WFS Fall 2014 Magazine by Wilmington Friends School

QuakerMatters Wilmington Friends School

Fall/WinterWinter 2014-2015 2015

QuakerMatters Wilmington Friends School

Fall/Winter 2014-2015

From the Head of School 2006-2014. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 New Head of School Kenneth Aldridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 For Alumni & Friends . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 From the Archives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Homecoming 2014 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Fall Sports & The Band . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 News from Summer & Fall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 Class Notes, featuring— 1964 Boys’ Basketball Reunion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 1981 Ambassador Crystal Nix-Hines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 1988 25th Reunion Endowment Fund . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 1989 Q&A with NPR’s Linda Holmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Class of 1999 - Where Are You Now? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 2010 Sam Finkelman, Fulbright Scholar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 In Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 In Closing: Farewell to Bryan Garman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . inside back cover

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary Andrew J. Aerenson ’81 Jennifer G. Brady Christopher F. Buccini ’90 Denise H. Chapman Thomas M. Connelly Brett D. Fallon Scott W. Gates ’80 Ellen L. Gay

Susan Kelley Darcy Rademaker Daniel Klein Russ Endo J. Harry Hammond Susan Janes-Johnson Omar A. Khan ’90 Deborah Murray-Sheppard Laura K. Reilly Jocelyn Sutton Stewart ’82 David Tennent Harvey Zendt

Alumni Association Board Liaison

Christopher W. Lee ’82

Home & School Association Board Liaison

Rosalind McCoy-Gardner

ADMINISTRATION

On the cover, 2014 tri-captain Tommy Rhodes is congratulated by 2013 tri-captain Gil Connolly after the Quaker football team beat Archmere in the state tournament. This page, well dressed for the 50th Reunion weekend, Chris Whitney ’64. Professional photography by Billy Michels ’89, Elisa Komins Morris, and Larry Kuhn Design/layout by Jacquelyn Quinn Dickey Please send any comments or corrections to info@wilmingtonfriends.org.

Interim Head of School Assistant to the Head of School Assistant Head for Academics (Head of School as of 7/1/15) Acting Business Manager Head of Lower School Head of Middle School Head of Upper School Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Director of Communications Director of Development Strategic Marketing Manager

William Baczkowski Ann Cole Kenneth Aldridge Lesley Dennis Tryon ’71 Annette Hearing Jonathan Huxtable Rebecca Zug Kathleen Hopkins Tracey Quillen Carney ’80 Chad O’Kane Susan Morovati Finizio ’87

ALUMNI BOARD 2014-2015 Melissa Fagan Billitto ’87, President Stanita Clarke ’06 Carolyn Gates Connors ’81 Alexandra Poorman Ergon ’77 Joseph Gutierrez ’07 Tim Gibbs ’76 Amy Curran Harper ’94 Raven Harris ’06 Joshua Klein ’98 Matthew Lang ’08 Student Liaisons Jake Erskine ’15 Meryl Gatti ’15

Christopher W. Lee ’82 Adrienne Monley ’02 Katharine Lester Mowery ’02 Raymond Osbun ’71 Kristin Dugan Poppiti ’03 Amanda Corby Soto ’00 Thomas Scott ’70 Martha Poorman Tschantz ’85 Nicole Caddell Wample ’03 Josiah Wolcott ’97

Annie Jaskulski ’15 Wyatt Dylan Thompson ’15

From Bryan Garman Dear Friends, “The only way to make sense out of change,” writes Alan Watts, “is to plunge into it, move with it and join the dance.” Transitions are full of excitement, of old memories and new possibilities, and as my family and I have been dancing to the new yet familiar beats of Washington, DC, Homecoming weekend allowed me to reﬂect on my time at Friends School and to remember some awkward steps I took in my ﬁrst year as Head.

With Alumni Award recipients Chick Altmaier ’51, Colleen Farrell ’04, and Peter Morrow ’59.

As I told those assembled for our alumni of the year awards, I spent my first Homecoming traveling to class parties across the Wilmington area. At one point, I charged into a local venue and asked the hostess where I could find the class reunion. She pointed up the stairs, where I found a hundred people waiting for the head of school to make remarks. I nervously began introducing myself, doing my best to be engaging, asking questions about the school. Ten minutes later, I recognized that these guests were wearing green and white reunion pins. I had crashed the wrong party. So, I wished our friendly rivals well and shuffled off to meet those wearing blue and white. Nine years later, at our various Homecoming events, I found myself speaking to a crowd in which I knew nearly everyone, a familiarity that was rewarding and reassuring. Relationships define the essence of the Friends community, and those remarkable relationships that I have enjoyed with alumni—as well as with faculty, staff, students, parents, and trustees—have shaped me in deep and profound ways. This past Homecoming was especially meaningful to me, not so much because it was my last at Friends but because of the friends we honored. It was extremely rewarding to dedicate spaces to former staff members Bill Neff and Violet Richman. And it was our great privilege to honor the legacies of Chris Mellor, Jane Rayner Groo ’40, David Shepherd ’58, and Ernest Woodacre. I was especially grateful to present alumni recognitions to two stalwart supporters of Friends: Peter Morrow ’59, Alumnus of the Year, and Don Altmaier ’51, Alumni Service Award. In addition, I was moved by the story of Colleen Farrell ’04, our Young Alumna of the Year, who has advanced the cause of justice by serving in the Marine Corps and advocating for change. With change in the air at Friends School, I leave feeling more grateful for my time here than I can express. And I leave feeling more confident about the School than ever. Our outstanding faculty and staff will see that the band plays beautifully on, doing so under the skillful direction of my good friend, Interim Head of School Bill Baczkowski. Bill’s leadership has been a gift to the School for more than 25 years, during which he has been a paragon of integrity and good judgment. No one cares more deeply about Friends than Bill, who has shepherded us through our various building projects and many other challenges. And in July, Bill will pass the baton to Ken Aldridge, who is uniquely qualified to lead Friends to its next level of success. I have known and admired Ken and his work for more than a decade, and, in working with and learning from him in the past few months, that admiration and friendship has deepened. Ken is a thoughtful and wonderfully talented educator, and I could not be more delighted to know that this historic School, which occupies a crucially important place in this community and in my consciousness, will be in his skilled hands.

Right, at the dedication of Christopher C. Mellor Field; below left, with Board Clerk Susan Kelley after her farewell tribute; below right, at the November 23 “Farewell to Bryan,” with Bill Neff.

Thank you, Friends School, for the extraordinary opportunity to serve and be a part of this community. In friendship and with gratitude,

Bryan Garman Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

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Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

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Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

FOR ALUMNI & FRIENDS

From the Alumni Association Clerk Melissa Fagan Billitto ’87 Dear Friends, This past fall, we celebrated yet another fantastic Homecoming and Reunion weekend. This was my seventh year serving on the Alumni Board, and it was great to participate in the festivities. I hope you were able to attend and experience all the fun!

The middle school cross country team ready for the 19th Annual Smith McMillan 5K.

Melissa Fagan Billitto ’87

The weekend’s events kicked off on Friday with a luncheon honoring the 50th+ reunion classes and 1748 Society members at the DuPont Country Club. Members of the Alumni Board had the pleasure of attending the luncheon. It was wonderful to hear John Urice ’64, a member of the 50th reunion class and recipient of the WFS Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2009, speak about the importance of his Friends experience. Later that evening, the celebrations moved to the middle and upper school library as we honored the 2014 Alumni Awardees, as well as the the school’s most loyal donors, at the True Blue and All Alumni reunion reception. Colleen Farrell ’04 was awarded Young Alumna of the Year; Chick Altmaier ’51 was the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award; and Peter Morrow ’59 was the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. All are truly inspirational. Thank you for “letting your lives speak!” The night concluded with a special dedication of the new facilities, complete with a student musical performance.

“Seeing the smiling faces of classmates catching up, exploring campus, and uniting to watch some Quaker athletics made me once again proud to be part of this extraordinary community.” The Alumni Board was honored to help select this past year’s alumni awardee recipients, and we’re getting ready to start the process again. We would love your help! If you would you like to share nominations, please contact the Alumni Ofﬁce at alumni@ wilmingtonfriends.org or 302.576.2981. We’ll be researching and coming to consensus on the award recipients this spring.

A capacity crowd rose to sing the Friends alma mater at the event dedicating facilities in honor of Bill Neff, Violet Richman, Christopher Mellor, Jane Rayner Groo ’40, Ernest Woodacre, and David Shepherd ’58. Convers Wyeth ’63, with longtime teacher and current archivist Terry Maguire behind him, at the 1748 Society and 50th+ Reunion Luncheon.

Join Us.

For those of you who made it back to campus, I hope you were able to visit the new facilities, including the new Theater with The Violet Lobby and Woodacre Room, Neff Gym, the atrium, and Christopher C. Mellor Track and Field. And as some of you may have noticed, the location of our Homecoming Tent was moved due to construction on the new Global Learning Center. It’s an exciting time at Friends and I encourage you to visit campus and check out the new facilities if you have not already done so. In closing, I would like to thank all the alumni who helped make Homecoming and Reunion Weekend a success! Seeing the smiling faces of classmates catching up, exploring campus, and uniting to watch some Quaker athletics made me once again proud to be part of this extraordinary community. Thank you for all you do in support of WFS,

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Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

Exciting News! After six years, Wilmington Friends Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Future of Friends Campaign has concluded more successfully than we could have predicted, surpassing our ambitious goal of $27 MILLION, the largest campaign in the history of Delaware day schools. Thanks to all of you, we were able to announce the success of the Campaign at the November 23rd Farewell to Bryan event, a great going away present to the Head of School who led this historic effort. Watch for all the details in our 2015 Future of Friends Campaign Report. And again, thank you!

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 â&#x20AC;˘ QuakerMatters

Reminiscing About Friends’ School 120 Years Ago

By Terence Maguire, WFS Archivist In 1894 an elderly Presbyterian minister, William Walker Taylor, shared his memories of being a student at Friends School in 1824-25: 190 years ago. In the very first Whittier Miscellany, of April 1895, much of Reverend Taylor’s talk to Friends’ School students was reprinted. [Note: until 1911, Friends’ School had an apostrophe]. That this talk dealt with Friends’ School’s history is not a coincidence. Isaac Johnson, appointed Principal in 1881, was the most influential head of school to that point. He was intensely aware of the school’s heritage as of 1894. In that same year, Johnson sent out a questionnaire (on mimeograph paper! who knew that such existed 120 years ago?) that asked the oldest living former students and teachers of Friends’ School to share their memories. The oldest was Miriam Lamborn Worrell, from 1816. Evidence gleaned from the WFS archives suggests strongly that Johnson intended to honor the 150th anniversary of Friends’ School by writing a history, ranging from 1748 to 1898. Clearly, he began such an effort—but he left Friends’ School before he finished it. Why is an intriguing question.

He had two sons, the elder, William, was his assistant; the younger was a scholar. We were sometimes indulged with a walk, but for this recreation we had to go to William; so William was beset for his consent. But I am not sure it paid, for we had to walk in procession and keep the ranks, and there were no girls along: we boys never caught glimpse of them unless in coming and going, for that sex had not advanced so far, as at the present day. Jesse Gauze came after him. I think Mr. Gauze was more indulgent as to recreation, for on one occasion when the man-of-war, the John Adams, was anchored out in the Delaware, we were taken down to the ship; but whether we went by steam or wind or oars, I do not remember. We had a good place for games of Bat and Ball on our own premises, which had been grievously curtailed by putting up these new buildings; which no doubt was done wisely, to show us, for one lesson, that we can’t have everything…. The eminence was called Quaker Hill. It made a grand place for winter sledding, when we were blessed with snow. It is the same hill, but where we have the graded sidewalk, on the south was a

steep jumping down place, giving slide, jumps, and bounds. ….Our school building then contained but two apartments on the ground ﬂoor, that on the south side for the girls’ classes; the north for the boys. We probably had two sessions, from 9 to 12; another from 2 to 5 with no holiday but Saturday afternoon, which was a high time for out-door employments, down to the Rock and Old Swede’s Church; not however after dark for it was reported to have been haunted; or to the romantic Brandywine; the race in the summer for swimming. I must name a grand old man, Isaac Kendall, who taught us boys to swim. In winter the Barley Mill Dam was used for skating and sled drawing. I studied nothing but English branches and, I think, nothing else was taught in the school. I need not say our writing was done with quills, steel pens had not come into use. Much attention must have been given to English Grammar, Lindley Murry’s, I suppose, for there was a class of which I was a member that met out of school hours. At one or more of the sessions a gentleman, Mr. Brown, by name, I think, was trying to introduce a new system of grammar, and though it was not to my credit I will confess when the hymn[al]s were given out in the old

Reverend Taylor’s talk seems to have been a part of Johnson’s effort. Taylor, born in 1811, left Wilmington for most of his adult life, earning a divinity degree at Yale and serving as pastor in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. By 1894, he was 83. Below is the text of the 1895 Whittier article entitled “Seventy Years Ago,” which selected only those parts of his talk that dealt with Friends’ School. Mr. Johnson has given me pleasure and honor, by asking me for some recollections of the days I spent at Friends’ School. It must have been in the years 1824 and 5; sixty-nine or seventy years ago, when I was thirteen and fourteen years old, that I was a member of the Friends’ School. I must have been for some time a pupil, for I remember two different teachers. One of these was Jesse Gauze [actually, Gause]; the other was a very nice Englishman whose name was Robert Hernard [Hurnard].

Fall/Winter Fall/Winter 2014-2015 2014-2015 •• QuakerMatters QuakerMatters

The Friends faculty around 1890; influential head Isaac Johnson, who invited Reverend Taylor to speak, is in the second row looking to his right.

The cover of the first Whittier, which contained the article on Reverend William Walker Taylor’s talk about being a student at Friends in 182425 era and about growing up in Wilmington.

stone Presbyterian Church, Fifth and Walnut streets, I confiscated them for parsing instead of singing…. As was proposed, every Fifth day, we were taken over to the Meeting House, sitting sometimes in complete silence. Twice, I am pretty sure, I witnessed the marriage ceremony, when something was said about Isaac and Rebecca, and Jacob and Rachel; but mostly, I’m afraid, we watched (irreverently), for the signal of breaking meeting, as you now see the two Elders shaking hands. Those magnificent elms were growing but had not attained their present growth of stock and outspreading gigantic limbs. I have learned the house was built in 1738 and used until 1748, both as a School and as a Friends’ Meeting House. Then a separate building was put up on the opposite side; and in 1816 and ’17 the present house was built. Omitted from the Whittier article are other details of early Wilmington life that Reverend Taylor shared and were reported in a local newspaper in December 1894. For example, he recalled the Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Wilmington in 1824, when he stayed at the tavern of one Patrick O’Flinn, next to which Reverend Taylor lived as a boy. “One day the speaker after watching the great man for some time, stepped up and held out his hand to the marquis. The great Frenchman received him kindly, and the boy was happy.” Other times, Taylor listened to Revolutionary War veterans of Delaware, reminiscing about a terrible battle in which most of their company died. It’s not surprising that an 83-year-old minister had memories, from 70 years earlier, of games of “bat and ball,” of sledding, of visiting warships, of exciting war stories, and of the fact that he had been at the time, like many young people, unmoved by Meetings for Worship. That the good Reverend “watched (irreverently)” reminds us that kids are kids, regardless of the century. One wonders how much those kids of 1894 cared about this old guy’s recollections—or, for that matter, how many youngsters here at Friends in 2014-2015 would find interesting these musings from 190 years ago. We can reasonably hope, however, that the perspectives of age and experience will lead our young people to value, as he did, their experience at Friends. Reverend Taylor, after all, did accept Dr. Johnson’s invitation to come home.

Save the Date! Auction for Friends Saturday, April 25, 2015 Auction for Friends will include Silent and Live Auctions benefiting Financial Aid at Wilmington Friends School. The event will be held at Barclays Bank, on the riverfront in Wilmington. Thanks in advance to our terrific chairs— Wendy Cutler & Kim Massih Dolan ’89 Keep an eye out for your email invitation in early spring. If you are interested in volunteering for the Auction committee or have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Stacy Gatti at: 302.576.2980 or sgatti@wilmingtonfriends.org.

Among the most popular auction items at our 2011 and 2013 events were collaborative quilts, made by now-parent of alumnus Gretchen Gobris. In 2013, Gretchen worked with IB art students and their teacher, Cynthia Stan Mellow, who created the quilt. Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

2014

HOMECOMING True Blue/All Alumni Reunion & Awards Reception

50th+ Reunion and 1748 Society Luncheon

Friends (and name tags with yearbook photos) at the Friday luncheon; see more on the 50th Reunion class and speaker, pages 13-14.

On Friday of Homecoming weekend, the School hosted a luncheon at the DuPont Country Club to honor alumni celebrating 50th+ reunions and to thank our 1748 Society Planned Giving donors. More than 100 friends attended. Please read and see more about the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1964 and our luncheon speaker, John Urice ’64, pages 13-14; and see more reunion photos, pages 14-17. Special recognition to Deb Biesterfeld Townshend ’39 who celebrated the 75th anniversary of her graduation from Friends, and to Ria Jelshoj Lerche ’64 who joined us from Denmark.

Our reception on Friday evening of Homecoming weekend was attended by more than 120 friends, and featured entertainment by the WFS Jazz Band, led by Chris Verry. This annual event honors our True Blue Donors (who have given to the school for 10 or more consecutive years) and our reunioning Alumni; a major highlight of the evening is the presentation of the Alumni Awards.

In opening the awards program and leading into the program dedicating new facilities, Bryan Garman recalled the 1778 gift to Wilmington Monthly Meeting from Benjamin Ferris, “for schooling children, white or black, who are not under the immediate care of any society.” Bryan said “Tonight, we celebrate Ferris’s spirit of giving by honoring friends who continue to nurture the school in a variety of ways.... Those we honor tonight have given from the deepest wellsprings of the spirit, have given generously to the communities that they care about deeply. So let us begin by honoring those alumni who have let their lives speak to the values of the school.”

