experience the langley school
Summer/Fall 2012
the iPad revolution
the langley school
experience The Langley School Experience is published twice a year for friends and families of The Langley School. Head of School Doris E. Cottam Editor & Designer Sharon Ifft, Director of Publications & Marketing Photographers Anne Bielamowicz Sharon Ifft Matthew Lester Frank McPartland Shannon Ryan
table of
Contents
1
Head of School’s Message
2
Campus Happenings
8
Graduation: Class of 2012
12
Sports Spotlight
15
Arts in Action
18
Faculty Notes: JK Teacher Emmy Bocek Announces Retirement
20
Langley in Depth: iPads Revolutionize Learning at Langley
22
Advancement Update
25
Alumni Profile: Maggie Thompson ’08
26
Alumni News
27
Class Notes
The Langley School is comprised of students, teachers, parents, and staff who believe that a diverse school community promotes learning and growth, preparing students for responsible and compassionate citizenship in the global community. We administer all programs and policies without discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, or any other category to the extent protected by applicable laws. The Langley School
1411 Balls Hill Road
McLean,VA 22101
Phone: (703) 356-1920
Fax: (703) 790-9712
www.langleyschool.org
head of school’s Message Dear Langley Friends...
A
s we embark on a new school year, we look hopefully to the future while continuing to celebrate our past. 2012-2013 will be a year of many exciting and significant changes for The Langley School, beginning with the start of construction of our new Middle School facility this fall. With state-of-the-art science labs, additional classroom and gathering space, and a rooftop “classroom in the sky,” the building will be a magnificent addition to our program for grades 6-8. We look forward to watching the construction progress throughout the year as we prepare to officially open the new Middle School in fall 2013. This fall also marks our 10-year Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS) accreditation. Our faculty and staff have been hard at work preparing for this important process which gives us the opportunity to highlight the school’s many achievements and further strengthen our programs. As you’ll read on page 20, Langley launched a new iPad program for our eighth-graders during the 2011-2012 school year. The success of this pilot program – along with our belief that mobile devices like the iPad help us teach our students to be active learners and innovators – led to the expan-
sion of this technology initiative. I’m proud to announce that all students and teachers throughout grades 6-8 of our Middle School will use iPads during the upcoming year. In September, we will begin celebrating a special anniversary – our seventh decade. Founded in 1942 as a pioneer in early childhood education, Langley now boasts an enrollment of 500 students. Our graduates have gone on to become leaders and innovators in a variety of fields. We are proud of their success, but equally pleased they have grown into responsible, inquisitive, and confident men and women of character. Each of the prior 70 years has laid the groundwork for the exceptional educational institution Langley is today. Outstanding faculty and staff, innovative programs and curriculum, stellar facilities, and a generous and supportive community of parents, alumni, and friends have played a key role in shaping the school’s foundations through the years.
13 years as Langley’s head of school. Through the years, we have accomplished a great deal together. Langley is in a very strong financial position with excellent fiscal management and planning, our buildings are not only beautiful, but add dramatically to the overall program, enrollment is at an alltime high, and our curriculum is strong and creative. Here’s to a great year ahead as we lay the foundation for Langley’s next 70 years!
Doris E. Cottam Head of School
It seems a fitting time for me to pass the torch on to another leader who will guide Langley into our next decade and beyond. As I announced last spring, I will retire in June 2013 after
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campus Happenings First-Graders Showcase Integrated Polar Unit
L to R: Spanish teacher Elena Meschieri who organized the visit, Dr. Goodall, and Head of School Doris Cottam.
Dr. Jane Goodall Marks Earth Day at Langley On April 23, Langley welcomed world-renowned primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall to campus for the school’s Earth Day assembly. Dr. Goodall, who previously visited Langley in spring 2005, spoke to students about the importance of caring for the Earth and
From the eating habits of killer whales to the weight of polar bears, first-graders shared their expert knowledge of polar animals and cultures during their polar region performance in February. During this six-week unit, students learned about the climate, physical geography, and culture of polar regions. Each student then chose a polar animal – such as the walrus, polar bear, Arctic fox, or emperor penguin – to research in depth in the computer lab and through books and magazines in the classroom. During their culminating polar region performance, students sang several polar-themed songs and quizzed the audience with “Did You Know” facts. First-graders also made short movies, cartoons, and Pixie presentations highlighting facts about their polar animals, including news reports filmed in the polar regions through the magic of Langley’s green-screen technology.
its inhabitants. She also described some of her early experiences with animals and explained why she decided to travel to Tanzania in the 1960s to study wild chimpanzees. During the assembly, students of all ages offered skits, songs, and presentations illustrating their awareness of environmental issues and their dedication to improving the health of the planet. Dr. Goodall praised Langley for our many green initiatives and was thrilled by the enthusiasm of our students.
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Langley Installs Solar Panels This spring, Langley launched a new green initiative to reduce our carbon footprint on the environment. Nearly 8,000 square feet of solar paneling was installed on the rooftops of three campus buildings which will help decrease our energy costs. This 60kW system will have an energy output of over 70,000 kWh per year. In addition to generating a greener form of energy, the solar panels will also serve as a learning tool for Langley students as they explore how solar power works and the many benefits it offers. An LED screen in the foyer of the Lower School building displays the energy generated by the panels in real-time.
campus
Guest Authors Inspire Students to Write Rob Buyea – author of the young adult book, Because of Mr. Terupt –
spent two days at Langley in February talking with students in grades 5-8 about the writing process and how he got started as an author. Students read his book during language arts classes and advisory time. Mr. Buyea, who also works as a high school biology teacher and wrestling coach in Massachusetts, discussed the ethical dilemma posed in his story, explained the motivation for the characters, and read portions from his newest book, the sequel to Because of Mr. Terupt entitled Mr. Terupt Falls Again, which is to be released this fall. In April, Langley welcomed Norton Juster, author of The Phantom Tollbooth, to campus. Since the Middle School performed the musical version of Mr. Juster’s popular children’s book in March, our students were thrilled to meet this acclaimed author in person. At an assembly for grades 3-8, Mr. Juster talked about his life, how he began his career as an author, and the process of working with illustrators to create a finished product. He also told students about some of his other books and shared details about creating The Phantom Tollbooth, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Since Mr. Juster was unable to attend Langley’s production of The Phantom Tollbooth in March, members of the cast performed the song, “Subtraction Stew,” for him during the assembly.
Norton Juster pictured with cast members from Langley’s production of The Phantom Tollbooth and Librarian Jan Silvano (kneeling far left).
Fourth-Grade Project Focuses on Malaria Prevention As part of their study of the continent of Africa, Langley fourth-graders helped prevent malaria by making colorful bracelets, necklaces, and key chains which were sold at Langley’s school store. Students raised nearly $600 which was donated to Nothing But Nets, a global grassroots campaign to raise awareness and funding to fight malaria by providing $10 bed netting to communities affected by malaria.
Happenings
Langley Celebrates Language Diversity Langley’s World Languages Department hosted an all-school assembly in March which focused on the benefits of learning another language and the many languages spoken right here at Langley, with the goal of inspiring students to value their language background and to keep up their hard work studying Spanish, French, or Chinese in class. During the assembly, teachers shared the results of a recent survey which asked students to indicate which languages they speak.The results showed the true diversity of our school community. In total, Langley students speak more than 25 different languages, with nearly half of them using a language other than, or in addition to, English with a family member. The assembly also featured recorded interviews with three professionals who use multiple languages in their professional and personal lives, as well as video clips of our own students speaking a variety of languages.
