Solebury School Magazine - Winter/Spring 2014

Solebury School Magazine

www.solebury.org

Winter/Spring 2014

What’s Inside

New Faces on Campus

8

Celebrating an Anniversary 10 Alma’s

13

SoleBenefits

16

Auction

18

Cover and inside cover photos credit to Nicole Mount.

2 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Winter/Spring 2014

Winter/Spring 2014

In this issue of Solebury School’s Magazine, you will be introduced to the new faces around campus, learn about the process of the school’s reaccreditation, and find out about our new Middle School program.

You will meet current students who are living proof that the school’s philosophy has stayed relevant since its inception in 1925. Catch up with alumni in this issue’s Alma’s and see the exciting schedule planned for Reunion Weekend 2014.

A Note from

Tom Wilschutz–Head of School I find myself talking about “the college process” frequently. As a former Admissions Officer at the university level, there are two changes to the process that strike me as particularly noteworthy.

First, the number of enrolled students at colleges has not appreciably increased, however, the demand for those seats has.

More people are going to college than ever before. If you combine this trend with the following mind-set – the subjective belief that for each, only a few colleges are the “right” choice – you ratchet up the stress level of parents and students around admissions. Selecting a college that is best for you is no longer the driver for many; getting into a specific college is now the focus.

For Solebury, the “right” college is about the best fit for the individual student. We take into consideration their style of learning, as well as their physical and emotional needs – all the variables such that, when properly aligned, position our graduates for success in college.

For the students, the college process spans much of their time at Solebury. Tim Gallen, Solebury’s Director of College Guidance, devotes all of his time to helping our families negotiate this process. Tim offers seminars and workshops to the parents of sophomores and juniors. He answers questions from ninth graders through seniors about course selection and how “the colleges” will view this particular course choice as opposed to that one. He helps to chart the course our students must navigate – ensuring access to the necessary tests (PSAT, ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests) – as well as preparing our students for regional and national college fairs. He teaches a class on the college process, required for every junior and has built strong relationships with many institutions of higher learning. Under Tim’s leadership, the school adopted Naviance, an online analytic tool that informs students and parents as to how the students’ credentials match the desired profile of the colleges they are contemplating. In addition to Tim, all faculty are part of the support network as our students approach the college process – from supportive advisors who listen, guide and counsel, to those faculty who

author highly personalized letters of recommendation.

In addition to Tim’s official school recommendation, each student typically requests two to four letters in support of their application from those teachers who know them best.

Which brings us to Senior year, when the emphasis shifts to a series of decisions for the student. How many schools should I apply to? What are my “safety schools” and are they really safe?

Do I have a first choice and should I apply Early Action (EA), Early Decision (ED) or Regular? How does that decision affect my financial aid if I need financial assistance? Which teachers should I ask for my recommendations? With one eye (hopefully) still focused on their current academic work, the first half of the senior year sees the other eye focused on a mountain of forms, some paper and others electronic, essays and deadlines.

And then…the waiting begins. How long the wait depends on which schools are in the mix, whether they practice precipice or rolling admission, and whether the student applied ED, EA or Regular. Thus, almost the entirety of the year is dotted with a mixture of joy and pathos as students learn of their decisions from November through April.

Like the classes before them, the class of 2014 has invested much time and effort in both their time at Solebury and in making choices for the next step in their educational journey. We have students actively seeking admission at schools such as Brown, Yale, Penn and Columbia, while George Washington University, University of Illinois, Skidmore, Penn State, NYU, Bennington, Hampshire, Pitt, and Indiana University among others have already welcomed Solebury seniors to their freshmen class of 2018. Of our 51 seniors, more than half have already received an acceptance.

What does all this mean? I do not subscribe to the view that only a relative handful of schools define the universe of acceptable options as our students graduate from Solebury School. I do believe in fit and feel and (continued on page 11) www.solebury.org

Standards of Academic Excellence

PAIS Accreditation During the next 18 months, Solebury School will participate in the rigorous accreditation process of the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS). Currently, our faculty and staff are deeply engaged in comprehensive, thoughtful reflection about all aspects of the work we do as a school. This effort will culminate with a written self-study composed by the entire faculty and staff and demonstrating our approach to 25 standards that include the school’s philosophy, governance, institutional advancement, financial management and health and safety.

Once the self-study is complete, it will be submitted to PAIS and we will begin preparing to welcome a Visiting Team composed of volunteers who are teachers, administrators and Heads from other independent schools, all members of PAIS. The Visiting Team, chaired by the Head of another independent school, will arrive in late October to visit every class, review all the paperwork with collateral materials and meet with students, administrators, parents and faculty. The visiting team is examining us based on the criteria we have set for our school and evaluating our efforts against generally accepted standards for effective independent schools. The standards provide a basic framework that is intended to be shared among independent schools in Pennsylvania and its narrative format allows us to detail the unique and special attributes of Solebury School. Some months after the visit, we will receive feedback from PAIS regarding the status of our accreditation, along with a detailed written report with commendations and recommendations to guide us as we seek to continually improve the experience for our students and all members of the community. Once approved, Solebury will be accredited with PAIS through 2021.

Special acknowledgement goes to our librarian Hanna Elliot, who is chairing the self-study, and the entire Steering Committee for their extraordinary effort and time commitment to this process. “I have been really grateful for the extra work that everyone has been doing,” said Elliot. “It isn’t an easy process but our faculty and staff has been willing to participate and rise to the challenge.”

“As time consuming as this effort is, this process offers the whole community an opportunity to examine closely who and what we are and evaluate that snapshot against both our mission and our vision for the school’s future,” said Tom Wilschutz, Head of School. “Perhaps as valuable, we ask a group of external experts who arrive without bias or preconceived ideas to read carefully what we think of ourselves, then to come and spend time with us – listen and observe – and confirm for us, or challenge us, on our reality. In most every instance both are true. We will be praised for doing some things very well and we will be challenged to improve where needed. The schools that engage the reaccreditation process with serious intent seize a wonderful opportunity to insert into the busy lives of a school time for thought, reflection and discussion such that the near term path forward is well lit by these three beacons as we seek the kind of continuous improvement that keeps us completive and relevant.” ❖

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The New

Middle School Program Just a couple of months ago, English teacher Kara McCabe had a conversation with a student that let her know she was doing something right. Referencing a popular image for good ideas, McCabe heard, “I’ve run out of light bulbs!