Fourth Annual Alumni Art Show Thank you to our alumni artists. Alumni celebrating reunions are invited to participate in our Homecoming Alumni Art Show each year. The display in the Library is appreciated by the entire school community and provides an elegant setting for our True Blue/All Alumni Reunion & Awards Reception. Our 2014 alumni artists: U Donald “Chick” Altmaier ’51 (Alumni Art Show founder and Service Award Recipient) U Anna Hubbard Bellenger ’54 U Elisabeth Milliken Head ’59 U Billy Michels ’89 U Stephen Pyle ’54 U Marie Geesey Robinson ’54 U Eric Thome ’99 U John Urice ’64 U Emalea Pusey Warner (attended Friends between 1865 and 1870) 8

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Billy Michels ’89, our longtime Homecoming photographer, actually in a photo this year with his work in the Alumni Art Show.

Peter Morrow ’59 Distinguished Alumnus Award Peter Morrow, Class of 1959, is known as one of the all-time-great Friends School student-athletes. Bryan summarized Pete’s athletic career by saying, “He captained the basketball team, pitched a no-hitter against Friends Select, played football, and won the state championship in tennis for four consecutive years.” Pete shares the achievement of four-time state tennis champion with his son, Brint Morrow ’92. Pete continued his scholar-athlete career at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In his professional career, Pete serves as President of the Welfare Foundation and is former President of the Longwood Foundation. Numerous non-profit organizations in Delaware, especially schools, have benefited from his leadership in funding initiatives— including an especially valued grant to Friends from the Welfare Foundation following the 2012 fire. Peter is admired, as Bryan said, “as one of the kindest members of the Wilmington community...he is a paragon of integrity...he is remarkably understanding...And we admire him because he embodies the essence of philanthropy, a word that has its origins in the Greek word meaning ‘love of humanity.’” After being notified of the award, Pete illustrated the characteristics of caring and commitment that Bryan described; Pete wrote: “Wilmington Friends School has been a part of my life since I was born. My older brothers attended Friends, my children attended Friends, and I attended Friends. Friends School provided me with a quality education that allowed me to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and instilled in me a commitment to be deeply engaged in the Wilmington community where I have lived all of my adult life. I have been fortunate to work for some wonderful institutions including the DuPont Company, and the Longwood and Welfare Foundations. Each of these institutions have a deep commitment to community service and charitable giving.”

Chick Altmaier ’51 Outstanding Service Award Bryan described Donald “Chick” Altmaier, Class of 1951, as “a gift to this institution.” Chick served on the Alumni Board until last year, and is currently volunteering on the Annual Fund Leadership Committee and as a Class Agent. Chick’s devotion to Friends and affection for his classmates are also expressed through his Class of 1951 newsletter. He attends every “Connect-a-thon” to help with the Annual Fund and never hesitates to reach out to the WFS community to encourage support for the School. In fact, a professional development office first came into being at Friends because of Chick’s vision and commitment, recognizing a need and working tirelessly toward the common goal. Chick is also a talented artist who helped establish the Alumni Art Show, now in its fourth year. And, as Bryan said in his introduction, “One thing that is not on the resume but that matters deeply, Chick, is that you convey a sense of joy and respect to everyone you meet, that you ‘walk cheerfully over the world’ answering goodness in every person.” Outside of his work on behalf of Friends School, Chick is also a devoted alumnus of Princeton University, where he served as Associate Director of the Alumni Council for seven years, and volunteers on his class reunion committee and with admissions. Other community agencies to benefit from Chick’s loyal leadership include Kennett Square’s Bayard Taylor Memorial Library, the Old Swedes Foundation, and Pennsbury Township. Chick is also former president of the Delaware Tennis Association, which helped to make tennis a varsity sport in Delaware high schools and also helped to build the first four tennis courts at Friends. In his own remarks at the Reception, Chick said, “A question often asked of award recipients is ‘what inspired you; what was the impetus, catalyst that stimulated you to do what you’ve done?’ In my case, I think it was the ever present Quaker spirit here at Friends School that subconsciously was emblazoned across my heart, and then ramped up by the the college I went to, whose motto was, ‘In the nation’s service,’ later expanded to ‘In service of all nations,’ and finally my great class that over all the years has so enjoyed each other’s company.”

Colleen Farrell ’04 Young Alumna Award Colleen Farrell, Class of 2004, has always had a strong commitment to equality; at Friends, she played on the baseball team. After graduating from Haverford College, Colleen, a Quaker, enlisted in the Marine Corps. After she was selected for the highly competitive Female Engagement Ofﬁcer program, Colleen became As a Friends student, Colleen played on the baseball team, and Coach T remains one of her many dedicated fans. Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

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a leader and liaison at the regimental level in charge of 20 female Marines. She spent eight months in Afghanistan. She and her teams worked on projects like building schools, training midwives, and creating economic development through microlending. After her tour, Colleen and three other servicewomen joined an ACLU lawsuit against the Defense Department, challenging the policy that prevented women from serving in combat. She described the policy as a “blanket ban” that barred women from important advancement. Additionally, Colleen said that her experiences in Afghanistan, as well as the female casualties there and in Iraq, showed that women were already in combat. The ban was lifted in January 2013. Bryan introduced Colleen by pointing to the legacy of “brave and thoughtful Friends” who have taken up arms as “a matter of conscience.” He ended by citing the Marine Corps motto,

Dedication of New Facilities & Student Concert Immediately following the Reception, guests moved to the new Theater for a special event to dedicate the new, named facilities at Friends. The Theater itself was dedicated with a middle and upper school choir concert, featuring a piece commissioned especially for the occasion, thanks to The Philip S. Mintz Endowment for Vocal and Choral Arts.

Christopher C. Mellor Field We were very grateful to Debbie Mellor and Cary Mellor ’01 for joining us both for the Friday evening event and for the dedication before the Homecoming soccer game on Saturday. Family friend Bob Pincus, a current Friends parent and parent of alumna, spoke on both occasions about Chris Mellor and his love for Friends athletics. Cary took the honorary ﬁrst shot-on-goal before the game. Bob Pincus, Debbie Mellor, and Cary Mellor ’01 at the dedication before Saturday’s soccer game; Cary took an impressive honorary pre-game shot.

Semper Fidelis, Latin for “always loyal.” Bryan said, “Colleen has always been loyal to her beliefs, has always been courageous in the pursuit of living her values, so much so that she has been willing to put her life on the line for the cause. Friends School could not be more proud of that commitment.” In her remarks, Colleen said, “I would like to say thank you to all the teachers, coaches, and other members of the [Friends School] community who taught me about the importance of human equality, social justice, and nonviolence. Over the past few centuries, Quakers have been at the forefront of the struggle for women’s rights, the abolition of slavery, prison reform, and the non-violent resolution of conﬂict. I see the presentation of this award for my work in women’s rights both abroad and at home as conﬁrmation from the Wilmington Friends community that we still remain at the forefront of the struggle for equality.”

The Neff Gym & Shepherd Plaque The Neff brothers, David ’93 and Braden ’00, gave a presentation about their dad, longtime Friends teacher and administrator Bill Neff—with David on stand-up and Braden as the serious (but hardly stone-faced) sidekick. It was both very funny and very moving. We were happy to have Bill there to enjoy the tribute. In the Neff Gym, there is a plaque in honor of the late C. David Shepherd ’58, alumnus, parent of alumni, past trustee, great friend of the School, and another dedicated fan of Friends athletics. David ’93 and Braden ’00 Neff with an appropriately entertaining tribute to their father, Bill.

Violet Richman with longtime family friend and current Friends parent Jacqueline Nix.

Violet’s Lobby Thanks to a gift from Raymond Osbun ’71, who joined us for Homecoming weekend, the Theater lobby was dedicated in honor of longtime Friends performing arts teacher and all-around inspiration, Violet Richman. Tracey Quillen Carney ’80 spoke about Violet on Friday evening; and on Saturday, Homecoming guests enjoyed a performance of “UltraViolet,” a piece commissioned in Violet’s honor and performed by the ensemble Mélomanie.

The Groo Nook Named in memory of Jane Rayner Groo ’40, “The Nook” has quickly become a favorite spot on the middle/ upper school campus. Overlooking the atrium’s beautiful lighting, Ryan’s Deck, and green roof, it is a Quaker-grand addition. Debbie Mellor and Cary Mellor ’01, Jane’s daughter and grandson, were with us for the Friday evening dedication, and family friend Gail Chickersky shared wonderful memories. Opposite: The Groo Nook. 10

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Meeting for Worship Homecoming Meeting for Worship honors faculty and staff, past and present, with 15 or more years of service to the School. As always, Reunion classes were well represented, and the thoughtful messages bridged past, present, and future. Just before Homecoming Meeting for Worship.

Homecoming Service Project A very successful collection this year of items identiﬁed by The Ministry of Caring as priorities for our neighbors in need. Thanks to all who contributed and who volunteered to help with the donations.

The Woodacre Room Margo Woodacre spoke eloquently of her family’s deep connections to Friends School. The Woodacre Room, one of two dressing rooms in the new Theater, was dedicated in honor of Margo’s late husband, Ernest Woodacre. Their son, Stephen Woodacre, graduated from Friends in 1986.

Early-morning volunteers collected donations before the Smith McMillan 5K.

Margo Woodacre speaking at the Friday dedications. Performing Arts Department Chair Sara Gaines leads the combined middle and upper school choir performance of “Music Can Change Me.”

“Music Can Change Me” Thanks to choral directors Sara Gaines and Margaret Anne Butterﬁeld for preparing and leading the wonderful concert that ended our evening, ofﬁcially dedicating the new Theater. The concert included the world premiere of a piece commissioned especially for the occasion, “Music Can Change Me” by Jim Papoulis. As Sara explained, Papoulis was chosen not only because of his international stature and great talent, but also because his lyrics and community service are so well aligned with Quaker testimonies, especially community and peace. Many thanks to our student performers, and to the alumni who joined them. Margaret Anne Butterfield conducts the combined choirs in “How Can I Keep From Singing?”

Lower School Bake Sale A second Homecoming service project is the Lower School Bake Sale, to beneﬁt a nonproﬁt with connections to the lower school community. This year’s proceeds were donated to Autism Speaks. Again, many thanks to our bakers, buyers, and volunteers.

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2014

As always, a big thank you to our loyal committee members, volunteers, and sponsors!

HOMECOMING

The 19th Annual Smith McMillan Memorial 5K Run & Walk

Committee: Katy Connolly, co-clerk Diane Nolen, co-clerk Annette Aerenson Marci Aerenson Denise Chapman Jon Clifton ’80 Chip Connolly ’79 Elizabeth Connolly ’09 Adam Cutler Wendy Cutler Sarah Driscoll Jack Ford Kim Ford Stacy Gatti Sue Handling Aliceia Higginbotham Jane Hollingsworth Stacy Horowitz Susan Kelley Dawn Manley Jim Manley Joe Napoletano Lynne Nathan Mike Nolen Jennifer O’Brien Tom O’Brien Lisa Townsend Raber ’77 Cat Wiedwald Stenta ’96

Katy Connolly, event co-clerk, shows off a prize package for the top alumni finisher.

In its 19th year (start gearing up for the 20th!), the Smith McMillan Memorial 5K Run/Walk was, again, a huge success. With a new logo (thanks to WFS parent Alex Tornek) and great leadership from the committee, the event attracted a record 270+ runners and walkers and raised more than $6,000 in sponsorships and registrations. Once again, Jon Clifton ’80 provided indispensable professional organization. And Java Puppy was on hand with welcome refreshments. Our Homecoming 5K was founded in memory of Jonathan Bacon Smith ’83 and Wendy Smith McMillan ’77, and all proceeds go toward Financial Aid Endowment at Wilmington Friends School. Congratulations to all, including division winners— Overall Male - Drew Vandenbrul Overall Female - Polly Jansen Male Alumni - Mike Connolly ’84 (second overall - Yeah, Mike!) Female Alumni - Amanda Singleton Hay ’95 WFS Faculty/Staff - Jon Huxtable and Rebecca Zug

Sponsors:

Just missing Ryan, who was getting ready for the soccer game, and Patrick, who was the kicker for the football team, the Kirkpatricks and Pearces made the 5K a family effort.

And among our student-age top ﬁnishers— 10 & younger male Colin Miller, Peter Connelly, Andrew McKenzie 10 & younger female Katie Lawrence, Anna Maansson, Kaely Tornek 11-12 male - Cole Morris, Nathaniel Huxtable, Adam Lenges 11-12 female - Remy Stewart, Eden Groum, Mimi Lyn Bacon Smith, Jon and Wendy’s mother Terranova and former WFS staff, with Carl McMillan ’79 13-14 male - Michael and Sue McMillan (both parents of alumni), McKenzie, Christian and Lyn’s sister (also parent of alumni), Gallagher, Andrew Knotts Muriel Bacon Wilson Rusten. 13-14 female Kate Immesberger, Fiona Saunders, Ruth Hazzard 15-16 male - Andrew Slomski, Christian Stanborough, Tommy Manley 15-16 female - Jodi Lessner, Eleanor Napoli, Margeaux Pantano 17-18 male - Steven Ly, Elijah Jabbar-Bey, Quinn Kirkpatrick 17-18 female - Annie Jaskulski, Lucy Sullivan, Claire Pearce Francis Iacobucci ’04 and his wife, Prianka Sharma.

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Thank you to all of our volunteers, represented here by WFS parent and staff member Lynne Nathan; Smith McMillan cofounder, loyal volunteer, alumna and parent of alumni Lisa Townsend Raber ’77; trustee and parent of alumna Denise Chapman; and board clerk and parent of alumni Susan Kelley.

Racer Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists Jamie Nicholls & Fran Biondi ’83 Strider Jon Clifton ’80 Productions Connolly Family Hayman Creative Promotional Products Agency Mraz Family Nolen Associates PNC Bank Pacesetter Aerenson Family Annette, Bob ’79, Whitney ’09, and Jackie ’15 Connolly Gallagher LLP First American Title Insurance Company FoldFast Goals free+abel Stacy Horowitz~Levy WilsonLong & Foster Kelley FamilySusan, Bernie, Eric ’10 and Lauren ’12 Pantano Real Estate ServiceMark ThinkIT Partners, LLC Tornek Design Associates Donors Annette Aerenson Marci Aerenson Candies for All Occasions Jon Clifton ’80 Connolly Family Cutler Family Gatti Family Hollingsworth Family Horowitz Family Johnnie’s Dog House Kelley Family Manley Family Manhattan Bagels Joe Napoletano Nolen Family O’Brien Family Raber Family Toscana Trader Joe’s Doug White WFS Business Office WFS Home & School Association

Class of 1964 50th Reunion Leslie Kirkman Reed, 1964 Class Agent and reunion planner, summarized what was clearly a thoroughly enjoyed weekend. From Leslie: First, a “huge thank you to those who were able to attend some, if not all, of our 50th Reunion weekend activities. For most of us, the biggest surprise was that we are now at that milestone in our lives. We had a great attendance...including: “Ed Bigler (& wife Cate), Dick Broad, Vicki Milliken Buccino (& husband Sal), Robert Cannon, Beth Cavanaugh, Dorothy Cook Coady (& husband Roger), Marianne Johns Cook, Harriet Dann, David Ellis (& wife Martha), Geoff Holmes, Ira Kirch (& wife Lian Deng), Steve Lawrence, Ria Jelsoj Lerche (our Danish exchange student & friend Bodil), Rich McKelvie, Bill Morton, Mary Linda Vannoy Priestley, Leslie Kirkman Reed (& husband Philip), Murray Sawyer (& wife Randy), Judy Reed Smith, John Urice, Corlet Jackson Weisel, Mary Bloomsburg Wemlinger, Chris Whitney (& wife Becky), Mike Wise (& daughter Becky), Convers Wyeth, Laura Rhoads Wyeth, Janet Martin Yabroff (& husband Ron), and Pam Perkins Young. (A tip of the hat to Katie Gressle and Phip Strange who had both made reservations to attend, but had to cancel at the last minute; thanks for that effort, and we’ll look for you at the 55th, if not before!) A particular thanks to friends and family members who joined us...we embrace you as one of us. Thanks for putting up with all those stories. “The best part of it being the 50th reunion is that most of us, if not now fully retired, have more ﬂexibility in our schedules, which allowed so many to join us for the weekend. Speaking personally, it seems it was yesterday that we walked those hallways. It wasn’t until I took a full tour of the school and the new facilities that made the time warp so very obvious. “Thank you, too, to the school’s Alumni & Development Ofﬁce for their work on such a successful Homecoming weekend, and for making the members of the Class of ’64 feel so special.” In addition to the 50th Reunion lunch on Friday, the Class of 1964 met following Meeting for Worship on Homecoming Saturday to take a tour of the middle/upper school building. Other 50th Reunion celebrations included Friday night at Buckley’s, dinner Saturday at the Greenville Country Club, and brunch together on Sunday.

Front row: Janet Martin Yabroff, Chris Whitney, Mary Linda Vannoy Priestley, John Urice, Dick Broad, Rich McKelvie, Dave Ellis. Back row: Mike Wise, Vicki Milliken Buccino, Bob Cannon, Ria Jelshoj Lerche, Corlet Jackson Weisel, Dorothy Cook Coady, Convers Wyeth, Pamela Perkins Young, Ira Kirch, Marianne Johns Cook, Leslie Kirkman Reed, Bill Morton.

From Remarks by John K. Urice ’64 50th+ Reunion and 1748 Society Luncheon I had been eagerly looking forward to this reunion before I was invited to speak. Afterwards, I did some soul-searching and revisited many memories from 50 or more years ago. Naturally, time and my ego have distorted many such recollections— my belief that I was the captain of the football team may be wrong—but some events and experiences are clear, helped by a review of the yearbook. In considering what to say, I realized I could not speak for an entire class of more than 40 alumni; I can only speak for myself.

50th Reunion luncheon speaker John Urice ’64.

