WFS Winter 2020 Magazine

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QuakerMatters

Wilmington Friends School Winter 2020

SIMPLICITY PEACE INTEGRITY COMMUNITY EQUALITY STEWARDSHIP

Winter 2020 Contents

This school year, we are focusing on the Quaker testimony STEWARDSHIP. Friends has a history of care and concern for the environment, and in recent years student learning and activities centered around environmental stewardship has become more prevalent in the classroom as well as in clubs and committees. Please tell us what STEWARDSHIP means to you by emailing us at alumni@ wilmingtonfriends.org.

1 2 3 4 10 14 16 18 19 25 30 Above: We had beautiful weather for Homecoming 2019. On the cover: Student musicians in the 4th-8th grade bands gave an energetic performance at Homecoming during the football game half-time.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Chair, Susan Kelley Vice Chair, Dorothy Rademaker Treasurer, Christopher Buccini ’90 Secretary, Russ Endo Jennifer G. Brady Karen-Lee Brofee William Chapman Lathie Gannon Scott W. Gates ’80 Richard Grier-Reynolds Noreen Haubert Susan Janes-Johnson Omar A. Khan ’90

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From the Head of School From the Alumni Board Clerk Planned Giving Spotlight Homecoming 2019 Reunion Photos From the Archives Faculty Around the World: Summer Travel Trying New Things in Tasmania School News & Events Lower School Project Update John McClelland ’87: Advisor to the D.C. Policy Makers Emerging Careers in Public Service Class Notes In Memory In Closing: The Addams Family

ALUMNI BOARD 2019-2020

Matthew Lang ’08 Christopher W. Lee ’82 Deborah Murray-Sheppard Debbie Pittenger Laura Reilly Christopher Rowland ’95 David Tennent Alumni Association Board Liaison, Martha Poorman Tschantz ’85 Home & School Association Board Liaison, Michelle Silberglied

ADMINISTRATION Head of School, Kenneth Aldridge Assistant to the Head of School, Ann Cole Associate Head for Finance and Operations, William Baczkowski Assistant Head for Academics, Michael Benner Head of Lower School, Julie Rodowsky Head of Middle School, Jonathan Huxtable Head of Upper School, Rebecca Zug Director of Admissions and Financial Aid, Melissa Brown Director of Communications and Strategic Marketing, Susan Morovati Finizio ’87 Director of Development, Chad O’Kane

Matthew Lang ’08, Clerk Jonathan Layton ’86, Vice Clerk Melissa Fagan Billitto ’87 Erin Bushnell ’96 Stanita Clarke ’06 Drew Dalton ’97 Emily David ’09 Raven Harris Diacou ’06 Alexandra Poorman Ergon ’77 Matt Hendricks ’79 Erika Kurtz ’99 Christopher Lee ’82 Adrienne Monley ’02 Katharine Lester Mowery ’02 Raymond Osbun ’71 Kristin Dugan Poppiti ’03 Richie Rockwell ’02 Thomas Scott ’70 James Simon ’60 Martha Poorman Tschantz ’85

Professional photography by Elisa Komins Morris and Billy Michels ’89. Also thanks to teacher Mary Woodward and the WFS Yearbook Staff for photo contributions. Please send any comments or corrections to info@wilmingtonfriends.org.

Mission Wilmington Friends, a Quaker school with high standards for academic achievement, challenges students to seek truth, to value justice and peace, and to act as creative, independent thinkers with a conscious responsibility to the good of all. Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

From the Head of School Dear Friends, Lately, I’ve been reflecting upon our children’s future. In what can feel like a particularly uncertain and contentious moment in our country’s history, I have been thinking: this is the world we will soon be handing over to the next generation. And I’m more aware than ever that it is our duty and privilege to prepare them for this future, to foster in them the intellectual, ethical, and emotional skills to thrive and to serve as citizens of the world. Here at Friends, as educators, we take that responsibility very much to heart and I know the parents in our community do the same. Our job is to teach these children, to cherish them, and to let them go. We all know this.

Ken visiting third graders as they read books about Stewardship.

But as the parent of a college student and a graduate student, what I have also come to understand is the value of coming home. After weeks or months of negotiating their demanding, exhilarating, sometimes stressful academic and social lives, when my kids walk through the door of our house I watch a very specific kind of peace settle over them. It’s a peace born of familiarity and memories, of favorite meals, of years of dinnertime conversations, of family traditions, stories, nicknames, jokes. Coming home is respite and restoration; it is remembering where they came from, what they value, and who they are. When it comes time to leave, yes, they are ready to go, but when they walk out the front door, they carry this peace with them. I see something similar happen every fall at Friends at Homecoming. Our alumni come to us from all over the country, leaving behind, for a day or two, their busy lives of work and service, to exchange hugs and share meals and memories with old friends, to dress in blue and white and yell themselves hoarse cheering on their Quakers, to recall the people, the traditions, and the Quaker values that helped shape them into the people they are. I felt this sense of home in the air and saw it in the faces at this year’s Homecoming: at the 50th Reunion Luncheon, at the True Blue dinner where we recognized alumni achievements, at the Smith McMillan 5K, at Meeting for Worship, and on the sidelines of games where we cheered our teams–every single one–to victory. My hope is that everyone who came headed back to their lives refreshed, grounded, and with a little bit of Friends School, Homecoming peace. Even as our current students live out their own daily, immediate Friends School experience, their eyes are on the future. This is especially evident this year as we focus, as a community, on the Quaker Testimony of Stewardship. In September, our upper school students took part in the WFS Climate Strike, a rally–which included the middle school students–and a march to Salesianum School, where our students joined with those from other local schools at a teach-in about the climate crisis. Fridays for Future WFS, a coalition of student clubs, organized this event as part of the worldwide planned Global Climate Strike, a campaign of youth activism to highlight the Climate Emergency. Parents and WFS faculty and staff were invited to join in, and our students’ informed concern and commitment to change were heartening and empowering. Later in the fall, our eighth grade students participated in the REECH program at Cape Henlopen State Park, a one-day hands-on learning experience with the goal of understanding how well the coastal ecosystem is functioning. The program included an overview of marine ecology in the Delaware Bay, as well as a study of the coastal wetlands ecology in the maritime forest and salt marsh. The day concluded with an interactive program on the significance of the horseshoe crab to the Delaware Bay. At lower school, our students’ growing sense of responsibility for the health of the planet was evident everywhere. Our youngest students cultivated wonder and a respect for nature in our Natural Classroom, while first graders witnessed the miracle of transformation in the Monarch butterfly nursery. Our third graders found inspiration in books. After reading the book Greta and the Giants about 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg, they were moved to create their own posters to help stop global warming. Our students give me similar inspiration and hope. I trust that when the time comes for them to leave their Friends School home, to take what we’ve worked to give them into their future and ours, the world will be in very capable hands. In friendship,

Ken Aldridge Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

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From the Alumni Board Clerk Dear Friends, In October, we celebrated yet another fantastic Homecoming and Reunion weekend. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in many Homecomings while serving on the Alumni Board, and they just seem to get better every year. It’s always wonderful to see friends, family, classmates and members of the Friends School community reconnecting. The weekend’s events kicked off on Friday with a luncheon honoring the 50th+ reunion classes and 1748 Planned Giving Society members at the DuPont Country Club. Bruce Baganz ’69 and Peter Isakoff ’69 represented the 50th reunion class and spoke about their experiences at WFS. Later that day, we cheered on alumni during the alumni soccer and field hockey games. It was great seeing so many alumni back on the field! Following the games, the celebrations moved to the Library Learning Commons as we honored the 2019 Alumni Awardees, as well as the School’s most loyal donors, at the True Blue and All Alumni reunion reception. Jeff Palmer ’04 received the Young Alumnus award, Janet Martin Yabroff ’64 received the Outstanding Service Award, and Peter Kelemen ’74 was the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. All three are truly inspirational and spoke eloquently about the impact of their WFS experiences. On Saturday, we had the opportunity to hear from Head of School Ken Aldridge, as he discussed the exciting opportunities on the School’s horizon. For those of you who made it back, I hope you were able to see the lower, middle, and upper school campuses. Things might have looked quite different compared to when you were a student. In closing, I would like to thank all the alumni who helped make Homecoming and Reunion Weekend a success. It was great to see the smiling faces of classmates catching up, exploring campus, and uniting to watch some Quaker athletics! Thank you for all you do in support of WFS,

Matt Lang ’08

Wilmington Friends has updated LinkedIn! :H YH PDGH VRPH FKDQJHV RQ /LQNHG,Q 1RZ \RX FDQ RIˉFLDOO\ OLVW :)6 DV \RXU DOPD PDWHU RQ \RXU /LQNHG,Q SURˉOH and connect with alumni who have done the same. Under Education, add WFS by searching for Wilmington Friends School and clicking on the logo that appears. Once you've done this, you can easily start networking with other WFS alums!

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PLANNED GIVING SPOTLIGHT

Thom Marston ’75: Ensuring a Lasting Quaker Education Despite living in Maryland, Thom Marston ’75 finds many reasons to return to campus. Last April, he guest-lectured to the Environmental Science class on career and volunteer opportunities that benefit the environment. At Homecoming, he worked with students to help maintain the Native Species Meadow, which is located on Edgewood Road by the tennis courts. In November, he applied his green thumb to a garden outside the Jones House. From his many visits to Friends, Thom finds that technology continues to increase the energy efficiency of our buildings. “I applaud your commitment to Net Zero and LEED on the new Global Learning Center. I look forward to seeing the lower school facility in 2023. It is the correct path to take because the students can learn from the building as well as in the building,” he said. Thom has a deep history with our school. His father Fred Marston ’41; his mother Ruth Anne Lauritson Marston ’40; his aunts Fay Lauritson Carpenter ’37, Marguerite Lauritson Ford ’40, and Mason Marston Daley-Boyd ’49; and his sisters Virginia Marston Burawski ’66 and Marguerite Marston Kritkausky ’70 all graduated from Friends. Reflecting on his own Friends experience he recalled, “The teachers facilitate confidence that enables you to pursue your passions. Harry Hammond encouraged me to partner with a classmate to build a replica of a flour mill I saw at Hagley Museum. Scott Palmer ’75 built the structure, and I built the working grinding and sifting mechanics.” Upon graduation from Dean College, Thom worked in the marketing department of Delmarva Power. That led to an opportunity to form a partnership in 1992. Energy Services Group conducts energy audits for residential and commercial buildings. In 2018, Thom retired from the firm and now is in private practice to pursue his passion for the environment. When he and his wife were crafting their wills, they decided to create legacies, including one at WFS. “I found Friends School at the center of my journey. I appreciate the peace and quiet of Quaker philosophy, reflecting on who I am and what I believe. I want others to have that same opportunity as my parents provided me. And I hope a Friends graduate in the class of 2056 will be part of the team that profoundly changes our planet’s destiny,” he shared. Thanks to Thom’s generosity our endowment will grow to support school programs indefinitely. We are grateful to Thom for both his endorsement and commitment. If you are considering making a planned or estate gift to Friends, please contact Monty Harris, Director of Capital and Endowment Giving, at 302.576.2985 or mharris@wilmingtonfriends.org. Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

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HOMECOMING 2019

50th+ Reunion and 1748 Society Luncheon Over 80 guests attended the luncheon, held at the DuPont Country Club, honoring alumni celebrating 50+ reunions and thanking members of our 1748 Society, which recognizes planned gifts. This celebration of the Classes of 1969, 1964, 1959, 1954, and 1949 was attended by alumni from around the country. One guest even traveled from Copenhagen! Guests were welcomed by Head of School Ken Aldridge and Alumni Board Clerk Matt Lang ’08. In his address, Ken highlighted historic events and pop culture in 1969, the class celebrating its 50th reunion. He mentioned the space race and Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon; Nixon’s inauguration, the rise of protests and student uprisings; Western films; Motown music; and Woodstock, to name a few. He talked about life at WFS in 1969 and said, “You were citizens of the world. Through scholarship, discussion, questioning, reflection, and activism, you were doing what Friends students have always done: changing your immediate world and preparing to enter the larger one.” The featured speakers from the 50th reunion class were Bruce Baganz ’69 and Peter Isakoff ’69. Both expressed gratitude for their Friends School education, acknowledging the people–the faculty/staff and their peers– who made their positive experiences possible, as well 4

Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

as the strong foundation of academics and values that were provided. Peter said: A few words to express my appreciation for all Friends School has meant to me over the past 63 years. Although I most definitely did not realize it during the 13 years I spent here–youth is wasted on the young–I have come to appreciate the tremendous foundation Friends School provided for my later education at Columbia College and Law School and my entire legal career. Not only did it teach fundamental skills and work habits, but did it in a way that opened our minds and curiosity. I have also come to appreciate the genuineness and decency of the people who taught us, and those we went to school with. And for me, Friends School provided the most important thing in my life, my marriage eight years ago to our classmate, Jill Pryor. I could not be more grateful. Jill and I are looking forward to a wonderful weekend with all of our classmates who are able to be here today. Thank you. Bruce also spoke about the strong foundation provided by WFS and said, “WFS guided us in education and values. Our class has excelled in career and life

choices: law, science, the academy, the arts, teaching, banking, business, medicine, and raising families. This WFS foundation of core abilities to organize, analyze, write and communicate permitted some to materially redirect interests at various times in our lives.� Bruce recounted how several classmates, including himself, pursued one career, only to change their mind later on, and pursue another profession. He acknowledged the special bond his classmates shared, noting that more than a dozen of the Class of 1969 started together in kindergarten, and he also dedicated a moment of silence to those in their

class who have passed away. Bruce closed his remarks by remembering the exceptional faculty that made an impact on the Class of 1969, paying special tribute to Ambrose Short, Sally Longstreth, Ralph Guest, Ted Savery, Violet Richman, Bob Tattersall, and Art Hill. Bruce has a PhD in geology, and his interest in this subject was sparked by Art. He went on to give a special thank you to Art Hill saying, “I don’t want to miss the opportunity to express my gratitude: Mr. Hill, thank you for what you did to stimulate this interest in me. To others in our class – please do not miss the opportunity to express thanks when you can.�

Above: Back Row, Rob Sultzer ’69, Robby Robinson ’69, Bruce Baganz ’69, Jill Pryor Isakoff ’69, Dave Stoddard ’69, Peter Isakoff ’69, Pete Close ’69. Seated, Anne Cooch ’69, David Lauter ’69, Karl Engelmann ’69 . OPPOSITE PAGE: Top, Bruce Baganz ’69. Middle, Peter Isakoff ’69. Bottom, Janice Engelmann, Karl Engelmann ’69, Robby Robinson ’69, David Lauter ’69, Martha Stoddard, David Stoddard ’69, Peter Isakoff ’69, Jill Pryor Isakoff ’69.

