SUMMER MAGAZINE 2020
Celebrating the
CLASS OF 2020
THE CLASS OF 2020 Allegra Skye Abizaid
Mary Claire Fergusson
Isaac Marcus Ahdoot
Luke Alexander Fisher
Chase Alexander Albritton
Isaiah Michael Frazier
Theodore Thanasis Androus
Walter Antonio Galdamez
Kathryn Mary Atkinson
Frederick Peter Gehlhoff
Catherine Powell Avary
Shivani Sham Gifford
Jamal Xaviar Barnes
Anastasia Liana Gobush
Emma Kline Bartholomay
Adele Geneva Godby
Lacey Henderson Bartholomay
Nicolas Warren Griepentrog
Hudson Chandler Reynolds
Ethan Kyle Bean
Laetitia Jacqueline Margaret Haddad
Evan Charles Roper Jake Nakao Rothenberg
Bridget Catherine Hanley
Kurt Louis Christian Samuels, Jr.
Atticus Jonathon Beane Chase Alexander Beasley Aidan Flanagan Beckwith George Foster Belevetz Samuel James Biondi Thomas Howard Boone III Andrew Michael Bopp
Jonathan William Min Hearn Elise Kathryn Hellmann Abigail Elizabeth Henshaw David Samuel Hicklin Morgan Simone Holland
Christopher Alexander Bourjaily
Lamumba Howard, Jr.
William Harrison Brown
Joseph Ryan Jafari
Wendy Emily Buendia Carter Joseph Campbell Victoria Taylor Carr Claire McKinley Cavanaugh
Alice Susanna Hurley Latrice Renee Jenkins Derek Troy Johnson, Jr. Katherine Ann Jones Tyler Leamon Jones
Aakash Reddy Chadive
Timothy Fang Tie Keefe
Alexander Francis Chiaramonte
Andrew Gabriel Knops Halle Spicer Knutson
Indi Sinclair Clayton
Celine Mercedes Koko
Charles Atherton Colby
William Griffith Lane
Sydney Danielle Cordero
Patrick Joseph Lavayen
Katherine Ann Coward
Ashlyn Sarang Lee
Jared Sheldon Cross
Xavier Romar Lipscomb
Nyia Mahari Cummings
Tyler Alexander Logue
James Reese Cunningham
Jessica Lynn Lopez
Isabella Lucia D'Antonio
William Blair McConnel
Peter Bjorn Davidson
Alexandra Victoria McEneney
Michael Bennett Donohue
Christopher Anthony Milton
Liliana Patricia Dowling
Delaney Elizabeth Moore
Molly Helen Dresser
Juliane Quinn Newman
Ryan David Felsenthal
Demetri Constantine Walker Nicolaidis Ethan Charles Oleksa Andrew Lawrence Pascal Elizabeth Boyer Phillips Vivion Cate Purser Jonathan Joseph Randle Katherine Louise Revers
Andre Chester Screen Saagnik Sen Dasgupta Lucas Leight Senich Charles Jefferson Shepherdson V Benjamin Silverman Maria Lauren Simpson Holden Maxwell Singh Elizabeth Anne Sterba Laron Michael Stewart Mary Adeline Stiers Tyson Daniel Tilch Claire Melanie Toman Grace Ann Unes Maxim Eric Vallerand-Parisi Ashley Christine Van Horne Sophia Lois VandeHei Noelia Teresa Vargas Ryan Scott Vuono Henry Theodore Watson Benjamin Stewart Wayer Sylvie Reed Weiman David Ronan Weissman Ashley Sloan West Karlee Springer Whetstone Aleyna Yozgat Dillyn Elizabeth Zindler
This issue of the SSSAS magazine pays tribute to our amazing Class of 2020, who during these very difficult, emotional, and historic times continued to learn, serve others, and lead with optimism, humor, grace, and wisdom. As they begin the next part of their journey, we know they leave us with goodness as well as knowledge, and that they will carry themselves with integrity. Graduates, until we meet again, may God bless you and keep you safe.
WHAT'S INSIDE
F E AT U R E S
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ON THE COVER: Noelia Vargas '20 captured during the June 6 celebration for the Class of 2020 at the Upper School. Please see p. 14 for more snapshots from this special event.
Defining Moments A Message from the Class 2020 Valedictorian
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The Farewell Address
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Snapshots: The June 6 Celebration
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Fast Facts: The Class of 2020
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Upper School Prize Day
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Keeping a Little Bit of Middle School
in You
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Middle School Awards Day
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Will You Join Me in this Work?
The Very Rev. Randy Hollerith '82 gave this
sermon on racism on June 21, 2020.
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A Cherished Gift to the Community:
The Rev. Dr. Rosemary Beales
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The Beloved Mother Goose of Saints:
Librarian Joyce Ames
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Making Meaningful Connections
D E PA RT M E N TS 6 Headliner 48
Saints in Action
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Saints Athletics
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Milestones & In Memoriam
THE MAGAZINE
SUMMER 2020 sssas.org/magazine Head of School Kirsten Prettyman Adams Director of Communications Jen Desautels Editor Director of Design & Production Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76
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Design Jameson Bloom '13 Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76 Assistant Director of Communications, Digital Media, and Marketing Mandi Sapp
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Communications & Admissions Associate Marcia Mallett Alumni News Advancement Office Photographers Jameson Bloom '13 Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76 Marcia Mallett Questions/Comments Melissa Ulsaker Maas '76 mmaas@sssas.org To Update Your Contact Information or Mailing Preferences Please email atoman@sssas.org or call 703-212-2720. Published by SSSAS for alumni, current parents, friends, and other regularly supportive members of the school community. Š 2020
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St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School admits students of any race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.
HEADLINER
Year in Review 2019-2020 Dear Saints, I like to listen to people. I want to hear what they are saying, what they are feeling. It is one of the reasons I knew my life would be lived in a school. In a school there is so much to hear. There is music and laughter, cheering and lockers slamming. There is the thundering sound of lateto-class feet rushing down a hallway. There are greetings and farewells. There is noise.
In a September chapel, the seniors are recognized and given the traditional school seal pin in acknowledgment of their achievements and leadership.
And during the last few months I have found myself listening in new ways. As our community was pulled away from one another and into our homes in the midst of a pandemic, I listened to the frustrations of teachers and students, the grief of losing the rest of the school year together. And in June when pain and grief flooded our nation in the wake of another series of injustices against the Black community, I was so grateful for this community which provides space for us to listen to one another, to share ideas, to move forward together, to heal together. The 2019-2020 school year was extraordinary in many ways, and it was sad and frustrating in many others. And it was our students who, through their resilience, their creativity, and their determination inspired us to find ways to be together while apart, and who have inspired us to do better as a community.
The library organized amazing author visits from Jerry Craft, Don Tate, Grace Lin, and Kwame Alexander.
Here are a few of the very special moments that stand out about this school year, all of which reflect who we are as a community. I am so proud to be a Saint, and so proud to know each and every one of you. I am looking forward to being together again. Warmly,
Kirsten Adams Head of School
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The Upper School participated in the second Colloquium for the Common Good, spending the day listening to special speakers and attending workshops on social issues facing society today.
In the fall there are special bonding days and weekends, including the traditional trip to Shrine Mont, Va., for the seniors. In the Middle School, grades 6-8 also have bonding trips, and the Student Council Association spends a day getting to know each other and talking about leadership, responsibility, and honor.
With the implementation of new schedules, the Lower School “X� Days (Expedition) enabled many trips, new explorations, and learning experiences, like Global Play Day. Our youngest Saints spent the day learning math, science, engineering, reading, and technology through play.
In December the varsity boys basketball team won the Sleepy Thompson Tournament for the second year in a row. In October the JV and varsity girls teams won the Seminary HIll Cup in back-to-back wins.
Upper School students participated as session leaders and organizers in our 6th Annual Middle School Diversity Conference. This year we hosted 175 students from 15 local schools.
Saints families, faculty, staff, and alumni gathered for the annual Saintsgiving event. This year's activities focused on serving students in need locally and globally in partnership with ALIVE! and our sister school in Haiti, St. Paul's School.
The June 6 drive through celebration and conferment of diplomas for the Class of 2020 was a joyous opportunity to see our seniors, let them know how much we love them, and cheer them on their way to college. www.sssas.org | 7
Valedictorian Sylvie Weiman '20 also received a St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal at Upper School Prize Day. 8 8 || St. St. Stephen's Stephen’s and and St. St. Agnes Agnes School School
DEFINING MOMENTS A message from the Class of 2020 Valedictorian, Sylvie Weiman. Each graduating high school class lives through a unique moment in history, and some are more memorable than others. The Class of 1939 graduated with the Second World War looming on the horizon. Just after graduating, the Class of 1969 watched the first man set foot on the moon. The Class of 2002 graduated during a time when the country was still shaken from the horrors of 9/11. These moments were extraordinary, but the Class of 2020's moment is especially historic because of the confluence of several all-encompassing events. We are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, an extremely charged political climate, and a national focus and dialogue on race and racism unlike anything since the 1960's. Just one of these events on its own would be overwhelming and intense, but all together they create a moment of unprecedented uncertainty and change. Back in April, when I first began to realize that our senior year would not end according to plan, I couldn't help but dwell on all the things we would miss: prom, prize day, graduation, and many days spent with friends and classmates inside the walls of St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School. I still reflect sadly on the experiences we missed as a class, but my focus has shifted away from these individual moments to the movements that are happening in the greater community.
When I think about community, I first think of SSSAS. I have lived and learned at this school my entire life, but my experience has differed from that of my Black classmates and classmates of color. Because I am white, I know that any challenges I faced at school were not because of my skin color. I have long been aware that others do not share that privilege, but I've recently gained a deeper understanding of that dynamic. Through several Instagram accounts, current students and alumni from throughout the
“When I think of community, I first think of SSSAS.� decades have reflected publicly on specific experiences of racism at SSSAS that made them feel uncomfortable and devalued. Some of these posts shocked me and others didn't surprise me as much, but without fail, each of them horrified and disturbed me. It's difficult for me to realize that the place where I feel so comfortable has made some of my classmates feel the opposite. That personal difficulty, however, is nothing compared to how challenging it was for those classmates to spend every weekday in an environment in which moments and patterns of covert
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hope that SSSAS prompts white students, teachers, administrators, and parents to become accomplices in dismantling the racist systems that surround us. I hope that SSSAS can, without exception, live up to its mission of “honor[ing] the unique value of each of our members as a child of God in a caring community.”