Many of you knew my mother, a strong-willed single parent (who died last year at 92). She had one overarching value, education. In 1962, she managed to get both Stephen, who was four years behind me, and me admitted to Friends with essential scholarships. My two years here often were ﬁlled with wonderful opportunities: I was in two Whittier Plays, headed the dramatics committee, organized a couple of auction fundraisers, and became the original caretaker of the spittoon that became a strange symbol of our class. (That’s in the yearbook, not my fuzzy memory. Strangely, the yearbook makes no mention of my football prowess.) One of the most important opportunities of my life happened during my junior year. A faculty member—I cannot remember who—showed me a ﬂyer from Trinity College in Hartford about a summer program for high school students. I had always Members of the 50th Reunion class met at the Jones House to take a campus tour. Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

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loved history, and at Trinity I could take two semesters of college courses in six weeks. I applied, was accepted, and again given a scholarship. I was stunned my ﬁrst day of the college class: I was one of a few highschoolers in a group of about 40 college students. The professor strode into the room, fully gowned, and discussed history in way I had never heard. He talked about how diseases had changed history, how sex had caused empires to fall—something I had NOT heard discussed much at Friends—and he opened a world of learning I had never imagined.

1939

Doris Biesterfeld Townshend.

1944

Louise Ford Ralph and Howard Starkweather.

My senior year was generally wonderful, if not academically stellar. It’s important to remember that our class graduated into a country in tumult. We recently had experienced the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of President Kennedy, and the start of a war in a place most of us never knew existed. As we moved through college, the Civil Rights and Women’s Movements were gaining momentum. We must recall that “The Sixties” became synonymous with massive social, cultural, and moral changes. In this context, we each had to make decisions. We were the ﬁrst of the Baby Boom generation and most of us had unlimited opportunities to achieve what we wanted. But what did we want? Each of us chose our own path, had our own successes, and made our own mistakes—and we generally learned from them. As I moved through life, I relied on the values I had learned at home, but that had been honed at Friends: respect for others; learning for the joy of it; and peace wherever possible.

1949

Front row: Connie Howard Henke and Mason Marston Daley-Boyd; back row: Loretta Mearns Setter, David Henke, John Beekley, Ann Fletcher Beekley, and Bob Altmaier.

In closing, I want to make two points. For me, Friends was not just a campus, nor a school. It was a place where I was nurtured; where I learned values, not just facts; and where I best understood the concept of community. I felt the faculty cared about me. To this day, I am everlastingly grateful for the experiences I had here. Lastly, you have twice heard me mention scholarships. Both my brother and I beneﬁtted greatly from the generosity of others and the encouragement of our mother. In 1997, Stephen and his late spouse, Mark, and Penny and I established the Babette B. Rogers Scholarship Fund, and we add to it at least annually. We wanted to recognize our mother’s values while she was alive, express gratitude for our own professional and personal successes, and help future students have the opportunity to experience a Friends School education.

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1954

Front row: Roby Simpson Harrell, Anne Bailey Donaghy, Anna Hubbard Bellenger, Frank Hoopes, Faith Poole Greeley, Jack Hyden, and Nancy Wier Gardner; back row: Lisa Amend Ashby, John Salzberg, Anne Jackson Barnhill, and Charles Clark. Not pictured: Steve Pyle, Alan Young, and Marie Geesey Robinson.

1959

Becky Holladay Dickinson, Peter Morrow, and Liz Milliken Head.

1964

See pages 13-14.

1969

The Class of 1969 celebrated its 45th Reunion with dinner Saturday evening at the Vicmead Hunt Club. Front row: Bob Hackett, Mindy Winslow Harris, Don Prutzman, Becky Bell Ley, and Nancy Reese; middle row: Barry Snyder, Joan Pearce Snyder ’78, Peter Close, Mitzi Brentlinger, Tim Garwood, Tricia Ullrich, Phyllis Shomo Beidler, Peter Isakoff, Jill Pryor Isakoff, Martha Rhoads Kob, and Bruce Baganz; back row: Bruce Rosenblatt.

1974

The Class of 1974 celebrated its 40th Reunion Saturday evening at the home of Dorothy Connolly Mraz and husband Fred. Front row: Tom Lundgaard, Dorothy Connolly Mraz, Peter Kelemen, Jan-Maloy Edwards, Dan Troyan, and Meg Adams Hunter; middle row: Coach T, Mike Wilbur, past faculty member John Barbis, Tina Finesmith, Margo Hoff Pennock, past faculty member Bill Bickley, Donna DeBoer Nacchia, Scott Lauter, and Mike Drews; back row: former Head of School Bill Goulding, Erik Gunn, Richard Johnson, Jonathan Pennock, Dixon Lamborn, Geoff Wilkinson, Jim Taylor, Pev Hukill, and Ralph Knoll. Not pictured: Maggi O’Brien, Chris Sanger, and former faculty members Violet Richman and Harry Hammond.

1979

The Class of 1979 celebrated its 35th Reunion Saturday evening at the home of Nancy Magness. Other festivities included Friday night at the BBC and Sunday brunch at Buckley’s followed by the class tradition of a “stupid swim.” Front row: Teryl Stapleton Price, Amy Magness Larnick, Sally Drews Brodbeck, and Nina Porter Winfield; middle row: Kathy High Dodge, Nancy Magness, Cathy Kelleher Burgy, John Kaiser, Catherine Hartenauer Scanlon, Nancy Kuniholm Aronhalt, Jeff Hughes, Ken Graham; back row: Shokie Bragg, Carl McMillan, Steve Johnson, Kevin Dew, Tom Gilmore Bukovatz (behind Kevin), John Romanoli, Chip Connolly, and Rob Heaton.

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1984

The Class of 1984 celebrated its 30th Reunion at the home of Steve Malone and wife Robyn. Front and center: John McDermott; middle row: Paul Schnee, Susie Tattersall Davis, Ceci Kosenkranius, Sharon Mulrooney Flanagan, Alice Miner, Dena Robinson Anderson, Anne Harper, Debbie Szanto, and Jeff Liebesman; back row: Mark Pearce, Geoff Turner, Tommy Coleman, David Lemons, Doug Whitney, David Mulrooney, Marshall Stafford, Jay Bancroft, Elizabeth Dinsel, John Bonifaz, Ellen Cordrey deVrind, Steve Malone, Mike Connolly, Ann Putney, Russ Bohner, and Marcy Stong Burka.

1999

(Opposite) The Class of 1999 celebrated its 15th reunion Saturday evening at Ernest & Scott Taproom. Left to right: Katie Wolf Martinenza, Abbey Collins McCabe, Marie Capano Downes, Lily Davidson, Paury Flowers, Andrew Ganim, Avigail Dadone, Alyssa Marek-Dunn, Ashley Biden, and Thomas Shipman.

1989

The Class of 1989 celebrated its 25th reunion Saturday evening at the Elks Lodge. Other weekend events included a golf outing and bowling. Front row: Brynne Johnson-Bruno, Brad Pope, Trelly Vergara Shaikh, Anne Tallman Skibicki, Toni Blye, Mimi Wier Royer, BJ Vinton, Jennifer Johnson Vinton, Lex Vergara, Kim Massih Dolan, Rob Brand, Luise Stromberg, Linda Holmes, and Dinusha Wijayaratne Collure; back row: John Quisel, Keith Snyder, Andy Houston, Julie Boswell McCulloch, Scott Smith, Paul Burke, Scott Goldman, Wes Dinsel, Todd Quimby, Chris Farrell, Erin Brownlee Dell, Tom Dippel, Kyle Page, Tricia Seibold, Billy Michels, and Renay Mercer Gore.

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1994

The Class of 1994 celebrated its 20th reunion Saturday evening at Kid Shelleen’s. Front row: Nakisha DeShields, Amy Curran Harper, Molly Mahoney Reese, Emily Beck, and Sohah Iqbal; back row: Alyssa Almond, Emma Clarke Collins, Carby Wise, Jamie Jenney, Owen Grenfell, Anne Brownlee, Lindsay Rademaker Reinhold, Elias Ganim, Bill Marin, Dan Pfeiffer, Mark Gatenby, Reed Hunt, Brady Nemeth, and Don Morton.

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2014 Fall Sports Congratulations and thank you to the student-athletes, coaches, families, and fans who gave us such an exciting fall in Quaker sports, including an undefeated regular season in football, three state tournament teams (and two state tournament wins), two conference championships, a new soccer ﬁeld, and more.

Cross Country At the state meet, both the boys’ and girls’ teams from Friends finished in the top 10! And Martha O’Brien ’15 and Josh Pincus ’16 were top-20 individually. Martha also finished ninth in the DISC meet, qualifying for first team All Conference. Captains—seniors Martha O’Brien, Amanda Ramos, Julia Russ, Steven Ly, and Elijah Jabbar-Bey; head coach—Paul Nemeth. Congratulations to all.

Field Hockey Congratulations to Friends ﬁeld hockey on a 10-win season, quite an accomplishment in the tough DISC conference. Seeded #12 in the tournament, the Quakers gave #5 all they could handle. It was a heartbreaking 1-2 loss in DOUBLE overtime, as close as it gets—but much to celebrate. Captains—seniors Jane Yeatman, Meryl Gatti, and Hana Arai; head coach— Scott Clothier. Congratulations to the eight WFS ﬁeld hockey players recognized with AllState and All-DISC honors: Meryl Gatti ’15 - 1st Team All State, 1st Team All Conference Shannon Skibicki ’15 - 2nd Team All State, 1st Team All Conference Margo Tschantz ’15 - 1st Team All Conference, WDEL Player of the Week Jane Yeatman ’15 - 1st Team All Conference Molly Harper ’15 - 2nd Team All Conference, Senior All-Star Game Hana Arai ’15 - 2nd Team All Conference Simone Veale ’17 - 2nd Team All Conference Jackie Conner ’16 - Honorable Mention All Conference

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

Members of the cross country team ready for the Smith McMillan 5K (see more on that event, page 12). Right: Leading the pack, Martha O’Brien ’15 and Josh Pincus ’16.

Celebrating an exciting 1-0 Homecoming win vs. Tatnall.

After the Homecoming win, Margo Tschantz ’15, center, with grandmother Ellie Alexander Poorman ’53 and mother Martha Poorman Tschantz ’85. First team All-Stater and tricaptain Meryl Gatti.

Football Quaker football completed its undefeated (10-0) regular season in style, with a 42-6 win vs. Tower Hill and a conference championship. In the first round of the state tournament, Friends beat Archmere 41-27 to advance to the semi-finals. A 0-14 semi-final loss could not dampen the celebration of what the local newspaper described as a “dream season.” Friends was even featured on Philadelphia TV, with a regional “High School Blitz” Top 5 (#2!) Play of the Year. This year’s football team was led by 15 seniors, including tri-captains Tommy Rhodes, Ian Furman, and Jimmy Carney. Thank you for the tremendous alumni support for Coach T and the team. All-Conference recognitions for the DISC champion, state semi-finalist football team: First Team Offense: C - Conor Ganse ’15 G - Danny DePaulo ’15 G - Logan O’Brien ’15 TE - Jake Erskine ’15 RB - Jimmy Carney ’15 QB - Justin Beneck ’17 P - Jimmy Carney ’15 KR-PR - Jimmy Carney ’15 K - Patrick Pearce ’15 First Team Defense: DT - Tai Holden ’16 DT - Logan O’Brien ’15 DE - Tommy Rhodes ’15

The 15 seniors on the football team, after the 42-6 win over Tower Hill to seal the 10-0 season and conference championship.

Coach T’s career record now includes seven undefeated seasons, 23 conference championships, 30 wins in the rivalry game, and 283 wins overall. Tri-captains Ian Furman and Jimmy Carney celebrate a score in the 28-6 Homecoming win vs. Tatnall.

LB - Spencer Hall ’15 DB - Jonathan Gardner ’16 DB - Jimmy Carney ’15 Honorable Mention Offense: G - Ian Furman ’15 TE - Tommy Rhodes ’15 WR - Scott Davis ’15 FB - Stephen Maguire ’16 Honorable Mention Defense: DT - Ian Furman ’15 DE - Tommy Cover ’16 LB - Henry Gise ’17 DB - Devonte Church ’17 DB - Myles Wilson ’15 Academic All State: The designation is awarded by the state football coaches association to players who earn a varsity letter while maintaining a GPA of 3.75 or higher. Jimmy Carney ’15 Terrence Dai ’15 Dan DePaulo ’15 Jake Erskine ’15 Ben Fischer ’15 Ian Furman ’15 Conor Ganse ’15 Jonathan Gardner ’16 Henry Gise ’17 Spencer Hall ’15 Jeff Hollingsworth ’15 Cameron Kendle ’16 Logan O’Brien ’15 Tommy Rhodes ’15 Macon Sheppard ’15 Myles Wilson ’15

Soccer Thanks to the 2014 Friends boys’ soccer team for opening the new Mellor Field with character. Special thanks to the seniors for their leadership of a young squad; the captains were seniors Drew Conner, Jacob Gagliano, and Phillip Trainer; head coach - Rick Sheppard.

Volleyball Congratulations to Quaker volleyball on its DISC championship season (8-0 in the conference). Seeded #11, the Quakers swept the #6 seed 3-0 in the opening round of the state tournament. Friends lost in the quarterﬁnals, but not quietly; the second set was 25-27, the 3rd was 23-25. Again, much to celebrate. Captain—senior Cassidy Martin; head coach—Barb Fitzgerald. From the DISC champion, state quarterﬁnalist Quaker volleyball team, congratulations to: Alyssa Nathan ’17 - 2nd Team All State, 1st Team All Conference Cassidy Martin ’15 - 2nd Team All Conference Katrina Skibicki ’17 - 2nd Team All Conference Alex Musi ’17- 2nd Team All Conference Above: Celebrating the dramatic 3-2 win vs. Sanford on Homecoming Friday. Above right: Senior captain Cassidy Martin. Right: All-Stater Alyssa Nathan with the set.

Congratulations to WFS soccer players: Patrick Haubert ’16 1st Team All Conference Naza McMillian ’16 2nd Team All Conference Jakob Katzen ’16 - Honorable Mention All Conference Jacob Gagliano ’15 Honorable Mention All Conference Above right: Senior tri-captain Drew Conner works the ball, with help from teammates Max Pickles and Patrick Haubert. Right: Celebrating the first goal scored on Mellor Field; junior Patrick Haubert found the net.

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The Band The ever popular WFS Band, comprised of fourth through eighth graders, once again wow’ed the halftime crowd. Thanks to Chris Verry and his truly, merry band.

News from Summer & Fall Global Solutions Lab Blaise Glowiak ’16 attended the summer 2014 Design Science Global Solutions Lab, which was on the topic, “Human Rights and Human Development: Eliminating Extreme Poverty by 2030.” UN experts briefed students and young professionals who came from around the world; Blaise wrote that he had met “so many cool people from Georgia, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Poland, Nigeria, Jamaica, and even New Jersey.” Participants developed strategies and then presented their work at the UN. Blaise’s group worked on improving living conditions for refugees.

Governor’s School of Excellence Jodi Lessner ’16 was selected to attend the Governor’s School of Excellence, a weeklong academic and arts immersion program at the University of Delaware. Jodi is the fourth member of her family to participate in the Governor’s School, following her father, mother, and sister Sabrina ’11.

National Journalism Conference Shannon Skibicki ’15 was selected as Delaware’s representative to the Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Conference in Washington, DC, in June. The conference featured journalists, First Amendment law experts, and elected ofﬁcials—among these, Gwen Iﬁl, Judy Woodruff, Sarah Ganim, and Congressman John Lewis. Each participant was awarded a $1000 scholarship. Other recent WFS alumni of the conference include Kenji Endo ’14 and Annie McDonough ’13.

IB Success Continues

Middle school recess on the first day of school, September 2014; the bright green shirts indicated student mentors for sixth graders and students new to Friends.

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Thirty members of the Class of 2014 earned the IB Diploma. An additional 26 students earned credit for work in individual IB courses. Over the 10 years that WFS seniors have completed the program, with an open enrollment approach, 90% of candidates have earned the diploma, compared to a global average of about 80%, which includes many schools that restrict IB enrollment.

Field Hockey Global Connection In a ﬁeld hockey/global education pre-season highlight, Friends hosted a scrimmage with St. George’s School for Girls of Edinburgh, Scotland. In a nice side connection, a Friends family had just returned from a three-year assignment in Scotland, where their older two children had attended The Edinburgh Academy, the sister school to St. George’s.

WFS Football Hosts Special Olympics For the second year, Friends football hosted the kick-off event for the Special Olympics Delaware ﬂag football program. The Friends players and coaches led drills for the visiting athletes, working mostly in “buddy”pairs. Thanks to parent of alumni Artie Kempner and the Quaker coaches for organizing the event, and to the parents for providing water and snacks. (See photos below right.)

Safe Sports School Award The National Athletic Trainers’ Association recognized Wilmington Friends as a “Safe Sports School— First Team.” According to the NATA press release, the

Senator Coons Visit

award recognizes schools that provide “safe environments for student athletes,” emphasizing, “the best level of care, injury prevention, and treatment.” The Friends community joins in thanking and congratulating WFS Athletic Trainer Devon Adams for all that she does on behalf of our student athletes.

Usually, Friends ﬁfth graders have a chance to meet with Delaware’s congressional delegation on the annual class trip to Washington, DC. But this year, Congress was not in session during the trip, so DC came to Friends via a visit and Q&A session for ﬁfth graders with U.S. Senator (and Friends parent) Chris Coons.

First WFS Online Courses Wilmington Friends is a member of the Malone Schools Online Network (MSON), a consortium of 15 schools that have received funding from the Malone Family Foundation “in recognition of their interest in and success with educating gifted and talented students.” Friends is the only Malone Family Foundation school in Delaware. The MSON works through a partnership with Stanford University’s Online High School. Friends science teacher Ellen Johnson is teaching an MSON course in Bioethics this year, with students enrolled from Friends and schools in California, Texas, Florida, Pennsylvania, and Washington, DC. MSON provides upper school students at participating Malone Schools with online courses that combine real-time seminars with recorded lectures and online exercises. Other courses available to Friends students through MSON this year included Advanced Computer Programming, Advanced Abstract Math, Advanced Topics in Chemistry, Introduction to Organic Chemistry, and Meteorology.

