StC Magazine | Winter 2022

The Magazine of St. Christopher’s

Farewell to Kathleen Thomas, former editor of StC magazine

In appreciation for her nearly 20 years at St. Christopher’s, the Saints community bids a fond farewell to Kathleen Thomas, who oversaw St. Christopher’s Upper School journalism curriculum and managed StC publications, including Raps & Taps and The Pine Needle before joining the Communications team as the editor of StC Magazine.

“I was excited to take the role on because I thought there were so many possibilities,” Kathleen said. “It was important for me to bring a storytelling aspect to the magazine, and it always revved me up when I found something interesting to highlight. StC has a heart and soul, and I wanted stories communicating that. I wanted people to feel that.”

Often working on tight deadlines, Kathleen collaborated with designers, photographers, writers, students and faculty to make every issue engaging and memorable. And with the rise of digital communications, continuing to produce a print version of the magazine was always something she found important. “I’ve always loved print,” Kathleen said. “You can hold it and feel it, and it gave me a sense of accomplishment.”

“Kathleen Thomas breathed new life into StC’s publications, and she did so with tact, charm and a grand wit,” noted Gene Bruner ‘78, StC’s former Middle School creative writing teacher. “Her passion and professionalism will resonate on this campus forever.”

St. Christopher’s School

711 St. Christopher’s Road Richmond, VA 23226

P. (804) 282-3185

F. (804) 285-3914 www.stchristophers.com

On The Cover: The Saints community gathers to celebrate the opening of the 2022-2023 school year. See page 16 for more on the return of this important event following several years of lockdown restrictions.

The Spring 2022 issue of the magazine mistakenly captioned a photo of Stanton Dodson ’23 as Stan Dodson. We regret the error.

Gratitude and Joy Every Day

Dear Saints, How delightful to open and enjoy the 20222023 school year with full normalcy and the absence of any onerous COVID precautions. This school year has been blessedly reminiscent of school years prior to 2020, with one important qualification –it has been even better. It has been even better because, humbled by the experiences of 2020 and 2021, each of us – student, teacher, and parent – feels a sense of gratitude and joy for the everyday experiences we all likely took for granted prior to the pandemic. As we emerge from the challenges of COVID, I am pleased to report that your School, St. Christopher’s, stands as objectively strong today as at any point in its storied history.

For example:

• Student enrollment for 2022-2023 increased to the second highest level in the history of our School, with 1,003 students on opening day. We could have opened with an even larger student body, but have capped enrollment at present levels to ensure mission-appropriate intimacy and student:teacher ratios.

• Student retention from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023 was its strongest in recorded history, 97.2%. For context, the average retention rate among all independent schools nationwide is approximately 91%. This is the first time in School history that we have retained more than 97% of our students from one year to the next.

• Our admissions yield for 2022-2023, which is the percentage of our admission offers that result in enrollment, reached an all-time high of 87%. Our 10-year yield average prior to this year is 70%, itself a strong and healthy figure.

• Early demand for next year’s enrollment is remarkable and historic. By September 20, 2022 we had already received more applications for 2023-2024 JK enrollment than we received in all of 2021-2022 for 2022-2023 enrollment.

• Philanthropy continues to soar, with a record-breaking Day of Giving, record-breaking unrestricted Annual Giving, and increases in absolute dollars and participation rates.

• Although we are not yet in a formal endowment campaign, St. Christopher’s secured over $6 million in new endowment commitments in 2021-2022.

• Our 89 graduates of the Class of 2022 are attending 46 colleges and universities in 21 states and Washington, D.C. An impressive 26% of the class plans to play college athletics, numerous boys intend to pursue majors in the arts, and over half of the class earned AP Scholar distinction.

As the college landscape grows increasingly competitive, I am proud of how St. Christopher’s seniors continue to amass acceptances to a wide variety of colleges and universities, tailored to the needs of each student. As we have for decades, our faculty and team of college counselors focus on fit for each graduate, rather than chasing “prestige” driven by national rankings. This issue of STC Magazine offers an interesting perspective on current dynamics with the college application process.

Finally, we are making important strides on the implementation of our strategic plan, Momentum 2025, and one can indeed feel the positive momentum pulsating on our campus and throughout our broader community. Stay tuned for a comprehensive strategic planning update later this school year. It is a great time to be a Saint, and we feel deeply fortunate for our many blessings and our many supporters and benefactors. I hope you enjoy reading the reflections and updates in this issue of STC Magazine. Please come to campus this year and see our boys in action!

Gratefully,

Mason Lecky, headmaster

St. Christopher’s stands as objectively strong today as at any point in its storied history.

Asking for Help

By the Rev. John Ohmer, Upper School Chaplain

It’s okay to ask for help.

In fact, it’s more than “okay” to ask for help: it’s healthy. And –somewhat ironically – asking for help is not only NOT a sign of weakness, it is a sign of strength and confidence.

There are a lot of people around you, including St. Christopher’s faculty and staff, who LOVE it when you ask them for help – honest to God, it makes their – our – day! So, you’re doing both yourself, and them … us, that is … a favor in asking for help.

At least I hope that’s the case because, just between us, I asked for help with this homily.

Decades of parish ministry experience taught me that when it comes to occasionally needing help, there are two types of people in the world.

First, there are those who occasionally need help and choose to ask for it. And then, there are those who occasionally need help and who choose NOT to ask for it. Some might think there is a third category of “people who do not occasionally need help.” Well that, to borrow a concept from mathematics, is an empty set.

So, as I sat and thought about what to share with you boys, I decided to ask for help. I asked, “What do you think the boys most need to hear from me in chapel homilies?” I haven’t had the chance to speak with very many people yet. So if I haven’t asked you yet, be grateful. You not only avoided my pop quiz … now you can start thinking about what your answer would be!

But from those few folks I did manage to ask, immediately I noticed several themes. Some common threads. I’ll be talking more about these things in future chapel talks. But for today, to start, I’m simply going to name them for you.

First and foremost, you are good enough. Secondly, uncertainty is not a bad thing. Third, transitions always take time.

Fourth and finally, it’s the start of a new school year. There are tests and papers. So much going on; arguably there’s TOO much going on, but that’s the subject for another homily.

But certainly you have A LOT to handle. Probably at times you have too much to handle.

At least by yourself.

So let’s return to the lesson of today’s talk. It’s okay to ask for help. It’s more than okay. It’s healthy and it’s a sign of strength and confidence. And it’s a way you can offer a kindness, by giving the people who love you the opportunity to, yes, you guessed it, to help.

So ... ask for help!

I did, and it turned into a nice little homily, don’t you think?

The Rev. John Ohmer delivered this homily during Upper School Chapel early in the 2022-2023 school year.

Year after year, season upon season, Memorial Chapel is a place of comfort and enlightenment.

Overcoming Stereotypes: On Women Coaching a Varsity Sport

By Ann Carlson, fifth grade teacher and varsity track coach

As a Richmond native and 2004 graduate of St. Catherine’s, I have loved being a part of this community for most of my life. Much of my family is associated with one of the two schools and, after eight years of teaching and coaching here alongside my husband Emmett, there is little that I would change. My children have been running around campus since they could walk, and that reminds me, every day, of what a wonderful life we have made for our family here at St. Christopher’s.

While teaching is my main role, it would not surprise anyone close to me that coaching is equally close to my heart. When I started coaching track and field, I felt prepared after being part of the sport for so many years as both an athlete and coach. After all, track is, in many schools, a coed sport, where you often see men and women coaches working with both girls and boys.

I was well aware, going in, that I might face a bit of skepticism as a woman coaching male athletes. After being a varsity coach in a boys’ program for seven years now, I continue to be surprised, at times, by skeptical comments regarding my role.

A few years ago, I introduced myself to a new community member at the beginning of the school year. When asked what I taught, I explained my position in the Lower School and my role on the track team. He spent the next few minutes asking for clarification, assuming first that I coached girls and, if not, then Middle School boys. He seemed resistant to the idea of a woman coaching a boys varsity sport. While the conversation seemed enlightening for him, it was entirely uncomfortable for me. Though I knew it shouldn’t, it made me question myself.

Similarly, just last year, I was speaking with a St. Christopher’s parent/alumnus. After explaining my teaching and coaching roles, he finished the conversation by commenting that it was very nice of the coaches to “let you help them out.” Not to coach the boys or work together with the other coaches, but just to tag along and “help out.”

These small comments continue to occur here and there. One time it was a visiting coach who wanted to wait for another coach of whom he could ask questions. Another time, it was a community member who bypassed me to speak with my male colleagues.

Those comments, while not outstandingly frequent, are prime examples of implicit bias: A stereotype based, unconsciously, on prior social situations. I certainly do not blame anyone for having these misunderstandings. As stated, they are assumptions based on what one is used to seeing. In many ways, I love being part of a stereotype being broken. However, the moments I feel of pride and inspiration can become intertwined with irrational doubts and worries.

If I feel as though I’m not doing well or making a mistake, my first inclination is that others will think it’s because I’m female.

What I have seen over the years, however, is that the majority of the skepticism comes from people outside the program. Never has one of the boys made me feel “less than.” The team and coaches are supportive of me not just as a woman, but as a person and a coach. So, it is those boys, both past and present, to whom I say thank you for letting me be not just Mrs. Carlson but Coach Carlson. That is more meaningful to me than most would ever know.

After all, track is, in many schools, a coed sport, where you often see men and women coaches working with both girls and boys.

The Other Mr. Bruner

By Gene Bruner ’78

It took me until last spring, 29 years to be exact, to reach a longcoveted goal: teaching in Wilton Hall’s top floor classroom. Situated on the far west side, the Middle School room fronting Fergusson Road is known for its Janus-like heating and cooling, insufficient chalkboard space and seven windows to captivate the curiosity of even the most attentive students.

Still, I had a personal affinity for the cracking plaster and the undulating floor. When I brushed my fingers along the wainscoting, especially the thin vertical grooves in the beadboard, the gritty bumps tapped out a cryptic message in code as if from one generation to another. When my dad was a young man and starting out on his own, this was his classroom.

Hired by Dr. Chamberlayne in 1938 to teach English and Latin, John Bruner entered a profession that seemed to suit him. I learned of his teaching years from my classmates’ fathers, many his former students. Whenever my dad came to a sporting event, dressed in coat and tie, these grown men offered soft-spoken respect afforded only favorite faculty.

My father never outgrew the boy in him. With a proclivity to pull for the underdog, he doled out encouragement and unflagging warmth. He possessed a big curiosity and remarkable patience. In pictures from old yearbooks, he appears strict and buttoned-up, but he was not that way to me. I can imagine him proctoring a test, walking between the rows of desks and casually spinning his ODK fob. In conversation, he punctuated interactive moments with frequent smiles. He was still old-fashioned enough to believe that honor, loyalty and fortitude separated the good from the bad, and to be mindful of this was a big step toward receiving his highest praise: To be a “good egg.”

These traits served him well when he transitioned from teacher to the military in World War II, a conflict that garnered many labels, including “Franklin’s War,” the “Meddler’s War” and “The Great Massacre.” Regardless of what people called it, the vast majority were indoctrinated with the idea of military necessity, and most began to consider it “Our War.”

St. Christopher’s community reflected this deep-seated patriotism. One hundred prominent Richmonders, most with close ties to the School, formed the Committee to Defend America by Aiding the Allies. Meanwhile, European relief activities also were beginning to show vigor. The Red Cross used the School gymnasium to conduct evening classes in making surgical bandages, and students showed up in droves. St. Catherine’s acted as the hub in the placement of English refugee children, their phone lines swamped with calls from area parents wishing to adopt young Britishers, according to Francis Earle Lutz in his book, “Richmond In World War II.”

Wilton Hall in the 1940s

After Pearl Harbor, the military mandated Selective Service registration. On the morning of Commencement 1942, my father packed his bags and left them on the wooden staircase of what is now Wilton Hall. He sat through graduation, shook hands with graduates and had an extended conversation with Headmaster John Page Williams, who presented him a St. Christopher’s medal. Afterward, my dad and a handful of graduates boarded the Grove Avenue Trolley and rolled downtown to the Armed Services Induction Center.