“Together we must share and dialogue, implement, and act.” and overt racism could potentially strip them of their dignity and pride. Just as each year is different so is each student's experience. I can only speak for my own experience and for my own hopes for St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School. I hope that SSSAS creates space for people to share their anger, hurt, and other feelings that have been building up for years. I hope that SSSAS examines its role as an institution in Alexandria, the U.S., and the world so that it can effect positive change. I 10 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
Together we must share and dialogue, implement, and act. It will take work and dedication that I have already begun to witness. Members of the Class of 2020 marched and stood and kneeled for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many more just as members of the Class of 1963 marched on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. At student forums, my peers spoke candidly about their experiences and offered honest suggestions on how the school can change and improve. The administration has shared action steps for racial justice that encompass all areas of school life, including faculty and staff diversity and culture, student experience and culture, and curriculum. My love for this community heightens my sense of disappointment in it, but it also strengthens my resolve to help the school move into a future where every person can feel accepted and supported no matter what. I anticipate with excitement the day when I will be able to speak to my whole class in person, but until then, I will leave you with these thoughts. To the Class of 2020 and to all who read this: let not our moment be defined by a pandemic and the physical and ideological distance that separates us. Let our moment be defined by the effort we make individually, institutionally, nationally, and globally to right the systems of injustice that pervade our society. Let's get to work.
In addition to giving the Farewell Addresss, Liliana Dowling '20 received a St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal at Upper School Prize Day.
THE FAREWELL ADDRESS Each year the graduating class votes to determine who will speak for them and give the Farewell Address at Upper School Prize Day. This year the honor went to Liliana Dowling '20. Good Morning. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Liliana Dowling. I want to start off by thanking my classmates for honoring me to speak today. While cleaning out files last summer, my mom came across some old papers she
had kept from her own high school days way way back in the 80s...prehistory right, Mr. Garikes? She handed me a sheet with notes she had taken on “The Consolation of Philosophy” written by Boethius in the 6th Century, and later translated by Chaucer. Highlighted and underlined was a particular line from Chaucer's “A Knight's www.sssas.org | 11
Tale,” “This world is but a thoroughfare of woe, and all men are merely pilgrims passing to and fro in this valley of woe.” Super dramatic, right? Dr. Klein might tell us that Chaucer and Boethius were all about worldly suffering, yet both urged one to accept life's ills. To quote my mom's notes, “In order to survive, man must learn to endure, accept, and celebrate.”
“The Class of 2020 has
faced countless adversities, seemingly more than any class in the years above or below us. ” When I was a freshman I could see my life perfectly unfolding before me. I would be a four year varsity athlete and get good grades so I would get into a good college so I would get a good job - everything was going to be great. I imagine some of my fellow seniors may have had a similar vision for themselves. But, as the cliché goes, my own high school experience did not go as planned. My athletic career ended at age 14. After my knee gave out walking out my front door, I was re-diagnosed with Osteochondritis Dissecans. This label really just describes a joint disorder in which cartilage and fragments of bone separate from the weight-bearing portion of my femur. I say re-diagnosed because the discovery of my condition actually occurred when I was eight, but doctors thought I would grow out of it. I went through the six years between the ages of 8 and 14 completely pain free, so that I even forgot the name of my disorder. I then underwent 12 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
four surgeries in a year and a half, and I am still in physical therapy. So here's to say I will never forget the name of my disorder again. When something traumatic happens, we typically don't forget it. The Class of 2020 has faced countless adversities, seemingly more than any class in the years above or below us. We have been a “trial” class — that is, the administration shifted completely in our time in the Upper School, and we started off our senior year with a brand new schedule. We had a lockdown alarm go off by accident. We missed our final seasons, our final performances. We missed our senior prom, and those carefree spring days together in the senior lounge and CPAC courtyard. And there's no use beating around the bush, our largest adversity, and that of the world, is that we are living in a pandemic. Though we will carry these adversities as defining characteristics of our class, and they will definitely not be forgotten, I hope when you open your yearbook in twenty years you will happily recall with Saints pride that: ✦ We won two Sleepy Thompson Championships in a row. ✦ We created the first smART team. ✦ We won states in boys and girls lacrosse last spring. ✦ We placed in District Chorus and District Band. ✦ We made it to the Worlds in robotics, not once, but twice. ✦ We committed to 28 colleges and universities to continue our athletic careers.
✦ We led affinity groups and countless clubs. ✦ We crafted a lit mag that won many first place awards. ✦ We served in Haiti, Romania, Nepal, and Panama. ✦ We took top honors at the All-City High School Art Exhibition. ✦ We edited and issued our newspaper, The Voice, and our yearbook, Traditions. ✦ We competed in Quiz Bowl. ✦ We walked the El Camino de Santiago.
years were a lot messier and strayed far from my vision in freshman year. I have certainly wished many times for things to be normal, for my body to be normal. But it goes beyond my knee. Perhaps like you, I am most definitely looking back on the past few months wishing for “normal,” and perhaps like you I'm still mourning what we've lost, seeing only our adversities and not our accomplishments. And in dealing with my “woes,” I can't say that I always applied the ostensibly simple threestep survival plan to endure, accept, and celebrate. In all honesty, I have not always dealt with my issues the right way.
✦ We broke school records. ✦ We captained teams and starred as leads. ✦ We were 3 season athletes. ✦ We made possibly hundreds of tiktoks in the senior lounge. ✦ And we dominated on the men's JV tennis team. And that only represents the objective accomplishments of our class. It excludes the subjective ones - the intangible moments that we really felt happy, excited, and proud. Those moments cannot be condensed into bullet form, and there is no way I could account for them all in a single Farewell Address. If you're looking back on your time in high school and thinking “well that's not quite how I imagined it to be,” well same here. To an outsider, it seems that I got what I wanted freshman year: I went through my time at SSSAS a four year varsity athlete, slash manager, slash captain; I got good grades; and I'm going to my dream school. But underneath the surface my high school
Our community and the greater world look at us, the Class of 2020, and tell us they are impressed by how we have handled the current times with grace. But it is okay to not be handling it with grace, because we are still enduring. Boethius or Chaucher, or whoever intellectual it was, never said you could conquer the woe, but just survive it. Personally, I find blaring Taylor Swift in my car and balling on the parkway a fine way of surviving. There will come a time for acceptance. But for this moment right now, let's skip that step. My new and improved survival plan is now just two steps: endure and celebrate. I celebrate us, the Class of 2020, for all we achieved the past four years, our beautiful imperfections, and the grace or maybe lack of grace that we will carry with us into the future. And I'll say it one last time as a student before becoming an alumna:
It is, and always will be, a great day to be a Saint. www.sssas.org | 13
SNAPSHOTS
JUNE 6 C E L E B R AT I O N We cheered and celebrated our seniors as they drove through campus and collected their diplomas, prizes, and gifts. Their advisors — and the Saints community — will miss them and wish them well.
“Congratulations to the Class of 2020! We are so very proud of everything you have accomplished. You are talented, curious, caring, and compassionate young people, and I can't wait to hear about your successes in college and beyond. To the Mallett advisory, I will miss our weekly time together, our real talks, our good snacks, the jiblets left behind, and the visits from our advisory cousins — the Koroma advisory! I will miss you all. Please come say hello next time you are on campus.” MIKE MALLETT Upper School Director
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“What a spunky and irreverent (mostly in a good way) class! This group protected its most vulnerable and 'spirited' members with passion and purpose. They are known for their love of fun and games, rightfully so, and never tired of bringing enthusiasm and energy into the hallways. Dig and miss the Class of 2020 many tons over.� LINDA MCGUIRE Upper School Dean of Students
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SNAPSHOTS
“To the Class of 2020, you are the first class I taught at SSSAS. It was fun to start our time at the Upper School together and it was amazing to see what you have accomplished over the past four years. I am thankful to be a part of your time as a Saint. I have to admit that I am sad to see you go, but remember you always have a place to visit. Good luck next year!” MARYELLEN KHOSLA Mathematics Teacher
“Members of the Class of 2020 — you are absolutely AMAZING! Who could have predicted the crazy senior year you all had? We thought that the brand new daily schedule was going to be different, but we had no idea what was about to hit in the spring. Throughout it all, you rose to every challenge and handled each with poise, grace and confidence. We could not be more proud of you! Best of luck to each and every one of you as you head off to college.” MIKE CARTER Director of College Counseling
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“Class of 2020, you have given me so many great memories. In Cuba, you embraced the Cuban people and impressed them with your work ethic. I n my class, some of you set the bar so high that it will be hard not to compare. I've been moved to tears at almost every chapel talk you gave. I hope that you can hold on to some of your memories from SSSAS. I wish you success and please come back to visit! � CHRISTINE GASPER Spanish Teacher
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SNAPSHOTS
“Class of 2020, I'm so proud of all of you! From your freshman year, you all were a class that had spunk and charisma. I had so much fun watching you all grow and mature in the Upper School while still keeping your unique personalities and charm. I cannot wait to see what you do moving forward and all the successes I know you'll achieve. Congrats, good luck, and come back and let us know what amazing things you all have accomplished!” SHANNON FUSINA Science Teacher
“Congrats Class of 2020. I will miss your laughter and presence in the school. I have known many of you since you were in junior kindergarten and kindergarten, so saying goodbye is not easy. I will remember how your class navigated very difficult circumstances with grace and grit. As always, if I can ever help or be of assistance to you as you leave here and start your life away from us, please know I am here for you.” SEAN CAVANAUGH Head Chaplain
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“I taught many of you when you were freshmen and sophomores. I'll always remember how supportive you were of your classmates and how well you collaborated with each other. I was also impressed with the amazing geometry websites that you created! I hope you'll come back and visit once we're on the other side of this pandemic. All my best in college and beyond! � LAUREL DALY Mathematics Teacher
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SNAPSHOTS
“I'll never forget the service trip to Romania with members of the Class of 2020. The rainy afternoon you ran around, playing games indoors with the children of Pro Vita...oh the joy and laughter you shared! Each of you gave so much of yourselves during that journey, and left a bit of your heart with the residents in Valea Screzii. You were amazing ambassadors and true SAINTS.” TIM DOYLE Associate Director of College Counseling
“Wow, I can't believe that it is time for you all to move on to college! You will be missed — especially the best advisory group EVER! Whenever I am on Zoom or hear the word zoom, I will fondly recall those good times, like when I was accidentally in a breakout room wondering why my calculus students weren't showing up for their quiz. I hope to say goodbye to you in person at some point, even if it entails masks and elbow bumps. I wish you all the best in your next endeavor!” DAVE WEIS Mathematics Teacher
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“To the Class of 2020, I am so proud of each and every one of you. You have come so far since the beginning of the year and overcome so much. I know with confidence that you are fully prepared to take on anything you set your mind to. I wish you all of the best in your future endeavors and I can't wait to see you when you come back and visit!� MELANIE STANTON Director of Health Services
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SNAPSHOTS
“Congratulations Class of 2020. You definitely made your mark. I am proud of the way you have grown, both inside and outside of the classroom. I'll never forget our Shrine Mont detour and how you all stayed calm and worked together. Keep in mind that even when things don't go as planned, they can still be meaningful. I look forward to watching you take this next step and make the most of every opportunity that comes your way! ” TRAE HUMPHREYS History Teacher
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“Oh how much I love you, Class of 2020! I am so proud of all you have achieved in the classroom, on the fields and stage, and in the community. You have been such wonderful role models to your peers, and an inspiration to everyone at SSSAS, including me. (And a special shout-out to the Weith advisory — you all are the best. It has been an honor to watch you grow at the Upper School and I really don't know what I'm going to do without you next year. If you promise to come back and visit, I'll bring snacks!) Wishing you all the best in college and beyond - you have such bright futures ahead of you, and I can't wait to see all that you accomplish!” LIBBY WEITH Associate Director of College Counseling
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SNAPSHOTS
“Class of 2020 you will forever be in my memory as one special class! To my advisees, go conquer the world! I will miss you so much. To our Class of 2020 athletes — THANK YOU for representing the Saints and for giving your all. I hope you'll remember and cherish your time wearing the Saints uniform - you made us proud! Once a Saint always a SAINT!” STEPHANIE KOROMA Athletic Director for Girls
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“The Class of 2020 is a very special group! They are full of spirit and always looked for ways to create more fun around campus. In doing so they were natural leaders and brought our community closer together. They will be greatly missed and I wish them all the best on their next journey!� DIONNA JORDAN Science Teacher Administrative Assistant for Athletics
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CLASS OF 2020 FAST FACTS...... By the Numbers Seniors were part of the winning alliance that finished as the topranked team and first place winner of the Innovate Award at the Virginia robotics qualifier; went undefeated in their division at the Virginia State Championship; and advanced to 2020 FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship.