You can’t make any more connections today.”

Yet connections are what it’s all about in the new interdisciplinary Middle School Program, designed to highlight the interconnected relationship between Literature, History, Science, Math and Language. The new 7th and 8th grade curriculum invites students to broaden their understanding, spark their critical thinking skills, and notice the overlap of issues in the world around them.

Students read Greek myths while learning about early Greek democracy; they learn about languages as a window into world cultures; they learn about science while exploring the local environment, interviewing local farmers and preparing their own farm-to-table meal; they learn about their own cultural identity as a way of exploring immigration, geography and government.

“We hoped that they would see the inter-related nature of school and really all academic disciplines,” said Kristy Thurrell, a history teacher who, along with McCabe, teaches a Middle School humanities course called Identity, Community, Change. “We planned it out, with the connections there, and said, ‘Maybe they’ll see them.’ They really have, maybe even more than we hoped. And they’re making the connections themselves.”

Middle Schoolers Connor Leff ’19, Garritt Zalewski ’19 and Robbe Genyn ’18 work on their LEGO robot projects.

With just 16 students, the new Middle School program is small by design, and offers a challenging and advanced curriculum. Essentially, this is Honors Middle School, observes Cari Nelson, science teacher and director of the Middle School program. “There is a higher level of thinking at work here,” said Nelson. “These students will be very prepared for high school.”

Nelson pointed to the small class size, interdisciplinary approach and the opportunity for experiential learning as the cornerstones of this unique program. During their two years, Middle School students visit Washington, D.C., the United Nations, an Environmental Education Center, Overlook Farm, run by Heifer International, and even take an international trip. The Middle School also has a 1:1 iPad program, allowing students to develop their technological skills while staying organized. “We are 90 percent digital,” said Nelson. “Students turn in work on the iPad, I grade it on the iPad, and give it back on the iPad. It helps with organization. There are no more loose papers for Middle Schoolers.”

This is one of the many changes that students seem to appreciate. “I really like the fact that we use iPads for learning now,” said Stella Stinnett ’18. “I am learning about so many new things and it’s very fun at the same time.

Overall this year at Solebury School has been a great experience for me and I’m having so much fun and learning a lot.” ❖

Middle School Director Cari Nelson (center), works with Lorenz Markhoff ’18 and Ben Weinberg ’18 on their iPads.

www.solebury.org

Solebury School’s Philosophy–

An Enduring Foundation In the early 1920s, four young men with big dreams and few resources embarked on one revolutionary idea: to build a better school.

They had seen what was out there – rigid rules, rote learning, authoritarian teachers – and envisioned something different. They imagined a place where education could be challenging and inspiring, where learning could be more about asking new questions than receiving old answers, where students’ individual passions could be ignited and encouraged, and where the bonds between teachers and students could feel like a genuine partnership. They imagined Solebury School.

When the school opened in 1925 with just four teachers and four students, these core ideas became the foundation of an educational philosophy. The future may have been murky, but the school’s mission was crystal clear. “Our goal is to start a small school with an informal atmosphere, where the needs of each boy would be attended to, where friendship between teachers and pupils would be encouraged, and where a boy would be prepared not only for college, but for life beyond high school,” wrote Arthur “Doc” Washburn, Solebury’s first headmaster.

Nearly 90 years later, Solebury School’s philosophy includes five tenets that align seamlessly with the four founders’ original intentions: challenging academics, a partnership between students and teachers, respect for the individual, the importance of diversity and relevant education.

“When I think about Solebury’s philosophy, I’m jealous that our students get to go to school here,” said Scott Eckstein, Solebury School’s Director of Admissions. “They attend a school where the classes are full of meaningful work, they are surrounded by adults who care, and they are part of an environment where they can truly be themselves. A community like this is an incredible gift and creates a great high school experience.”

on a page. Instead, they are living, breathing emblems of what the school represents. They are embodied in the bright and vibrant students that populate the campus. They endure.

It is difficult to find a student at Solebury School who does not personify the school’s philosophy.

Here are brief snapshots of five students who help bring the school’s philosophy to life every day.

Challenging and Inspiring Academics Looking at Eli Sadoff’s academic transcript, several patterns appear – like the repetition of the word “Honors” or the frequent use of Eli Sadoff ’14 the letters “AP”.

Sadoff ’14, has sought out challenging courses since he arrived at Solebury School in 9th grade. Now in his senior year, when he could perhaps ease up a bit, he has instead decided to take AP French, AP Statistics, AP Chemistry, Honors Physics, 19th Century Novel, and Multivariable Calculus, a college level course where he is the only student in the class. “My schedule is kind of crazy,” laughed Sadoff. “I decided to make my senior year my hardest.”

Today, the five tenets of Solebury School’s philosophy are not just words 6 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Winter/Spring 2014

Yet while Sadoff has always pushed himself, he has also enjoyed his studies. He said the small class sizes, individual attention from teachers, and the notion that education is about more than just earning grades has made what could have been an academic slog into something much more satisfying. “There is some stress, but there is also the joy of learning,” said Sadoff. “I look forward to going to class.”

Students and Teachers – A Partnership in Learning Ian Grady ’14 considers history teacher Kristy Thurrell his friend. At Solebury, this is not atypical.

Instead, this is a common occurrence on a Ian Grady ’14 campus where class time is all about discourse, discussion and debate; and where student/teacher relationships are all about collaboration, conversation and camaraderie.

“I’ve been at schools where you called teachers by their first names, but even then you couldn’t sit down and have lunch with a teacher. You can at Solebury and it’s a huge plus,” said Grady. “You feel a lot more confident in class when you’re asking questions or if you don’t understand something.

It’s a lot easier to say, ‘I have no idea what you just said.’”

happen?’ It’s a ‘make it happen’ kind of school and community.”

Grady arrived at Solebury School last year, and has spent three trimesters in Thurrell’s history electives. This year he doesn’t have Thurrell as a teacher, but still makes time to have lunch or coffee with her. Grady said forming bonds with his teachers has enhanced his experiences here, allowing him to develop relationships based on mutual respect. “You’re treated much more as a peer,” said Grady. “Teachers talk to you like a person.”

Without the constraints of being told who she should be, Fitton found herself. “Solebury influenced me to be who I want to be,” she said. “It’s just a supportive place to grow.”