ALUMNI FIELD HOCKEY AND SOCCER GAMES For the third year in a row, Friday evening kicked off with two DOXPQL JDPHV ˉHOG KRFNH\ DQG soccer. Thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers, both contests were a success again. We are grateful to Alice Zino ’78, Mandy Bartoshesky ’93, Mark Keiper ’82, and Chris Lee ’82 for encouraging their teammates to join them back RQ WKH ˉHOG

Field Hockey Players Mandy Bartoshesky ’93 Stephanie Bonnes ’04 Colleen Farrell ’04 Abby Hughes-Strange ’04 Cara LoFaro ’04 Kelly O’Donnell ’93 Trelly Vergara Shaikh ’89 Sarah Singleton Turick ’96 Elena Veale ’14 Soccer Players John Aleman ’84 Rob Brand ’89 Jack Coons ’18 Michael Dalton ’05 Julian deOliveira ’12 Wes Dinsel ’89 Brent Feldmann ’94 JC Finizio, parent Mark Gressle ’68 Jamie Harper ’14

Chris Lee ’82 Michael Longwill ’82 Stephen Malone ’84 Liam O’Donnell, parent Max Pickles ’18 Jarrett Rademaker ’96 Lindsay Rademaker Reinhold ’94 Mike Smith ’97 Scott Smith ’89

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HOMECOMING 2019

True Blue/All Alumni Reunion and Awards Reception

Head of School Ken Aldridge, Janet Martin Yabroff ’64, Peter Kelemen ’74, Jeff Palmer ’04, and Alumni Board Clerk Matt Lang ’08.

Our reception on Friday evening of Homecoming weekend was attended by more than 115 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, Ken Aldridge acknowledged the many True Blue donors and alumni in attendance. He expressed gratitude for Friends alumni representing Quaker values in their everyday lives, wherever they may be. Before introducing each alumni award recipient, he mentioned that the award winners “... stand as examples of what distinguishes Friends School graduates: integrity, a commitment to excellence with a responsibility to the common good, and an active valuing of peace and social justice.”

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Peter Kelemen ’74 Distinguished Alumnus Award Peter Kelemen is an Earth and Environmental Sciences professor at Columbia University. He has recently worked with a team of scientists to see whether or not a natural scrubbing process can be used to remove greenhouse gases from the Earth’s atmosphere. His research was featured in an April 2018 New York Times article, “How Oman’s Rocks Could Save the Planet.” The article explains that Peter and his team are studying how these rocks remove planet-warming CO2 from

the air and turn it into stone. Peter is an accomplished geoscientist, professor, and researcher, and his work has become increasingly important in resolving global climate change. Ken introduced Peter by saying, “For most people, the phrase ‘off the beaten path’ is metaphorical, but in Peter Kelemen’s journey to becoming an Earth and Environmental Sciences professor at Columbia University, it was very often literal.” Peter showed an interest in the outdoors from a young age. As a middle school student at Friends, on

the advice of English teacher Phil Fitzpatrick, Peter, and a few friends, spent two weeks of completely unsupported wilderness travel by canoe in the Boundary Waters of Minnesota and southern Canada. Then, in upper school, Peter became a Student Conservation Association volunteer, working on a trail crew in North Cascades National Park, a trip he credits with setting his life’s course. During his remarks, Peter reflected positively on both these experiences and credited his teachers at WFS with encouraging him to pursue both trips. He also remembered the importance of meeting for worship, and Rick Reynolds’ Peace and Social Justice class in the spring of his senior year, during the Vietnam War. At Dartmouth, Peter swerved from the beaten path, again and again, taking quarters off from school to climb in Peru and Colorado, and after graduating with a degree in Earth Science, he joined a consulting company some friends had started that specialized in “extreme terrain mineral exploration,” work he continued to do– disappearing into the wilderness periodically–throughout his doctoral program at the University of Washington. Again and again, Peter chose to abandon the straight and direct path for the wilder, steeper, more winding one, a process he describes as following “exciting opportunities as they presented themselves, with some effort to make sure that the experiences [he] gained from these adventures was cumulative rather than random.”

When asked for a quote to summarize his remarks, Peter said, “...I would have liked to share some thoughts about the future, how people may rise to the challenge of climate change and the energy transition, even while addressing many longdeferred social problems, but as I began to compose a talk focusing on my gratitude for my Friends experience, I realized there just wasn’t going to be sufficient time left for other topics. So … thank you, Friends School. Now, let’s focus on the future!”

Janet Martin Yabroff ’64 Outstanding Service Award Janet Yabroff credits her experiences at WFS with shaping her as a person and inspiring her to pursue a career in education. As Ken said in his remarks, “The 1964 Friends School yearbook describes Janet Martin as organized and artistic, with a love of children, a devotion to community, and an air of implacable calm. So it is perhaps not surprising that Janet Martin Yabroff has dedicated most of her adult life to education, specifically to Quaker education.” She worked as a teacher, administrator, and consultant and specialized in early childhood education. Janet was a faculty member in the WFS lower school for several years. Two of her children, McKenzie Jones ’97 and Amanda Jones ’02, attended WFS as well. She is an engaged volunteer and generous supporter of WFS, as well as several other organizations in the area including Cab Calloway School and St. Michael’s School. Janet is also a minister and has a

Stephanie Bonnes ’04, Jeff Palmer ’04, Colleen Farrell ’04, Abby Hughes-Strange ’04, an Joe Hartnett ’04

passion for working directly with people in need, and to help them in a variety of ways. She is a loyal supporter of WFS–a True Blue donor and member of the 1748 Society–and we are grateful for all she does for our community and the greater Wilmington area. Upon accepting her award, Janet expressed her immense gratitude for being at WFS for “13 wonderful years!” She credits the School with providing a foundation for her to pursue her interests as a musician, artist, pastor, and volunteer, and is especially grateful for the opportunity to help restart the endowment fund at Cab Calloway School for the Arts. She closed her remarks with, “I hope to keep ‘shakin it!’ for many years to come!”

Jeffrey Palmer ’04 Young Alumnus of the Year Jeffrey Palmer is currently an assistant district attorney for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit. Jeff’s work focuses on prosecuting sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. Prior to becoming an ADA, Jeff served

Biddy Jenkins’51

in the Marine Corps for eight years, advocating for survivors of sexual assault as a prosecutor and later with the Victims Legal Counsel Organization. In his introduction, Ken said, “Jeff’s legal knowledge and his acute sense of justice are matched with an equally strong compassion for victims.” Determined that the Marine Corps should live up to its credo of “taking care of our own,” he prosecuted over 50 sexual assault cases. After leaving active duty, Jeff was recruited to return to the Victims Legal Counsel Organization in the Marine Corps Reserve. Ken closed his introduction by saying, “We are grateful for Jeffrey’s tenacity, skill, and empathy in pursuing justice and in empowering victims.” Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters 7

HOMECOMING 2019

The 24th Annual Smith McMillan 5K Run & Walk Wilmington Friends School kicked off Homecoming festivities on Saturday morning with the 24th annual Smith McMillan Memorial 5K, held in memory of Jonathan Bacon Smith ’83 and Wendy Smith McMillan ’77. It was a beautiful morning, and more than $12,000 was raised to benefit the Financial Aid Endowment at Friends. A tremendous thank you to all our sponsors and participants, and a special thank you to our co-chairs, Katy Connolly and Amanda Singleton Hay ’95, as well as race director, Jon Clifton ’80. This event would not be possible without their support and our wonderful SM5K Committee.

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Thank you to our generous planning committee and donors Aldridge Family Anderson Family Bilek Family Chapman Family Connolly Family Forester Family Arteaga-Lopenza/ Gardner Family Gatti Family Handling Family

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2019 division winners

Overall Male: Thomas Connelly ’14 Overall Female: Aubrey Nisbet ’23 Top Male Alumni: Thomas Connelly ’14 Top Female Alumni: Meredith Erskine ’13 Top Male Staff: Cav Salvadori ’13 Top Female Staff: Rebecca Zug

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Male 8 and under - Miguel-Angel Gardner ’29, Harrison Powers ’29, Taj Amobi ’32 Male 9-10 - Jake Maheshwari ’27, Nash Maheshwari ’27, Ninaad Vidwans ’27 )HPDOH 6RˉD 'DWWDQL È Male 11-12 - Nathan Bell ’26, Dylan MacBride ’27, Cooper Strauss ’26 Female 11-12 - Daniela Cristanetti-Walker ’26 Male 13-14 - Matthew Morrison ’25, Carter Fenimore ’25, Sameer Vidwans ’23 Female 13-14 - Keeleigh Doss ’24, Ellie Driscoll ’25, Avery Elliott ’24 0DOH .\OH 1LVEHW È 0D[ /HIËŠHU È +HQU\ :LHPDQ È Female 15-16 - Caroline Vanderloo ’22, Rebecca Hartwick ’23 Male 17-19 - Connor Nisbet ’19, Harry Anderson ’20, Mike McKenzie Jr. ’19 Female 17-19 Aine Grubb ’21, Hannah Blackwell ’20, Remy Stewart ’20

SPONSORS/DONORS Alpine and Rafetto Orthodontics Baby’s Coffee Brew HaHa Connolly Gallagher Dalton Trial and Appellate Counsel Delaware Orthopaedic Specialists EDiS Edward Jones The Flying Locksmiths Giant Incyte Jamie Nicholls & Fran Biondi ’83 Jon Clifton ’80 Long and Foster Mandy Miles Nowland Associates, Inc. PNC Service Unlimited, Inc. Sir Speedy Talleyville Fire Company The Connolly Family The Kelley Family USATF Voith & Mactavish Architects Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

HOMECOMING 2019 Class of 1949

Class of 1954

Jack Hyden, Anna Hubbard Bellenger, John Salzberg, and Lisa Amend Ashby Front row: Liz Fonda Wiltshire, Alice Mearns Ivy ’48, Elizabeth Burr Papastavros. Back row: Jeanne Morris Smith, John Beekley, Connie Howard Henke.

Class of 1964 Class of 1959 Front row: Becky Holladay Dickinson, Jay James, Meredith Kane Tolsdorf, Dick Wier. Back row: Elisabeth Milliken Head, Dave Holmes, Bill Amend, Dee Morris Stevens.

Class of 1969

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Front Row: Richard Broad, Rigmor Jelshoj Lerche, Dave Ellis, Harriet Dann, Leslie Kirkman Reed. Back Row: Ira Kirch, Michael Wise, Steve Lawrence, Convers Wyeth. Inset: Janet Martin Yabroff Reunion attendees not pictured: Robert Cannon, Elizabeth Cavanaugh, Marianne Johns Cook, Susan Agoos Hermann, William Morton, Philip Strange, Corlet Jackson Weisel, Pamela Perkins Young.

CLASS REUNIONS Class of 1974

Class of 1979 Front row: Dix Lamborn, Tom Lundgaard, Carolin Booth Murphy, Meg Adams Hunter, Phil Fitzpatrick (former faculty), Richard Kretz, Scott Reese. Middle row: Jan-Maloy Edwards, Donna DeBoer Nacchia, Carol Mullin Holzman, Alex Payne Sutherland, Dan Troyan, Juliann Sum, Erik Gunn, Jim McKusick, Maggi O’Brien, Mike Wilbur, John Barbis (former faculty), Harry Hammond (former faculty), Bill Bickley (former faculty). Top row: Peter Kelemen, Jon Pennock, Chris Sanger, Peverley Hukill, Margo Hoff Pennock, Jim Taylor, Scott Lauter, Geoff Wilkinson, Rich Johnson.