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campus
Happenings
Third-Graders Present Unique Colonial Play Dr. Seuss and some of his famous characters made a visit to Colonial America during the third grade’s creative Colonial play on March 2. Students told the story of the early Colonists, their reaction to King George’s taxes, and the Boston Tea Party up through the start of the American Revolution in rhyming verse in the style of Dr. Seuss. “We wanted to integrate some elements of literature into our production this year,” says grade 3 teacher Jo Bouldin, who came up with the creative idea and wrote the play in Seuss-like verse. To help prepare them
to retell the Colonial story as Dr. Seuss would have, students read a range of Dr. Seuss stories, engaged in wordplay activities, and explored some of the topics Theodor Geisel’s stories addressed, such as pollution, politics, war, racism, and integrity. The play featured traditional Colonial characters in costume side-by-side with Dr. Seuss favorites such as Thing 1,Thing 2, and the Lorax. Each student had a rhyming line in the 54-verse production which also included creative scenery and several Colonial songs.
Primary Schoolers Celebrate the USA On February 24, Primary School students shared their knowledge of America during their Spiral Unit Celebration. Each winter, our preschool, junior kindergarten, and kindergarten students take part in a monthlong spiral unit with a theme that is integrated into their homeroom, music, art, Spanish, physical education, library, and technology classes through developmentally appropriate lessons and activities. This year’s theme was the USA, so each class studied a different region of the country. During the Spiral Unit Celebration, students presented a musical performance, with each class singing songs from the region they studied as well as classic American tunes such as “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” and “Grand Old Flag.”
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Students and parents also enjoyed browsing the “museum” in the Café which featured special USA-themed student artwork and activities for all to enjoy. Each class created an activity station related to the region they studied. For example, preschoolers shared a game matching wildlife to the areas in which they live, while some of the kindergartners organized a station for students to decorate their own compasses. Students could also make their own teepees and Mardi Gras bead necklaces courtesy of the JK class. Another kindergarten class, which studied the Northeast states, set up stations for making liberty bells and digging for Massachusetts sea creatures in a bucket of sand.
campus
Happenings
Former U.N. Ambassador Visits Langley Students in grades 4-8 attended a special assembly on May 7 with Ambassador Sichan Siv who shared his inspirational journey that led him from the killing fields of Cambodia to the White House. After being captured and forced to perform slave labor by Khmer Rouge Communists in his native Cambodia, Ambassador Siv narrowly escaped in 1976 and came to America. While living in Connecticut and New York, he worked as an apple picker and a taxi driver and earned a degree from Columbia University before moving to Washington where he became the first native Asian aide to a U.S. President under President George H.W. Bush. From 1989-1993,
Ambassador Siv served as deputy assistant secretary of state for South Asia. In 2001, he was appointed ambassador to the United Nations, a position he held for five years. During this time, he played a key role in bringing attention to human rights issues. Ambassador Siv chronicles his remarkable story of hardship and courage in his best-selling autobiography, Golden Bones: An Extraordinary Journey from Hell in Cambodia to a New Life in America. This special visit was arranged by Langley parent Dan Nichols, who worked with Ambassador Siv at the White House and whose son is in Ms. Lim’s fourth-grade class at Langley. Also a native of Cambodia, Ms. Lim hosted a lunch with the
Grade 2 Flea Market Raises Nearly $800 In May, Langley second-graders held their annual Flea Market, a service learning project that serves as the culmination of their study of money and allows them to use a variety of math skills. Secondgraders and their families donated gently used books, games, puzzles, toys, and stuffed animals along with freshly made baked goods.The students then sorted, priced, and sold these items to students who visited the Flea Market. Second-graders gained valuable experience as they added up totals and made correct change for Flea Market patrons throughout the morning.This year, the Flea Market raised $797 for the World Wildlife Fund, a charity chosen by the second grade.
L to R: Grade 4 teacher Thida Lim, Ambassador Siv, Head of School Doris Cottam, Langley student Arthur Nichols, and Langley parent Dan Nichols who organized the visit.
Ambassador and her students prior to the assembly which featured Cambodian décor and a traditional dessert of plantains and tapioca in coconut milk. “It was wonderful to have Ambassador Siv here to discuss his life story during Asian/Pa-
cific American Heritage Month,” says Ms. Lim. “He is indeed a leader and a trailblazer in the Asian American community and inspired us all to believe in the power of a dream.”
Students Earn Language Awards Students in grades 6-8 who participated in the national French contest, “Le Grand Concours,” earned 19 national awards, including two gold and three bronze medals. The exam tested students in the areas of listening and reading comprehension, grammar, and cultural issues. Two eighthgraders, Bijan Alikhani and Cailin Frankland, were ranked first in the nation after earning a perfect score on the exam. To put this accomplishment into perspective, only 14 students nationwide received a first-place ranking. On the National Spanish Exam, which was taken by students in grades 7 and 8, Langley students earned a total of 24 national awards, including one gold, three silver, and five bronze medals, along with 15 honorable mentions. The online exam included reading, writing, and listening portions. the langley school experience
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Happenings Students Team Up for Field Day
Internet Founder Vinton Cerf Serves as Distinguished Speaker On May 24, Vinton G. Cerf, Google vice president and chief Internet evangelist, came to Langley as part of the school’s Distinguished Speaker Series. Dr. Cerf’s talk, entitled “Navigating the Internet’s Course,” was sponsored by The 1942 Society and was open to all members of the Langley community and the general public. Widely known as one of the “fathers of the Internet,” Dr. Cerf reviewed the historical roots of the Internet, summarized the ongoing, recent, and major changes to the system during 2012, and discussed the consequences of improved artificial intelligence, policy issues, and security/ safety risks. Looking to the future, he also shared an overview of the interplanetary extension of the Internet as well as plans for a robotic mission to the star Alpha Centauri. His informative and humorous talk was followed by a lively Q&A with attendees. Dr. Cerf is responsible for identifying new enabling technologies to support the development of advanced, Internet-based products and services from Google. He is also an active public face for Google in the Internet world. In December 1997, President Clinton presented the U.S. National Medal of Technology to Dr. Cerf and his colleague, Robert E. Kahn, for founding and developing the Internet. Special thanks to Langley’s 1942 Society for sponsoring this wonderful event and to Langley parents Rita Roy and Jon Merril for bringing Dr. Cerf to campus. L to R: Head of School Doris Cottam, 1942 Society Chair Katharine Powell, Jon Merril, Dr. Cerf, Advancement Committee Chair Rita Roy, and Director of Advancement Warren Sarasin.
On May 25, students in grades 1-8 joined together in teams for a day of outdoor activities during Langley’s annual Field Day. Made up of both Lower and Middle School students, each of the teams represented a different country and competed against other teams. Students ran, tossed, caught, and jumped their way through a rotation of many creative events. Kindergartners enjoyed their own special Field Day on April 27 which consisted of six activity stations, including a three-legged race, beach ball bounce, football toss, and beanbag toss.
2012-2013 PALS Executive Committee Announced The Parent Association of The Langley School (PALS) Selection Committee announced the new slate of PALS Executive Committee members for the 20122013 school year. These dedicated parents will lead the school’s volunteer efforts next year: Kit Stouffer, Chair Jennifer Graham, Chair-Elect Erin Seale, Past Chair Cathy Bernasek Beth Coakley Barbara Denton Annie Dussek Laura Friberg Val Harnisch Jodi McDermott We also thank the departing members of the 20112012 Executive Committee – Yvette Carlucci, Ginny Murphy, Katharine Powell, and Cindy Smith – for their leadership and devotion to Langley.