This mental image still shakes me to the core.

When I think of Commencement, I picture a lovely June morning on The Terraces beneath the swaying pines, traditional hymns, lunchtime celebrations and teens loading up cars with gear in anticipation of a week of fun by the water, a stark contrast to imagined images of graduation 1942 with heartfelt goodbyes, fretful, teary mothers and uncertain futures.

Teachers worry about a lot of things, but nothing more seriously than a child’s ultimate safety. Navigating the magic and drudgery that make up a school day, grading papers and nudging boys to behave are only part and parcel. I wonder if my father worried about the safety of the boys with him on the trolley, fretting that he had not given them the right guidance or purposeful lessons in survival?

The one war story my father told me was about that first night in the Army. Camp Lee (now Fort Lee), still young as a military establishment, was a perfect place to toughen and prepare civilians for military service. That night, his eyes flooded with tears as he peeled and cut a mountain of onions under the mistrustful glare of a none-too-chatty corporal. On an ascending scale of misery from one to 10, my dad gave himself a one or less. The way he saw it, he was unmarried, without children or

financial obligations. He was a 30-year-old college graduate, embarking on a grand adventure, and his job waited for him at St. Christopher’s when all was said and done.

What he did not anticipate was that, like most graduates, he would not be the same person he was before Commencement. He and many other 1942 alumni were thrust into a war that dominated their lives for years to follow.

My father did not return to teaching. He married, had children and worked as an administrator with the state for 29 years, always keeping the St. Christopher’s medal tucked in his wallet.

Mr. John Bruner never knew Mr. Gene Bruner as a teacher. When he died in 1990, I was a month away from starting my first teaching gig. Before they closed his casket, I cupped the St. Christopher’s medal that had served him so well in his hand. Fittingly, 80 years after my father left the classroom, I’m doing the same thing. I took up teaching because I wanted to be like my dad. Now, I view my career as if from a seat on a plane, passing over a familiar spot, like a strip of land that takes an afternoon to walk but is seemingly reduced to about six inches as I peer from the window. Usually I see it in parts, in stages, in progressive views of ahead and behind. But from this vantage point, I see it all at once.

Teachers, no matter how long the tenure, are only a piece of thread in a grand tapestry. For me, the richest piece of it all is I share a woven patch near my dad, St. Christopher’s first Mr. Bruner.

Gene Bruner ‘78 retired from St. Christopher’s after nearly 30 years as a Middle School English/creative writing teacher, track/cross country coach and special contributor to StC Magazine.

Students preparing for Mr. John Bruner’s class, 1942.

A NEW ERA IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS

By George Knowles, digital media manager

Getting into a first-choice college has never been more competitive. Here’s how StC prepares boys for the college application process.

Our seniors are well into their final year at St. Christopher’s School. As in previous years, the boys balance ambitious academic goals and after-school commitments. But now the Class of 2023 faces a new challenge: applying to colleges in a landscape that’s never been more competitive.

The college application process has always been challenging, especially for ambitious students seeking a spot at a first-rate school. In recent years, however, acceptance rates at the highest-rated universities have tightened*, and institutions once considered “safety schools” for academic achievers are becoming more and more of a reach.

“It’s getting much more difficult to get into a small group of colleges,” said Jim Jump, Upper School academic dean and director of college counseling. Jump, who recently examined 30 years’ worth of college admissions data, discovered that while Ivy League schools now receive three times as many applicants as they used to, the second most-selective group of schools has received six times as many.

The narrowing of the odds at elite institutions affects the admissions rates at the next level of colleges, places historically considered comfortably accessible to top-performing students. “Places like University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, the University of Southern California, they’re essentially as competitive as the Ivy League schools are now,” said Jump.

*https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2022/5/4/selective-universities-not-promoting-admissions-rates/

TRENDS IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS**

Lower Acceptance Rates

Colleges across the country became more competitive during the pandemic.

Test-Optional Policies

More than 1,700 institutions now have some form of test-optional policy.

Increased Focus on Diversity

Social justice has become more important to the admissions process.

Essays Matter

More than ever, students need to shape the impression they leave on schools.

**https://blog.collegevine.com/changes-to-college-admissions/

ST.CHRISTOPHER’S APPROACH

TO COLLEGE COUNSELING

Individualized Counseling

The college counseling office works individually with each student and family to understand a process that can seem mysterious and stressful, develop a list of appropriate options, and advise on all phases of the admissions process.

StC Results

Over the past decade, 751 St. Christopher’s graduates have been admitted to 249 colleges and universities in 41 states, the District of Columbia, and four foreign countries.

A few factors are in play. An undergraduate degree is now considered by many to be “table stakes” for entry into the modern workforce. The most prestigious colleges are boosting their marketing output and casting a wider net to solicit more applications, so many more students are vying for a spot in the freshman class. Most recently, many schools dropped test score requirements following the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a surge in applications.

NEW REALITIES

For StC boys with goals of attending large, well-regarded state schools like the University of Virginia or the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the tightening effect at the upper layers of the national college tiers is making the application process more competitive than it was for their parents or grandparents.

Senior Alex Street’s father graduated from UVA, and the school has been a part of the family lore for as long as he can remember. “My dad played lacrosse there, he’s always been very active in the alumni community; we had season tickets to the football games,” he said. “The school’s always just been there in my life.”

Street has been preparing for the application process since his junior year. He spent part of the summer at the college counseling department’s college application workshop, where he and his peers began researching schools, preparing essays and outlining strategies for the year ahead.

The squash captain senior hears more and more that attending the same school, even as a high-performing student, might not be as much of a given as it once was. “I’m hearing that I might need to apply early decision at UVA if I want to go there, which is not something I ever thought I’d have to do.”

FINDING THE RIGHT FIT

While the application process can be challenging, finding the right school can also be exciting. “I think a lot of people make the process more stressful than it has to be. I think the more you keep the focus on the self, the boy, the individual, how he learns and what he’s most ready for, the better. It can be a lot of fun if you let it,” said Associate Director of College Counseling Scott Mayer. “It’s common for students and parents to become fixated on a particular school or group of schools,” said Mayer, who encourages families to think differently about the experience. Instead of trying to fit a student into a specific school, families should consider what the boy is most ready for and where he’d thrive. He said, “I think too many people focus on perceived prestige and what that says about the student today, instead of thinking about where I’d like him to be five or 10 years from now.”

Recent alumnus Robert Mish ‘22 wasn’t accepted at UVA, his first choice, and attended Washington and Lee University instead. Reflecting, Mish realizes he’s at the right place for him and appreciates the diverse nature of the school’s student body. “There are students from all over the country here,” said Mish. “I’m glad I’m with this whole new group of people.”

GIVING OUR BOYS AN EDGE

Given this new, more competitive reality, what is StC doing to help boys get into their first-choice school?

Jump believes that when applying to a selective school, the most important part of the process is “transcript, transcript, transcript. Our goal is to help every student find the right balance between a schedule that’s challenging but also allows success.” For over

The college journey differs for each student

90% of StC graduates, that includes taking at least one Advanced Placement course, which helps show college admissions offices that the student has thrived in a rigorous academic environment.

Jump also points to StC’s Upper School academic programs such as Capstone Scholars, which allows students to complete a specialized research project in a subject area of their choice. For students with a particular intellectual interest, the program allows them to demonstrate their potential, which can help a college admissions team take notice.

Athletic achievement is also increasingly important. According to Jump, over 25% of StC graduates over the last 15 years went on to play a sport in college. “I actually think that being a recruited athlete is the best hook to have,” said Jump. “Whether it’s Harvard or Ohio State, they’re looking to field competitive athletic teams. Someone who can compete for them, but is also judged to be able to do the academic work, that makes a big difference.”

THE ADVANTAGE OF A BOYS’

EDUCATION

SCHOOL

As a boys’ school, StC may be uniquely positioned to give students a boost in the application process.

According to Mayer, boys tend to lag slightly behind girls in terms of intellectual maturation, performing better on standardized tests, while girls generally perform better on day-to-day academic work. While the GPA gap tends to close by the junior year of college, Mayer is confident that StC’s approach to teaching boys gives graduates an academic edge. “We have a great opportunity as a boys’ school. We’re able to really focus on that intellectual maturation piece and work with boys where they’re developmentally ready,” he said. “We’re able to help that individual boy so he’s ready by the time he’s applying to colleges.”

There are also opportunities to take advantage of certain colleges’ demographic makeup. At schools focused on building a balanced freshman class, a high-achieving boy could have an advantage. “There are a lot of private, primarily liberal arts colleges where the female-to-male ratio is 60% versus 40%. I think in those situations, coming from a boys’ school where you’ve had good preparation, there’s probably some benefit to that if our students apply to those schools,” said Jump.

WHERE OPPORTUNITIES LIE

For students devising a college application strategy, choosing the right school, achieving their full potential and pursuing their interests is the best approach. “At one time, the prevailing wisdom was that colleges were looking for the well-rounded student. I think what’s happening now is that colleges are building a well-rounded class,” said Jump.

College admissions offices want to assemble a diverse mix of incoming students with various interests, talents and backgrounds, he said, so students are encouraged to find their niches and excel. “Students should do things they care about and develop them at the highest level possible,” Jump said. “By the time you’re a senior, it’s almost too late. There are things you have control over and things you don’t. You have control over whether or not you maximize your school experience.”

Street, now in his last year at StC, views this reality as a motivator. “Everyone’s going to respond to pressure differently,” he said. “Knowing this has made me work harder, and that’s put me in the leagues where I can now actually push for something higher.”

The college application process has always been challenging, especially for ambitious students seeking a spot at a first-rate school. In recent years, however, acceptance rates at the highest-rated universities have tightened, and institutions once considered “safety schools” for academic achievers are becoming more and more of a reach.

The St. Christopher’s School college counseling team. Left to Right: Emily Keith, Jim Jump, Ginny Turner, Scott Mayer

HAPPENINGS ON CAMPUS

Building Brotherhood

The sixth grade class spent a day away from their regular class schedule to build their friendships and the StC bonds that define our community and the St. Christopher’s spirit and experience.

Football Fans

5th grade Saints get a boost from their Upper School friends as they watch St. Christopher’s gridiron squad defeat St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes on September 10, 2022.

Kicking Off a Great Year

Our third grade boys welcomed their buddies from St. Catherine’s for a friendly game of kickball at the Lower School field on October 6, 2022. This is just one of the fun and engaging events that help unite Saints from the two schools throughout the year.

New Conflict Resolution Courses

This fall, Middle School History Teachers Hill Brown , Rob Horne , Jon Piper and Derek Porter are co-teaching Conflict Resolution, a creative new classroom format that brings different grade levels together to study collaboration, conflict and resolution throughout history.

The class will take a broad, layered approach to the content so students can apply what they learn in the course to various topics, like international events or constitutional conflicts. “The content will work no matter where a teacher is,” said Porter. “It has applications politically, domestically and even internationally. They’ll learn about whole

of government that are more competitive or more collaborative.”

The sessions themselves involve hands-on conflict resolution; students, working in mixed groups of sixth, seventh and eighth graders, must cooperate to solve in-class group assignments. “In this setting, we’re getting three grade levels together and seeing how each boy learns how to manage their own conflicts,” said Piper.

Braden, a sixth grade boy, enjoyed working with the seventh graders. “You could see that the seventh graders were more mature, so it was good having them there to work with us,” he said.

“The sixth graders loved it,” said Porter. “I described this first class as an on-campus field trip, and they had a lot of good things to say about working with the seventh graders.”

With its emphasis on group dynamics and resolution, the course acts as another forum in which the boys can put theories about civility and respect into practice. The Middle School community recently signed the Honor Pledge and Civility Statement. “This gives our eighth grade boys a leadership opportunity,” said Horne. “It gives these boys of different ages the chance to integrate and work together in a really healthy environment.”

The course is in the pilot stage, but both faculty and students think it shows promise. It’s an opportunity for the different grade levels to bond and learn how to build constructive dialogue, skills the boys will take with them beyond StC.

