. “Everything she does, everything that we did, is real and genuine, and done in close cooperation with people in the community.”

Looking forward, future student trips to Nicaragua may include opportunities to work in the local elementary school, organize a youth soccer league, address environmental issues, and build community gardens. In this way, our students and faculty can have a real, positive impact on that community and strengthen ours at the same time.

www.solebury.org

TEDxSoleburySchool speakers and Diane Downs

Exceptional Experiences Solebury and TEDx

One day this spring, Camille LeBlanc ’12 found herself in a slightly awkward situation. She opened an email from a 28year-old friend announcing a new life goal: to give a TED talk before turning 30. Yet LeBlanc had just received some interesting news which forced her to write a response that she hoped wouldn’t sound too smug.

“I emailed her and said, ‘Hey, I’m giving a TED talk next week,’” said LeBlanc. She is only 18.

LeBlanc is now one of the elite few who can check “Giving a TED Talk” off her lifetime Bucket List. She was one of 13 student presenters who participated in Solebury School’s first TEDx event held on May 12, 2013. The “x” means the event was independently organized, yet still considered an official TED conference. Solebury School designed their TEDx symposium as a youth event, where the presenters were all high school and college students – four current Solebury students, one Solebury graduate, and students from area schools including New Hope-Solebury High School, Moorestown Friends School, and Bucks County Community College. The event brought the philosophy of TED – the creative vision, the courage to push boundaries, the thrill of curiosity – to Solebury’s campus.

“I love the spirit of sharing new ideas,” said Diane Downs, the head of Solebury School’s English Department and Director of its Teach2Serve program. She assisted students in organizing the TEDx event and noted, “This is a great way to bring good ideas together and give students a platform for sharing their ideas.”

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Founded in 1984, it was originally designed to unite people from three different worlds: Technology, Entertainment and Design (TED). It has since become a major agent for change, bringing the world’s most fascinating thinkers, dreamers, doers, movers and shakers together and challenging them to give the talk of their lives...in 18 minutes or less. TED conferences are innovative. They are intellectual. They are inspiring. It seemed like an ideal match for Solebury School. “It sends the message that we care about sharing ideas,” said Downs. “It says that we are intellectuals.”

TED was also the perfect platform for Solebury School’s Teach2Serve Program participants, a select group of students involved in the school’s pioneering two-year public service curriculum. To earn their Public Service Certificate, students must complete a capstone project and create a public service initiative.

At the TEDx event, the Teach2Serve students chose topics that resonated with them. Alliyah Allen ’14 spoke about motivating middle school students in inner city schools. Rebecca Brady ’13, presented on the importance of educating students about gender identity and sexuality. Alex Leone ’14 spoke about teaching adolescent girls empowering life skills.

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“I live with my mom and my grandma, and I went to an all women’s school for six years,” said Leone.

“Everything I’ve done has always been about Girl Power and the idea that girls can do anything.”

In addition to our Teach2Serve students, Solebury student Lily Mae Oppenheim ’15, a singer-songwriter who has already recorded a CD, performed original songs sharing her artistic vision for the world. LeBlanc, now a freshman at New York University, spoke about participating in a year-long service program in Brazil and encouraged other students to take the time to find their passion.

Giving a TED talk is not easy. Presenters generally speak for 10 to 15 minutes without notes. Students said the experience was challenging, rewarding and a bit terrifying. “I didn’t learn that it’s not scary, because it is,” admitted Leone. “But I learned that I can do it.”

Downs said that experience of learning “I can” is invaluable. “Students are empowered by the feeling of ‘Hey, I can stand up there and come across as articulate and share good ideas and get a good response.’” In fact, the response was very good. TED organizers imposed a 100-person limit on attendance and capacity for Solebury’s event was easily reached. In addition, the students’ TEDx talks were posted online, and garnered nearly 3,000 views by mid-summer. Downs was so pleased with Solebury’s first TEDx conference that she has already booked the date for next year’s event: May 18, 2014.

In hosting the TEDx event, Solebury School cemented itself globally as a place that values thinkers, dreamers, doers, movers and shakers. And it gave 13 students the unique honor of saying that they have delivered a TED talk. “I’m happy I did it and had the experience,” said LeBlanc. Then she paused for a moment and added, “but I want another chance.” ❖

Alex Leone ’14

Alliyah Allen ’14

Rebecca Brady ’13

Lily Mae ’14

Camille LeBlanc ’12 www.solebury.org

Focus on Alumni Solebury Alumni Excel in STEM Anders Simpson-Wolf ’09 is holding the drone that he and three other Electrical Engineering students worked on for their senior project. The drone has a camera at the front which it uses for navigation. It can recognize specific pictures, which they placed around a room or a bridge, to help it fly. It also has some extra hardware, located on the top of the hull, which can collect data from sensors. The drone itself is a toy they found online, but the program that controlled its flight and camera usage was designed and written by them.

They also designed the circuitry used to wirelessly collect data from sensors and wrote the code for that as well.

Anders Simpson-Wolf ’09 has always been curious about things. He was the kind of kid who loved gadgets and robots; the kind of kid who always wanted to know how things worked; the kind of kid whose favorite childhood toy was a vacuum cleaner. “I loved that thing,” said the Solebury graduate. “I was 3 years old. I thought it was really cool.”

Simpson-Wolf was also the kind of kid who had high hopes for his math and science courses. He wasn’t interested in unimaginative, uninspiring and underwhelming. He wanted innovative, inventive and involving. He found it at Solebury School.

“It’s very easy for math and science to be boring,” said Simpson-Wolf, who is now completing his fifth year at

Tufts University, where he will graduate in spring 2014 with a combined Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in electrical engineering. “The teachers and facilities at Solebury make that impossible.”

Simpson-Wolf is just one of many students who benefitted from Solebury’s strong math and science departments and went on to excel in the many fields associated with science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). School administrators credit the challenging coursework, state-of-the-art facilities, and most importantly, the passionate teachers.

“The teachers in each department are there for their students,” noted Steve Buteux, Assistant Head of School.