Front row: Nancy Kuniholm Aronhalt, Cathy Hartenauer ScanORQ $P\ 0DJQHVV /DUQLFN 1LQD 3RUWHU :LQˉHOG %DFN URZ &DWK\ Kelleher-Burgy, John Romanoli, Carol Braunstein, Mark Baganz, Chip Connolly, Beth Toler Oldham, Bonnie Wilson Crosby, Kathy High Dodge, Jeff Hughes, Basil Kollias.

Class of 1989

Class of 1984 Front row: Paul Schnee, Jay Bancroft, John McDermott, Mike Connolly, Tommy Coleman, Dina Robinson Anderson, Ceci Kosenkranius, Becky Knapp Adams. Back row: Lisa Hefter Lennick, Sharon Mulrooney Flanagan, Susan Lester Busch, Debbie Szanto, Kurt Sermas, Susie Tattersall Davis, Alice Minor Anthony, Kathy Bunville Welch, Steve Malone, Russ Bohner, Marshall Stafford, John Aleman.

50th REUNION

Front row: Phyllis Shomo Beidler, Meg Gallucci, Bruce Baganz, Peter Isakoff, Jill Pryor, B.J. Reed, and Tim Garwood. Middle row: Jane McCormick Hogan, Martha Rhoads Kob, Nancy Reese, Geoff Curme, Annie Stern Gallagher, and Judith Prest. Back row: Becky Bell Ley, Dave Lauter, Dave Stoddard, Rob Robinson, Don Prutzman, Barry Snyder, Peter Close, and Karl Engelmann.

First row: Lex Vergara, Paul Burke, Billy Michels, Tom Dippel Second row: Anne Tallman Skibicki, Trelly Vergara-Shaikh, Dinusha Wijayaratne-Collure, Scott Goldman, Kim Massih Dolan, Jen Johnson Vinton, B.J. Vinton, Inga Karins-Berzins. Third row: Kate Franta, Scott Cohen, Rob Brand, Kyle Page, Pete Henderer, Kristin Woods Stark, Mimi Wier Royer, Julie Boswell McCulloch, Keith Snyder. Back row: Scott Smith, Tricia Seibold, John Quisel, Chris Chambers, Brian Nilstoft, Mike Collier, Kevin Grubb, Brad Pope, Erin Brownlee Dell, Wes Dinsel, Andy Houston, Jeannette Brunswick, Brynne Johnson-Bruno.

Class of 1994

Front Row: Molly Mahoney Reese, Angie Gray, Erin Hill Gilbert, Amy Curran Harper, Emma Clarke, Brady Nemeth Back Row: Reed Hunt, Donnie Morton, Jason Rice, Owen Grenfell, Carby Wise, Sohah Iqbal, Eli Ganim, Mimi Joshi Vrable, Anne Brownlee, Emily Halpern, Mark Gatenby, Lindsay Radamaker Reinhold, Alyssa Almond, Missy Biden Owens

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( C O N T. )

Class of 1999

Front row (seated): Katie Wolf Martinenza, EJ Amobi, Kellen Amobi (spouse). Back row: Brian Martinenza (spouse), Jessica Dillon. Second row: Adrienne Neff, Sarah Cohen Panock, Eden WalesFreedman, Gabriel Humphreys ’98, Dan Panock (spouse), Erika Kurtz, Alyssa K. Marek-Dunn.

Class of 2004

Front row: Barbara Butkus, Abby Hughes-Strange, Stephanie Bonnes, Sarah Lester, Colleen Farrell, and Danny Bloom. Back row: Jeff Palmer, Cara LoFaro, Mat Levin, Gordon Lippincott.

Class of 2009

Front row: Mackenzie Snead, Emily David, Ellie Kelsey, and Perrin Downing. Back row: Hannah Brilliant, Talia Tiffany, Kenny Rosenberg, Monica Felder, Mary Williams Schlauch, Taylor Haly, Haley Cashman, Chelsea Gunter, Elizabeth Connolly. 12

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More From Homecoming

REUNIONS

Community Art Show Thank you to the artists in the WFS community who shared their work for the Community Art Show. We were grateful for your participation!

Artists included: Layla Baynes ’25 Noreen Haubert, Trustee, Parent of Alumni Jennifer Cottone, WFS Parent Clay Scott ’15 Zollie McClary ’26 Zoe Wishengrad ’20

Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

From the WFS Archives Howard Pyle–Wilmington Friends School’s Foremost Writer and Artist? By Terence Maguire WFS Archivist

Howard Pyle (1853-1911) was the most highly regarded illustrator of his time and arguably Delaware’s most successful writer. His parents, William Pyle and Margaret Painter, were both of Quaker heritage. They were married in and attended Wilmington Monthly Meeting at Fourth and West, the founding meeting of Friends School. Sometime in the late 1850s or early 1860s, little Howard was a pupil at that school. He did not attend for very long. When I was a grammar school student, Howard Pyle was one of my favorite writers, and I read and re-read his four books retelling the tales of King Arthur and Knights of the Round Table. Some years after I came to WFS to teach, I was delighted to learn that Pyle had been a Friends School student; and a few years later I was disappointed to learn he was there only briefly. Eventually, as I came to know the nature of our school during the 18th C. and most of the 19th C., I was not surprised. The purpose of this school for its first century and more was to provide very basic education–reading, writing, and “ciphering” (arithmetic)–for the children of Quakers and for the poor of Wilmington. Friends School did not offer art or music until the 1890s, and its teaching of literature was probably quite rudimentary as well. The first art teacher, Clawson Hammitt, was hired in 1888. The School Committee debated for three years about whether to add music to the curriculum, and in 1892 decided, rather tentatively, to rent a piano. I imagined that young Howard, brimming with creativity and imagination, around 1860 was bored; perhaps he was, in the modern phrase, “counseled out.” Further research shows a more complicated picture. To begin with, a very charismatic Quaker teacher, T. Clarkson Taylor, who was in charge of the boys’ division of Friends for five years, left in 1857 and his successors were apparently far less inspiring. Taylor began his own school, Taylor and Jackson Academy on Eighth Street. Taylor was a devout Quaker and strong abolitionist, and he imparted Quaker values to his students, but his school was not connected with the Meeting. Howard attended Taylor’s school, for at least his early adolescent years, before he left Wilmington to study art in Philadelphia and eventually New York City. As cited in Jill E. and Robert P. May’s recent biography*, Pyle’s classmate, Henry Conrad–later a Delaware Superior Court Judge and historian–“remarked that Pyle ‘did not excel’ in most subjects, but seemed always absorbed in drawings” (p. 7). Unsurprisingly, for a young person growing up during the Civil War, young Howard was preoccupied with things military and violent.

Another factor in Pyle’s brief stay at the Fourth and West school was the influence of his mother Margaret. She became deeply influenced by the teaching of Christian mystic and philosopher Emanuel Swedenborg, and joined the Wilmington Swedenborgian church that was built and still stands at the corner of Delaware and Washington. As a result she was “read out” of her Quaker meeting and joined by the rest of her family in the mid-1860s, including Howard in the Swedenborgian faith. Pyle remained true to that faith throughout his life. In another way his mother influenced Howard. If his Friends School education did not emphasize fine literature, Margaret did. She often read to him the works of Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, Daniel Defoe, and others that opened his mind to adventure, heroic (and fell) deeds, and exploration. Pyle may have come from a long line of Quakers who espoused pacifism, but by his own admission, he had a “strong liking for pirates and for highwaymen, for gunpowder smoke, and hard blows” (from May, p. 4). These preferences were obvious in the body of his writing. Over the course of his career, Pyle published twenty-three books. During the late 19th C., stories idealizing medieval times were extremely popular, and Pyle helped create and feed that interest in America: The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, Otto of the Silver Hand, Men of Iron, the four King Arthur volumes, and others. All these works were written by Pyle and illustrated by him as well. He wrote countless stories published in the most popular magazines of his times, often illustrating them as well. Many dealt with one of his favorite themes: pirates. A decade after his death, friends and admirers gathered a selection of these tales and many of his most famous paintings into Howard Pyle’s Book of Pirates, still in print and available at the Brandywine River Museum and the Delaware Art Museum. Pyle was profoundly dedicated to celebrating American history and culture. Dozens of his stories and a great many of his paintings and illustrations portrayed American heroes of the Revolution and the Civil War. While implicitly honoring those battles and soldiers, his large canvases were, for their time, unusual in the degree to which they depicted the blood, wounds and grit of warfare. Like his friend Theodore Roosevelt, Pyle seemed to think warfare glorious–another way in which Pyle distanced himself from his Quaker past. How could Friends School claim Howard Pyle as one of its own? And yet, when Pyle and his wife Anna had children, they

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sent at least five of them to Friends School. Their oldest daughter Phoebe, born in 1886, attended Friends’ kindergarten in its inaugural year, 1891. Two years later, her brother Theodore joined her, followed over the years by Howard, Jr., Godfrey and Wilfred. In June, 1908, young Godfrey appeared in a play, “The Magic Sword,” written by his aunt Katharine Pyle, Howard’s younger sister and sometime collaborator. The following year, in the recitals that led to Friends School’s graduation, a play based on one of Pyle’s Robin Hood stories, “The Merry Adventure with Midge the Miller,” was performed. In 1911, Howard Pyle died while visiting Florence, Italy with members of his family. He was 58 years old. These above-mentioned plays illustrate both the difference between Friends School of the 1860s and that of the 1890s20th C.–and why Howard Pyle supported the School by sending his children for almost twenty years. The School had come to embrace the arts. There were annual “Whittier” plays each March, and each school division performed playlets and tableaus in December and June. We have over twenty play programs between 1892 and 1910, and the school literary magazine, founded in 1886, was reviewing them. We can assume that the school kept that rented piano, and purchased others. In a sense, Friends School had caught up with artistic creativity of Howard Pyle, and, it seems, he approved. *Howard Pyle: Imagining an American School of Art (Urbana, Illinois: University of Illinois Press, 2011). This book can be found at the Delaware Art Museum book store, as can dozens of Pyle riveting and brilliantly-colored paintings. In the recitals that led to Friends School’s graduation, a play based on one of Howard Pyle’s Robin Hood stories, “The Merry Adventure with Midge the Miller,” was performed. The program is below.

Howard Pyle and daughter Phoebe, 1896. By Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864 -1952). Howard Pyle Manuscript Collection, Helen Farr Sloan Library and Archives, Delaware Art Museum

Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

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FACULTY AROUND THE W ORLD : SUMMER TRAVEL

As a participant in Read Around Grenada, Amanda visited a government school, the one that her adopted sister had attended, to spend the day and to read to seventh graders. The children listened and then eagerly asked questions about life in the United States. Amanda observed that, like kids everywhere, some of them napped during the reading! At the outdoor assembly, Amanda stood with the students and teachers outside in the sun and joined in singing some of the same songs she had sung as a student in Grenada. Amanda also noted changes in her hometown: a great deal of development, new neighborhoods, and an expanded stadium. She visited the Junior Murray Cricket Academy, named after a local cricket star and hero. But everywhere she went, Amanda felt the deep sense of community that she remembered from her childhood. When she visited her grandmother’s grave, she noted that the cemetery wasn’t sitting on the outskirts of town, but in the thick of things, surrounded by houses and activity, and she recognized this as a testament to the respect for community, heritage, family, and continuity that she sees as a hallmark of Grenada’s culture.

BRADEY BULK: DISCOVERING TERANGA

AMANDA MCMILLAN: A TRIP HOME For her summer travel funded by The Reilly Family Faculty Travel Abroad Program, middle school English teacher Amanda McMillan returned to Grenada, the home she left at age twelve and had not visited since she ZDV ˉIWHHQ 6KH ZDQWHG WR UHFRQQHFW ZLWK KHU FKLOGKRRG DQG FXOWXUH WR KRQRU KHU JUDQGPRWKHU 7LWL ZKRVH IXQHUDO VKH KDG PLVVHG WR YLVLW D VFKRRO similar to the one she had attended, and to explore two programs: Ashanti Footprints, which uses the arts to help young people in Grenada connect with their African heritage, and Read Around Grenada, a literacy program to which Amanda donated books. Her journey was physical and also profoundly emotional. Amanda met and spoke with the woman who had cared for her adopted sister for years, thus ˉOOLQJ LQ SDUWV RI KHU IDPLO\ KLVWRU\ WKDW VKH KDG PLVVHG +HU VHQVHV EHFDPH UHDWWXQHG WR WKH VRXQGV DQG ˊDYRUV RI KHU FKLOGKRRG &DO\SVR PXVLF VSDUNing certain memories, the tang of mangoes and breadfruit evoking others. Every day at dawn, she walked on the beach near her childhood home, recalling the smells and sounds of the ocean and sometimes striking up conversations with current residents. One day, she climbed Mount Qua Qua, the highest local peak and one she had climbed as a child. At the Ashanti Footprints gathering, she watched children and young adults learn, very deliberately, dances, songs, and patois phrases that she had learned organically. She observed adults passing along stories and songs so that the children could hold onto a sense of their heritage. Amanda danced and sang and drummed along with everyone. 16

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$QRWKHU EHQˉFLDU\ RI WKH 7KH 5HLOO\ )DPLO\ )DFXOW\ 7UDYHO $EURDG 3URJUDP upper school French teacher Bradey Bulk traveled to the Francophone West African country of Senegal determined to immerse herself in the daily life of the place. She planned to talk to as many “regular people� as possible, to eat the food families serve in their homes, to observe children at school, to pay attention to both the beautiful and the not-so-beautiful, and to bring home photographs, impressions, and ideas that she could integrate into her curricula at Friends. Her contact in the city of Dakar, Jean-Baptiste Seck Sarr--history teacher, director of curriculum, and founder of Ecole Jean-Baptiste, a Catholic school in a mostly Muslim country--quickly became a friend. Teranga is the Senegalese tradition of hospitality, community, and solidarity, and Bradey found Jean-Baptiste to be a living example of this tradition. When she asked to observe for a day at his school, not only did he say yes, but he invited Bradey to his family home in M’Bour and to his village for the weekend. She had meals with Jean-Baptiste’s wife and many children, which took place in the community-friendly Senegal way: around one large, shared bowl of delicious food. Bradey discovered that Senegal is a country with no minimum education requirement and limited educational opportunities. For instance, JeanBaptiste’s wife was not formally educated because there was simply no school in her village. Ecole Jean-Baptiste was funded through donations and is partnered with a school in France, with its classroom structure following the traditional French model, including the IB program. Although it is a Catholic school in a Catholic village, all students are welcome to attend, so that its student body is a combination of Catholic and Muslim students. On her visit to the school, Bradey brought her gift of school backpacks to give to the children, and because she found that taking photos herself interfered with her truly interacting with the students, she handed her camera over to the kids, so that they could take photos themselves. This left Bradey free to converse with the students and to observe activities, such as boys practicing Senegalese wrestling for an end-of-year performance.