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NEW SAINTS ALUMNI
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SENIORS ARE PROUD TO SERVE! In the National French testing two seniors ranked ninth for Silver Medals and one ranked sixth for a Gold Medal. In the National Latin exam seniors earned a Silver Medal and two Gold Medals and also earned Honorable Mentions in the Classical Association of Virginia Latin Tournament.
Two received appointments to the U.S. Military Academy, one to the Air Force Academy, one is headed to the Naval Academy Prep School on his way to the Coast Guard, and one on a 4-year Army ROTC Scholarship.
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ART AWARDS IN 3 YEARS
Three National Merit finalists, two commended scholars, and 20 inducted into the Cum Laude Society.
During the last three years, members of the Class of 2020 earned art awards in the regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Best of the Independent School Art Competition, All-city Alexandria Art Exhibition, and the Congressional Artistic Discovery Competitions.
1000s
Performed in all drama and musical productions, Evening of the Arts, Multicultural Night, and the Pit Orchestra; and wrote and directed the plays for the 2020 One-Act Play Festival. Performed in the Virginia District X Music Festivals and participated in the Choral Evensong at the Washington National Cathedral.
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OF HOURS VOLUNTEERING Seniors volunteered at local community organizations; served in Romania, Haiti, Nepal, and more; founded innovative social enterprises and nonprofits; created and led Saints Service Team; organized numerous drives and fundraisers to support causes related to health, hunger, equity, environment, education, and beyond; donated blood; and received Alexandria Rotary Club's Jefferson Cup for Community Service.
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COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACCEPTED OUR SENIORS
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TWO SAINTS EACH TO 19 SCHOOLS Princeton, Cornell, Georgetown, West Point, Michigan, Tulane, Georgia, Hamilton, Occidental, Colorado College, Spelman, Loyola (MD), American, Delaware, Denison, Miami (Ohio), JMU, Radford, and the College of Charleston
78.4%
ARE STICKING TOGETHER 70 seniors will be attending college with at least one other Saint.
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COLLEGIATE ATHLETES REPRESENTING 6 SPORTS 12 girls and 16 boys to play collegiate athletics next year in baseball, basketball, diving, football, lacrosse, and track & field. (To read more, see p. 52.)
.......THEIR JOURNEY CONTINUES College Bound
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SENIORS ARE GOING TO CANADA
SENIORS ARE GOING TO THE MIDWEST
SENIORS ARE GOING TO THE NORTHEAST
Queens College (Canada) University of Toronto
Denison University (3) Kenyon University Miami University (Ohio) (2) University of Chicago University of Michigan (2)
Bates College Boston College Brown University Bucknell University (3) Connecticut College Northeastern University Trinity College (CT) Tufts University U.S. Coast Guard Academy University of Connecticut Williams College
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SENIORS ARE GOING TO THE WEST Colorado College (2) Macalester University Occidental College (2) United States Air Force Academy University of California - Berkeley University of Denver University of Oregon
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SENIORS ARE GOING TO THE SOUTHEAST Clemson University College of Charleston (2) College of William & Mary (3) East Carolina University East Tennessee State University Elon University (5) Furman University (3) High Point University Morehouse College Spelman College (2)
Tulane University (2) University of Alabama University of Florida University of Georgia (2) University of Miami University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill University of South Carolina (5) Winthrop University
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SENIORS ARE GOING TO THE MID-ATLANTIC American University (2) Colgate University Cornell University (2) Franklin & Marshall College Georgetown University (2) Hamilton College (2) James Madison University (2) Lehigh University Loyola University (MD) (2) Penn State University Princeton University (2) Radford University (2) Saint Joseph's University (PA)
St. Thomas Aquinas College Temple University Towson University United States Military Academy (2) University of Delaware (2) Washington College (MD) University of Richmond University of Virginia (5) Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Tech (7) Washington & Lee University Washington College (MD)
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UPPER SCHOOL PRIZE DAY On June 5, these awards were virtually presented to 81 students in recognition of their achievements in academics, the arts, athletics, citizenship, and service. YEARBOOK DEDICATION
MICHALOT CUP
Dr. Andy Sidle '78 Upper School English Teacher Senior Editors: Kate Coward and Alice Hurley
Alice Susanna Hurley
The following awards and recognitions were presented to seniors:
MATHEMATICS AWARD
LESLIE JONES LATIN PRIZE
Benjamin Carl Silverman
MEDAL OF EXCELLENCE IN SPANISH Allegra Skye Abizaid
Ashley Sloan West
ROY EDWARD BYRD AWARD Aakash Reddy Chadive
James Reese Cunningham
O'CONNOR HISTORY PRIZE Timothy Fang Tie Keefe
TECHNOLOGY AWARD
Jessica Lynn Lopez
COURTENAY MARSHALL COCHRAN AWARD FOR SCIENCE
MARJORIE M. NORRIS AWARD Allegra Skye Abizaid
Lili Abizaid '20: Medal of Excellence in Spanish Marjorie M. Norris Award Charles James Shell Memorial Prize
Jessica Lopez '20: Leslie Jones Latin Prize Salutatorian
Jay Cunningham '20: Mathematics Award Athletic Council Silver Bowl
Ben Silverman '20: Technology Award
Tim Keefe '20: O'Connor History Prize Athletic Council Silver Bowl St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal
Upper School English Teacher Dr. Andy Sidle: Yearbook Dedication
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Alice Hurley '20: The Michalot Cup
Aakash Chadive '20: The Roy Edward Byrd Award for Science
Fred Gehlhoff '20: Frank Niepold Arts Prize Julie Newman '20: Dramatic Arts Award
Chris Milton '20: Michael Holt Award for Art
Isaac Ahdoot '20: Instrumental Arts Award Ashlyn Lee '20: Visual Arts Award
KARIG WRITING PRIZE Laetitia Jacqueline Margaret Haddad
CHARLES JAMES SHELL MEMORIAL PRIZE IN ENGLISH Allegra Skye Abizaid
MONTGOMERY AWARD FOR THE HUMANITIES Ashley Sloan West
FRANK NIEPOLD ARTS PRIZE Frederick Peter Gehlhoff
VISUAL ARTS AWARD Ashlyn Sarang Lee
MICHAEL HOLT AWARD Christopher Anthony Milton
PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS Dramatic Arts: Juliane Quinn Newman Vocal Arts: Nicolas Warren Griepentrog Instrumental Arts: Isaac Marcus Ahdoot
EDWARD E. TATE SENIOR RELIGION PRIZE Lacey Henderson Bartholomay
PERKINS CUP Peter Bjorn Davidson
SALUTATORIAN Jessica Lynn Lopez
VALEDICTORIAN Sylvie Reed Weiman
FAREWELL ADDRESS
Nick Griepentrog '20: Vocal Arts Award
Chase Beasley '20: Recognition of Military Appointment to the Air Force Academy
RECOGNITION OF MILITARY APPOINTMENTS/SCHOLARSHIPS Lacey Henderson Bartholomay United States Military Academy Chase Alexander Beasley United States Air Force Academy Preparatory School Jared Sheldon Cross United States Military Academy Tyler Leamon Jones United States Naval Academy Preparatory School prior to appointment in United States Coast Guard Academy Ryan Scott Vuono Four Year Army ROTC scholarship to Princeton University
Liliana Patricia Dowling www.sssas.org | 29
Tre Boone '20: Sportsmanship Award for Boys St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal
Alex McEneney '20: Marsha A. Way Sportsmanship Award Athletic Council Silver Bowl Macondray Trophy
Ryan Vuono '20: Military Recognition for a four-year Army ROTC Scholarship Howard Cup St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal
(left to right) Vivion Purser '20: Saints Athletics Club Award Isaiah Frazier '20: Athletic Council Silver Bowl Saints Athletics Club Award St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal Ashley West 20: Courtney Marshall Cochran Award for Science Montgomery Award for the Humanities Helene Haskin Krause Award Athletic Council Silver Bowl
HELENE HASKIN KRAUSE AWARD Ashley Sloan West
SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD Jared Sheldon Cross
MODEL ATHLETE FOR BOYS Xavier Romar Lipscomb
DAINGERFIELD ASHTON MODEL ATHLETE Morgan Simone Holland
OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARDS Nyia Mahari Cummings Peter Bjorn Davidson
MARSHA A. WAY SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD FOR GIRLS Alexandra Victoria McEneney
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD FOR BOYS Thomas Howard Boone III 30 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
ATHLETIC COUNCIL SILVER BOWL PARTICIPATION AWARDS 10 seasons: Charles Atherton Colby Katherine Ann Coward Luke Alexander Fisher Isaiah Michael Frazier Lamumba Howard, Jr. Tyler Leamon Jones Timothy Fang Tie Keefe Benjamin Stewart Wayer David Ronan Weissman
JANE LYWOOD CUP Morgan Simone Holland
MACONDRAY TROPHY Alexandra Victoria McEneney
HOWARD CUP Ryan Scott Vuono
SAINTS ATHLETICS CLUB AWARD Isaiah Michael Frazier Vivion Cate Purser
11 seasons: Nyia Mahari Cummings James Reese Cunningham
ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS AND TEACHERS AWARD
12 seasons: Catherine Powell Avary Alexandra Victoria McEneney Ashley Sloan West
CARROLL LASTELIC AWARD
Derek Troy Johnson, Jr.
