Thank you to Chris Buccini ’90, Lathie Gannon, Chris Lee ’82, and Laura Reilly who are rotating off the Board of Trustees. Your time, dedication, wisdom, and creativity have made an incredible impact on the WFS community, and you will be missed.
Welcome to our new trustees!
Larry Van Meter is a lifelong member of Moorestown Monthly Meeting and served as the Head of Moorestown Friends School from 2001 to 2018. He also led Darrow School and the Forman Acton Educational Foundation, which supports college scholarships for disadvantaged youth in Salem, NJ. Larry’s early career included roles with the Vermont Department of Forests & Parks, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, and George School. He is actively involved in various educational and craftsmanship boards and is the interim board chair of Darrow School.
Meg Gehret Erskine ’83 has been a dedicated WFS class agent since 1989, and she has contributed to fundraising efforts through the Annual Fund and multiple Capital Campaigns. Meg has served on the WFS Board of Trustees and is involved with the ChristianaCare Council of Advisors as well as several community organizations. She has also been active in neighborhood and horticultural boards, as well as the Junior League of Wilmington. Meg’s four children, siblings, and parents also graduated from WFS.
Kelly Snyder O’Donnell ’93 has served on the WFS Strategic Planning Team and ASI committee for the past few years. She has experience teaching and coaching in schools in both Dallas and Washington, D.C., and lived in Cape Town for three years, focusing on group counseling for children. Kelly has two children who attend WFS, and in addition to supporting their activities, she participates in the DE Women Against Multiple Sclerosis committee.
Brian Fahey is an active member of Wilmington Monthly Meeting who coached and taught at Wilmington Friends School for over 30 years. He is the Head of West Chester Friends School and the father of two children, including a WFS graduate. Brian brings a wealth of experience in Quaker education and administration to his role.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
David Tennent, Clerk
Jennifer Brady, Vice Clerk
Robert W. Friz ‘86, Treasurer
Dorothy E. Rademaker, Secretary
Karen-Lee Brofee
William Chapman
Erin Brownlee Dell ‘89
Meg Gehret Erskine ‘83
Brian Fahey
Darryl Ford
Scott W. Gates ‘80
Richard D. Grier-Reynolds
Susan Janes-Johnson
Susan Kelley
Vinay Maheshwari
Jacqueline Greenidge Nix
Kelly Snyder O’Donnell ‘93
Debbie Pittenger
Dwayne Redd
Larry Van Meter
Home and School Association
Board Liaison:
Amanda Singleton Hay ’95
Alumni Association Board Liaison:
Raymond Osbun ‘71
ALUMNI BOARD
Andy McEnroe ‘04,Clerk
Erin Bushnell ‘96
Stanita Clarke ‘06
Michael Dalton ‘05
Emily David Hershman ‘09
Raven Harris Diacou ‘06
Matt Lang ‘08
Jonathan Layton ‘86
Christopher Lee ‘82
Adrienne Monley ‘02
Katharine Lester Mowery ‘02
Raymond Osbun ‘71
Margeaux Pantano ‘16
Richie Rockwell ‘02
Thomas Scott ‘70
James Simon ‘60
Wyatt Thompson ’15
Martha Poorman Tschantz ‘85
ADMINISTRATION
Head of School: Kenneth Aldridge
Assistant to the Head of School: Lauryn Satterfield
Assistant Head for Academics: Eddie Gallagher
Director of Finance and Operations: ShaQuan Buffaloe
Interim Head of Lower School: Chris Loeffler ’00
Head of Middle School: Jonathan Huxtable
Head of Upper School: J. R. Neiswender
Director of Admissions and Financial Aid: Melissa Brown
Director of Communications and Strategic Marketing: Susan Morovati Finizio ’87
Director of Development: Chad O’Kane
Director of Equity, Justice, Community, and Engagement: Erica Childs
Photography: Thanks to Elisa Morris, Julia Forester ’00, Mary Woodward, the yearbook staff, and WFS Faculty & Staff for photo contributions. Staff photographers are Susan Morovati Finizio ‘87, Laura Kirk Kurz ’97, and Jake Myers. Cover photo by Elisa Morris.
Ken with 275th Coordinator Mike Benner at the April service day where our community packed 27,500 shelf-stable meals for the Food Bank of Delaware and greater Wilmington community!
A huge “thank you” to Mike who served as our 275th coordinator for the past two years. From planning our community-wide service day to booking celebrity visits to stuffing tickets into envelopes, none of the celebrations and projects would have been possible without him. We would never be able to list everything he has done to make our anniversary incredibly meaningful, but just know that he was a part of all of it!
As we enter our 276th year, I look back to last year’s anniversary of the founding of our school with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Like many years, the 2023-2024 school year was a testament to our community’s strength and enduring values that have guided us for almost three centuries!
This special anniversary was celebrated in both small and large ways, all leaving an indelible mark on our school’s history. This year, from our all-school Meeting for Worships to our 275th Anniversary Band and Choral Concert, we showcased our community and its talents and dedication to serving the greater community and the world beyond Wilmington Friends. The last 275 years would not have been possible without the generous support of our alumni and donors and the tireless efforts of our incredible faculty and staff.
Looking ahead, we have begun the process of an exciting physical transformation for our lower school. We are reimagining indoor and outdoor spaces for our youngest students, designing them to foster learning and creativity. Lower school students participated in the planning process, offering their imaginative ideas (rollercoasters and ziplines, to name a few!). Their enthusiasm was palpable, and we can’t wait to see (some) of their ideas come to life when construction begins during the 2025-2026 school year.
Along with these physical changes, we’re envisioning the future through a comprehensive strategic planning process. We have identified key focus areas and invite the greater community (that’s you!) to join us for our Community Design Day on September 14 where your ideas will help us design a roadmap for our continued success.
As I enter my 10th year as Head of Wilmington Friends, and my 35th year in Quaker education, I’m honored that the Board of Trustees has granted me a sabbatical for part of the upcoming academic year which will run from the end of October through early April. This opportunity for reflection and renewal is greatly appreciated, and I have complete confidence in our leadership team, including Jon Huxtable and Eddie Gallagher, who will serve as Co-Interim Heads of School during my time away from school.
The innovation and community that has defined our school for 275 years continue to propel us forward. Your support made this year, and the past 275, extraordinary, and for that, I extend my deepest gratitude.
In friendship,
Ken
Alumni News
Layton ’86
Andy McEnroe ’04
We are grateful to Jon Layton ’86 for his leadership and dedication as Alumni Board Clerk, and welcome Andy McEnroe ’04 as our new Clerk!
Dear Friends,
In my last letter as Alumni Board Clerk, I am happy to extend my sincere congratulations to the Class of 2024. We are pleased to welcome you to the alumni community and look forward to celebrating future milestones with you. I wish you all the best as you begin the next chapter after WFS.
It was a historic year at WFS as we celebrated the school’s 275th anniversary! I was once again honored to be part of such a special community. We celebrated successful athletic seasons, academic achievements, and service commitments. Thanks to your continued support, our Annual Fund raised over $1 million. As a result of your generosity, Friends will continue to offer strong programs in support of our Quaker values. Please check out the Annual Report, included in this edition, to read about all that we accomplished together.
I hope you can attend Homecoming on October 25-26, 2024. Each year during Homecoming, the Alumni Board is honored to recognize WFS alumni who are “letting their lives speak.” With this in mind, I am pleased to announce the 2024 Alumni Award Recipients:
Distinguished Alumna Award: Leslie Davis Guccione ’65
Outstanding Service Alumna Award: Carol Bancroft Morley ’68
Young Alumna Award: Stephanie Bonnes ’04
We will celebrate our honorees on Friday, October 25, 2024, during the All Alumni and True Blue Donor reception. This event has continued to grow each year, and it is a great opportunity to see the School and its many changes, catch up with old friends, and meet new ones. More details about Homecoming can be found on our website wilmingtonfriends.org/alumni/homecoming.
Thank you for your continued loyalty and support of Wilmington Friends School. I enjoyed serving as the Clerk of the Alumni Board for the past few years, and I am grateful to be part of such a wonderful community. Please join me in welcoming the new Clerk of the Alumni Board, Andy McEnroe ’04. Andy has served as the Vice Clerk for several years and is looking forward to continuing our strong traditions, rooted in Quaker values.
In Friendship, Jon Layton ’86 Alumni Board Clerk
Jon
Alumni Awards 2024
Distinguished Alumna of the Year
Leslie Davis Guccione ’65
Leslie Davis Guccione ’65, began her fundraising career with Wilmington’s Shipley Associates before moving to Boston, where she created award-winning appeals for nonprofits, including record-setting letters for Dana Farber Cancer Center’s Jimmy Fund. While raising three children, she launched a prolific career as a novelist, publishing 31 books in eight languages. Her young-adult novels feature deaf protagonists, and her middle-grade historical fiction, Come Morning, was inspired by research at Wilmington Friends School (WFS).
Leslie’s honors include state Teen Choice Awards and School Librarians International’s Best Books Selection. She also mentored writers for 14 years at Seton Hill University’s MFA program. Her volunteer service includes work at Boston’s Children’s Hospital, church altar guilds, junior sailing programs, and art associations. After her husband’s death from ALS, she returned to Delaware, where she supports ALS caregivers and is active in Christ Church’s outreach programs.
Leslie maintains a strong connection to WFS, organizing reunions, contributing to the Annual Fund, and being a member of the 1748 Planned Giving Society. Her literary achievements and dedication to community service make her a deserving recipient of the Distinguished Alumna of the Year award.
Young Alumna of the Year Stephanie Bonnes ’04
Dr. Stephanie Bonnes ’04, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of New Haven, has made significant contributions to understanding systemic inequality, particularly within the U.S. military. Her 2024 book, Hardship Duty, examines sexual harassment and discrimination in the military. She holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Colorado, Boulder, an M.A. in Political and International Studies from Rhodes University, and a B.A. in Sociology and History from Gettysburg College.
Dr. Bonnes has published numerous articles on gender inequality and workplace harassment, receiving multiple awards, including the "Scholarly Achievement Award" and the "New Scholar Award." She remains connected to WFS as a class agent and donor. Her dedication to social justice and equality, alongside her academic achievements, are outstanding qualities for this Young Alumna of the Year.
Outstanding Service Award
Carol Bancroft Morley ’68
Carol Bancroft Morley ’68 is recognized with the Outstanding Service Award for her contributions as a physical therapist and educator. She has worked at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, and Delaware Technical & Community College, where she was the Assistant Dean of Instruction until 2019.
Carol has actively served on boards including the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, United Cerebral Palsy and The Mary Campbell Center. She has volunteered with organizations including Family Promise and Lutheran Community services that highlight her commitment to preventing homelessness and food insecurity.
Carol has been a dedicated volunteer to WFS, serving as a class agent since 1981. Her colleagues praise her thoughtfulness and tireless commitment to service, and we are pleased to recognize her with the Outstanding Service Award.
Read more about each recipient here
Homecoming 2024
Friday, October 25, 2024
11:30am | 50th+ Reunion luncheon
3:00pm | Guided tours for luncheon guests
5:00pm | Alumni Games
Empowering Generations
Don’t miss this opportunity to help shape the future of Friends!
Community Design Day
September 14, 2024 from 9:30am to 1pm
Work with friends in the WFS community to create prototypes for the School’s Strategic Plan.
Lunch is included.
Stick around after for the 2pm game to watch WFS football play Dickinson High School!
6:30pm | All Alumni Reunion & Awards Reception and Empowering Generations: Strategic Vision for WFS
Saturday, October 26, 2024
8:00am | Homecoming Service Collection begins
8:30am | Smith McMillan 5K Run/Walk
10:00am | Meeting for Worship honoring faculty & staff with 15+ years at WFS
11:30am-2:00pm | Homecoming Lunch Tent Open
11:30am | Empowering Generations: Strategic Vision for WFS
12:00-2:00pm | Self-guided Tours
12:00-2:00pm | Kids’ Corner
2:30pm | Football & by LS/MS Band Half-Time Show
Evening | Reunions for Classes ending in 4 and 9
FROM THE ARCHIVES
Looking back at Friends School a Century Ago
by Terence Maguire, WFS Archivist
Much of an archivist's job is to sustain a strong connection between the living alumni and the School itself, sharing with them...