Profound Respect for the Individual Some high schools are ruled by the clique, the stereotype, the label - not Solebury School. When Veronica Fitton ’14 arrived here Veronica Fitton ’14 in 7th grade, this notion was a revelation. “I always liked to do a lot of things, but I never knew that I could do 10 things I loved,” she said. “I thought I had to pick one.”

Six years later, Fitton has found her unique individuality by pursuing all the things she loves. She plays softball and field hockey, she is a captivating singer and performer, she is a peer mentor, a graduate of the Teach2Serve program, and the co-founder of GirlForward, a club that highlights the challenges faced by adolescent girls around the world. Fitton said Solebury’s encouraging environment helped her find the confidence to pursue her passions. “Stereotypes are not a thing here,” she said. “It’s not like if you’re a jock you can’t also be a singer or an activist. You can be whoever you want.

There’s no one who’s going to tell you ‘No you can’t do this.’ Instead it’s ‘You want to do this? How can we make that

The Importance of Diversity As the word implies, “diversity” can mean many different things.

At Solebury School, the facts will tell you it means that the campus has a Zonia Rueda ’15 population where 20 percent of students are of color and 15 percent are international students. Yet to Zonia Rueda ’15, it means something much more personal.

“Diversity means that my friends like to learn about my culture and language,” said Rueda, whose family comes from Guatemala. “It means that everyone is friends with everyone. It means it’s a place to be who you are and express who you are.”

Rueda said Solebury is a welcoming place that has encouraged her to join chorus, Master Singers, theater productions, Diversity Club, Judiciary Committee and the Intercultural Student Association. It is a place that also encouraged her to celebrate her own heritage. Last year, Rueda founded the Hispanic Affinity Group, a club that hosts a Day of the Dead event at school, sponsors movie nights, and holds meetings for members to talk about issues related to cultural identity.

Rueda said the varied student body, unique clubs, and multicultural campus events make Solebury feel very accepting. “It’s a comfortable place to be respected,” she notes.

Relevant Education What does a relevant education look like? It looks like a student who feels prepared to meet the challenges ahead. It looks like a student Alliyah Allen ’14 who understands their connection to the broader community. It looks like a student who feels empowered to change the world.

A relevant education can look like Alliyah Allen ’14.

Last year, Allen completed Solebury School’s Teach2Serve program, an innovative two-year curriculum that teaches public service entrepreneurship. As part of her capstone project, Allen developed a tutoring program for elementary and middle school students at a school in Trenton – a program that continues today. Allen was also invited to participate in Solebury School’s TEDx conference, presenting her TED Talk on how to motivate middle school students in inner city schools. “I didn’t even know what a TEDx conference was before,” said Allen. “Now I’ve presented at one.”

Allen said that these experiences – along with classes like Ethics, American Studies and Honors Theory that encouraged her to explore social issues, significantly changed how she sees the world and herself. “It pushed me to want to be better and do more,” she said. “It’s not just about GPA. Now I feel like I’m working toward something. I’m definitely inspired to make a bigger impact on the world and bring forth some kind of change.” ❖

www.solebury.org

New Faces on Each issue, we’ll profile some of the new faculty and staff on campus. In the next issue, you will meet Brad King, Facilities Manager and Ellen Cuthrell, teacher of English as a Second Language.

Campus Steve Feld Steve Feld, our new Director of Finance, cannot stress enough how glad he is to have found Solebury.

After years of experience in higher education management (most recently as Chief Financial Officer of Cabrini College), Steve was looking for an independent school, and Solebury couldn’t have proved to be a better fit.

Steve oversees both the financials and the operations of Solebury School – shifting from analyzing spreadsheets to evaluating investments in the infrastructure of campus on an ongoing basis. Steve shares that Solebury is a community that understands and supports his commitment to his family, for being a father to his two teenage daughters is the job he loves more than anything.

Gail Acosta Gail joined the Advancement team in July as the Annual Fund Manager.

With over 16 years of development experience in the non-profit sector, she has a natural orientation toward social justice and community improvement. “I’ve witnessed the change that can occur in a young person’s life through creating a caring environment,” she said. Her appreciation of service was cultivated early, for she grew up working on a Quaker farm in Bucks County.

Gail attended Arizona State University and lived in Arizona for almost 18 years, developing community-based affordable housing initiatives and at-risk youth programs in indigenous communities.

After returning to Bucks County, she worked as the assistant executive director of the Bucks County Community College Foundation. She is an avid reader, nature lover, and mother of two children, Jess (13) and John (6), who are devoted Solebury Day Campers.

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Joan Mutascio Joan is the friendly voice we hear every time we call Solebury. She has been a part of the Solebury community since her daughter, Holly ’08, was a student. Holly is now our beloved Garden Coordinator and Joan couldn’t be more thrilled to work alongside her and to enjoy the food Holly grows for the dining hall. Joan’s long-time involvement with Solebury makes her a knowledgeable and invaluable member of the administration. She is the gateway to the school – the first smiling face for all visitors and guests. “I love Solebury. I really believe in the mission of this school, and I am happy to support it in any way I can,” Joan said. In addition to managing the phones and providing administrative support, Joan also assists admissions, college counseling, and the advancement office. She loves the countryside and is a 25-year resident of Bucks County.

Kim Alligood Kim signed, scanned, and faxed off her Solebury School contract from halfway across the world, in Madrid, before ever stepping foot on campus.

It was a leap of faith that she is endlessly thankful to have taken. As a Spanish teacher, newspaper supervisor, dorm parent, and Spanish Honors Society head, Kim clearly possesses a knack for adaptability, immersing herself in many facets of Solebury life. She has some practice, after all, having lived in both Spain and Argentina while pursuing her Masters in Spanish from Middlebury College’s prestigious language program. She has traveled extensively, landing herself in some pretty amazing places, from Marrakesh to Iguazu Falls. She loves cooking, music, singing, and the arts.

she was still in high school. Her position at Solebury marries everything she loves: teaching, training, community, and sports. Stacie earned her Master’s in Kinesiology from Temple University last May and upon graduating, chose to turn her concluding year-long externship at Solebury into a full time lifestyle. She now lives in the boys’ dorm with her girlfriend, Jessie, and their new Golden Retriever puppy, Sheldon.