“We’re the next generation,” said eighth grader L.T. “If we don’t know how to solve problems between us, how will we help the world?”

systems

The Return of a Cherished Tradition

Friday, September 2, 2022, was in many ways a typical late summer day, with bright sun and legendary Richmond humidity. What was extraordinary, however, was the return of one of St. Christopher’s most treasured traditions — the procession of kindergarten students, accompanied by their senior buddies, to the all-school service out on the terraces.

An exuberant audience of parents, faculty and friends eagerly awaited the opportunity to welcome the Class of 2035, escorted from their classrooms and across St. Christopher’s Road by the Class of 2023.

Senior Class President Maximus Buono ‘23 opened the remarks by talking about the magic that occurs when the St. Christopher’s community joins together. Headmaster Mason Lecky, after celebrating the first unrestricted welcome service in over three years, entreated, “Let us share in an inherent state of gratitude, of thankfulness, for the blessing of caring teachers, eager and promising students, supportive families, a broad and generous Saints community, and a setting on campus that affords joy, beauty, and growth.”

When asked what it meant to usher his Class of 2035 buddy to the event, Ford Clark ’23 said, “It really means the world to me. I remember how much I looked up to the seniors when I was a young Saint, and it’s so meaningful to see it come full circle today.”

VISION

To be a global thought leader in best practices for educating boys, serving as a resource for educators and parents seeking expertise in raising boys

MISSION

Reflecting St. Christopher’s commitment to being a global leader in educating boys, The Center for the Study of Boys is dedicated to promoting best practices in engaging and teaching boys through research, professional development and programming.

CORE VALUES

• We respect, understand and value the complexity and uniqueness of boys.

• We provide opportunities for educators, parents and the boys themselves to understand and reflect on their own journeys to manhood and to learn from the journeys of others.

• We seek to understand the experiences of boys first and foremost through the boys’ voices, and we honor the boys’ contributions to the work of the center.

• We value partnerships with educators from around the world, knowing through this work we will address issues facing boys.

The Center for the Study of Boys Update

By Kim Hudson, director of The Center for the Study of Boys

Parent Programming

This year’s parent programming is led by Jen O’Ferrall, Lower School co-director of Student Life and Academic Support specialist, with support from JK teacher Margaret Hunter

After receiving thoughtful feedback from our parent community last spring, the center has created division-specific opportunities for reflective conversations centered on the development of our boys. In addition to these smaller divisional gatherings, we are excited to welcome Julie Lycoth-Haims, author of “How To Raise An Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid For Success,” who will spend time with our faculty in January during a professional learning day and share an in-person evening with our parent community later that day in Ryan Recital Hall.

Saints Research Fellows: Year Two

Research Coordinators Derek Porter and Laura Sabo continue their work growing and supporting a culture of teacher research within our community by leading the Saints Research Fellowship Program into its second year of professional growth.

Our research fellows are using the 2022-2023 academic term to dive into their personalized research investigations.

Topics being researched include innovative writing feedback strategies in a ninth grade English class, note-taking abilities and learning in seventh grade boys, fostering agency in third graders through weekly goal-setting, peer study groups and student-led instruction. Research initiatives will also focus on professional writing related to literacy and using seminal research alongside interviews of veteran educators to guide firsttime teachers. The research fellows look forward to sharing their findings with the broader St. Christopher’s community later this year.

48th Annual Fall Festival

With picture-perfect fall weather, our gorgeous campus proudly hosted thousands of friends, family and neighbors October 14-15, 2022.

The weekend kicked off Friday evening with an oyster roast where over 400 guests enjoyed great food and music.

Then, at the Festival, hundreds of Saints parents, students and other volunteers kept everything running smoothly – from the ever-popular bouncy castles to games, shopping and the Junior Class food park.

All in all, the 2022 Fall Festival is another wonderful example of the St. Christopher’s hospitality of which we are all so proud.

A special thanks to the varsity baseball team, who provided childcare (and fun!) during Friday’s oyster roast at the Lower School gym.

Saints Enjoy Empowering Outdoor Learning Experiences at Camp River’s Bend

Early in the morning of September 23, a caravan of ninth grade StC boys and faculty set off early in the morning for Camp River’s Bend in Millboro Springs, Virginia – the first group of Saints to enjoy St. Christopher’s new program of outdoor team-building and personal growth experiences.

Nestled in the Allegheny Mountains and bordered by George Washington National Forest, the camp provided the perfect opportunity for the boys to hike, visit the river or just enjoy being with friends in a beautiful mountain setting.

Jon Waite Upper School teacher of

grade level chair, Summer Saints coordinator

Reflecting on the experience, Sutton Olson ‘26 said, “It was a great chance to get to know some of the new guys better – a good way to connect and figure out who we are as a class. As we get older and realize that we don’t have many of these trips together left, we’ll realize the value of them more.”

“It was great to see how the boys split up during their free time. Some of them chose to do things with friends, but many of them made new (or better) friends by choosing activities that they had a shared interest in doing.”

mathematics,

St C LEGACIES

These new student legacies joined this fall. Top Row (L to R): Logan Amey ’24, grandson of Paul Harris ’70; Sutton Barkstrom ’35, son of Adam Barkstrom ’86; Henry Bloodworth ’30, grandson of Toby Vick ’71; Pearson Bowmer ’35, son of Cary Bowmer ’97; Second Row: John Brown ’36, son of Tyler Brown ‘01; Zach Burtch ’28, son of Douglas Burtch ’94; Hill Cronly ’36, son of John Cronly ‘02, grandson of Jack Cronly ’69 and great-grandson of Greek Cronly 1936*; Carrington Foukal ’34, grandson of Mason Williams ‘65; Third Row: Mason Foukal ’36, grandson of Mason Williams ‘65; Whit Galeski ’36, son of David Galeski ‘00; Bo Hackney ’30, son of Roby Hackney ‘93; West Hackney ’30, son of Roby Hackney ‘93; Fourth Row: Henry Heiberger ’33, son of Sam Heiberger ‘00.

St C LEGACIES

Top Row (L to R): Smith Kempe ’36, son of Charles Kempe ‘01; James Messier ’36, son of Ryan Messier ‘03; Reid Owen ’28, son of Drew Owen ’90; Hart Pratt ’36, son of Beau Pratt ‘02 and grandson of Robert Pratt ‘70; Second Row: Winfred Roberts ’35, son of Dave Roberts ‘03 and great-grandson of Edward B. Lee ’31*; Bo Sauer ’36, son of Brad Sauer ‘99, grandson of Brad Sauer ‘70, greatgrandson of Connie Sauer ’42* and great-great-grandson of C.F. Sauer 1917*; Reed Shiembob ’36, son of Drew Shiembob ‘05; Mac Staley ’36, son of Brendan Staley ‘01; Third Row: Bruce Taylor ’35, son of Rawleigh Taylor ‘03 and grandson of Bruce Marshall ‘69*; Miles Tigani ’35, grandson of Cliff Fleet ‘61; Jay Turnbull ’36, son of Ned Turnbull ‘01 and grandson of Rob Tunbull ‘68; Thompson Wellford ’36, son of Ty Wellford ‘02, grandson of Tenny Wellford ‘71 and great-grandson of Mac Wellford ’32.*

*Deceased

Welcome New Members Board of Governors and Alumni Board

Michael Grey ’79 Board of Governors

Michael is president of CV Networks, which provides technology services and support to small and medium-sized businesses. The University of Virginia graduate served as a member of the St. Christopher’s Alumni Board from 2004 to 2010 and was a Class Agent for his class of 1979.

Chris Mumford ’88 Board of Governors

Chris, president of The Martin Agency, graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and is now an adjunct professor of advertising at UNC’s Hussman School of Journalism. He and his wife Nicole are raising three children – daughter Lila and Saints Beck ’23 and Max ’25.

Amir Patel Board of Governors

Amir is founder of Tankk Group. He followed his graduation from VCU School of Business with investment banking roles at New York’s J.P. Morgan and Credit Suisse. He and his wife Kamal are proud parents of three: Saints Kyan Patel ’23 and Talyn Patel ’29 and daughter Nya ‘25 attends St. Catherine’s.

Charles Valentine ’93 Board of Governors

Charles is chief marketing and strategy officer with Journey Health & Lifestyle. The Princeton University graduate earned a master’s in international relations from the University of Virginia, and serves as a Foundation board member of the Science Museum of Virginia. Sons Charlie ‘29 and Gray ‘35 are Saints and daughter Stella ‘26 attends St. Catherine’s.

Amir Patel

Charles Valentine ‘93

Michael Grey ‘79

Chris Mumford ‘88

Donny Wade ’91 Board of Governors

Dr. Wade is an oncologist with the Virginia Cancer Institute. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia, and his medical degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is a board member of the Community Oncology Alliance. Donny and his wife Margaret are the parents of Mac ’18 and Liddy, St. Catherine’s Class of 2020.

Randy Weis Board of Governors

After graduating from Randolph-Macon College, Randy joined Reynolds Metals Company. In 2001, he started Service Center Metals, a greenfield aluminum manufacturing company. He retired in 2019 to spend more time with his wife Shannon and their sons Gaines ’21 and Collin ’27.

Alex Grymes ’07 Alumni Board

Alex attended St. Christopher’s for 14 years. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi. Alex is a Commercial Risk Advisor with Scott Insurance, serving middle market clients. He volunteers with the local nonprofit, Sportable, and serves as the chair of their Associate Board. Alex lives in Richmond with his wife Meg (St. Catherine’s ‘08) and their daughter.

Bob Priddy ’63 Alumni Board

Henry Broaddus

President

of Church Schools in the Diocese of Virginia.

Mr. Broaddus has spent over 20 years at The College of William and Mary, where he was the Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Public Affairs. His work at William and Mary contributed to increased access for more diverse groups of applicants. Mr. Broaddus will serve on both the St. Christopher’s Board of Governors and the Foundation Board.

Born in Richmond and raised in the Bellevue neighborhood, Bob attended StC his last three years of high school. He graduated from Washington & Lee and served in the U.S. Navy as a Supply Officer. He served as StC director of alumni affairs from 1970 to 1975, when he became the Director of Development at the Nichols School in Buffalo, NY. He returned to Richmond in 1980 as Development Director at StC until 1983 when he joined Alex Brown & Sons. He currently works for Truist Investment Services. Bob and his wife Barbara have three adult children who attended the Saints schools and four grandsons.

Donny Wade ‘91 Randy Weis

Alex Grymes ‘07

Bob Priddy ‘63

Henry Broaddus

SPRING 2022 ARTS RECAP

Ampersand Spring Production Much Ado About Nothing

by William Shakespeare

The Ampersand production of Much Ado was performed in the spring of 2022 in the great outdoors at St. Catherine’s School. The cast and crew comprised a wealth of talent from the two schools and featured Evie Wherry as Beatrice and Killian Winn as Benedick. The show also included live music, with cello played by Stephanie Barrett, original songs and arrangements by Teddy Price ‘23, and gender role reversals (just as in the Bard’s day) featuring Cameron Gardner, Grace Blake, Adley Stephens and ChiChi Lu, among others. The show was enhanced by the outdoor environment, and a grand time was had by all!

Band Concert

The end of the 2021-2022 school year was celebrated in glorious and tuneful fashion with April’s Band Concert.

The fifth/sixth grade beginning band had their very first performance on the Ryan Recital Hall stage. The band played “Ode to Joy” and the theme from “Star Wars,” which are both pieces traditionally played every year by the beginning band.

The Middle School band (seventh/eighth grades) played the classic rock favorite “Smoke on the Water” and two other pieces to finish off their great year.

The Upper School Concert Band featured the senior members of the band as soloists. The audience was treated to a piece featuring the trombones, another for the trumpets, and one for the flute. The seniors performed with great skill to finish off their many years of commitment to the band program at St. Christopher’s.

Singing Groups

Last spring the Glee Club, Saints Singers, and Beaux Ties performed their annual spring concert featuring works by Wolfgang A. Mozart, Gerald Finzi, and Ed Sheeran, with arrangements by Charlie Whitlock ‘19. Soloists for the concert were Isaac Lupica ‘25, Scott Neely ‘22, Teddy Price ‘23, and Mason Stanley ‘23

The fifth/sixth grade choir, seventh/eighth grade choir and the Glee Club participated in the All District Assessment, held in Ryan Recital Hall at St. Christopher’s, where choirs from across Richmond City and surrounding counties get the opportunity to perform for an expert panel of choral music judges who offer helpful criticism on how to make improvements to the ensemble’s performance and to receive a rating. Each of the Saints singing groups received an unanimous rating of superior.