Founded by Samuel Clemes at the Hobart Estate in 1887 with funds from London Quakers, the school quickly found tremendous community support. Over the years, it underwent numerous shifts, expanding, both in physical size and in educational programing. In the 1980s, the focus became pastoral care and outdoor education. In the 1990s, the IB program was added, with the opportunity to study Chinese, and the Tech/Vocational school was developed, as well, focusing on such professional skills as culinary arts. In the 2000s, among other changes, a state-of-the-art theater was added, as well as D UHPRWH FDPSLQJ ZLOGHUQHVV VLWH RIIHULQJ VWXGHQWV WKH EHQHˉWV RI OHDUQLQJ in remote, beautiful, physically challenging outdoor spaces. Today, the student body is composed of students from as young as three months old in the Early Years section, to eleventh and twelfth graders in Clemes College. The Early Years teachers employ techniques from Reggio (PLOLD ZKLOH &OHPHV &ROOHJH RIIHUV WKH ,% GLSORPD WKH 7DVPDQLDQ &HUWLˉFDWH of Education, and the very popular Vocational Education and Training program. For the older students, service is strongly encouraged and highly--and enthusiastically--subscribed.

While in Senegal, Bradey traveled by horse cart, went mango picking, and had clothing made out of beautiful batik fabric she purchased in the local markets. She even attended a First Communion celebration with the village women in their brilliant headwraps and dresses cooking communal meals outdoors. Bradey was fascinated by the enormous, ancient baobab trees, a central feature of every village. The trees function as a kind of town hall, with village meetings taking place around their thick trunks and under their knobby branches. Bradey also learned a bit about the darker side of the vibrant, welcomLQJ FRXQWU\ 6KH YLVLWHG D ˉOWK\ VPHOO\ ˉVKLQJ SRUW DQG OHDUQHG DERXW WKH GLVDVWURXV HQYLURQPHQWDO DQG HFRQRPLF HIIHFWV RI RYHUˉVKLQJ DQG SROOXWLRQ She also heard stories of Senegalese in search of a more prosperous life attempting to travel to Europe in small boats, a treacherous journey across open ocean that many refugees don’t survive. Bradey also visited Goree Island, used by the Dutch, French, and English slave traders. She walked through the dark holding quarters on the edge of the water, alongside which the slave ships would dock to load their human cargo.

While the number of students pursuing the IB diploma is quite small, Ellen discovered the IB students to be a particularly engaged and hard-working bunch. In the IB Year 7 Science course, Ellen observed familiar laboratory work, and was also happily surprised by the students’ singing for her. Ellen also had the opportunity to help, as the IB students hosted their Young Immigrant Education Program for CAS project day, an event that is completely student-organized and student-run. Students prepared the food, gave the introductions, and either assisted or led myriad activities, including knitting classes, science labs, math puzzles, ultimate frisbee, ping pong, and creating supplies for a local animal shelter. In the end, Ellen felt that the school had very much lived up to its goals of “Finding good in each individual, appreciating difference, living simply and being careful with material resources, a concern for world peace and justice, an interest in international relations and other cultures, and a sense of the importance of community.�

Back at Friends, Bradey found ways to bring her new knowledge and experiences into her classroom. In French Two, her students compared houses in the village Brady visited with their own houses, while in French Four, as part of a study of culturally distinct pastimes, the students did a presentation on Senegalese wrestling. Bradey believes that her unforgettable trip will continue to shape her teaching in unexpected ways, saying, “Its lessons continue to reveal themselves.�

ELLEN JOHNSON: A NEW VIEW OF QUAKER EDUCATION On her teacher-exchange visit to the Friends’ School of Tasmania, the only Quaker school in Australia and, with 1900 students, the largest Quaker school in the world, upper school Biology teacher Ellen Johnson studied not just the school’s present, but its past: the 132-year story of its inception and development that culminated in the educationally rich and eclectic institution it is today. Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters 17

Trying New Things in Tasmania Caroline Vanderloo ’22 (pictured far left) also spent time at The Friends’ School in Hobart, Tasmania in the summer. Here is a blog post she wrote about her experience: This summer I had the opportunity to travel to Hobart, Tasmania for a month-long exchange trip. The program included classes at The Friends’ School (TFS), a fellow Quaker school in Hobart, as well as weekend excursions throughout the island. I traveled with three other sophomores from Abington Friends in Philadelphia. The trip began with 24 hours on a SODQH WR ËŠ\ IURP 1HZ <RUN WR +REDUW ZLWK OD\RYHUV LQ /RV $QJHOHV DQG 0HOERXUQH 8SRQ ODQGLQJ ZH PHW RXU KRVW families and started settling into the laid-back Australian lifestyle. 6FKRRO DW 7)6 ZDV VLJQLˉFDQWO\ GLIIHUHQW WKDQ :)6 7KHUH ZHUH PRUH RSWLRQV LQ HOHFWLYH FRXUVHV VXFK DV VSRUWV VFLHQFH GDQFH DQG FRRNLQJ ZKLFK JDYH PH the ability to try new classes. Classes there were slightly larger in comparison to those here, which took a little bit of getting used to, but eventually, I came to enjoy having so many opinions in one room. They also didn’t have homework which was surprising to me. One of the major differences was that the school was split into four “houses.â€? The houses competed against each other in various competitions including drama, athletics, and more. The winner of each event earned points for their house. This was really interesting because the students were all very devoted to their house and wanted to earn as many points as possible. They also offered other sports, such as Aussie rules football, netball, and crew, that aren’t available at WFS. I took advantage of the fact that they only practiced once a week and tried them all. While I don’t think that I’ll be taking up any of these sports in the near future, I appreciated being able to try things that I would not have the opportunity to try here. It was really interesting to me that sports were a lot more low-key and relaxed. Each weekend I was able to take trips to see some of the most memorable parts of the island. Some of these included hiking through Shipstern Bluff, visitLQJ WKH 021$ PXVHXP DQG H[SORULQJ WKH WRS RI 0W :HOOLQJWRQ :H DOVR WRRN D GD\ WULS WR D ORFDO DQLPDO FRQVHUYDWRU\ VR , FRXOG VHH DOO WKH QDWLYH ZLOGOLIH including kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wombats, and echidnas. All of these places were very different from each other, but I noticed that they all value nature a lot. During these trips, I also noticed some cultural differences, including a lot of colloquial language and a relatively relaxed way of life in comparison to the constant busyness many of us experience daily. This winter, I will have the opportunity to reconnect with a member of my host family, Eloise, who will stay with us for a month. She will be involved in the :)6 FXOWXUH ERWK DFDGHPLFDOO\ DQG DWKOHWLFDOO\ :H DOVR H[SHFW WR WDNH WULSV WR 3KLODGHOSKLD 1HZ <RUN DQG :DVKLQJWRQ ' & WR VKRZ KHU VRPH RI WKH KLJKOLJKWV RI WKH (DVW &RDVW ,Č P GHˉQLWHO\ ORRNLQJ IRUZDUG WR UHFRQQHFWLQJ ZLWK ERWK P\ KRVW IDPLO\ DQG WKH RWKHU H[FKDQJH VWXGHQWV

Saturday, March 7, 2020 6:30 to 10:00 pm PLEASE JOIN US! Wilmington Friends School West Gym •

TRIVIA - FUN - PRIZES - BONUS BASKETS - FOOD & DRINKS •

Open to all adult Friends community members •

Visit wilmingtonfriends.org for more information and to purchase tickets today! Childcare will be available from 6-10pm in the Lower School ASP Building. Check our web site for more information. 18

Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

SCHOOL NEWS What’s new? The Friends Café, the Java Nook, and the lower school food contracts are now being managed by Culinart Inc. DQG VSHFLˉFDOO\ &KHI 5LFK 3XUˉHOG who has over 25 years of experience in the food service industry. Students, faculty, and staff have been excited about new menu offerings in the Café and hot food in the Java Nook. After WFS food service manager Amy Ferris announced that she would be leaving WFS to move on to new endeavors last spring, an internal school committee explored several different food service organizations. For many reasons, Culinart was the clear choice! And right next to the cafeteria is our new School Store, which carries all kinds of WFS gear and accessories, as well as school supplies. To check store hours and see the wide range of items available, please visit our web page under “About Friends.” An online store is in the works with a target opening date of summer 2020.

Climate Strike As part of this school year’s theme of the Quaker Testimony of Stewardship, WFS upper school students took part in the WFS Climate Strike, a rally (where they were joined by middle school students) and a march to Salesianum School, where students participated in a teach-in about the climate crisis. Fridays for Future WFS, a coalition of student clubs, organized this event as part of the worldwide planned Global Climate Strike, a campaign of youth activism to highlight the Climate Emergency. Parents and WFS faculty and staff, along with students from Charter, Salesianum, Tatnall, and Ursuline joined in.

Health Science Career Panel Thanks to all who joined us for the Health Science Career Panel. Special thanks to the Delaware Health Sciences Alliance and the Delaware Academy of Medicine Delaware Public Health Association, as well as WFS alumni Omar Khan ’90 and Tim Gibbs ’76, who organized the event. Attendees learned a lot about valuable programs for aspiring med students in Delaware including the Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research (DIMER) as well as Mini-Medical School.

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The “Dela-bear” Stirs up Excitement In early December, a black bear decided to take a tour of parts of Wilmington, crossing I-95 at Route 202 and visiting several homes in the Trolley Square area. The bear then walked along the Brandywine and crossed the river to see what was happening in Alapocas. Law enforcement thought it would be best if WFS issued a “Stay in Place” at school, meaning all students, faculty and staff would remain inside until the bear was captured or left the area. The thought of this “fuzzy friend” hanging First Grade Elder Buddy out so close to school got many students excited. As an outlet for some antsy third graders, they Program took some time for a little “bear yoga.” It helped a lot! With no more sightings of the bear later that afternoon, the School was able to resume normal operations. As for where the bear is For over 20 years, first graders have now? No one is really sure if it moved on or hunkered down in a cozy den to hibernate been paired with a WFS “elder” in in Alapocas Woods! a buddy program aimed at bringing together two generations for conversation, fun, and fellowship. The program is once again underway for this year’s first grade.

WFS Junior Helps Launch Multi-School Investment Club Wilmington Friends student Kyle Nisbet ’21 collaborated with two students from Archmere Academy and Tower Hill School to launch the Delaware Stock Market Club. The club will bring students together for hands-on learning experiences, including talks and workshops, and will create a new statewide investment competition where the best-performing portfolio wins.

Stone Soup! In December, the Kangas preschool class learned about food, including where it comes from and simple ways to prepare it. They also explored the social component, how food brings us together and helps us build community. To that end, they made "stone soup," with each friend contributing a vegetable to add to the dish, and they invited other members of the Friends community to gather with them for the meal.

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Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

BSU/SOC Dinner The upper school Black Student Union and the PLGGOH VFKRRO DIˉQLW\ JURXS 6LVWHUV RI &RORU JDWKHUHG IRU WKH ˉUVW DQQXDO %68 62& 3RWOXFN Dinner. The gathering was a big success, as students connected to share fun, food, and advice.

Home and School Update Under the leadership of clerks Danielle Pierre-Belleroche, Rossana Arteaga-Lopenza, and our newest clerk, Amy Blake, the WFS Home and School Association (H&S) has been very busy doing what they do best, raising money and building community. The Parents for Multiculturalism committee hosted a powerful movie night that focused on the worldwide refugee crisis. The class reps organized delicious Faculty/Staff Appreciation events, and the Tuttleman Family worked with H&S to provide chair massages for faculty and staff. Sarah Singleton Turick ’95 and Karen Legum co-clerked a successful fall mum sale, and Olivia Montejo took the lead on the lower school Scholastic Book Fair. This fall, H&S entered into a new partnership with Delaware Theatre Company and, thanks to Bree Wellons and Julie Levenson (pictured below), expanded the annual Gifts and Greens Sale to include a local vendor fair. We are grateful to all of our H&S volunteers who give of their time to enrich our school.