“The students who do best here connect meaningfully and significantly

16 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

with at least one adult who helps them transition to college and a career path.

There are strong examples of that dynamic in both the math and science departments.”

Solebury School has a robust and well-balanced curriculum with rigorous academic offerings in English, history, foreign languages, and the arts. It also has a comprehensive math and science program featuring traditional classes like geometry and chemistry, advanced placement options, honors courses and some very unique electives. At Solebury, teachers often create classes that allow them to explore the topics they and their students love while indulging their “inner geek.” Course listings can include innovative selections not often seen at the high

school level, such as biomedical ethics, microbiology, urban architecture, forensics and financial mathematics.

In the Math Department, Britta Milks, who has taught at Solebury for 13 years and served as Head of the Department for six, said that she has seen the course offerings grow and become more advanced. Solebury students are going further in their studies, she observed, sometimes doing the work typically undertaken by college sophomores. At the same time, Milks said she has seen the development of a strong Math Support Center at Solebury help those students who need more one-on-one attention.

“I think our strength lies in our diversity,” she said. “Every department member has a true commitment to wanting what’s best for the student.

For the kids who already have a strong interest, we have a vigorous program that can nurture that and set them up well for future success. With other kids, we do a great job of letting them know they can do it...As a department, we show them, ‘You can do much more than you thought you could.’”

It is this kind of encouragement that can have a profound impact on students.

“To have teachers who are attentive and inspiring and encouraging was so nice,” said Justine Keller ’09 who majored in math at Connecticut College and graduated this spring.

“Britta pushed me to keep trying and continuing on with math.” Keller said she took advanced math classes during her six years at Solebury, which allowed her to skip the basic 100-level math classes as a freshman in college.

“I came in at the 200-levels and felt very comfortable as a freshman,” said Keller. “A lot of my peers felt less comfortable. I just think Solebury gives you the drive and ability to push yourself as far as you can go.”

In the Science Department, handson learning is a central focus.

Solebury’s Abbe Science Center – with its two full chemistry and biology labs,

computer-based labs, a greenhouse and a new outdoor garden – allows for experiential learning.

“Any time students get hands-on, or in the case of the garden, get their hands dirty, it’s a great benefit to them,” said Jon Freer, who has taught Biology at Solebury for 17 years and is also the school’s Academic Technologist. “Everything we teach has some hands-on aspect to it. We try to make sure, even when a lesson is based in lecture, we bring them to the lab so they can see it in that context as well.” Freer also pointed out that the department is full of, well, science fans. “Emails go around sharing cool science things,” he admitted with a sheepish smile. “Every single one of our science teachers just loves what they do. We have a faculty who are interested in science, interested in the world and interested in exploring different areas and bringing them to students.”

It was the perfect program for Nicholas Zitomer ’96. “I loved the science curriculum,” said Zitomer. “I certainly ate it all up. It was right up my alley.” Following Solebury School, Zitomer attended Pennsylvania State University, then earned a Masters in Field Mycology from the University of Wisconsin and ultimately went back to Penn State to complete his Ph.D. in Fungal Toxins. He now works for the Centers for Disease Control as a research toxicologist.

Looking back on his time at Solebury, Zitomer said it was the interactive experiences and one-onone attention from devoted teachers that influenced him most. “There were some great first-hand experiences,” said Zitomer, who particularly loved a Biology trip to Costa Rica. “The student-to-teacher ratio was so small; just the level of interaction with teachers was so close.”

A quick inquiry on Solebury’s Facebook page reveals that more and more students who graduate from Solebury continue to excel in science, technology, engineering and math.

Like James Moore ’09, who majored in Computer Science at Moravian College and is now a software developer at Vanguard Mutual Funds.

Or Brandon Schneider ’12, a math major at Muhlenberg College who thanked his Solebury teachers “for inspiring my love for the subject and giving me the work ethic necessary to be successful.” Or Benny Wu ’12, who is majoring in electrical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, one of the top five engineering schools in the country; or Riley Murphy ’02, who received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Temple University and is now a bio-analytical researcher.

Nick Carugati ’12 is majoring in Computer Science at Gettysburg College, and spent this past summer as a Web programmer for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. In interview after interview, students said their experiences at Solebury helped encourage them. “The math and science departments at Solebury were great,” said Carugati. “I was able to develop a good rapport with my teachers and they were always willing to help.”

Each spring, Solebury graduates leave the idyllic campus and head in diverse directions. Yet those who go on to pursue STEM-related fields often say that the school’s strong math and science departments – particularly the interesting coursework and devoted teachers – helped give them the foundation, motivation and inspiration to continue.

“Solebury had all the classes I wanted,” said Simpson-Wolf. “The math and science departments absolutely kept me interested. I mean, what if I went to a school where the teachers just taught out of a textbook?

What if I went to a school where teachers were not inspired by what they teach?”

Luckily, he never had to find out. ❖

A Night of Intrigue–Shaken, Not Stirred

a Huge Success

Auction Co-chairs Lilian Muff and Chuck Fitton have fun promoting the auction.

Thanks to the creative minds of many volunteer parents, faculty and staff, A Night of Intrigue – Shaken, Not Stirred was a huge success! The James Bond themed gala featured a popular martini bar, delicious Bond-inspired buffet dinner, and a fabulous silent and live auction that kept everyone bidding the night away. We wish to especially thank all of our hardworking parents and volunteers whose generosity, creativity and dedication that made the 2013 Auction Dinner a night to remember.

The auction is a celebration of community and all those who make our school such a special place. Proceeds from this year’s supported the Annual Fund and the refurbishment of the Herbert S. Boyd Dining Hall in

18 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

addition to providing matching funds for the Page and Otto Marx Jr. Scholarship Endowment for Minority Students and growing this year’s Helping Hands Fund. Over $50,000 of the more than $125,000 raised will reinvigorate our Visual Arts spaces, providing new furniture, project storage, flooring, equipment and signage. So many members of our community made this night special and its impact will be felt by our students for years to come – thank you for your support. Be sure to save the date for next year’s auction – Saturday, May 3, 2014!