• pictures of themselves from kindergarten (if possible) to graduation;
• programs of band concerts, theater productions, and athletic games;
• pictures of the teachers and staff whom they valued and can recall;
• candids of themselves in the hallways, lunch lines, advisory activities, field trips.
So it is something of an indulgence on my part to spend time looking into the long past. Even then I can sometimes make connections with living alumni; for example, in the past year I emailed Dave Hillegas III '55 photos and write-ups regarding the baseball exploits of his father Dave, Jr, '23, and he seemed pleased to receive them. David '55 recently passed away.
Often, though, there is no particular connection to share. On a whim, I decided to scan the school catalogue of 1923-24, not even initially realizing, "Oh, wait! That's a century ago!" Then I thought it might be useful to share what I discovered about the Friends School of the early 1920s.
The first thing I noticed is that, for the first time in 44 years, the School dropped the term"Circular." The earliest such publication we have is eight pages, and apparently it was meant to be circulated and left in public places to enhance enrollment.
1923 was the first school year during which Charles Bush was Principal. Bush graduated from Friends' School in 1900 (it had an apostrophe then). After earning a degree at the relatively new University of Delaware, he went to a much older school, Oxford University, the first of six Friends School students to be Rhodes Scholars. Former students often join the faculty and staff --presently we have eleven--but Bush is the only alum to have been head of the School.
Much of the information reflected the previous school year, when there were 299 students enrolled: 82 in the high school, 102 in the intermediate, and 116 in the Primary. The class names were rather different from what they have been for many decades now. The Primary grades were H, G, F, and E, presumably what we would now call first to fourth grades. The Intermediate grades were D, C, B, and A (fifth through eighth
today). The level we would call freshman were in fact, "Juniors." Next came Lower Middle Class, Upper Middle Class, and finally, a familiar term: Seniors.
We learn details of the sliding scale for tuition, ranging from $125/year for Junior Primary to $250 for Seniors. The top rate 20 years earlier had been half that amount. The rate of increase had clearly quickened.
All the students from that previous year were listed. Many of the surnames are Quaker names very familiar for generations at Friends: Cooch, Kent, Marshall, Booker, Ellis, Eliason, Pyle, Reese, Hillegas, Henderer, Harper, Pennock, Rhoads. Another surname common in the years before 1923 was du Pont. Before that family created Tower Hill, many young du Ponts attended Friends. In 1923, Lammot du Pont Copeland graduated from Friends and eventually became the head of the du Pont Corporation (and reportedly the richest of all du Ponts).
There were no children of color and there would not be for another 30 years. Integrated education was extremely rare throughout the United States and unheard of in Delaware. Salesianum was the first secondary school to integrate, and Friends was the second.
Friends School was apparently very proud of being the first college preparatory school in Delaware, so the closing pages of catalogue/circulars for many years had been a listing of the many who received diplomas and in what year. The first graduates of our 275-year-old school were actually in 1883, two young woman who became teachers. In the portion of the catalogue dealing with "College Preparation," the many prestigious colleges to which Friends School students had matriculated are listed.
Pages 24-41 of the catalogue enumerate in great detail the course of study for Classes H through Senior year. There were four pathways to a Friends School diploma: Literary, Classical, Latin-Scientific, and Scientific, with different requirements for each. Courses such as chemistry and physics were available though not required of all students. English, history, mathematics, and foreign languages were required in every high school year. Trigonometry seems to have been the most challenging math class, but partially due to the near reverence with which math teacher Edith Hubbard was regarded, some students would have ten sessions each week in math classes. Latin, Greek, French, Spanish, and German were theoretically available for study, though the faculty listing (pp 4-7) does not indicate who taught all those languages.
One new element of the curriculum was Bible Study, with lectures and requirements. This is only the second time that Bible Study had been mentioned in these catalogues.
The grade system was certainly different from that of today. The best grade was E (for excellent), following by G (good), F (fair), P (poor) and VP (very poor). There was an Honor Roll, with students' names listed with how many of the six marking periods they achieved that distinction. Helen Holmes and Fred Wartenburg were the top scholars of the 1922-23 school year. Happily, they did not publish those who had done poorly, as was the case back in the late 19th C.
The school catalogue rather proudly shows off the team photos of Friends's first two girls' athletic teams, field hockey and basketball, as well as boys' basketball and soccer. "Physical training" had been important at Friends School for decades by this time, and new research by Charlie Donaghy '95 has found boys' team sports at Friends going back to 1888.
That physical training for Intermediate and High School levels consisted of two sessions per week--not much exercise for growing young bodies. The same was true of art, mechanical and free-hand drawing, taught by Mabel Penrod--and music, taught by Emma Baldwin. By contrast, the subjects of Spelling, Penmanship, and Expression each had three sessions/week, and Geography four. Memorization would seem to have been an important part of a Friends School education a century ago.
The catalogue also had a photo of the Fourth and West Meeting House (the same shot had been used for more than 30 years) and the "new" gym of 1907. As many circulars had shown in the past, this one had a few dozen children assembled around the school bus. Earlier versions had been that of a horse-drawn carriage. As catalogues had for more than a decade, this catalogue featured an 8.5 x 21" foldout of the school, taken with a wide-angle lens by the A. N. Sanford Co, which had also taken the team photos.
Friends School in 1923-24 occupied the entire block opposite the Meeting House at Fourth and West. The fold-out captures all the various additions to the school, outward and upward since that little building which is our logo--24 x 24 feet according to school lore.
In 1970, the old school building was demolished. Nothing has been done yet with that property. To look now at that space, from the vantage point of the Meeting House West Street door, one sees only the 1907 gym converted to condominium apartments, an empty lot, a bit of rubble.
Images from the 1923-24 WFS School Catalogue
Top: Fold-out rendering of the school building
Below, left: Class of 1923 graduation photo including Lammot DuPont Copeland.
Second row | Oliver Stanko, Kevin Dolan, Evan Jones, Molly Lavelle, Sarah Levenson, Declan Grubb, Jasmine Perkins, Andrew Huff, Pablo Charriez, Ava Tabron, Ellen Sicuranza, Violet Perloff, Jemima Smith, Chas Egoville, Frank Murphy, Eli Rahaim, Elliott Stanko, Angie Cochran, Ava Rubano, Payton Williams, and Drew Clothier.
Third row | Isabelle Bohner, Drew Huneycutt, Greta Pinter, Max Brown, Myles Johnson, Tyler Maheshwari, Chris Princilus, Quinn Green, Josh Weigand, Andrew McKenzie, Duncan Roskovensky, George Rossi, Mateo Niiler, Ethan Weiner, Jason Hughes, Esther Adebi, Mitchell Brenner, and Katie Bryan.
Back Row | Harrison Burns, Collier Zug, Steven Morris, John Ursomarso, Aidan Patterson, Logan Ranji, Devin Wallace, Tauson Biggs, Avery Gaines, Zac Antao, Jalen Stewart, Aaron Hockstein, Zae Turman, Hayden Land, Suga Sheed Bashir, Robbie Lohkamp, Jaxon Black, Nick Winchell, Tyler Wilmore, Dan Selekman, and Braden Shipp.
Congratulations Class of 2024!
Members of the class are listed below with future plans, service project/ agency, and senior exploration topics.
Esther Adebi
Carnegie Mellon University
Eyeball It!®
Stop Motion Animation
Zac Antao
Wake Forest University
Ronald McDonald House Golf Course Construction and Architecture
Joshua Ballou
Florida Institute of Technology
Faithful Friends Animal Society Fishing Techniques
Suga Sheed Bashir
IMG Tennis Academy
Dover Indoor Tennis True Cooking
Tauson Biggs
Bates College
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Music Making and Video Recording
Jaxon Black
Franklin & Marshall College
Global Works Spain Police Investigation
Isabelle Bohner
Washington College
Saint Anne's Episcopal Church Self Defense: Aikido
Mitchell Brenner
The University of Tampa
Brandywine Valley SPCA Orthopedic Surgery
Maxwell Brown
Boston University
QUEST El Paso Service Trip
Physical Therapy
Katie Bryan
William & Mary
Arden Craft Shop Museum Filming & Hiking
Harrison Burns
Lehigh University
The North Brandywine Swim League Corporate Litigation
Pablo Charriez
University of Delaware
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Storytelling
Drew Clothier
The University of Tennessee (Knoxville)
Global Works Spain Golf & Business
Angie Cochran
Coastal Carolina University Girl Scout Camp Line Dancing
Simran Dattani
University of Delaware
Novacare Rehabilitation
Physical Wellbeing
Ellie Dealy
University of Miami
QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip Boating
Kevin Dolan
Boston College
QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip
Physical Fitness & Health
Chas Egoville
University of Miami
Kennett Area Community Service Real Estate
Jamie Feldman
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ronald McDonald House Camping
Kaeden Fleming
University of Delaware
QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip Camping
Avery Gaines
Case Western Reserve University
QUEST El Paso & Dominican Republic Service Trips
Music Performance
Gracie Gaskell
University of Delaware
Food Bank of Delaware
Teaching Math
Quinn Green
Middlebury College
Camp Dudley Yoga Training
Declan Grubb
Lehigh University
The Riverview Friends Cemetery Camping
Zoë Hart-Moore
University of Delaware
Delaware Museum of Nature & Science
Learning the Art of Framing
Aaron Hockstein
Washington University in St. Louis
Lasagna Love Graphic Design
Andrew Huff
University of Delaware
QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip Gardening & Botany
Jason Hughes
Muhlenberg College
Rodney Street Tennis Playing Guitar
Drew Huneycutt
University of Delaware
Brandywine Valley SPCA Life on a Farm
Myles Johnson
Drexel University
QUEST El Paso & Dominican Republic Service Trips
Stick-Shift Driving
Evan Jones
Case Western Reserve University
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Electronics Construction
Rayan Kashif
University of Connecticut
Global Works Spain & QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip
Rock Climbing
Hayden Land
University of Delaware
Our Daily Bread Camping
Molly Lavelle
The University of Alabama Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Boating
Kendall Law
College of Charleston Horizons National Stick-Shift Driving
Sarah Levenson
Indiana University (Bloomington)
Our Closet in Your Neighborhood - JFCS Health and Fitness Trends
Robbie Lohkamp
University of Delaware
The First Tee (Delaware)
Golf Course Construction and Architecture
Tyler Maheshwari
Wake Forest University
QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip Leadership
Joey Mayer
Montclair State University
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Diving Unit Training
Andrew McKenzie
University of Richmond
Global Works Spain Civil Engineering
Maddie Miller
Northeastern University
QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip School Marketing
Grae Mooney-Doyle
Arcadia University
WFS camp
Tattoo Apprenticeship
Steven Morris
University of Georgia
Global Works Spain & QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip Fishing Techniques
Frank Murphy
University of Delaware
Center for Creative Arts
Photography Skills and Techniques
Mateo Niiler
Swarthmore College
Eco Team West Chester
Filming & Hiking
Ana Pardo
Tulane University of Louisiana
QUEST El Paso & Dominican Republic Service Trips
Writing about Holistic Nutrition and Wellness
Aidan Patterson
University of Pittsburgh
Global Works Spain
Korean Language Studies
Jasmine Perkins
Temple University
West End Neighborhood House
Violet Perloff
George Washington University
Brandywine Volleyball Club
Backpacking Overnight
Greta Pinter
Kenyon College
ACRA Summer Camp
Scrap Yarn Sweater Making
Christopher Princilus
University of Delaware
Our Daily Bread Self-Defense
Eli Rahaim
Purdue University JCC
Training for Running
Logan Ranji
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Family Court Chess
Duncan Roskovensky
University of Delaware
ACRA Community Summer Camp
Business Management Basics
George Rossi
University of Georgia
Global Works Spain Carpentry
Ava Rubano
University of Miami
Friendship House
Creating an Online Business
Abby Saliman
University of Florida
QUEST El Paso & Dominican Republic Service
Trips
Woodworking
Daniel Selekman
Rowan University
Renee’s Rescues
Athletic Training Skills
Braden Shipp
Franklin & Marshall College
QUEST El Paso Service Trip
Real World Banking
Ellen Sicuranza
Boston University
IVHQ
Wholefood Diet Challenge
Jemima Smith
Princeton University
Read Aloud Delaware Stop Motion Animation
Elliott Stanko
Erasmus University Rotterdam
ACRA summer camp
Identifying Native Species
Oliver Stanko
University College Utrecht
ACRA summer camp Creek Cleanup
Jalen Stewart
Howard University
Diamond State Aquatics Coaching
Liam Sullivan
University of Delaware
Ronald McDonald House Medicine & Patient Care
Ava Tabron
Delaware State University
WFS camp
New York Subway Transit System
Grace Terrell
Trinity College
Winterthur Museum
Half-Marathon Training
Zae Turman
Morehouse College
The Brothers Brunch
Media Exploration
John Ursomarso
American University
Christ Church Christiana Hundred
Art and Observational Drawing
Devin Wallace
Washington University in St. Louis
Tennis Rocks
Music Making and Video Recording
Josh Weigand
University of Georgia
QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip Cooking
Ethan Weiner
West Virginia University
QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip Coaching
Payton Williams
Louisiana State University
QUEST Dominican Republic Service Trip & Ronald McDonald House of Delaware Stick-Shift Driving
Tyler Wilmore
University of Delaware
Diamond State Aquatics Birdwatching & Photography
Nick Winchell
Hampden-Sydney College
QUEST El Paso & Dominican Republic Service Trips
Small Business
Tess Wolf
University of Virginia
Camp Woodland for Girls Thriftflips: Sewing for Style
Collier Zug Bowdoin College
First State Squash Skydiving
Tracey Quillen Carney ’80
Commencement Speaker and First Spouse of Delaware
Thank you, friends, for the privilege of being with you. I can think of only one occasion when the invitation to a podium has meant more, and that was when my Friends School classmates called on me to speak at Final Assembly in 1980 — 44 years ago for those too polite to do the math. Thank you — to Ken and the Administration, to David and the Board, to the faculty and staff, to Mike and everyone involved in the School’s 275th celebration, and most of all, thank you to the Class of 2024 and your families.