Baseball

The varsity baseball team finished the year 21-6 and took the Prep League title before bowing out in the VISAA semifinals. Carter Schmitt ’22 was voted league and state player of the year. Sterling Austin ’22, Jacob Carnley ’22 and Bradley Garner ’23 also earned all-state honors. Jim Douthat ’24 joined the aforementioned players on the All-Prep League team.

Golf

The varsity golf team finished third in the Prep League and VISAA tournaments. Garnett Hall ’24 and Eli Martin ’22 earned All-Prep League honors. JJ Powell ’23 shot 2-under 69 for medalist honors at the state competition. Hall also earned all-state status shooting a 2-over 73.

Lacrosse

After a rocky 2-5 start, the team won 14 of its next 15 games to make the VISAA semifinals, where they fell to eventual state champ St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes. Kent Goode ‘22 was named Prep League, VISAA and All-Metro player of the year. Miles Harvey ‘23, Davis Mack ‘22 and Jack McCoy ‘22 were named All-Metro and All-State. Bo Stocks ‘24 was also named All-State and joined the aforementioned crew and Charlie Long ‘22 on the All-Prep League team.

Outdoor Track

The outdoor track team placed third at Prep League and fourth at the VISAA meet. Ned Boehling ‘22 placed second in the shot put at Preps, and Ford Clark ‘23 did the same at the VISAA meet in the 1600M.

Tennis

The team celebrated a “threepeat” – three consecutive Prep League and VISAA titles. The boys have not lost a match since 2018. Will Thompson ’22, Evan Fisher ’23, Mason King ’22 and Cade Collingwood ’25 earned All-Prep honors in doubles. Thompson, Fisher and Brendon Engel ’22 were named all-state, and Thompson was named first-team All-Metro.

Recap provided by Stephen Lewis, assistant director of athletics

Garnett Hall ‘24

Ford Clark ‘23

Jack McCoy ‘22

Evan Fisher ‘23

Jacob Carnley ‘22

LOWER SCHOOL FINAL PROGRAM

LOWER SCHOOL AWARDS

DOROTHY M. BUGG MEMORIAL AWARD

Bridger Clemons ’31

ALBA WHITE MEMORIAL AWARD Garner Crawley ’31

WILLIAM ADAMS PINDER AWARD Benjamin Gates ’30 and William Georgerian ’30

WILLIAM S. GRIFFITH PRIZE FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE Miko Aboutanos ’30

THOMAS NELSON PAGE PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENGLISH COMPOSITION Landon Hottinger ’29

HELEN SHEPHERD MUSIC AWARD George Wolfe ’29

ANDREW BEIRNE BLAIR AWARD FOR LOYALTY AND BEST SPIRIT IN ATHLETICS Jack Van der Waag ’29

DUFFEY AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP IN ATHLETICS Langdon Sexton ’29 and Will Tigani ’29

LOWER SCHOOL SCIENCE AWARD Fletcher Stephens ’29

LOWER SCHOOL SPANISH AWARD William Logue ’29

GEORGE SQUIRES LITERARY AWARDS

Based on submissions to 2022 Hieroglyphic literary magazine Best prose: James Guthridge ’31 and Davis Mullen ‘30; Best limerick: Sebi Harris ‘33 and Hayden Lester ‘33; Best poetry: Harrison Hein ‘33 (first prize) and Arthur Beath ‘33 (second prize); Best artwork:Thomas Lester ’32 and Arun Mead ’31; Ford Barnard ‘29 (honorable mention)

HENRY J. TOBLER MEMORIAL AWARD FOR ART Groves Basham ’29

OLIVIA HARDY BLACKWELL AWARD Talyn Patel ’29 and Henry Peace ’29

BEATTIE MEMORIAL PRIZE FOR LEADERSHIP George Jones ’29

HIGHEST ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT Charlie Branch ’29 and Murray Mathews ’29

THE NORMA ALLEY PRIZE FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE Sonia McDonnell, Lower School Spanish Teacher

HAWKINS HIDEAWAY PRIZE FOR LOYALTY AND SERVICE Jen O’Ferrall, Lower School Academic Support Services

Head of Lower School Todd Stansbery, Fifth Grade Teacher Teresa Gordon, Lower School Director of Curriculum Lisa Snider and Lower School Chaplain Darren Steadman

MIDDLE SCHOOL FINAL PROGRAM

MIDDLE SCHOOL AWARDS

ROBERT W. BUGG AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CITIZENSHIP IN GRADE EIGHT Eric Pendlebury ’26

MONICA FRISCHKORN WENZEL

MEMORIAL SERVICE AWARD Victor Olesen ’26 and Connor Welch ’26

SARA WHALEY FORSYTHE MEMORIAL SCIENCE PRIZE Tyler Overstreet ’26

FRANKLIN & GRACE MULLINAX MATHEMATICS AWARD Victor Olesen ’26 and Sutten Olesen ’26

T. FOSTER & ANN WITT HISTORY PRIZE Hil Butler ’26 and Philip White ’26

WOODWORKING AWARD Asher Green ’26

MUSIC AWARD Robert Head ’26 and James Segneri ’26

DRAMA AWARD Keller Degnan ’26

ART AWARD Eric Pendlebury ’26

T. FOSTER & ANN WITT ENGLISH PRIZE Asher Green ’26 and Edward Johnson ’26

CHINESE AWARD Connor Welch ’26

BENJAMIN BRISCOE WHITE MEMORIAL SPANISH PRIZE Eric Pendlebury ’26

LATIN PRIZE Austen Wrinkle ‘26

DULANEY WARD FRENCH PRIZE Hamilton George ’26

ATHLETIC AWARD Victor Olesen ’26

HIGHEST GPA Asher Green ’26

CENTENNIAL CITIZENSHIP AWARDS

Grade 6: Jake Foreman, Tal Horton, Harvie Wilkinson, Stephens Rabb; Grade 7: Owen Farmer, Loch Macfarlane, Matthew Matthews, LT Nguyen, Eli Tatum; Grade 8: Elijah Asare, Lukas Gordinier, Leopold Kobal, Drew Pendlebury, Maddox White

UPPER SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT

UPPER SCHOOL AWARDS

WILLIAM M. HILL JR. ’73 MEMORIAL AWARD

Topher Durette ’22

THE RAY MERCER “BUCK” PAUL III ‘06 MEMORIAL AWARD Killian Winn ’22

WILLIAM CARTER BOWLES JR. ’56 MEMORIAL MUSIC PRIZE George Thompson ’22 and Killian Winn ’22

DOUGLASS P. GRIFFITH PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN MATHEMATICS

Kevin Omohundro ’22

SCHOOL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN DRAMA

Topher Durette ’22

SCHOOL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN ART Nate Glerum ’22

SCHOOL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN ENGLISH Jack Ireland ’22

SCHOOL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN SPANISH LANGUAGE Will Wise ’22

SCHOOL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN SPANISH LITERATURE Mason Carter ’22

SCHOOL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN SCIENCE Kevin Omohundro ’22

SCHOOL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE Walker Allen ’22 and Ned Boehling ’22

SCHOOL PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN HISTORY

Nate Glerum ’22 and Parker Cullinan ’22

MOORE PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE IN FRENCH Jack Ireland ’22

E.W. BOSWORTH LATIN PRIZE Taylor McDermott ’22

THE SCHOOL SPIRIT OF CHALLENGE AWARD Parker Cullinan ’22 and Ned Mangum ’22

THE REV. MELISSA K. HOLLERITH PRIZE FOR SERVICE, COMMUNITY BUILDING AND INCLUSION Trent Hendrick ’22

CHARLES M. STILLWELL PRIZE FOR LEADERSHIP Nate Glerum ’22 and Taylor McDermott ’22

HEADMASTER’S PRIZE FOR EXCELLENCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ST. CHRISTOPHER’S COMMUNITY Ephraim Bullock ’22 Alex Lim ’22 Carter Schmitt ’22 Will Wise ’22

ALEXANDER MCNEILL CARRINGTON ’41 MEMORIAL AWARD Kent Goode ’22

JOHN NEWTON GRAY ’35 MEMORIAL PRIZE FOR OUTSTANDING LOYALTY Ned Boehling ’22

DASHIELL MEMORIAL PRIZE Willy Hall ’22 and Mason Stocks ’22

IRVING H. BLACKWELL MEMORIAL PRIZE FOR HIGH DEVOTION TO THE HONOR AND TRADITIONS OF ST. CHRISTOPHER’S SCHOOL Nikkos Kovanes ’22

WILLIAM CABELL BROWN PRIZE FOR CHARACTER AND ABILITY Kevin Omohundro ’22

JOSEPH BRYAN MEMORIAL PRIZE FOR LEADERSHIP Jack Ireland ’22

ARMSTRONG-JENNINGS AWARD

Scott Van Arsdale, Upper School History Teacher

SAINTS SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD Beth Wood, Administrative Assistant to Head of Upper School

ANDREW JACKSON BOLLING III FACULTY AWARD Bucka Watson, Upper School Science Teacher

CARL J. KOENIG PRIZE FOR FACULTY EXCELLENCE Key Randolph ‘84, Upper School English Teacher

Upper School Awards Ceremony

MICHAEL G. “TINK” SIMS SCHOLARSHIP

Heaton OBrien Lawrence ’22

GEORGE O. SQUIRES LITERARY AWARDS

Based on contributions to the Hieroglyphic literary magazine.

Best haiku: Stanton Dodson ’23, Jack Ireland ’22; Best Gothic writing: Jackson Hill ’22; Best parody: Ned Boehling ’22, Evan DiCosmo ’22, Barner Konvicka ’23, Ned Mangum ’22; Best one act: Jack Ireland ’22; Best prose: Nick Manetas ’23 (first prize). Nate Glerum ’22 (second prize), Barner Konvicka ’23 (honorable mention), Jackson Hill ’22 (honorable mention), Eli Martin ’22 (honorable mention), Barner Konvicka ’23 (honorable mention), Harrison Wood ’22 (honorable mention); Best poetry: Nick Manetas ’23 (first prize), Jack Ireland ’22 (second prize), Cade Bridges ’22 (third prize), Ewan Cross ’22 (fourth prize), Ned Boehling ’22 (honorable mention), Baylor Dudley ’22 (honorable mention), Barner Konvicka ’23 (honorable mention), Nate Glerum ’22 (honorable mention), Jackson Hill ’22 (honorable mention), Peter Huff ’23 (honorable mention), Will Thompson ’22 (honorable mention); Best poetry in traditional form: Ford Clark ’23, Barner Konvicka ’23, Oliver Fitch ’22; Best historical poem: Ned Boehling ’22; Best visual art: Kyan Patel ’23 (first prize), Patrick Mayer ’24 (second prize), Greyson DiCosmo ’24 (third prize); Best photography: Colby Wallace ’25 (first prize), Caton Lee ’23 (second prize), Wright Hilbert ’24 (third prize), Patteson Branch ’25 (honorable mention), Jack Ireland ’22 (honorable mention)

HIEROGLYPHIC AWARD

Jack Ireland ’22

PINE NEEDLE AWARD

Joseph Long ’22

PINE NEEDLE JR. AWARD

Patteson Branch ’25

RAPS & TAPS AWARD

Phillip Thompson ’22

LANGUAGE AWARDS

Chinese 2: Will Stout ’25

Chinese 3: Gerrett Broussard ’23

Chinese 4: Cabell Pasco ’23

Chinese 5 AP: Jackson Hill ’22

Latin Cum Laude: Peter Czaja ’23

Latin Magna Cum Laude: Dougie Boardman ’25, Gilbert Cooper ’25, Leo Morfopoulos ’25

Latin Silver Maxima Cum Laude: Theo Cross ’24, Macon Moring ’23

Latin Gold Summa Cum Laude: Alex Gertner ’25, Peter Huff ’23, Jack Nelson ’24

French Level 2: Harris Wolfe ’25

French Level 3: Stephen Proctor ’23

French Level 4: Oliver Gardner ’23

La Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica: August Lange ’24, Captain Worrell ’24