A Focus on Ableism: MS International Day of Peace The middle school celebrated the International Day of Peace with a halfday program focused on understanding “ableism� or the assumptions and biases we may hold regarding those with disabilities both seen and unseen. Dr. Megan Pell, WFS parent and part of the University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies, opened the morning with an introduction to the concept of ableism, statistics showing how pervasive disabilities are among the world’s population, and as a result, how disabilities are or will be a natural part of our human experience. Dr. Pell challenged the students to lay down assumptions about differently-abled individuals and learn more about people’s experience of WKH ZRUOG WKURXJK WKH XVH RI ˉUVW SHUVRQ language and seeking to understand another’s perspective and experience in life.

In their advisories, students then engaged in a series of activities designed to further understand ableism and generate questions about it. Students participated in activities entitled “Left Outâ€? and “Labeledâ€? to emphasize inclusion and generate empathy with those who are marginalized for any reason, not just one’s disability. The programmed portion of the day concluded with a presentation by Emmanuel Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins is the founder of “We Stand 4 Something,â€? a QRQ SURˉW IRUPHG ȢWR KHOS SHRSOH ZKR have disabilities pursue their goals, whatever those goals might be.â€? The focus of his conversation with middle school students was on understanding those with disabilities not by or WKURXJK WKHLU GLVDELOLWLHV EXW ˉUVW DV D person, someone who happen to have a disability.

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Delaware Senator Tizzy Lockman visited with the middle school student club Sisters of Color, sharing her journey to becoming a legislator as well as explaining how she serves students in her role. Senator Lockman also described the steps needed to become a Senator, and the group engaged in a meaningful discussion about disparities in education.

New Upper School Club Speaker Series

Middle School Speakers Share Different Perspectives In her presentation to the 7th grade, Holocaust survivor Ann Jaffe told her story of survival and delivered a very compelling, three-fold message: hatred is something that is learned; kindness and giving to others are also learned; one of the most important principles we can follow is forgiveness. New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer ’90 spoke to 8th grade students about the work of local government and how it has an impact on individual lives and on the county as a whole. The students also got a chance to read opposing perspectives–and offer their own–on a specific local issue. Author and parent Jim Zug spoke to a section of 8th grade students about his recent work on a project that focused upon Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. Jim spoke about understanding the main narrative of a story but then diving deeper, uncovering facts and ideas that could turn or alter the entire interpretation of a historical event.

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The WFS upper school Female Athlete Advocacy Club started its speaker series by hosting Alice Miller, an LPGA tour player and winner of 9 major titles. Alice spoke to over thirty students about overcoming challenges in the pursuit of dreams and about how far women have come in sports.

Visit from Saudi Teachers Ten Saudi teachers participating in the Khbrat Delaware Program at the University of Delaware recently visited Friends School classrooms as part of their professional learning. Goals of the Khbrat Delaware Program include: developing a mindset of professional inquiry; exploring and evaluating new approaches to teaching; and developing a plan to improve Saudi education.

MUSIC NEWS

Two WFS Musicians Perform at University of Delaware In November 2019, the Delaware Youth Wind Ensemble presented a challenging program of music for concert band DW 3XJOLHVH +DOO DW 8' -LPP\ %XWWHUˉHOG Ƞ WHQRU VD[RSKRQH DQG MXQLRU 7HGG\ 'H9ROO Ƞ FODULQHW DUH UHJXODU members of this ensemble, which brings together outstanding high school musicians from the greater Delaware area. DWYE is directed by UD professor and Wind Ensemble conductor Dr. Lauren Reynolds, pictured here with Teddy and Jimmy after their concert. ACDA Eastern Division Senior High Honor Choir Gianna Martinelli ’22 and Isaiah Gaines ’21 were accepted into the ACDA Eastern Division Senior High Honor Choir for 2020. The ensemble will perform at the division conference in Rochester, NY in March. The choir, selected by audition, includes students from all over the Northeast, from Washington, D.C. to Maine. Junior Wins NSO Competition At the Newark Symphony Orchestra’s Betsy L. Kent Youth Concerto Competition, Maxine Chou ’21 was the High School Division Winner for Cello. Maxine performed “Cello Concerto in e minor” by Elgar and will play with the NSO in their spring concerts. All-State Choir Results All-State Choir auditions were held in November 2019 and the performance will take place this February at Dover High School. Junior All-State Choir: soprano, Isabelle Bohner ’24, and three tenors, Maxwell Brown ’24, Drew Clothier ’24, and Aiden Gonzalez ’24. Senior All-State Choir: Gianna Martinelli ’22 and Juliana Melnik ’22 (sopranos) and Brandon Williams ’21 (tenor) and Isaiah Gaines ’21 (bass) were accepted into the Mixed Choir.

At the upper school World Affairs Club lunchtime debate, Craig Lyttleton ’20 and Sophie Mullen ’21 engaged in a lively debate on the intersection of privilege and college admissions. Sophie argued that the recent incidents of wealthy parents breaking the law to assure their children’s spot at elite colleges are the main problem, while Craig argued that the true scandal is the way the entire application process institutionally favors those with money and power.

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Student Clubs Focusing on

Stewardship Fridays for the Future WFS is a coalition of clubs working to address the climate crisis. This group organized the Climate Strike and teach-in (see page 19) at the beginning of the year. They are also helping to organize Lunch and Learns throughout the year on specific climate change issues. Right before Thanksgiving break they held a lunchtime event, the “Cranky Uncle Thanksgiving Dinner Dramatization.” Six students and Head of Upper School Rebecca Zug play-acted scenarios of dinnertime conflict as members of the Doright family clashed over political differences related to climate change. After a bell ring, students learned techniques developed by psychologists to defuse controversial discussions, and make them productive. Fridays for the Future WFS members met with representatives from the Sierra Club about a project called the Clean Schools project to learn more about participation, and they also ran several workshops on MLK Day. The Eco-Action Team is a cross-divisional group of students, teachers, and staff that completed the steps for WFS to be recognized as an Eco-School by the National Wildlife Federation. The project began two years ago and has included the installation of a native plant meadow last year and milkweed plants around the Jones House this year. The team is looking for projects to achieve an even higher level of the award. The Stewardship Committee supports stewardship initiatives at WFS. They

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provide support for student clubs such as the Eco team, Environmental Club, and Fridays for the Future. The committee is also organizing a special day for the upper school in April to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. Several members of the committee are science teachers, and this year the IB Group 4 project focused on carbon sources and sinks. At the start of the day, WFS Director of Facilities Ray Carbone took the students on a tour of the building and explained the solar panels and geothermal system, along with the traditional heating and cooling system.

WFS Earns Designation as a Certified National Wildlife Federation (NWF) Eco-School NWF’s Eco-Schools USA program is a nationwide initiative for PK-12 students that fosters environmental awareness and promotes stewardship as an intrinsic part of the life and culture of a school. The Friends School “Eco-Action Team” -- consisting of students, teachers, administrators, and staff -- organized and implemented the VWHSV QHHGHG IRU FHUWLˉFDWLRQ +HDG RI 8SSHU School Rebecca Zug recently recognized Austin Sarker-Young ’22 for his vision and coordination of Eco-Action Team activities, including installation of a native plant meadow and a milkweed JDUGHQ IRU PRQDUFK EXWWHUˊLHV

The Environmental Club wrote queries for advisory Meeting for Worship. Students were asked to submit some of their responses in a survey and for the club to use for future activities. Queries included: 1) Do you find that thoughts of the effects of global warming intrude on your peace of mind? If so, how often does this happen? 2) How do you handle climate change related stress? What is something you suggest that others try (or remember) in times of stress? 3) A new report by 11,258 scientists in 153 countries from a broad range of disciplines warned that the planet 'clearly and unequivocally faces a climate emergency.’ What does this suggest to you that we (broadly speaking) should consider doing differently? 4) How have you taken action? What action do you want to see taken? 5) Do you think the WFS community does a good job of keeping its student body informed about the climate crisis

and general environmental issues? What could WFS do better? 6) Are there times where you feel as though you cannot participate in environmental discussions due to a lack of knowledge in the area? Do you think knowledge about the climate crisis is necessary in order to make a difference?

A New Chapter for Friends: The Lower School Project and Campus Master Plan

ration by the Board of a site location on the middle/upper campus for the new lower school building, and working with faculty & staff and parents to develop plans for a lower school facility that will most effectively support our program. Our internal steering committee will then work with our architect (WRT of Philadelphia) and project team during the schematic design phase to develop a formal plan, which we expect by early May 2020. One of the contingencies of the agreement of sale is to gain approval of this schematic design from the Alapocas Maintenance Corporation Board. A series of community meetings were held in fall 2019, including one at Homecoming. Attendees were able to view drawings representing lower school site location possibilites on the middle/upper school campus. A formal schematic design is expected to be presented in May 2020.

In October 2019, Wilmington Friends School entered into an agreement of sale with Incyte Corporation for Incyte to purchase about 20 acres of our lower school property for $50 million. Contingent on the close of the sale, this would allow us to build a stateof-the-art lower school on our middle/ upper school campus. This might also make it possible for us to implement improvements to our middle/upper school building, and, in concert with current fundraising initiatives, grow our endowment to support students, faculty/staff, and families. The current lower school facility was built in 1972. Prior to that, lower school was part of the campus at 101 School Road. While the new campus was an exciting and modern (at the time) space, the presence of the lower schoolers at the middle/upper school was missed by faculty and students alike. We are excited at the thought of having all of our students back together on one campus, this time with a brandnew space for lower school. Since the Board of Trustees anounced the sale, we have held a series of community meetings to provide informa-

tion and to seek feedback. We also have in place a dedicated email, progress@ wilmingtonfriends.org, to which our community can send questions and feedback. To date, we’ve heard both support and concern for what is to come. Some concerns raised pertain to traffic and use of the lower school driveway, as well as Incyte’s plans for the lower school property. We understand Incyte will develop and share their plans with the community following the company’s due diligence of the lower school property. We’ve also received questions about the arrangement of athletic fields and playground space and creative ideas to address those questions. Please note, the sale does not include Mellor Field (track/ turf) or the Bermuda grass field. At the same time, we’ve heard expressions of excitement for the new facility, a more close-knit school community, and the long-term sustainability of the School. We are committed to considering all of the feedback we have received in the next phase of this journey, and we have also shared relevent feedback with Incyte.

We will be sure to post updates on our web site under “About Friends,” “Lower School Project” as they arise. If you have any questions or comments about the project, feel free to contact progress@wilmingtonfriends.org.

PROJECT TIMELINE (ESTIMATED) October 2019 to August 2023 /RZHU 6FKRRO 5HPDLQV DW &XUUHQW /RFDWLRQ October 2019 to June 2021 %XLOGLQJ 'HVLJQ 0D\ and Approval Process As early as 2021 6DOH &ORVLQJ RQ /RZHU 6FKRRO Property 2021 to 2023 Construction; ASP Building Closes August 2023 1HZ %XLOGLQJ 2SHQLQJ

Our next steps include further exploWinter 2020 • QuakerMatters

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Winter Concerts 26

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Fall Sports 2019: What a Season! This fall, our Quakers showed tremendous heart and effort on the ˉHOG FRXUW DQG FRXUVH DQG DOO RI WKH KDUG ZRUN SDLG RII :H ZRQ RXU Homecoming games in every sport, won four DISC championships, and we were the only school in Delaware to send all four teams to their DIAA State competitions. Friends Boys’ Cross Country had an especially exciting season, which ended with a DIAA State Championship trophy. Heartfelt congratulations to our student athletes, coaches, parents and guardians, and fans!

All-Conference First Team: Bella Bukowski ’21 (GK)

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Led by coaches Paul Nemeth and Nora Reynolds, it was a thrilling season for Quaker Cross Country. Our Girls’ team worked hard, took 4th at DISCs and 12th at States, their highest ďŹ nish in four years, and achieved a slew of personal records. And our Boys’ team won the Lake Forest Invitational, the Sallies Invitational, were DISC champs for the ďŹ rst time in WFS history, AND brought home the Division II State Championship trophy! DISC Championship Chris Rosado ’21, 3rd Luke Munch ’21, 4th Max Leffler ’22, 6th Marcel Stewart ’22, 9th Kyle Nisbet ’21, 12th

Field Hockey Led by Coach Scott Clothier, Quaker Field Hockey opened the season with six straight wins, and ended the regular season with a very satisfying 2-1 win over Tower Hill at the Senior Game. The team beat Caravel Academy, 2-1, in the ďŹ rst round of the DIAA State Tournament and moved onto the second round, losing to the eventual state champ, Delmar High School.