National Merit Scholar Program Congratulations to Meera Kohli and Macon Sheppard, class of 2015, on qualifying as Semi-Finalists in the National Merit Scholar Program. Nick Granda-Stone received a commendation in the Program, and Evan Martinez was recognized as a 2014-2015 National Hispanic Scholar. In addition, Director of College Guidance Kathleen Martin was selected to serve on the National Merit Scholarship Advisory Council, which advises, shapes, and nurtures the National Merit Scholarship Program.

At lower school, buddy classes (like third grade and ELC) meet several times each year for Meeting for Worship and activities like reading. Older students practice their “fluent reading” by sharing books aloud with younger buddies.

Visitors from Down Under Wilmington Friends was pleased to welcome visitors from The Friends’ School in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Our guests were interested in student leadership across the divisions and how Quaker values are embedded in our curriculum and service work. Friends School Hobart is a pre-K through 12th grade, coeducational, day and boarding school founded in 1887, with an enrollment of 1300 students. Thanks to incoming Head of School Ken Aldridge, far right in the photo with our visitors, for arranging the tour.

New Facilities Earn LEED Gold (and Add Coffee) The new Theater, atrium, and gym at Friends, which opened in May 2014, earned LEED Gold certiﬁcation. LEED, Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certiﬁcation program. In addition, the Friends Food Service program opened the Java Nook on the lobby level of the atrium, serving coffee, tea, cold drinks, and morning snacks, 7:30-11:00, and giving students and staff a much appreciated new gathering and study space.

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19 21

NEWS FROM SUMMER & FALL for next year. Many thanks to middle school science teacher and summer camp director Carlos Charriez and his parent and student/camper volunteers for leading the Organic Garden initiative (read more about it in our spring issue).

All-Star Choirs

Volleyball Leads Cancer Awareness Effort The Friends volleyball team led activities during October to raise money for breast cancer research. Efforts included a “wear pink” dress down day and the “Dig Pink” volleyball game, with a bake sale and merchandise sale. The team also prepared dinners for a Friends alumnae family battling cancer.

WFS Organic Garden-to-School In a farm-to-school program all our own, produce from the Wilmington Friends Organic Garden at Bellevue State Park is now being served in lower school lunches and in our cafeteria. The last big harvest of the season included eggplant, zucchini, jalapeno peppers, and carrots, followed by a harvest of onions. The garden was then turned over to cover crops to discourage weeds and also to help return organic matter to the soil

Sixth grader Isaiah Gaines was selected for the American Choral Directors’ National Honors Choir for Junior High and Middle School Boys. Isaiah will sing at the February ACDA national conference in Salt Lake City. There were more than 3,300 applicants for the four Honors Choirs that will perform (with about 150200 chosen for each). In upper school, junior Joslyn Gardner was selected for the Delaware Music Educators’ Association All-State Senior Mixed Chorus.

Liberia Service Project Lower school teacher Sia Willie, who is originally from Liberia, brought an all-school service project to Friends this fall in response to the Ebola Scenes from the annual Lower School Halloween outbreak in West Africa. Parade, which is led by seniors and their first grade Families generously donated buddies. much needed basic food and sanitation supplies, and two shipments were sent to Liberia the championship round of the Novemby Sia’s faith community. Lower school ber Delaware Valley Regional Ethics closed its drive at Meeting for Worship Bowl at Villanova University, sponsored before Thanksgiving, described by Head by the UNC Parr Center for Ethics. of Lower School Annette Hearing in a Upper school and Malone Schools Online note to parents: Network science teacher Ellen Johnson is the club’s advisor. Participating students “It was such a moving experience to see were senior Meera Kohli and juniors each child in our lower school arrive to Demetria Ruhl, Rebecca Sakaguchi, and Meeting for Worship this morning, carryJessica Saunders. ing a can, a box of food, or other supplies for Liberia. Each item was carefully Fourth Grade Wins Constitution Award placed at the edge of the stage and on the steps leading up to the stage, and they Congratulations to the Wilmington then became a focus for our ﬁnal MeetFriends fourth grade on winning the ing for Worship before Thanksgiving. As Jacob Broom Award in this year’s Delaone ﬁfth grader said, ‘I’m so proud to be ware U.S. Constitution Competition. a part of this - look at what we did!’ We An award is named for each Delaware can certainly each have a helpless feeling signer of the Constitution, and the Broom when we hear about issues nearby and far Award is designated for an independent away. It often seems like there’s nothing any one of us can do. This morning’s visual demonstration of the possibilities and the beauty of working together was quite powerful!”

Bioethics Team Congratulations to the Friends Bioethics Team, which reached 22

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NEWS FROM SUMMER & FALL school or home school entry. A group of judges from the Delaware Department of State came to school to evaluate the four-panel display, which included interactive elements (like listening to the students perform a song with lyrics from an original student poem) that was part of the entry. Students, teachers, and parents were invited to an award ceremony in conjunction with Delaware Day, where they picked up a second award, 1st place for artistic work.

MOAS The annual Model Organization of American States conference was December 3-5 at the OAS in Washington, DC. This year, Friends represented Brazil and St. Kitts and Nevis. The student clerk was senior Tommy Rhodes. Other students participating were seniors Hannah Caspar-Johnson, Danny DePaulo, Grace Gannon, and Patrick Pearce; juniors Cat Clark, Nolan Delaney, Emilio Ergueta, Joslyn Gardner, Blaise Glowiak, Kelly Hartwick, Maddie Ireland, Jodi Lessner, Eleanor Napoli, Josh Pincus, and Alex Trudel; sophomores Andrew Jaworski, Sadie Proud, and Simone Veale; and freshman Issela Rios. It was Friends’ 21st year participating in the conference. Last year, Friends and our MOAS faculty advisor, upper school history and TOK teacher Javier Ergueta, were recognized as one of two schools to participate continuously in the program.

POCC/SDLC Also in early December, ﬁve students and ﬁve faculty/administrators from Friends attended the National Association of Independent Schools’ People of

A short stretch of late-fall warm weather gave kindergarten students some extra time outside.

Color Conference and Student Diversity Leadership Conference in Indianapolis. Student participants in the SDLC conference were senior Elijah Jabbar-Bey, and juniors Nimalah Baaith-Ducharme, Isaiah Congo, Sydney Gardner, and Daniel Sha-

bazian. Attending the POCC conference were Upper School Dean for Students Lynn Puritz-Fine, upper school history teacher and coach Don Morton ’94, middle school English teacher Amanda McMillan-Williams, Assistant Head of Lower School Julie Rodowsky, and ﬁrst grade teacher Laura Foltz.

GLC Update The Global Learning Center is the ﬁnal new construction in a project that has included the new Theater, gym, and atrium, which opened last May, and the new track and turf ﬁeld, which opened in early September. The GLC

Second Grade “Makerspaces” and “Shark Tank” A variety of materials were contributed to the Library’s collection for the second grade Makerspaces unit—things like popsicle sticks, fabric scraps, shoe boxes, empty yogurt cups, and a range of repurposed materials that second graders used to tinker and invent “gizmos, gadgets and doohickeys.” The unit started with books and a short ﬁlm about inventions; then students brainstormed ideas, built and reﬁned their gizmos, and did “Shark Tank”-style presentations to a panel of adults (including some inventors), answering unscripted questions about design, cost, and every aspect of their inventions. Second graders are looking forward to the next step, in which ninth grade computer science students will use SketchUp, a 3D modeling software, to image the inventions and ultimately produce them using a 3D printer. Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

NEWS FROM SUMMER & FALL construction began with crews drilling geo-thermal wells, one of several features that will make the addition a “net zero” project that will not add to the carbon footprint of the campus. In the summer of 2015, the GLC construction will be complemented by renovations to the middle/upper school library area, including a new Design Lab, and renovations to third-ﬂoor classrooms to serve the middle school language and STEAM programs (science, technology, engineering, art, and math).

2014 Upper School Musical Once Upon a Mattress Thanks to musical director Margaret Anne Butterﬁeld, stage director Lauren Gutstein, choreographer Tommy FisherKlein, set designer Will Hurd, lighting and sound guru Todd Tyler, the 80 students in the cast, crew, and pit band, and a remarkable group of parent volunteers for a wonderful ﬁrst production in the new Friends Theater.

Holiday Season Service Lower school hosted its annual “Mitten Trees,” a collection of winter wear for our neighbors in need. Middle school is continuing its partnership with Lutheran Community Services; each middle school advisory group does service together, both stacking shelves and serving LCS clients. Home & School sponsored the all-school Kind to Kids Toy Drive, which benefits Delaware children in foster care. In upper school, the Half the Sky Committee hosted an online marketplace of handmade jewelry to benefit the organization Bead for Life, which provides education and job skills for Ugandan women. And in an ongoing service partnership with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Delaware, students also had a chance to volunteer at the BGC Holiday Sale, and families were invited to participate in the Clubs’ “Angel Tree” program, to provide holiday trees for low-income families and for nonprofits.

Visual Arts Lower school art teacher Teal Rickerman took the time to show a visitor the beauty of the famous Friends School coil pots at a rarely seen phase, before they are ﬁred and glazed. Middle school art teacher Paulo Machado shared digital student work, including the public signage unit and the geometric “expanded drawing” project.

In an ongoing partnership, Friends students serve in a mentor program at the Brown Boys & Girls Club in Wilmington. 24

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Upper school art teacher Cynthia Stan Mellow displayed IB HL and Visual Arts Major student curated mini-exhibits, including this poster about body art, and 2D Studio & Design students’ “typographic portraits.”

NEWS FROM SUMMER & FALL

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CLASS NOTES

1937

Jane Hayden Frelick reﬂected that in addition to being one of the last graduates from Fourth and West Streets, “I believe I am the ﬁrst student from Delaware to spend a summer overseas through the experiment in international living. I went to Germany in 1936...The trip to my family took 10 days by ship plus three days by train.”

1947

Elizabeth “Betty” Murch Livingston is happy living in a retirement community in Maine called Piper Shores. She has two children nearby. She noted, “Would love news of others in the class or around the same time.”

Harwin Smith (who died in January; please see obituary in our next issue) was inducted into the Delaware Maritime Hall of Fame at a banquet and induction at the Lewes Yacht Club on October 11, 2014. The purpose of the DE Maritime Hall of Fame is to honor those who have given uniquely and generously of skill, energy, heart and time in building Delaware’s Maritime heritage. Harwin won the Bermuda race in ’82, ’84, and ’86 and spent lots of time educating people in seamanship.

1939

1948

Doris Biesterfeld Townshend wrote, “I am researching my heritage to put into a book for my family. When I married Harry Townshend, I wrote a book about his heritage, the English pilgrims who came to America in 1640. My five (grown) children said that their heritage wasn’t complete without my side of the family—the Biesterfelds, Gerbers, and Roethkes. They all came to the States from Germany in the mid-1800s. Our 15 great-grandchildren are the fifth generation on American soil. I look back fondly when my sisters and I: Elaine, Lenore and Marny Biesterfeld attended Friends School. We lived in Wawaset Park in the north side of Wilmington and took a trolley to the old school on Fourth and West Streets. So many memories flood my mind of those times. One that stands out is the leather-covered race track on the second floor of the gym and the fireman’s pole to the first floor that we dared each other to slide down. Then there was Miss Baird’s Latin class when we were in a play about crossing the River Styx into Hades. I recall that Jack Hoopes was the ferryman. I have enjoyed writing about ‘the olden days’ of my childhood—the Halloween escapades, the breathless expectation of Christmas and the noisy celebration of New Years, banging pots and pans outside to the annoyance of the neighbors in the Park. I could go on and on about hockey and basketball games, dances, the move to the new school—but you get the idea. I have finished the text and am now in the process of adding photos. I urge anyone who reads this to write your own heritage PDQ before your known sources die out. Revisiting your past will keep you busy and add to your enjoyment.”

1941

Betty Valentine Daudt (who died in January; please see obituary in our next issue) received the “Perennial Bloom Award” from the Spade & Trowel Garden Club of Seaford. She was an active member of the club for more than 40 years and served as President from 1982 to 1984.

1943

Marion “Betsy” Shaw Smith has moved from Albany, GA, to Marion “Betsy” Shaw Smith ’43. 26

Lawrenceville, GA, to be near her children. She is an active volunteer and still plays golf.

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

Christine Lawrence Fulop wrote, “Milford, 87, and I, 84, spend as much time as we can Christine Lawrence manage to Fulop ’48 with her family at arrange with a Gala affair held in Chrisour grandtine and Milford’s honor for kids. From a combined 100 years of our view, it is community service, teachnever enough. ing and training doctors. We try to corral them in Cancun during their winter break, in Hilton Head Island, SC, in August, and for Thanksgiving at the Rocking Horse Ranch in New Paltz, NY. When not with the grandkids, we read during the day and spend more time than I would like to admit watching TV in the evenings. In the fall of 2013, Milford and I were honored at a spectacular GALA....I can’t imagine my life in a more rewarding fulﬁllment of a dream I had had since I was nine. Every day, for 44 years, I was glad to be alive, and to anxiously look forward to caring for patients, teaching, and discovering some new blood disease that might help someone. I discovered two. With pride, I was honored by both the Dean of the Medical School, and the President of Yeshiva University to be retired as a Distinguished University Professor of Medicine of the Albert Einstein School of Medicine. What a life I’ve had, if only I could go around again.”

Alice (Allie) Mearns Ivy ’48 joined our group, since Loretta is now living with her. Allie and Connie put on a great cocktail and hors d’oeuvres party at Allie’s house. We look forward to our 70th!! (See class photo, page 14.) John Rice Ward shared that he is, “Living on the water with my wife in the cottage bought in 1929 near Chesapeake City. After 40 years of selling electronics, now I am a Realtor. Life is good.”

1951

Class Agent Chick Altmaier sent updates collected from classmates.“Jody Taylor Linton and her daughter, Kim Linton Coombs ’81, had a fabulous trip to Alaska this summer.” Helen Burr Nulse wrote, “I manage to play 18 holes of golf about three times a week. Also keep busy running two bridge games. Keeping busy surely helps us keep the body moving.” Robert Landon said, “We have been busy helping out daughter, Gigi, and family ﬁnd a home in Ponte Vedra and plan their move from Birmingham, MI....Their older daughter, Katie, is due to graduate from Brown University in May and the younger, Julie, has just started at the University of Michigan, so they will be ‘empty nesters’ down here....Our other daughter, Anne, and family have lived here for 15 years, but this is the ﬁrst time in over 25 years that the three families have lived in the same town.” Art Hill ’51 (See 1964.)

1954

Anne Bailey Donaghy (See 1986.) The Class of 1954 celebrated Friday of Homecoming weekend at the home of Anne and Frank Hoopes. Saturday evening was celebrated at the home of Peter and Faith Poole Greeley (See additional class photo, page 14.)

Alice Mearns Ivy (See 1949.)

1949

John Beekley wrote, “We had a small but enthusiastic group at our 65th Class Reunion: David and Connie Howard Henke, Loretta Mearns Setter, John Beekley and Ann Fletcher Beekley, Jane Hukill, Joan and Bob Altmaier, Mason Marston Daley-Boyd and Bill Boyd. Loretta’s sister

At the Class of ’54 Reunion: Faith Poole Greeley, Roby Simpson Harrell, Anne Jackson Barnhill, Anne Bailey Donaghy, Charles Clark, Nancy Wier Gardner, Lisa Amend Ashby, John Salzberg, John Hyden, Anna Hubbard Bellenger, Steve Pyle and Frank Hoopes.

CLASS NOTES John Salzberg’s update: “John and Toshi are living at Friends House Retirement Community in Sandy Spring, MD, where John is serving as President of the Residents’ Association.”

1955

enzymatically catalyzed biological reactions, in particular the biosynthesis of steroids. We continue to maintain contact with Chancellor Angela Merkel and her chemist husband, both of whom we have known for many years through professional contacts. A year ago we had dinner with them in Berlin. If any of my classmates are in the vicinity of Western Poland (we are 4 1/2 hours by express train from Berlin) in May or June, we would be happy to host your visit in Torun´ (we have a guest apartment just below ours in Torun´).”

1959

Bill Amend (See 1961.) Patty Poole Benzien (See 1962.) Boots Kane Tolsdorf wrote, “Dick and I will celebrate 50 years of marriage in 2015 and will take the entire family to Costa Rica for a family celebration. We enjoy our summer Class of ’55 members at the True Blue and All Alumni Reunion: Liney Simon Humphrey, Sara Hodge Geuder, and Junie Beasley Bixby.

1960

An update about Leslie Rapkin: “Leslie Rapkin, MD, was proud to serve as 50th reunion co-chairman for the class of 1964 at the University of Delaware Alumni Weekend in June 2014. Les was the president of the student government association during his senior year. As the head of reunion planning and alumni fundraising efforts, he presented President Pat Harker with a check from his class alone for 2/3 of a million dollars, which was the largest reunion class gift in history. Friends School classmate Jim Simon was also present at the weekend festivities. Jim and Les were classmates for 14 consecutive years (from third grade to college graduation).”

1961

1958

Andy Hess wrote, “I am still working full-time as a professor at Vanderbilt. Several years ago my wife, Lidia, retired from her professorship at Copernicus University in Torun´, Poland. She is now teaching graduate courses in the chemistry department at Vanderbilt. Hence we both are staying busy. But our academic schedule allows us to spend summers in our ﬂat in Torun´, in part to avoid the hot summers in Nashville. Besides my teaching, I am still active in research, most recently in the area of applications of computational chemistry to

in Nantucket, winter in Florida, and three months in Chester County. I enjoy biking and did a 150 mile ride for MS in June. Days are ﬁlled with tennis and golf, and I continue my volunteer work with Bead for Life and thoroughly enjoy my life in community theatre and improv productions.”