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campus
Sixth-Grade BardFest Showcases Shakespearean Drama Langley sixth-graders took part in the school’s eighth annual BardFest, a Shakespearean festival and recitation contest, on June 1. As the culmination of their unit on Shakespeare, students took to the stage as famous Shakespearean characters in a series of group and individual performances. Students worked in small groups – each led by two student directors – to re-enact famous scenes from Shakespeare’s play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” As a creative twist, they rewrote each scene in a time and place of their choice. On June 1, they performed these altered scenes, complete with a few sword fights and creative costumes. Thirteen students also participated in
an optional recitation assignment, reciting monologues from memory from a variety of Shakespeare’s most famous works. Former language arts teacher Mark Robbins, who passed away earlier this year, first developed the idea for BardFest eight years ago and it soon became a cherished sixth-grade tradition. Mr. Robbins encouraged his students to view the works of Shakespeare not just as great literature, but as drama to be experienced both as audience members and as performers.Through BardFest, his goal was to bring Shakespeare’s 500-year-old characters to life for today’s students. Langley was proud to continue this tradition in honor of Mr. Robbins this year.
Fifth Grade Plays Cricket Match The fifth-grade class held its annual Oxford-Cambridge cricket match on the athletic field on May 16, a muchanticipated Langley tradition begun by fifth-grade teacher Mark Loach a number of years ago. A recordbreaking 521 runs were scored as many batsman attacked the bowling. Following afternoon tea, Cambridge went about the task of reaching the mammoth target of 202 runs to win. In addition to having fun and learning about another culture’s traditions, the game of cricket promotes our school values of citizenship, honesty, trust, kindness, and respect.
Happenings
2012-2013 Board of Trustees The slate of Langley’s Board of Trustees for the 20122013 school year has been appointed and includes three new members: Jeff Hsu, Joel Kallett, and Kerry Moody. In addition, Lee Carol Cook, Susan DeMarco, and Fred Singer were appointed to a second three-year term. For full biographies of all Board members, visit www. langleyschool.org.
2012-2013 Board Members Jamie Baker, Chair Jennifer Choi, Vice Chair & Treasurer Susan DeMarco, Secretary
Lee Carol Cook Christa Davidson Robert Denton Steve Dussek Richard Ewing Jeff Hsu Joel Kallett Michael Mendler Kerry Moody Michelle Olson Geoff Pence Leslie Sarasin Fred Singer Spencer Stouffer Glenn Youngkin Joel Kanter, Trustee Emeritus Langley would like to thank outgoing Board members John Clarke and Rita Roy for their service and dedication to the school, and we welcome Richard Ewing back to the Board once again.
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graduation Class of 2012
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graduation
Class of 2012
Class of 2012 High School Choices Hammy Abu-Hamda* Mark Drew Ahari Sharifa Jasem Al-Budaiwi Bijan Pascal Alikhani Nicholas Bielamowicz* Hojun Augustine Boo* Blake Ashley Brackett Bryan Lawrence Calhoun Emily Rose Caplan Wyatt Child* Robinson Johnson Cook* Sophia Marie DeMarco Elena DeSanti* Tara Dilmaghani Sofia Zoran Dragacevac Olivia Michelle du Pont* Christopher Pratt Foley, Jr.* Cailin Frankland Blaine Thomas Green Justin Alexander Hisel Mia Kathrin Hsu* Kristin Patrice Joostema Saher Khan Ryan K. J. Klaff Mounir Laassili William Wyatt Lindsey* Yasemin Akin Losee* Philip Richard Mackey Cailin Duffy Mazan James Black McLeish IV Mitchell Mendler Scott Nicolas Murphy Alexander Gabriel Parseghian* Tara C. Prakash* Harrison Horwitz Pratt Liana Caye Krieger Ratner* Mary Tsion Retta* Zachary Christopher Seal* Deondra Iyana Thomas Lachlan Andrew Warrell
Junior Tennis Champions Center Flint Hill School Universal American School of Kuwait McLean High School McLean High School Bishop O’Connell High School James Madison High School Flint Hill School Maret School Langley High School Georgetown Day School Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School San Ramon Valley High School, California The Madeira School The Madeira School Georgetown Day School Georgetown Day School The Madeira School Georgetown Preparatory School Herndon High School Georgetown Day School The Madeira School Falls Church High School Mercersburg Academy, Pennsylvania James Madison High School The Potomac School Maret School St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Flint Hill School St. Andrew’s Episcopal School Flint Hill School Loomis Chaffee School, Connecticut The Potomac School Thomas Jefferson High School for Science & Technology Georgetown Day School The Bullis School Maret School Georgetown Preparatory School North Point High School Brighton Grammar, Australia
*Denotes that student has continually attended The Langley School since preschool or JK years
In addition to the schools listed at left, members of the Class of 2012 were also accepted at the following schools: Berkley Prep School (FL), Episcopal High School, HoltonArms School, Lakefield College School (Canada), Middleburg Acaemy, National Cathedral School, Oakcrest School, Paul VI Catholic High School, Sidwell Friends School, St. Andrew’s College (Canada), St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School, The Heights School, and Washington International School.
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graduation
Class of 2012
In Their Own Words
Langley’s Class of 2012 Shares Final Thoughts & Memories Sofia Dragacevac: “To me,
the Langley experience meant making friends and having fun while learning new things and trying my best. It has prepared me for the future by teaching me how to be a better leader and team player.”
Mia Hsu: “Langley was my
first ‘home.’ This school has given me more than I could have asked for. I have made friends and memories that I will always remember.”
Robinson Cook: “My Langley experience made me who I am. I have learned to always be honest both academically and in life. Langley has prepared me for the future by teaching me how to take responsibility for my own actions.”
Cailin Frankland:
“When I look back at my Langley experience, I think of a safe place. Langley has been a school where I can learn and explore, while being somewhere that feels like home.”
Blake Brackett: “Langley is
where I grew up. I learned important life lessons here that shaped me into the person I am today.”
Bryan Calhoun:
“At Langley, I learned that I can grow as a leader and then put my skills to use among others.”
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Liana Ratner: “Langley has
been my home away from home during my many years here. It’s the place where I grew up and became a better person.”
Lachlan Warrell:
“I came to Langley as a regular kid, and came out as a leader.”
Elena DeSanti: “Langley
has been a great place where I’ve learned so much and met so many great people. I’ve gained skills from how to write an essay to ways to deal with people. I have no doubt that the skills I’ve learned here will help me in my future.”
Kristin Joostema:
“Langley has been a safe home for me. I have grown so much here both as a person and academically. Langley has taught me to always try my best and push myself to become a better person.”
Scott Murphy: “Attending
Langley was a life-changing event for me. I learned many lessons including being respectful and never giving up.”
Mary Retta: “Langley gave
me the stepping stones to pave my way in the future, and for that I am grateful. I learned the lessons of hard work and time management and made lifelong friendships here.”
graduation
Class of 2012 Supports Gazebo Renovations
As their graduation gift to Langley, members of the Class of 2012 donated funds to refurbish the gazebo behind the Middle School. Students raised nearly $600 for this project which will enable the school to maintain the gazebo and ensure this gathering spot remains a tradition for future Middle School students.
2012 Class Reps Chosen
Congratulations to Kristin Joostema and Scott Murphy who were chosen as alumni representatives for the Class of 2012 by their peers. As class reps, Kristin and Scott will help their classmates stay connected to each other and the school. They also led the fundraising efforts throughout the year for the class gift to the school.
Class of 2012
My Favorite Langley Memory Is… “…walking into my first day of third grade as the ‘new’ student and immediately knowing that I was going to fit in.”