Katherine Ann Coward
Simone Holland '20: Dangerfield Ashton Model Athlete Jane Lywood Cup St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal
Bjorn Davidson '20: Perkins Cup Outstanding Athlete Award Emmet H. Hoy, Jr. Citizenship Award
Laetitia Haddad '20: The Karig Writing Prize and The St. Agnes Cup (left to right) Derek Johnson '20: Association of Parents and Teachers Award Abbie Henshaw '20: St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal CJ Shepherdson '20: St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal Indi Clayton '20: St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Medal
THE ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES MEDALS Thomas Howard Boone III Indi Sinclair Clayton Liliana Patricia Dowling Isaiah Michael Frazier Abigail Elizabeth Henshaw Timothy Fang Tie Keefe Juliane Quinn Newman Charles Jefferson Shepherdson V Ryan Scott Vuono Sylvie Reed Weiman
EMMETT H. HOY, JR. CITIZENSHIP AWARD Peter Bjorn Davidson
SAINT AGNES CUP Laetitia Jacqueline Margaret Haddad
The following awards were presented to underclassmen:
THE DAVID DONALD GAYLE SCHOLARSHIP MATHEMATICS PRIZES
GOVERNOR'S SCHOOL RECIPIENTS
John Hobgood Fontham, Jr. '21 Michael Thompson Hines '21 Adrienne Wing-Suen Lai '21
Humanities: John Stratton Burnett '21 Medicine and Health Sciences: Caroline Grace Butler '21 Instrumental Music: Adriana Margaret Criswell '22 Visual Arts: Anna Maria Giardina '21 Spanish: Alexandra Greer Olsen '21
THE HELEN ARNY MACAN SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
THE JOHN MORROW STANTON MEMORIAL ATHLETIC AWARD Chumani Marie Chamberlain '21
THE ESTHER CARROLL MURPHY AWARD FOR CREATIVITY Mimi Claire Shea '22
THE SENIOR CLASS AWARD Barrett Allen Lathrop '21
Adrienne Wing-Suen Lai '21
THE ANN G. LINDSEY POETRY PRIZE Lily Ruth-Gordon Hunsicker '23
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KEEP A LITTLE BIT OF MIDDLE SCHOOL IN YOU Middle School Director Quincey Grieve addressed the Class of 2024 in their virtual Recognition Ceremony on June 4. Eighth grade students, we have missed you, and we have missed being together in our building, all cozy, doing our Middle School things: listening to Mr. Japha's corny jokes at assemblies, smiling with Mr. Lee as he lovingly fixed your collars as we entered chapel, playing endless games of spike ball, lunch bunching with Mrs. Kunz, lingering just a bit too long with your friends at the downstairs center stairwell as class was starting, reading and writing, thinking and collaborating, problem solving and question raising. We were in the thick of the extremes of Middle School joys: squealing with delight 32 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
at the absurdity of some teacher comment, reveling in anticipation of Mini-Courses, basking in the good fortune of it being pizza and cookie sale day. And we were navigating the messier parts of Middle School: a friendship gone sour, a disappointing grade, the endless unfairness of adult rules. So much of our “Middle School business,” of course, is about preparing you for next steps — preparing you to make the huge leap from the innocence of childhood to the responsibilities and realities of adulthood — and doing so in the safety of our little world, doing so in a way that is equally about having fun and delighting in the present.
When we ask you to read Shakespeare in Elizabethan English, solve word problems involving a fractional equation, write and produce your own original plays, when we pile on a bus to head to Camp Horizons to go caving and canoeing, to sleep in small, smelly cabins and drink even smellier water; when we ask you to lead your parents through a 25-minute studentled conferences diving deep into your successes — and areas for growth — when we examine the complexities of life in our Saints Advisory Program Coffee Houses, we are preparing you. Preparing you for challenge, preparing you intellectually and emotionally for life after Middle School — while simultaneously filling your days — and our day — with joy.
likely plenty of social drama to continue to navigate.
Your Middle School experience
Like no child that has ever come through the St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Middle School before, you have the right — as far as I'm concerned, for the rest of your lives! — to say that a piece of your heart is in Middle School and a piece of Middle School is in you.
did not end as we expected. Time stopped, like a frozen Zoom call. Life threw us a really, really big challenge, and the adults in your life couldn't shield you from it. We couldn't be the sanctuary that protected you from the upending of our Middle School life as we knew it. You have been catapulted into adulthood in many ways, forced to accept that there are things in life that are out of your control. We pivoted on a dime and moved Middle School to a whole new sphere, a remote one. And Middle School continued: Mr. Japha continued to tell corny jokes at assemblies, you kept on lunch bunching, and reading, writing, thinking, and collaborating. Saints Got Talent went on; Drama Board meetings continued; Affinity Group conversations continued; you worked out with your teams remotely; I'm guessing there was probably some squealing with delight about the absurdity of a teacher's comment — or dare I say outfit? — and no doubt there was
And so, today, we mark the culmination of your Middle School experience; we confer on you your diplomas and send you off to Upper School with pride and joy — and deep respect for how beautifully you carried through this most unusual spring. But I'm guessing your Middle School experience feels a bit unbuttoned up, like you have some unfinished business of Middle School. You do. And how glorious is that?
My wish for you is that a part of you is forever freeze-framed in Middle School. When you're sitting in a board room some day, looking around at all the serious business of adults, you can chuckle to yourself and remind yourself, I'm still a middle schooler — perhaps you make some corny joke that would put Mr. Japha to shame; perhaps you show up a few minutes late because you spent just a moment too long hanging out around the stairs with a buddy; perhaps you suggest that what y'all need is a good float down the Shenandoah River. Today, we celebrate your Middle School journey and we send you forth to your next chapter; we also hold you tight in our hearts and our minds and our souls, delighted that you will forever be a part of us, and your Middle Schoolness will forever be a part of you.
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MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS DAY On June 3, these awards were virtually presented to 52 students in recognition of their achievements in academics, the arts, athletics, citizenship, and service. DEPARTMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS
BROOKS MATH AWARD
Awarded to eighth grade students for demonstrating strong scholarship and interest in a particular subject.
Dimitri Criswell '25, Claire Hanley '25
The Band Award Sully Naef, Charlotte Nichols
The Chinese Award Belle Akeredolu
The Chorus Award Bryce Gunn, Danielle Hines
The Drama Award
RICHARD P. BABYAK AWARDS For making our school community a better place through their actions throughout the year. Garrett Butler '24, AJ Degler '24, Elizabeth Rutter '24, Lauren Scott '24 Anne Kostel '25, Charles McElwain '25, Kate Purpura '25, William Troy '25 Walker Ferry '26, Chaelynn Hwang '26, Ali Rouse '26, Ethan Thompson '26
Kihm Calico, Luke Rapallo
DIRECTOR'S AWARD
The English Award
For demonstrating character, tenacity, and intellect.
SaraClaire Chiaramonte, Jackson Youree
The French Award Augusta Adams, Garrett Butler
The History Award
Annette Dunn '24, Sully Naef '24 Katy Hartell '25, Owen Siegel '25 Michael Corso '26, Ariya Harrington '26
SINCLAIR CUP
The Latin Award
For exemplifying loyalty, integrity, leadership, cooperation, and scholastic endeavor in seventh grade.
Matthew Smith
Aiden Potholm, Anna Strauss
Felix Howton, Abby Moon
The Math Award James Brabham, Heather Hawkins
The Orchestra Award Colton Jensen, Lauren Scott
The Religion Award Lily Adams, AJ Degler
The Science Award Jack Murphy, Elizabeth Rutter
The Spanish Award Kalli Dinos, Isaiah Fahden
The Visual Arts Award
STEBBINS CUP For exemplifying community spirit, compassion, and consideration of other in sixth grade.
SUZANNE GRIFFIN NUCKOLLS FELLOWSHIP PRIZE For possessing the best qualities of a true friend in eighth grade. Claire Helmreich, Theo Weiman
ST. STEPHEN'S AND ST. AGNES CUP
EIGHTH GRADE ATHLETIC SAINTS AWARD Bradley Cruthirds, Grace Sherner
Theo Weiman
34 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
Belle Akeredolu '24: The Chinese Award
Mia Knysh, Jack Rutter
Awarded to an eighth grade student for exemplifying scholarship, character, leadership, and citizenship.
Sydney Worsham
Garrett Butler '24: The French Award Richard P. Babyak Award
Sully Naef '24: The Band Award Director's Award
Bradley Cruthirds '24: Athletic Saints Award
Matthew Smith '24: The Latin Award
Abby Moon '24: The History Award
Bryce Gunn '24: The Chorus Award
Heather Hawkins '24: The Math Award
Danielle Hines '24: The Chorus Award
Luke Rapallo '24: The Drama Award
Theo Weiman '24: Suzanne Griffin Nuckolls Fellowship Prize The St. Stephen's and St. Agnes Cup
SaraClaire Chiaramonte '24: The English Award
AJ Degler '24: The Religion Award Richard P. Babyak Award
Kalli Dinos '24: The Spanish Award
Charlotte Nichols '24: The Band Award
Grace Sherner '24: The Athletic Saints Award
Isaiah Fahden '24: The Spanish Award
Kihm Calico '24: The Drama Award Sydney Worsham '24: The Visual Arts Award
Jack Murphy '24: The Science Award
James Brabham '24: The Math Award
Augusta Adams '24: The French Award
Annette Dunn '24: The Director's Award
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AN EPISCOPAL SCHOOL
Will You Join Me in this Work? The Very Rev. Randy Hollerith '82, dean of the Washington National Cathedral, gave this sermon on racism to the Cathedral's congregation on June 21, 2020.
“If we call ourselves Christians, if we take our faith seriously, especially if we are white, then the one thing we cannot do is turn away from this subject or try to hide from the pain.”
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Amen. Four years ago, when I first arrived in the diocese of Washington, I took part in a monthly orientation program of sorts with other clergy who were new to the diocese that year as well. The program was called Genesis, and it was designed to bring us together, to build relationships, to spend some good quality time with Bishop Mariann Budde, and to better understand this new diocese that we now called home.