Cross Country DISC Champions: Boys’ Team New Castle County Championship Chris Rosado ’21, 8th DIAA State Meet Chris Rosado ’21, 4th Luke Munch ’21, 8th Max Leffler ’22, 11th Marcel Stewart ’22, 13th Division II State Champions: Boys’ Team Coaches of the Year: Paul Nemeth and Nora Reynolds

Rosa Cochran ’21 Katrina WinďŹ eld ’20 Second Team: Olivia Billitto ’20 Ajala Elmore ’20 Margo Gramiak ’22 Meghan Malone ’21 Honorable Mention: Madeline Rowland ’23 All-State First Team: Bella Bukowski ’21 (GK) Katrina WinďŹ eld ’20

Volleyball Led by Coach Barb Fitzgerald, Volleyball had a history-making season. The team defeated Tatnall in straight sets to win DISC Championship, and, in the third round of the DIAA State Tournament, Friends beat Newark Charter in ďŹ ve sets, the ďŹ rst time in Delaware history that the 24th ranked team knocked out the top seed. QVB went on to play in the consolation round at the Bob Carpenter Center.

All-Conference First Team: Natalie Bush ’22 Abby Carian ’22 Jocelyn Nathan ’23 Second Team: Jadyn Elliott ’20 Third Team: Kayla Farley ’21 All-State Second Team: Abby Carian ’22

Soccer

Football With Coach Bob Tattersall back on the field, Football had another strong season, highlighted by clinching the conference championship with a big 10-0 win over Tower Hill. The team showed heart and skill in a tough DIAA first-round game against Woodbridge High School. All-Conference First Team Offense: Isaiah Gaines ’21 (C) Carby Wise ’21 (G) Manny Adebi ’20 (T) Will Davis ’20 (WR) Denzel Dixon ’20 (RB) Patrick McKenzie ’21 (FB) Jacob Jaworski ’20 (P)

Will Davis ’20 (KR/PR) Jacob Jaworski ’20 (K) First Team Defense: Carby Wise ’21 (DT) Manny Adebi ’20 (DE) Patrick McKenzie ’21 (DE) Sam Gise ’20 (LB) Denzel Dixon ’20 (LB) Will Davis ’20 (DB) Honorable Mention Offense: Brandon Williams ’21 (T) Peter Erskine ’21 (WR) Cole Opderbeck ’20 (QB) Honorable Mention Defense: Isaiah Gaines ’21 (DT) Peter Erskine ’21 (DB) Craig Lyttleton ’20 (DB), Sully Williams ’20 (DB)

Led by Coach Rick Sheppard, it was another stellar season for Boys’ Soccer. They were DISC champs and beat Sussex Academy and Indian River to play in the DIAA championship game, where they displayed true valor and sportsmanship in a very tough game. All-Conference First Team: Evan Arai ’20 Liam Hudgings ’20 Oryem Kilama ’20 Jack Taylor ’20 Bruno Yeh ’22 Second Team: Shiloh Connor ’22 Ryan Evans ’20 Miles McCoy ’20

Honorable Mention: Mark McMillan ’20 Coach of the Year: Rick Sheppard Assistant Coach of the Year: Liam O’Donnell All-State First Team: #4 player in Top 11 Regional All-American Oryem Kilama ’20 Second Team: Evan Arai ’20 Third Team: Jack Taylor ’20 Ryan Bradford Senior Service Award Sean Brady ’20

Fall Signing Days Congratulations to the WFS senior athletes who will continue their athletic careers at Division I universities next fall! Left: Oryem Kilama, Virginia Tech Soccer; Edward Micheletti, The George Washington University Baseball; Wyatt Nelson, University of Missouri Baseball; and Nick Redd, University of Maryland Lacrosse. Below: Jacob Jaworski, Colgate University Football, who will join his brother Andrew ’17 on the team.

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Advisor to the D.C. Policy Makers John McClelland ’87 has spent the last 22 years working in Washington, D.C. in roles that provide advice to policy makers on how changes in tax policy impact the public and the economy. He joined the federal civil service in 1997 as a Financial Economist in the Office of Tax Analysis at the Department of the Treasury, and was later selected to join the Senior Executive Service which is the top rung of civil service and typically works closely with Presidential appointees. In that role, he became the Director of Revenue Estimating for the Department of the Treasury, and in 2012 he was appointed the Special Assistant to the Director of Tax Analysis where he helped to manage the work of the Office of

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Tax Analysis. John left the Department of the Treasury in 2016 to work for the Congress. Now as Director of Tax Analysis at the Congressional Budget Office, he advises the CBO Director on tax and revenue issues and manages the work of CBO’s Tax Analysis Division. The Tax Analysis Division projects future federal revenues (from individual income taxes, payroll taxes, corporate income taxes, and other sources), using economic models and microsimulation techniques. The division also analyzes the distribution of federal taxes and spending, and examines how possible changes in tax law would affect the behavior of taxpayers and the overall economy. John lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife, Karen, who is Director of Auxiliary Programs at Sidwell Friends School, and their daughter, Sam, who is a senior at Sidwell. Their son, Keegan, is a junior at James Madison University. John’s mother, Jean McClelland, taught mathematics at Friends in the 80s and 90s, and his sister, Elizabeth McClelland Lutostansky ’88, is an alum. We recently asked John to tell us a bit more about his work and his WFS education.

of every individual. That as a community we were stronger if those voices could be heard and, just as importantly, be listened to. In my career in WashLQJWRQ , VHUYH RXU HOHFWHG RIˉFLDOV UHJDUGOHVV RI SDUW\ E\ JLYLQJ WKHP WKH information that they need to help them make decisions. My Quaker education has helped to listen to policy makers to understand what they need and to broadly synthesize diverse views and represent them fairly. What do you value most about your Quaker Education? , YDOXH WKH VHOI FRQˉGHQFH LW SURYLGHG , DOZD\V IHOW WKDW P\ YRLFH FRXOG EH heard and that my views were valued. That helped me develop a sense of self which provided a strong foundation for life after Wilmington Friends. Why did you choose Quaker Education for your children? WFS was the beginning of my education and it is where I learned how to learn. Those are the skills that I have used every day since and is the foundation for every success that I have had. A Quaker education has given my GDXJKWHU WKH VDPH JLIW D WUHPHQGRXV DSSHWLWH IRU OHDUQLQJ DQG EHOLHI WKDW everyone should be treated with respect for their individual perspective.

What is the most interesting part of your job? My job is interesting because I am continually working on new and hard questions. Everything I work on results from a question from Congress and UHˊHFWV WKH PRVW LPSRUWDQW HFRQRPLF SROLF\ LVVXHV RI WKH GD\ 2YHU WKH past few months I have worked on issues of income inequality, tariffs and international trade, impacts of the minimum wage, reforms of our healthcare system, and how to stimulate the economy. The most interesting part of my job is the breadth of issues I get to work on. What is the most challenging? It is challenging to communicate the results of our analysis in a way that is clear to a broad audience. Users of our work range from very experienced members of Congress and their staffs to those who are brand new to Washington. We strive to communicate the nuances of our analysis clearly and concisely so that it is useful to the Congress. Over your years in Washington, have you seen a change in the way Congress has approached the subject of budgets and taxation? :KHQ , ˉUVW VWDUWHG ZRUNLQJ LQ :DVKLQJWRQ IRU WKH 7UHDVXU\ 'HSDUWPHQW WKH IHGHUDO EXGJHW KDG MXVW PRYHG LQWR VXUSOXV IRU WKH ˉUVW WLPH LQ RYHU \HDUV At that time there was a lot of attention on spending and taxes and how to balance them. Those surpluses only lasted for four years and now we have KDG DOPRVW \HDUV RI ODUJH GHˉFLWV WKDW DUH SURMHFWHG WR FRQWLQXH LQWR WKH IXWXUH 7KHVH ODUJH GHˉFLWV LQ SDUW UHˊHFW WKDW SROLF\PDNHUV VHH EDODQFLQJ the budget as a lower priority than they did when I started in Washington. Have you seen changes in Washington overall? The political discourse is less polite, and compromises seem rarer. This means that it harder to get big things accomplished. How has your Quaker Education helped you to navigate a challenging career? At Friends, I learned and valued the belief in the unique dignity and voice 31

Left: John McClelland ’87 and his wife, Karen. Above: John with his children, Sam and Keegan; John on C-SPAN.

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Emerging Careers in Public Service We caught up with two other DOXPV ZKR DUH ZRUNLQJ LQ WKH ˉHOG of public service to get an update on their careers. Javier Horstmann ’11 is Director of Constituent 5HODWLRQV DQG /HJLVODWLYH Assistant in Governor &DUQH\Č V RIˉFH What is the most interesting part of your job? I would say the most interesting part of my job is the unpredictability of it. Before speaking with each constituent, there is no way to tell what issue is affecting them and how the State can EHVW DVVLVW WKHP , DOVR ˉQG LW YHU\ LQWHUHVWLQJ WKH amount of important work that the State does that goes unnoticed. There are many resources the State has available but constituents might just not know about them. What is the most challenging? For me, what is the most challenging is when we are asked to assist individuals with mental health issues. There are so many Delawareans that are impacted by mental health issues and it can be really challenging coordinating all the various services that an individual might need. With that said, it is also those cases that are the most gratifying when we are able to get them the help they need. What led you to choose public service? Since kindergarten, between Friends and home, the importance of public service was always instilled in me. Additionally the election of Barack Obama really energized me to enter politics. How would you like to see your future evolve? I plan to continue to work every day to make Delaware a better state. In what capacity, that can always change! How has your Quaker Education helped you to navigate a challenging career? WFS prepared me well so far as the ability to understand that every person has “the light of God in themâ€?. This idea helps me see each person WKDW FRQWDFWV WKH *RYHUQRUČ V 2IˉFH LQ D ZD\ WKDW no matter their circumstances, they deserve the same chance at creating a life for themselves like everyone else. 32

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Nick Dowse ’ 08 is a Diplomatic Assistant in the Political Section of the Embassy of Japan. What is the most interesting part of your job? The most interesting part of my job is a mix of the research/analysis that I do and the correVSRQGHQFH ZLWK RWKHU JRYHUQPHQW RIˉFLDOV ERWK foreign and American, that I conduct on behalf of the diplomats I assist. Regarding the research, being able to conduct research and analysis and know that it is being used to help craft a country’s policies, or to even directly brief the Prime Minister as one of my research products was used for, is such an invigorating part of the job. As for the correspondence/networking, being able to build relationships with high level diplomats of other countries’ embassies, including their Ambassadors, is quite an exciting aspect. Just the other day, I remarked to my coworker about how surreal yet cool it is that I can just call up a different embassy’s Minister Counselor’s cell phone and have an extremely casual conversation because we have talked so much and know each other well. What is the most challenging? The most challenging aspect is having to deal with the embassy’s central government. The level of pressure that the central government exerts on the diplomats, especially with the fact there is a half a day time difference, leads to the diplomats being extremely micromanaging and often asking for results quicker than can be produced. In fact, it’s a very common occurrence to inform a diplomat that for a result to be produced to the desired quality, it cannot be produced at the quickness demanded by the central government. Furthermore, such pressure makes the diplomats extremely stressed out to the point that it can, and has, affected some diplomats’ health. What led you to choose public service? I always wanted to help in some capacity. The trajectory of career desires that got me here is so FKDRWLF LQ WHUPV RI YDULDQFH RI ˉHOGV EXW WKH\Č UH all linked by a desire to help. I mean, even my streaming on Twitch.tv, which is my side gig, is full of this desire to help through the fact I’ve done multiple charity fundraisers for groups like St Jude Children’s Research Hospital and raising almost $3,000 over 2 years. This desire to help

FDQ EH WUDFHG EDFN WR ZKHQ , ˉUVW VWDUWHG FROOHJH Originally in college, I wanted to be a veterinarian when I graduated, but that then evolved to ER surgeon. Then I took some courses in International Relations, fell in love with it, and decided to pursue that, believing that I could enact some sort of help by engaging in the system. While that has changed somewhat to be more open to working adjacent to the system in NGO’s or think tanks or other non government entities, the base desire to help is still there. How would you like to see your future evolve? The obvious answer is to keep advancing in my career, but the non-obvious answer is that I’d like to advance in not necessarily a predictable upward movement. One thing I’ve learned working in International Relations in D.C. is that there is a lot of horizontal or adjacent mobility LQ WKLV ˉHOG ZKLFK LVQČ W QHFHVVDULO\ D EDG WKLQJ The ability to gain knowledge and experience from working in a different environment, or for a different country as in my case, provides you with a very unique opportunity to grow. By being able to adapt to such conditions, you actually are able to approach things from a more pulled back OHYHO DQG ˉQG D VROXWLRQ WKDW RQH FRXOGQČ W VHH RXW of their own context. So I’d like to see it evolve more in a zigzag pattern where I can keep gaining such viewpoints while advancing rather than just moving straight up. How has your Quaker Education helped you to navigate a challenging career? It helped in my ability to remain cool under pressure. Of course there are times I get heated at work, I’m human. But there’s something to be said that when you have 4 different major deadlines, 2 of which are big events, coming down on you (this is a true story for me from last \HDU WKDW ZKLOH \RX GHˉQLWHO\ IHHO WKH VWUHVV \RX don’t get angry or lash out due to that building VWUHVV 7KDWČ V VRPHWKLQJ , FDQ GHˉQLWHO\ DWWULEXWH to Quaker philosophies. In fact, I try to build an overall pretty chill vibe in my work space at my job. I’m always the one telling jokes, my cubical is literally a mash up of video game/anime/general pop culture, and I’m always trying to lift people up. That fostering of a calm, fun, and positive VSDFH LV GHˉQLWHO\ VRPHWKLQJ , OHDUQHG LQ 4XDNHU Education and is something that has helped me become someone at work who is almost always FKLOO XQGHU ˉUH \HW VWLOO IRFXVHG RQ ZKDW QHHGV WR be done. 32

Class Notes CLASS OF 1962

John Dann (front), Richard Weigel (left), Walter Smith (right) celebrated John’s 50th wedding anniversary at the Mendenhall Inn in December.