To see all the folks who helped make this year’s auction great, check out more photos at www.solebury.org/auction❖

Alumni Memoriam

Hermann K. Platt ’54

____________________ Memorial contributions may be sent to Solebury School and designated to the Hermann Platt ’54 Endowment Fund, c/o Advancement, Solebury School, 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA 18938.

____________________

His arms couldn’t bend at the elbows, so he had a custom-made, long-handled spoon and fork set that he’d swing around with his wrists as nieces and nephews watched with wide-eyed awe. He had limited mobility, so he had a special, almost vertical chair which allowed him to sit and stand without assistance. In the days before handicapped accessibility, fellow students eagerly competed to carry him up stairways. If anyone epitomized the “can-do” attitude, it was Hermann Krumbhaar Platt. Platt, Professor Emeritus of History at Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City and a member of Solebury School’s graduating class of 1954, died on May 20th after a brief illness. He was 76.

Born in Philadelphia in 1936, Platt had Arthrogryposis, a rare condition which severely immobilized his joints and forced him to walk with crutches. Yet while he needed help with everyday tasks like getting out of bed and getting dressed, Platt never let his diagnosis hold him back. He had grit. He had determination. He had indefatigable courage. And beyond the crutches, stiff joints, and long-handled utensils, Platt was bright, funny and gregarious. His body may have been limited. His mind and spirit were boundless.

After graduating from Solebury School, Platt attended Haverford College and later earned a Ph.D. from Rutgers University. His sonorous voice made him a natural lecturer, and his love of history led him to join the faculty at Saint Peter’s University, where he remained for his professional career.

Platt also retained close ties with Solebury School. He served on the Board of Trustees for nearly two decades as both a Trustee and Honorary Trustee. A generous contributor to the school and a lifelong believer in the value of good teachers, he created the Hermann Platt ’54 Endowment Fund to benefit Solebury Faculty, a fund which has helped countless Solebury teachers by contributing to salaries and professional development. “Hermann was a visionary in ensuring long-term support for what he saw as Solebury’s core – its excellent teachers,” noted Jennifer K. Burns, Solebury’s Director of Advancement, “the impact of his generosity will benefit Solebury School for generations.”

Those who knew him well described Platt as clever, playful and admirably adaptable. Despite his handicaps, he expected no special treatment. “He was courageous because he carried on despite all his problems and, I don’t quite know the right word, but he felt he was normal,” said his sister, Rita Coney. “He acted as if nothing was the matter. There was no self-pity at all.”

Platt’s classmates at Solebury School remembered him similarly. “Being physically handicapped did not stop him from being one of us,” recalled Betsy Meredith, who graduated with Platt and later served on the Board of Trustees with him. “Hermann was as independent and self-reliant as he could be under the circumstances. He was one of the brightest and had a quick wit.”

Platt was spirited, resilient and charismatic. When presented with obstacles, he outsmarted them. When presented with challenges, he overcame them. He will be remembered for his optimism. He will be remembered for the way he embraced life. He will be remembered for taking the prettiest girl to the Solebury School prom, and loving to play mini-golf using one crutch as a putter.

Talk about a “can-do” attitude. “He is going to be missed by all who knew him,” said Meredith. ❖

www.solebury.org

Jay Abbe ’59 Retires

after 12 Years as Board Chairman

The year was 1985. Ronald Reagan was president, the ensemble hit song We Are the World dominated the radio airwaves, Back to the Future enthralled audiences in movie theaters and a gallon of gas cost $1.09.

That’s what the world looked like when Jay Abbe ’59 joined Solebury’s Board of Trustees. He’s been here ever since. In May, after 28 years on the Board and twelve consecutive years as Chair, he is turning over the leadership of the school he loves to fellow board member Scott Bolenbaugh (see page 21).

It took just two years for Abbe to fall in love with Solebury School.

He grew up in Newtown and attended Solebury for his junior and senior years of high school. Yet Abbe said those years affected him profoundly. “It was particularly transformative for me,” he said. “In two years, it turned me around academically. At Solebury, I found my footing.”

Following graduation, Abbe maintained a connection to Solebury, and said he supported the school in moderate ways. Then Jean Shaw, daughter of Solebury founder Robert “Pop” Shaw, called and told Abbe that the school needed his help. Abbe felt ready to give it. “When people get into their early 40s, while they are highly motivated and career-oriented, they get to be a bit more reflective about the past,” he said.

“They think back on the experiences that contributed to who they are. As I reflected, it was always clear, and increasingly clear, that my two years at Solebury had a big influence on me. I was in the frame of mind to give back.”

Since then, Abbe has been doing just that. He joined Solebury’s Board of Trustees and stayed for nearly three decades, always making time for Solebury School despite his demanding career. Under Abbe’s leadership, Solebury has thrived, more than doubling its endowment to ensure the institution’s strong foundation for the future. Our campus has grown as well – during his tenure, five new buildings were added to Solebury’s campus that included the award-winning Abbe Science Center and the John D. Brown Athletic Center. Five additional areas received significant renovation or repurposing, including the Crib Student Lounge and The Music Center, which opened on campus last fall.

The Cornell University and Stanford Business School graduate worked at the international consulting firm McKinsey & Company for 20 years, and then as an executive for technological and optical communications companies before retiring ten years ago. Nowadays, he and his wife Kären make wine at their vineyard in California and Jay is active with several arts and educational organizations. Yet of all his involvements, he said Solebury has been special. “Solebury is closest to my heart.”

Those who have worked alongside Abbe praise his intelligence, thoughtfulness and patience. “He has a mind nothing short of brilliant, with a font of knowledge as deep as it is wide,” said Head of School Tom Wilschutz during Alumni Weekend. “His energy is indefatigable. His compassion is as profound as his mind is keen…And his passion for Solebury School knows no bounds. We are incredibly thankful for all he has done for Solebury School.”

Abbe is modest about his accomplishments. During his years on the Board, Solebury has improved its enrollment, academic achievement and facilities. Yet Abbe is decidedly humble. “I feel positive about the subtle impacts I think I’ve probably had,” he reluctantly admitted. “I feel very proud and even more I feel privileged to have found myself in a situation where I could be helpful to the institution.”