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To be honest, as I look back on it, I don't remember a lot about what we did during those meetings, besides having the opportunity to get to know some new colleagues. But there was one session that sticks with me and remains fresh in my mind all these years later. It was the day we were invited to read and discuss a short story entitled “Space Traders.” “Space Traders” is a kind of science fiction story that you
might see on the Twilight Zone. It was originally written by Derek Bell and then turned into a brief script by the diocese's very own Dr. Enid Legess. In short, the story centers around a group of very technologically advanced aliens who come to Earth and promise to give the people of the United States enough wealth to end all our financial problems, special technology to fix all our environmental problems, and a brand new power source that would end all of our energy problems. The only catch is that in return for these gifts, America has to agree to put all African-Americans aboard the alien ship and allow them to be taken back to the alien planet. Most of the story focuses on the public conversations and arguments and debates that would take place if such a crazy offer were made. And the story ends with a national referendum voted on and approved by the American people to trade AfricanAmericans for alien technology. Crazy, right? The day we discussed this story, we were a diverse group of highly educated and seasoned clergy. We were black and white. We were male and female. Old and young. LGBTQ and non-LGBTQ. And at first I thought the story was absolutely ridiculous, and I wondered, with my eye rolls, why we were wasting our time talking about science fiction. When we were asked if we thought anything like this could ever really happen, the people of the United States trading African-American lives for advanced technology, most of the white folks in the room thought it was ridiculous. Could never happen. But what brought me up short was that most of the African-Americans in the room thought it was not farfetched at all, and that under similar circumstances, America might well make this trade. I was floored.
At first, I wondered why these colleagues that I so respected were being so dramatic. Surely this was just a stupid story? Then I began to see that they were not at all being dramatic. Rather, with a deep sadness in their eyes, they were being honest. And I realized that in spite of all of my years of education and ordained ministry, I still had blind spots to a reality that was painfully obvious to them. That racism is alive and well in America and still a very real threat. I was blind because I'm white, and the story is only absurd to me because I do not have to deal with racism every single day of my life. From their experience, this wild science fiction story was, at its core, talking about something very real. In that moment, I understood that in spite of everything I thought about myself, I was still blind. I still had some very real work to do. My friends, I know there are some of you out there right at this moment considering tuning me out or turning me off, because you really do not want to hear me talk about this subject. With all the tragic news and all the protests in recent weeks, you are tired of hearing about racism, worn out from having to confront the pain that accompanies this topic. And you just want to talk about something else. But my friends, if we call ourselves Christians, if we take our faith seriously, especially if we are white, then the one thing we cannot do is turn away from this subject or try to hide from the pain. Because we have brothers and sisters of color who need us. They need us to open our eyes and our ears. They need us to listen to what they have to tell us. They need us to do the work that only we can do. To realize the privilege that our white skin affords us. And to do everything we can to reject that privilege. When we turn away,
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when we avoid the difficult issues, when we think that racism is not our problem, then we only reinforce the white privilege and nothing changes. The truth is we can't afford to turn away. Too much has taken place. This is our national moment to do something meaningful to break the cycle of history, so we don't repeat yet again the same racist tragedies that we have seen throughout history. Tragedies that are once again being laid bare right here before us in 2020, as they were in 1968 or 1991 or 2014. In our lessons for this morning, St. Paul says that in the waters of baptism, that we are buried with Christ. Our old selves are crucified with him so that we might die to one way of being in the world and be reborn to a new way of being in the world. The way of love. Moreover, Jesus tells us that we need not fear anything that can destroy the body. Rather, we need only concern ourselves with that which can destroy our souls. Friends, racism is destroying our souls and the soul of our nation. And those of us who are white have a special responsibility to make sure that this old self, this old way of being that has existed since the beginning of America that says white is right, this old self has to die, or we can never be reborn to something new, to the way of love. The fact is, to deal with the root causes of racism, we have to deal with white supremacy and white privilege. It's not work that can be avoided or left to our brothers and sisters of color to somehow fix through protests and speeches. It will take much more than that to root it out, especially in its most subtle forms. It is our work. And in order to do it, we are going to have to be willing to allow our old selves, our old ways of thinking to be crucified.
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We're going to have to be willing to uncover and bring into the light the assumptions, the behaviors, the mindsets, that many of us who are white are not even aware of. It's going to hurt. But we know from watching Jesus on the cross, that there is no Easter without Good Friday. There is no new life without struggle and pain. We don't have to have all the answers. But if we're willing to take up our cross and follow Jesus as we read this morning, if we're willing to do that at this particular moment in our nation's history,
“What is white soul work? Simply put, it is the process of having our eyes opened so that we can clearly see and help to dismantle a racist system that lies at the heart of our culture. A system that we often do not see precisely because we are white.� then we must engage in what I call white soul work. What is that? What is white soul work? Simply put, it is the process of having our eyes opened so that we can clearly see and help to dismantle a racist system that lies at the heart of our culture. A system that we often do not see precisely because we are white. Let's face it. Most of us are good people. We would never consciously hurt or marginalize or discriminate against someone else because of the color of their
skin. As a result, some of us get defensive and resentful when they hear that they have to deal with their own white privilege. As Layla Saad writes in her book, “Me and White Supremacy,” and I paraphrase here, our desire to be seen as good by ourselves and others prevents us from honestly looking at the ways we unknowingly participate in and are part of a racist culture. Our desire to be seen as good, actually prevents us from doing good. Because if we
“Privilege is having history written so that you don't have to acknowledge uncomfortable facts. Racism is perpetuated by people who refuse to learn or acknowledge this reality. Will you join me in this work?” cannot see ourselves as part of the problem, then we cannot be a part of the solution. My friends, the real work needed to end racism has to start with the individual. It has to start with me, in me, through my hard work to come to terms with the systemic racism that I may not see. To confront my participation in a system that I may not realize exists. That is white soul work. As Jim Golden recently posted, it's no accident that we learned about Helen Keller, but we didn't learn about W.E.B. Du Bois. It's no accident that we learned about
Watts and L.A. riots, but not Tulsa and Wilmington. It's no accident we learned about black ghettos, but not black Wall Street. It's no accident we learned about black crime, but white criminals were never lumped together and discussed in terms of their race. It's no accident we learned about states' rights as the cause of the Civil War, but not that slavery was mentioned 80 times in the Articles of Secession. Privilege is having history written so that you don't have to acknowledge uncomfortable facts. Racism is perpetuated by people who refuse to learn or acknowledge this reality. Will you join me in this work? We all have work to do. Will you refrain from turning away? From changing the subject? I have no doubt that the holy spirit is at work amongst us right now in new and powerful ways. She is stirring amongst the protesters and moving amongst people of good will, calling all of us, nudging us to actually live that still unfulfilled American dream, that all people are created equal. Never forget that in our baptisms, each one of us was given this gift of the holy spirit. She is there to guide us and to strengthen us so that we can be better than we are, better than we ever thought we could be. She is there working to build the beloved community. And as Dr. King reminds us, “It is this type of spirit and this type of love that can transform opposers into friends.” It is this type of understanding good will that will transform the deep gloom of the old age into the exuberant gladness of the new age. It is this love which will bring about miracles in the hearts of men. May it be so. May it be so. Good Lord, may it be so. Amen.
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A Cherished Gift to the Community
THE REV. DR. ROSEMARY BEALES By Mandi Sapp Lower School Chaplain Rosemary Beales is retiring from St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School after 12 years of service. Rev. Beales received her master's of divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary in 2005. She joined St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School in 2008 after three years of working in parish ministry, including a part-time chaplaincy in a parish school. During her 12 years at SSSAS, Rev. Beales has made many favorite memories — one of those is establishing Godly Play at SSSAS. She created and curated a Godly Play environment in her classes, where she sat in a circle with her students as they shared their Godly Play stories and listened to their insightful wonderings about Bible stories and church traditions. She thanks the generous resources from the school and the APT that has made one of her greatest accomplishments here possible. “Rosemary is a Godly Play practitioner who brings much passion and expertise to the formation of children
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“Rosemary has served
as a tireless advocate in reminding the Lower
School that God loves
them and values them.” The Rev. Sean Cavanaugh, Head Chaplain
with emerging faith and spiritualities,” said Middle School Chaplain Rev. Michael Hinson. “Her commitment to God's people is commendable, and I appreciate her steady faith and dedication to her vocation.” Rev. Beales is also proud of designing the Creation Trail, completed in 2011, that highlights the gifts of nature and culture on the Lower School campus. The trail is a nature walk that highlights and gives thanks for the beautiful campus, while serving as a teaching opportunity for religion classes and other educational programs. The trail consists of 14 stops around the Lower School campus where visitors may pause, learn, pray, and appreciate the nature surrounding us. “When we stop and appreciate our surroundings, we are motivated to protect it,” said Rev. Beales, who provided the idea for the trail after being inspired by a similar
project at another school. Rev. Beales recruited Clay Kane '13, who created the trail design, researched descriptions for each stop, and consulted on the design of markers as part of his Eagle Scout project. In addition, Rev. Beales enjoyed leading the hands-on food preparation and hunger education project for each class from her time here. The highlight of each week has been the Lower School chapel where she has led services designed to be both reverent and joyful, to provide substance and inspiration for our youngest Saints as well as adults. She has also instituted innovations such as the outdoor chapel for the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and Ashes for All on Ash Wednesday. “Working with committed and creative colleagues for the good of our students” is something Rev. Beales has cherished. In addition to her work in the classroom and at chapel, Rev. Beales has served on the Sustainability Committee and was an active participant in SEED (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity) for three years. Head Chaplain The Rev. Sean Cavanaugh said, “Rosemary has been an incredible gift to this community. She has shared her vision, faith, and grace with our Lower School students and faculty for over a decade. Rosemary has served as a tireless advocate in reminding the Lower School that God loves them and values them. She has a heart for the poor and
Rev. Rosemary Beales students sharing Godly Play stories with her.
social justice and has shared this love with the community in strong and vibrant ways. She has given us the best of her vocation and work as a priest, for that I am eternally grateful to her. Great job, good and faithful servant.” St. Stephen's and St. Agnes was Rev. Beales' first fulltime school job. Not many people know that when she graduated from the University of Maryland in 1972 with a B.S. in journalism and a minor in English, she was ready to take on the world of news! And for the next 25 years she did, beginning as a reporter with a daily paper in Austin, Texas, and ending as managing editor of Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine. However, it was working with children at Sunday School that would eventually lead her to a calling in ministry. “I know a career change from journalism to one in ministry sounds like a radical
shift, but journalism is mostly about telling stories. I like to say that I simply found a better story to tell —not just news, but 'good news,'” Rev. Beales said. “And as a priest, I get to tell the story not only with words, but also with action, presence, and sacraments.” Rev. Beales's passion for teaching and ministry led her to travel abroad on various pilgrimages. She went to England with 29 teenagers in 2008, to Kenya to visit the primary school in partnership with St. John's in 2007, to Sudan to teach Hebrew in 2005, to England in 2004, and Ireland in 1999 and 2019 for both learning and leisure. In her retirement, Rev. Beales hopes to return to parish work. She enjoys spending time with her three adult children and seven grandchildren, as well as Irish dancing, gardening, and baking for stress relief.