WORLD HISTORY II RESEARCH PAPER AWARD Nathan Parker ’24

WILLIS CLYDE LOCKER, JR. ‘40 MEMORIAL PRIZE Jack Nystrom ’23

ECONOMICS AWARD Mason Stocks ’22

BRITISH LITERATURE AWARD Captain Worrell ’24

WILBUR DAVIS BAILEY PRIZE Nick Manetas ’23 BIOLOGY AWARD Evan DiCosmo ’22

CHEMISTRY AWARD Griffin Moore ’22

PHYSICS AWARD Joseph Long ’22

RPI SCIENCE AWARD Charlie Aghdami ’23

BAUSCH AND LOMB SCIENCE AWARD Cameron King ’22

BRADFORD ALLEN PARRISH ’91 MEMORIAL AWARD Kyan Patel ’23 and Wes Wise ’23

HORACE A. GRAY FAMILY AWARD Jacob Gray ’23 and Alex Street ’23

ROBERT W. BUGG AWARD George Beck ’23 and Davis Hunter ’23

G. GILMER MINOR JR. ’30 AWARD Alex Hatfield ’23

JOHN PEYTON MCGUIRE MEMORIAL AWARD Luke Pendlebury ’23

MCGUIRE-WILKINSON AWARD Jeffrey Mitchell ’23

JOHN NEASMITH DICKINSON ’73 MEMORIAL AWARD Macon Moring ’23

MCGUIRE-JACK GORDON AWARD Bowen Hall ’23

TULANE BOOK AWARD Holden Woodward ’23

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY BOOK PRIZE Austin Levin ’23

RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE LEADERSHIP AWARD Chris Beach ’23

SEWANEE BOOK AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING Ford Clark ’23 Kenyon College Presidential Book Award: Peter Huff ’23

WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY BOOK AWARD Cameron King ’23

WILLIAM AND MARY LEADERSHIP AWARD Max Buono ’23

WEST POINT LEADERSHIP AWARD Gerrett Broussard ’23

UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO AWARD Charlie Aghdami ’23

WILLIAMS COLLEGE BOOK AWARD Barner Konvicka ’23

DARTMOUTH BOOK AWARD Cabell Pasco ’23

JEFFERSON BOOK AWARD Teddy Price ’23

HARVARD CLUB OF VIRGINIA PRIZE Nick Manetas ’23

Athletic Awards

BUERLEIN DISTANCE RUNNING AWARD Will Wise ’22

HUGH BRENAMAN FOOTBALL AWARD Trent Hendrick ’22 and Nikkos Kovanes ’22

ANNA P. GOODALE SOCCER AWARD Taylor McDermott ’22

JAMES W. PROFFITT ’48 BASKETBALL AWARD Keishawn Pulley Jr. ’22

FUTSAL AWARD Nate Broughton ’22

RANDOLPH BURWELL CARDOZO JR. ’74 INDOOR TRACK AWARD Ned Boehling ’22 and Ned Mangum ’22

SQUASH AWARD Mason King ’22

SWIMMING & DIVING AWARD Tee Bowles ’22

E. OTTO N. WILLIAMS ’27 WRESTLING TROPHY Joshua Powell ’22

JOHN R. BRINSER BASEBALL AWARD Carter Schmitt ’22

HARRY W. EASTERLY JR. ’40 GOLF AWARD Wade Jefferson ’22

C. BRAXTON VALENTINE ’41 LACROSSE AWARD Kent Goode ’22

OUTDOOR TRACK AWARD Will Wise ’22

Arts Awards

Faculty and administration welcomed artists from the Classes of 2022 and 2023 and their parents to the first joint St. Catherine’s and St. Christopher’s Arts Celebration last May.

The evening started with a reception in the Luck Leadership Playhouse and culminated with a ceremony in Ryan Recital Hall celebrating the accomplishments of the following students in the visual and performing arts:

BART JAN LAVERGE ’57 TENNIS AWARD Will Thompson ’22

VOICE OF THE SAINTS AWARD Tee Bowles ’22 and Mac Mueller ’22

MONOGRAM AWARD Lane Jones ’22

ROBERT WILLIAMS HERZOG AWARD Oliver Fitch ’22 and Will Wise ’22

JAMES TURNER SLOAN II ’40 AWARD Mac Grant ’22 and Preston Herrington ’22

BRADFORD ALLEN PARRISH ’91 AWARD Sterling Austin ’22 and Jack McCoy ’22

TALMADGE ABBITT DUPRIEST ’91 AWARD Taylor McDermott ’22 and Joshua Powell ’22

NELSON HILL HOTCHKISS JR. ’70 AWARD Carter Schmitt ’22 and Joe Sullivan ’22

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR’S AWARD FOR COMPETITIVE EXCELLENCE Andre Greene ’22, Keishawn Pulley Jr. ’22 and Will Thompson ’22

JOHN T. SIEGEL ’57 MEMORIAL PRIZE Kent Goode ’22

SLATER PRIZE Nikkos Kovanes ’22

DAVENPORT TROPHY Trent Hendrick ’22

ALBERT LUCK “PETEY JACOBS” MEMORIAL AWARD FOR DISTINGUISHED COACHING Robin Eldridge, Athletic Trainer and Bernie Whitlow, Field and Game Preparation, Equipment Room Manager and Athletic Rental Support and Supervision

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD AJ Jones ’22

JUNIOR PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD Caton Lee ’23

FILM AWARD Nate Glerum ’22

JUNIOR PAINTING AWARD Kyan Patel ’23

THESPIAN AWARD Topher Durette ’22

HONOR THESPIAN AWARD Walker Allen ‘22

CLASS OF 2022 LEGACIES

Top Row (L to R): Jack Mitchell ‘22, Mason Carter ‘22, Tom Gresham ‘94, Luke Gresham ‘22, Tee Bowles ‘22, Jamie Boyd ‘22, Tripp Owen ‘22, Charlie Butcher ‘22, Alex Lim ‘22, Whitt Bowles ‘22, Will Rees ‘22; Bottom Row (L to R): Richard Mitchell ‘78, Adam Carter ‘92, Bumby Gresham ‘64, Leo Boyd ‘88, Jim Boyd ‘54, David Owen ‘93, Guy Butcher ‘86, James Lim ‘84, Churchill Bowles ‘88, Giles Robertson ‘60

Top row: (L to R): John Collier ‘22, Preston Herrington ‘22, Baylor Dudley ‘22, Sam Hubard ‘22, Walker Allen ‘22, Jack McCoy ‘22, Chase Bayler ‘22, Willy Hall ‘22, Will Oakey ‘22, Harrison Dillard ‘22; Bottom Row (Lto R): Brian Collier ‘85, Knox Hubard ‘92, Knox Hubard ‘65, Tim McCoy ‘87, Mason Bayler ‘86, Chas Hall ‘87, Jay Oakey ‘86, Preston Dillard ‘91

FACULTY NEWS St. Christopher’s faculty outside the classroom

Upper School Academic Dean and Director of College Counseling Jim Jump served as the keynote speaker at the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling’s annual conference held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on June 19-21, 2022. Jim was also quoted in articles in “U.S. News and World Report” and “Inside Higher Ed,” was interviewed by a public radio station in Rochester, New York, and had his work cited on prominent education-focused podcasts.

Faculty and administration members Nicholas Brata, Edwin Cowell, Hiram Cuevas, Kimberly Hudson, Warren Hunter, Sarah Mansfield, Derek Porter, Laura Sabo, David Shin, Padgett Shoemake, Todd Stansbery, Anthony Szymendera and Alissa Yazinski joined Headmaster Mason Lecky in attending the annual conference of the International Boys Schools Coalition (IBSC). The IBSC is widely considered the preeminent not-for-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the education, wellbeing and development of boys worldwide. The team from St. Christopher’s, a founding member of the coalition, was among the largest and most respected delegations at this prestigious gathering, and many members presented groundbreaking research and pedagogy.

University’s Klingenstein Summer Institute for Early Career Teachers. The exclusive program brings together 80 early career independent and private school teachers from around the world to discuss and receive training in cognitive science, curriculum, diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Lower School Co-Teacher and Theater Educator Jake Simard received his master’s degree in education from Capella University.

Extended Day Middle School Teacher Alex Checkovich published two literary works, “Geographic Death” and “¡¡¡ÖRB!!!.” The author noted that each of the works, in its own way, “renders irrelevant the boundaries between ‘essay’ and ‘short story.’” Alex’s works can be viewed online.

In June, Lower School Co-Director of Student Life and Reading Specialist Jen O’Ferrall attended the Gardner Carney Leadership Institute for an intensive six-day workshop. There, she joined K-12 teachers and administrators from across North America to learn how best to enhance the leadership capabilities of students. Led by a team of esteemed developmental psychologists and scholars, Jen absorbed the latest in brain science research, social and emotional intelligence, and group dynamics.

Lower and Middle School Choir Director Nick Brata presented a workshop at the American Choral Directors Association Voices United Conference in Manassas, Virginia on August 6, 2022. The workshop topic was selecting repertoire for middle school tenor and bass choirs. St. Christopher’s Arts Director Kerry Court assisted with the presentation by accompanying on piano.

Upper School Spanish Teacher Asha Bandal married Ryan Stiles on June 11. They celebrated with a reception at The Hippodrome in Richmond’s Jackson Ward. In July, they honeymooned in Spain.

Middle School Teachers of Spanish Laura Dugan and Kathleen Hornik attended the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) conference in Puerto Rico in July 2022.

Teacher of History and Music and the Center for the Study of Boys Research Coordinator Derek Porter was accepted to present at three prestigious professional conferences. At the recent Teaching and Education Summit he presented “Don’t Return to Normal; Return Better Than Ever” at the Leaning Forward Educational Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. In December he will present “A Model for Evaluating Professional Learning.” In July 2023, Derek will travel to Sao Paolo, Brazil, to represent St. Christopher’s at the prestigious International Conference on Learning, where he will present “E-learning for Everyone: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Makes Every Classroom More Effective.”

Upper School Teacher of English and Publications Advisor Emily Nason was awarded a fully-funded fellowship to attend Columbia

David Shin presenting at IBSC Conference

Ryan Stiles and Asha Bandal

FACULTY A special welcome to our new faculty and staff

1. CHELSEA AUERNHEIMER joins the Extended Day team as a junior kindergarten teacher. She holds an M.Ed. in early childhood education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Her experience includes eight years of tutoring and three years of being a classroom teacher in Richmond and Henrico elementary schools.

2. BETH BERRY joins the Upper School English Department and serves as an advisor and soccer coach. Beth holds a B.A. in English and an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction from the University of Richmond. She is a former Deep Run High School teacher of the year.

3. ASHLEY BOEHLING joins our fifth grade faculty team. She previously taught for the Hanover County School District and Chesterfield County Public Schools. Ashley received her B.A. in early and elementary education and an M.Ed from Virginia Commonwealth University.

4. CHRIS BOEHM , a graduate of Rowan University with a B.A. in secondary education and history, also joins the Extended Day team. Over the past decade, Chris has held instructional positions in New Jersey and Virginia. Most recently, he earned his personal training certification and is a trainer at ACAC.

5. ASHLEY CAMERON is the new assistant director of communications. She comes to us from St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Goochland, where she was their inaugural director of communications. Ashley is a graduate from the University of Mary Washington and holds a bachelor of science in economics and Spanish.

6. ALEX CHECKOVICH joined the fifth grade Extended Day team. Alex taught for 15 years at the University of Richmond. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia, a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, and a state certification for career-switchers in education.

7. Lower School Nurse LIZA CLARK joins us from the pediatric intensive care unit in the Virginia Commonwealth University Health System. She holds a B.S. in public health—health policy and administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a B.S. in nursing from VCU.

8. TIM DAIGNEAU is the Middle School’s assistant director of academic support. He teaches language studies, serves as an advisor, and provides in-class support and small-group instruction. A graduate of James Madison University, Tim holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Virginia.