While he has stepped down as Chair of the Board, Abbe intends to remain a committed advocate involved in the future for Solebury. After all, Abbe said his bond with the school is strong, and always will be. “Once you’re an alum,” he said, “that doesn’t go away.” ❖

20 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

Scott Bolenbaugh

New Board Chair When asked whether he felt excited or daunted by his new role as Chair of Solebury School’s Board of Trustees, Scott Bolenbaugh gave an honest, one-word answer: Yes. “It’s exciting and daunting,” he said.

“This is such a challenge and certainly a worthy cause. I needed a challenge.”

Bolenbaugh was elected this spring to succeed Jay Abbe ’59 as the new Chair. He has been a member of the Board for three years, and said he looks forward to continuing to help shape the school’s future. “What I hope to do is bring a sense of the long term to Solebury School,” said Bolenbaugh. “I think every organization needs a strong vision of where they want to be years down the road. I hope that with the strong board we have, I can help lead us to an enhanced vision of the school.”

Bolenbaugh, a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania, worked as an executive for Merck, AstraMerck and AstraZeneca for 20 years before retiring in 2005. He first discovered

Solebury School through his son, Sam, who attended Solebury for four years and graduated in 2009. During that time, Bolenbaugh became a devoted fan of the school. “We were very pleased with the caring nature here,” he said. “Everyone cares. The students care about the faculty, the faculty cares about the administration, the administration cares about everybody.

It’s like a big family.”

After four years as a Solebury parent, Bolenbaugh said he felt grateful to the school and wanted to give back. So when he was asked to join the Board in 2010, he readily accepted.

In his new role as Chair, Bolenbaugh has a lot of support from fellow board members, who praised his contemplative, insightful and understanding nature. “He’s very a balanced, thoughtful guy,” said Jay Abbe, Solebury former Chair. “He’s good at hearing and encouraging wide-ranging views and bringing them to the surface.”

Sitting in Solebury School’s office one day this summer, his long frame folded neatly into a wooden captain’s chair, Bolenbaugh wondered what others might say about his leadership years down the road. “That I didn’t screw up,” he joked. But seriously, he added in his measured tone, “Nothing other than that Solebury is a bit better than it was before.” ❖

Many Thanks

For Service

Solebury School would like to thank four additional board members for their service to Solebury. Jon Downs ’71, Mary Beth Kineke, and Navarrow Wright ’88 have completed two consecutive three-year terms, and Holly Mullin completed five years. The school is grateful for their years of service and dedication. ❖

www.solebury.org

Solebury School’s Board of Trustees Meet the

New Members _____________________________________________ In May 2013, Solebury’s Board of Trustees unanimously elected the following individuals to serve a three-year term on the Board.

Their skills and talents are varied and significant, and we are grateful that Andrée Falco ’63, B.J. Booth and Ellen Faulkner have chosen to share their time and talent with Solebury.

_____________________________________________

Andrée Newsome Falco ’63 “I love children. I believe in education.” said Andrée, brimming with compassion and sincerity. And she has a lifetime of evidence to prove it. The 1963 Solebury graduate is absolutely obsessed with watching children learn and has dedicated her life to helping all kids achieve, regardless of their circumstances.

Andrée began teaching in Washington, DC in 1968. In the midst of the Civil Rights movement and influenced by the words and actions of Martin Luther King, Jr., she shaped the minds of Kindergarteners at a progressive community school. The next year, she enrolled at the University of Toronto’s residential teaching center to learn how to best teach highly emotionally troubled children. This desire to find a method of reaching all kids defines Andrée and her incredible commitment to making the world a better place.

She went on to direct Head Start Programs in both Boston, MA and Lawrenceville, NJ, where she supervised teachers, advised parents, and worked with low income students during the early years of their education. As the Executive Director of the Millhill Child and Family Development Center, an organization providing education and care for Trenton, NJ’s most at-risk children and families, Andrée served as primary fundraiser, where she negotiated contracts and wrote grants.

The last 25 years of Andrée’s career were spent teaching kindergarten, first and second grade in Hamilton Township, NJ. She served on Solebury’s Board from 2004 – 2007, but her 60+ hour work weeks didn’t leave room for full day Board meetings, so she limited herself to one term. Now retired, Andrée is ready to jump back on the board with all the gusto she gives everything she does. “I will always be grateful to Solebury for what it did for me and no amount of tuition will ever pay for it all,” Andrée said. At Solebury, she worked hard for her teachers, her peers, and herself, and credits the school for shaping her empowered mindset. This is the place where she learned to love learning.

She recently celebrated her 50th reunion at Solebury, co-leading the Class of 1963’s effort to establish the largest class endowment fund to date.

22 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

B.J. Booth How B.J. manages to follow that age old “one page resume” rule is a mystery. With extensive and diverse experience in media, finance, government, marketing, consulting, film production, non-profit board work and real estate, the categories, subsections, and bullet points could fill pages.

B.J. has done it all. She graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Kentucky, her B.A. bearing high honors in Political Science and Communications. She went on to receive her M.A. from the Columbia University School of International Affairs with a concentration in Latin American Studies and International Finance. However, after a stint as a Eurocurrency trader for Citibank, she was pulled away from the corporate world by her oldest and strongest passion: the arts.

She moved back to her birth state, Kentucky, to serve as the state’s Director of Arts Marketing and Director of the Film Office, where she reacquainted herself with her immense love of film. She went on to open her own film production company, Wellspring Productions, where she worked with actors like Glenn Close and Sigourney Weaver.

Eventually, B.J. gave up the demanding producer lifestyle to start a family. She moved to Princeton, NJ with her husband, Kevin, and became the mother of two sons, Brian and James. James graduated from Solebury in 2011.

She has since become an integral member of the greater Princeton community through volunteer roles with a variety of social and educational organizations. Her committee work has benefitted the New Jersey Opera, the Princeton University Art Museum and Housing Initiatives of Princeton. Most recently, B.J. oversaw 23 committees as the President of the Stony Brook Garden Club of Princeton.