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The Beloved “Mother Goose” of Saints
LIBRARIAN JOYCE AMES By Mandi Sapp “Joyce has been a part of SSSAS for a long time,” said Library Department Chair Alicia Blowers. “Her knowledge of our school and community and care and attentiveness to her advisees, colleagues, and the student body as a whole has enriched our lives for many years. She was always willing to lend a hand and offer support, no matter the time or reason. She has ensured that our Upper School students are ready for the future.” Our community bids farewell to Joyce after 17 years with our school and 24 years in education. Joyce first joined our community as a parent in 1996 when her son, Justin, started Middle School. Her daughter, Meghan '06 joined the Upper School in 2002. Having worked in libraries throughout high school and beyond, Joyce volunteered in the Upper School library in 2002, and the following year was offered a permanent role. Joyce has been involved in many areas of the school starting with her deep commitment to our school's environmental efforts. As a faculty advisor to the Upper School student Green Leadership Club and a member of the all-school Environmental Sustainability Committee, she helped to coordinate the school's first-ever Students for 42 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
Sustainability Conference in 2008 and assisted with the conferences thereafter.
and students will go again in January 2020 for the midwinter conference in Philadelphia.
Additionally, Joyce has shepherded our all-school faculty/staff book club, worked behind the scenes with our Stage One Players coordinating ticket sales, reservations, and show-time distribution of tickets (before the system became automated), sang with the faculty choir at Thanksgiving and Lessons and Carols, and served as a faculty representative on the Campus Master Planning committee 2016-2019 working with representatives from all three campuses, board members, and our architects to create the vision for our future renovation plan.
Joyce has an eye for library design and looks to see what the upgrading needs are each year such as picking furniture, fabrics, and carpet. In 2012 she converted what was the periodicals archives/storage room into what is now an incredibly inviting and well-used quiet reading room. Joyce has also served an unofficial but significant role as the Upper School chapel support for as long as she's been at SSSAS. In the Episcopal tradition, her work is that of the altar guild — ordering chapel supplies, setting up and clearing chapel on a weekly basis, taking care of linens and vestments, and preparing for the monthly Eucharists and special holy day observations.
Many of her joys throughout the years have come from studentfocused initiatives. When the American Library Association mid-winter meeting was slated for Philadelphia in 2014, she took a group of eager readers to participate in the event to experience the exhibits and have lunch with an array of young adult authors before presenting in front of the audience their reviews of books that they read that had been nominated for the Best Fiction for Young Adult award. She repeated this experience in 2019 when ALA met in Washington, D.C.,
The Traditions yearbook staff dedicated the 2018-2019 edition in Joyce's honor. From the yearbook dedication: “When asked to describe Ms. Ames, people called her kind, compassionate, and patient. One student even said, 'mother goose' and that title perfectly encapsulates Ms. Ames. She is truly a mother goose to the entire Upper School community. She treats each student with patience and is always willing
to help, no matter the task. She has the amazing ability to recognize and call every student by name, and many students felt that her small actions make up such a large part of the St. Stephen's and St. Agnes community.” Joyce looks forward to joining her husband in retirement as they plan to spend more time at their country home in the mountains of Highland County, Va. She also plans to travel, take hiking trips to national parks, get reacquainted with her bicycle, and spend time with her 94-year-old father who lives out of state. She looks forward to a variety of learning opportunities and is exploring becoming certified as a Master Naturalist and an Audubon at Home Ambassador.
“I don't know that I have a motto that I live by, but I will say that I keep coming back to 'everyone has a story,' a bromide that has helped steer my actions and intentions both professionally and personally. I always try to understand where people are coming from and what's on their minds.”
“When I think of SSSAS, I think of the word family,” said Joyce. “In good times and bad times, triumphs and struggles, harmony and discord, we pull together. While I'm sure I am not the first person to coin that sentiment, it definitely rings true for me. The connections and interactions with our students and faculty/staff really stitched the fabric of my tenure. I will miss SSSAS very much!” www.sssas.org | 43
MAKING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS In the quiet of a shutdown, students and seniors forge new friendships. By Tara Bahrampour (Reprinted with permission from The Washington Post)
Around twice a week, Mary Jane Gillespie, 76, and Callie Heimbach '21, 17, get on the phone to catch up. They chat about languages — how Spanish is easier to learn than French because it has fewer silent letters; how German is useful in reading “Beowulf.” They discuss how the novel coronavirus will go down in history like the 1918 flu and the 1950s polio epidemic. And they remark on all the chirping since the shutdown. “I was thinking about what you told me — I can hear the birds so much,” Heimbach marveled on a recent call. They talk like old friends, but they have never met in person; three months ago, they didn't even know about each other. But in March, Heimbach's Alexandria school, St. Stephen's and St. Agnes, and Gillespie's retirement community, Goodwin House, with locations in Falls Church and Alexandria, embarked on the Companion Program, a partnership to connect teenagers with seniors in a sort of coronavirusera pen pal relationship. For the past two months, 28 pairs have been communicating regularly.
44 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
Mary Jane Gillespie (photo courtesy of Goodwin House)
The two organizations already had a history, with many of the school's alumni, parents, grandparents and former faculty moving to Goodwin House, said Valentina Raman, the school's director of service learning and social entrepreneurship. “We have a shared mission and shared roots in an Episcopal identity,” including performances and other intergenerational activities, she said. When the pandemic struck, separating students and residents from their peers and the larger world, administrators from both organizations brainstormed about how to help them. The partnership seemed like a good way for students to use their time constructively, and beneficial for seniors, whose social activities at the residence have been curtailed as older people are at particular risk of succumbing to the virus.
“There was a mutual need. Our students were also feeling the effects of not being able to see their friends; they also felt the loneliness and isolation of the moment,” Raman said. To help make good matches, students submitted a line or two about their interests and their experiences with older adults. So much demand arose that some had to join a waiting list. “The students are having a lot of fun,” Raman said. “They love listening, they are naturally curious, and they love to hear about the history of Alexandria,” where many of the seniors lived in their youth. “Some have found
“They really care about their companion, and they really feel that their companion cares about them.”
Before the pandemic, Gillespie, a retired musician, attended church and participated in activities such as the residence's spring fling, a talent show for which she sings Cole Porter songs and other popular tunes from the previous century. But since mid-March, she has been confined to residence grounds, unable to see her brother who lives nearby, unable to socialize up close or share meals with fellow residents. “It's been very hard. I'm legally blind and not able to use a computer, so all the computer things that people do on a computer, I'm not able to do,” she said. She said she and Heimbach hit it off on the first call: “It went great; we just realized that we had a lot of meeting of the minds on things.” They talked about their high school
TIFFANY PROCTOR, GOODWIN HOUSE connections, where their grandparent actually was friends with the companion. One of them actually put together a photo album of photos that the companion didn't have.” For Goodwin House residents, “I have really seen an increase in happiness for those who are participating,” said Tiffany Proctor, director of life enrichment there. “They really care about their companion, and they really feel that their companion cares about them. “The maturity of the students has really surprised me,” she added. “They have been dedicated, they have been genuine, it hasn't been forced.”
Callie Heimbach '21 and her dog, Lucy.
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“Talking with Callie during the pandemic is the most fun thing I do. It's fresh and different... Callie's youth and effervescence is absolutely wonderful.” MARY JANE GILLESPIE teachers and the Cold War, which Heimbach is studying and Gillespie lived through. “I shared with her my experiences of it. My father was the Air Force attache in Vienna in the early 1960s” when Gillespie had just graduated from high school, she said. “The Iron Curtain, the barbed wire and the minefields in Hungary and Czechoslovakia were very close to Vienna, and whenever we had people from the States, he always drove them to see the minefields and the barbed wire, so they could really see the Soviet Union had really constructed a prison for their people.” They discuss the challenges of living through a health crisis that has paralyzed much of the world's normal activities. They discover they have strange things in common, such as that both their teachers for American history were also wrestling coaches. Often they talk for an hour, sessions Gillespie finds herself looking forward to. “I've come to feel that [the lockdown] is the hardest thing I've had to face in my life, and I've faced a lot,” Gillespie said. “Talking with Callie during the pandemic is the most fun thing I do. It's fresh and different. One thing about the social isolation is the monotony of it. Of course, Callie's youth and effervescence is absolutely wonderful.”
46 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
Heimbach looks forward to it, too. “She has so much interesting stuff to talk about because she's so engaged. I'm kind of amazed that she's so able to be happy and positive, being cooped up like that.” Her mother, Deasy Heimbach, said Gillespie has become an integral part of pandemic life for her daughter, who before the shutdown had an active extracurricular menu of running track and leading a club. “I can't think of anyone, ever, that Callie has spent this much time on the phone with,” she said. “Callie at the dinner table will talk about things she and Ms. Gillespie have talked about. You can see a little pep in her step after each conversation.” Not all the interactions are by phone; some pairs use Skype, Zoom, or email. But for many students, the phone has an old-fashioned, exotic aura, and it can also confer important skills for adulthood. To help ease them into it, administrators created a script for an introductory phone call, with suggested conversation starters. They also provided training for students on landlines, cold-calling and the experiences of older adults, who might be hard of hearing or have cognitive issues that require more patience. Abhay Mathur, 15, said talking on the phone with Shirley Warthen, 87, felt strange initially. “Miss Shirley just has a telephone, not a cellphone,” he said. “The first time it was kind of awkward.” But Warthen had a list of questions prepared, which helped smooth the way. Now they chat a couple of times a week. “The time passes by fast,” he said. They talk about issues like what age kids should get their first cellphone, and what Alexandria was like when Warthen was a girl. Both are among the youngest of their
“Miss Shirley has a lot of advice to give me, and it's nice to have it from someone outside of my family ... We ask each other questions. Like really deep questions.” ABHAY MATHUR '22
said. Talking with Mathur is “very nice. I can say, 'What's it like in the outside world?' ”
Abhay Mathur '22 siblings, “so we really bond over being the last to get stuff, the last to go to college,” he said. Although Mathur also chats with his grandparents remotely, “I think being able to talk with somebody outside my family is really good,” he said. “Miss Shirley has a lot of advice to give me, and it's nice to have it from someone outside of my family. “We ask each other questions. Like really deep questions. Like, would you rather live on a boat or on an island?” he said. “We both said boat, but we both agreed that it would be really expensive.” For Warthen, who hasn't ventured beyond the grounds of Goodwin House since February, the connection has been a lifeline. “Being locked into a small area, we are just on one floor of this building — nobody comes in and out except the aides and the doctors,” she
The students can receive community service hours for participating, and administrators say they hope it can be replicated in other communities. Someday, when the pandemic is over, they will hold a reception where all the participants can finally meet face-to-face. “That's kind of our carrot,” Proctor said, “where we can get to that point where we can hug each other, have a slice of cake.” For now, they plan to continue chatting remotely at least through summer, and possibly beyond. “The hope is that this is a companion program in perpetuity,” Raman said. “This is such a simple and meaningful way for intergenerational relationships to be fostered . . . The hope is that we're planting seeds for something even greater to grow, and shifting to a society that's more connected and more supportive of one another, even beyond this moment.”