CLASS OF 1969

Jay Shoemaker, August 15, 2019: Mt Adams summit, Hood and Jefferson in distance.

CLASS OF 1957

Alice McGovern Doering sent this update, “We leave next week for Quebec for a week of fly fishing for trout, hiking, biking, reading, knitting, and good trout meals! I am enjoying retirement after 40 years of working as a landscape designer. I am still involved in volunteer work for Pennsylvania Horticultural Society and Jenkins arboretum, I still enter the Philadelphia Flower Show, and I still do the gardening at the Strafford Train Station. I keep busy, but the pace is a little slower!!” CLASS OF 1971

Barbara Harrington Murphy, RG, CPG, Senior Geologist, Clear Creek Associates, is the 2019 recipient of The American Geosciences Institute Medal in memory of Ian Campbell for Superlative Service to the Geosciences, The American Geosciences Institute’s (AGI) highest award. Serving the geoscience community through her more than 40-year career, Barbara has been active in professional organization membership and service at local, national, and international levels, contributing as a board member on various commissions and leading committees for government and nonprofit groups. She has worked with the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), AGI, the Arizona Geological Survey, the Arizona Hydrological Society, Geoscientists Canada, European Federation of Geologists, and the International Union of Geological Scientists (IUGS) to advocate for the geoscience profession. She has supported state geological surveys and professional geologists, notably by offering written and verbal testimony when the profession was under threat of adversity. Barbara serves on the Arizona Geological Survey’s State Mapping Advisory Committee, has been a member (by appointment of the governor) of the Arizona Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, as well as a familiar presence with AGI, serving on the Geopolicy Working Group and the Hazards Caucus Alliance to represent AIG for several years. Barbara wrote, “It was a great honor to be recognized by this award which was presented at the Geological Society of America annual meeting in Phoenix,

Arizona on September 22, 2019. My interest in geology developed from 9th grade Earth Science class taught by Art Hill at Friends School. After graduation from Friends School, I attended and graduated from Mount Holyoke College in 1975, majoring in Geology. I am still working in consulting at Clear Creek Associates in Arizona. Daughters Erin (in Maryland) and Kelly (in California) are married with families and careers and doing well. My husband, Casey, and I are enjoying local to international travel and visits with family and friends. I still keep in communication with several classmates including Kathryn Hoopes Bowen. Our parents lived at Kendal/Crosslands retirement community in Kennett Square so we would see each other there on occasion. I also had a chance to visit with Violet Richman several times who lived there as well.” CLASS OF 1980

Clark Omholt wrote, “This week we had two foster siblings, David (age 6) and Amia (age 5), move in with Kirsten and me. We’re not sure how long they’ll be with us, but it’s likely to be 6 months to a year. “My observations so far: - These kids are pretty energetic. They love being chased, though Kirsten casts dark looks and mumbles about trips to the hospital (just like 20 years ago). - They are very affectionate, and can’t get enough hugs and cuddles and climbing all over my person. - Harry Potter is even better the 3rd time around. They always outlast me at bedtime/reading time (just like 20 years ago).” CLASS OF 1990

Omar Khan joined WFS upper schoolers for a Lunch and Learn about the misconceptions of Islam and Muslims. In this conversation-style event, students, along with teacher Betsy Renzo, asked Omar many questions, such as wondering if he is treated by his patients any differently because of his ethnicity and asking what it’s like for women in Muslim countries. Omar describes himself as a cultural Muslim and talked about the varied ways that Muslims incorporate religion into their lives, just like people of other faiths. Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

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CLASS OF 1991

Chris Raia sent this photo with the caption, “I was a student at the lower school in the 80s and remember it fondly. I hope as part of the move you can relocate Mrs. Reeves’s elephant sculpture! Sometimes when I’m biking around the neighborhood I bring my two sons there for a photo.” CLASS OF 1999

Chris Raia ’91 with his son posing with the elephnant sculpture at lower school.

Sarah Cohen Panock and her husband Dan welcomed the addition of their second son Hudson Aaron Panock on August 16th. Dan accepted a Brand Manager role with Mondelez International and the family relocated to Randolph, NJ in early October. CLASS OF 2000

Sarah Cohen Panock ’99 and her husband Dan and their two sons.

Middle School Head, Jon Huxtable sent this news of an alum, “Last week when I was in San Antonio with a team of 8 teachers from each of the three divisions, I had the chance to visit Ryan Shotzberger ’00, the newly appointed Head Coach at UIW, a DI baseball program. Ryan played at Friends 19972000 under Coach T (’99) and me (’97-’98, ’00). He is assuming the head coaching position after fourteen years of assisting at Duke, TCU, and most recently at the University of Houston.

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CLASS OF 2011

Mara Freilich was featured in the Los Angeles Times Article, “Climate Change Fears Propel Scientists Out of the Lab and into the Streets.” The article states, “Mara Freilich, a graduate student at MIT and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, prides herself on doing rigorous research about how carbon and other nutrients cycle through the oceans. But she is also a member of several organizations that work at the intersection of science and social justice — for instance, by advocating for cleaner and more democratically managed power grids. And she has no intention of sitting on the sidelines while the planet careens toward a dangerous future. ‘Science is political and it always has been,’ she said.”

CLASS OF 2004

CLASS OF 2013

Chris DiMaria, reporter for KJRH in Tulsa, was a 2019 Emmy® Award Recipient Heartland Chapter National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, for his work on the story “Ozark Tragedy: Duck Boat Sinking.”

Former Assistant to the Head of School Marilyn Maguire said “Terry (WFS Archivist) and I had a lovely visit with Terry’s former students Naomi Nix and Emily Swain while we were in D.C. in August.” CLASS OF 2008

Terry Maguire, Marilyn Maguire, Naomi Nix ’06 and Emily Swain ’06.

Reid Schmidt stars in the short thriller, Fair Warning, about a combat veteran adjusting to civilian life experiences a fever dream encounter with a bizarre hitchhiker that has the potential to change his family’s future.

John DeCarli and his wife Katie welcomed their first son, Thomas, on November 14, 2019. CLASS OF 2006

Ryan Shotzberger ’00 and Jon Huxtable.

environment by growing food locally, eliminating the use of toxic chemicals, and utilizing less water than traditional soil-based farming.

Evan Bartle is the Chief Growing Officer at Second Chances Farm in Wilmington, DE. Second Chances Farm is an indoor, vertical farm with a mission to provide citizens returning from prison with mentorship programs and green collar jobs. Second Chances Farm is a for-profit answer to a non-profit problem, whose social enterprise solution supports alternatives to the revolving door in the criminal justice system. The farm also seeks to protect our

CLASS OF 2017

Andrew Jaworski, was profiled in Colgate Magazine, by Rebecca Docter, AUTUMN 2019: “The Defender” Meet #51: Linebacker, political science major, summer researcher The unofficial motto of Colgate’s football team is “attitude and effort” — a perspective Andrew Jaworski ’21 has emulated in other aspects of his life. On the field, the 230-pound, 6-foot-1inch linebacker fights against a wave of 300-pound offensive linemen, providing extra protection for the goal line. In the classroom, the political science major puts his head down and fights through

says. Last semester, he also took the course Congress with political science professor Michael Hayes, in which he studied the history and structure of the legislative body. CLASS OF 2018

Cecilia Ergueta was selected to join the 2019-20 Stanford Shakespeare Company. $QGUHZ -DZRUVNL Č ZDV SURˉOHG LQ &ROJDWH Magazine. Photo by Mark DiOrio. long study sessions, each achievement a stride toward a law career. And this past summer, he showed up to local government offices to ďŹ ght against climate change through a research project with Colgate’s Upstate Institute.

CLASS OF 2007

On August 3, 2019, Katie McEnroe got married. Katie is pictured with her new husband, Nathan Johnson and with some of her 2007 Classmates: Sydney Stargatt, Janelle Nelson, Katie McEnroe, Lauren Schmittle, Emily McMillan.

Writing resolutions for the Village and Town of Hamilton to become a greener place is how Jaworski spent his summer. The impetus of his project was to tick off boxes on the checklist that helps Hamilton attain its Climate Smart Communities CertiďŹ cation. A sampling of his resolutions includes: “Promotion of Shaded Areas in Public Spacesâ€? and “Recycle Bins in Village Buildings.â€? He also collected data on aspects like the number of LED street lights compared to non-LED ones, focusing on how each affects electricity bills. “Anything we can do to make the communities smarter and safer in terms of climate control is beneďŹ cial,â€? Jaworski says.

(YDQ %DUWOH Č LV WKH &KLHI *URZLQJ 2IˉFHU DW Second Chances Farm.

After researching ways to make Hamilton sustainable, he spent his evenings in Huntington Gymnasium preparing for the season. It’s the ďŹ rst fall during which he’ll have a chance at game time — something he’s been working toward since committing to Colgate. “He’s one of our more physical players and someone who really showed that we can trust him in a game,â€? Coach Dan Hunt said.

Mara Freilich ’11

Jaworski wanted to explore different avenues in his political science major, so he chose his research project to see how governments operate. His favorite class so far? Politics and Moral Vision with Professor Barry Shain. “It was one of my toughest classes, but I learned a lot in terms of understanding politics and government today. It also helped me decide my major,� Jaworski

CLASS OF 2019

Dani Nathan was named to the AllCAA, All-Rookie Volleyball Team after a strong freshman campaign at James Madison University. She garnered 198 kills to average 2.33 per set while playing in 85 sets for the Dukes. Nathan had ďŹ ve matches with double-digit kills, including a career-high 17 against the Cougars on Oct. 25. Of Nathan’s 42 rejections at the net this season, 13 were solo blocks.

Current WFS parents, parents of alumni, and former WFS parents traveled together to the Dalmatian Islands of Croatia. Pictured are: First Row: Lingling Shi, Sherry Brilliant, Hemei Liu, Jennifer Luckangelo, Peng Nie, Jeremy Xu, and Christine DiGuglielmo Second Row: Athena Ruhl, Samatha Fruchtman, Frank Luckangelo, Matt DiGuglielmo, and Kathleen Schroeder Back Row: Jon Brilliant, Dave Fruchtman, Dave Ruhl, and Jonathan Schroeder

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Washington D.C. Regional Gatherings Alumni, parents, and friends joined together for two fun D.C. events this fall.

Sidwell Football Game, Friends v. Friends On Saturday, September 14th, we hosted a tailgate at the Sidwell Friends vs. Wilmington Friends football game in Washington, D.C. We had an unbelievable turnout for this event that included D.C. area alumni and friends, and WFS families who made the trip down to cheer WFS on to victory. Special thanks to former WFS Head of School, Bryan Garman, and the developPHQW RIˉFH DW 6LGZHOO IRU RSHQLQJ WKHLU FDPSXV XS WR :LOPLQJWRQ )ULHQGV 6FKRRO Q&A with New York Times bestselling author, Linda Holmes ’89 After the football game, alumni and friends were invited to meet NPR pop-culture correspondent and 1HZ <RUN 7LPHV bestselling author, Linda Holmes ’89 at Friends Meeting of Washington, D.C. Linda’s hit summer novel, Evvie Drake Starts Over, was chosen by the Today Show’s Jenna Bush Hager as her July Book Club read and it instantly became a 1HZ <RUN 7LPHV bestseller. Guests had the opportunity to ask Linda questions about her novel and learn more about her creative process. We are so grateful to Linda for spending time with WFS alumni and friends in D.C.!

Summer Internship Available 7KH :)6 $OXPQL 'HYHORSPHQW 2IˉFH RIIHUV D VXPPHU LQWHUQship program (unpaid) with both range and depth of real-world experience. Our interns have an opportunity to develop skills in writing, social media, web content development, fundraising, video production, event planning, networking, and more. Send your resume to alumni@wilmingtonfriends.org and let us know if you’re interested. Young Alumni are encouraged to DSSO\ 6LQFH WKLV LQWHUQVKLS LV XQSDLG D ˊH[LEOH VFKHGXOH LV available.

