THE LAMP
VOLUME 4, NUMBER 1 Fall 2012
A
N e w s l e t t e r
f r o m
O l d f i e l d s
S c h o o l
Dear Alumnae, Parents, and Friends:
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here are many markers that indicate the extraordinary progress the School has made in the last four years. Some are quantitative, such as the fact that we have almost doubled our enrollment and moved from a huge projected deficit to a break-even budget. Some are captured in phrases like, “We are now raising annual funds in order to thrive; not simply to survive.” However, what I believe is the most significant marker reflecting our success is the time and creative energy that we can now put into programs that will make the School one of excellence. I became an educator because I love working with young people and enjoy seeing our students grow from Oldfields girls into successful young woman of whom we are all proud. My travels to visit alumnae all over the world have assured me that we have done our job well! We have also produced young women who are passionate about their time at their alma mater. I just returned from a trip to Bogota, Colombia and hosted a dinner of alumnae from the 1980s. I asked each to speak of what they remember about their Oldfields years and one literally could not get anything out because each time she tried to speak, she dissolved into tears of joy. Although I understand that development is a major part of my job and that my Board will partly judge my performance by my success in fundraising, what has always given me my kicks is the “day to day.” What has made Oldfields so successful over the years is its adherence to the mission. We are committed to maximizing the potential of each girl. I know that when I say this most people think of academic success. However, we seek to help our students achieve excellence in all areas of school life, including the arts, athletics, and riding. We also seek to enable students to become leaders at Oldfields and beyond. We have made one major change this year that has helped to facilitate that and at the same time has contributed to the feeling of family for which the School is known. When I was assistant head at Oldfields in the 1980s, seniors were given responsibilities as well as privileges. However, this commitment has faded over the years. This year, we are asking even more of the senior class as they are working in tandem with the dorm parents in order to run the dorms. The seniors meet regularly with the dorm parents to share their concerns and joys about the younger students in the dorm. The younger girls see the seniors as their “moms,” helping to tuck them in at night and being there when they are homesick or frustrated by a bad grade. Not only did we anoint the seniors as dorm leaders, we brought them back two days early and put them through a leadership training program. They have contributed a great deal to make this one of the best starts of School that I can remember. Their contributions as leaders have made School life better while simultaneously developing the leadership skills that will help them be successful in life. Sincerely,
Taylor Smith Head of School
INSIDE
EverTrue Keeps You Connected • New Courses • Alumnae Weekend Oldfields Welcomes New Faculty and Staff Members
EverTrue
Oldfields School Announces the Launch of EverTrue Application By Katie Ritter, Director of the Annual Fund Once upon a time, an Oldfields girl was dreaming…and in her dream, she was talking to her best friend from School. “I’m so busy!” she cried. “I barely have time to get to my personal email. I see other women’s updates to the Oldfields Magazine. When do they have time to write the School? I feel so out of the loop!” “I know!” her friend exclaimed. “And I’ve decided on a career change. I’d love to track down someone from Oldfields who’s in marketing. I think I’d trust her thoughts on it more than just some career placement agency. I have no idea if anybody in our class did that. I keep planning to call the Development Office, but I haven’t gotten around to it.” She sighed. “Same problem. No time! And when I’m at my computer, I’m working.” Suddenly a fairy godmother appeared in the dream, holding a wand in one hand and a Smartphone in the other. “Girls, girls! I hear your concerns! And it’s going to be so much easier than it used to be!” Both of the women looked at her, wondering what she meant. “Who are you?” they asked in surprise. “I’m the EverTrue Princess, and I’ve got the solution right here!” She held out her Smartphone. “See this little icon on my phone? It’s an app!” The girls waited.
“I know what an app is… something on your phone that gives you information about something. Or plays a game. But what’s that got to do with us?” asked the career-change alumna. “Well, this app is no game!” the fairy replied. “It’s a super-easy way to connect with Oldfields! Look—” she said, holding her phone. “All I have to do is touch it…put in my email address…” “Fairies get email?” “Don’t be anachronistic. We keep up!” the fairy snapped. “As I was saying…I put in my email address, and voila! I can search for Oldfields girls in my class, look for someone in another class who’s in, um, marketing,” she said pointedly, staring at the second woman, “or even enter Class Notes, see, right here!” The two women looked. Sure enough, the little icon on her phone had opened to a whole window on Oldfields. “I can see who’s coming to my reunion this spring? And get out of Kansas for a blissful weekend in beautiful green Glencoe?” one asked with delight. “I can network with other women in marketing who graduated from Oldfields?” said the other. “You betcha,” smiled the EverTrue princess. “And it doesn’t cost anything.”