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SAINTS IN ACTION
Saints Win Awards in Nationwide Contests Out of 13 awards given, Upper School artists won four in the 2020 Artistic Discovery Contest for U.S. Congressman Don Beyer's 8th district of Virginia. Rep. Beyer awards first, second, and third place prizes, along with 10 honorable mentions to high school students in his district. Carlin Trevisan '21 took Second Place for “Solitude” (oil-on-canvas) and Honorable Mentions went to Caroline Grace Butler '21 for “National Emergency” (paper sculpture and photography), Hudson Reynolds '20 for “Mutation” (etching) and Maria Simpson '20 for “Refugee” (oil-on-canvas).
Hudson Reynolds '20 Mutation Honorable Mention
The top winning works are displayed for one year at the U.S. Capitol. In the 2020 Congressional Art Competition for Virginia's 11th Congressional District, Steph Adrien '21 tied for First Place for her artwork, “Outbreak.” Steph's work will hang in Rep. Gerry Connolly's Woodbridge District Office for the 2020-2021 school year. Sixty-seven students from high schools across the 11th district submitted artwork, and Steph created one of the four award-winning pieces.
Maria Simpson '20 Refugee Honorable Mention
Caroline Grace Butler '21 National Emergency Honorable Mention
Carlin Trevisan '21 Solitude Second place Steph Adrien '21 Outbreak First Place
SSSAS “Mathletes” Conquer Recent Competitions Saints excelled in the 20192020 math competitions. Our team of Advanced Algebra 2/ Trigonometry Honors and Geometry Honors students won the Fibonacci Division of the Junior Math League that is sponsored by the Northern Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The students 48 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
participated in five contests over the course of the school year. Saints Carter Harris '23 and Finn Jensen '22 finished in a first place tie and Ellie Hanley '22 placed third. Our Varsity division (a team of Advanced Pre-Calculus and AP Calculus students) won the
Alexandria and Arlington Division of the Virginia Math League. The students participated in five contests over the course of the school year, culminating in a first place win for Jessica Lopez '20 and a second place tie for Sebastian Villarreal '21 and Bjorn Davidson '20.
Kathryn Atkinson
Jay Cunningham
Ashlyn Lee
Abbie Henshaw
Julie Newman
Simone Holland
Vivion Purser
Alice Hurley
Kate Revers
Celine Koko
Sophie VandeHei
Academic Achievement Celebrated at Cum Laude Ceremony Eleven seniors were inducted as new members of the St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School chapter of the Cum Laude Society during a ceremony in June. The Cum Laude Society recognizes academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence (Areté), justice (Diké), and honor (Timé). Patterned after the college honorary society Phi Beta Kappa, the Cum Laude Society was founded in 1906 and has since grown to 382 chapters, primarily in independent schools, with approximately 24 chapters in public schools. To be considered for membership in the SSSAS Cum Laude Society, seniors
must be in the upper 20 percent of their class and have attained the qualifying gradepoint average for three years of secondary school. Juniors who are in the top 10 percent of their class were inducted last June and recognized at the ceremony this month. Congratulations to the Class of 2020 inductees: Kathryn Atkinson, Jay Cunningham, Abbie Henshaw, Simone Holland, Alice Hurley, Celine Koko, Ashlyn Lee, Julie Newman, Vivion Purser, Kate Revers, and Sophie VandeHei. SSSAS also congratulated three members of the Class of 2020 who have been recognized as National Merit
Scholarship Competition finalists, Jessica Lopez, Ryan Vuono, and Sylvie Weiman. More than 1.6 million students from more than 22,000 high schools entered the 2020 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2018 Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. The highestscoring entrants nationally qualify as semi-finalists and represent less than 1 percent of America's high school seniors. The National Merit Scholarship Program has selected less than half of the semi-finalists who met all requirements to advance to finalist standing in the competition.
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SAINTS IN ACTION
PHOTO BY ANDREW KNOPPS '20
Senior Chosen for Extraordinary Teen Award Lili Abizaid '20 was selected as one of the 14 Arlington Magazine Extraordinary Teens for their seventh annual awards issue featuring outstanding students who live in Arlington, Falls Church, and McLean. In addition to her strong academics and participation in the school's Model UN chapter, Lili was recognized for her leadership and volunteer efforts. She co-founded The Marot Foundation following a service trip to Haiti to deliver
50 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
school supplies in 2018. “We found that we were helping kids fix their shoes with duct tape and hair ties and thought, it's a simple, small problem that we could hopefully help out with,” said Lili. Since then, the foundation has collected more than 200 pairs of shoes for Haitian children. Lili is proficient in Arabic, French, Italian, Spanish, and English. During the coronavirus school closure, she attacked learning Portuguese, Japanese, and Haitian Creole.
In the fall, Lili plans to major in political science and minor in art history while keeping up with languages at the University of Chicago. Greatly inspired by Ruth Bader Ginsburg, her ultimate goal is to attend law school. Dr. Michael Carter, her college counselor, said: “Lili Abizaid is now and will continue to be a force for good in our world.”
ADMISSIONS REPORT FOR 2020-2021
OU R N E W SA INTS
118
212 NEW SAINTS
BOYS
105 Lower School
16
GIRLS
44 Middle School
49
just moved to the area
94
with enrolled siblings
63 Upper School
11
$970,500
with Alumni Parents
Financial Assistance Awarded
OU R S T UD ENT BO DY
1140 STUDENTS $5.6+ MILLION
SAINTS
829
Families
569 Boys
571 Girls
28%
Students of Color
83
With Alumni Parents
Financial Assistance Awarded
WHERE SAINTS LIVE 53% City of Alexandria 9% Arlington County 28% Fairfax County 2% Other Virginia Counties 7% Maryland
20.5% Episcopalian Students
23
other religions represented in our student body
2% Washington, D.C.
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SAINTS ATHLETICS
CLASS OF 2020 ATHLETES Congratulations to the 28 graduates who will play on NCAA
JAMAL BARNES
LACEY BARTHOLOMAY United States Military Academy Lacrosse
United States Air Force Academy Basketball
East Tennessee State University Football
TRE BOONE
KATE COWARD
LUKE FISHER
SHIVANI GIFFORD
BRIDGET HANLEY
SIMONE HOLLAND
LAMUMBA HOWARD
St. Thomas Aquinas College Basketball
Denison University Lacrosse
Winthrop University Lacrosse
ALEX MCENENEY Hamilton College Track
52 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
CHASE BEASLEY
Colorado College Lacrosse
DEMETRI NICOLAIDIS Washington College Lacrosse
University of California at Berkeley Lacrosse
DREW PASCAL
Franklin & Marshall College Lacrosse
Denison University Lacrosse
Temple University Football
ANDRE SCREEN Bucknell University Basketball
TO PLAY AT COLLEGIATE LEVEL Division I, III, and junior college teams, representing six sports.
JARED CROSS
NYIA CUMMINGS
LIZZIE D'ANTONIO
BJORN DAVIDSON
CLAIRE FERGUSSON
TYLER JONES
HALLE KNUTSON
WILLIAM LANE
XAVIER LIPSCOMB
WILL MCCONNEL
United States Military Academy Basketball
US Naval Academy Prep/Coast Guard Football
Cornell University Track
Occidental College Lacrosse
HENRY WATSON Macalester College Baseball
Loyola University (MD) Lacrosse
BEN WAYER
University of Virginia Lacrosse
Denison University Lacrosse
Williams College Lacrosse
Radford University Basketball
ASHLEY WEST University of Virginia Lacrosse
Kenyon University Diving
Trinity College (CT) Football
DILLYN ZINDLER Connecticut College Lacrosse
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SAINTS ATHLETICS
2019-20 SAINTS ATHLETIC AWARDS On May 27, St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School presented these awards in a virtual ceremony in recognition of our students' achievements in athletics.
THE COACH'S AWARD
The Coach's Award recognizes non-varsity athletes who have demonstrated a positive attitude, high level of sportsmanship and who are always cooperative and supportive of their teammates as well as opponents. Through their conscientious practice habits, they not only develop their own skills, but help others improve their ability as well.
THE OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARD
The Outstanding Athlete Award recognizes the best overall athlete/s on the team. The recipients are chosen by coach/es based on playing ability and overall contributions to the team.
THE SAINT AWARD
The Saint Award recognizes the athletes who have exhibited a positive attitude, a desire to achieve and determination throughout the season. These athletes are selected by their peers and demonstrate an unselfish contribution to the welfare of the team and are dedicated to excellence in athletics.