Boots Kane Tolsdorf ’59 with son Chris and his wife, Maia; husband Dick; and grandchildren Emmy, 15, Katherine, 13 and Zachary, 10. Not pictured is son Gibbs.

Connie Roberts Amend wrote, “Bill ’59 has just published his ﬁrst novel, Pretenders to the Throne, A Cautionary Tale, a labor of love that has taken many years! It even mentions our Friends School education on the back of the cover! The book is available from amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and xlibris.com or by

Bill Amend ’59 has recently published his first novel.

Ron Pownall shared that the 1964 DISC champion basketball team had a 50th anniversary get-together with Coach Art Hill ’51 on October 17 at the Montchanin Inn. Ron wrote, “Several moving remembrances were shared of Ronny Wiener ’64 and Al Tigani ’64, who have passed away. It was a terriﬁc evening of catch-up and memories!” Peter Brown ’64 and Eric Bloom ’64 were unable to attend.

From the 50th reunion of the 1964 DISC champion basketball team: Dick Broad ’64, Bill Morton ’64 (correct spelling), Hugh Kenworthy ’65, Geoff Holmes ’64, Dave Smith ’66, Coach Art Hill ’51, Steve Lawrence ’64, Mike Wise ’64, Jim Shippen ’65, and Ron Pownall ’65.

Fall/Winter2014-2015 2014-2015••QuakerMatters QuakerMatters 27 Fall/Winter

CLASS NOTES phoning 888.795.4274. We are still in California, although we plan to eventually ‘retire’ at Maris Grove in Pennsylvania.”

1962

Phoebe Baker wrote, “Several 1962 classmates reminisced and caught up during Wilmington Friends School Homecoming weekend, October 17-19. Enjoying various celebrations over the weekend were Sheila Brown Arbury, Tim Bayard and wife Mona, Ginny Lee Butters, Ned Davis, Don and Betty Jean Hirschland Munro, Stephen Poole and Elizabeth Hunt Poole ’69, Robert Pyle and wife Francie, Bull Smith and wife Jeannette, and Richard Weigel. The late Vicky Poole Givler’s ’62 sister, Patty Poole Benzien ’59, who was celebrating her 55th reunion, joined us as well. We even grabbed Elizabeth Hunt Poole ’69 away from her 45th reunion.

1964

art, and her photography. She summed it up, “Life is good.”

Read and see much more from the Class of 1964, from the 50th Reunion weekend, pages 13-14, and in the basketball reunion box (page 27).

1970

1965

Barbara Harrington Murphy wrote, “I am still very busy working as a senior geologist at Clear Creek Associates in Phoenix, AZ. My husband, Casey, and I enjoy traveling in our spare time, especially visits to see our daughter, Erin, and family (our three granddaughters) in Bel Air, MD, and to see our daughter, Kelly, in Newport Beach, CA. I also travel to see my mother at the Crosslands Retirement Community in Kennett Square, where I have crossed paths with Pamela Hoopes ’73 (while she was visiting her parents) and Violet Richman. I have also seen Lark Worth ’68 and Richard Worth ’70 while visiting the area.”

Ria Jelshoj Lerche (See 1962.)

William Bridgewater wrote from Munich, Germany, “It will be a joy to return home to Delaware. I retired from the United States Army after 30 years of service. I will be attending to the ongoing restoration of my hometown residence, the United States Senator Nicholas Van Dyke House in Historic New Castle.” Hugh Kenworthy (See basketball reunion photo, page 27.) Ron Pownall (See basketball reunion photo, page 27.) Jim Shippen (See basketball reunion photo, page 27.)

1966

Dave Smith (See basketball reunion photo, page 27.)

1968 Don and Betty Jean Hirschland Munro ’62 at brunch.

Lark Worth (See 1971.)

1969

Elizabeth Hunt Poole (See 1962.)

Sheila Brown Arbury ’62 and Ned Davis ’62 enjoying Homecoming Weekend.

Judith Prest is living in upstate New York (Duanesburg) with her husband, Alan Krieger, and three cats. Among recent milestones, Judith reported that their son, Jon, recently turned 25. Judith retired from her school social worker/prevention trainer job in 2009, and continues to work as a creativity coach, SoulCollage facilitator, teacher and workshop leader, and runs an expressive arts group at an addiction day treatment center in Schenectady one day a week. She also continues to work on her poetry (now published in many journals and in six anthologies), her mixed-media

Richard Worth (See 1971.)

1971

1972

Susan Gehret Ohlandt wrote, “Life is great! Don and I recently adopted an eightweek old Jack Russell Terrier called Peggy. She is simply adorable and welcomed everywhere: Lantana Acme, Walgreens, A.R. Morris, and Everything But the Kitchen Sink. We have recently undergone Susan Gehret major home renovaOhlandt ’72 and her tions....To my fellow new puppy, Peggy. ’72 class, please swing by Dandenog Drive to visit Peggy. She loves people, kids and animals.” Lisa Suarez has been elected President of the Faubourg Marigny Improvement Association, a 42-year-old body of recommendation chartered by the State of Louisiana, to protect one of the oldest neighborhoods adjacent to the French Quarter in the City of New Orleans. She extended an invitation to classmates and friends, “Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’re visiting!”

1973

Pamela Hoopes (See 1971.) Juliann Sum wrote, “In September 2013, I was named ‘Acting Chief’ of Cal/OSHA (California Division of Occupational Safety and Health). And last year, I had the lucky opportunity to visit with Maggi O’Brien ’74 during her brief time in the San Francisco Bay Area. Alex Payne Sutherland ’74 came out from NY to have a gourmet, Berkeley-style lunch with us in January.”

Rich Weigel ’62, Patty Poole Benzien ’59, and Stephen Poole ’62 catch up Homecoming weekend.

Rich Weigel and Ria Jelshoj Lerche ’64 met up in Denmark this past summer. As Rich wrote, “Friends School nurtures lasting friendships!” 28

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1974

Maggi O’Brien (See 1973.) Rich Weigel ’62 and Ria Jelshoj Lerche ’64 explore the lakes in Silkeborg, Denmark.

Alex Payne Sutherland (See 1973.)

CLASS NOTES

1975

Beth Clark wrote, “I had a painting accepted in a nationally juried show at the Prince Street Gallery in the Chelsea area of Manhattan. The juror was Lois Dodd, a very respected landscape artist based in New York and Maine who exhibits her work at the Alexandre Gallery in Manhattan. Most recently, I had a one-person show at the new Church Street Gallery in West Chester, owned by artist John Supplee and his wife Carol. I continue working part-time as the art teacher at St. Cornelius School in Chadds Ford and working on my landscapes.” Dave Geoghegan (See photo 2007.) Sandy Ranck King snapped a photo of an impromptu mini-reunion at the True Blue and All Alumni Reunion Homecoming weekend. She wrote, “Excited to begin planning for our 40th reunion next October!! Hope we will get a good turnout!”

Sandy Ranck King ’75, Rich Horwitz ’75, Anne Altmaier Adriance ’75, and Thom Marston ’75 at the True Blue and All Alumni Reunion.

Reed Masten was married on September 20, 2014, in Manhattan Beach, CA, to his 15-year partner, Jay Strackeljahn. The poolside wedding and dinner was at the home of Susan Kramer Flora and Bill Flora. In addition to sharing their beautiful home, Susan also ofﬁciated at the wedding. There were 25 family members and friends present. The newlyweds honeymooned on Long Beach Island, NJ, and returned to Colorado to celebrate again at a large wedding reception in Denver.

Reed Masten ’75 with his spouse, Jay Strackeljahn, and Susan Kramer Flora ’75, who officiated at Reed and Jay’s wedding.

Crystal Nix-Hines ’81 New UNESCO Ambassador By Bill Bickley Former WFS Teacher and Administrator Wednesday, July 16, 2014 seemed as ordinary as most mid-summer, mid-weekdays do in Washington, DC—the atmosphere a hot, humid, hazy stew, the sidewalks in the blocks surrounding the Mall thronged with government workers and visitors from around the country and around the world. But for Wilmington Friends alumna Crystal Nix-Hines ’81 that day was anything but ordinary. Late that afternoon in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the U.S. Department of State building, NixHines, surrounded by her family and some 250 friends, colleagues, and dignitaries, was sworn in as Ambassador of the United States of America to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). With her mother, Dr. Lulu Mae Nix, and her older siblings Theo ’72, Sheldon ’74, and Denise ’75 and their families looking on, Crystal Nix-Hines was introduced by longtime friend U.S. Senator Chris Coons (a Friends parent) and was then sworn in by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, for whom Crystal had clerked upon finishing her law degree at Harvard. What became apparent to all who witnessed the ceremony was the deep respect and affection between Justice O’Connor and her former law clerk. Preceding the actual swearing-in, Justice O’Connor took time to reflect on their relationship and her knowledge of the salient characteristics Crystal would bring to her new assignment. Among those, of course, were unusual intelligence, a remarkable capacity for hard work, precision and thoroughness in matters of law and diplomacy, and an uncanny ability for bringing people with differing perspectives to a common purpose. But chief among Crystal’s qualifications, according to Justice O’Connor, was plain common sense. Immediately following the swearing-in ceremony, Crystal had her own opportunity to speak. She began with extensive thanks— to her family, of course, but also to all those people who had made it possible for her to reach this day. Chief among those was Senator Coons, whose indefatigable efforts helped form the coalition of supporters that moved Crystal’s nomination forward over a period of more than eleven months—“but who’s counting,” quipped the new Ambassador. She went on to observe that this long process had taught her several important lessons, and that chief among those was learning to accept help from other

Ambassador Nix-Hines presenting her credentials to UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

people. Describing herself as so used to acting independently, she didn’t realize at the outset how much she would rely on the kindness and support of others to reach the confirmation. She joked, “I didn’t understand at first that I would have to develop a ‘Southern Strategy’ to win confirmation.” In closing her remarks, Crystal noted that she would have enormous responsibility to cooperate and collaborate in helping UNESCO achieve its international goals. But more importantly she wanted everyone in the room— her family, her friends and colleagues from her years in journalism, from her U.S. State Department days, from the legal community, from the business and entrepreneurial world, and from education—to understand that in her vision for the future, they were the important players. She would challenge them to engage their considerable individual and group talents to solve world problems. For those present who had watched Crystal as the editor-in-chief who led Friends School’s Whittier Miscellany into its modern era, or for those who had witnessed her commencement address to the Wilmington Friends Class of 1985 (on the day of her own graduation from Princeton University—the youngest commencement speaker ever), the challenge she issued to a world audience was simply the logical extension of the ideas that propelled her in her student days at Friends.

Ambassador Crystal Nix-Hines with her husband, David, their children, and retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who administered the oath of office. Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

CLASS NOTES

1976

Carol Deitcher Schachat wrote, “Thanks to Mary Anne Magness LeRoy for hosting an impromptu 38th Reunion for Homecoming. Attendees included: Andy Atkins, Tom George, Todd Whitaker (and wife Ginny), Tim Gibbs, Andy Bodenstab (and wife Kathy), Becky Alderfer, Kay Hewlett Ambrose, Candy Deitcher Schachat, Dru Reed Mogge, Mike Melloy, Richard Laird, Biddy Hukill Schreppler, Christina Veith (Chuck’s widow), and honorary member Lee Garrett ’77.” (See photos, with apologies for the small ﬁles.)

Hearts program within a Christian school model. In four years, all four of their children, two boys currently 9 and 7, and two girls, 5 and 2, will be enrolled.

Andy Atkins ’76 and Candy Deitcher Schachat ’76, Homecoming weekend 2014.

1977

Lee Garrett (See 1976.) Jake Gehret (See photo 2009.)

Sue Ann Rosenthal Leone ’81 and Sally Kinsey Kauffman ’81 both in Maitland, FL, “in the pink” supporting Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Sally Kinsey Kauffman and Sue Ann Rosenthal Leone (See photo.)

1982

Priscilla Altmaier du Pont wrote, “I am now living in the Kennett Square area. A friend and I are starting a new business, Todd Whitaker ’76, Becky Box Turtle Movers. We help Alderfer ’76, Kay Hewlett Ambrose ’76, Candy Deitcher older adults downsize and move to smaller spaces, apartments, Schachat ’76, and Tom retirement homes, etc. We help George ’76 reunite Homesort through belongings, measure coming weekend. for furniture placement, sort and organize documents, pack and unpack, decorate, and resettle including transfer of utilities and computer setup. Most importantly, we provide moral support during what can be a stressful transition. It has proved to be not only quite rewarding helping Andy Bodenstab ’76, Kay others, but a great learning expeHewlett Ambrose ’76, Todd rience starting our own business.”

John Harper wrote, “I followed the search for a new Head of School with special interest, as I was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees of Good Hope Country Day School in St. Croix earlier this year. Good Hope Country Day has also been involved in a search for a new Head, along nearly the same timeline. The updates have been encouraging and instructive. I admit to borrowing a couple of ideas from the excelWhitaker ’76, and Tom lent communications. It’s George ’76 celebrate Home- Julie Tattersall McGinnis been helpful to know that coming 2014. (See photo 2007.) another great school was working as hard as we have been to find the right candidate to lead 1983 the school into the future. Search logistics may Bob Davis (See photo 2007.) be a little different for an island-based school, but I have great respect for the amount of 1984 work accomplished by the Search CommitJohn Bonifaz wrote, “These days I am tee and the entire WFS community. Welcome, directing a national non-profit organization I Kenneth Aldridge!” co-founded almost five years ago called Free Speech For People. We’re engaged in legal Kathy Takacs Taylor (See photo 2009.) advocacy, public education, and organizing to challenge big money in politics and the 1978 fabrication of corporations claiming constiChris Cashman (See photo 2007.) tutional rights. You can learn more about us here: www.freespeechforpeople.org. This work is basically a continuation of the democracy 1980 advocacy I have been doing since law school.” Karen Cashman Hunt (See photo 2007.) Holly Woodward Thatcher (See photo 2007.)

Susie Tattersall Davis (See photo 2007.)

1981

Steve Friess and his wife Polly launched Jackson Hole Classical Academy this fall, an independent K-8 school serving an economically diverse population of families. The Friess family imported the proven model of Great Hearts Academies of Arizona, a network of 20 public charter schools serving 10,000 students with a waiting list of 12,000 more. The Friess family is implementing the Great

Adam Balick (See photo 2007.) Linda Cashman (See photo 2007.) Kim Linton Coombs (See 1951.) Crystal Nix-Hines (See box story, page 29.) 30

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Kathy Bunville Welch wrote, “My husband, Steve, and I continue our work at the Delaware Dept. of Justice, and keep busy with the boys’ activities, particularly Cub Scouts. We enjoyed a trip this August to Mount Rushmore and Yellowstone National Parks, and points in between. The boys and I visited the WFS campus for Homecoming this year; the new theater is quite impressive. I’m still trying to ﬁgure out where those 30 years have gone!”

1986

Steve Friess ’84

Twins sons, Michael and Jacob, age 9, with mom Kathy Bunville Welch ’84 and her husband, Steve.

This fall, John Curran, still at Marquette University, published his third book: Character and the Individual Personality in English Renaissance Drama (University of Delaware Press). He is still coaching middle-school football, with QB Cal Curran ﬁnishing a strong eighth-grade season. Anne Bailey Donaghy ’54 wrote to let us know that Hiroshi Tani, an AFS student in 1986 who lived with Tom Donaghy and family, visited this summer. Hiro lives in Tokyo where AFS student, Hiro Tani, he works for Mitsubishi Trading Jim Donaghy, and Tom Donaghy ’86. Company. He is the father of two children, Takuma and Natsuki.

1987

Amy Hartzell Pszczolkowski and Mike Caddell ’04 unexpectedly met during an interview at Princeton’s Ofﬁce of Career Services this fall. Mike joined the staff on November 3, as Senior Associate Director of Communications and Outreach after serving as a university media specialist for a couple of years. Amy has been at the university for six years and was recently promoted to Associate Director of Graduate Student Career Services. During the interview, Amy spotted a Delaware reference on Mike’s resume, and before they knew it, the Quaker connection was made. Amy said, “We have already begun swapping stories and ﬁnding many common experiences through our shared tie to Friends.”

CLASS NOTES

Class of 1988 Endowment Fund for Financial Aid By Emma Hilder ’14, Jones House Intern They may have tried and failed to get denim into the school’s dress code, but a quarter of a century later, the Class of 1988 succeeded in a far greater achievement—creating an endowment fund in support of ﬁnancial aid at Friends.

Amy Hartzell Pszczolkowski ’87 and Mike Caddell ’04 are working together at 3ULQFHWRQȢV 2IˋFH RI &DUHHU 6HUYLFHV 7KH\ KDYH EHHQ HQMR\LQJ WKHLU 4XDNHU FRQQHFWLRQ

Christy Searl wrote, “Jack is six and in kindergarten at a small Episcopal school. He loves it. I’m still at the Lehman bankruptcy estate, helping wind down the company.”

1988

Tori Storm (See photo.)

1989

Erin Brownlee Dell completed her PhD in Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, in May of 2014. She continues to work at Guilford College where she serves as Associate Academic Dean.

1991

Rob Tattersall (See photo 2007.)

In the fall of 2013, the class celebrated its 25th reunion at Wilmington Friends School. As 1988 graduates prepared for this milestone, their minds drifted back to great memories, like their fourth grade ﬁeld trip to Mystic Seaport, and their junior year, when many members of the class walked through Delaware as a part of the Great Peace March for Nuclear Disarmament; the students even convinced the school to open the boy’s gymnasium to hundreds of marchers who otherwise would have had to sleep outside in the pouring rain. As the date of their reunion drew closer, the members of the class of 1988 found themselves not only remembering the past, but looking toward the future.

classmates to come together to make a significant impact at the school. After discussing several options, the reunion committee reached consensus on attempting to create a named endowment fund in support of financial aid. Folks came from all over the country to attend the class’s 25th, including some members of the class who graduated elsewhere yet still felt a strong enough connection to Friends and to their classmates to make the trip back to Wilmington. According to Tori, when they got together again, it was like no time had passed. During their reunion, several members pledged to support the endowment initiative, with many more coming in the weeks and months following the celebration. Led by Tori, the class accomplished its goal of creating a named endowment fund, something Tori believes “is a great vehicle for planned giving, yearly giving, and spontaneous giving, and reestablishes a connection to the school that can get lost in the shuffle of things after 25 years.”