I had a chance to talk with some of the soon-to-be graduates, right before they headed off-campus for their senior projects. We laughed a lot; I learned a lot. And it struck me that they used the word “love” more than once, talking about people and experiences — including an affection, that admittedly had evolved, for Meeting for Worship. A number of themes came out of those conversations, and I suspect the classmates you called on to speak yesterday touched on some of them. Let me just name three of those themes.
First, kindness — kindness on a personal level and mutual respect as a force in defining culture. Acknowledging that there will always be “bad moments” in any group, one student said, “There are certain things we don’t have to worry about so much here, because there’s a standard for how we treat each other.” Other students talked about the essential support of friend and affinity groups, and how they can sit down and have a great conversation with pretty much every classmate. One senior wished that the lunch tables could be bigger so more people could sit together.
Second theme of our conversations — community. For all their multiple and varied interests, the students I met have a deep sense of connection to their classmates and their school. They talked about “collective experience,” with gratitude for the support that helped them balance all that is open to, and asked of, students here. One senior said, “Everyone contributes in different ways” — Business Meeting, clubs, committees, publications; editing, writing, art; performances and athletics. And the classmate who spent hours on the phone going over material before a test, in the hope that everyone could do well. And the senior who talked to a struggling freshman about how hard and how important it is to manage emotions and to say,“We’ve got your back.” And the classmates who contribute by un-titled example, by bringing people together in less formal ways — like playing UNO at the prom — and by what one senior described as exemplifying “an attitude of encouragement.” “It is sometimes competitive,” one student said, "but there are so many opportunities, it feels more collaborative.”
Class of 2024 Commencement Remarks (continued)
Third theme—passion with purpose. One faculty member said of this class that they are, “unapologetically who they are,” and the students echoed that. They talked about their fire and drive, their passion, their sense of declaring, “We are here.” They take pride in advocating for themselves, in working and navigating to “yes” after hearing “no”—sometimes after hearing “no” more than once. It’s the warning label on Quaker schools— this education will not shorten your conversations with your children. And as our seniors take pride in fiery determination, they also honor the classmate who stood up in Business Meeting when the discussion, quote, “seemed to be just a lot of talking going in circles, as happens sometimes.”
They told me how their classmate pulled off a kind of Quaker intervention, calling attention to the fact that a decision had been made and rather than questioning it over and over, it might be more useful to move on. Another senior grounded a different Business Meeting by asking simply, “What are we arguing about?”—reminding the group that arguing in itself was not their purpose.The class of 2024 is not just about passion; they are, as one said, “people who want to do a thing,” whether with the loud voice needed to herd groups for yearbook photos or quietly, in support of each other and a common cause. A value of kindness and mutual respect, an active sense of responsibility to community, passion with purpose—all, to my mind, hallmarks of leadership.
Over my three careers, I’ve had a chance to be around a lot of people in positions of leadership, and much of what I’ve learned resonates with what I heard about your experience here. I’m not talking just, or even primarily, about being around people in elective office. I’m talking about people who figure out how to make school nutrition programs work during a pandemic; who develop partnerships with new moms so they can trust that the home visitor is there to help and not to judge; who use data to convince skeptical employers that understanding trauma can make their businesses more profitable as well as more humane. I’m talking about leaders in education, like my college-president sister, visionaries in early childhood work, and a lot of people who work in Quaker schools. And I’m talking about young people, like so many students here and the foster care alumni I’ve worked with—the best advocates for themselves, their peers, and their younger selves.
Here’s where I end up—my reflective synthesis of what I heard from you and what I’ve experienced in the 44 years since I sat where you are—the people I consider to be leaders in the truest sense are practical idealists. They have their moments of pure advocacy, and they also recognize that pure ideals are more directions than destinations; there’s a reason we call it a moral compass and not a moral map. They might not all use Quaker lingo, but they understand the idea of getting to a “sense of the Meeting,” which has been described as a sense of the big picture containing a decision. These leaders don’t deny complexity or automatically define compromise as defeat. And they know that every interaction matters. Kindness and interpersonal respect, acted out in the hallways here or the hallways of Congress, push the world toward peace.
Arguing just to argue, unnecessary unkindness, slipping from righteousness to self-righteousness—a.k.a., passion without purpose—push the world toward conflict. When it comes to community, the best leadership is more about connection than hierarchy—a respect for all, with a little willingness to speak truth to power thrown in. That collaborative atmosphere our seniors have valued both reflects and expands opportunities. With mutual respect and a value of connection, you really can make the table bigger.
Finally, true leadership surely combines courage and humility. The kind of courage one senior attributed to this class—“to do and say what is needed.” And the humility to recognize that there is no such thing as the smartest or most important person in the room, that everyone has something unique and valuable to contribute. I think there’s a secret sauce — maybe implied but not explicit in those attributes of leadership— something that makes practical idealism work—self-awareness; or, in the SPICES lexicon, integrity—what ensures that we take our actions and make our decisions…on purpose. Whether you love Meeting for Worship or not, a few moments of reflection— taking the time to summon our higher brains and our better selves—is very often, and seldom not, a good idea. It’s essential to leadership to be honest with ourselves—about our strengths, motives, and, as you might see on a Friends School report card, “areas for growth.” It’s essential to be honest about both our values and what we can achieve in the moment. As frustrating as it can be, in order to keep moving forward, we sometimes have to settle for, as they said in the movie Argo, “the best bad idea we have.” Most often, if we work at it, we’re able to configure a satisfying Venn diagram of the practical and the ideal. And in that process, I think it’s ok to take a beat and celebrate progress when there’s still more work to do—exemplifying an attitude of encouragement.
And then, there are those precious moments when our work and decisions feel SO right, true to ourselves and touching infinity—as Jon Batiste said of satisfaction with a musical composition, when “it feels like you’ve heard it before, but it’s actually new.” Quakerly speaking, self-aware practical idealism gets things done in the world that is, while pushing toward the world that ought to be. “Live up to the light thou hast, and more will be granted you.”
Class of 2024, you’ve taken advantage of so many opportunities to be leaders in the best sense—opportunities opened thanks largely to people sitting out there and over there, and to the principles in practice at this School for 275 years. Be who you are, as who you are continues to learn and grow, reflect and deepen. Be who you are in this world where so much continues to be open to, and asked of, you. Share love and laughter and a sense of connection, with a value of kindness and respect toward all; build on your active sense of responsibility to the communities of which you are, and will be, a part; stoke your passion bonded to purpose in a way that pushes your lives and our world toward ideals like peace, community, and integrity. Live up to the Light you have, which has only begun to shine, and more will be given—not just to you, but to all of us.
Final Assembly 2024
Academic & Community Awards
The Charles W. Bush, Class of 1900, Award | Honors juniors who “most clearly demonstrate the School’s ideals of character, scholarship, and service” | Andrew Forman ‘25 and Greta Munch ‘25
Howard W. Starkweather, Jr., Class of 1944, Award | Recognizing students who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to community service | Jamie Feldman ‘24
John Marshall Mendinhall II, Class of 1939, Memorial Award | Recognizing the graduating senior considered to have done the most for Friends School | Pablo Charriez ‘24
Amanda Spackman Gehret, Class of 1951, Memorial Mathematics Award | Eli Rahaim ‘24
Eden Wales Freedman ’99 English Award | Jemima Smith ‘24
Jordan Wales ’97 History Award | Pablo Charriez ‘24
Robert P. Hukill, Class of 1949, Science Award | Gabriel Fletcher ‘25
Upper School World Language Award | Greta Munch ‘25
Wyeth Brothers Performing Arts Award | Isabelle Bohner ‘24 and Tyler Maheshwari ‘24
Wyeth Brothers Visual Arts Award | Duncan Roskovensky ‘24
At Final Assembly, we gathered to honor the Class of 2024, recognizing this year’s Malone Scholar, Maddie Miller ’24. Academic and Community Awards as well as Distinctive Service recognitions were given. Pablo Charriez ’24 and Avery Gaines ’24 gave remarks, as chosen by their classmates. Maddie Miller ’24, Duncan Roskovensky ’24, and Ava Tabron ’24 announced that the 2024 yearbook was dedicated to Rebecca Zug, outgoing Head of Upper School, and Maintenance Technician J.R. Rosado. Alumni Board member Emily David Hershman ’09 presented the class with their senior scroll, and we learned that Avery Gaines, Gracie Gaskell, and Maddie Miller are our 2024 alumni class agents!
Front Row | Greta Munch ’25, Eli Rahaim ’24, Collier Zug ’24, Isabelle Bohner ’24, Jemimah Smith ’24, and Duncan Roskovensky ’24. Back Row | Maddie Miller ’24, Gabriel Fletcher ’25, Pablo Charriez ’24, Tyler Maheshwari ’24, Ken Aldridge, Avery Gaines ’24, Andrew Forman ’25, and Jamie Feldman ’24.
Russell Bohner ‘84, Isabelle Bohner ’24, and Diane Bohner.
E.J. Dealy '91 and Ellie Dealy ’24. Pat Dolan, Kimberley Massih Dolan ‘89, Kevin Dolan ’24, and Molly Dolan ’26.
Kevin Grubb ’89, Declan Grubb ’24, and Amy Grubb. Jeff Hughes ‘79, Madison Hughes ’20, Jason Hughes ’24, and Jill Hughes.
Anostalgictimeforour alumni as their children graduate on the front lawn
Keith Law, Kendall Law ’24, Meredith Jones ‘00, Verity Joppa ’35, and Felicity Joppa ’31.
Nash Maheshwari ’27, Alexander Maheshwari ’31, Vinay Maheshwari, Tyler Maheshwari ’24, Sarah Schenck Maheshwari ‘91, and Jake Maheshwari ’27.
Andrés Pardo ’21, Jorge Pardo, Laura Jersild Pardo ‘90, and Ana Pardo ’24.
Grace Terrell ’24, Alison Terrell, Abigail Terrell ’27, and Matt Terrell ‘91.
Kristen Greene Ursomarso ‘86 and John Ursomarso ’24.
WFS 275th Spring Events
Thank You to the WFS Community for an incredible anniversary year! From hosting Bryan Stevenson to packaging 27,500 shelf-stable meals to performing original works at the Playhouse on Rodney Square, it was a celebration as unique as our school. Here are the highlights of our spring events. To view photos from throughout the year, scan the QR code or visit wilmingtonfriends.org.