9. DRAKE DRAGONE ’15 is a co-teacher in kindergarten, working with Meredith Smart, and also co-leads Summer Saints. Drake graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a B.A. in music. He joined the St. Christopher’s Extended Day program in 2020.

10. CHAS FULLER joined the building and grounds department this summer as a painter. Before coming to St. Christopher’s, Chas owned and operated a small painting business for 16 years. He and his wife moved to Richmond in 2008 from Lansing, Michigan.

A special welcome to our new faculty and staff.

11. EVA GRAVELY adds her talents to the Extended Day kindergarten team. Eva is a recent graduate of Marymount University, where she earned a B.S. in health sciences. She worked with Summer Saints this past summer as an activity counselor for Morning Mania and Afternoon Adventures.

12. ELLIOTT HAMMOND joins Extended Day to work with 3rd grade boys. She has worked as a counselor with our summer programs since 2014 and has been a substitute teacher in the Lower School. Elliott is pursuing a B.A. in elementary education through Liberty University.

13. JESSICA HEALY teaches Middle and Upper School French. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Jessica also holds a postgraduate degree from National University of Ireland and a master’s in education from the University of Mary Washington. She previously taught French at St. Mary’s Catholic School and Tuckahoe Middle School.

14. Upper School Biology Teacher ELIZABETH JEFFRESS , an alumna of St. Catherine’s School, holds a B.S. in neuroscience from Dickinson College and a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Georgia State University. She’s an advisor for Raps & Taps and other student publications.

15. CONNIE LANKFORD is working with Extended Day junior kindergarten students and second grade girls. Most recently Connie was a member of the team at First Presbyterian Preschool, working as a nanny and substitute teacher.

16. Third Grade Teacher CAROLINE LOCKERBY graduated from the University of Virginia’s College of Arts and Sciences with a B.A. in religious studies and from the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development with an M.T. in elementary education in 2019.

17. EMILY MALTBY has also joined the Extended Day team to work with kindergarten students. She is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College, where she earned a B.A. in communication studies and was captain of the women’s varsity swim team.

18. MARIA MALTBY is a kindergarten co-teacher working with Hayden Vick. For the past five years, Maria served as a kindergarten and fifth grade lead teacher in our Extended Day program and also worked as a long-term substitute as a kindergarten co-teacher during the 2020-21 school year.

19. ALEXANDER PETRIE ’17 is a sixth grade PE coach and seventh and eighth grade coach for all three seasons. A recent graduate of Lafayette College with degrees in economics, anthropology and sociology, Alexander is currently enrolled in a master’s program in sports leadership at VCU.

20. ASHLEY PRIDE is the lead teacher for Little Saints. She has held similar roles at The Goddard School, Primrose Midlothian Village, and Rainbow Station Wyndham. She has also been a family ministry director in charge of Sunday morning programming for infants–sixth grade.

21. Upper School Librarian MONTANA ROGERS is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Wheaton College in Massachusetts, where she earned a B.A. in creative writing and literature, as well as music. She received a Fulbright Grant to teach English and literature at the American College of Sofia in Bulgaria.

22. NICK SHEROD ’16 is our new Kate Childrey Teaching Fellow, Upper School advisor and basketball coach. During his two-year fellowship, Nick will receive guidance from English Department mentor Stephanie Barnes. Nick holds a B.A. in English from the University of Richmond, where he is currently completing his master’s in teaching.

23. KAYLEE SQUIRES is a member of our Extended Day and Little Saints teams. A graduate of Longwood University with a B.S. in psychology and an M.Ed. in early childhood education, Kaylee previously worked in a private day school setting with children between the ages of 2 and 6.

24. ANNE TALLEY has joined Extended Day to work with first grade girls. Prior to coming to St. Christopher’s, Anne worked for Your Right Hand, an organization dedicated to assisting seniors and their families in the Richmond area.

25. JOHN TAYLOR joins the communications team as editor of StC Magazine. He brings decades of experience as a writer, content developer and creative director at major advertising agencies throughout the country. John has a B.A. in history and English from Tufts University and an M.A. in education from Mercy College.

26. MOLLY TRICE returns to St. Christopher’s as a second grade homeroom teacher. She was previously a lead teacher in St. Christopher’s kindergarten and fifth grades. Molly is a 1999 graduate of St. Catherine’s School and received her B.A. in history from Sewanee: The University of the South.

27. JIANRU YANG is our new Middle School and Upper School teacher of Chinese. She has extensive experience in teaching Chinese in secondary and elementary schools in Virginia and is a professor of Chinese at Virginia Commonwealth University. Jianru holds a B.S. from the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

Extended Day Kindergarten Teacher Hope Morgan is working with Richmond muralist (and friend to the St. Christopher’s community) Hamilton Glass on a 500-foot-long mural entitled “Transcending Walls.” This mural is part of RVA’s Mending Walls, “a public art project that brings together public artists from different cultures and backgrounds to create murals that address where we are now in society and how we can move forward through understanding and collaboration.” You can learn more about Mending Walls by viewing Virginia Public Media’s Emmy-award-winning documentary on YouTube.

Hope Morgan’s “Transcending Walls” mural is part of RVA’s Mending Walls public art project.

Gene Bruner ’78 Leaves a Legacy of Unparalleled Engagement

by George Knowles

Gene Bruner, reflecting on the decades spent teaching and coaching Saints said, “The most rewarding part of teaching is when a former student comes up to me and says, ‘I remember absolutely everything from your class.’” Gene, after decades as a Saint, retired from coaching and teaching this year.

Gene joined the School as a seventh grade student and graduated in 1978. Years later, in 1986, he would return to StC as a cross country coach and Middle School teacher of creative writing, English and Latin. In joining the St. Christopher’s faculty, he followed in the footsteps of his father John L. Bruner, who was hired by Dr. Chamberlayne in 1938.

Gene believed in letting each student find his voice and his own way to the material. “I would simply start them in a conversation,” said Gene. “I’d talk to them in a way they could relate to. I used humor, I was unconventional, and they really responded to it.”

“We talk here about knowing boys. Well, I can’t think of anyone who understood boys better than Gene,” said former student and current StC Leadership Giving Officer Stephen Davenport ‘08. “Thanks to him I, and hundreds of others I imagine, developed a lifelong love of literature. It’s hard to put into words what a difference he’s made.”

Gene’s inspiration as an educator and a coach was his own experience as an StC student. “I vividly remember my seventh grade teachers at StC,” he said. “They were fun. They could be vulnerable, and I admired them. I wanted to do what they did.” And as for his athletic mentors, “I would have followed them to the end of the earth,” Gene said.

Among the many gifts Gene brought to StC, students and colleagues alike remember his generosity and heart. In the classroom and on the track, Gene paid special attention to the students who struggled with the classwork, or the runner who wasn’t the fastest. “I have such a respect for those boys who give it their all. After a race, I’d find that guy who’d struggled and I’d make a point of shaking his hand,” said Gene.

If you’re looking for Gene these days, you’re most likely to find him in Brooklyn with his grandson Cameron or kayaking on the James River. “If you take life too seriously, you’re lost,” said Gene. “Life is meant to be lived.”

“He will give you the shirt off his back, his car if you need it, tubes or kayaks if you want to explore the river. That’s just the kind of friend and colleague he is.”

- Hiram Cuevas

Alumni Gatherings

River City Roll, Richmond, Reception with St. Catherine’s, April 7, 2022 University Club, New York, May 19, 2022

Reunion

Alumni returned to campus in May 2022 to celebrate

Reunion

Class of 1972 | 50th Reunion

50 TH REUNION COMMITTEE

Mr. David G. Blalock Jr.

Mr. Christopher M. Davis

Mr. Thomas A. Dingledine

Mr. William E. Garrison III

Mr. Hugh T. Harrison II

Mr. Andrew S. Herzog

Mr. Philip J. McEwen Jr.

Mr. William H. Parrish IV

Mr. Victor H. Penzer

Mr. Edward P. Roberts

Mr. Walter S. Robertson III

Mr. James B. Sessoms

More details on page 89 of the annual report.

When planning for their 50th reunion began in the fall of 2021, the committee was anxious to get to work contacting classmates and organizing a celebration worthy of this golden milestone. After two years of staying safe and social distancing, the opportunity to gather with longtime friends and some long-lost classmates was a great incentive to bring the Class of 1972 together May 7-8, 2022. More than 80 guests attended the class party hosted at the home of Susan and Walter Robertson on Saturday evening, including beloved faculty and coaches – some of whom are still teaching at St. Christopher’s! Classmates came from as far as California, Florida, Georgia and Wyoming to attend the weekend’s festivities. For some, it was the first time seeing classmates since graduation. However, the years and the distance quickly faded as they reminisced about the past and shared pictures of their children. Everyone was grateful for a weekend to come together to celebrate the class and remember those who have passed throughout the years.

In honor of their 50th reunion, the class chose to make a collective gift to the Whole Boy Fund to support mental health and wellness efforts at St. Christopher’s School across all three divisions. The Whole Boy Fund will provide resources to support peer advisor education and development, faculty training to recognize and respond when boys need help, and educational programs and speakers for boys and families. The Class of 1972 made gifts and pledges totaling $146,553 in honor of their reunion, with an additional $30,350 for Annual Giving.

Reunion

Class of 1997 | 25th Reunion

25 TH REUNION COMMITTEE

Mr. Andrew M. I. Bogle

Mr. Matthew H. Gehring

Mr. James R. Parker IV

Mr. Matthew A. Philips

Mr. Hugh K. Rabb

Mr. E. Matthew Schaaf IV

Mr. John Sherman III

Mr. Samuel S. Taliaferro III

More details on page 93 of the annual report.

For decades, alumni of St. Christopher’s have rallied together around the milestone 25th Reunion to identify a special fundraising cause that is meaningful to members of the class. The Class of 1997’s Reunion Committee felt that it was the deep and meaningful connections to former teachers, coaches and advisors that made their experience so impactful. The relationships formed while “under the pines” are a seminal aspect of the St. Christopher’s experience and the class was excited to support the School in a way that will ensure distinguished teaching remains a defining aspect for all Saints. In particular, members of the class felt a deep connection to longtime faculty and staff member Andrew Jackson Bolling III. Serving St. Christopher’s from 1958-2015 in countless roles, Mr. Bolling dedicated so much of his life to the School and had a gift for connecting with young men.

The A.J. Bolling III Chair of Distinguished Teaching

This chair was originally established by the Class of 1976 at the celebration of their 25th Reunion in honor of longtime teacher, coach and administrator A.J. Bolling III. Income provides recognition and additional financial support for teachers who excel in the classroom and whose leadership helps to strengthen the bond between students and faculty. The Class of 1997 elected to support this existing endowment fund to help increase the minimum balance and to ensure well-deserving teachers receive the benefits of this chair.

In total, the class raised nearly $90,000 toward The Bolling Chair and an additional $24,000 in Annual Giving in honor of their 25th Reunion.

Class Notes

If you have news to report, please contact Jennifer Scallon: scallonj@stcva.org. Please remember to include your class year and a photo if you have one.

1954

Jim Boyd still reads and still does math. As evidence, he contributed to the book “Mathematics Travel and Food.”

1960

Wilmot Kidd was recently profiled in “The Wall Street Journal.” Wilmot is President of Central Securities, his closed-end fund in New York. He is touted as “racking up one of the greatest long-term track records in the history of investing” and in the past 20 years has outperformed Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

is still working from home as an Adviser with Truist Investments.

Walter James retired from the active practice of medicine 50 years after receiving his license. He had specialized in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, and critical care, and in the last 30 years in sleep medicine. He was the founder of the Sleep Center at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta. He is married and the father of two about-to-be-married children. He will spend his retirement playing golf and doubles squash, drawing with graphite, reading, and trying to resist the pull of political activism.

1964

The Class of 1964 continues to host an annual volunteer project, which they have done every year since 2011. In June, they helped pick up trash along the James River.

1968

Dr. Ralph Caldroney was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership society, at Washington & Lee University on May 5. Ralph is a retired physician and served for eight years in the Army Reserves with deployments in Germany, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Garrett Epps is Professor of Practice at the University of Oregon School of Law. He retired in July 2020 from 30 years of teaching constitutional law at American University, the University of Baltimore, Boston College, Duke University and the University of Oregon. He is dividing his time between Eugene, Oregon, and the Baltimore-Washington area. He has six grandchildren.