“You know…an app!” the EverTrue Princess said testily.
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THE LAMP • Fall 2012
www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Meet the Designer of the Oldfields EverTrue App “So it’s kind of like Facebook—but easier, and just for those of us who went to Oldfields?” “Yep!” she glowed. “Now you’re getting it!” “We want it! How do we get it?!” they cried in unison. “Do you have to –um – wave your magic wand, or something?” The EverTrue Princess looked at them in horror. “Wave my wand? Heavens, no! That’s strictly for getting my housework done! No, you just go to the app store and get it for free.” She smiled at them and started to shimmer and disappear, but then she came back for a moment. “In fact, I’ll make it super easy. I’ll send you a link in an email. And I’ll put it on the Oldfields website.” The Oldfields alumnae looked at her happily. “We’re going to be in touch more often. I can post pictures while I’m waiting for a plane, for heaven’s sake. It’s going to be so easy,” said the first friend. “I swear, I love Oldfields more and more as I get older.” The EverTrue Princess was just a shimmer in the air now, but they could still hear her voice, clear as a bell. “I’ll keep an eye on things. Be ever true to that which you love! Once an Oldfields girl, always an Oldfields girl…and…say hello to my sister, the Sugarplum Fairy…” Then she was gone, and there was only the faintest sound of sheep baa-ing on the hill and birds in the trees twittering. “You think we should have told her that the Sugarplum Fairy is one of the girls?” said Kansas. “Nah. You don’t disappoint a fairy,” said her classmate. “And especially not before we get that email link for EverTrue!”
www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Meet Kate Bayer ’09, designer of the Oldfields EverTrue application. A senior Human Relations major at High Point University, Kate spent the summer interning for the Oldfields Development Office where she was able to assist with many projects such as developing interest videos, creating a presentation for the senior girls about the importance of giving back to the School, and of course, designing the EverTrue launch screen and homepage. Kate’s experience at Oldfields prepared her well for college life and for her internship. “The environment at Oldfields is very caring and the teachers are willing to give you that extra push to help you succeed, whether it’s in the classroom or on the sports field,” she says. “Oldfields helps you figure out who you are and gives you a lot of confidence.” This confidence was apparent in Kate’s work this summer as she skillfully tackled every task set before her. Excited to be able to give back to her alma mater through her internship, Kate hopes to encourage others to do the same. “In order to stay an active alumna, it’s not all about just writing a check every year,” she says. “There’s more than one way to give back to Oldfields and stay connected to the School.” We loved having Kate in the Development Office and are thrilled that her hard work is reflected in the Oldfields EverTrue application. THE LAMP • Fall 2012 3
New Courses By Ansley Smithwick, Academic Dean
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even new courses were added to the Oldfields curriculum this year. Maribeth Littlefield’s new course, “Topics in US History from 1945 to the Present,” is a senior history elective that “strives to demonstrate to students how major events in post-1945 America have molded the economic, political, and social fabric of our country today.” In an effort to help the students form their own views as young adults and thoughtful citizens of the world, they will be introduced to the uncertainties and paranoia of the Cold War era, the oppressive social codes of segregation and racism, the life-changing events of September 11, 2001, and the subsequent war on terror and its effect on the United States and the entire world. A wonderful addition to our faculty, Jill Kochanek, is teaching another senior history elective, “Introduction to Psychology,” where students will have the opportunity “to explore the physiological, psychological, social, and cognitive influences on behavior.” Students who have taken biology and chemistry may now take “Oceanography,” a new inquiryHaley ’14
Mary ’15 and Gabrielle ’16
With her senior English students, Jillian Bledsoe’s honors “Women in Literature” class will closely examine the role of women as characters in literature and as authors of fiction. Texts will include Shelley’s Frankenstein, Chopin’s The Awakening, Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaiden’s Tale, Til We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice by Laurie R. King, Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver, and Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. An honors section of English 10 has also been added to the English course offerings where the students study a variety of works of world literature. The students who took Mandarin I last year have the opportunity to continue their studies in Mandarin II. Ran “Sunny” Liu will introduce new grammatical structures and new vocabulary as well as some basic examples of Chinese literature such as fables and poems. The students will develop their conversational Chinese as well.
based science elective taught by Elizabeth “Beta” Eaton. Learning about the world’s oceans, the girls will study geological history, marine biodiversity and ecosystems, ocean currents, tides, weather patterns, and estuarine environments. Field trips have been planned each term to complement classroom study.