SPORTS PANEL
Wilmington Friends School hosted its second 275th Anniversary Webinar series on Monday, April 8, titled “Leadership, Teamwork, and Quaker Values from the World of Sports,” featuring:
• Moderator Brian Curtis Mand ’90, New York Times bestselling author and Sports Illustrated contributor
• Moderator Artie Kempner, Director of Fox Sports coverage of NASCAR, 12-time Sports Emmy winner, and parent of WFS alums
• Dawn Aponte, Senior Vice President of the National Football League
• Mike Brey, the all-time winningest men’s basketball coach at the University of Notre Dame, former University of Delaware men’s basketball coach, and current Atlanta Hawks assistant coach
• Dan Radakovich, Athletic Director at the University of Miami and former Athletic Director at Clemson University and Georgia Tech
The panelists provided excellent insight on various topics, including the ever-changing landscape of college and professional sports; how the legalization of gambling might impact college and professional sports; Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), and how that currently impacts college student-athletes and will soon impact high school student-athletes; and why effective leadership and teamwork are so critical in the workplace.
27,500 MEALS!
We did it! Volunteers from the WFS community assembled 27,500 shelf-stable meals in just over two hours. On April 6, 2024, the culminating community service project for the 275th anniversary engaged students, parents, staff, alumni, and community members to package the meals for families throughout Delaware. We partnered with the Outreach Program which provided packaging supplies, packaging equipment, certified Food Safe Event Coordinators, and training for this assembly line-style event; WFS purchased all necessary meal ingredients. To ensure that the meals reached their intended recipients, we partnered with The Food Bank of Delaware for receipt and distribution.
QUAKERISM 101
WFS welcomed Drew Smith, the Executive Director of Friends Council on Education, to campus to lead a discussion among our community members titled “275 Years of Quaker Education: What’s it all about? Quakerism 101 for Parents.” He opened the conversation by speaking about his own experience as a practicing Quaker in Meeting for Worship and the discovery process that occurs when no one is talking over one another in Meeting; the origins of Quakerism and George Fox’s spiritual vision in 1652; and how Quaker education has been influencing the world for the past five decades, constantly trying to build “truth” that is reliable and finding the “light of God” in everyone. After this discussion, Drew asked those in attendance to study and reflect on the Quaker Testimonies: Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship (SPICES).
CHEERS TO 275 PARTY
On May 17, we held a birthday celebration commemorating the past 275 years of Wilmington Friends School and looking forward to all that's ahead. Guests gathered under a tent at lower school, watched our comemorative video, and took tours of the building. Delicious food and beverages along with live music and an ice cream truck rounded out the night! Thank you to Moore Brothers and alumnus Phil Montigney ‘07 for your donations, and thank you to the planning committee!
BLUE ROCKS CELEBRATION
On May 18, we headed out to the ball park to cheer on the Wilmington Blue Rocks! Families, faculty, staff, alumni , and friends were also treated to watching Ken throw out the ceremonial first pitch!
ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Bravo to all who performed in the275th Anniversary Band and Choral Concert at The Playhouse theater in downtown Wilmington, close to the School's original home at 4th and West. The concert featured commissioned pieces by composers Brian Cox and Jim Papoulis, performed by students in third through twelfth grade. Preschool through second grade students recorded a song together that was shown during the event.
EARLY ED CONFERENCE
For the final event of our 275th anniversary, WFS hosted a two-day workshop, in collaboration with the Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (deaeyc), focused on equity in early education. The conference was filled with workshops, resources, and activities for early years educators and young families designed to promote, create, and implement positive learning experiences for children ages 0-5. Special thanks to Delaware's First Spouse Tracey Quillen Carney ’80 for opening the conference and to Mr. Chazz and Laurie Berkner for engaging the audience on Saturday. Thank you also to the Nathan M. Clark Foundation for sponsoring the event!
Faculty & Staff News
Welcome to our new Head of Upper School, J.R. Neiswender!
J.R. comes to us from The New School in Fayetteville, Arkansas, where he served as Head of Upper School since 2020. Over his four years there, J.R. developed an interim term program consisting of 2-week experiential “mini” courses; created a seminar program for students with weekly sessions on topics such as wellness, study skills, and college counseling; and worked on setting up K-12 community group structures to facilitate better cross-divisional communication and understanding.
We’ve been busy!
Kathleen Martin and Rose Gnade from the WFS College Counseling office were presenters at the April 2024 Potomac Chesapeake Association of College Admissions Counseling (PCACAC) annual conference. Kathleen presented Defend the Rainbow: How to Support LGBTQIA+ Students and Colleagues in the Context of Recent Anti-LGBTQIA+ Legislation. Rose presented Not Just Study Abroad: What Counselors Need to Know About International Higher Education. Kathleen also serves as a board member of PCACAC and is chair of the counselor resource committee.
“I am most enthusiastic to return to Quaker education after a few years away. The way students, families, faculty, and staff come together to form a thoughtful and caring educational community has been a hallmark of my experience at two previous Quaker schools, and in my brief time getting to know members of the Wilmington Friends community, I was excited to find the same enthusiasm and energy for Quaker principles and the way those principles inform and govern the various elements of school life. I am extremely excited to get on campus and join the vibrant WFS community,” J.R. said.
With an A.B. degree in history from Princeton University and an M.A. from the Klingenstein Center at Teachers College at Columbia University, J.R. has had an extensive career in independent schools over the past 31 years, including 11 years at two Quaker schools: Friends School Baltimore in Baltimore, Maryland, and Abington Friends School in Abington, Pennsylvania.
J.R.’s appointment came after an extensive national search. Approximately 50 candidates applied for the position, the search committee interviewed eight semifinalists, and three finalists visited campus. During each two-day visit, various stakeholders––including faculty, staff, students, parents, administrators, and trustees––interviewed the candidates.
Thank you to outgoing Head of Upper School Rebecca Zug for all you have done for WFS! Since joining our community in 2010, Rebecca has brought energy and light to the upper school as a classroom teacher and leader. With Livy ’22 attending Harvard University and Collier ’24 graduating from WFS this May, Rebecca and her husband, Jim, plan to move to the Boston area to be closer to her mother.
WFS Teacher Publishes Book
Congratulations to lower school teacher Sia Willie who is a published author! Sia's book, Liberian Rice Bread, will be released in September.
Director of Equity, Justice, Community, and Engagement Erica Childs, Middle School Dean for Student Life Logan Goodwin, and Upper School Dean of Students Ildikó Miller earned certificates for participation in the “Restorative Practices for Educators” program run by the International Institute for Restorative Practices. From the description of this eight-hour course, "Building and strengthening relationships and community is a critical component of school culture. Restorative practices is an essential process for creating a positive learning environment, building social capital, and resolving relational issues.”
Chinese teacher Jianglin Shi presented at the Chinese Language Teacher Association annual conference in St. Louis. Her presentation, entitled Merge of Western Culture into Chinese Language Teaching: Practical Exploration in Chinese Teaching in Middle School, provided teachers with examples of how to meld real-world experiences like gardening, eating at restaurants, and traveling into the instruction and learning of the Chinese language.
Social science teacher John Hanson completed the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's “Geography and the Economy Teacher Training” certificate program. John also recently received the Joel Glazier Award - Middle School Category from the Jewish Federation of Delaware. The grant is awarded to an outstanding Delaware educator in grades 6-12 who has incorporated Holocaust education into their curriculum.
Retirements
KIMBERLEIGH TURNER
Kimberleigh started her teaching career as a kindergarten associate in 2006. The following year, she became a lead kindergarten teacher, working alongside a few kindergarten legends. Kimberleigh became a legend in her own right, collaborating with her team, expanding on and developing thematic units, and mentoring many grateful associate teachers. Interim Head of Lower School Chris Loeffler remarked, “One of my favorite sayings of the past few years is ‘Clear is kind’ from Brené Brown. If you didn’t know it, you might have thought that Brené created it after visiting Kimberleigh’s classroom. She understands the clarity and structure that young learners need, providing guidance and kindness every step of the way. Kimberleigh’s thoughtful questions, cheerful presence, and wonderful laugh will be greatly missed, but we are so appreciative of all that she has provided to our lower school community.” Thank you Kimberleigh!
After 25 years of teaching, including 13 years at Wilmington Friends, Diana Saunders has decided to retire at the end of this school year. In her time at the lower school, Diana has taught both fourth and fifth grades, including math, science, social studies, and language arts. Interim Head of Lower School Chris Loeffler said, “Diana’s love for math, and her tireless support of children made a positive impact on many lower school families. Diana’s love for Wilmington Friends School has always been apparent, as she has found ways to contribute to the life of the school outside of the classroom, including numerous flute performances at gatherings and in concerts. Recently, she was able to help bring a family friend, Senegalese drummer Papa Demba Samb, to the middle and lower school for an assembly and workshops tied to our curriculum.” Thank you Diana!
MONTY HARRIS
Since joining us in 2018, Monty has been a valuable member of our community, playing a pivotal role in refining our planned giving program and reinvigorating connections with our alumni network. Director of Development Chad O’Kane said, “His dedication and hard work have led to the successful closure of numerous major gifts and the establishment of new planned gifts, significantly bolstering our School's resources. Beyond his fundraising achievements, Monty has exemplified true teamwork and collaboration, readily assisting in various capacities, such as serving on committees and coordinating special projects like our 275thanniversary alumni panels and our 275th-anniversary service project.” Thank you Monty! (Monty, on the left, is pictured with middle school teacher John Hanson.)
A Moving Visit to Bryan Stevenson’s Equal Justice Initiative
WFS faculty and staff members (pictured left with Bryan Stevenson and WFS parent Ronald Berry) traveled to Bryan Stevenson's Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, on Juneteenth to attend the unveiling of Freedom Memorial Sculpture Park. This new park uses art to honor and remember the ten million Black Americans who were enslaved in America. During their stay in Montgomery, the group also visited The Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice. Founded by Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative, The Legacy Museum tells the story of slavery and violence in the United States; the museum details the transatlantic slave trade, the era of Jim Crow and racial terror lynchings, and our current mass incarceration crisis through interactive media, first-person narratives, and world-class art.
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice is the first memorial dedicated to the legacy of Black Americans who
were enslaved and terrorized by lynching. The memorial honors more than 4,400 black people who were killed in racial terror lynching between 1877 and 1950; their names are engraved on more than 800 steel monuments, representing each county where a racial terror lynching occurred.
Reflecting on their trip, WFS Director of Equity, Justice, Community, and Engagement Erica Childs stated, “Experiencing the unveiling of the Freedom Memorial Sculpture Park on Juneteenth with Bryan Stevenson and upwards of 1,000 people was probably the most impactful moment for all of us. However, the combination of all of the legacy sites, panels, film screenings, and the concert finale were transformative experiences for all of us that sparked deep emotions and a renewed commitment to action. Over the summer and into the school year, we will continue to explore ways to share this experience with our colleagues and to incorporate what we've learned in our classrooms.”
DIANA SAUNDERS
School News
1. Fourth Graders Deliver TED Talks
Fourth grade students inspired and amazed with their passion for learning when they recently presented their TED Talks. These persuasive speeches explored the wonders of science and discussed social issues, and each presentation ignited curiosity and sparked meaningful conversations! Topics ranged from pollution to why students shouldn't have homework.
2. Lower School Students Utilize Compost Soil
The lower school recently received soil from WasteWell, a local company that collects the lower school's compost. Students used the soil to repot classroom plants and also contributed soil to the school garden.
3. Environmental Science Students Build Algae Farms
Upper school environmental science students built model carbon capture algae farms as part of their study of climate change mitigation. They developed ways to measure algae growth using microscopes and a spectrophotometer.
WFS students got to see science in action with this spring’s partial solar eclipse in Wilmington! Students received special glasses and were amazed once the clouds parted to see the moon blocking the sun.
4. Middle School Students Contribute to Delaware Libraries Magazine
Congratulations to eighth graders Maya Dobson, Lindsey Forman, Cooper Miller, Victor Montejo, Levi Sawdon, and Sofia Velastegui-Fratticci who contributed to IMAZINE 2023, the annual Delaware Libraries teen literary and artistic magazine!