Recounting her 20th college reunion and the fundraising goal her class took on, Tori Storm ’88 described the time leading up to that reunion as a “fun and slightly competitive race to ﬁnish.” Inspired by this experience, Tori reached out to the members of her Friends class with the hopes of rallying her

Inspired by their predecessors, the Class of 1989, led by Rob Brand, is attempting to create an endowment fund in honor of their 25th reunion. Tori and Rob hope that future classes celebrating their 25th will consider doing the same, creating a new tradition that will have a tremendous impact for generations of Friends students to come.

1995

1996

First graders Annabelle Huxtable, daughter of WFS Head of Middle School Jonathan Huxtable, and Frances Bunch, daughter of Tori Storm ’88, enjoying some Homecoming fun.

1992

Rebecca Brand and her partner, Ben, welcomed their son, Graham Edward Ahlquist, on April 10, 2014.

Scott Jarrell wrote, “I have moved to Charlotte, NC, with Ernst & Young, heading up the Southeastern US practice of the technology group of the Fraud Investigation and Dispute practice.”

Anne-Melanie Marin Ziegler (See photo 1994.)

1994

William Marin married Charmaine Espiritu in Kauai, HI.

Graham Edward Ahlquist, son of Rebecca Brand ’92.

At Bill Marin’s wedding in Hawaii: Daniel Pfeiffer ’94, Michael Lassman ’94, Bill’s wife, Charmaine, Bill, Anne-Melanie Marin Ziegler ’92, and Reed Hunt ’94.

Gigi Diaz Peterson, her husband, Matt, and big brother, Jack, welcomed Marissa on July 16, 2014. Gigi wrote, “All is well in Arlington, VA. I hope all old friends and family from WFS are well!”

Marissa Peterson,

daughter of Gigi Samara Rafert and Diaz Peterson ’96. her husband, Dan Gearino, welcomed Norah Julia Rafert Gearino on January 10, 2014. Norah joins big sister Eliza. The family lives in Columbus, OH. Samara just started a new job as publicist at Ohio University Press.

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

CLASS NOTES

Q&A with Linda Holmes ’89 Linda writes and edits National Public Radio’s entertainment and pop-culture blog, “Monkey See,” and hosts a weekly podcast, “Pop Culture Happy Hour.”

great right now. I’m thrilled to have a piece of my career in that as well as in writing. Radio vets will tell you, and it’s true: audio reaches people in a way not quite like any other form. I love writing, but voices are special.

How did you get your job at NPR? My whole life is full of stories of the right great people being in it at the right time. Almost exactly 10 years ago, I had developed a pretty solid freelance writing side job while I was still a lawyer. Through that, I became friends with Stephen Thompson, a writer who had recently left a job at The Onion. A little later, he started working at NPR. He advocated for me relentlessly, as did some friends of his I’d gotten to know, and he helped me get my work in front of them. And when they decided to launch a pop culture blog, they brought me on. So I got the job by writing a lot and working very hard, but as with most things, I had help. What has been your most interesting assignment? It’s hard to top going to London for the Royal Wedding, for the pure sense that it was a great thing I never would have done otherwise. The Queen rolled right by me in her little carriage. It was surreal. The British ladies with whom I was standing on the sidewalk were lovely and so kind to me. What do you like about your current job? I love my job. I have a lot of ﬂexibility and freedom to do what I think is important, but I’m doing it at a place where the standards are incredibly high. It’s a great mix of freedom and rigor. And particularly now that I host a podcast every week, my job is a mix of writing, which I’ve always loved, and radio, which I had no idea I wanted to do until I started doing it. Radio is great right now; audio is

1997

Liz Caine wrote, “This summer I completed a PhD in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, CA. I wrote my dissertation on spiritual versus secular approaches to meditation and the impact of those practices on death anxiety and selfactualization. I’m now a Postdoctoral Fellow at a community mental health and assessment clinic in the Bay Area. I enjoy working with older adults and people facing terminal illness and hope to move back to Boulder, CO, after I am licensed.”

How has journalism changed during your career? Well, my career in journalism, per se, is relatively short, but I think all of us are conscious that audiences read and listen and watch in new ways. It’s really hard to adapt at the speeds that requires, especially since you have to keep your focus on doing what you do well. You need a lot of smart folks to manage those changes and a lot of smart folks to keep doing what remains fundamental. What advice would you give to students who are interested in getting into journalism? Learn to do lots of different things. Become a good writer, and then a better writer. If you can have a second language, have one. Learn simple photo and video editing. Learn to write short and fast. Learn to write long and deliberate. Learn how social media helps journalists. Think about what you want to put into the world. Think about what you want to perpetuate and what you want to discourage. Become bold about showing people what you can do. Be your own polite but tireless advocate. Think about where you’d like to end up, in journalism and in life. Be a skeptic, but not a cynic. Try very hard not to take jobs that make you feel bad about yourself. Accept the limitations of your own understanding and experience. Listen, listen, listen. What did you do upon graduating from WFS? I went to Oberlin, then I went to law school. I was in law for about 10 years, and then I realized I wanted to write instead.

Mckenzie Jones graduated with an MA from Teachers College at Columbia University in New York City in May. She continues to enjoy her work as a faculty member at Poly Prep Country Day School in New York City, where she also enjoys playing in a competitive 4.0 ladies squash league. She is thrilled to

Daisy Church is now living in San Francisco with her fellow animator husband. She is currently working as faculty at the Academy of Art University teaching animation and animation history. She is still showing her artwork in galleries worldwide, and runs an Etsy shop featuring her artwork. She can be found online at www.daisychurch.com. Drew Dalton (See photo 2007.)

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

How were you influenced by your experience at Wilmington Friends School? I was hugely influenced by WFS. I had a conversation not long ago where I was trying to explain that at my high school, everybody just sat quietly a lot, and it’s VERY hard for people to understand. It was a really unusual, connected education. I saw much of my (great) class recently at our 25th, and some of those people have known me since I was four years old. And all of them knew me when I didn’t have the first clue who I was. People like that resonate in your bones in a certain way. It’s a very important place for me. What’s your favorite WFS memory? Honestly, graduation was a very nice one. We walked in boy-girl pairs, and we were all pretty tight by then and wanted to walk arm in arm. For some reason, we were told not to. (In my melodramatic memory, it was very Footloose, except without dancing.) We did it anyway, in the corniest, sweetest act of defiance in human history. In retrospect, I would take this opportunity to not apologize one bit. Do you think Quaker principles play a role in your life? How? I think the principles of equal treatment of people have probably influenced me profoundly. It’s not just civil rights matters, but I have a fundamental mistrust of firm cultural and social hierarchies that affects how I do my job. I tend to resist the idea that people who like one kind of book are superior to people who like another kind of book, and I think that’s partly rooted in having grown up preferring value systems that leave a lot of room to be an individual and to be appreciated for who you are.

announce her engagement to Chandra Glick, who is a photo editor at ArtForum Magazine. Jordan Wales wrote, “After completing my PhD in Theology at the University of Notre Dame, specializing in early and medieval Christian thought, I have taken up the position of Assistant Professor of Theology at Hillsdale College, where I am teaching the courses ‘Western Theological Tradition’ and ‘Twentieth Century Theology.’ As at Friends, there is here a collaborative spirit, fostering students’ (and professors’) holistic intellectual and spiritual development by pursuing serious questions about high things. My wife and two sons are enjoying Hillsdale very much, where we have found a welcoming and vibrant community.”

1998 Daisy Church ’97 and her husband vending at Emerald City Comic-Con 2014.

Devon Alessi was married on May 17, 2014 to Kirk Roush. They honeymooned in Kauai, and are now expecting a baby girl on or about Valentine’s Day 2015. (See photo, page 33.)

CLASS NOTES Devon Alessi ’98 was married on May 17, 2014 to Kirk Roush.

enabling single parents and disadvantaged and indigenous students to fulﬁll their dreams of attending university. It is all very exciting, but busy. I hope the WFS crew is well!” (See photo.)

Brie Willoughby-Knox wrote, “We had a great two-month holiday traveling from Sydney to Cabo San Lucas for my brother’s wedding, Adam WilloughbyKnox ’04, then stateside to catch up with friends and family. I’m now lecturing at two universities in Sydney and working on my third textbook. I was recently appointed head of the STEPS program for Central Queensland University’s Sydney campus. It is a government-funded program which provides a free pathway to university, particularly aimed at

1999

Adrienne Neff (See “Where You Are Now?”) Ashley Coleman Thayer (See “Where You Are Now?”) Liz Schell Thomas (See “Where You Are Now?”)

2000

Sarah Fick wrote, “I just ﬁnished my PhD in Educational Studies this year, focusing on Science Education. I did my graduate work at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where another former WFS student was also living, Will Cawthorn and his wife, Catherine Stables, and their twins. Will and Catherine were there doing post-docs at the University of Michigan. They are now just about to move to Scotland where Will has a position as an assistant professor. I was fortunate to be able to hang out with them quite a bit over the ﬁve years that I was living there. This past summer I moved to Winston-Salem to work at Wake Forest University, where I am an assistant professor in the Department of Education.”

wedding in December of this year. Ashley and William reside in Montclair, NJ.” Caitlin Butler wrote, “I currently serve as the Director of Development for the City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, a job I began in 2011 after completing a joint MA in Art Education and Public Administration at The Ohio State University. In 2014, I joined the boards of Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens (a small visionary art museum) and the Scattergood Foundation for Behavioral Health (a small Quaker foundation with ties to Friends Hospital). I also sing as a Soprano II with the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia.” Daniel Joseph wrote, “I am still creating illusions and special effects at Walt Disney Imagineering for Disney theme parks all over the world. Most recently, I invented a photograph technology that allows people to have their faces turned into funny Haunted Mansion ghost faces in Walt Disney World in Florida. I am enjoying life with my wife, Marina, and my little Basset Hound, Sherlock.”

2002 Brie Willoughby-Knox ’98 had a mini reunion at her parents’ home in February 2014. Left to right: Matilda, daughter of Brie Willoughby-Knox ’98; Harper, daughter of Kyle McKean Zechman ’98; Keyland, son of Kristen Chandler ’98; Lia and Bianca, children of Asheley Johnson Bonney ’98; Ginger and Cider, daughters of Erin Facciolo Wehler ’98; Jayven, son of Kristen Chandler ’98. Amanda Gibbons ’98 also attended the get-together.

An update on Ashley Baelz: “In 2012, Ashley graduated from New York Law School, passing both the New Jersey and New York Bar Exams. Ashley joined a law ﬁrm shortly after graduating and continues to practice law in the North Jersey/New York region. In 2013, Ashley became engaged to William Rose, III. The two are planning a

Daniel Joseph ’02 and his wife, Marina.

Laurie Monhait (See 2005).

Where You Are Now? The Class of 1999 Before each issue of our magazine, we survey one class of graduates for updates and reﬂections on Friends. For the fall/winter issue, we focus on the 15th reunion class, and we are grateful, as always, for the generosity of spirit with which alumni share their news and insights. Nicholas Collins attended Johnson and Wales University and received an AS in Criminal Justice. He also earned a BS in Criminal Justice at Roger Williams University and a MS in Criminal Justice from the University of Baltimore. He lives in Annapolis, MD with his wife of four years, Stephanie, and works as a Detective in the Special Victims Unit for the Prince Georges County Police Department. Nick is also a volunteer/teacher for various sexual assault prevention programs at universities, high schools, and the local hospital. Lily Davidson received a BA from Brandeis University and a MSW from the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She lives in Washington, DC, with her husband, Brett Rodgers, and works as the Senior Director of Operations at the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association. Lily wrote, “The faculty and staff at WFS taught me to question, to analyze, and not to take things at face value. My Quaker education was integral to my current social-justice focused career.” Over the last few years, Lily has been involved in the

creation of a Leadership Development Program at Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington. Paury Flowers graduated in 2003 from Sarah Lawrence College with a BA in Liberal Arts. She lives in Swarthmore, PA, where she is the Recruitment Coordinator for the Theater Film and Media Arts Division at Temple University. She has a ﬁve-year-old son, Michael. Paury wrote, “My desire to see and save the world came directly from the experiences of a WFS education. Many projects and initiatives I started at WFS led to a lifetime commitment to educating, mentoring, and supporting others. I went to a college (SLC) that continued much of what WFS started by encouraging me to continue to ask questions, speak my truth, and see the light in others as well as myself. I have not ever moved too far away from those values, and I now do my best to teach my son the same things.” Eden Wales Freedman attended Swarthmore College and received a BA in English Literature and Political Science in 2003. After attending Boston College where she received a MA in English Literature in 2008, Eden received a PhD in English Literature from the University of New Hampshire. She wrote, “I am an Assistant Professor of American Literature, Women’s Studies, and Contemporary Theory at Adams

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

CLASS NOTES

2003

Faye Paul wrote to let us know about Mary Ting Hyatt’s new bagel shop in Cambridge, MA, “Bagelsaurus.” Faye wrote about Mary, “She opened the stand-alone shop on October 23rd, to much fanfare. The Eater Boston wrote, ‘The Porter Square shop already has a cult following thanks to its earlier incarnation as a bustling pop-up at Cutty’s [sandwich shop] in Brookline every week.’ And a few months ago, Eater Boston readers voted Bagelsaurus’ bagels as ‘Boston’s Best.’”

2005

Kristin Foss ’04 at the top of Yushan Mountain, the tallest mountain in Northeast Asia.

Michael Dalton (See photo 2007.) Jim Geoghegan (See photo 2007.)

Kristin Foss ’04 with her students in Taiwan.

Meghan Baczkowski Pixley and husband Brian announce the birth of their second child, Luke Joseph Pixley. He arrived on October 15, 2014 at 2:27pm.

Stacey Galperin (See photo 2007.) Miriam Rocek (See photo 2007.)

Luke Pixley with grandfather Bill Baczkowski, Interim Head of School (and thereafter - and before - Associate Head of School for Finance and Operations), mom Meghan Baczkowski Pixley ’03 and big sister Caroline (2 years old).

Maddie Kirk Sharpe is still living in Tulsa, OK with her husband, Will Sharpe. The two had an adventurous year pursuing their love of travel. They sailed the BVIs in March and took their most exciting trip yet to Botswana in August. They are expecting their ﬁrst child in May 2015. (See photo below.) Adam Willoughby-Knox (See 1998.)

Jeffrey Monhait’s article, “Baseball Arbitration: An ADR Success,” was published in the Harvard Journal of Sports and Entertainment Law. The bio of Jeff that accompanied the article read, “Jeff Monhait is an associate in the commercial litigation group at Cozen O’Connor in Philadelphia. He received his J.D. cum laude from Harvard Law School in 2012 and his B.A. magna cum laude from Haverford College in 2009. He wishes to thank Professor Bob Bordone for the hours spent discussing this article from inception through ﬁnal product, Damon Jones for his invaluable mentoring and insights, and Professors William Rubenstein and Peter Carfagna for their contributions to this piece. He also wishes to thank his father (and favorite ballgame companion) for sharing a lifelong love of baseball, as well as his mother and sister for their endless support.” Jeff’s father is former WFS Trustee Norm Monhait; his mother is the school’s consulting psychologist, Marcia Halperin, and his sister is Laurie Monhait ’02.

2006

Chris Collier (See photo 2009.) Katie Hunt (See photo 2007.)

2004

Mike Caddell (See 1987.)

On June 23, 2013, Naomi Hamermesh Scheinerman married Matt Scheinerman at Haverford College. They live in Connecticut where Naomi works as an Environmental Outreach

Kristin Foss wrote, “I am currently living in Taiwan, working at a public school as a teacher. I intend to start working on my Master’s here next year. Taiwan is great for hiking, and I go every weekend.” (See photos, next column.)

Maddie Kirk Sharpe ’04 with husband, Will and his family in the Okavango delta, Botswana during a summer trip. They stopped for morning tea in a field of zebras.

The Class of 1999 (continued) State University (Alamosa, CO), a small state-supported liberal arts university that caters to minority, marginalized, ﬁrst-generation, and non-traditional students and ‘all who value quality education and inclusivity’ (mission statement). I live in the San Luis Valley (surrounded by the Rocky Mountains) with my husband, Matthew Freedman, and our small dog, Bella. Wilmington Friends School’s emphasis on service and inclusive excellence helped inform my commitment to serving others through education. Because of the weight Friends placed on Quaker values and recognizing the light of God (and intrinsic value) in everyone, I chose to attend Swarthmore College, an academic institution

that shared WFS’s Quaker heritage and similarly stressed our mutual responsibility to caring about (and for) the needs of all others. Today, in my capacity as a professor and a sexual-assault counselor, I continue the tradition inspired and instilled by those at Friends to utilize my educational privilege to help those without.” Eden also volunteers in many different capacities to serve women’s interests and to secure women’s rights. (See photos.)

Chris Golding received a BAS from the University of Pennsylvania in Computer Science and a Masters from St. Andrews University, UK. He currently attends Temple University and is working to complete his dissertation, he hopes by next fall, and is also teaching history courses as an adjunct professor. He lives outside of Eden Wales Freedman ’99 is an Philadelphia in Collingswood, NJ, with his wife, Carolyn, Assistant Professor of American “two fat cats, and a goofy yellow lab.” Literature, Women’s Studies and Contemporary Theory at Adams State University.

Eden Wales Freedman ’99 and her husband, Matthew Freedman, on a harbor cruise in Portsmouth, NH, on the day Eden successfully defended her dissertation and earned her PhD. 34

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

Schraepfer Harvey received a BA in Humanities from the University of New Hampshire. He wrote, “I live in Seattle. I’m the production manager at the Triple Door, a music club and dinner theater downtown. I’m also the editor of Seattle’s humble, monthly jazz newspaper, published by Earshot Jazz, a jazz-support organization and concert presenter. Mostly, I produce live concerts, every day, with the help of incredible artists and crew. Love it.” Schraepfer

CLASS NOTES Naomi Hamermesh Scheinerman ’06 and husband Matt were married last summer.