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In an effort to expose our youngest students to a variety of art electives, the 8th Grade Arts Wheel has been introduced. The students will take a term of visual arts, a term of dance, and a term of theatre. It is our hope that by having a “taste” of both visual and performing arts, the girls will be better positioned to decide which art electives they want to pursue in more depth throughout their tenure at Oldfields.
www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Hear Ye, Hear Ye! Green vs. White Showdown Each year, tuition and scholarships cover only about
the
Oldfields
annual fund
75%
of the operating cost of the School. The remainder must be asked of people who are grateful for Oldfields being in their life; alumnae, parents, grandparents, friends, and more. This year, The Oldfields Annual Fund must raise $765,000. Every gift counts…from $5 to $25 to $100 to $1,000 to $10,000. This year, for the first time, EVERY GIFT COUNTS… TOWARDS YOUR TEAM.
... support your true colors
GREENS AND WHITES WILL BE COMPETING FOR PARTICPATION POINTS.
Game on! To donate, please return the remittance envelope enclosed with your check/pledge or go to www.OldfieldsSchool.org and click on Support OS/Give Online.
SAVE THE DATE FOR ALUMNAE WEEKEND
If your class year ends in a “3” or an “8,” it is your REUNION YEAR.
April 26-28, 2013
TIME TO CELEBRATE! We look forward to
seeing YOU in April! Check the Alumnae Portal for all Alumnae Weekend details.
www.OldfieldsSchool.org
THE LAMP • Fall 2012
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OLDFIELDS WELCOMES NEW FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS Margo Chertock ’84 Margo Chertock, class of 1984, has returned to Oldfields and will be working in the Residential Life Department as a dorm parent in Carroll House. As a five-year senior, Margo was a rider, traveled to France for her May Program, sang in the a cappella group, and lived in Carroll House. A loyal member of the White Team, Margo is eager to share her love for the School with a new generation of Oldfields girls.
Carrie was troupe dance director for Dancemoves Studio, mentoring dancers of all ages. Carrie has taught for several studios in Maryland and worked as choreographer for high schools in Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties. Carrie enjoys teaching all styles of dance. Some of her former students can be seen dancing the stages of New York. Carrie has a loving husband, and two beautiful sons. She is proud to be on the faculty of Oldfields School and looks forward to a great year.
Carrie Hammond-Roemer
Allison Letourneau
Carrie HammondRoemer is a graduate of Baltimore School for the Arts and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual and Performing Arts from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. She has most recently completed her Masters of Arts in Teaching Dance from UMBC as well.
Allison Letourneau attended the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and received her M.A. in political science. While at UNH, Letourneau was a fiveyear member of the women’s track and cross country teams. As a Wildcat, Letourneau was a two-time New England Champion and America East Conference Champion in the 800m. She holds multiple school records. Most notably, Letourneau broke the 15year old UNH school record in the mile. Letourneau was a finalist for the UNH studentathlete of the year award, and represented the Wildcats at
Carrie is a certified dance instructor for grades K-12. She has studied under well-known performers such as Gregory Hines and Hinton Battle from Dreamgirls and Tap Dance Kid. She has studied at the EDGE Performing Arts Center in Los
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Angeles and also served as managing director of Common Ground Dance Company.