-Cailin Mazan “…Costa Rica and the adventures we had there, especially rafting.” -Harrison Pratt “…spending quality time with my classmates in Assateague at the end of this year.” -Sharifa Al-Budaiwi “…going on our end-of-the-year trip to Calleva in sixth grade.” -Tara Prakash “…making a fade-away shot in the eighth grade vs. faculty basketball game.The crowd went wild!” -Ryan Klaff “…walking into my first day of kindergarten. It was a perfect year.” -Olivia du Pont “…performing BardFest in sixth grade.” -Tara Dilmaghani “…arriving at Langley on my first day. Everyone was so kind and friendly.” -Blaine Green
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sports Spotlight
Basketball Teams Earn Four Top Finishes Girls’ Varsity
Final Record: 8-6 Final CAC Standing: Champion (west) CAC Tournament Result: Semifinals CAC All-Stars: Maya Blake, Allie Clarke, Allison Franke Coaches: Jim Gleason, Ryan Jefferson, Nick Saunders With solid wins over Westminster, Immanuel Christian, and Congressional in the regular season, Langley finished first in the CAC west division.The girls headed into the tournament with confidence, but were knocked out in the semifinals by Norwood despite holding a five-point lead with only three minutes remaining.
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Boys’ Varsity
Final Record: 6-8 Final CAC Standing: Third (west) CAC Tournament Result: Quarterfinals CAC All-Stars: Zach Seal, Chris Smalls Coaches: Jim Gleason, Ryan Jefferson, Nick Saunders The boys’ varsity team had several nice wins in the regular season over Immanuel Christian and Green Acres. But the highlight of their season was two solid non-conference victories over Montrose Christian which is known nationally as a top program. After beating Montrose by one point on their floor, Langley topped them a second time at home in a thrilling triple-overtime game.
Girls’ JV
Final Record: 12-0 Final CAC Standing: Champion CAC Tournament Result: Champion Coaches: Mary Dobmeier, Brent Locke The girls enjoyed an outstanding season in which they went undefeated and earned first place honors in the regular season and the CAC tournament. Langley won nearly every game by a margin of 20 points, only struggling against a very talented Westminster team who they beat by 10 points in the regular season. In the tournament finals, they faced Westminster again. After falling behind at the start, Langley rallied to take the title 22-10.
sports
Spotlight
Boys’ JV Basketball
Final Record: 11-1 Final CAC Standing: Second CAC Tournament Result: Champion Coaches: Mary Dobmeier, Derek Tenney In the regular season, our boys’ JV team notched an impressive 8-1 record, with their only loss coming in a one-point buzzer-beater to Woods Academy. They advanced to the tournament where they beat St. Patrick’s in a competitive semifinal game before squaring off with Woods once again in the final. Despite a rally from Woods to tie the game in the third quarter, Langley went on an 8-0 run and won the game by 10 points, earning the championship.
Spring Sports Recap Of the sports listed below, only girls’ softball is an official Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) sport with a season-ending tournament.
Girls’ Varsity Softball
Final Record: 7-0 Final CAC Standing: Champion CAC Tournament Result: Champion Coaches: Mary Dobmeier, Katie Hennessy After breezing through the regular season undefeated, the varsity team faced a tough Green Acres squad in the semifinals of the CAC tournament. Despite falling behind early, Langley came from behind to win 7-4. In the final, the girls easily topped Congressional 15-2 to take home the title.
Girls’ JV Softball
Langley Takes Top Honors at Track Meet On April 30, Langley hosted the annual Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) track and field meet on our athletic field. Students in grades 4-8 from eight area independent schools competed in the five-hour meet, including approximately 40 Langley students. In all, the meet featured 26 events, including the 80-meter sprint, 200-, 400-, and 600-meter races, several relays, shot put, and long jump. Langley coaches painted our turf field with track lanes for the races, used our long jump pit for the long jump event, and created an area at the back of the field for the shot put event.
Final Record: 6-0 Final CAC Standing: Champion CAC Tournament Result: Champion Coaches: Mary Dobmeier, Katie Hennessy
Langley won the meet overall with a total score of 317 points – almost tripling the score of the secondplace finisher, Immanuel Christian. This is Langley’s eighth CAC track and field title in the last 10 years.
For the first time, Langley formed a JV softball team for grades 5 and 6 due to increased interest in the sport. The girls played two very close games against Woods Academy to take the regular season championship, then beat Woods again in a thriller in the semifinals of the CAC tournament, 8-7. Langley won the tournament with a one-sided 10-1 victory over Congressional in the final. continued on page 14
Numerous Langley students took first- and second-place honors in their races, but eighth-grader Justin Hisel and seventh-grader Allie Clarke had the most outstanding performances of the day. Justin finished first in four races and Allie notched one second-place and three first-place finishes in her four races.
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sports
Spotlight
Langley Wins Sportsmanship Award In the spring, Langley received the 2011-2012 Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Sportsmanship Award. Voted on by all of the athletic directors in the nineschool CAC in which Langley
Boys’ Lacrosse
Final Record: 3-2 Coaches: Jim Gleason, Peter Daniels Langley enjoyed huge wins over rivals Woods Academy and Norwood, with a come-from-behind 5-3 victory against Norwood and a 10-4 victory against Woods. They also topped Trinity 9-8 in a sudden-death overtime game to close out their winning season.
Girls’ Lacrosse
Final Record: 1-3 Coaches: Nick Saunders, Hallyn Brewster Langley enjoyed a strong season despite tough losses to Norwood, Woods Academy, and Immanuel Christian School. The highlight was a dramatic 14-13 overtime victory against St. Patrick’s.
Boys’ Baseball
Final Record: 3-2 Coaches: Jim Gleason, Nick Saunders Although they only played five games this season, the boys’ baseball team swept the three-game series against Fourth Presbyterian for three solid wins. Their only losses came against Woods Academy and Norwood.
Tennis
Coaches: Ivan Mandic, Brent Locke In its second year, Langley’s coed tennis team practiced together and played four friendly matches against Potomac this spring which consisted of both singles and doubles. Congratulations to eighth-grader Hammy Abu-Hamda who was undefeated this season.
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competes, this prestigious award goes to the school whose student athletes and coaches best exemplify good sportsmanship before, during, and after all team sports throughout the year.
arts in Action
Middle Schoolers Present First-Ever Musical More than 1,260 people attended the Middle School musical, “The Phantom Tollbooth,” during its four-performance run in March. Both the Friday and Saturday night shows were sold out, with the other two performances nearly filled to capacity. Based on Norton Juster’s classic children’s book written in 1961, “The Phantom Tollbooth” marked the first time our Middle Schoolers performed
a musical on the Langley stage.The show included 15 musical numbers, the majority of which were solo, duet, or small group selections. Five of the numbers were performed by the entire ensemble, complete with choreographed dances. A live student pit orchestra accompanied each musical selection.The production included 73 cast, crew, and pit orchestra members in grades 6-8, making it the biggest Langley production ever.
“With the recent addition of our Middle School choir program, we felt it was time to have the students perform a musical,” said Director Kristy Nicolette, who noted that this experience will help prepare students for musical productions at the high school level. “This particular show was a nice way to begin because it offered an even balance between acting and singing.”