5. Seventh Graders Prepare Supplies for Refugees
WFS seventh graders traveled to Material Resource Centers in Ephrata and Souderton, Pennsylvania, operated by the Mennonite Central Committee. Each of these locations focuses on providing school and hygiene kits, canned food, and other resources for refugees and displaced people across the world. Students helped prepare supplies for refugees including sorting care packages and helping assemble quilts.
6. Third Graders Meet with National Park Rangers
Third graders kicked off their U.S. National Park unit with a Zoom with rangers from Zion National Park in Utah! They learned about Zion's three ecosystems: desert, wetlands, and forest, and about the different relationships among animals and plants that live in those ecosystems. They worked together to design a creature that could live in Zion and had the chance to ask questions about the park and being a ranger.
7. First Graders Make Muffins for Shelter with Elder Buddies
First graders worked with their Elder Buddies to make corn muffins, which were then donated to a local shelter!
8. Girls Who Code
The WFS Girls Who Code Club gives fifth grade girls the opportunity to explore their interest in programming while designing games in 2D and 3D environments including Scratch and CoSpaces. Students utilize their computer science skills across these different programming environments and learn in a whole new way!
9. IB HL Biology Experiments
Young scientists at work! Higher Level International Baccalaureate Biology students must complete an internal assessment that involves designing a research question and experiment, conducting the experiment, analyzing the data, and evaluating the results. Every student designs their experiment based on the lab skills they have learned over the past year and a half and the content covered in the course. Some of the experiments include factors that affect germination; yeast respiration using different sugars; food preservatives' impact on bacteria growth; enzyme concentrations for stain removal; hydrogen peroxide decomposition; food calorimetry; and many others.
10. Sixth Grade Service Day
Sixth graders spent time off campus for a morning of service activities in the local community. These trips included volunteering at the Food Bank of Delaware, Faithful Friends Animal Rescue, Rockland Place, Guardian Angels Daycare, and Alapocas State Park.
Beyond the Classroom
Though technically still on campus, walking to the middle/upper school to work in the garden is a pretty big trip for our preschoolers. Earlier in the year, they learned more about what is grown in the beds and the greenhouse and had the chance to transplant their own basil plants to take home.
Exploration beyond the walls of school gives our students an opportunity stretch, learn, think, and feel in different ways. With a multitude of cultural and innovative organizations in our area, there are many ways our students can venture out into the greater community.
Second graders visited Hagley Museum where they learned about children’s daily lives in the 1800s. Students dressed in period clothing and saw how the invention of a button hook made fastening buttons easier; learned that children in the 1800s did many chores, such as washing clothes with a washboard and tub, carrying water from the well to the house, sweeping floors, and washing and drying dishes in a dry sink; and were called to a one-room schoolhouse by a teacher ringing a bell where they used a quill and ink to write their names and letters of the alphabet.
The WFS fifth grade choir had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Brandywine Museum of Art and Fairville Friends School and share the pieces they have worked so hard on.
WFS upper school students participated in the annual Delaware Valley Regional Ethics Bowl competition at Villanova University. The event featured teams from schools in the Philadelphia region, and students prepared arguments that they presented and defended for 15 separate ethics cases.
Kindergarten students traveled to the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science and had a blast learning about the dryptosaurus (Delaware's dinosaur), seeing fossils, meeting a ball python, and more!
As part of their studies on Ancient Rome, sixth graders traveled to Philadelphia to the Penn Museum. They toured galleries; learned about the history of the Roman Empire; and practiced being archeologists, handling artifacts, writing down their observations, and guessing how the objects may have been used by ancient Romans.
Higher Level International Baccalaureate biology students visited the ChristianaCare Gene Editing Institute where they worked in the learning lab to perform a CRISPR experiment (a technology used for editing genes) and toured the gene editing lab.
Beyond the Classroom
Seventh grade Chinese students visited Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library to learn more about its Chinese wallpaper and book collection, helping the students gain valuable insight into Chinese history and culture.
The WFS Model UN Club sent a delegation of five students to the inaugural Tower Hill Model UN Conference. Temi Lufadeju '25, Tripp Young '25, Elizabeth Pisano ‘25, Payton Altland ‘25, and Maggie Royer ‘25 spent the day with peers from other local schools debating, writing resolutions, and voting on proposals regarding climate change and the feminization of poverty from the unique perspective of the countries they were assigned. Some of the delegation also participated in two different crisis committees designed to help students grapple with solving challenges as they arise in real time. Throughout the day, students presented their positions within the context of formal parliamentary procedures, worked in small groups within their committees, and learned how to build partnerships. This was the culmination of many weeks of preparation and Model UN club meetings throughout the year. For many students, it was their first Model UN experience, and they are excited for more!
The WFS tenth grade visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. as part of their continuing study of American History. Grouped by advisory, many students started in the history galleries on the lower levels while others began with visual arts on the top floor. Groups made their way through the museum, examining historical artifacts, experiencing multimedia presentations, viewing protest artwork, and delving into the rich and diverse experiences of Black Americans. Upon returning to school, students reflected on their experience in writing and class discussions. One common theme in their reflections was that the artifacts and interactive exhibits in the museum brought African American history to life in a way that reading about history could not. Several students noted that the museum highlighted Black joy and diversity, in addition to the challenges and legacies of racism. The exhibits on music, television, Emmett Till, and the military had a profound impact on students.
International Baccalaureate and Advanced Science classes visited Incyte labs to speak with chemists and biologists and learn more about the drug development process. Thank you to Scott Larsen, parent of Emma '25, for arranging the presentations and tours.
School TRIPS
ACADIA | WFS upper school students traveled to Acadia National Park in Maine with teachers Kelley Cox and Sara Woodward for a QUEST service learning trip in partnership with Earthwatch. For five days, students worked as real-life field scientists, helping researchers add to over 120 years of scientific data detailing how our reliance on fossil fuels affects Acadia National Park.
Students began their trip by learning about the research site and lab, research methods, species identification, and how to use various citizen science apps like iNaturalist and eBird. After this introduction, they began collecting intertidal and forest biodiversity data to see if species adapted to warming. They also recorded flowering shrubs, indicating when native shrubs important to migrating birds started to flower and bear fruit. Lastly, students hunted for crabs in the intertidal zone, counting the number of invasive green crabs and native Jonah crabs.
All of the information that students recorded will be used by researchers and park managers, hoping that this information will inspire management actions that will help safeguard this iconic National Park.
PANAMA | Teachers Courtney Miller, Lara Munch, and Rodri Saldana led 17 WFS upper school students on a trip to Panama as part of Vámonos Tours.
Congratulations!
WFS Mock Trial Awards
Students enjoyed their time with the indigenous people of the Emberá-Wounaan community. They helped community members clean Lake Gatún as the Emberá people are part of efforts to keep Panama free and clean from the trash and plastic that lands in the water. They also danced, played football, and ate a traditional lunch with the Emberá people. The Emberá community leader also remarked that, while interacting with many American groups, they had never seen a group who spoke Spanish as well as this group of WFS upper school students.
During their time in the San Blas Islands, WFS students were led by their tour guide, Toto. Toto introduced them to his family, the village leader, and took them to their village meeting space. Speaking in Guna, the village leader informed students about their traditional land, its importance to their community, and why they do not wish to move to housing on the mainland, for it is where they belong. WFS students also helped Toto paint a school with the children. Afterward, they swam together in a natural swimming pool in the Guna Yala Archipelago and played volleyball on the beach. The archipelago consists of 365 islands, of which only 49 are inhabited.
Students enjoyed visiting the Sergio Perez Delgado Bilingual School in Monagrillo. They spoke Spanish, played various sports and games with the children, and helped clean the school. Afterward, students learned from two artisans. After lunch, WFS students joined the locals and learned how to salsa dance.
The WFS Mock Trial team had a great showing at this year's state competition. Temi Lufadeju '25, Scarlett Murphy '27, and Tess Wolf '24 all won gavels for best attorney. Best witness gavels went to Payton Altland '25, Lucy Cericola '25 (with two gavels), Carter Fenimore '25, and Abbie Thurlow '26.
Frank
Murphy '24 Named National Merit
Finalist
Congratulations to Frank Murphy '24, who was named a National Merit Scholarship Finalist! To become a Finalist, a student must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student's earlier performance on the qualifying test. The National Merit Scholarship Program is a U.S. academic scholarship competition for recognition and university scholarships administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a privately funded, not-for-profit organization that began in 1955.
Katie Bryan '24 Takes Third Place in Shakespeare Contest
Congratulations to Katie Bryan '24 who, after winning the WFS Shakespeare competition in January, qualified to compete in the Philadelphia English Speaking Union's branch competition at the Museum of the American Revolution. Katie's Shakespearean monologue and sonnet earned her third place and a $500 scholarship!
FromOurBlog
Middle School Students Take the Lead on Conferences
In January, WFS middle school students take the reins and lead portfolio-led conferences with parents/guardians and advisors. This approach not only fosters a sense of accountability for the students but also strengthens the partnership between parents/ guardians, students, and advisors.
The two main objectives of these conferences are:
• For students to present evidence supporting their significant progress toward becoming proficient in select skills in their courses.
• For students to set two to three goals that can be achieved by the end of the school year. By identifying essential academic skills for targeted improvement, it makes abstract concepts such as “communication” and “collaboration” more tangible.
“The process of presenting work from the first semester as a method of identifying key skills or ‘habits of mind’ to develop further enables students to become more aware of and invested in applying these skills in the second semester,” said Jonathan Huxtable, Middle School Head. “This is not easy. The emphasis in these presentations is not to have students present to their parents/guardians and their advisors glitzy and polished pieces, but to use their own work, however simple or flawed, to engage in a conversation about the most important skills they need to develop during their middle school years.”
“Seeing Grant find evidence to support his growth and challenges was impressive,” said 7th grade parent Meghan Burns. “It was clear he really made connections and was engaged in the process.”
Through the activity of selecting, organizing, and presenting their work, students engage in introspection, identifying strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth for the remainder of the school year. They also gain critical presentation skills.
"Our daughter delivered her presentation with so much confidence!" said 6th grade parent Greg Mand ‘87. “Witnessing my child give a presentation was a highlight. I was impressed by the goal setting, how they achieved their goals, and their self-assessment. It’s what most adults in the corporate world do,” added 6th grade parent Helen Weiss.
The student-led portfolio conference not only promotes student engagement and agency but also assures their growth as they head into their high school years. “I think the conference lets 8th graders recognize their areas of improvement as they head to high school, making them aware of where they are,” said 8th grade parent, Eva Feito.
At the conclusion of the second semester, students will reflect on and evaluate their efforts toward meeting the goals they set for themselves in these mid-year conferences. Their written reflections are then published in their end-of-year grade reports.
Innovation for Good
Social Entrepreneurs Program at WFS
Wilmington Friends School has partnered with the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Social Impact Strategy and Schoolyard Ventures, an organization that develops university-level, real-world learning opportunities for high school students, to offer the Social Innovators Program to upper schoolers. As one of only two dozen schools worldwide invited to participate, this 12-week virtual program allowed 10th and 11th grade WFS students to learn more about social entrepreneurship and earn a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania.
During this 12-week virtual course, WFS students attended small online classes, learned from engaging interviews and case studies with young entrepreneurs, and participated in live classroom discussions with members of the Schoolyard Ventures staff. Students were then tasked with launching their own venture, identifying a problem that was meaningful to them, and trying to solve this issue for their target market. With support from the Schoolyard Ventures staff, students developed a solution to their problem, detailed their process, and came up with a value proposition. Finally, students presented their findings, discussing what they learned from their project, how they might plan to scale it, and what they learned about themselves throughout it.
The WFS students who participated learned valuable lessons along the way. Reflecting on his experience creating “Blind Strides,” Carter Fenimore ’25 states, “This project pushed me out of my comfort zone and forced me to do things I normally wouldn’t have.” One of these things that Carter tried for the first time was cold-calling and cold-emailing people. And while sometimes they did not pick up the phone or answer his email, Carter notes, “That exposure to rejection has helped me grow as a person and helped drive the project further than ever expected.” Tripp Young ’25, who created an awareness brand called “Safe2Style” for lacrosse players, began to understand that failure is a part of the entrepreneurial process. He noted, “In this program, I learned to accept failure but not let that failure fail me. I learned that part of the overarching learning process is to keep pursuing something … and don’t let immediate failure get in your way.”