Solebury has earned B.J.’s devotion because it’s a school that accommodates creative, nontraditional thinkers and recognizes that accomplished and fulfilled people are products of all learning styles. “Solebury School students are given the magical gift of infinite possibility – not only during their time on campus but for the decades and adventures that follow,” she said. “Each of us needs to do what he or she can to ensure the vitality of a unique community that instills both a lifelong love of learning and a profound respect for the individual.”

Ellen Faulkner Warm, kind, insightful, and supportive – Ellen is a true people person. She is the mother of two Solebury alumni, Judd ’06 and Sam ’11, and a practicing Psychotherapist for adults and adolescents.

Raised by two educators, Ellen was practically born with an understanding of the importance of education. She was captured by Solebury’s environment of personalized attention, creative stimulation, and bountiful opportunity. “Solebury loved my boys for who they were,” Ellen said. It’s the school’s humanity, its emphasis on balance and its understanding that teenagers’ identities surpass text books and chemistry test scores that she most deeply wants to preserve.

Ellen has degrees in Music Education and Music Therapy, a Masters in Creative Arts Therapy, and National Certification and a Ph.D in psychoanalysis. She has worked in hospitals and in private practice. More recently, she has lent her skills to The Global Consulting Partnership, helping struggling executives learn to manage people effectively, negotiate the politics of their job, and grow to be powerful leaders. She provides conflict resolution for team members in leadership positions, and aids teams and individuals in pioneering change within their organizations. Ellen has worked for major foundations, large accounting firms, the U.S. government, and other smaller businesses. Ellen is also deeply involved with Planned Parenthood of Bucks County.

In all of her years of experience, Ellen is convinced that when it comes to shaping and supporting young people, Solebury Faculty and staff are doing something right. “It is an honor to join this tradition as a Trustee and I plan to remain open to all of the possibilities of how I can contribute to Solebury School.” ❖

www.solebury.org

Alma’s Update Summer 2013 HOLMQUIST SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 1917-1949 Class of 1949

On a sadder note, Jean’s former husband, Scot Gaznier, who worked for Solebury in the 1980s, died on June 18, 2013 in Ashland, Oregon.

Class of 1958 Sharon Stanick Levisohn writes us: It’s an understatement to say that life in Israel is never dull. Thanks to good health and a comfortable pension, it is also interesting and active for me. I have just returned from a short trip to London with my daughter Rona and granddaughter Yael.

This is a family tradition started by my mother, of a Granny-sponsored trip, on the occasion of the bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah. Yael is the fourth grandchild to Nöelle Kennedy Masukawa sent us this reach this landmark and there are four precious picture. All in the photo more to come. Having made it to my 50th eventually attended Holmquist or Solebury reunion at Solebury and also to the 50th at School. Left to right: Harvard (Radcliffe), there are no imminent plans to make another trip to the USA as Bill Berkeley ’49, Darragh Miller Ellerson all of my family is here in Israel. Any H’48, Nora Lathrop Grimison H’49, Peter classmates or acquaintances motivated to Hoyt ’49, Danna Cole Spielman H’48 (dec), visit us in Israel will be gladly welcomed, Erica Child Prud’homme ’50, and Nöelle although encouraged to do so when the Kennedy Masukawa H’49 weather is temperate.

SOLEBURY SCHOOL FOR BOYS 1925-1949 No submissions SOLEBURY SCHOOL 1950–PRESENT Class of 1952 Chuck Schwartz’s last grandchild graduated from high school and will attend Indiana University in the fall. Two grandchildren have already graduated college and four are still in college. Chuck is living in Missouri City, Texas, which is outside of Houston.

Class of 1953 Jean Tappan Shaw is finally fully retired, leaving the interesting but one-morething-to-worry-about census interviewing job she had for three years. She and her fun-loving cousin, Alexa Shaw McDonough ’62, are heading to the Amazon rainforest, Machu Picchu, and the Galapagos Islands this fall for 19 days with a small group.

Bob Stockton has begun work on a fourth novel which will be themed around the Navy’s participation in the Cold War and the Vietnam War. Bob will attend the National Chief Petty Officers Association gathering later this year.

Class of 1960 Last August, Peter Bowie was appointed by the President of the American Bar Association to chair the Judicial Advisory Committee of the American Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility. He continues to speak to federal judges on that subject around the country and was just reappointed as chair for another year.

In March 2013 Peter celebrated 25 years on the bench. When he retired last fall, he gave up serving as chief judge of the court after almost seven years, and also completed a term as Chief of the

Conference of Chief Bankruptcy Judges for the Ninth Circuit, which included serving on the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council.

Much more importantly, his two granddaughters, Charlotte and Matilda, are thriving in Shanghai, China, where they were born. They come to visit twice a year which is never enough.

Class of 1961 Chude Parker Allen is a member of the Bay Area Veterans of the Civil Rights movement. She coordinates speaking engagements in schools, colleges and community groups. She’s written about her experiences on the Civil Rights Movement Veterans website, www.crmvet.org.

Ann Rovere developed the first ever educational trip for the National Association for Social Workers California Chapter to Cuba. The trip Cuba: Health and Social Services was attended by 25 health professionals, who visited 14 health and social service agencies in Havana and the surrounding countryside.

Ann continues to work at Jewish Home, a skilled nursing facility in San Francisco, enjoying immensely an excellent organization that is struggling with the realities of radically reduced reimbursement rates.

Class of 1965 Last April, Temple University Beasley School of Law Professor James A. Shellenberger received the Temple University Great Teacher Award. This is the highest award given by the University for teaching.

In his almost 30 years of teaching at Temple Law School, James has taught courses at the heart of the criminal law curriculum. In addition to teaching on Temple’s main campus in Philadelphia, he has also taught the law school’s programs in Tokyo, Japan and Rome, Italy.