Music Honors & Awards During the weekend of May 4, Langley’s Middle School musicians traveled to Baltimore to compete in the Music in the Parks Festival. Our students earned the festival’s prestigious Esprit de Corps Award which is given to the school that displays the most courtesy, politeness, teamwork, and good behavior. In the competition, Langley’s Symphonic Band received a rating of “Excellent,” while the Jazz Band earned a “Good” rating. Congratulations to seventh-grader Philip Rozendaal, who received an individual medal for
outstanding soloist for his improvised jazz solo – an honor rarely given to Middle School students. For the first time, our seventh- and eighth-grade chorus also competed, winning first place in the Middle School Choir category and earning a “Good” rating. Earlier in the year, seventh-grader Emily Wallach earned first chair in the Virginia Band & Orchestra Director’s Association All-District Junior High Band, placing ahead of the 64 other trumpeters who auditioned.
the langley school experience
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arts in
Action Grades 1 & 2 Musical
Langley’s New Strings Program Continues to Grow
During their musical performance of “The Early Days of Disney” in May, students in grades 1 and 2 acted out short clips and sang classic songs from some of the all-time favorite movies from Disney’s first 30 years such as “Snow White,” “Cinderella,” “Alice in Wonderland,” “Peter Pan,” “Pinocchio,” and “Jungle Book.”
With the addition of a new strings class in the Middle School during 2011-2012, students in grades 6-8 have the opportunity to learn to play the violin, cello, or double bass. Led by music teacher Soo You, an accomplished musician with a doctoral degree in cello performance, Langley’s strings program is now an integral part of the music curriculum after its beginnings in 2010-2011 as an after-school enrichment class. As part of the sixth-grade arts rotation, every sixth-grader now takes one trimester of either violin or cello under Dr. You. In seventh Music Teacher Soo You and eighth grades, students have the option of continuing their study of strings during a trimester-long class that exposes them to each of the three primary stringed instruments – violin, cello, and double bass. For younger students who are interested in strings, Dr. You continues to offer an after-school enrichment class for grades 1-4 throughout the year.
Lower School Spring Concert
More than 150 students in grades 3-5 participated in the Lower School Spring Concert on May 17 which featured vocal and instrumental performances in a variety of musical genres, including folk, country, oldies, rock ‘n’ roll, and traditional marches.
Strings have become a popular addition to the music program, with students displaying their newfound talent during performances at Grandparents & Special Friends Day, the tree lighting, the secondgrade Native American play, the first- and secondgrade musical, and several assemblies this year. “Since all students participate in the band in grades 4 and 5, we thought sixth grade was an excellent time to introduce them to stringed instruments,” says Dr. You. “Because strings require a great deal of discipline and practice, learning to play these instruments helps build character and introduces students to new ways of expressing themselves.” During the 2012-2013 school year, Langley will add a cello choir class for grades 7 and 8 and will begin introducing strings to third-graders, with the goal of involving even more students in the strings program. In the coming years, Dr. You hopes to continue expanding the offerings to include a chamber orchestra and perhaps eventually a student symphony.
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Middle School Concerts
The Middle School Pops Concert in February featured an evening of Motown music, while the Spring Concert in April provided a sneak preview of the program our instrumental and vocal groups performed at a national music festival later in the spring.
arts in
Action
Fifth-Grade Musical Langley’s fifth-grade class presented the musical, “Harmony High,” on January 26. Featuring nine songs and high-energy choreography, the production was set in the early 1970s at a unique school where everyone sings all the time. During the 40-minute production, each student had the opportunity to sing, dance, and act on stage in different scenes.
Kindergarten Dinosaur Tale
Artist-in-Residence Program
Written by music teacher Sheila Malcolm, the kindergarten production of “A Delightfully Different Dinosaur Tale” featured 17 unique songs and dances and told the story of lost Triceratops babies who are adopted by a family of Stegosauruses.
Each year, Langley’s Fine Arts Department brings a professional arts expert to campus for several days of hands-on instruction with the seventh grade. Since our Middle Schoolers performed their first musical in March, this year’s artist-in-residence program focused on musical theater. Two musical theater experts from local theatre arts organization Imagination Stage worked with our seventh-graders for three days in April. During the workshops, students learned some basic musical theater techniques and learned songs, staging, and choreography from shows such as “Mulan,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” and “Striking Twelve.” The entire seventh grade performed “Fugue for Tinhorns” from “Guys and Dolls” at the Middle School assembly as the culmination of their musical theater experience.
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faculty Notes JK Teacher Emmy Bocek Announces Retirement the junior kindergarten classroom where she led Langley’s morning and afternoon program for 4-yearolds for more than a decade.
A
fter completing her 15th year at Langley, junior kindergarten teacher Emmy Bocek retired from teaching in June. Since joining Langley’s faculty in 1997, this beloved teacher became a fixture in the Primary School, guiding the early education of more than 530 students and building a strong and developmentally appropriate junior kindergarten program. “My goal as a teacher was always to make school fun,” says Mrs. Bocek. “If I could get my students to enjoy themselves, I knew they could learn anything.” Whether introducing electronic devices called Beebots to develop basic programming skills or using a mealworm project to help
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students learn the importance of responsibility, Mrs. Bocek created innovative lessons that engaged her students in the excitement of learning. An accounting major in college, Mrs. Bocek went on to work in that field for several years along with a stint on Capitol Hill before coming to the realization that teaching was her calling. After serving as an early education teacher in several area schools for 13 years and occasionally subbing at Langley, she enthusiastically accepted a fulltime position teaching Langley’s youngest students in the transitional preschool class in 1997. The following year, Mrs. Bocek moved to
“Langley has always had a strong JK program, but in the late 1990s it was more play-based with a developmentally slower pace than what we have now,” she says. “Through the years, I found that our students were becoming more advanced and were ready for a more challenging curriculum.” Always looking to best meet the changing needs of her students, Mrs. Bocek began adding new components to the program, such as handwriting and phonics, that would better prepare them for kindergarten. As the JK program became more robust, however, Mrs. Bocek found that Langley’s structure of separate morning and afternoon sessions, each three hours in length, seemed increasingly inadequate. Thanks to her foresight and urging, Langley rolled out an expanded JK program in fall 2010 which increased instructional time by almost two hours, providing students with a five-hour school day and an optional two-hour after-care program. This JK expansion – which better prepares students for the next step in their educational
faculty
Notes
for example, she learned to incorporate technology and more interactive activities into her daily lessons. “I always tried to put myself in my students’ shoes when I came up with a new project or activity,” she says. “Being constantly challenged to make a lesson more engaging made me a better teacher.” While much has changed during her 15 years at Langley – most notably the many new buildings that have arisen on campus – Mrs. Bocek notes that the school’s mission to put children first has never waivered. The outstanding caliber of teaching and the strong sense of nurturing at Langley haven’t changed since she first set foot on campus, she says, laughing that her JK classroom also remained virtually unchanged for the past 15 years. Langley held a retirement celebration for Mrs. Bocek in May. Pictured L to R: Primary School Head Leslie Hettinger, Mrs. Bocek, and Head of School Doris Cottam.
journey – is perhaps Mrs. Bocek’s most significant contribution during her tenure at Langley and the achievement of which she is most proud. A lifelong learner always looking for ways to enhance the JK experience, Mrs. Bocek grew as a teacher along with her students. In order to continue challenging 4-year-olds who were becoming increasingly tech-savvy,
“From the very first day I subbed at Langley in the early 1990s, I knew this was the place for me,” says Mrs. Bocek, who looks forward to enjoying retirement with her husband at their new home in South Carolina. “It was extremely rewarding to watch my students grow and mature as they progressed through the higher grade levels at Langley. Even as eighthgraders, each child still had that same kernel inside that I could see in them as 4-year-olds, and that is amazing.”
Mark Robbins Endowed Fund In February, Langley lost a beloved friend and educator when sixth-grade language arts teacher Mark Robbins passed away. This spring, the school established the Mark Robbins Memorial Endowed Faculty Fund for Humanities to honor his memory. As Mr. Robbins modeled lifelong learning for both his students and his colleagues, this fund will be awarded to a faculty member to further his or her professional growth in any of the humanities. Gifts in Mr. Robbins’ memory may be sent to the Advancement Office. For further information, contact Warren Sarasin at (703) 356-1920, ext. 885 or wsarasin@langleyschool.org.