Having successfully completed a $10 million capital campaign for Richmond Ballet in December of 2019, Billy Hancock returned to the for-profit world. In addition to launching a startup in the real estate sector, he currently serves as CEO of Clean Water International, which manufactures and sells Aquatize, an EPA approved antimicrobial drinking water disinfectant for livestock. Billy is proud to report that Robert A.C. Hancock ’21 has returned from a summer program at London School of Economics and is a Sophomore at JMU.

1962

Sadly, Harry Wilkins lost his wife of 48 years, Bonnie, on February 9, 2021. He happily retired from International Paper Co./Union Envelope Company and is looking forward to staying in touch with old friends.

1963

Barbara and Bob Priddy, after 41 years in their home on S. Wilton Road, have joined other Saints at Westminster Canterbury Richmond. They have four grandsons. Bob

Three generations of Saints in Nantucket. Back row: Clay Davis ’23, Robert Hancock ’21, Charles Hancock ’23, Claiborne Hancock ’92, Jessica Hancock, Billy Hancock ’68, Austin Hancock, Claiborne Johnston ‘96, Carter Johnston (St. Catherine’s ’97), James Hancock ‘95. Front row: William Hancock, Claiborne Johnston IV ’33, David Hancock, Archer Johnston (St. Catherine’s ’31) and Janie Johnston (St. Catherine’s ’34)

Wilmot Kidd ‘60. Photo: Desiree Rios for the WSJ

Members of the Class of 1964 building on a tradition of service.

StC Plants Tree in Memory of Walter Lindsey ’75, First Black Graduate of StC

By Jabriel Hasan ’11

Attending April campus events held in memory of Walter Lindsey ’75 symbolized for me a full-circle moment.

Before the program for the first StC Black graduate who died in February, I reread the article I had written on him for the February ‘08 edition of The Pine Needle. Its candid details somewhat surprised me, yet I also appreciated their realness.

Mr. Lindsey’s political consciousness echoed at his April 2022 tree dedication, planting this awareness into St. Christopher’s soil.

Though vocal in some respects, Mr. Lindsey never moved to publicly display his mark on our School. Indeed, The Pine Needle article in 2008 required some digging to identify and locate the School’s first African American graduate. In recent years it seems the Black Alumni Association inspired an overdue and timely focus on our demographic’s contributions. To be the first Black anything in a predominantly white institution represents no minor feat. For certain, as Mr. Lindsey’s friend and classmate, Tom Baker ’75, said at the dedication, the road could not have been easy. The perseverance required is itself remarkable.

I will remember Mr. Lindsey for his quiet heroism, without which the way would not have been charted for other Black students’ arrival. His physical stature upholds my metaphorical sense that I have stood on a giant’s shoulder. For this, I simply say, “Thank you.”

Jabriel Hasan ’11 graduated last spring from Union Presbyterian Seminary and is now pursuing a master’s in clinical mental health counseling at William & Mary.

Wilson R. Trice recently received the Lettie Whitehead Pate Evans Award from the Westminster Canterbury Foundation (Richmond) for his many years of devoted service to that continuing care facility.

Tim Carrington has retired to his country home in Rappahannock County, where he has been assisting the “Rappahannock News” on special assignments. This spring the Virginia Press Association awarded Tim a first-place citation for local government reporting and a second place in feature writing. Tim spent the first half of his career with “The Wall Street Journal” where he was a reporter, first domestically and then in a three-year assignment overseas; then wrote a regular column on the stock market and later was promoted to an editor position. He next moved to the World Bank, taking on a variety of responsibilities with a special concentration in the African continent.

1971

1969

Peter E. Broadbent Jr. has been appointed by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin to a fourth term on the Library of Virginia Board, making him the first person in more than 70 years to receive appointments from four governors to the library board. During his three prior board terms, Broadbent twice served as chair. Broadbent is a partner at Christian & Barton, LLP in Richmond, where his legal practice focuses on telecommunications, intellectual property, business and governmental relations.

Tom Harry, coached the Nansemond Suffolk Academy golf team to the division 2 State Championship in 2022, at Meadowbrook Golf Club.

From Jerry Walker: “We are still alive and well and living in the hinterlands of Walkerton, VA. I’m trying retirement for the 3rd time. This time it might stick. Now that things (COVID) are lightening up a little bit, we are opening our farm for events again. Our next event will be A Walk Through History on November 5, 2022. Set up in our woods, we will have Native Americans, reenactors from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, WWl, WWll, Korean War and maybe the Vietnam War teaching about the history of all these eras. Come one, come all and have fun while learning a little history.”

1972 50th Reunion

See page 48

1973

Tucker McLaughlin received the 2022 Marvin “Skeeter” Francis Award, recognizing individuals for distinguished service to, or coverage of, ACC sports. McLaughlin has been an accredited ACC beat writer for three decades.

1976

Dusty Boyd, Jimmy Rose, Rex Smith, Doug Mallory and David Hawkins went with their wives to France in May 2022. The group visited Paris, the Champagne region, and the Normandy region where they did an in-depth tour of the D-Day beaches and important points.

The Trice family

Tom Harry ’69 with the golf team

Dave Dorian, director of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association and Brett Friedlander, sportswriter with the “North State Journal” presented Tucker ‘73 with the award. (Photo by Blakely Swanson)

Jerry Walker ’71 and wife Cecky Ropelewski

Pictured at Pointe du Hoc (L to R): Dusty Boyd, Jimmy Rose, Rex Smith, Doug Mallory and David Hawkins

Class Notes

45 th REUNION

Class of 1977

Front Row (L to R): Richard Taylor, Edward Anderson, Tommy Catlett, Scott Cardozo, John Honey, Marc Butler, Jimmy Blackford, Marshall Burke, Clinker Moss, Frank Maloney, Burnell Bullock, Bill Dodrill

Back Row: Steve Frazer, Lewis Wright, Russell Bowles, David Howell, John McCammond, Billy Trigg, Bolling Lewis, Todd Collier, Andy Mauck, Chris Branch, Boyd Cobb

40 th REUNION

Class of 1982

Front Row (L to R): Berno Hamilton, Ned Trigg, Barry Tatum, Lane Stern

Back Row: Kevin Jones, Parrish Jeffrey, Bunt Young, Brian Campbell, Freddie Preston, David Lewis, Rob Pilcher, Ed Sawyer, Grif Blackard, Charles Alexander, Gee McVey, Garrett Horsley, Dave Martin, Rob Martin, Jay Ball, Jack Martin, Rob Ault, Scott Woodard

35 th REUNION

Class of 1987

First Row (L to R): Tom Rhodes, Scott Wallace, Renard Charity, Doug Camp

2nd Row: Billy Waechter, Tim McCoy

3rd Row: Matthew Farley, Ben Ackerly, David Addison, Byron Parker

4th Row: Ben Cox, Colin Wright, John McLeod, George Dunston, T Bell

5th Row: Stewart O’Keefe, Chas Hall, Marc Nystrom

Scott Andrews has been appointed by Governor Youngkin as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Virginia Retirement System (VRS), where he will have the opportunity to serve the more than 750,000 members, retirees and beneficiaries of VRS.

1978

Jim Cain received the “Bill Axselle Lifetime Achievement Award” for his contributions to the real estate finance, and mortgage industry over his three decades in Virginia.

1980 & 1981

Sam Williamson ’80 and Dean King ’81 are in year two of their film content incubator start-up, Gum Street Productions. Their first show, a modern-day snapshot of the Hatfields and the McCoys was recently filmed in West Virginia. Tune in for this, and other shows, coming soon.

1982

Michael Calkins and his business partner Scott Halloran made recent news when their company Trolley House Refreshments was awarded Operator of the Year by the National Automatic Merchandising Association. NAMA reported that the team has more than 25 years of experience building client relationships, providing award-winning customized break room and catering experiences for companies

throughout Central Virginia. Michael and Scott also own and operate Groovin’ Gourmets, an award-winning catering company based in Richmond, and Parterre, a local restaurant featuring Southern cuisine at the Linden Row Inn.

1983

Stebo Delcardyre is the co-founder of Zero Acre Farms. He has created Cultured Oil, a healthier cooking oil with a smaller environmental impact.

Hunter Jenkins and his family sponsored and facilitated an outdoor exhibition called Stations of the Cross, a live demonstration and outdoor meditative walking exhibit reflecting the 14 stations of Christ’s walk to his Crucifixion. The exhibition was in Montana in early fall.

Check out Ray Martin’s new books of poetry, “Time and Tide” and “Reflections on the Water.” Drawing from the inspiration of nature, the moments of life, the ocean, the Bible, and travel, these poetry collections are sure to resonate with readers on many levels. Both are available on Amazon.

Ted Lawrence took over as Deputy Mission Director for United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Somalia in July 2022. Ted and his family – wife, Claudia, and three kids, Ellie (18), Enzo (16) and Dario (14) – are based in

Nairobi, Kenya, and will be there through June 2024. Drop Ted a line and go visit!

1987

After 27 years at Wells Fargo, Sam Farnham retired in September. He hopes this will allow him to get back to Richmond even more and “hopefully more time swaying with the tall pines, if you will.”

1990

Col. Francis Park was promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor at the U.S. Army War College. He is currently the director of the Basic Strategic Art Program, which is the credentialing course for the U.S. Army Strategist functional area.

Greg Suskind is the new board chair for CARITAS, a charitable organization that helps provide solutions for homelessness and addiction in Richmond.

1991

Donny Wade celebrated his 50th birthday in September surrounded by Saints in Virginia Beach.

After publishing his fifth book of poetry last year, Temple Cone is on sabbatical this fall from the U.S. Naval Academy, where he is Professor of English. Over the summer, he attended the Bread Loaf Writers Conference in Middlebury, Vermont, writing many poems and

Saints joined Donny Wade ‘91 to celebrate his 50th birthday. Front Row: Davis Wrinkle ’81, Chris Bliley ’91, Mac Wade ’18, Donny Wade ’91, Clark Dennison ’91, Ashby Hackney ’90 and Coleman Bowles ’24. Back Row: John Siewers ’91, Lankford Wade ’95, Gray Garland ’79, Richard Mitchell ’78, Rand Dupriest ’88, Churchill Bowles ’88.

Michael Calkins ‘82 received the Operator of the Year award.

30 th REUNION

Class of 1992

Front Row (L to R): Burke Lewis, Scott Nystrom, Josh Wishnack, Adam Carter, Knox Hubard

Back Row: Christian Kiniry, Tee Clarkson, Alec Bates, Christopher Buford, Charles Bayler, Carrington Williams, Michael Chapman, Taylor Reveley, Cabell Ackerly, Mark Bain, Joe Brockman, Chris Oakey

20 th REUNION

Class of 2002

Front Row (L to R): Beau Pratt, Alan Carney, Willy Flohr, Tripp Greene, Timmy Pratt, Mike Gray, Allen McDowell, Jay Scherer, John Tucker, Grayson Goldman

Back Row: Stewart Ackerly, Kevin Elmore, Preston Kendig, Chris Purdy, John Cronly, Matthew Washko, Ross Buerlein, Wyck Sweeney, Joel Parker, Allen Johnson, Alec Boyd, Matthew Ucci, Nick Robertson, Jordan Ledbetter, Ben Nicholson

15 th REUNION

Class of 2007

Front Row (L to R): Matt Talbott, Chandler Pace, Ben White, Kyle Menges, Basil Jones, Ted Moore

Back Row: Jeb Bryan, Zach Greentree, Alex Grymes, Eddie Watkins, Scott Bacigal, Matthew Thompson, Blair Smith, Brelan Hillman, Thomas Jenkins

stealing numerous apples from the trees outside Robert Frost’s cabin.

Haskell C. Brown III was appointed City Attorney for the City of Richmond, Virginia, effective August 1, 2022. In this role, he serves as the chief legal advisor for the City Council, the Mayor, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the agencies of City government.

1993

Wells Hanley has created a series of podcasts called I Wrote This Song For You. Each episode includes inspiring messages and, as the title suggests, a song he writes for each person.