WFS Student Innovations
Carter Fenimore ’25 developed “Blind Strides,” centered around giving more accessibility and normalcy to blind people. Carter helped create a personal workout routine that works within their blindness.
Josh Fung ’26 created a preoperative total joint replacement (TJR) screener targeting patient-initiated cancellation. This TJR screener gives patients scores/ratings based on how likely they are to cancel their surgeries.
Sandra Iancic ’26 wanted to help students who are interested in the medical field plan their future. Her project, “AI College Guidance,” allows students to use AI and input key details about their future aspirations. After doing this, they receive a detailed description of the necessary steps one must take in order to accomplish their goals.
Ava Kolodczak ’26 designed “College Help” to help high school juniors navigate key and challenging aspects of the college application process. Ava helped students narrow down programs and colleges that meet their needs, ultimately helping them evaluate what they want to go to college for.
Cora Lohkamp ’26 created“Wild Kids in the Wildlife,” focused on helping teens take action against climate change. Focusing on recycling, reusing, and reducing, Cora helped teenagers understand that there are many small and low-cost everyday efforts that they can do each day to help the environment.
Based on her own interest in talking with teens her age who are going through similar situations, Temi Lufadeju ’25 developed “Matchmaker,” a peer-topeer service that brings young people together, allowing them to share their experiences with one another.
Piper Roskovensky ’26 focused on helping high school students learn about different careers through interviews with people in various professions through her project, “Connecting with Careers”. These conversations highlight personal stories and advice from WFS alumni.
Nife Shoyinka ’25 created Historyclub.exe, a space designed for students who are interested in history to express and explore their interests outside of class. Historyclub.exe is a place where students can explore all types of history and bounce ideas off of one another in a more free and unstructured setting.
With “Unlock Your Learning,” Lauren Toner ’25 focused on helping students with different learning challenges gain access to additional resources so that they can more effectively advocate for themselves.
Tripp Young ’25 recognized that athletes care about how they look while they play sports. His project, an awareness brand called “Safe2Style,” focused on helping lacrosse players decrease the chance of injury, while also maintaining a sense of style.
Music News
WFS sixth grader Elvira Madiman (pictured with Performing Arts Department Chair Sara Gaines) was chosen to participate in the ACDA Eastern Division Elementary Honors Choir! She traveled to Providence, Rhode Island in late February to sing with other students hailing from Maryland to Maine. They rehearsed for three days under the direction of Sophia Papoulis (spouse of our 275th guest composer, Jim Papoulis) and presented a concert during the ACDA Eastern Division Conference on March 3.
The 7th and 8th grade band and choir traveled to Hershey Park for the Music in the Parks Festival where they both received a first place, excellent rating. WFS also received the "Esprit de Corps" award, which, "Recognizes the participating organization that displays an exemplary attitude of positive support and outstanding personal behavior throughout the festival weekend." Only one school receives this at the awards ceremony!
WFS hosted the Delaware ACDA State Choral Festival, led by co-chairs Sara Gaines and Margaret Anne Butterfield. A total of nine choirs, including three from WFS, participated from schools all over the state. Choirs received ratings with comments and had a post-performance clinic with one of the adjudicators. In their first festival appearance, Chorale received an "excellent" rating. Both Chamber Singers and the Sixth Grade Choir earned "superior" ratings and high praise from the adjudicators. Max Brown '29 played violin with the Sixth Grade Choir and Chamber Singers, and Maddie Wilson '30 shared ASL on one piece with Chamber Singers. Congratulations to all who participated!
Middle schoolers experienced an interactive performance by Paco Rege and his group, Super Ngewel, with traditional African music, dance, songs, and storytelling. At the conclusion of the performance, Paco invited all of the students on stage to dance together! Seventh graders also participated in workshops with Paco to learn how to play the djembe and to discuss the influences of traditional African music to music today. These sessions connected directly to a unit in performing arts in which students learned about traditional African music earlier this school year.
Jemima Smith '24 participated in the Senior All-State Choir event at Cape Henlopen High School and was selected for the Treble Choir under the direction of Frances Fonza, Director of Choral Activities at Southeastern Louisiana University.
Art & Design
“A Tower for Wilmington” 8th grade students completed their “A Tower for Wilmington” projects with MS Visual Arts teacher Paulo Machado!
Before starting this project, students completed an architecture unit on innovative housing, which allowed them to brainstorm and design housing that addressed specific needs like homelessness, population growth, sprawl, ecosystem collapse, and rising sea levels. After they did this with the help of a 3D modeling program called SketchUp, students began to focus on the role of towers.
Once they explored the history and the functions of various towers, students were tasked to design one for the city of Wilmington with specific constraints; the size of the base must fit within a certain amount of land next to the Daniel S. Frawley Stadium (home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks), and it must be a multi-purpose tower. The student-made models were built with a 1/4"=1' scale and assessed in terms of stability, structural awareness, craftsmanship, accessibility/safety, and originality of form. Each student presented their model to the class, explaining their tower’s multiple functions and why the city of Wilmington should select their idea.
Lastly, during their final critique, students selected one model they would be proud to see as part of Wilmington’s skyline.
IB Art Exhibit
Congratulations to our IB Art and Visual Arts
Major artists who welcomed friends and family to the opening of their exhibition showcasing works from portfolios they produced over the last two years. These courses, which are intended for highly-motivated students who are interested in the study of visual art, include studio work, as well as the investigation of art history and visual aesthetics and analysis, in comparative study. Students create and organize a body of work through visual investigation, studio practice, and exhibition. Various media and techniques are available to the student to tailor individual interest, including both analog and digital techniques.
3rd Grade Students Explore in 3D
Each year, 3rd grade students utilize computer-aided design software (CAD) to replicate a renowned landmark from the various states that they are studying in social studies. After designing their landmarks with the help of online software, students bring their landmarks to life using 3D printers. Each building requires approximately four to five hours to complete the printing process. This year, students created designs for the following landmarks: the Civil War Museum in Georgia, the Denver Art Museum, the Olympic Center in New York, the Alaskan Zoo, and Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace, and many more. This project is a highlight for WFS students as it enables them to transform their creative ideas into tangible objects, fostering hands-on learning and enhancing their understanding of design and engineering concepts.
Upper School Visiting Artist
Upper school international baccalaureate students visited with artist Janell Olah who spoke to classes about her work and process, sharing some of her current projects including collages made from her drawings and found fabric and other materials.
Sports Recaps
Winter 2023-24
Boys’ Basketball | The boys’ basketball team went 12-8, won five games in DISC play, and defeated #23 Glasgow HS in the Quaker Classic Championship. The following members of the team earned All-DISC honors: Ryan Tattersall ’25 (1st Team), Andrew McKenzie ’24 (2nd Team), Joey Winchell ’25 (2nd Team), Jason Hughes ’24 (Honorable Mention), and Steven Morris ’24 (Honorable Mention).
Girls’ Basketball | The girls’ basketball team went 12-9, qualified for the DIAA State Tournament, and matched the highest win total for a WFS girls’ basketball team in the last 16 years. The following members of the team earned All-DISC honors: Gianna Cottone ’26 (1st Team), Ryan Weigand ’26 (2nd Team), Izzy Winchell ’26 (2nd Team), Ellie Dealy ’24 (Honorable Mention), and Molly Dolan ’26 (Honorable Mention).
Track & Field | It was another excellent season for the Quakers indoor track & field team, as numerous personal bests and school records were set and broken at each meet. During the DISC Championship, Christopher Princilus ’24 (long jump), Zae Turman ’24 (triple jump), Brina Abere ’25 (high jump), and Cereniti Johnson ’26 (400) all won their respective events and earned 1st Team All-DISC honors. The following members of the team also earned All-DISC honors: Brian Gainer ’25
(2nd Team), Isabelle Bohner ’24 (Honorable Mention), and Hayden Land ’24 (Honorable Mention).
Swimming | The WFS swim program continued to prove itself as one of the top programs during the 2023-24 season at the DIAA State Championship meets; the boys’ team placed 5th overall, while the girls’ team came in 10th. Jalen Stewart ’24 (1st Team), Tyler Wilmore ’24 (1st Team), Conner Verbanas ’25 (2nd Team), Aubrey Ashman ’26 (Honorable Mention), and Kylie Poole ’28 (Honorable Mention) each earned All-State and 1st Team All-DISC Honors. The following members of the team also earned All-DISC honors: Ellie Romano ’28 (1st Team), Pamela Moore ’27 (2nd Team), and Kenzie Wilson ’26 (Honorable Mention).
Wrestling | Kaeden Fleming ’24 and Sloan Makoujy ’26 earned podium finishes at the 2024 DIAA State Tournament this winter. Makoujy placed 6th in the 138-pound weight class, while Fleming finished 7th in the 120-pound weight class. Nine Quakers earned All-DISC honors for their strong performances in the DISC Championship meet as well: Fleming ’24 (1st Team), Liam Sullivan ’24 (1st Team), Ethan Weiner ’24 (1st Team), Matthew Morrison ’25 (1st Team), Makoujy ’26 (1st Team), Rayan Kashif ’24 (2nd Team), Matthew Fineman ’26 (2nd Team), Kyler Fleming ’27 (2nd Team), and Lincoln Illingworth ’26 (3rd Team).
Spring 2024
Baseball | The WFS baseball team went 11-8, earned the program’s first at-large bid to the State Tournament, and defeated three opponents who qualified for the DIAA State Tournament during their impressive regular season. Jason Hughes ’24 earned 2nd Team All-State honors and 1st Team All-DISC honors. The following members of the team also earned All-DISC honors: Braeden Pantano ’25 (1st Team), Jack Heckles ’25 (2nd Team), Joseph Coppola ’26 (2nd Team), Avery Gaines ’24 (Honorable Mention), Andrew Huff ’24 (Honorable Mention), Drew Kwoka ’25 (Honorable Mention), Ronny Berry ’27 (Honorable Mention), and Dylan Legum ’28 (Honorable Mention).
Golf | The WFS golf team went 8-7-1, broke the school record on two separate occasions, and sent six golfers to the DIAA State Tournament. The following members of the team helped the Quakers secure a 7th place finish in the State Tournament and five of them earned All-DISC honors for their play this season: Zac Antao ’24 (2nd Team), Robbie Lohkamp ’24 (2nd Team), Owen Newmark ’28 (2nd Team), Josh Weigand ’24 (Honorable Mention), Quinn Marshall ’27 (Honorable Mention), and Brooks McCall ’28.
Boys’ Lacrosse | The WFS boys’ lacrosse team went 14-3, captured the DISC Championship for the second consecutive year, and advanced to the Quarterfinals of the DIAA State Tournament for the third straight season. Kevin Dolan ’24 (1st Team), Quinn Green ’24 (1st Team), Braden Shipp ’24 (1st Team), Tyler Maheshwari ’24 (2nd Team), Andrew McKenzie ’24 (2nd Team, US Lacrosse Academic All-American), Nick Winchell ’24 (2nd Team), and Ethan Lukach ’26 (2nd Team) all received All-State and 1st Team All-DISC honors. The following members of the team also earned All-DISC honors: George Rossi ’24 (2nd Team), Andrew Forman ’25 (2nd Team), Eamonn Grubb ’25 (Honorable Mention), and Rhys Butler ’26 (Honorable Mention).
Girls’ Lacrosse | The WFS girls’ lacrosse team went 11-6, advanced to the Quarterfinals of the DIAA State Tournament for the third time in four seasons, and held their opponents to six or fewer goals in six contests. Molly Dolan ’26 (2nd Team) and Sawyer Rowland ’25 (Honorable Mention) received AllState and 1st Team All-DISC honors. The following members of the team also earned All-DISC honors: Lila Rubano ’26 (1st Team), Reese Bryson ’25 (2nd Team), Cora Lohkamp ’26
(2nd Team), Sylvia Green ’27 (2nd Team), and Grace Terrell ’24 (Honorable Mention).