SUMMER 2013 In addition to teaching his classes, James twice directed the Law School’s legal writing program. In 2007, he founded and still directs the law school’s Academic Core Enrichment program, which provides support for first year law students especially those struggling with the transition to law school. Outside Temple, he has for several years worked as a Reporter for the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Model Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, and he is Temple’s faculty representative to the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners.

THE ALMA started with some friends. Headmistress Press is publishing her first full-length collection of poems, Conjuring My Leafy Muse.

PAGE 2 Class of 1979 Cynthia Hardesty Keler, Ph.D. is an associate professor at Delaware Valley College. She won the 2013 Distinguished Faculty Member Award in the Biology department.

Class of 1981 Eric Larsson has been messing around with zoning law and land use models in Portland, Maine. He still lines up for the occasional bike race, and likes to nap on the couch when his wife is at work and his daughter is in school.

Class of 1985 Rachel Anthonisen Gates is teaching painting, drawing, and puppetry classes at Huckleberry Fine Art School in Rockville, MD. She is also teaching preschool art classes at Takoma Park Community Center.

Class of 1968 Head of School Tom Wilschutz visited Will King and his partner Gary in southern Florida last March.

Class of 1971 Gary Karpf, MD has been a psychiatrist in Princeton, NJ for 30 years and just launched Energeze with his wife Dr. Robin Karpf. Energeze is a new direct-toconsumer pain relieving patch that uses the body’s natural surface energy to ease discomforts without side effects.

He continues to enjoy an occasional good time with fellow classmates Jon Downs and Ethan Kapstein. Gary has two grown children, Sara who is finishing a graduate degree in interior design at the New York School of Interior Design, and Brandon who is beginning his third year at the United States Naval Academy. He can be reached at gkarpf@prezacor.com.

Class of 1973 Richard Brostoff has published a chapbook of poetry he wrote: A Few Forms of Love. He is working on a third book now.

Mary Meriam has a new website on Blogspot with lots of news. Her most recent news is the creation of Headmistress Press, a company she

Class of 1974 Karen Aruna Andes recently moved to St. Petersburg, Florida after 27 years in California. She has connected with Michael Newman ’72, Faith Roeser Larsen ’72 and Kate Stein ’73. She has been hard at work teaching trainers on her invention, Fly Gym, an aerial yoga fitness swing. She also finds many opportunities to perform with her Florida crew of theatrical dancing pirate wenches, The Fly By Pirates. Life is good!

Class of 1977 Rachel Simon’s publisher released a tenyear anniversary edition of Riding The Bus With My Sister, which includes fifty pages of new material that updates the story. The Washington Post recently noted on how rare it is for a book to stay in print that long and for sales to remain strong enough to warrant a new edition.

Her most recent book, The Story of Beautiful Girl, has now been translated into ten languages.

In addition to writing and speaking, Rachel volunteers for hospice, travels to Florida a few times a year to help her stepfather with her mother, who now has dementia, and enjoys her marriage and cat.

Alex Komarek Bader writes in: I can’t believe the Class of 1985 will celebrate its 30th reunion in early May 2015. I’m reaching out to everyone (and you know who you are!) to put our reunion weekend on your busy calendars NOW so we can celebrate together. Frankly, I don’t feel 30 years older but my three college-aged children are apparently living proof that I am. I am very proud to say that my eldest, Blake, will be a senior at the University of Pittsburgh, my daughter Brittany will be a junior at the University of Florida and my baby, Max will be a sophomore at Roanoke College playing Division III Lacrosse with his step-brother this fall.

Life in Florida is good, and my husband Mike and I enjoy spending a lot of time outside in the sunshine. My nephew CJ Donohue will be a senior at Solebury in the fall so my family legacy lives on through him. I recently made a small donation in our dear Mariella Sundstrom’s memory this year. It was matched by an anonymous donor so I am happy to keep the art department thriving even in the smallest way. Stay in touch.

There are many of us on Facebook!

SUMMER 2013

THE ALMA Fall Arts Festival. The painting, titled Elsie & Mabel, was juried last year and sold opening night to a collector from Chicago.

Allegra has an art page on Facebook.

Class of 1996 Lana Whitehead is studying for the LSAT in pursuit of entering law school in 2014.

Class of 1987 Mitchell Kramer continues to work for Historic Philadelphia as a Historical Interpreter. For the ninth consecutive year, he performed the Declaration of Independence on July 4th at Independence National Historical Park.

His work was recently featured in an article in the Jewish Exponent.

Class of 1988 Daniel Anthonisen received lifetime achievement award in the arts from the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce. He also completed a portrait of former Head of School John Brown ’67 which was commissioned by Solebury School.

Class of 1992 Stefanee Magill tells us: After years of helping build someone else’s landscape design firm, I took a leap of faith along with encouragement and support from friends and family to go out on my own. I am excited, but a little nervous at the same time. With a love of what I do and the satisfaction of seeing my clients delighted with how beautiful and creative their homes have become, it’s all worth the jump. Most of my work is seasonal containers and decorating along with building custom vegetable gardens and garden structures (obelisk, trellis, benches, birdhouses, and more.)

Class of 1993 Joanna Friedman is a partner at a prominent Washington, DC law firm. She specializes in Civil Rights Law and represents federal employees with employment discrimination cases. She reports that she is a happily married and living in Silver Spring, MD. Allegra Sleep is still painting in Taos, New Mexico and is gearing up for the Taos

Class of 2001 Suzanne Cunningham is the head gardening teacher at the Waldorf School of Princeton, and is also their Summer Camp Director. She married Matthew D. Trowbridge in October and lives in Princeton. Matthew is an English teacher at Princeton Academy. They went to Spain in December for their honeymoon and now are planning a big trip to Europe this winter.

Quinn Waters was recently featured in Radius Magazine, a Doylestown art and music magazine. He is working on a new album.

Class of 2002 As an Olympic hopeful, Courtney Johnson-Amritt still has a long way to go to reach her dream. By age 16, Courtney had a full-blown passion for dressage, an equestrian sport where horse and rider perform a series of predetermined maneuvers. Reaching the level for international competition and especially the Olympics has always been of dream of hers. “It was something I always wanted to do. It’s always been my drive.”