Liz Kessler Liz is a pickle-frying queen, an energetic mountaineer, and one of Solebury’s newest Spanish teachers. A 2010 graduate of Hamilton College, she has lived in Spain, Argentina, North Carolina, all over New England, and now on Solebury’s beautiful campus.

She has been impressed by the school’s magic, its well-spoken, thoughtful students, culture of acceptance, and incorporation of the arts into the curriculum. She is excited to continue building student relationships and to design and curate her classroom.

Meghan Cavanaugh It’s hard to ignore the eager smile on Meghan’s face when she describes her job. “I have learned so much about cultural differences and their effect on learning,” she notes. The adventurous, highly qualified short-term addition to the English as a Second Language (ESL) department for the 201314 school year received both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in teaching ESL from Kent State and Penn State, respectively. Meghan has taught students from every continent in the world at both the university and high school levels. She teaches a range of ESL courses and she also helps coach the field hockey and track teams. ❖

Stacie Anastasio When she’s not teaching health class or taping sprained ankles, Stacie is probably training for her next half marathon. By the end of 2014, she’ll have four half marathons under her belt. She is a natural athlete and a predestined athletic trainer, having recognized her calling when www.solebury.org

Celebrating An Anniversary–

65 Years of Coeducation The year was 1949, just one month before the all-boys Solebury School would merge with the all-girls Holmquist School down the road. Student opinion was decidedly unenthusiastic.

“The question on everybody’s lips nowadays concerns the merger between Holmquist and Solebury and whether or not it will be a satisfactory and advantageous arrangement,” wrote Noel Crowley in the May 1949 issue of Solebury’s student newspaper, The Scribe. “While we have not taken consensus of opinion on the subject, we have listened to the views expressed by members of both student bodies and have found very few supporters of the merger.”

have impacted, enhanced and influenced the school in many ways. Solebury’s student body is now composed of 118 boys and 103 girls. More than half of Solebury’s teachers are women and there are nine female administrators. Solebury fields nine girls’ sports teams throughout the year and, this year, all three school presidents are girls. On campus today, there is an openness and strong support system – with faculty advisors, peer leaders, Life Skills classes, and more – that nurtures girls, and all students. And there are clubs like GirlForward, a campus group started by two students last year which highlights the challenges facing adolescent girls around the world and gives young women a place to talk, share, question and connect.

Happily, opinions quickly changed.

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the merger of Solebury School and the Holmquist School. Back in 1949, co-educational independent schools were not the norm.

About 77 percent of private schools were single sex in 1950, wrote Arthur G. Powell in Lessons from Privilege: the American Prep School Tradition. Yet the progressive leaders of Solebury and Holmquist decided on the merger.

That first year following the merger, Solebury School was populated by 64 boys and 45 girls. Since then, women 10 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Winter/Spring 2014

“This is one of the safest places I’ve ever seen for the development of a teenage girl’s mind,” said Shawn Wright, the girls’ dorm parent of the aptly named Holmquist House. “We have a really unique opportunity here, with our size, philosophy and methodology. I see that the culture here fosters strong student leaders.” Wright tried to define today’s “Solebury young woman.” “She’s very independent, more confident than other girls, with a little more faith in her skills,” she said. “And her individuality is really expressed and encouraged.”

That’s just what the founders of the Holmquist School intended. Karline Holmquist started her school with six students and five teachers in 1917, predating Solebury School by eight years. One of the original students, Peggy Rickett Ramsperger, wrote a letter about her recollections of Miss Holmquist. “She did not believe in grades and requirements, or unnecessary rules and regulations,” wrote Ramsperger. “She did believe in encouraging our interests and abilities.”

The tradition of supporting young women continued after Holmquist merged with Solebury.

Andee Falco ’63, who arrived at Solebury just ten years after the merger, recalls “a very kind, nurturing environment.” Yet she also recalls a different time in history. When she and fellow classmate, Bella Schauman ’63, visited Solebury School last year, they were struck by the advances of women and girls on campus. “Young women are challenged, encouraged and nurtured to develop their talents at an earlier age” said Falco.

Schauman agreed. “It seems to me that girls’ emotional and social lives are much better addressed now,” she said. “There’s a conscious faculty that’s trying really hard to be aware of what girls need and provide a model of a world where girls can thrive.”

Sixty-five years after Holmquist merged with Solebury, girls continue to impact and enhance the school. And the school continues to shape and support young women and all students.

A Note from Tom Wilschutz (continued from page 3) tone as key filters in helping a student select their college choices. Increasingly, I see the value of the practice of taking a “gap year” – while the path leads to college for the vast majority of our students, Solebury also sees some seniors who explore exciting opportunities that postpone college by at least a year. Last year, one of our seniors spent a year in Brazil working with young children as part of the Global Citizen Year Program. Next year, we’ll send a current senior into the competitive City Year program to mentor young minds in Chester, Pennsylvania. I hold fast to the view that a strong undergraduate program focuses on education rather than only training. I believe exiting your undergraduate years with the capacity to read critically, to write cogently, to think broadly, deeply and logically, and to discriminate fact-less opinions from fact-based, rational thought; all are the stuff that should be required of the undergraduate experience. And I believe that more and more of our students will need to continue their education in graduate school, law school or one of the professional schools. They enter a world where pace continues to pick up, where too much information will be their challenge and where continuous education will be the norm.

The process for identifying and then gaining admission to college is indeed a daunting one for students and their caring parents. Solebury’s role is to support, to guide, and to be a voice of reason and balance, a buoy that our students and parents rely on to help navigate and for support. A final perspective: as this college thing swirls about them, blowing harder and harder with each passing year of high school, I always stress to our students that “getting in” is not the end.

Once in, their lives will be far more impacted by what they did than by where they went. A track record of diligence, of success, of involvement that belies commitment and passion – these will be keys that unlock the doors post college graduation.

I hope you enjoy this issue of our magazine. You will meet some folks new to Solebury, have an opportunity to see how we are spending our year on the re-accreditation process, learn about our recently redesigned Middle School program as well as spend some time reflecting on some of the guiding tenets that underpin the Solebury School philosophy.

Enjoy. ❖

“Solebury School is an empowering place for young women but just as equally empowering for young men,” said Alex Leone ’14, a co-founder of GirlForward who organized an all-day campus conference last April. “I have always been encouraged to try new things and push myself at Solebury the same as every other student.” ❖ www.solebury.org

Award-winning Solebury Senior

Alexandra Leone ’14 president this year. She has helped international students learn English, been a peer tutor on campus as well as a volunteer tutor at a charter school, sung with our chorus and advised on our academic committee to help students who were struggling. She is also an accomplished Irish dancer; she has been dancing since she was eight years-old and has competed nationally and internationally.