As a permanent remembrance of Mr. Robbins, Langley installed a memorial bench in his honor on the Sherman Arts Center plaza last spring. the langley school experience
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langley in Depth
iPads Revolutionize Learning at Langley
W
hether used for business, entertainment, or education, the iPad has had a tremendous impact on our society, shaping us into a more globally connected, mobile world. Its portability, ease of use, and wide variety of apps make this device increasingly relevant across industries and age groups. With the goal of helping our students become active learners and innovators, Langley launched a 1:1 iPad pilot program during the 2011-2012 school year. Every eighth-grader received an iPad to use both at school and at home for the entire year, as did each
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eighth-grade faculty member. Langley’s kindergarten classes also began piloting the iPad last year on a smaller scale as students used the devices once a week to read e-books and play instructional games. “The iPad transformed how our students learn and made the learning process more engaging,” says iPad Program Manager Elena Meschieri. “Education is no longer just about what the teacher is offering. With the iPad and other mobile devices providing easy access to information, students are able to be more actively involved in each lesson.”
For example, when presenting a lesson on Spanish art, Mrs. Meschieri used to hand out several photos of Picasso’s artwork for her students to see. Now, with the iPad in hand, her students are able to instantly search online for artwork by countless Spanish painters as well as historical facts and photos of the painters themselves, enhancing the lesson and providing students with the opportunity to be more active participants in the learning experience. With nearly 60 apps installed on Langley’s iPads, teachers developed creative new projects using the device’s many tools and subject-specific apps. In their
langley
In Depth
sculpture class, students photographed themselves in various poses using their iPad which they used to create wire and plaster figures in motion. The Lab Timer app allowed students to time science labs, while the camera made it easy for each student to film his or her science experiments.
This is the learning style of the future and one that Langley must embrace in order to prepare our students to be active global participants.” -Doris Cottam, Head of School
In math, students used the ShowMe app to record screen shots of the steps they used to solve a problem, a powerful assessment tool for teachers. While reading e-books through Kindle in language arts class, students were able to easily highlight sections of the books and take notes on screen. In world languages, students improved pronunciation by recording themselves using the Voice Memo
In addition, the iPad revolutionized the eighth-grade public speaking class by allowing students to easily film their own speeches – a process that helped them identify their strengths and weaknesses. The Peek Clock app, which students used to time their speeches, also improved their ability to speak concisely. Band and guitar students used the Four Score app to read and make notations on electronic
app which they shared with their teachers as a way to monitor progress.
sheet music, the Tuner app to tune instruments, the Metronome app to keep time, and the Smart Guitar app to practice fingering exercises without having a guitar at home. Thanks to the iPad, many of Langley’s eighth-grade classrooms became virtually paperless. Students took and organized their notes with the Notability app, completed and submitted assignments electronically, and read e-books – all valuable skills that they will need as our society continues to move toward greener alternatives. The pilot program was such a success that Langley is expanding the use of iPads during the 2012-2013 school year to include all students and teachers in grades 6-8. In addition, all thirdgraders will have iPads to use in the classroom and each kindergarten class will have six iPads available for use. “Today’s students will be using mobile technology as they move to high school, college, and the business world,” says Head of School Doris Cottam. “When using devices like iPads, they are developing new ways of learning and of thinking about the world, along with an entirely new set of skills that previous generations may not have needed. This is the learning style of the future and one that Langley must embrace in order to prepare our students to be active global participants.”
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advancement Update
Building on a Foundation of Excellence The 70th Anniversary Campaign for The Langley School
T
he Langley School stands at the forefront of independent preschool to eighth grade education because of our capacity for identifying each child’s talents and passions, for removing boundaries that constrain potential, and for producing graduates whose love of learning and sense of community last for a lifetime. Yet new challenges, changing needs, and the realities of a dynamic world demand continuous improvement, innovation, and adaptation – in the campus and its facilities, in the faculty and their teaching methods,
and in the curriculum and overall educational program. An ongoing and increasing investment in both campus facilities and endowment is essential to Langley’s continued educational excellence and institutional strength. In setting the course to achieve our vision, Langley launched the Building on a Foundation of Excellence campaign. The $10 million effort focuses on key priorities established in the Developing 21st Century Learners strategic plan: enhancing the campus with the construction of a new Middle School and augmenting the endow-
ment in support of continued faculty excellence, new educational initiatives, and student financial aid. Of great priority is constructing the new Langley Middle School, an integral next step in enhancing the campus environment for outstanding teaching and learning. The new Middle School building will be a modern facility to enhance the Langley campus. Also critical is increasing the endowment. Continued investment in Langley’s people and programs is essential for the school’s
enduring excellence. This increase in our endowment will make the difference between simply sustaining educational programs and continuously enhancing them. This is an unprecedented effort by Langley and the timely achievement of both priorities is essential. We hope that you, if you have not done so already, will partner with us in this community-wide effort to fulfill our ambitious and exciting new vision and create a legacy for today’s students and generations to follow.
Campaign volunteers are continuing to reach out to members of the Langley community to discuss how you can support these key priorities. For additional information about the Building on a Foundation of Excellence campaign, contact Warren Sarasin, director of advancement, at (703) 356-1920, ext. 885 or wsarasin@langleyschool.org.
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advancement
Campaign Highlights • With the assistance of over
60 campaign volunteers, more than $7.8 million has been committed in cash and pledges in just 16 months toward the $10 million goal.
• To date, the Langley Board
of Trustees achieved 100 percent participation in the campaign; the Parents, Grandparents, and Friends Division surpassed 50 percent; and the Langley Family Division (faculty and staff ) exceeded 60 percent.
• Both the Alumni Division
and the Foundation and Corporations Division are ramping up for a strong fall 2012 fundraising effort.
Construction Highlights • Demolition of the existing
Middle School is scheduled for late summer.
• Modular classrooms will
be installed around Langley’s athletic field to house Middle School classes for 2012-2013 while construction is in progress.
• Construction of the new
Middle School will begin soon with a planned completion date of fall 2013.
Update
Keith Bogans ’95 Highlights Campaign Event On August 1, Langley alumni and current and former faculty/ staff gathered to say a final farewell to the Middle School building before it is demolished later this summer to make way for our new facility. Attendees were joined by alumnus Keith Bogans ’95, an NBA veteran who plays for the Brooklyn Nets. Keith, who is currently serving as the honorary chair of the National Alumni Division for Langley’s Building on a Foundation of Excellence campaign, shared how the school impacted him during seventh and eighth grades. “I didn’t come from the best place, so when I came to Langley, it really opened my eyes,” Keith said. “I love coming back here. I feel like I can never give enough to this place that gave me so much.” He also ran his second annual Keith Bogans Langley Summer Jam basketball camp at Langley for two weeks this summer. Keith is pictured above with Betty Brown, Langley’s former head of school.
Charitable Gift Planning:
The Langley School Legacy Society Langley offers The Legacy Society as one way to thank the valued donors who have made a gift for the future through planned and estate gifts. Membership in The Legacy Society is open to any individual who has made provisions for The Langley School through a variety of estate planning tools such as bequests in a will or trust, or other gift instruments such as annuities, charitable remainder trusts, life estate agreements, or gifts of life insurance. Donors who have included The Langley School in their estate plans should notify the Advancement Office. It’s the only way we will know about the gifts and be able to say “thank you.” Recognition of one gift may well inspire generosity in others. However, if a donor chooses to remain anonymous, be assured that we will honor those wishes. For more information on deferred giving, please contact Warren Sarasin, director of advancement, at (703) 356-1920, ext. 885 or visit the Support Langley section of www. langleyschool.org and select The Langley School Legacy Society.
the langley school experience
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advancement
Update
Spring Fundraiser Tops $210,000
Led by co-chairs Barbara Denton and Anne Wydler, Langley’s spring fundraiser, “A Night on Oahu’s North Shore,” surpassed all expectations and was a great success both as a fundraiser and a friend-raiser. Close to 300 members of the Langley community came together on Saturday, April 28 to celebrate and support the school during an evening featuring a cocktail reception, raffle baskets, a five-star dinner, and a live auction.