Girls’ Soccer | The WFS girls’ soccer team went 8-8, advanced to the DIAA State Tournament for the fourth straight season, and held their opponents to one or fewer goals on eight occasions. Sofia Dattani ’27 (1st Team) and Cecelia DiPrinzio ’27 (2nd Team) received All-State and 1st Team All-DISC honors. The following members of the team also earned AllDISC honors: Sara Clothier ’26 (1st Team), Simran Dattani ’24 (2nd Team), Lucy White ’27 (2nd Team), and Daniela Cristanetti-Walker ’26 (Honorable Mention).
Boys’ Tennis | For the first time since 2010, every boys’ varsity tennis team member participating in the DIAA State Tournament advanced to the Quarterfinals. Silas Montana ’25 (1st Singles) and Collier Zug ’24 (3rd Singles) made the Semifinal round in their respective brackets. The following members of the team earned All-DISC honors for their play this season: Montana ’25 (1st team at 1st Singles), Suga Sheed Bashir ’24 (Honorable Mention at 2nd Singles), Zug ’24 (1st Team at 3rd Singles), and Logan Ranji ’24 and Devin Wallace ’24 (Honorable Mention at 2nd Doubles).
Girls’ Tennis | The WFS girls’ tennis team won six matches this season, each girls’ varsity tennis team member earned AllDISC accolades, and three members advanced to the Quarterfinals of the DIAA State Tournament. The following players earned All-DISC honors: Ava Rubano ’24 (Honorable Mention at 1st Singles), Emma Larsen ’25 (Honorable Mention at 2nd Singles), Anya Agarwal ’25 (Honorable Mention at 3rd Singles), Sarah Levenson ’24 and Tess Wolf ’24 (Honorable Mention at 1st Doubles), and Kendall Law ’24 and Gabby Hamilton ’27 (Honorable Mention at 2nd Doubles).
Track & Field | LT Alleyne ’26 and Cereniti Johnson ’26 set personal records and broke school records at the DIAA State Championship meet this spring. Alleyne placed 4th in the long jump, while Johnson finished 5th in the 400 and 7th in the 200. Johnson and Jack McKelvey ’26 (3200) earned 1st Team All-DISC honors for their excellent performances at the DISC Championship meet. The following members of the team also earned All-DISC honors: Isabelle Bohner ’24 (2nd Team), Rayan Kashif ’24 (2nd Team), Brina Abere ’25 (2nd Team), Brian Gainer ’25 (2nd Team), Mia Davenport ’25 (Honorable Mention), Alleyne ’26 (Honorable Mention), and Ian McQuillan ’26 (Honorable Mention).
SPRING SIGNING DAY
Congratulations to our senior athletes who plan to play at the next level!
Suga Sheed Bashir ’24: Tennis at IMG Academy
Jaxon Black ’24: Football at Franklin & Marshall College
Avery Gaines ’24: Football at Case Western Reserve University
Quinn Green ’24: Lacrosse at Middlebury College
Jason Hughes ’24: Baseball at Muhlenberg College
Joey Mayer ’24: Field Hockey at Montclair State University
Braden Shipp ’24: Lacrosse at Franklin & Marshall College
Jalen Stewart ’24: Swimming at Howard University
Tyler Wilmore ’24: Swimming at University of Delaware
Nick Winchell ’24: Lacrosse at Hampden-Sydney College
Performing Arts
Many productions showcased the talents of our student performers last winter and spring!
1 | Fifth Grade Musical––Finding Nemo Jr.
2 | 8th Grade Musical––Footloose
3 | Upper School Play––Radium Girls
4 | Student Run Production––Portesim
This was an original script by Jemima Smith ‘24 and was directed and led by Smith and Maddie Schaen ‘25.
NEWS
The Home & School (H&S) Association has once again proven to be integral to our thriving community, not only fostering a deeper sense of connection among WFS families, but also serving those in the wider Wilmington community.
Home & School was able to bestow a generous end-of-year gift to the WFS Annual Fund this year, made possible through their fundrasing efforts. The donation included a $4,000 unrestricted Annual Fund gift, $1,000 Quaker Game Night sponsorship, and a gift of $21,000 for capital improvements benefiting every division of our school.
Fundraisers
Community
• The Quaker Closet (QC) consignment store was, thanks to generous donors, consignors, shoppers, and a dedicated group of weekly volunteers, the biggest H&S fundraiser this year. Thank you to co-clerks Kendra Okolo and Lisa Pisano (pictured left). Under Kendra’s leadership for the past 10 years, the QC has raised over $100,000 for the school!
• The Annual H&S Used Book Sale, which, thanks to co-clerks Megan Ede and Katie Measley Van Druff ’96 and a wonderful group of volun teers raised a record amount of $5,673. The Lower School Spring Scholastic Book Fair raised over $2,300 thanks to co-clerks Allison Farley and Barb Fitzgerald, and the other parent volunteers who ran the event.
• Faculty/staff appreciation treats and luncheons. Thanks to Lower School Events Coordinators Kellen Amobi, Kristin Jenney, and Sue Handling for organizing lower school events and gifts for all faculty/staff, and 9th and 10th grade class representatives Anna Clothier, Kim Dolan, Bev Fleming, and Mo Johnson for organizing the luncheon for middle and upper school faculty and staff.
• Parents for Multiculturalism hosted a screening and discussion of American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs. This Peabody Award-winning film tells the story of Grace Lee Boggs, a Chinese American writer, activist, and philosopher in Detroit who devoted more than 70 years of her life to fighting for justice. The committee also hosted a potluck where families gathered to enjoy board games, arts and crafts, and food from various cultures.
• The H&S Emmanuel Dining Room (EDR) meals, led by Mylea Aiken, serving between 150 and 200 people each month.
• The H&S Parent Ambassadors, led by Mary Fenimore, connected with parents and caregivers who joined WFS during the 2023-24 school year. They also helped welcome newly admitted families at Admissions Office events in June and will serve as a resource for all incoming families over the summer and next fall.
Thank you!
A heartfelt thanks to everyone who volunteered with H&S and supported this year’s events. We are indebted to outgoing clerk Jodi Bettler (pictured left) for her tireless contribution to the WFS community, and to this year’s H&S Executive Committee: Mylea Aiken, Erin Lockard, Amanda Singleton Hay ‘95, Kameron McConnell, Kristine Tuttleman, Mo Johnson, Vera Russo, Meghan Pixley ’03, Kendra Okolo, and Aurora Phillips for their undying dedication and leadership. Here's to another year of community, service, and joy!
Class Notes
Class of 1962
Patty Sauter Ruemmler, Rich Weigel, and John Lindley
Former Faculty
Cynthia Suzanne Sauer, a former WFS English teacher and college counselor, wrote a book titled, First Serve: Acing Life. This novel is about perseverance, fair play, and human decency, featuring a young person’s journey of friendship, prejudice, compassion, and resiliency.
Class of 1952
Laura and Fred Pardee drove to Greater Wilmington, Delaware, from Florida this spring to visit friends and family. On campus, they visited with Head of School Ken Aldridge and the alumni office. Fred continues to serve as a class agent for the Class of 1952.
Class of 1986
See Tom Donaghy, page 44.
Class of 1988
Amy Johnston Colbourn’s book, Awareness is Overrated: And Other Provocative Ideas About Marketing, was published in April. A marketing executive and brand strategist who has spent her career in advertising, Amy hopes this book helps people consider other points of view and gain a fresh perspective on old marketing concepts.
Class of 1990
See Omar Khan, page 43.
Class of 1999
On March 30, Loyola University Maryland announced Josh Loeffler as the head men’s basketball coach of the Greyhounds. Loeffler previously served as an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati (2023-2024) and the head coach at Johns Hopkins University (2017-2023).
Classes of 1999, 2000, & 2001
Former 5th grade teacher Marcia Jones visited the WFS lower school in May and spent time with her former colleague Teal Rickerman and former students who are now WFS faculty and staff members (from left to right): Julia Morse Forester ’00, Alex Mellow ’01, Chris Loeffler ’00, and Katie Wolf Martinenza ’99
Amy Johnston Colbourn ’88 with her new book, “Awareness is Overrated: And Other Provocative Ideas About Marketing.”
Josh Loeffler ’99 was named Loyola University Maryland’s head men’s basketball coach.
Cynthia Suzanne Sauer, a former WFS English teacher and college counselor, wrote a book titled, “First Serve: Acing Life.”
Laura and Fred Pardee ’52 enjoyed visiting Wilmington Friends School from Florida this year.
Marcia Jones (front) pictured with (from left to right) Julia Morse Forester ’00, Alex Mellow ’01, Chris Loeffler ’00, Katie Wolf Martinenza ’99, and Teal Rickerman.
Zach Williams ’02 wrote a book titled, Beautiful Days, a collection of short stories that he has written over the years. (Photo by Jemimah Wei.)
met up in New Preston, CT.
Class of 2002
Zach Williams’s book Beautiful Days was published this summer. It is a collection of ten short stories confronting parenthood, mortality, and life’s broken promises. Williams currently serves as a Jones Lecturer in Fiction at Stanford University and has had his work featured in publications like The New Yorker, The Paris Review, and McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern
Class of 2004 & 2005
Stephanie Bonnes wrote and published the book Hardship Duty: Women’s Experiences with Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, and Discrimination in the U.S. Military based on research she conducted over the past decade. The book, published in December 2023 with Oxford University Press, focuses on the puzzle of how sexual violence remains highly prevalent in an organization that has dynamic policies, prevention strategies, and evolving education programs designed to combat sexual violence. Colleen Farrell hosted a book launch party for Stephanie at her home in Connecticut, which was attended by Abby Hughes-Strange, David Nazari, Jeff Palmer, and Meredith Seitz ’05
Additionally, for her research for and advocacy against sexual harassment and assault in the military, Stephanie received the American Society of Criminology’s Division of Feminist Criminology’s “Inconvenient Woman of the Year Award.” The award recognizes the
50th Reunion! Class of 1973
The Class of 1973 shared this complete photo of their reunion last fall.
Front row left to right: Karen Alderfer Whelan, Lisa Baird, Deb Lanz Maxwell, Pam Hoopes, Eric Braunstein, Despina Terris, Wendy Vaala. Middle row: Anne Quillen Donecker, Nancy Johnson Sutherland, Anne Warden Sinkinson, Tyrie Jenkins, Albert Palubinsky, Elizabeth Moody, Jim Graves, John Barbis (former faculty), Mark Baddorf, Robert Sparre. Back row: Craig Jordan, Jeff Taylor, John DeCherney, Andrew Miller.
scholar/activist who has participated in publicly promoting the ideals of gender equality and women’s rights throughout society, particularly as it relates to gender and crime issues.
Class of 2008
Phoenix Mellow was a part of Usher’s Design Team for his 2024 Super Bowl halftime performance. Her costume design and assistant design work have appeared in many films, television, commercials, web series, and music videos.
Class of 2010
Reed Salmons recently “matched” with the Hospital for Special Surgery Adult Reconstruction in New York City, New York, for his Orthopaedic Fellowship. He also presented his research in February at the 2024 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Conference.
Class of 2012
Leah Handwerk Nulty and her husband, Jay, welcomed Joseph “Joey” Anthony Nulty IV into the world on April 10, 2024.
Class of 2013
James Kocher married Shannon McAuliffe on May 26 in Farmington, Connecticut. Brook Kebede ’10 served as his best man while Connor Juers ’10 and Zach Lessner ’13 were in attendance along with former WFS staff member and mother-of-the-groom Trish Kocher. James also began work-
Class of 2004 and 2005 members reunited in January 2024 to celebrate Stephanie’s book launch and hear her speak and read from Hardship Duty at a bookstore in Connecticut. Pictured from left to right: David Nazari ’04, Abby Hughes-Strange ’04, Colleen Farrell ’04, Stephanie Bonnes ’04, Jeff Palmer ’04, and Meredith Seitz ’05.
Phoenix Mellow ’08 on the field at Super Bowl 58.
ing as a Data Engineer for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
Class of 2014
Elena Veale received her MBA from Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management and was the student speaker at their commencement ceremony. Veale, who hosted a financial planning workshop with the Women’s Management Council at Cornell this spring, also received the Angel R. Hierro Lambda Award for LGBTQ+ Leadership and Community Advocacy. She is now working in Private Banking at JPMorgan in New York City.
Joey Woodward graduated from West Chester University with his Master’s degree in Speech Pathology.