Alex is known for her service on both a local and global stage, accumulating Young Citizens Award recipient Alex Leone ’14 (center) with her grandmother, Susanne Case, and Steve Buteux, Assistant over 200 community service Head of School. hours during her time at Solebury. During ninth grade, In November, Alexandra Leone ’14 she attended a Junior Statesman of was recognized for her exceptional America program at Princeton community service and her University, where she focused on extraordinary display of character and international relations and made her community involvement. Alex was first of many trips to the United recognized by the Central Bucks Nations. From there she has helped Chamber of Commerce as a recipient rebuild flood-damaged houses in of the Chamber’s Young Citizens Ithaca, NY and travelled to Costa Rica Award at a luncheon ceremony at The where she painted a school and worked Warrington Country Club.

Alex came to Solebury School looking to branch out. She was raised by her mother and grandmother and had attended all-girls’ schools through eighth grade. She felt the need to expand her horizons at a school where students were excited about learning and encouraged to be themselves.

Alex’s unflagging work ethic helps her both in and out of the classroom. Alex shines as a student who can consistently excel in the classroom and in the community. During her time at Solebury, she has been involved in our community council, rising to the level of class president twice and council

with children and a community garden.

Back home, she worked at a home for homeless Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender youth and interned at Life Ties, Inc., an organization that provides care and services to youth in crisis due to sexual orientation. She helped these adolescents learn daily living skills. She then took her experience in Life Ties and created and hosted a life skills workshop for young women at Solebury, bringing in a headhunter to talk about resumes, representatives from PNC Bank to talk about money management, a selfdefense instructor, a teen model and a healthy living advocate. Last year, she co-founded GirlForward, a group dedicated to the empowerment of young women at Solebury. She worked with representatives at the United Nations to help link our program to their Girl Up program, becoming a teen advisor with the UN for their program. Last spring, she shared her experience at the school’s first TEDxYouth conference with her own TED Talk at Solebury.

Congratulations Alex! ❖

Young Citizens Award recipient Alex Leone (front row second from left).

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Alma’s Update Winter 2014 HOLMQUIST SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 1917-1949 Class of 1940 Carla Zingarelli Rosenlicht moved to a retirement community in Walnut Creek, California with many activities. She still goes to Arizona for three months to do taxes for the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP).

SOLEBURY SCHOOL FOR BOYS 1925-1949 Class of 1949 Noel and Laurie Crowley celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last June. Noel still enjoys practicing law with his son in Morristown, NJ. He sends his congratulations to the Solebury faculty and staff for preserving Solebury as a first-class place to learn.

SOLEBURY SCHOOL 1950 TO PRESENT Class of 1950 Erica Child Prud’homme is still working as a painter and recently downsized to a small NYC apartment. Her three children are doing interesting work and she has six wonderful grandchildren.

Class of 1951 Susan Wagner Carlson says 80 is great but “I am slowing down.”

Class of 1964 Rob Emlen is disappointed to find that the 50th reunion is scheduled for May 2-4, 2014 when he will be celebrating his son as he is awarded his PhD. Yoav (Bo) Peck writes: Solebury enabled me to turn my life around. I had been heading down a slippery slope and the fine educators and empowering experience of Solebury gave me a fresh start.

Class of 1965 Terry Thompson is enjoying working as a President of a bank in the hometown of a great American - former Head of School John Brown ’67.

Class of 1995 Matt Foulkrod and his wife Betty have started a new property management business called Real Property Management Three Rivers.

Class of 1973 Tom Zeng is a first-time grandfather. He is still farming with one son. All of his children are “grown, caring and productive.”

Class of 1996 Rebecca Halloran is the HUD Administrator’s Advisor of the Eastern Woodlands region, which includes all states east of the Mississippi plus Minnesota and Iowa and serves 66 tribes.

Based out of Chicago, Rebecca works to increase leveraging of federal housing and economic development funding with state, non-profit and private resources for regional Tribal Nations.

Class of 1977 Rachel Simon’s The Story of a Beautiful Girl was recently featured as the Amazon Daily Deal E-Book which propelled it to #1 on the Kindle Literary Fiction Bestseller and is #4 on the Top Paid Kindle Books.

Class of 1983 Rhea D. Smith has written a book entitled Dagny Rocks. Rhea was raised aboard mullet boats, hand-built tugboats, freighters and barges. She has lived in New England, Dominica, French Guyana, England and Florida.

Class of 1988 Navarrow Wright hosted a Black In America screening in Philadelphia last October with Soledad O’Brien.

Class of 2001 Suzanne Cunningham is the head gardening teacher and Summer Camp Director at the Waldorf School of Princeton. 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.

Class of 2005

Class of 1993 Alexandra Manou Charleston ’93 and Mike Sienkiewicz ’56 met at a dinner in Lancaster, PA and discovered they were both graduates of Solebury School. Alex is living in Lititz with her husband and three children. She is part owner of a small vegan/vegetarian Travis Givler graduated from Albright in café in Lancaster called The Seed and is 2009 with a co-concentration of also an organizational life coach.

Philosophy and Digital Media. He received his J.D. from Earle Mack School of Law at Drexel University in 2013. He practices law at Givler & Evers and married Lydia Steiner on October 5, 2013.

WINTER 2014

THE ALMA

Noah Adrien Lyons is currently attending the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. He is pursuing his Master’s degree in Art and Religion, with a focus on how new movements in process theology may help re-enchant secular literature, particularly in children’s fantasy novels. He is simultaneously working towards earning a Master of Divinity for the purpose of entering the field of clinical pastoral care as an interfaith chaplain. He hopes to visit Solebury very, very soon!

Meghan O’Donnell engages in environmental fieldwork/research in beautiful locations for the Academy of Natural Sciences’ watershed protection program. She is a research assistant, and it has been exciting, challenging and a beautiful learning experience.

Class of 2008 Nick Smerkanich won two 2013 New York Innovative Theatre Awards last October, one for Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role and the other as participating in the Outstanding Ensemble.