In 2003, she won a United States Dressage Federation Bronze medal and a USDF Silver Medal in 2008. With two more levels of competition to reach before the Olympics even come into focus, Courtney is working hard to get there but not rushing the process.

Qualifying and competing in the PanAm Games will help pave the way for a shot at the 2020 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.

–Excerpt from the Americanfarm.com written by Sean Clougherty.

Dr. Brittany Korn Winfeld is currently serving a fellowship in wound care at New York Presbyterian Hospital at Wykoff.

PAGE 3 Class of 2003 Colin Maier is living in Hobart, Tasmania.

He works at a self-funded, non-profit worker cooperative called Resource.

They salvage materials with reusable and/or cultural value from the waste stream for recirculation in the local economy. When not at work, Colin is eating delicious food at home with his wife Bridget, ringing the church bells at the local cathedral, or practicing and teaching a form of Balinese processional gamelan called Beleganjur. If any Solebury folk find themselves heading his way, they should not hesitate to get in touch.

Josh Perlsweig owns Roots to River Farm in Solebury where he has started a Community Service Agriculture program.

Class of 2004 Jessica Giffin joined the faculty at Oldfields School in Maryland. Jessica teaches World History, assists in learning support, and coaches varsity soccer and softball.

Class of 2005 Juliet Fox is a copywriter for Spotco, a theater marketing company in NYC. She’s interviewed many celebrities, including Tom Hanks.

Class of 2008 Emma Ballentyne has been working in London, England as an iPad trainer.

Holly Mutascio is Solebury School’s new Community Garden Coordinator. In addition to serving as a dorm parent and maintaining the community garden, she will teach Animal Behavior and Chemistry in the Community.

Class of 2009 Lina Pearson graduated from Tyler School of Art and has opened up an art gallery in Philadelphia on 3rd Street. The gallery is called New Boone and you can check it out on Facebook.

Alexis Davis is an AmeriCorps VISTA member at a non-profit in DC that works with Middle School students to end generational poverty through education.

SUMMER 2013 BIRTHS

THE ALMA children, Peter Mack and Randi Mack Gonnella and her husband, Michael Gonnella.

Hermann Platt ’54 7/10/1936 - 5/20/2013 See page 19.

Patrick Sprague ’93 and his wife Rene, celebrated the birth of their daughter, Lucy Margaret Sprague, born February 4, 2013. Lucy joins older siblings Elijah, 8, and Henry, 4.

DEATHS Dick Mack ’51 11/23/1933 - 5/31/2013 Dick was the only child of Emanuel (Manny) Makanoff and Leah Braverman Makanoff. The Makanoffs (later Mack) are three generations in the food, beverage and nightclub business in the New Brunswick and Somerset, NJ, area, beginning with One Eleven Wines and Liquors, Manny’s Den, The Den and now Sophie’s Bistro, owned by his son Peter Mack.

Dick spent three of the happiest years of his life at Solebury School. He played varsity football and J.V. basketball. The Solebury yearbook stated that “what Dick lacks in height and speed, he makes up in hustle and mass.”

He went onto Washington and Lee, then Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener) from which he graduated. He subsequently went into the Army and Army Reserve seriously considering a career in the military. Passing by Seton Hall one day, he went inside and impulsively applied to the law school which accepted him. His father became ill while he was a law student and he left school to help his father and subsequently take over the family business which he expanded when the business moved to Hamilton Street in Franklin Township, NJ. He was a longtime member of the Rotary Club of New Brunswick to which he gave much of his time and energy. Richard was much loved in the community and by his family for his generosity and good humor. Richard is survived by his wife, Cynthia Brockett and

Paul Silberman ’78 10/3/1959 – 5/13/2013 Paul Frederick Silberman, known during his Solebury days as Brother Paul for his impromptu preaching from sources such as algebra books, died on May 13th, 2013.

Paul was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer on January 28th and spent his last three and a half months coming to terms with what he had and had not accomplished in his life. He was at peace when he died May 13th while his sister Julie-Ann Silberman-Bunn ’81 held his hand.

Paul had suffered two traumatic brain injuries in his life one when he was 19 and one when he was 48 both as the result of car accidents. Each of his injuries changed the course of Paul’s life and what he was able to accomplish. In spite of his injuries Paul graduated with a degree in history from Trenton State College and a Master’s of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. He was married for 10 years to Patty O’Brien and spent the last few years of his life as a care giver for an elderly couple in Trenton, NJ. Eliseos “Sal” Verveniotis ’93 9/23/1974 - 10/15/2012 Sal leaves behind his wife Miriam, son Christos, father Christos and his sister Sophia and her family. He was predeceased by his mother Christina in 2007 and Josephine, his first wife and son’s mother, in 2008.

PAGE 4

Important Information Please check out Solebury’s website www.solebury.org.

On this site you can send class notes, update your contact information, register for reunions, make a gift to Solebury, and more.

You can stay connected to Solebury via Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, RSS Feeds, Flickr, and YouTube. Please join us. You can find us via the website.

Alumni Weekend

Memorial Service Alumni Weekend brought beautiful weather and over 300 alumni, parents, faculty and friends back to campus for some fun-filled and memorable events.

An alumni cocktail hour and dinner at the Centre Bridge Inn in New Hope kicked off the weekend. We were so pleased to welcome over 100 alumni to this event, one of the largest alumni turnouts in recent years. Alumnus John Sadwith ’68 led his class’s 45th reunion and had close to 15 classmates and their spouses attend.