The generosity, commitment, and spirit of Langley’s many volunteers and supporters – parents, faculty, staff, grandparents, alumni, and friends – made for a recordbreaking event. Revenues topped $210,000 and will fund faculty professional development, student financial aid, and resources that greatly benefit the vitality of Langley’s academic, arts, and athletic programs.
Thank You to Our Sponsors Entertainment Sponsor Mr. and Mrs. Perry Williams Decorations & Centerpiece Sponsor Wydler Brothers Jewelry Raffle Sponsor Mr. and Mrs. Alan Dabbiere Signature Drink Sponsor Cassidy Turley and The Powell Family Wine Sponsor Mr. and Mrs. James Wolak
The Langley Fund Exceeds $645,000 Goal for 2011-2012 What an exciting year it has been for The Langley Fund! We raised approximately $655,000, with nearly 80 percent of our current parents participating. None of this would be possible, of course, without the incredible generosity of the entire Langley community. Contributions to The Langley Fund send a clear message to our students and faculty that this community is here to support their efforts to become 21st century learners and educators. The Langley Fund fills the crucial gap between tuition and the cost of a Langley education. Additionally, the fund helps enhance a variety of programs and resources such as the Middle School iPad program, overall technology infrastructure, and textbook purchases. Langley faculty and staff reached 100 percent participation in The Langley Fund at the start of the school year, with efforts
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led by teachers Mary Jordan and Megan Rounsaville, as did our Board of Trustees. Langley past parents, alumni, and grandparents also strongly supported the fund. The Langley School would like to thank this year’s parent co-chairs of The Langley Fund, Beth Watt and Spencer Stouffer, whose leadership allowed us to meet and exceed our monetary and participation goals. Katharine Powell, who chaired The 1942 Society this year, played a crucial role in securing a record number of leadership-level gifts, and we could not have surpassed our goal without her dedication and enthusiasm. Special thanks also to Advancement Committee Chair Rita Roy for helping guide the advancement team to these achievements.
alumni News Star Struck: Maggie Thompson ’08
A
alumni profile
s a young teenager, Maggie Thompson ’08 remembers looking up into a crystal clear night sky dotted with shining stars one evening and being mesmerized by the magnitude of the universe. Rather than simply gazing at the stars from her backyard, however, Maggie continued to follow her passion for astronomy and has now identified more than 30 previously undiscovered brown dwarf stars. Her journey as a young astronomer began several years ago when she and her family visited the California Institute of Technology’s Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, CA. “I saw a woman who worked there controlling the Mars rover, and I was hooked!” she says. Maggie returned home and immediately contacted some of the people she had met at the lab to see if she could take part in an internship. Soon after, she was offered a summer research assistant position at Cal Tech’s Infrared Processing and Analysis Center. During the summers of 2010 and 2011, following her sophomore and junior years of high school, Maggie worked at Cal Tech, assisting astrophysicists who were searching for brown dwarf stars using NASA’s Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE) satellite. “Brown dwarfs are the bridge between stars and planets,” says
Maggie. “Studying them helps scientists better distinguish the important differences that exist between these types of cosmic objects.” As she discovered, locating a brown dwarf is a complex process that involves a great deal of math and computer work. Because they are very cold, brown dwarfs are difficult to find with normal satellites or telescopes; scientists have only identified several hundred of them to date.The WISE satellite uses infrared technology, making it easier to find these unique stars.
Cal Tech mentor in the Astrophysical Journal. She also wrote a 20-page paper about her discoveries which she entered in the Intel Science Talent Search 2012 Research Competition, placing as a semifinalist out of several thousand submissions.
During her time at Cal Tech, Maggie spent countless hours running computer searches to study and graph the infrared data from the satellite in search of stars that could be classified as brown dwarfs. She looked at databases of hundreds of thousands of stars, planets, and galaxies and even had the chance to remotely control and view data from a giant telescope based in Hawaii. “For me, the most exciting part of the entire experience was actually finding my first brown dwarf after so many days of searching,” Maggie says. “I learned that scientific research takes a lot of patience. I went down a lot of dead ends, but that taught me to problem-solve and think more creatively.” Thanks to her internship, Maggie is now published in a scientific journal, co-authoring two papers about infrared brown dwarf findings with her
“I’ve been interested in science since my days at Langley,” says Maggie, who fondly recalls Mr. McKinney’s handson science classes. “I still remember many of the experiments Mr. McKinney had us do, including building boats, constructing a mini tennis ball launcher, and studying (and eating!) cicadas.” She also credits Mrs. Gustin for teaching her to take notes and be organized continued on page 28
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alumni
News Reunion: Class of 2008 Alumni from Langley’s Class of 2008 gathered in the Sherman Center Café on May 29 to reconnect and share memories before they move on to college in the fall. Pictured L to R: Jim Rosen, Nathaniel Chen, Aurian Darvishi, Marlana Barnard, Allison Pool, Erin Gistaro, Austin Campbell, Maggie Thompson, McKenzie Klein, Jenna Milstein, and Jamie Thompson.
Langley Class of 2008 Heads to College Congratulations to the members of Langley’s Class of 2008 who graduated from high school last spring and will be attending these top colleges and universities in the fall. Christine Appleby
Kenyon College
Connor Knutsen
Claire Abbadi
Middlebury College
Conservatory of Music
Marlana Barnard
Roanoke College
Margaret Lewis
University of Mary Washington
Peter Behm
American University
Delia Maresco
Virginia Tech
Tyler Brown
Santa Clara University
Claire McDonald
University of Richmond
Austin Campbell
Yale University
Marisa Messina
Stanford University
Nathaniel Chen
College of William & Mary
Jenna Milstein
College of William & Mary
Aurian Darvishi
University of Virginia
Brittany Jenkins-Murray
La Salle University
Brian DeMocker
University of Colorado-Boulder
Virginia O’Connor
Chapman University
Thomas Duffy
University of Colorado-Boulder
Kameel Omar
Bucknell University
Mollie Evans
Indiana University
Allison Pool
Colgate University
Nathan Gemmell
University of Virginia
James Rosen
Indiana University
Elizabeth Gentry
University of Kentucky
Victoria Schwehr
Clemson University
Geoffrey Gibson
University of Arizona
Bennett Silverman
Colorado College (Fall 2013)
Erin Gistaro
Muhlenberg College
Jamie Thompson
University of Virginia
Keon Hashemi
University of Pittsburgh
Maggie Thompson
Princeton University
Claire Kett
University of Mississippi
Julian Weiss
Wesleyan University
Andrew Klein
University of Pittsburgh
Jason Yang
Lehigh University
McKenzie Klein
Cornell University
Baldwin Wallace University
The above list includes students who attended Langley at some point between 1997 and 2008 for whom the school has college information.
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alumni
News
Class Notes To submit your notes and photos for publication, log on to the alumni section of www.langleyschool.org or e-mail sryan@langleyschool.org.
1974 John Weyl is working with troubled and homeless teens in Leesburg,VA.
Murphy, in April. Caitlyn joins big brothers Wyatt and Robert.Wyatt is excited to be entering Langley’s kindergarten class this fall.