Associate and Matt works in IT at ESPN. Emily Swain (See photo 2009.) Ethan TimminsSchiffman visited Friends on October 16, 2014 to talk about his experience in the Peace Corps. Ethan, a former teacher, used a clever, interactive presentation to help middle school students learn more about the cultures of countries they are studying in social science. Ethan, whose service in Guinea was cut short by the Ebola outbreak, is serving a second assignment in the Peace Corps.

2007

a post-baccalaureate pre-med program at the University of Vermont. She currently attends Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Connor graduated from Marist College in 2012 and works as a legal assistant for Dalton & Associates. The couple lives in Philadelphia with their two dogs, Lilly and Rusty. (See photo right.) Laura Kulkaček (formerly Roček) was married to Sanjay Kulkaček (formerly Kulkarni) on June 21, 2014 at the Blue Ball Barn in Wilmington, just up the road from Friends School. (See photos.)

Many WFSer’s celebrated the wedding of Elissa Cashman ’07 and Connor Dalton ’08. Front row: Matt Gluckman ’08, Connor and Elissa, Anna Haslinsky ’07, Lauren Galinat ’07, Brooke Sheppard ’07. Second row: Bob Tattersall, Julie Tattersall McGinnis ’82, C.J. Hunt, Katie Hunt ’06, PT DeGraff ’07, Michael Dalton ’05, Haley Cashman ’09, Sue Geoghegan. Third row: Drew Dalton ’97, Adam Balick ’81, Linda Cashman ’81, Karen Cashman Hunt ’80, Holly Woodward Thatcher ’80, Susie Tattersall Davis ’84, Dave Geoghegan ’75, father of the bride Chris Cashman ’78, Rob Tattersall ’91, Jim Geoghegan ’05. Back row: Bob Davis ’83, Hunter Witmer ’10. Not pictured: Joe Geoghegan ’11.

Gabe Aliquo (See photo.) Elissa Cashman and Connor Dalton ’08 were married May 17, 2014 at the Greenville Country Club. Elissa graduated in 2011 from Columbia University and then completed Gabe Aliquo ’07 and his wife, Emily, at their wedding on April 26, 2014.

Along with the bride, Laura Kulkaček (formerly Roček) ’07, other WFS alumni at Laura’s wedding included: second from left, Stacey Galperin ’04; third from left, Michaela Snead ’07; and next to Laura, her sister, Miriam Roček ’04.

also shared a bit about his community involvement with, “a monthly jazz gig at a retirement home and at a rehab hospital, with my teacher Ev Stern. It’s a sing along, activity hour, nostalgic dance...anything that gets the retirees or rehab patients moving and engaged. We play the old tunes and the people light up the room. Amazing.” Nedim Heto received a BA in Drama from Washington College. He is the General Manager at MAU Restaurant in San Francisco, CA. He wrote, “Friends gave me a second chance at education and life when my homeland (Bosnia) was in turmoil. The exceptionally high level of education had me fully prepared for college and beyond as I progressed in my life. I learned valuable lessons about service, peace, community, and the world while attending Friends, and those values still resonate strongly within me every day.” Jennifer Flayhart Keller received a BA from the University of Delaware and an MA from the University of Denver. She lives in Annapolis, MD, with her husband, Matt, and their two-year-old daughter, Emma. Jennifer and her husband both work for Catholic Relief Services in Baltimore. She wrote, “WFS helped me develop my understanding of the world as a global community. Many of the decisions I made in life—to join the Peace Corps and to study for a Masters in Human Rights— were due to the values and lessons that the school instilled in me.” Erika Kurtz received a BA from New York University and a Master’s in Spanish Literature from Lehman College. After living in New York, Erika has been back in Delaware for 10 years working for her family’s

Laura Kulkaček (formerly Roček) ’07 and husband Sanjay Kulkček (formerly Kulkarni) celebrate at their wedding.

business, New Moon Rugs, a designer rug line, and Kurtz Collection, a furniture and rug store. She wrote, “Friends taught me that if you surround yourself with a strong support community, you can achieve anything!” Jenny Lamb attended the University of Pennsylvania. She wrote, “I moved to New York after college and haven’t left! I live in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. I’ve been working at Pandora Radio for the past ﬁve years.” Katie Wolf Martinenza received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Westminster Choir College and is working toward her Master’s in Music Education at the University of Delaware. She lives in Newark, DE, with her husband, Brian, and their four children, Avery (7), Ellie (5), Bennett (3), and Sutton who was born in June 2014. Katie wrote, “In 2013, I was named Olive B. Loss’s Teacher of the Year and ultimately was honored with the title Appoquinimink School District Teacher of the Year 2013. In 2014, I returned to school as a graduate student and teaching assistant in music education at the University of Delaware. I will graduate this spring....My Friends education not only prepared me academically for college, but also for life. In my 14 years at Friends, I had opportunities to excel in the arts and become a leader. Most importantly, I learned about the importance of giving back through service to others.” Katie serves as a local director and mentor to young women competing in the Miss Delaware Scholarship Organization, a preliminary to Miss America. She also volunteers with the children’s Sunday School and choir at her church and at the Caesar Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

CLASS NOTES

2008

Mike Anderson wrote, “I was promoted last year and am now the General Manager of Claws Seafood House in Rehoboth Beach. Our company also owns two other restaurants in the area, and we are opening a brewery this winter. I hope to continue my growth within the company and become the marketing and advertising manager in addition to earning responsibilities within the brewing and distribution processes, while also hosting events such as beer dinners, tastings, etc. Should be one of the next best things in Delaware. Look for Fins Fish House up in Wilmington in the next couple of years.”

Coast. Burritos and avocados have supplanted my obsession with cheesesteaks. While everyone seems a little more ‘laid back’ out here, I do miss the faster-paced lifestyle of the East Coast sometimes. Who knows what life after graduate school will be like, but right now, life is pretty good. :)” Connor Dalton (See 2007.) Matt Gluckman (See photo 2007.)

Monica Felder (See “Where You Are Now?”) Sammi Shay has been enjoying her work in development at BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), a multi-arts center in Brooklyn, NY, while still ﬁnding time to pursue her love of dance. She most recently performed in a collaborative arts festival at Triskelion Arts in Brooklyn. (See photo below.) Mary Williams is moving on, after more than a year on Capitol Hill in Congressman John Carney’s ofﬁce, to a new position as an Advancement Associate at Sidwell Friends School. 2009 classmates Emily David, Elizabeth Connolly, Marlee Raber, Geoff Butterworth, and Caroline Reese also live in Washington, DC, where they try to get together for dinner every few months.

Todd Aronhalt is attending Virginia Tech to pursue a Master’s in environmental engineering. Joe Barakat wrote, “Life’s good in sunny California. I’m now in my third year of my PhD at Stanford for chemical engineering. In addition to taking classes and attending seminars, most of my time is spent conducting research in computational fluid dynamics. Our Joe Barakat ’08 is research group (the living in California Shaqfeh Lab) studies and working on his the physical properPhD at Stanford ties of ‘interesting University. fluids,’ e.g. blood and particulate suspensions, using computer simulation techniques. The problems we study have applications in the medical community (e.g. elucidating the mechanism of blood clotting) and engineering processes (e.g. high-throughput microfluidic technologies). California is a great place to live. In my spare time, I go hiking and climbing, and I like to sample the microbrewery culture of the West

ebrating Kathy Takacs Taylor’s ’77 daughters’ graduations from middle school and college respectively. (See photo below.)

2010 Daughter and stepson of Sye El Thomas ’08.

Sam Finkelman, a recent graduate of Middlebury College, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. (See box story, page 37.)

Sye El Thomas is still living in Wilmington and working at Nemours Hospital in the Audiology department. She is married with a toddler daughter and a young stepson.

2009

Haley Cashman (See photo 2007.) Emily David wrote, “We magically had a little Friends School reunion when cel-

Jake Gehret ’77, Kathy Takacs Taylor ’77, Emily David ’09, Chris Collier ’06, and Emily Swain ’06 last summer at a graduation party for Kathy’s daughters.

Sammi Shay ’09 performing at an arts festival where she lives in Brooklyn, NY.

The Class of 1999 (continued)

settling into married life and still adjustAbbey Collins McCabe graduated ing to the change Avery, Ellie, Bennett, and Sutton Martinenza, in culture from the from the University of Virginia children of Katie Wolf Martinenza ’99. with a Bachelor of Science in Midwest to New EngNursing. She is living in Kenland.” Sarah wrote nett Square with husband, Casey, and three children Hudson, Barrett, of Friends, “WFS taught me two Hudson, Barrett and Tucker and Tucker. Abbey works at the DuPont Hospital for Children, where very important things. The ﬁrst McCabe, children of Abbey Colshe has been for almost 10 years, as a Pediatric ICU nurse. (See photo is to be the best that I can be, and lins McCabe ’99. right.) that doesn’t always mean better than anyone else. And the second is that everyone deserves to be treated Sarah Cohen Panock wrote, “After 10 years of working at Medical equally and with respect. These are things that have opened me up to Associations in both Washington, DC, and Chicago, I decided it was so many new experiences and have had a huge impact on the person time for a shift in my career. After ﬁnishing my MBA at Northwestern I am today. As a student, I learned how to be an analytical thinker. I in March of 2013 with a focus on Social Enterprise and Strategic Manwas taught to always ask questions and properly research conclusions agement, I moved to the Boston area to pursue a role as the Director before trying to prove a point. This is an invaluable skill that has helped of Client Services for a Medical IT company with a unique education me to gain credit and respect in my career when I am asked or need to platform for assessing clinicians. This past August my now husband, make recommendations. Part of this was also learning how to write. Dan, and I tied the knot at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts in Although I am a terrible speller and my grammar may not be the best, I Philadelphia. We had a blast with so many of our friends and family am able to clearly formalize thoughts and support them. I learned those traveling from across the country to celebrate with us. We are happily Rodney Rotary Club. (See photo.)

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

CLASS NOTES Jesse Paul spent last summer working at the Denver Post. Drew Malinsky graduated from the University of Miami in May, and took a position at Insight Global in Fort Lauderdale in June; he serves as an IT stafﬁng solutions recruiter. Drew has been tapped to help launch a new line of the business starting in February.

Drew Malinsky ’10 and his new car in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Hunter Witmer (See photo 2007.)

2011

Louise Connelly spent the summer working with The Morning Show in NYC. Mara Freilich was a summer student fellow at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution working on a project related to satellite remote sensing and freshwater transport in the Bay of Bengal. Brett Fallon wrote, “I’m currently in the home stretch of my senior year at Davidson College which will conclude in May 2015. I’m apply-

skills from my amazing English teachers at WFS. Those skills also helped to make the transition into college classes much easier.” Sarah is in the process of being assigned her first volunteer project with Community Consulting Teams (CCT) Boston. CCT is a non-profit dedicated to strengthening the impact of Boston-area nonprofits through pro bono management consulting projects performed by teams of experienced MBAs.

Sam Finkelman ’10 Fulbright Scholar in Russia Before leaving for his Fulbright year in Russia, Sam Finkelman ’10 replied to our inquiry about how his interest in Russia evolved and what he planned and hoped for his time there. Sam also shared photos from his previous trip to Russia. I plan to teach English and continue my study of Russian in Krasnoyarsk—a city of just over one million on the Yenisei River in the middle of Siberia, about 2,600 miles east of Moscow. I will be teaching English to university students who have already been studying the language for some time; my job is to act as cultural ambassador, and, as far as I understand, I will have a good degree of freedom in introducing my students to American literature, music, ﬁlms, etc. As a recipient of the Critical Languages Enhancement Award, I will also have the opportunity to continue my study of the Russian language with one-on-one tutors. I do not foresee political strife getting in the way of my plans; after all, Fulbright has sent English teachers and researchers to Russia since 1973, when our nations were hardly on better terms than they are today.

summer language program at Middlebury, and then traveled abroad to Irkutsk—another large city in Siberia—where I studied Russian language and literature at Irkutsk State University. My study of Russian culminated with my senior thesis—an examination of Eastern Orthodox themes in Russian poet Anna Akhmatova’s masterpiece, “Poem Without a Hero.” So far, it has been fascinating to study an often misunderstood culture. I am thrilled that I will have the opportunity to continue to do so while also getting the chance to share what I love about American culture. Photos from Sam’s previous trip to Russia, when he was a student at Middlebury.

I began my study of Russian at the beginning of my sophomore year at Middlebury, but my interest in Russian culture began at Friends, when I was introduced to Ivan Turgenev’s Fathers and Sons by Ms. Kenney and to Chekhov’s short stories by Mr. Rashkind. In college, I fell in love with the language and literature, studied at the immersive eight-week

the know will know what I’m talking about); Mr. Koloch and ‘You’ll smell like a campﬁre after this lab....Deal with it’ (or something to that effect), said in a total deadpan voice; Mr. Micciche and the memorable Friday advisory group gatherings; and, in general, the whole staff, faculty, custodians, administration. Everyone really cared about us and supported us.” About community service, Tom wrote, “Beyond just being the right thing to do (which is the most important thing), I strongly believe that my many hours with Habitat for Humanity helped signiﬁcantly in my career, giving me hands-on experience.”

Thomas Shipman received a BS Sarah Cohen Panock ’99 and Dan Panock celebrate Jessica Dillon Wilson received a BA in in Mechanical Engineering in their wedding at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia: Women’s Studies and French from Gettysburg 2004 and a MS in Mechanical Adrienne Neff ’99; Ashley Coleman Thayer ’99, Amy College and a Master’s in Higher Education Engineering in 2006, both from Schindler, Liz Schell Thomas ’99, Monica Felder ’09, from Rutgers. She is now working as the the University of Delaware. He Sarah, Dan, Brandon Kaploe, Ari Katz, Glenn Felder ’11, Assistant Dean of Admission at Princeton lives in Newark, DE, and works as Josh Schindler, and Craig Panock. University. Jessica wrote, “Going to Friends a Process Development Engineer has everything to do with who I am today. I am a very centered and for W.L. Gore & Associates. He also volunteers at the Aetna Hose, focused individual. For me, Meeting for Worship was my most deﬁning Hook and Ladder Co. He wrote, “Fond Class/School Memories: The experience at Friends. Here, I found my inner light, which I strive to lunch table gang; helping out behind the scenes with the Anything Goes nourish each day.” production; Mr. Schmittle and his ‘Creative Chemistry Week’ (those in Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

CLASS NOTES

2012

Daniel Potter is spending a semester abroad in Milan, Italy, with IES Abroad’s “Milan Music: Tradition and Innovation” program. Daniel is studying voice, organ, and Italian; is living with an Italian family; and is taking the opportunity to visit the rest of Italy and parts of Europe.

2013 Sunset in Berkhamsted, England taken by Brett Fallon ’11 on a trip to England with classmate Louis Belson ’11.

ing to several law schools and plan to begin my JD candidacy in the fall of 2015. Over the summer, I was a legal intern for Silverman McDonald & Friedman, a law firm in Wilmington. I also traveled to England and explored the British countryside with 2011 classmate Louis Belson.” Glenn Felder (See “Where You Are Now?”) Gabbi Harris expressed her appreciation to all who supported her project with the buildOn chapter at University of Delaware. “I will finally be traveling to Villa Kokomo, Nicaragua, to meet the community there and start building the school all of you have contributed to!....I am so excited to travel with such an inspiring group of people, and cannot wait to learn from the people of Nicaragua. I strongly believe we have just as much to learn from them as they do from us. I plan to soak up as much wisdom as I possibly can, and promise to share my pictures, stories and lessons with all of you.” Sabrina Lessner is a senior at University of Delaware. She plays alto saxophone in the marching band (for football games) and the pep band (for basketball games), as well as the tenor pan in the steel drum band. She is the marching band team’s captain for UDance, a 12-hour dance marathon that raises money for the B+ Foundation, which current Friends students also have supported with dances and other events. B+ raises money to support pediatric cancer research and families of children with cancer. Sabrina also became a member-in-training of Sigma Alpha Iota, a music fraternity for women. In addition, she is a member of the Down to Earth organic food co-op, a group that works on an organic farm on Saturdays in exchange for free produce. Sammi Perillo was named Commonwealth Conference Player of the Year in volleyball. Sammi is a senior at Stevenson University, which went undefeated in the conference for the third straight year. It was Sammi’s fourth straight all-conference honor and third first team. This season, Sammi became the first player in Stevenson history to surpass 2,000 career digs. She led the conference with 675 digs and 5.92 digs per set; she was also among the top-10 in digs in Division III. Jess Swain was selected as a captain for the Dickinson soccer team for her senior season. The team was 11-5 this year. 38

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

There was lots of soccer news for Lindsay Aleman, including being named Offensive Athlete of the Week in late September for Catholic University (all sports). Then it just got better as Catholic claimed the Landmark Conference championship. Lindsay was second on the team with 30 points for the regular season (14 goals, 2 assists). Leah O’Brien transferred from Vassar College to the University of Delaware where she is majoring in Women’s Studies with minors in Forensic Science and Domestic Violence.

2014

Gil Connolly, Bates College, and Bill Gordon, Hamilton College, are both playing football. Bates and Hamilton squared off in the season ﬁnale November 8, with Gil’s team coming out on top, 31-10. Kenji Endo and Quinn McNeill joined the UN General Secretary, former Vice President Gore, and hundreds of thousands for the People’s Climate March in New York on Sunday, September 21, 2014.

Emma Hartley ’14 on her horse, No Objection, at a competition in Virginia.