THE LAMP • Fall 2012
the NCAA DI Regionals, in the 1500m. A native of Nova Scotia, Letourneau qualified for the Canadian Olympic Trials in the 800m, 1500m, and 5000m, respectively. Letourneau was named to the America East Athletic Conference academic honor roll five years in a row and was a member of the national political science honor society. Furthermore, Letourneau was a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and served as an officer. Letourneau, having graduated from Berkshire School, is very familiar with the independent school lifestyle. At Berkshire, Letourneau was a five-time New England Champion and varsity captain in ice hockey, cross country, and track. Allison will serve as the assistant director of admission and the assistant coach for cross country and track. Jill Kochanek Originally from Pittsburgh, Jill comes to Oldfields School from Amherst College where she graduated with a degree in Law. Graduating with honors, Kochanek received the Robert Cover prize for distinguished legal scholarship and achievement. While at Amherst, Coach K was a four-year varsity starter on the Soccer
www.OldfieldsSchool.org
Team as well as a two-time captain. During her soccer career, Kochanek earned All-American and All-New England. Kochanek finished her soccer career, helping to lead her team to an undefeated NESCAC season, setting the record for the longest winning streak in program history, a NESCAC championship, and finally to the Elite 8 game of the NCAA tournament for Division III with a record of 20-0-1. Taking her love for academics and athletics with her to Oldfields School, Coach K is eager for the opportunity to further pursue these passions on the other side of the classroom and field as a teacher and coach. Ms. K aims to inspire an excitement for learning in both of these arenas, believing that the lessons learned in class and on the field can empower students and athletes in ways that extend far outside of the classroom, off the field, and long after Oldfields. Brian Vinyard Brian Vinyard attended the Community College of Baltimore County and the University of Baltimore. He is married to the wonderful Spanish teacher at Oldfields, Mrs. Mary McQuinn-Vinyard. They live on campus with their fun-loving daughter Charley who is set to graduate from OS in 2026. Brian has had the opportunity to teach graphic design at CCBC. “I wanted to teach
www.OldfieldsSchool.org
because I was so inspired by the teachers I had here. I looked up to them,” says Vinyard. His love of education and belief that it truly makes a difference has led him to Oldfields. An award-winning designer, Vinyard has unabashedly embraced his role as webmaster, balanced by creativity and a dry sense of humor. He relishes his opportunity to channel his talents for the higher purpose of learning, while also bringing about smiles. Mary Jo Kozel Mary Jo is originally from upstate New York. In spring 2012, she moved to Oldfields from Charlotte, North Carolina. Throughout most of her nursing career, she has focused on women's health care, including labor and delivery, operating room, and oncology. Mary Jo is excited to bring her passion for health and wellness to the Oldfields students. In her spare time, Mary Jo enjoys reading, cooking, and hiking with her husband, Doug. Ryan Kirk Ryan holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from Westminster College, which he earned in 2009, and a Master in the Studies of Law Degree from the
University of Pittsburgh. While perusing higher education, Ryan participated in the governance of various nonprofit organizations, which in turn sparked his interest in fundraising and development work. In the capacity of senior development officer, Ryan is responsible for the School’s planned giving program, as well as assisting in campaign prospecting. He was drawn to Oldfields by the supportive, family-like environment, and the commitment that each member of the community possesses for one another’s success. Katie Ritter Katie Ritter comes to Oldfields with over 20 years of project management experience in information technology, sales, and marketing, combined with a strong writing and arts background. Katie served as launch editor for The Zone Magazine and as concept designer and copyeditor for a business book, now on Amazon, among other work. She graduated from Swarthmore College as a Biology major and Studio Arts minor. As director of The Oldfields Annual Fund, Katie genuinely enjoys working with people and exploring best practices in fundraising. She has been married to her husband Mark for over 30 years and they have three grown sons.
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UPCOMING EVENTS November
O l d f i e l d s S c h oo l 1500 Glencoe Road Sparks Glencoe, MD 21152 PHONE: (410) 472-4800 FAX: (410) 472-3141 E-MAIL: BroaddusE@OldfieldsSchool.org FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/Oldfields.School Editor: Eliza Broaddus www.OldfieldsSchool.org
December January
2 Fall Play: Sometimes I Wake Up in the Middle of the Night at 7 p.m. 3 Fall Play: Sometimes I Wake Up in the Middle of the Night at 7 p.m. 4 Fall Play: Sometimes I Wake Up in the Middle of the Night at 2 p.m. 7 Fall Sports Awards 9 Concert Series: The Szyrner Brothers at 7 p.m. 12 Admission Open House 15-17 Term I Exams 17 Thanksgiving Break begins at 12 p.m. 27 Term II begins 4 New York City Gathering at 7 p.m. at The River Club 5 Greenwich, CT Gathering at 6:30 p.m. at the home of the Hendersons P’14 3-7 ecOSchool Week 7 Admission Open House 7 Concert Series: The Second Generation Bluegrass Band at 7 p.m. 18 Holiday Dinner 21 Winter Break begins at 1 p.m. 6 Winter Break ends at 7:30 p.m. 21 Admission Open House
NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 273 ANNAPOLIS, MD