1976
2001
Kitty (Weyl) Dove is mother to Caroline, 16, and William, 14.
Christopher Pascal graduated from the University of Richmond Law School last May.
1983 Jenny (Brown) Sheehan is still enjoying small town life in Vermont’s state capital, Montpelier, with her husband, Sean, and two children, Owen, 4, and Andy, 2. She has been a stay-at-home mom raising her boys for over four years, but continues to attend counseling trainings to keep her counseling license and play therapy certification current as she plans to return to child and family therapy one day when her children are older. Jenny recently wrote an article for a Vermont family organization where she volunteers much of her time.
2004 Laura Kanter graduated from the University of Southern California this spring. Jeffrey Schneider recently started a position as a research assistant at the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center. Jason Scott graduated cum laude from Loyola Marymount University. He earned his B.A. in both political science and screenwriting.
1991
2005
Brian Pence and his wife, Leigh, welcomed their third child, Caitlyn
Alex Kersten made the spring semester Dean’s List at Villanova University.
2006 After recently spending a semester abroad studying in Ireland, Allison Schneider worked at The Lab School in Washington, DC, this summer.
2007 Michael Duffy made the spring semester Dean’s List at Villanova University. Jeremy Owen made the Dean’s List this spring at Cornell University.
2008 Claire Abbadi graduated from Choate Rosemary Hall on June 3, 2012, along with classmate Bennett Silverman (pictured below). She will attend Middlebury College in the fall.
the langley school experience
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alumni
News Brian DeMocker ’08 Summits Denali Peak This summer, Brian DeMocker ’08 conquered Alaska’s 20,320-foot mountain, Denali (or Mt. McKinley). Denali is North America’s highest peak and due to its latitude, the air is thinner than on Mt. Everest, making it one of the more challenging climbs in the world. Generally speaking, only about 50 percent of those attempting the climb successfully summit the mountain. In fact, in Brian’s group of six climbers and two guides, only Brian, two other climbers, and one guide completed the 19-day climb to the summit. Brian and the other climbers carried 60-pound packs and pulled 40-pound sleds to 11,200 feet. After that point, they climbed using a “cache and carry” system, meaning they made camp, carried half of their gear to a higher elevation, descended back to camp to sleep,
then moved up to the next camp, returned for their gear, and carried it to the higher camp. They repeated this process until reaching the top, essentially climbing the upper mountain twice which built strength and allowed for acclimatization. Above 14,000 feet, the climbers ascended fixed lines and walked the razor ridge. High camp was located at 17,200 feet. Denali is known for hazardous conditions – earthquakes, adverse weather, and avalanches are common on the mountain – and Brian’s trip was no exception. Record snow in Alaska this year made the season a particularly dangerous one. While Brian was on the mountain, four climbers were swept into a crevasse by an avalanche. Brian made it up and back safely, with some amazing photos to share.
2008 Maggie Thompson, continued from page 25 in fifth grade, Mrs. Stube for giving her a love of art, and Mr. Robbins for developing her writing skills. “Academically, Langley prepared me very well. The small classes were great and I made some wonderful friends, including McKenzie Klein who has been my best friend since the start of kindergarten,” she adds. “The teachers had a wonderful balance between warmth and discipline which created a perfect learning environment for the students.” After Langley, Maggie went on to attend The Potomac School where she founded the school’s first science club – a group that meets weekly to conduct experiments, take science-related field trips, and tutor peers. Her stellar academic record, which includes AP Scholar and National Merit Semifinalist awards, earned her early acceptance into Princeton University this fall. At Princeton, Maggie plans to study astrophysics with the goal of obtaining a research and teaching position one day. “I would love to continue exploring the universe and hopefully help encourage more girls to get interested in science,” she says. “There’s so much out there yet to be discovered.”
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Peter Behm will be playing Division 1 soccer at American University this fall. Nathaniel Chen will spend his summer racing and working with a drifting team. In the fall, he plans to study accounting at the College of William & Mary. Aurian Darvishi, who took a European vacation this summer, will attend the University of Virginia in the fall where he plans to study biology and will be pre-med. Claire Kett will be attending the University of Mississippi in the fall. She was one of only 30 students accepted into the university’s Chinese language flagship program, an intensive Chinese language training program that includes
alumni
News
two summer sessions and a fifth-year internship in China. The program is designed for students to achieve proficiency in Chinese while pursuing an academic degree. Andrew Klein will be studying engineering at the University of Pittsburgh this fall. Connor Knutsen will attend Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music where he will major in vocal performance (opera). Delia Maresco is excited to attend Virginia Tech this fall where she will play on the school’s varsity soccer team. Delia started at Virginia Tech this summer to get a head start, and already loves classes, the soccer training, and college life. Jenna Milstein spent her summer working at Trader Joe’s and traveling to Israel. Brittany Jenkins-Murray received an athletic scholarship and will be playing Division 1 basketball at La Salle University in the fall. La Salle is part of the Atlantic 10 Conference and competes against schools including George Washington,Temple, and Virginia Commonwealth. Allison Pool, who was a Summer Studio counselor at Langley, also traveled to Turkey and Greece this summer. Bennett Silverman will attend Colorado College in the fall of 2013 after taking a gap year in New Zealand. While in New Zealand, he will participate in a semester-long National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) course as well as volunteer with World Wide Opportunities Organic Farming - New Zealand, an organization that promotes awareness of ecological farming practices by providing volunteers with the opportunity to live and learn on organic properties. Maggie Thompson plans to study astronomy and physics at Princeton University in the fall.
Returning to Their Roots The following alumni returned to Langley this summer to work as counselors, teachers, or staff for the school’s Summer Studio program and for the Keith Bogans ’95 basketball camp. Nathaniel Buchwald ’11 Maddie Foley ’06 Jillian Freedman ’10 Brittany Gleason ’01 Chelsea Gleason ’06 Courtney Gorrell ’00
2009 Albert Gordon recently won a gold medal at the 2nd annual Boston International Ballet competition as reported in a July issue of The McLean Connection newspaper. Albert has been studying at The Washington School of Ballet since he was 10 years old and has performed several major roles, including the Nutcracker prince in “The Nutcracker.”
2011 Hanna Powers, a rising sophomore at The Madeira School, was recently named as the youth ambassador for the Washington International Horse Show. As a youth ambassador, she will provide a younger perspective to the event management, assist in creating outreach
Michael Gorrell ’05 Nicole Johnson ’09 Caroline Klinedinst ’11 Allison Pool ’08 Monica Spafford ’10 Cooper Triggs ’05
programs for young riders in the area, and develop ideas for “Kid’s Day” at the show. Hanna will also be responsible for managing the Junior Committee, a group made up of students from schools around the DC metro area. She was featured in The McLean Connection newspaper this summer.
In Memoriam Stuart Lewis ’53 died February 13, 2012, after a valiant battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. He was a Langley parent from 1974 to 1990 and served on the school’s Board. He lived in McLean until the last year of his life when he moved to Hanover, NH, to be near his beloved granddaughter, Harper (daughter of Ethan Lewis ’87).
the langley school experience
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The Langley School 1411 Balls Hill Road McLean, VA 22101-3415 www.langleyschool.org (703) 356-1920
70th Birthday:
Help Langley Tell Our Story
The Langley School
This year marks Langley’s 70th anniversary and we’d like your help to tell the story of the school’s last 70 years. If you have artifacts of interest, including print, film, slideshows, or other items for our archives, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Langley’s Archival Assistant Missy McClelland at (703) 356-1920, ext. 830 or mmcclelland@langleyschool.org.
70
1942-2012
celebrating years
Every Child, Every Day