Class of 2015
Martha O’Brien Tabor married Sherman Tabor on May 4 in Charlottesville, Virginia. Molly Harper served as her Maid of Honor. Martha also graduated from Fordham University School of Law and will begin at Sidley Austin LLP in the fall.
Class of 2017
Blair Atkins graduated from West Chester University with her Master’s degree in Social Work.
Class of 2018
Donovan Aldridge and Jack Hanson, who lived in Europe this spring, met in Granada, Spain, and joined the parents of WFS Spanish teacher Dario Lizancos Robles for dinner in their home.
After working as an Associate Consultant for Bain & Company, Tony Bennett will attend Harvard Medical School beginning in the fall of 2024.
Class of 2019
Lisa Dobber is pursuing her Master’s degree in Medicine from Erasmus University Rotterdam. She recently submitted her thesis, “The Growth Rate of Recurrent Glioblastoma—When to Plan the Baseline Scan?” Lisa was also able to share her findings at two
Reed Salmons ’10 matched with the Hospital for Special Surgery Adult Reconstruction in New York City, for his Orthopaedic Fellowship.
Joey Anthony Nulty IV was born to parents Leah Handwerk Nulty ’12 and Jay Nulty on April 10, 2024.
James Kocher married Shannon McAuliffe on May 26, 2024.
Elena Veale ’14 hosted a financial planning workshop titled “Handle Your Money Like a Girl Boss.”
Sara Woodward ’12, Mary Woodward, Joey Woodward ’14, and Kylie Kenney celebrate after Joey’s graduation from West Chester University.
Molly Harper ’15, Matthew O’Brien ’14, Martha O’Brien Tabor ’15, and Sherman Tabor celebrate Martha and Sherman’s wedding day.
Blair Atkins ’17 (middle) pictured with her parents, Andy Atkins ’76 and Jane Atkins, after graduating from West Chester University.
medical conferences: the Dutch Society for Neuro-Oncology (LWNO Wetenschappelijke Dag) and the Erasmus MC Cancer Retreat. Her expected graduation date is December 2026.
Erin Fleming graduated from Delaware State University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Classes of 2019 & 2020
Peyton McNeill ’19 traveled to Columbus, Georgia, to cheer on Ajala Elmore ’20 and the Moravian Greyhounds women’s softball team during this spring’s NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic. McNeill, who graduated from Lafayette College with his degree in Engineering in 2023, is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from Mercer University. He is also a member of the Mercer men’s lacrosse team.
Class of 2020
Jadyn Elliott moderated Haverford College’s first alumni panel for their Black Student League. Elliott welcomed seven of Haverford College’s most esteemed black alums back to campus for an inspirational and informational panel.
Ajala Elmore graduated from Moravian College with a degree in sports management this spring. Elmore, a four-year member of the women’s softball team, earned 1st Team AllConference and 2nd Team All-Region honors for her outstanding play this season. For her career, she recorded a .322 average with 117 hits, 80 runs, 17 doubles, four triples, ten home runs, and 76 RBIs.
Craig Lyttleton will join the Applied FinTech Research team at The Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as an Operations Intern this fall, supporting research and development on Central Bank Digital Currencies.
Former WFS upper school English teacher and head boys’ lacrosse coach Jake Rashkind caught up with Nick
Wyatt Nelson ’20 works with WFS students on their pitching mechanics.
Jake Rashkind and Nick Redd ’20 after Nick’s game against Johns Hopkins.
Casey Tyler ’20 presents their work.
Emily Fenimore ’21 (middle) was featured on a live set interview on Scripps News.
Donovan Aldridge ’18 takes a selfie with Jack Hanson ’18 (middle) and the parents of WFS Spanish teacher Dario Lizancos Robles.
Lisa Dobber ’19, pursuing her Master’s in Medicine from Erasmus University Rotterdam, presented her findings at two medical conferences.
Erin Fleming ’19 earned her BSN from Delaware State University.
Peyton McNeill ’19 and Ajala Elmore ’20 connected after one of Ajala’s softball games this spring.
Jones House Intern | Sophie Mullen ’21
Sophie Mullen ’21 interned in the Jones House this summer! Since her graduation in 2021, she has been studying at Union College in Schenectady, New York, majoring in Sociology and English. With her interest in education and administration, Sophie is excited to join the Jones House team and connect with the Friends community again. Outside of academics, Sophie is the Panhellenic President at Union College and is continuing to work at State Farm part time.
Welcome back, Sophie!
Redd after his game against Johns Hopkins University. Nick, a two-time Academic All Big-Ten selection and 2022 National Champion, played in every game this spring and helped the Terps advance to the Division I National Championship game.
Casey Tyler had one of their designs featured on the runway during the student Next Up Designer Showcase at Philly Fashion Week in February. The student designers had 30 days to make an outfit; Tyler created a knit top with hand-sewn floral appliques, sewed slacks with slits in the front and back, and a knitted handbag.
Class of 2020, 2021, & 2022
Eddie Micheletti ’20 was recently selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the Major League Baseball draft. Last winter, Eddie, Wyatt Nelson, Peter Erskine ’21, and Nathaniel Huxtable ’22 returned to campus and helped run open gym baseball sessions for all 7th through 12th grade WFS students. These four former WFS baseball players led current students through pitching and hitting mechanics, proper fielding techniques, and spoke about their experiences as high school and college baseball players.
Class of 2021
Emily Fenimore spent her January “J-term” at Elon University traveling with 11 other Political Science and Journalism majors as they followed the South Carolina and New Hampshire presidential primaries. The month-long
learning experience was capped off when Emily and a fellow Elon student were featured on a live set interview on Scripps News as the New Hampshire primary results were coming in.
In March, Patrick Mckenzie and Andrew McKenzie ’24 participated in the National Rugby League (NRL) combine in Las Vegas, Nevada. Invited by the NRL, the McKenzie brothers went through a variety of speed, agility, and strength drills in front of NRL scouts looking to discover rugby players in North America. Patrick is a rising senior at the University of Notre Dame, where he plays rugby, while Andrew graduated from WFS in June.
Nate Rashkind is working as an Investment Banking Summer Analyst at Goldman Sachs this summer.
Class of 2022
Johnny Finizio is interning this summer in the data science department at ChristianaCare, a position he was able to pursue through Omar Khan, M.D., MHS, FAAFP ’90, Physician Leader, Partnerships and Academic Programs for Christiana Care.
Margo Gramiak helped the Vassar College women’s basketball team capture the 2023-2024 Liberty League Championship.
Nathaniel Huxtable connected with Jack Heckles ’25 after one of Nathaniel’s baseball games in Fort Pierce, Florida. Nathaniel, a sophomore catcher at The College of Wooster, played in 26
Andrew McKenzie ’24 (left) and Patrick McKenzie ’21 participated in the National Rugby League Combine.
Omar Khan ’90 and Johnny Finizio ’22.
Margo Gramiak ’22 (bottom row, 2nd from left) pictured with the Vassar College women’s basketball team.
Bruno Yeh ’22 is working as an Architectural Intern at KGD Architecture this summer.
Kira Agne ’23 set two school records during her first-year swim campaign at Georgetown University.
Jackson Redd ’23 (middle) pictured with his parents, Dwayne and Nicole, after winning the Division III men’s lacrosse national championship with Tufts University.
games for the Fighting Scots and hit his first career home run against John Carroll University on March 27.
Bruno Yeh is working as an Architectural Intern at KGD Architecture this summer in Washington, DC. This opportunity was made possible through the guidance of Tom Donaghy ’86, who is a Principal at the firm.
Class of 2023
Kira Agne had an excellent first-year campaign as a member of the Georgetown University swim team. At the BIG EAST Swimming and Diving Champi-
onships, Agne set a school record in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:50.02, placing 3rd overall. Agne also earned a bronze medal as a member of the women’s 800 relay team, helping break another school record.
Jackson Redd helped the Tufts University men’s lacrosse team capture the Division III National Championship this spring. The Jumbos went 18-3 and won their 4th National Championship with an 18-14 victory over RIT.
A Gift of Education
Notable Events
& Speakers at WFS
In the article “A Gift of Education,” WFS archivist Terry Maguire discusses the historical and evolving mission of Wilmington Friends School, which was established by Wilmington Monthly Meeting (WMM) in 1748. Terry highlights how WMM initially provided education to poor children in Wilmington through the distribution of over 2200 payment vouchers, a practice that continued until the mid-19th century. This system allowed children to attend WMM-supported schools, promoting Quaker values of equality and community.
Terry explains how WFS transitioned into a college preparatory school in the 1880s under Isaac Johnson while maintaining its educational commitment. Throughout the 20th century, WFS hosted prominent speakers like Jacob Riis and Hamlin Garland, who addressed social justice issues. In the late 20th century, figures such as Senator Lowell Weicker, Senator Joseph Biden, and Reverend Jesse Jackson spoke on topics including government integrity, economic futures, and racial justice. Ken Burns and Doris Kearns Goodwin drew significant audiences with their discussions on historical and political subjects, while Toni Morrison emphasized the interplay of history and literature.
In the 21st century, Terry notes, graduation speakers like Chris Coons, Anna Quindlen, Tim O'Brien, and Ron Suskind highlighted Quaker values and student preparedness. Lisa Blunt Rochester and Bryan Stevenson have reinforced these principles, focusing on social justice and racial reconciliation.
Terry concludes that WFS continues to uphold its legacy of education and enlightenment by bringing distinguished speakers to Wilmington, thereby promoting values of equality, community, and respect.
Read the full article here
Jack Heckles ’25, Nathaniel Huxtable ’22, and Jon Huxtable.
In Memory
Any time a member of the Wilmington Friends School community passes away, we feel great sadness by the loss. But reflecting on their lives and contributions to the greater good helps us cope and remember the many good things about them. Please visit our website at www. wilmingtonfriends.org/alumni/in-memory or use the QR code provided to read about these wonderful members of the WFS community. If you would like to inform us about the passing of a friend or family member in our community, please email Lynne Nathan at lnathan@wilmingtonfriends.org.
Former Faculty/Staff: Joan P. Egan
Former Faculty/Staff: Matilda [Faulkner] Maassen
Former Faculty/Staff: Patricia [Kelley] Cunningham
Former Faculty/Staff: Eleanor Lipinski Levering
Former Faculty/Staff: Margaret Hukill Prince
Class of 1940: Ruth [Austin] Joslin
Class of 1942: Esther. H. [Moore] Power
Class of 1943: John P. Lemmon, Jr.
Class of 1943: Dorothea "Dolly" [Mendinhall] McSorley
Class of 1943: Lois [Naylor] Berl
Class of 1946: Anne "Nancy" [Chapman] Berl
Class of 1946: Charlotte "Dale" [Padmore] Conlon
Class of 1946: Aline J. [Sachs] Lehmayer
Class of 1947: Carolyn Howland [Berl] Potts
Class of 1947: Janice "Jan" [Schaumann] Bell
Class of 1949: David C. Rittenhouse
Class of 1951: Julia "Judy" [Mayfield] Morrow
Class of 1953: Priscilla [Bowdle] Lamont
Class of 1953: J. Joyce "Jo" [Sheehan] Hanley
Class of 1955: David Hillegas
Class of 1956: Diana [Gebhart] Swartz
Class of 1959: Robert "Bob" F. Tinker
Class of 1962: Betty Jean [Hirschland] Munro
Class of 1962: Walter Pyle Smith
Class of 1965: Roland Henry Woodward
Class of 1972: Donald Wakeman Foster
Class of 1973: Ian E. Harrington
Class of 1974: Patrick Keep Chase
Class of 1978: Richard Lowe Diver
Class of 1984: David B. Youmans
Class of 2000: David E. Peirson II
Class of 2007: Katherine "Katie" D. Much
101 School Road
Wilmington, DE 19803
www.wilmingtonfriends.org
Don’t miss this opportunity to help shape the future of Friends!
Community Design Day • September 14, 2024 from 9:30am to 1pm
Workshop with friends in the WFS community to create prototypes for the School’s Strategic Plan initiatives. Lunch is included. Stick around after for the 2pm game to watch Quaker football play Dickinson High School!
FUN PHOTO At our All-School Meeting for Worship, faculty, staff, and students sat in a “275” formation and a drone captured this commemorative photo.