1994

John Morgan wrote an article, “The Meanest Teacher in Town,” for “Richmond Family Magazine” where he reflects on legendary St. Christopher’s Middle School English teacher Millonn Lamb, also the mother of Bill ‘87 and Doug ‘89

1998

Rob Pinkerton and wife Jennifer welcomed son Graham Robert Pinkerton on August 7, 2020.

David Satterfield and his wife recently welcomed a daughter, Leighton, to the family. He also took a new job working as an Associate Creative Director with William-Morris Endeavor’s internal ad agency, 160over90. He’s attached to the NYC office, but works remotely from Richmond.

2001

Tyler Brown celebrated his 40th birthday in Cape Cod with Saints classmates.

Elizabeth and Andrew Crowley welcomed John “Jack” Steele on June 17, 2022.

Blake Kimbrough and wife Julia welcomed their second daughter, Charlotte West Kimbrough, on September 4. She joins big sister Virginia “Ginny.”

2002

Matthew Washko was promoted to Commander in the Navy, officially joining the senior officer corps. His wife Amanda and daughter Sammy pinned the new insignia on him. He is still the Chief Engineer on USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), our nation’s next nuclear powered aircraft carrier, currently in the final phases of construction and testing at Newport News Shipbuilding. The ship is scheduled to be delivered to the fleet in the summer of 2024.

1995

Andy Featherstone and his wife Amanda just celebrated the 2nd anniversary of their toy shop, RVYay Toys and are excited to be named one of the top three toy shops in Richmond for the second year in a row by “Richmond Magazine.”

1997

25th Reunion

This photo of John and Mrs. Lamb was taken following the 2022 graduation.

Andrew Crowley’s son Jack

Saints gather at Tyler Brown ‘01’s 40th birthday dinner. Front row: Nick Peace ‘01, Luke Pope ‘01, Tyler Brown ‘01; Back Row: Charles Kempe ‘01, Robert McMullan ‘01, Mason Antrim ‘01, Alexander Cochran (not StC), Rob Cann ‘01

Blake Kimbrough ‘01 introducing new baby Charlotte West to her big sister Ginny.

2003

Marshall Alexander is President of Solid Entertainment, a new management entity that runs all of country music artist Eric Church’s entities. This summer, Marshall joined Church and a group of familiar faces on a Scotland golf trip that Eric centered on the 150th Open Championship this past July.

2004

Will Parrish and wife Alison welcomed their second child, Elizabeth Sharon “Lily” Parrish on February 3, 2022.

2005

LCDR Nicholas Erdle, his wife Claudia and their daughters, Livia (4) and Camilla (1) have recently moved to Naples, Italy, where he continues to serve in the U.S. Navy as an orthopedic surgeon. He is excited to be stationed in Europe, and hopes his fellow alumni will reach out when they visit Italy!

Tim Rose and James Hoffman completed their MBAs from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business as part of the Executive MBA Class of 2022. James

Will Hardy ‘06 Tapped as New Head Coach for NBA’s Utah Jazz

From the San Antonio Spurs to the Boston Celtics and now the Utah Jazz, alumni Will Hardy ‘06’s meteoric rise through the NBA coaching ranks has filled the Saints community with pride.

Hardy was recently selected as head coach of the Utah Jazz. When he considers his path from the courts at StC to the present day as the current youngest head coach in the NBA, it’s not something he necessarily saw coming. “Man, at that time I was focused on being a basketball player, not a coach,” he laughed. “There was never a moment where I envisioned anything like this.”

Off the basketball court, Hardy believes his time as a Saint gave him the essential understanding of how to relate to others and show respect for different points of view. “I always felt like St. Chris was formative in teaching interpersonal skills,” he said. “It’s important to learn how to exist in a world full of people who are different from you and have different experiences.”

Hardy also learned a lot about hard work. “St. Chris was hard, and it was meant to be hard,” he said. “I learned to manage my time, put my head down and do the work. That prepared me for everything that’s come after.”

Coach Hardy led the Jazz to victory over the Denver Nuggets in his debut.

Matthew Washko ‘02 with his family

Marshall Alexander ‘03 with friends

Will Parrish ‘04 with his family

Nicholas Erdle ‘05 and Claudia

10 th REUNION Class of 2012

Front Row (L to R): James Brugh, Jack McDowell, Charlie Williamson, Jim Partee

Back Row: Sutton White, Harrison Houlihan, Andrew Lambrechts, Charlie Vaughan, Adam Richardson, James Lockerby, Tyler Yeatts, Landon Kemp

5 th REUNION Class of 2017

First Row (L to R): Jackson Begley, Paul Thompson, Gordon Mitchell, Jackson Southworth, Ricky Stockel, Kannon Noble, Thomas Kehoe, Allan Pedin, Drew Vanichkachorn

Second Row (L to R): John Damgard, Luke Parry, Graham Mauck, Will Thomas, Thomas Branch, Neil Dwivedi, Drake Wielar, Berkeley Galston, Griffin Gayne, Christian Longood, Rob Jessee, Alexander Petrie

Third Row (L to R): Sheldon Towell, Hayden Mitchell, Robert Allen, Gunther Abbott, Chris Hull, Brent Mistr, Edward Anderson, James Armstrong, Davis Evans

received the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence and noted with a smile, “I know that would make some of my former teachers (who at times struggled to get things through my thick head) proud.”

2006

Kerry and Rob Bennett welcomed identical twin boys, Robert Yelverton Bennett III and Francis Reilly Bennett, on May 24, 2022.

Kate and Daniel Dickerson welcomed daughter June on December 30, 2021.

2008

Stephen Davis married Amanda Garnett on May 14, 2022.

Jack Hutcheson married Layne Ezzell in Jackson, Wyoming, on August 6, 2022.

Elizabeth and Kevin Isaacs welcomed their second baby, Betsy, on August 24, 2022.

2009

Malcolm Magovern married Laura Edwards on May 14, 2022.

Lindsey and John Stillwell welcomed John ”Jack” August Stillwell on February 28, 2022.

2010

Seth Wagner and wife Cassie welcomed Mary Elizabeth “Mae” Wagner on June 7, 2022. Seth also joined Herbert J. Sims, a wealth management, investment banking and institutional services firm. He will lead financing for senior living communities and charter schools in the Southeast and across the nation. The company opened an office in downtown Richmond in July.

Jack Jessee married Kelley Berman on June 11, 2022.

2013

Christian Alcorn married Whitney Busch on August 13, 2022, in Charlottesville. (See picture on facing page)

2017

Jackson Deal ‘17 and Burke Widhelm ‘18 led Christopher Newport to a 16-0 record and a No. 1 national ranking in lacrosse.

In May 2022, Robert Allen earned his masters degree in computer science from Wake Forest University, where he was also undergrad class of 2021. A few weeks later he married his bride, Austin, also a Wake Forest graduate. Their wedding was on the water in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. Robert is working in IT for Lowe’s and is based in Charlotte, NC. (See picture on facing page)

2018

Nick Biddison (pictured on the next page) was drafted by Major League Baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers. The 2018 alumnus was picked 135th overall in round four of the MLB draft.

2019

The trio of classmates Davis Gillenwater, Luke Valentine and Jack Westfall helped lead Sewanee to its first Southern Athletic Association title since 2017, and earned a Division III tournament bid to go with it. Valentine made the all-tournament team scoring 11 goals and dishing out three

Saints came from far and wide to celebrate the wedding of Jack Hutcheson ‘08. Front Row: Stuart Marth ’06, Neil McGroarty ’08, Clarke Gottwald ’08, Christopher Irby ’08, Tommy Bartosic ’08, Sam Priddy ’08, Jack Hutcheson ’08, John Parrish ’08, Teddy Mitchell ’08, Billy McGuire ’85. Back Row: Rob Valentine ’08, Claiborne Irby ’73, Alex Hardy ’08, William Irby ’08, Stephen Davenport ’08, JP McGuire ’12

Tim Rose ‘05 and James Hoffman ‘05

Seth Wagner and family

assists in three games. Westfall tallied 4 goals and 2 assists, and Gillenwater 4 goals and an assist.

Tyler Hutchison bumped into Max Buono and Scott Butterfield (both ‘23) at the Virginia Science and Technology Scholars Summer Academy at NASA Langley. Max and Scott completed the summer academy in 2022, while Tyler participated in the same program in 2018.

Sam Moore earned the Athletic Director’s Scholar-Athlete award, recognizing student-athletes for outstanding academic achievement at UNC.

2021

Jayden Smith broke the Davidson College school record, running the 110-meter hurdles in 13.54 seconds, and was ranked sixth in the NCAA at the time. Smith was also named the Helen DeVane Carnegie Freshman Athlete of the Year by the Davidson athletic department.

Max Buono ‘23, Scott Butterfield ‘23 and Tyler Hutchison ‘19

Robert Allen ‘17 celebrating with his new wife and friends

Nick Biddison ‘18

Christian Alcorn ‘13 surrounded by Saints

1950

Benjamin Briscoe White Jr. of Richmond, Virginia, died July 2, 2022.

He is survived by sons B. Briscoe White III ’76, William B. White ’78, Christopher B. White ’80 and David M. White ’89, as well as grandsons Benjamin B. White IV ’07, Christopher B. White Jr. ’07, Harley M. White ’07, Jesse K. White ’12 and W. Sutton White ’12

1951

John Jeffress Cardwell of Irvington, Virginia, died August 24, 2022.

1953

William Hammond Hunt of Abingdon, Virginia, died April 26, 2022. He is survived by brother Harry H. Hunt III ’52 and sons William H. Hunt Jr. ’78 and J. Turner Hunt ’80

Morris Alexander Richardson of Muldrow, Oklahoma, died December 1, 2021.

1954

Samuel Whitefield Stevenson Jr. of Richmond, Virginia, died March 28, 2022.

1956

William Gaines Ellyson of Irvington, Virginia, died June 3, 2022. He is survived by his son William T. Ellyson ’90

1961

The Honorable John Spence Reid of Manakin-Sabot, Virginia, died July 17, 2022. He is survived by his son John J. Reid II ’89

Beverley Randolph Wellford of Richmond, Virginia, died May 6, 2022. He is survived by his brother Ten Eyck T. Wellford ’71 1964

William Harvey Sydnor of Richmond, Virginia died July 19, 2022. He is survived by his brother Charles F. Sydnor ’77 1965

Patteson Branch Jr. of Richmond, Virginia, died August 7, 2022. He is survived by brothers David M. Branch ’68, Carlisle M. Branch ’71, Christopher Branch ’77, son Patteson Branch III ’90, and grandsons Patteson T. Branch ’25 and Charles R. Branch ’29

Philip Whitfield Hughes of Richmond, Virginia, died June 16, 2022. He is survived by his brother V. Gregory Hughes ’72 1968

William Preston Greene of Charles City, Virginia, died May 29, 2022. 1985

William Fitzhugh Claflin of Richmond, Virginia, died November 20, 2020.

2001

Stephen Alexander Woodward of Richmond, Virginia, died March 4, 2022. He is survived by brother Philip C. Woodward ’97

FACULTY, STAFF AND BOARD OF GOVERNORS

Quincy Flowler Dudley of Richmond, Virginia, died September 8, 2022. She worked at the Lower School as Mrs. Mountcastle.

Allen Mead Ferguson of Richmond, Virginia, died June 25, 2022. He served on the Board of Governors.

Alice Funkhouser Flowers, of Richmond, Virginia, died July 31, 2022. She served her 34-year career in publications, public information and archives at St. Christopher’s.

Ben White ’50

John Cardwell ’51 Hammond Hunt ’53

Morris Richardson ’53

Bill Ellyson ’56

Samuel Stevenson ’54

Jack Reid ’61

Ranny Wellford ’61 Bill Sydnor ’64

Pat Branch ’65 Phil Hughes ’65 Bill Greene ’68

William Claflin ’85 Stephen Woodward ’01 Quincy Dudley

Allen Ferguson Alice Flowers

St. Christopher’s School welcomes qualified students to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies and athletic and other School-administered programs.

Member of VAIS, NAIS, NAES and IBSC