Class of 2007 Haeyoung Oh graduated from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in 2011 and now is back in Seoul, Korea finishing up a Master’s degree. He is getting ready for his mandatory service as a Korean Officer.

Jonathan Tetelman graduated from Manhattan School of Music in 2011 and then completed graduate school at Nammes School of Music in 2013. Both of his degrees are in Opera/Classical Vocal Performance – Tenor. He recently performed at the International Vocal Institute in Virginia and the Savannah Opera Festival. Jon just signed his first contract for the Young Artist Program Opera North.

Kerry Toole attends the Hazelden Graduate School of Addiction Studies in Minnesota with the goal of becoming a drug and alcohol counselor.

Class of 2008 Mike Bardi works for a distributing company in Burlington, NJ in sales. He also works on a startup called www.projecttoe.com.

Class of 2009 Alexis Davis is active with AmeriCorps VISTA in Washington, DC. She made her annual fund donation because Peter Ammirati ’82 made such a great argument in his letter, and of course, she loves Solebury.

Casey Edwards graduated from Ithaca College in May 2013 with a BS in Athletic Training in Clinical Health Studies. He is currently a licensed athletic trainer in NY state and studying for a Doctorate in Physical Therapy at Ithaca College.

John Farrell reports, “After graduating from St. John’s College, I spent six months teaching in India. The future, as ever, takes the form of a glowering, purple question mark – probably law school.”

Stephanie Ulm is teaching early education to infants at Ohev Shalom Synagogue in Richboro, PA. She recently visited Israel.

Class of 2010 Ashley Colón will graduate from Richmond University in the spring with a degree in Environmental Studies. She is very involved in Richmond’s LGTBQ club.

Olivia Hagerty will graduate from the University of Arizona this spring, and then plans to move to Baltimore, MD to teach at a school in a low-income, underserved district.

Alyssa Pimpinella is the assistant captain for St. Joseph’s University women’s ice hockey team. She plays defense. She is also in Alpha Omicron Pi Women’s Fraternity.

PAGE 2 Dhalia Wesley is finishing her last year as an undergraduate at Kean University. She loves sociology and is contemplating continuing to graduate school or transitioning into trade school to learn massage therapy. Her goal is to own a spa one day. She sends her love to everyone.

Class of 2011 Daniel Bachman-Gregori is studying International Development at Lund University in Sweden.

Sam Faulkner is a nationally certified fire fighter. He says it was the most time consuming and challenging thing he has ever done.

Solana Hoffman-Carter is studying at UARTS in Philadelphia. Solana is in Brazil learning Capoeira, a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics and music as part of her semester abroad.

Claudia Keep After sitting out the 2012 season due to an injury, Claudia rebounded to a first-team All-Regional selection at the NCAA Cross-Country Mideast Regionals by finishing eighth.

That, along with a long laundry list of accolades both on and off the course, earned her Performer of the Year honors.

Claudia has posted Bryn Mawr’s fastest times in the three-mile run (17:35) the 5K (18:23) and the 6K (21:41).

Sharon Landstrom is a junior at Goucher College studying Art History and Creative Writing. She plans to travel to Scotland to study abroad next semester.

Samantha Messina is studying theatre at Goucher College. She works backstage managing sound and lighting design. This summer she plans to travel to Nazareth and Scotland.

Victoria Page is studying abroad at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.

Class of 2012 Paul McMullen is enjoying Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.

WINTER 2014 Class of 2013 Julian Dahl recently visited Spain and Colorado.

BIRTHS Polly Gnagy Seymour H’46 and her husband Thad are great grand-parents.

Eight pound Ruby Jean arrived a week early on December 5th at 5:45 am.

Greg and Joanna Schmergel ’94 (formerly Joanna Whitney Owen), and big brother Gage Kingsbury Schmergel, announce the birth of Aurora Whitney Schmergel, born at 9:06 AM, September 20, 2013 at the NewtonWellesley Hospital.

WEDDINGS Ernest Hood ’71 and David McCorkle were married on September 28, 2013 after 18 years of partnership - you could say it was a long engagement. The wedding was held at The Church of St. Luke in the Fields in Greenwich Village.

Tammy Hawk ’93 married her best friend, Adam Taylor, on October 6, 2013. They honeymooned in Colorado and are living in Charlotte, NC. Tammy manages a Ben and Jerry’s scoop shop for the last 10 years and loves it. For fun they enjoy concerts and working at music festivals.

Class of 2002 Riley Murphy and Alyssa Snyder married July 13th 2013. The rain turned the dance floor into a mud pit.

DEATHS Anthony Evans ’55 5/17/1937-1/20/2014 Tony Evans passed away after long battle with COPD. He was 76.

Not only was Tony a terrific newsman, he was a political animal and had the credentials to prove it. His news career

THE ALMA began at small Pennsylvania newspapers, including a stint as an editor at 18. He then worked for the United Press and the News American before getting into politics. He retired from the Maryland Department of Agriculture after helping to create and promote the successful farmers’ markets.

Tony was always at the center of local Democratic politics, was generous with his time and skills, and was a kind and thoughtful friend.

Joe Wentling, III ’63 5/22/1944 – 1/28/2014 Joe Wentling, III died on January 28th, 2014 at his home in Pownal, Maine after a long battle with lung cancer.

After Solebury, Joe served in the Army and was stationed primarily in Germany. He then attended the University of Denver in Colorado where he met his wife, Jeanne. Joe was a stock broker in Philadelphia. His interests were golf, shooting sporting clays, and traveling the world with friends and family.

He will be remembered as a loyal and gentle soul who loved his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Deborah June Seyler ’76 12/11/1957 – 11/13/2012 Deborah passed away after a long and courageously fought battle with breast cancer. She was the daughter of Catherine P. Seyler and the late Reverend Lawrence J. Seyler. She was a long term resident of Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee, WA. Deborah lived her life with passion and compassion. Her first career was as an advanced EMT and Firefighter in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where she was also a rock and ice climber. She also worked as a medical office assistant, ER assistant and hospital telephone operator. In keeping with her passion for, and dedication to, caring for this planet and its resources, her later work involved environmental law and policy on National Forests with regard to logging. She also developed grassroots conservation education programs for the local region, and was always actively teaching her friends and family how to live “green.”

PAGE 3 She was involved with numerous nonprofits. Deborah loved animals, all of the outdoors, mountaineering, and gourmet cooking and was an excellent writer. She was known for her generosity, even in times of her own greatest need. She often expressed deeply heartfelt thanks to all who helped her through the hard times and she always did her best to pass along the spirit of giving and caring.