Saturday morning began with a lovely alumni memorial service in the Memorial Garden, where a group gathered to celebrate the lives of Solebury family members who are no longer with us. The group gathered to remember: Holmquist School Barbara Bull Palmer H’27 Solebury School Norma Dale Seabrook Cartier ’59 T. Sinclair Jacobs ’39 Reeve S. Donley ’53 Kurt Petrie ’57 Jeff Eger ’82 Leda E. Petrov ’75 28 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

Charles H. Gale, V ’03 Tek Talmont ’49 Alix Cole Hansen ’51 Matthew Winthrop ’57 Relatives and Friends of Solebury Joyce Block Celeste Holm Kenneth Hey Joseph Rosenberg

For more photos, visit www.solebury.org/alumniweekend2013 Throughout the day, alumni enjoyed tours of the campus and caught up with classmates, as well as a buffet lunch. Later, selected outstanding alumni athletes were recognized at the Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony (see page 30 for inductees). Later on Saturday, alumni gathered at the Head of School’s house where John Petito ’96 and Lana Whitehead ’96 flipped burgers at the Alumni Burger and Beer Bash. John and Lana took the opportunity to ask the group to make a donation to the Marx Scholarship, a fund that provides need-based scholarships for minority students.

The Class of 1963 celebrated their 50th reunion at classmate Jeremy Fergusson’s home nearby and many alumni joined in the fun at this year’s Shaken Not Stirred auction (see page 18).

On Sunday, Jay Abbe ’59 was honored at a special luncheon as he stepped down as Solebury’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Almost 100 guests joined Jay and his wife Kären at the Centre Bridge Inn to share memories of his years as chairman and send him good wishes.

A special acknowledgement goes to the Class of 1963, who celebrated their 50th reunion by establishing a new class reunion record by raising more than $112,000 for Solebury’s endowment. The 1963 reunion committee included Dan Cohen, Barbara Winslow, Andrée Falco, Bella Schauman, and Jeremy Fergusson.

Please mark your calendar for next year’s Alumni Weekend, May 2-4, 2014. ❖

The Solebury Class of ’63 celebrated their 50th reunion. (Left to right, bottom to top): Dan Cohen, Bella Schauman, Al Pesachowitz, Phil Rushton, John Walker, Ellen Westheimer, Jeremy Fergusson, Caroline Lebowitz Simon, Andrée Newsome Falco, Jamie Jack Nourie, John Funk, Joel Mumford, and Marge Collins

www.solebury.org

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees The Solebury School Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes and honors student-athletes, exceptional teams, coaches, and other members of the Solebury community who have made outstanding contributions to its athletic program. In May, the following individuals and teams were inducted during an Alumni Weekend ceremony that took place in the John D. Brown Athletic Center.

Joan Reinthaler ’53 Malcolm Ingram ’06

Joan Reinthaler ’53 was presented the Hall of Fame Award from fellow alumna Betsy Meredith ’54.

Basketball Coach Cleve Christie with Hall of Fame Inductee, Malcolm Ingram ’06.

1955 Football Team Harry Bach Marcus Boyd III Kenneth Cromwell Stu Fox Fred Goodwin Mike Getlin John Holbert E.A. “Spike” Hulit Jon Kaplan Jim MacArthur Andy Merrill Michael “Pancho” Roth Bill “Dutch” Schoener Mike “Duke” Sienkiewicz John Silver Wistar Silver Hollinshead Taylor Kirk White Head Coach: Don McCook 1986-87 Boys’ Basketball Team Kevin A. Ballard Eddy Manoyrine Keith Pinckney Brad Price Candido Rivera Cory White Navarrow J. Wright Assistant Coach: Chris MacBrien Head Coach: Cleve Christie

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

Nominations may be made by either printing and completing the Online Nomination Form at www.solebury.org/halloffame or sending one via snail mail to Robert Eichem, Director of Athletics, at 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA, 18938. ❖ The deadline for submitting nominations is October 15 of each school year.

30 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Summer/Fall 2013

2013 Solebury School Summer/Fall Magazine Editor Jennifer K. Burns Director of Advancement

Rollover and make a difference.

Associate Editor, Magazine Beverly Berkeley Director of Communications Associate Editor, Alma’s Renee LaPorte Director of Alumni Relations and Gift Planning Contributing Writers Lauren Eckstein, Camille LeBlanc ’12, Beverly Berkeley Design & Production EnForm Graphic Productions, Inc. Photography Beverly Berkeley, Stephen Barth Please send change of address to: Solebury School 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA 18938 Phone: 215-862-5261 Fax: 215-862-3366 E-mail: alumni@solebury.org Web Site: www.solebury.org Copyright 2013 Solebury School Board of Trustees 2013-2014 Scott Bolenbaugh (PA) Chairman Tom Hunt ’74 (NJ) Vice Chairman Elizabeth Wavle (NJ) Treasurer Alan Sheriff (PA) Secretary Ezra Billinkoff ’03 (PA) Bette Jane (BJ) Booth (NJ) David Christiansen (PA) Dan Cohen ’63 (FL) Andrée Newsome Falco ’63 (NJ) Dr. Ellen Faulkner (PA) Barbara Fordyce (PA) Stan Jablonowski (PA) Ken Klimpel (NJ) John Petito (PA) Joan Reinthaler ’53 (DC) Mike Sienkiewicz ’56 (PA) Anne C. (Annsi) Stephano ’58 (PA) Brett Webber ’85 (PA)

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, among other provisions, extends the IRA Charitable Rollover for 2013. The extension will allow individuals 70 ½ and older to donate up to $100,000 from their IRAs taxfree. While donors do not receive an income tax charitable deduction, this provision does allow them to transfer (or “rollover”) money from their IRAs directly to 501(c)3 organizations like Solebury, without recognizing the transfer as income. These rollover contributions count toward an individual’s minimum required distribution for the year. Individuals should consult their tax advisors regarding their specific situations.

Need more information or want to initiate a transfer for 2013? Contact Jennifer K. Burns, Director of Advancement, at 215.862.5261, x183 or jburns@solebury.org. For information on more ways to maximize your gift to Solebury, go to www.solebury.org/giving.

Head of School Thomas G. Wilschutz HONORARY TRUSTEES Bill Berkeley ’49 Chris Chandor ’60 Alan Donley ’55 Betsy Bidelman Meredith ’54 Richard Moss ’48 Hermann Platt ’54 Eric Shaw ’55 Jean Shaw ’53

Scan this QR code with your smartphone to make your online donation to Solebury School.

www.solebury.org

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