54 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
FALL SEASON AWARDS COACH'S AWARD: Campbell Cooper '21: Cross Country Giorgio Córica '23: Freshman Soccer Adair Edwards '22: JV Field Hockey Brooke Kurtz '21: JV Tennis Ellie Minor '23: Freshman Volleyball Andrew Seale '21: JV Soccer Lizzie Sherman '22: JV Volleyball Eliza Young '22: Cross Country OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARD: Chase Albritton '20: Varsity Soccer Kathryn Atkinson '20: Varsity Field Hockey Nathan Bezuneh '23: Varsity Cross Country Elise Hellmann '20: Varsity Soccer Lamumba Howard, Jr. '20: Varsity Football Malcolm Johnson, Jr. '21: Varsity Football Morgan Lewis '22: Varsity Cross Country Caroline Lipton '21: Varsity Soccer Jack Murphy '23: Varsity Soccer Mikki Taye '23: Varsity Tennis NeAva Zayas '22: Varsity Volleyball SAINT AWARD: Charlotte Carr '21: Varsity Cross Country Kate Coward '20: Varsity Tennis Bjorn Davidson '20: Varsity Soccer Bennett Donohue '20: Varsity Football Laetitia Haddad '20: Varsity Volleyball Callie Heimbach '21: Varsity Cross Country Alex McEneney '20: Varsity Field Hockey William Ristau '22: Varsity Cross Country Sylvie Weiman '20: Varsity Soccer Ashley West '20: Varsity Tennis
Abby Campbell '22: Volleyball Morgan Lewis '22: Cross Country Caroline Lipton '21: Soccer Mira Majure '21: Field Hockey Nicole Moran '21: Field Hockey Emily Smith '21: Soccer Mikki Taye '23: Tennis NeAva Zayas '22: Volleyball VISAA ALL-STATE RECOGNITION: Honorable Mention: Nyrique Butler '22: Football Tison Hill '21: Football Tyler Jones '20: Football Tyler Logue'20: Football Julian Mosley '21: Football Michael Vaughn '22: Football Darius Wilson '21: Football 2nd Team: Cate Bradley '21: Field Hockey Kyle Burbage '21: Soccer Ewan Clarke '22: Football Bjorn Davidson '20: Soccer Irvine Madenga '21: Football 1st Team: Chase Albritton '20: Soccer Kathryn Atkinson '20: Field Hockey Nathan Bezuneh '21: Cross Country Lamumba Howard, Jr. '20: Football Malcolm Johnson, Jr. '21: Football Morgan Lewis '22: Cross Country
WINTER SEASON AWARDS
All-IAC: Chase Albritton '20: Soccer Nathan Bezuneh '21: Cross Country Kyle Burbage '21: Soccer Bjorn Davidson '20: Soccer Lamumba Howard, Jr. '20: Football Malcolm Johnson, Jr. '20: Football Irvine Madenga '21: Football
COACH'S AWARD: Sophie Atkisson '23: Swimming Tim Keefe '20: Swimming Andrew Lazarski '23: Varsity Track & Field Jack Murphy '23: JV Basketball Louisa Treadway '21: Varsity Track & Field Jeb Veatch '23: Freshman Basketball Eliza Young '22: JV Basketball
All-ISL: Kathryn Atkinson '20: Field Hockey Caitlin Bucceri '21: Soccer
OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARD: Jared Cross '20: Varsity Basketball Nyia Cummings '20: Varsity Track & Field
ELISE HELLMANN '20
CHASE ALBRITTON '20
ALEX MCENENEY '20
CLASS OF 2020 STATS: 2016-2020
5
9
4
46
2
3
Completed 12 Seasons
League Titles
State Championships
All State and All Conference Honors
Sleepy Thompson Championships in a row
Seminary Hill Cup Championships [2 Wins, 1 Tie]
TYLER LOGUE '20
KATE COWARD '20
LAMUMBA HOWARD, JR. '20
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SAINTS ATHLETICS
Evelyn Meggesto '22: Swimming, 100 Fly Ethan Oleksa '20: Swimming, 50 Free
Claire Fergusson '20: Varsity Diving Bradyn Griffin '21: Varsity Basketball Simone Holland '20: Varsity Basketball Malcolm Johnson, Jr. '21: Varsity Track & Field Andrew Lavayen '20: Varsity Wrestling Evelyn Meggesto '22: Varsity Swimming Ethan Oleksa '20: Varsity Swimming Calum Wayer '22: Varsity Ice Hockey SAINT AWARD: Kathryn Atkinson '20: Varsity Swimming Atticus Beane '20: Varsity Ice Hockey John Bucholz '21: Varsity Wrestling Isaiah Frazier '20: Varsity Track & Field Adele Godby '20: Varsity Track & Field Racquell Grey '22: Varsity Track & Field Xavier Lipscomb '20: Varsity Basketball Grace Murphy '21: Varsity Basketball Ryan Vuono '20: Varsity Swimming
Girls Most Valuable Athlete for Running Events: Nyia Cummings '20
SPRING SEASON AWARDS RYAN VUONO '20
SAINT AWARD: Lacey Bartholomay '20: Varsity Lacrosse Bjorn Davidson '20: Varsity Lacrosse Isaiah Frazier '20: Varsity Track & Field Amy Gastright '21: Varsity Softball Tim Keefe '20: Varsity Baseball Andrew Knops '20: Varsity Tennis Alex McEneney '20: Varsity Track & Field Sid Shah '23: Varsity Golf
All-IAC: Jamal Barnes '20: Basketball Atticus Beane '20: Ice Hockey Ewan Clarke'22: Wrestling Jared Cross '20: Basketball Andrew Lavayen '22: Wrestling Xavier Lipscomb '20: Basketball Ethan Oleksa '20: Swimming Andre Screen '20: Basketball All-ISL: Bradyn Griffin '21: Basketball
COACH'S AWARD: Ellie Hanley '22: JV Girls Lacrosse Finn Jensen '22: JV Boys Lacrosse Jackson Montague '21: JV Boys Tennis Morgan Tracy '22: JV Softball Jimmy Young '22: JV Baseball
IAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
CLAIRE FERGUSSON '20
Boys Basketball Team Ethan Oleksa '20: Boys Swimming , 50 free Ewan Clarke '22: Wrestling, 285 lbs Andrew Lavayen '22: Wrestling, 170 lbs
MAPHL: Atticus Beane '20
VISAA STATE CHAMPION
VISAA ALL-STATE RECOGNITION:
WASHINGTON POST ALL-MET HONOREES FOR FALL AND WINTER
2nd Team: Jared Cross '20: Basketball Nyia Cummings '20: Track & Field, 55m, 300m, 55m, high hurdles Indoor Track 4x800m Relay Team: Charlotte Carr '21, Adele Godby '20, Morgan Lewis '22, Katie Whalen '21
Malcolm Johnson, Jr. '21: Indoor Track, 55m
ANDREW KNOPPS '20
1st Team: Malcolm Johnson, Jr., '21 Track & Field, 55m Xavier Lipscomb '20: Basketball Andre Screen '20: Basketball Ewan Clarke '22: Wrestling Andrew Lavayen '22: Wrestling Swimming All-State 200 Free Relay Team: Ethan Bean '20, Ian Carr '21, Ethan Oleksa '20, Ryan Vuono '20
56 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
Honorable Mention: Chase Albritton '20: Soccer Nyia Cummings '20: Indoor Track & Field Malcolm Johnson, Jr. '21: Football Andre Screen '20: Basketball Emily Smith '21: Soccer Jamal Barnes '20: Basketball 3rd Team: Jared Cross '20: Basketball 1st Team: Xavier Lipscomb '20: Basketball
SIMONE HOLLAND '20
Athlete of the Year: Malcolm Johnson, Jr.: Indoor Track & Field
SAINTS HONORED BY ALEXANDRIA SPORTSMAN'S CLUB Six varsity student-athletes were recognized as Athletes of the Year by the Alexandria Sportsman's Club in June. The club honors athletes from Alexandria high schools who have excelled at their sports during the year.
KATHRYN ATKINSON '20 Field Hockey
NYIA CUMMINGS '20 Girls Track & Field
ANDREW LAVAYEN '22 Wresting
NATHAN BEZUNEH '21 Cross Country
MALCOLM JOHNSON, JR. '21 Boys Track & Field
XAVIER LIPSCOMB '20 Basketball
KATHRYN ATKINSON '20
NYIA CUMMINGS '20 MALCOLM JOHNSON, JR. '21
ANDREW LAVAYEN '22 NATHAN BEZUNEH '21
XAVIER LIPSCOMB '20 www.sssas.org | 57
MILESTONES & IN MEMORIAM
NEW ADDITIONS Alumni
Kendall Davis Pessala '07 and Alexander, a daughter, Blair Elizabeth, June 4, 2020
Karla Herrera Crockett '04 and Tucker, a son, Kiely Rohrer, June 4, 2020
Abigail Meyer '04 and Max Quinzani, a daughter, Virginia May 26, 2020
Faculty and Staff Susannah Nadler (US English Teacher and Associate Dean of Students) and Zach Weingarten, a son, Leo Chester, April 24, 2020
Kiely Rohrer Crockett
Marvin Lopez (Maintenance Technician) and Sherry, a son, Dylan Xavier, March 15, 2020 Maura Carr Freund (Third Grade Teacher) and Ahren, a son, Jackson Gunnar, March 5, 2020
IN MEMORIAM Alumni Blair Elizabeth Pessala
Kathleen Heffron '66 sister of Elizabeth “Liz” Heffron Mackall '67, June 28, 2020 Elizabeth “Liz” Melvin Patridge '53, June 9, 2020
Virginia Quinzani
William “Bill” Schewe, Jr. '67 brother of Chris Schewe '70, May 18, 2020 Elizabeth “Liz” Brooks Dennett '56, May 26, 2020 Daland Webb III '60 April 30, 2020
Leo Chester Weingarten
Ethan Williams '15 brother of Katarina Williams '13, Christian WIlliams '19, and Phillip Williams '23, April 20, 2020 Leonard Newton '53 April 12, 2020 Dorothy “Poogie” Wyatt Shields '54 mother of Julia Shields '85, sisterin-law of Julia Shields '58, March 28, 2020
Jackson Gunnar Freund
58 | St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School
John Griffin, Jr. '90 brother of Jennifer Griffin '87, Caitlin Griffin Penny '01, and Cassie Griffin Gordon-Grant '06, March 5, 2020 Nancy Imburg Cavin '76 March 3, 2020 Virginia “Ginny” Rice Morton '73 mother of Andrew Cole '08 February 29, 2020 Jean Alexandra “Sandy” McCain Morgan '52 sister of the Hon. John McCain '54, aunt to Sidney McCain '85, Andrew McCain '80, and Douglas McCain '77 November 6, 2019 Catharine Clark Rasmussen '46 January 29, 2019 Frederick “Fred” Rook, III '75 brother of Sherrie Rook '68 August 24, 2017
Family and Friends Lorne Craner father of Alex Craner '17, Charlie Craner '19, and Isabelle Craner, and husband of Anne Craner, July 2, 2020 Mark Turner, Sr. father of Mark Turner, Jr. '24 and husband of Alyssa Turner June 25, 2020 Henry Switkay father of Nancy Switkay '75 and Coleman Switkay '70, May 16, 2020 Woody Shomo father of Chris Shomo '89 and Jon Shomo '87, and husband of Mary Shomo (former faculty) , April 29, 2020 Charles “Chuck” O'Connor father of Jennifer O'Connor Rooney '84, Amy O'Connor Fitzpatrick '85, Austin O'Connor '89 and Catherine O'Connor Burke '01 (former faculty), and husband of Linda O'Connor (former faculty and former Board of Governors), March 30, 2020 Leonard “Len” Goldstein husband of Linda Cunningham Goldstein '59, father of Brian Goldstein '84, March 9, 2020
THANK YOU! St. Stephen's and St. Agnes wishes to express their many thanks to the parent, alumni, faculty, and staff volunteers who shared their thoughts and creative ideas, and spent hours organizing and delivering signs, t-shirts, water bottles, posters, and more to the Class of 2020 — all with a big smile and a warm heart.
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400 Fontaine Street Alexandria, Virginia 22302 If the addressee no longer lives at this address, please contact the school: 703-212-2720 or atoman@sssas.org
Isaiah Frazier '20 and his Spirited Family: Since the seniors could not come to campus, SSSAS photographers went to their homes to take the traditional photos of them in their college sweatshirts and t-shirts — outside from a healthy distance. From extraordinary times spring extraordinary, joyful photos.