Danielle Cioppa ’97 1/10/1979 – 10/4/2013 Danielle passed away on Friday, Oct. 4, 2013, in North Carolina. She was the daughter of Helene and Bob Cioppa of New Bern, NC. Danielle attended Solebury for three years and graduated from Hunterdon Central High School in 1997. She loved her family, animals and the beach and was a loyal 49ers and Ohio State football fan.

She loved the many friends she made at Stop–N-Shop in Flemington, where she worked for several years. Danielle was a friend to everyone she met, had a very big heart, and will be missed.

Beverley Virginia Jones of Delaware Township, a longtime supporter of farmland conservation, the preservation of local historic sites and Solebury School, died on August 20, 2013 at home on her farm in Sergeantsville, where she resided for 60 years. She was 93.

Beverley is survived by her three daughters; Leslie Jones Sauer of Sergeantsville, Candace Jones Phillips ’69 of New Hope, PA, and Stephanie “Muff” Jones ’73 of Sergeantsville; three step-children, Christopher Jones of Naples, FL, Brian Jones of Naples and Sandra Prager of Colorado Springs, CO; 13 grandchildren; and nine greatgrandchildren.

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.

SoleBenefits A gift of the soul has many intrinsic benefits. Our SoleBenefits stories highlight some of our most altruistic individuals committed to Solebury School.

Solebury School’s mission is to create an environment of educational excellence that prepares students for success in college and beyond. In the Solebury community, we strongly value intellectual challenge and academic achievement, creative and independent thinking, mutual respect between students and teachers, deep respect for each individual, and diversity.

Sarah Dawes Bailin ’56 A Life Changing Experience In the early 1950s, a shy timid girl from a small New England town arrived at Solebury School for her first time. Selected based on the school’s academic reputation and merit, her parents wanted their daughter to have the opportunity for a sound education.

For the first three months, Sarah wanted nothing more than to return back to the small rural community she called home - Hudson, Massachusetts. But then, a very distinct turning point occurred, a life changing one that made her want to stay and eventually led her to call Solebury School her home. For the first time in Sarah Dawes’s life, she began to read with comprehension. For Sarah this opened a new world for her understanding and exploration.

“Solebury saved my life. They taught me to read with meaning and it changed me forever. I would not be the person I am today without Solebury.”

16 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Winter/Spring 2014

At the time, she recalls Solebury had recently merged with The Holmquist School for Girls. Sarah was one of nine girls that lived at the original Holmquist dorm located at the corner of Phillips Mill and River Road. Some of her most memorable moments included school dances, finding ways to get around “lights out” with her classmates, and study parties in her closet. Several of her classmates were spirited jokesters and who targeted each other as well as the faculty. Not even Head of School Arthur “Doc” Washburn was immune.

It was like a big family with caring adults. The teachers gave you a chance for explanation and somehow they understood me. It was okay to be curious and ask questions - a place to explore. Solebury gave me a sense of myself and built my self-esteem. It became my home.

Always designing clothes for herself while at Solebury, upon graduation she attended the Prince School of Retailing at Simmons College, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Merchandising. On the fashion buyer’s career track, she worked in the high-fashion sector for companies like Bonwit Teller, Neiman Marcus, I. Magnum and Joseph Magnum. She found her way to the West Coast and managed a women’s retail clothing shop in San Francisco before returning to New England to lead her family’s textile business. One of her favorite innovations during this time was the production and marketing of the printed shoelaces that were popular during the 1980s. This particular product helped the family business to achieve, for one year, its greatest profits in its entire 134-year history. She’s proudly raised two very independent and strong daughters.

What’s your legacy?

Interested in learning more about planned giving opportunities at Solebury School?

Visit www.solebury.org/giving or contact Jenn Burns at 215-862-5261 ext. 183 or jburns@solebury.org

She has toured the world – a bike tour in China, explorations in Budapest, along with extensive business travel to Europe – and continues to travel today. One of her most rewarding challenges was taking on the job of a land developer and creating a residential community. Today, she spends time weaving garments on a ten-harness floor loom for family and friends.

Regardless of her path she remains grounded in her Solebury roots and calls Solebury her home; the place that changed her life. “Solebury gave me the confidence I needed academically but gave me the chance to become an individual.”

Sarah wants others to experience the life changing possibilities that a Solebury education can provide so she’s incorporated Solebury in her estate planning. She notes, “Including Solebury in my legacy plan is one small way that I can give back to Solebury and say thank you for changing my life.” ❖

Solebury School values bequests, large and small.

Including Solebury in your legacy plan is simple.

One sentence in your will or trust can help support future generations of Soleburians.

I give to Solebury School, 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA 18938 (EIN 23-1365-969) $_____________ (or ________% of the rest of my estate) to be used for general purposes.

Please let us know of your intent so we may honor your gift purpose appropriately. www.solebury.org

Solebury School Athletic Hall of Fame Solebury School is pleased to announce the 2014 Class Please join us for the induction ceremony on Saturday, May 3 at 1pm John D. Brown Athletic Center Hank Brooks ’64 Paul Prinzhorn ’64†

Courtney Clarke ’00 Shannon Clarke ’00 † in memoriam ❖

Members of the Athletic Hall of Fame’s Class of 2013.

18 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Winter/Spring 2014

Reunion Weekend 2014 Schedule of Events Friday, May 2 3-4 pm 4 pm 6-8 pm

8 pm

Registration, Founders Library School memorabilia available for purchase in Bookstore Varsity Girls Softball game, vs. Life Center Academy Varsity Tennis match, vs. Plumstead Christian School Alumni Reception, Washington Crossing Inn Catch up with your classmates while enjoying wine, beer, and hors d’oeuvres 1295 General Washington Memorial Blvd., Washington Crossing, PA Reunion Dinner (All Classes), Washington Crossing Inn $50 per person, reservations required

Saturday, May 3 9-2 pm

Registration & Student-Led Tours, Founders Library School memorabilia available for purchase from 10 am-2 pm 10 am Memorial Service, Alumni Memorial Garden (behind Founders Library) Rain Location, Abbe Science Building Honor the memory of alumni and friends who are recently deceased 11-11:30 am Class Photos, Boyd Dining Hall 11:30 am-12:30 pm Reunion Lunch, Boyd Dining Hall Enjoy a complimentary lunch 1 pm Athletic Hall of Fame Ceremony, John D. Brown Athletic Center 3-5 pm Alumni Burger and Beer Bash, Head of School’s Home $10 per person 6-1 pm Solebury’s Annual Dinner & Auction, John D. Brown Athletic Center Run for the Roses, a Derby Party $75 per person, reservations required

Sunday, May 4 10 am

Farewell Brunch, Boyd Dining Hall Join your classmates for a complimentary farewell buffet brunch ❖

www.solebury.org

In May, Solebury School’s community will gather to celebrate our annual Spring Dinner Auction: Run for the Roses – A Derby Party. The auction is the school’s biggest fundraising event and helps fund educational programming, student activities and facility improvements at the School.