Young Riders Championship in Kentucky next summer. After that, Emma will be enrolled at Northwestern where she plans to major in engineering. Jamie Martelli-Raben received the second place scholarship in the 2014 Harry Roberts/ DIAA Scholar-Athlete program. The scholarships are named for a former Delaware educator and past Chairman of the DIAA Sportsmanship Committee. Jamie played varsity soccer and tennis at Friends, and is now a freshman at Duke. Luke Morgan-Scott was recognized as one of Business Insider’s “Most Impressive High School Graduates” for 2014. Luke is enrolled at Harvard College, with plans to study economics; he also earned a spot on the varsity swim team.

Gil Connolly ’14 and Bill Gordon ’14 at the Bates-Hamilton football game in November 2014.

In recent news of Emily Freilich, she was heading into competition in the Kenji Endo ’14 and Cross Country Quinn McNeill ’14 at Regionals in Oregon, the People’s Climate running for Pomona March in New York. College. Emily finished sixth for her team in the Conference Championship Meet, where Pomona finished second. Emma Hartley and her horse No Objection (aka “Ben”) completed the Morven Park CIC in Leesburg, VA, in October. It was Emma’s first competition at the FEI (international) level of Three-Day Eventing, an Olympic sport. Eventing has three phases—dressage, cross country (pictured), and show jumping (in a ring), executed by the same horse and rider over three days. Emma is taking a gap year to work and train with her coach and top US rider, Jennie Brannigan. Emma and Ben were planning to travel to Florida for winter training, aiming for the North American

Elena Veale earned some press as a freshman starting at center half for Haverford ﬁeld hockey. She got her ﬁrst college-career goal in style, with a penalty stroke to win the game over Eastern University, a story that was picked up by the News Journal back home. Elena was also highlighted in Haverford sports news when she scored twice in a win over Randolph Macon.

Former Faculty

Phil Fitzpatrick (English Dept, 1967-70), who directed many of this year’s 40th reunion members as seventh graders in a scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, was himself directed this fall in another Shakespeare play, The Tempest, where he played the role of the island wizard, Prospero. Phil is retired and lives with his dog, Cisco, in Duluth, MN. Art Hill ’51 (See 1964.) Violet Richman (See 1971.)

Former faculty member Phil Fitzpatrick.

IN MEMORY Please note: In order to include as many entries as possible, original obituaries may be edited.

Mraz ’16; 13 great-grandchildren; her sister Lois Naylor Berl ’43; and many nieces and nephews.

Betty Topkis Schiff ’36

Alice H. Gray ’42

Betty (Mrs. Herbert) Schiff died peacefully at her home in Longboat Key, Florida on September 12, 2014. Mrs. Schiff was an active member of the Columbus Jewish community, a member of the Winding Hollow Country Club, and a club champion golfer and bridge player. She worked on numerous boards and committees, supporting causes including ORT, Hadassah, National Council of Jewish Women, Wexner Heritage Village Auxiliary, the Jewish Center of Columbus, Brandeis University Women, Technion, Temple Israel in Columbus and Temple Beth Israel on Longboat Key. She has been a supporter of the Jewish Federations in both Sarasota and Columbus, endowing a Lion of Judah in both communities and was the recipient of the National Lion of Judah Kipnis/Wilson/ Friedland Award for extensive volunteer and philanthropic achievement. She is survived by two daughters and their families, including two alumni among her six grandchildren, Dr. Laura Hershorin ’82 and David Hershorin ’85 (Jill). She will be missed by her nine greatgrandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter and grandson.

Alice Gray passed away on July 25, 2014 at Barclay Friends in West Chester, where she had lived since 1996. Alice grew up in The Dower House on North High Street in West Chester, and lived at that address most of her life.

Dorothy Naylor Speakman ’36 Age 96, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2014 surrounded by her family. A lifelong resident of Wilmington, Dorothy graduated from Bradford Junior College in 1938. Dorothy remained an active supporter of Wilmington Friends School and its programs her entire life. She was also one of the founding members of St. Edmond’s Academy and a long-time member of the Memorial Hospital Junior Board. Dorothy was an outstanding athlete and played competitive tennis at the DuPont Country Club until the age of 85. She was a member of the “Mermaids” at the Brandywine YMCA. Dorothy’s greatest love was her children, her grandchildren, her greatgrandchildren and their friends. Dorothy and her husband, Ed, shared their warm hospitality and sense of humor with their children’s friends who came to their home to socialize and play basketball. Their home became known as “Connolly Country Club” where everyone called Dorothy “Mom.” In addition to her parents, Dorothy was predeceased by both of her husbands, Edwin B. Connolly and John A. Speakman, her grandson, Ricky Hines, and her sisters, Ruth Naylor Manley ’38 and Leilah Naylor Lloyd ’38. She is survived by her children, Phyllis Hines and her son, Scott, of Wilmington; Beth Robinson (Rob) of Rochester, NY, and their children Lisa, Cory, and Christine; Lois Healy of Wilmington and her children, Kim, Thomas, Alison, and Jessica; Ned Connolly ’68 (Cindy) of Denver, CO and his children, Christina and Matthew; and Dorothy Connolly Mraz ’74 (Fred) of Kennett Square, PA, and their children, Jaclyn Mraz ’01, Lauren Mraz ’02, Kristen Mraz ’05 and Kate

Alice showed early athletic talent and was active in sports at Wilmington Friends School and at Wellesley College. Her father, one-time president of Merion Golf Club, encouraged her to try golﬁng. His suggestion paid off as she won many golﬁng honors, including the Dorothy Campbell Howe Cup at Merion in 1964. Her amateur career culminated with two Pennsylvania State Women’s Amateur golf championships in 1961 and 1963. With little monetary gain possible for women golf professionals in the sixties, Alice became a ladies pro and instructor. Her low-pressure advice and good humor gained her hundreds of students, both male and female. “One thing that I think is important,” she said, “is to make golf a pleasure right from the beginning.”

Martha Budd Shelnutt ’43 Age 88, of Wilmington, Delaware, died on June 25, 2014. She attended Sweet Briar College. Martha was the former owner of La Cocina in Greenville, and worked at Carl Doubet Jewelers from which she retired in 2010 after 20 years. She enjoyed volunteering for many organizations including the Alumni Association of Wilmington Friends School, The Delaware Theatre Company, and the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Martha was predeceased by her daughter, Barbara Bolender, and her parents. She is survived by three daughters, Ann Shelnutt Barry ’65 (Gerard Dunne) of Rego Park, NY, Jane Shelnutt Button ’66 (David) of Burlington, WA, and Sarah Plasha (Dennis) of Medford Lakes, NJ; ﬁve grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her cousin, Richard.

Carolyn Corey Jarin ’44 Innovative trailblazing naturalist Carolyn Corey Jarin passed away on September 22, 2014, at Chandler Hall in Newtown. She was 88. Carolyn was born in Bryn Mawr and grew up in Wilmington. She attended the Pennsylvania School of Horticulture for Women in Ambler, now Temple University, graduating with honors in 1946. In 1950, Carolyn met and married Barney Jarin. Carolyn operated Fountainville Nursery, while raising four daughters and a son and an abundance of pets, as well as ﬁnding time to be an active member of the Doylestown Nature Club and League of Women Voters. Her love of children and friends ﬂourished every summer with great times at the summer house on Lake Carey in Pennsylvania. Carolyn served an internship at Churchville Nature Center and envisioned developing a similar model at the east end of Peace Valley Park. She brought together scores of volun-

teers to develop the Nature Center, which includes walking trails and diverse habitats of meadows, ponds and forests. For 30 years she served as naturalist at Peace Valley Park. She won awards from local civic organizations, the Bucks County Commissioners and the Pennsylvania Environmental Education Alliance for her achievements, but more importantly, she won the admiration and appreciation of many visitors. Carolyn is survived by four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, and two brothers.

Thomas B. Baker ’45 Age 88, passed away on July 28, 2014. Tom was Canadian-born, and was sent to the U.S. for schooling as a child. He proudly served his adopted country, enlisting in the Marines during WWII. With a talent for design and fascination with electronics, Tom worked at the DuPont Co. and eventually founded T. Baker & Associates. Providing custom security systems for local corporations, he took great pride in his projects, and working along with his sons in a family business. Tom will be deeply missed by his wife, Ann, with whom he shared more than 60 years of devotion, some tears, and much laughter. He is survived by three sons and a daughter, seven grandchildren, ﬁve great-grandchildren, and two nieces.

Frederick Hughes Chapman ’45 Age 87, of Lewes, passed away in his sleep on October 2, 2014, at Harbor Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center. Fred attended Wilmington Friends School through ninth grade and then attended Worcester Polytech prep school through 11th grade. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age of 17 and served until the end of World War II. He then ﬁnished 12th grade and enrolled at the University of Delaware, where he received his degree in chemical engineering in 1951. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Fred married Marjorie Ann Lumley, his high-school sweetheart, in 1948. The family moved on various assignments with the DuPont Company. He then worked for Haveg Industries, Thiokol Company, and back again with DuPont. Fred and Marjorie moved to Lewes, where he operated his own business, Benchmark Technical Sales. He also opened a marine resale shop named Mariner’s Attic. Besides his family, Fred’s greatest love was sailing. Over the years he owned and enjoyed many unique boats. Fred loved the town of Lewes and all the wonderful people that ﬁlled his busy days. He is survived by his cherished former wife Marjorie Lumley Chapman ’46; daughter Diana Lee Allred, who resides at Fred’s longtime Lewes residence; son, Richard L. Chapman of California; and daughter, Jennifer L. Clark of Florida. He is also survived by four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his sister, Nancy Berl ’46 of Wilmington; and his brother, Don Chapman ’49 of Atlanta, Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

IN MEMORY GA. Fred was preceded in death by his son, Frederick L. Chapman, and his sister, Joan Wilhoit ’51.

M. Fairfax D. Flinn Hering ’50 Margaret Fairfax Dashiell Flinn Hering, age 82, of Wilmington, passed away on November 4, 2014 following an extended illness. Known affectionately by her family and magniﬁcent circle of friends as “Fairfax,” “Fax,” “Faxie,” “Peggy,” “Mom,” “Mimi,” “Grammie” and “Sister,” she courageously battled Parkinson’s disease for more than 10 years.

was a staff member at Christiana Hospital and a member of its Credentials Committee. Rob was a longtime member of the Wilmington Rotary Club, Wilmington Country Club, and Westminster Presbyterian Church. Throughout his life, he traveled widely and especially enjoyed taking each of his grandchildren on an adventurous trip for their tenth birthdays—to Alaska, the Greek Isles, the Galapagos, and the Arctic Circle.

Fairfax attended Wilmington Friends School excelling as a three-sport athlete (ﬁeld hockey, basketball, and softball). She graduated from Centenary Junior College (NJ) and the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she majored in physical education and was a member of Delta Delta Delta national sorority. She taught physical education at Evanston High School (IL), worked in Boston for AT&T, and later served as a teaching assistant at Tower Hill School.

Judith Rhoads Obbard ’53 Age 78, died on October 30, 2014, in Southwest Harbor, NJ. Judith is survived by her husband, Peter B. Obbard; her four children and seven grandchildren; and her brother, William E. Rhoads ’57, of East Windsor, NJ. Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com.

Most of all, Rob enjoyed spending time with his wife and family in Wilmington, Stone Harbor, NJ, and Key West, FL. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Judith Heckroth Hoopes, his daughter, Stephanie Hoopes Halpin ’82, his son, Robert R. Hoopes, Jr. ’85 (Hilary), ﬁve grandchildren, brother Frank M. Hoopes, Jr. ’54 (Anne), his nieces and nephews, and sister-in-law Phyllis Heckroth Trager.

Fairfax lived life with humor, joy, and her strong faith in God. Her devotion and dedication to her family knew no limits. Fairfax had an extended career in community leadership, serving as president of: The Junior League of Wilmington, The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America (Delaware Chapter), and St. Michael’s School and Nursery, Inc. She also contributed to two clergy search committees and was chairman of the Trinity Episcopal Church Altar Guild. Needlework, ﬂowers, and chocolate were also very special to her.

The Rev. Donald Roderick Welles Jr. ’53

Jane Andrews Linker ’57

Age 79, was born peacefully into eternal life on June 16, 2014 at home surrounded by family. A native Delawarean, Rod attended Friends and then graduated from the Hotchkiss School. He received his BA from Yale University and his Master of Divinity from Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, MA. Following seminary, Rod taught English and religion at St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH, after which he was head of the upper school of Portledge School in Locust Valley, NY. He served as head of Sewanee Academy in Sewanee, TN, and head of the Arlington Schools in College Park, GA. After returning to Wilmington, Rod worked ﬁrst for Independent School Management and then for Friendship House, Inc. Rod believed there were three essential relationships in life: one’s relationship to God, one’s relationship to other persons, and one’s relationship to God’s creation. Expressing these relationships was the hallmark of his ministry as a priest, as an educator, as a racism awareness trainer, and as a minister to the homeless. Rod is survived by his beloved wife Sue of 40 years, two children, and three grandchildren.

The Alumni Ofﬁce received word from Jane’s classmate, Tom Baker, that Jane had died in early September, with her daughter, Joy Linker ’93, at her side. Tom reported that Jane had been ill for some time and had moved to Florida to be closer to Joy. Our condolences to the family.

Fairfax was the daughter of the late Dr. Irvine Moore Flinn ’17 and Margaret Fairfax Dashiell Flinn. She is survived and will be greatly missed by her loving husband of 56 years, George, and their ﬁve children: Heather Brown (Douglas), Tewksbury, NJ; Susan Foster, Wilmington, DE; Marnie Harrison, Richmond, VA; George Clark Hering, IV (Beverly), Greensboro, NC; and Laura Leigh (Benjamin), Leesburg, VA; as well as her 12 grandchildren and 14 nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara D. Flinn Quillen ’47 of Hockessin, DE.

Stuart B. Young ’52 Age 79, died suddenly on August 15, 2014 at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington. Stuart received a BA from Williams College and an LL.B. from The University of Virginia Law School. Stuart was a partner in the law ﬁrm of Young, Conaway, Stargatt and Taylor. He held numerous leadership roles in Wilmington and in Delaware, the city and state he loved so much. He served as President, Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of the Delaware College of Art and Design, Chairman of the Delaware State Arts Council, President of the Delaware Art Museum, as well as being an active member of the Greater Wilmington Development Council, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Wilmington Friends School parent and alumni community, and the Holocaust Memorial Committee. 40

Stuart is survived by his loving family: wife Toni; children Mitchell Young ’90 (Katka) and Ann Young Saban ’94 (Hanoch) and grandson Gilad Shmuel Saban; his sister, Ronell Young Douglass ’50 (William); and brother H. Alan Young ’54 (Sharon).

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

Robert Riter Hoopes ’57 Age 74, passed away on July 8, 2014 with his family at his side. Rob attended Duke University and the Kornberg School of Dentistry at Temple University. He was honored to have served as a Captain in the United States Air Force. Rob was fortunate to be engaged in a profession that he loved. Every day spent in his dental ofﬁce was a pleasure; he cared deeply about his patients and his work colleagues, and worked hard to keep abreast of best practices in his profession. He was elected to the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists, was a member of the Delaware State Board of Examiners and the Delaware State Dental Society serving as its President in 1977-78. He

David Christos Papastavros ’79 Of Avalon, NJ, formerly of Wilmington, DE, passed away in his sleep on October 7, 2014. David attended Friends through eighth grade. David was a loving, gentle, and sensitive soul whose generosity toward his friends and family enriched the lives of all. Predeceased by his father and a brother. Survived by his loving mother, Elizabeth Burr Papastavros ’49, and sister, Christina P. Fay ’76 (John). Also survived by his loving nieces, Bonnie F. (Jeffrey) Kibbie, Kelly B. Fay ’07, Hannah G. Fay ’11; and nephew and godson, John F. (Katherine) Fay III. From our Alumni Ofﬁce records, additional family members who attended Friends include David’s cousins, Elizabeth Burr Keefe ’75 and Barbara Leonard ’76, and his aunt, Helen Nulse ’51.

Joshua Dylan Weller ’96 Josh passed away on November 13, 2014. Our Alumni Ofﬁce was not able to locate a formal obituary, but classmates shared thoughts with us and with each other on Facebook, including this post: “He was so kind and gentle, provided endless laughter, and will remain in our hearts forever.”

Dr. Y. Brian Parker ’98 Age 35, of Durham, NC, passed away on September 30, 2014 at his home. He is survived by his mother, father, and brother.

IN CLOSING

Farewell to Bryan Garman November 23, 2014 What more appropriate place to say goodbye to Bryan and his wife, Karen, than in the new Friends Theater. Thank you to all who made this event a moving celebration and tribute— and especially to Friends parent and Alapocas neighbor Elisa Komins Morris, who put together the wonderful slideshow tribute. Most of all, thank you and best wishes to Bryan and his family. The parking lot overflowed with friends eager to honor Bryan and Karen, including Bill Baczkowski and Ken Aldridge, Bill Neff, Bob Pincus, Elisa Morris and Debbie Ross, Marilyn Maguire and Ann Cole, Tim ’62 and Mona Bayard and Susan Kelley, and hundreds more.

The plaque presented by Board Clerk Susan Kelley will be placed on a wall of the new Global Learning Center, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2015.

Four seniors—Terrence Dai, Elijah Jabbar-Bey, Meera Kohli (behind Bryan), and Martha O’Brien—presented Bryan with a gift on behalf of the Home & School Association.

Fall/Winter 2014-2015 • QuakerMatters

Non-ProďŹ t Org. U.S. Postage

101 School Road Wilmington, DE 19803 www.wilmingtonfriends.org

PAID Permit No. 1249 Wilmington, DE

AUCTION FOR FRIENDS Please Save the Date April 25, 2015

More upcoming events Tuesday-Friday, February 17-20 DAIS Middle School Art Show, WFS Atrium Friday, February 20 Eighth Grade Musical Saturday, February 28 Home & School Used Book Sale MS/US Meeting Room, 8:00am-12:00pm Wednesday, March 11 Fifth Grade Musical Friday-Sunday, April 17-19 Upper School Spring Play Friday, May 8 Lower School Grandparents & Special Friends Day Saturday, May 16 5th Annual Spring Fling Alumni Lacrosse Games