For over 25 years, parents, staff and students of Solebury have worked together to make this important evening successful. To date, we have raised in excess of a million dollars, making a significant impact on the lives of Solebury students.

One of the highlights of the Live Auction is the Special Appeal, which directly benefits one building or program at Solebury. Last year, the auction raised $125,000 in total, with more than $50,000 raised through the special appeal and benefiting our Visual Art program.

This year, the Special Appeal will benefit the Solebury Black Box Theater. Recognizing the importance of our Theater program and the historic building it is housed in, an anonymous donor has generously agreed to match every dollar raised through this year’s special appeal, up to $50,000! Your gift is worth twice as much thanks to this matching grant—this could be the largest Special Appeal ever.

Good friends, good gifts and great school – this year’s Annual Dinner Auction is sure to be terrific. Mark your calendars for May 3 and plan on joining for this great event – invitations will arrive in mid-March and sneak previews of auction items, as well as tons of other information, can be found at solebury.org. You can also help by donating an item, pledging money to the Special Appeal or joining an auction committee. All levels of participation are greatly appreciated. For more information, please contact Holly Victor at hollyv@solebury.org or (215) 862-5261.

We look forward to seeing you on May 3rd for Run for the Roses – A Derby Party! ❖

Chuck Fitton Auction Chair cafitton@gmail.com 20 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Winter/Spring 2014

Holly Victor Auction Coordinator 215.862.5261 x150 hollyv@solebury.org

Auction Special Appeal–

The Black Box Theater

Dear Friend of Solebury, We in the Theater Department could not be more honored and thrilled to hear the news that we are to receive this year’s Auction Special Appeal. Our theater program is growing by leaps and bounds and it is so exciting to enhance an absolute jewel of a Black Box Theater on our campus. The Barn, which is home to the Theater, is often the very first thing people see as they enter the front circle of campus. With the generous investment of auction attendees, it can better reflect the wonderful and amazing things that are going on within. We are so proud of the program and the increasing number of students and parents who are becoming involved. In our last production alone, 20 percent of our students were in the cast or involved in the technical program! Along with our productions, many classes are taught in this space.

We anticipate that the Special Appeal will enhance the experience of our actors and audience, as well as everyone involved with the production. Some of the plans we are exploring include: new seating, improved audio/visual technology, backstage improvements, much needed revamping of the interior space and much more. This Appeal has the potential to transform the space, meeting the needs of Solebury students, families, alumni, and friends for years to come.

Our Theater Department is thriving and growing. Your support will help this space to be beautiful, comfortable and much more widely functional for the entire Solebury community. I look forward to seeing you at the auction on May 3. ❖

Shawn Rowley Wright Solebury Theater Director www.solebury.org

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Online:

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2013-2014 Solebury School Winter Magazine Editor Jennifer K. Burns Director of Advancement Associate Editor, Magazine Beverly Berkeley Director of Communications Associate Editor, Alma’s Renee LaPorte Director of Alumni Relations and Gift Planning

Website: www.solebury.org Contributing Writers Lauren Eckstein, Camille LeBlanc, Gail Acosta, Beverly Berkeley

Facebook address: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/SoleburySchool/191183385937

Twitter address: http://twitter.com/soleburyschool

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Design & Production EnForm Graphic Productions, Inc. Photography Beverly Berkeley, Nicole Mount 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 2014 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 (NY) 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) Head of School Thomas G. Wilschutz Honorary Trustees Bill Berkeley ’49 Chris Chandor ’60 Alan Donley ’55 Betsy Bidelman Meredith ’54 Richard Moss ’48 Eric Shaw ’55 Jean Shaw ’53

22 ❖ Solebury School Magazine Winter/Spring 2014

Educational Improvement Tax Credits

for PA Businesses The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania officially ratified Solebury School as a Scholarship Organization under the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC).

This means we are ready to accept charitable donations from EITC approved Pennsylvania businesses.

What is EITC? In 2001, by an overwhelming bi-partisan majority, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania made history by becoming the first state to pass an education tax credit aimed at corporations. Pennsylvania’s EITC program offers businesses an incredible opportunity to direct a portion of their state tax dollars to scholarship support to educational institutions such as Solebury School.

What does this mean for my business? Participating businesses can receive a tax credit equal to 75% of its contribution to a Scholarship Organization, like Solebury School, up to a maximum of $750,000 per taxable year. Of course, each company’s tax situation is different, please consult with your company’s financial advisor to determine the best strategy.

What types of taxes can be offset by this credit? “S” and “C” corporations must be subject to one of the following Pennsylvania business taxes to participate: • Corporate Net Income Tax • Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax • Insurance Premiums Tax • Capital Stock Franchise Tax • Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax • Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax • Personal Income Tax of S Corporation Shareholders, or partners in a limited or general partnership How does my donation benefit Solebury School? Donations received from approved EITC Pennsylvania businesses benefit Solebury students in need of financial assistance in the form of scholarships. Eligible students must be school age, a resident of Pennsylvania and demonstrate financial need.

How can my business participate? Pennsylvania businesses can begin applying for EITC credits through DCED’s electronic single application system at http://www.newpa.com/eitc Tax credit applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis and approved until the amount of available tax credits is exhausted.

Interested in partnering with Solebury School for scholarship opportunities?

Contact Gail Acosta at (215) 862-5261 or gacosta@solebury.org for more details.

Last year, thanks to our generous partners, EITC funding provided scholarships to Solebury students from Pennsylvania. www.solebury.org

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Back cover phone credit to Tom Rondeau.

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