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Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

In Memory FORMER TRUSTEES Francis Power “Peter” Parker Jr. passed away due to natural causes after a long illness in early July 2019 in Wilmington, Delaware, at the age of 79. With an abundance of love and joy Peter will be remembered by his daughter, Gray Parker, and son-in-law, Mark Hodgson, of Tega Cay, SC; son, Geoff Parker ’91, of Tampa, FL; sister, Valeria Parker Storms, and brother-in-law, Clifford Beekman Storms, of Stamford, CT; and sister, Patricia Parker Ferebee, and brother-in-law, John Jethro Ferebee, Sr., of Rocky Mount, NC. Peter was also adored by his two grandchildren, Leyton and Sebastian Parker. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Robin Hickman Parker. Peter was subsequently married to Catherine Bruni Parker from 1994-2007. Born in 1940 in Atlanta, GA, to Francis Power Parker Sr. and Winifred Orr Parker, Peter graduated from The Westminster School in Atlanta with high academic and athletic honors in 1958. At Vanderbilt University he majored in English, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Omicron Delta Kappa, was president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, and graduated in 1962. He attended medical school at The University of Virginia, where he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha and was President of his class. Upon graduating in 1966, he interned at New York Hospital (Cornell), served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, and then returned to Charlottesville where he completed his pathology residency and was a faculty member of the Department of Pathology at The University of Virginia. Peter had a lengthy and distinguished career as a pathologist at Christiana Care in Delaware, where he became chairman of the department. He was a member of the American Society for Clinical Pathologists, the College of American Pathologists, and the Delaware Clinical and Laboratory Physicians. Further, he served as a Director on the UVA Medical Alumni Associa-

tion’s Board of Directors, as well as a Trustee on the Medical School Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Dr. James Francis Fess Reamer passed away on Saturday, August 3, 2019, at age 83. Jim was born on December 12, 1935 in Baltimore, Maryland to Francis Fess Reamer and Edith LaRue (née Unger) Reamer of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. He received his undergraduate degree from Bucknell University and his Doctor of Medicine from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia. He practiced Pathology at the now closed Wilmington Medical Center and then at Christiana Hospital, both in Wilmington, Delaware. Jim was predeceased by his first wife of 32 years, Arleyne Terry Reamer (née van Gampler) and his sister, Nancy Jane Walker, of Shamokin, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his second wife, Michele Sullivan of Kendal, Kennett Square, and his three sons and their families, James Reamer, Jr. ’80 and his wife Karen Coleman, of Ashland, Massachusetts, Hudson Reamer ’82, of Indianapolis, Indiana and Jordan Reamer ’85, of Claremont, California. Jim has three grandchildren, Lindsay, Hudson, Jr. and Garrett. FORMER FACULTY & STAFF Nancy Fitts Donaldson, 93, of Newtown Square, a longtime Quaker school educator and the mother of Inquirer cartoonist Signe Wilkinson, died in her sleep Thursday, September 26, at White Horse Village. Nancy attended Media-Providence Friends School and graduated from Swarthmore College, where she was known as “Fittsy.” She married Peter B. Wilkinson in the late 1940s and lived in Texas, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh, before settling in Paoli to raise three children. When her children were old enough to attend school, Nancy earned a teaching certificate in education from West Chester University, and began her career as a fourthgrade teacher at Paoli Pike Elementary School in West Chester. She then came to WFS and continued teaching until 1971, when she became the head of Lansdowne Friends School. She was then named lower school principal first at Abington Friends School and then at the Shipley School. She later supervised student teachers for Swarthmore Col-

lege. Nancy retired in 1990 and served on the board of directors for Friends’ Central School and Media-Providence Friends School. She was the first clerk for the board of Stratford Friends School in Newtown Square, tutored pupils in the city of Chester, and supported the Chester Children’s Choir. In 1984, Nancy married Orlin Willits Donaldson who sadly passed away in 2008 after 24 years of marriage. She is survived by daughter Signe Wilkinson and sons Gregg Wilkinson ’70 and Geoff Wilkinson ’74; stepchildren Storm Snaith and Kyle Donaldson; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a sister, Ellen Fitts Millick (WFS parent of alum and former trustee & faculty). Her first husband died in 1983. 1937 Jane Hayden Frelick ’37, age 99, wife of the late Robert Frelick, M.D., died on September 4, 2019 at the Lorelton in Wilmington. Jane Owen Hayden was the daughter of Oliver and Dorothy Hayden of Wilmington. After graduating from Friends School, Jane earned a BA from Oberlin College, Ohio, and a Masters in Nursing from Yale University. She joined her husband and worked as a civilian nurse with the occupation forces in Germany in 194647. Subsequently, they established a medical practice from their home office on Murphy Road, serving the community for 30 years. They moved to her parents’ home in Westover Hills in 1976. Jane’s home was a welcoming sanctuary to itinerant opera singers, exchange students, refugees, far-flung family and friends. She campaigned to educate children against smoking, to stop gun violence, to promote fluoridated water and safe and legal abortions. She tutored at the Baylor Women’s Correction Facility and the Ferris School, served on the board of the Delaware Center for Justice, and was active in the PTA, the League of Women Voters, Opera Delaware, and PFLAG. She was a lifelong member of The Brandywiners and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Mill Creek. Jane is survived by five children: Sally O’Byrne (Terry O’Byrne) and Scott Frelick of Wilmington; Susan Goekler (Mac Goekler) of Rehoboth; Alcy Frelick (Bill Martin) of McLean, Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

37

VA; and Bill Frelick (Helen Lann) of Columbia, MD. Also surviving are nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. 1941 Nancy Jessup Edgar Wells ’41, age 96, of Kennett Square died at Crosslands on October 22, 2019. She was born in Wilmington, Delaware. Nancy graduated from Wilmington Friends School in 1941. There she fell in love with John Mendinhall ’39, who shared her passion for horses, tennis, and flying. Mendinhall, a Marine Corps pilot, was killed in action in Okinawa in 1945; he was 24. After attending Mills College for a year, Nancy earned her private pilot’s license at the Embry Riddle School of Aviation and served in the U.S. Navy WAVES from 1944 to 1946. In 1948 she married James Milne, also a Navy veteran, but they were divorced a few years later. On her own with a young son, she worked at the Delaware Heart Association until retiring when she married W. Coleman Edgar in 1955. During the 1960s, Nancy and Coleman and their children lived in San Francisco, The Hague, and Brussels, before returning to the Wilmington area, where they lived until Coleman’s death in 1988. Always active in community affairs, Nancy served as president of the Junior League of Wilmington, chairman of the Wilmington Flower Market, chairman of the board of the Arthritis Foundation and a trustee of the Delaware Art Museum. She sat on the boards of the Wilmington World Affairs Council, the Grand Opera House, and the National Defense University Foundation in Washington, DC. She was a member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames. In 1990 she was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to be a charter member of the Kennedy Center’s National Committee for the Performing Arts. She was married to A. Judson Wells, Jr. from 1994 until his death in 2008. Nancy will be missed by her many friends and family members. She is survived by her children, Michael S. Edgar and Kate Edgar (their brother Sam Edgar died in 2010), her sons-inlaw, Gary Vogt and Allen Furbeck, and her grandson Kai Furbeck, as well as her step-children: Anne Harms, Lucy Hausner, Harriet Shaw, David Wells, 38

Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

Jack Wells, and Jane Wells, and their families. 1946 Elizabeth “Betty” Rheuby Gillespie ’46 died peacefully at home in Charlotte, North Carolina on August 22, 2019. Born in Wilmington, Delaware in 1928 to William and Eleanore Rheuby, she was a graduate of Wilmington Friends School where she was a head cheerleader, played field hockey, a member of several clubs and was fondly know as “Rube”. She went on to graduate from Centenary University. Her father introduced her to trapshooting at an early age, and it quickly became her favorite sport. At age 21, she became the Delaware state trapshooting champion, earning the nickname of “Wilmington’s own Annie Oakley”. She married Larry Gillespie in 1951, and they started their family in West Chester, Pennsylvania. Between stints in Wilmington, moves with E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company took them to Birmingham, Michigan and La Canada, California. Ultimately it was their love for Wilmington that brought them back. An unselfish and giving mother and GiGi, Betty was most proud of her children and grandchildren. Forever active, she loved to play golf and tennis with friends at Wilmington Country Club. Betty was the devoted wife to her husband Larry, the beloved mother of Larry Gillespie (Shannon) of Charleston, South Carolina, Ellie Elmore (Bill) of Charlotte, North Carolina and Andy Gillespie of Mission Viejo, California, and the adored GiGi of Drew Gillespie of Brooklyn, New York, Grant Gillespie of New York, New York, Blair Gillespie of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Craig Elmore of Charlotte, North Carolina and Jack Elmore (Caiti) of Atlanta, Georgia. 1949 Marcia Staats Lusardi ’49, 82, beloved mother, “Nana” and friend, entered into her eternal life Sunday, April 27, 2014 at her home after succumbing to end stage COPD. Marcy defied all odds with her illness for 8 great years and continued to amaze medical staff with her strength and resilience. Born July 21, 1931 in Wilmington, DE, she was a daughter of the late Ralph and Ethel

(Lynch) Staats. Her husband James P. Lusardi died in 2002. Marcy grew up in Wilmington, DE and attended Wilmington Friends School, Lasell Junior College, MA and Thompson’s Private Business School, Wilmington. In 1953, Marcy married James P. Lusardi. The majority of the next forty years were committed to her husband and his career as a professor of English Literature. In 1967 they moved permanently to Easton and Lafayette College. Marcy’s executive secretary training served her well over the years working as a secretary, and volunteering for various organizations. An advocate for women’s rights, she became involved with Planned Parenthood of Easton in 1970. In 1972 she became the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood of Northampton County and held the position until she retired in 1983. She was active in the League of Women Voters not only of Easton but for the state and country as well. She remained active until her illness caused her to resign. Marcy had a great love of animals. She was an advocate and supporter for numerous animal protection organizations including ASPCA, Humane Society, World Wildlife Fund, Sierra Club, and Tiger Creek. She is survived by her two daughters, C. Lynn Williams (Park) and Jill Marie Hahn (Jeffrey); grandchildren, Sarah, Tyler (Karissa), Carly and Kate; two greatgrandchildren, Idalynn and Marcus; brother-in-law Henry Truax; nephew Michael Truax and his son Aiden; and her cousin Jimmy Lewis. She was predeceased by her husband Jimmy and her sister Carol Staats Truax ’52. Loretta Mearns Setter ’49, age 88, passed away at Stonegates Retirement Community on October 2, 2019. Loretta (aka Mimi to her family) was born in Wilmington, Delaware and attended Wilmington Friends School from K thru 12th grade. Upon graduation, Loretta proudly received the John Marshall Mendinhall II Memorial Award which is awarded to the WFS senior considered to have done the most for Friends School. In 1949, she headed to Colby College in Waterville, Maine to study chemistry and was an active member of Chi Omega Sorority. Upon graduation she moved back to Wilmington and became certified by the

American Society of Clinical Pathologists as a Medical Technologist and started her long career in this field. In 1969, she married Claude Setter and for the next 19 years worked for the DuPont Company at Chestnut Run in the Health Services Department. Loretta was also an artist, having studied painting with William Schoonover. The couple were active parishioners at St. Joseph’s on the Brandywine. Upon retirement, Loretta and Claude moved to Rancho Bernardo in San Diego, California. Loretta loved Rancho Bernardo and became a very active community member, volunteering for several different organizations including the Cancer Society, the Joslyn Center/Ed Brown Senior Center and was on the Board of Directors for the Kiwanis Club. For the last few years Loretta has been back in Wilmington living with her loving sister, Alice Mearns Ivy ’48. The enthusiastic sisters could be found running errands in Greenville, laughing, dancing and giggling along the way. Mimi was adored by her 5 nieces and nephews: Lee Ivy (Cindy), Herb Ivy (Deb), Alice Barnett (Ted), Carroll Ivy (Doug), Jackie Ivy-Spatafora (Sally) and her 11 grandnieces and nephews and 1 great grandnephew. Loretta was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Loretta Mearns. Miriam Stausebach Gedling ’49 (member 1748 Society) passed away on January 30, 2019. Leroy “Lee” C. Olmstead ’49, age 84 years of Atco, NJ, passed away on July 7, 2015. He is survived by his devoted wife Catherine (nee Efimov), three loving children, Michael and his wife Michele, Jeffery and his wife Karen, Eileen and her husband Richard Swan, and seven cherished grandchildren. Lee served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War where he received 3 Purple Hearts. He also loved collecting model trains. 1950 James Wilson Harper ’50, 88, of Ambler, died on September 13, 2019 at Foulkeways at Gwynedd. He was the beloved husband of Nancy (Castner) Harper for over 30 years. He was born in Riverton, NJ on February 10, 1931

to the late John C. and Mary Gahring (Price) Harper. Jim was a graduate of Wilmington Friends School and the University of Virginia where he studied biology and pre-med. He attended medical school at Temple University for one year, and later, decided he didn’t want to become a doctor. He spent his career in the pharmaceutical industry. Jim was a Senior Director for clinical research support for Johnson & Johnson for 23 years. He and his wife Nancy enjoyed working on and maintaining their “fixer upper” home in Lower Gwynedd. Jim was a talented and creative woodworker making many wonderful items for his children through the years. He was a member of the Associates of Clinical Pharmacology, where he served as President. In addition to his wife Nancy, he is survived by 3 sons James W. Harper, Jr. (fiancé Linda Tomaquindici), Mitchell P. Harper, David G. Harper, a brother John C. Harper, III (wife, Patty), his former spouse Janet Mitchell Harper ’50, and many nieces and nephews. 1954 John “Jack” Wesley Nestor, Jr. ’54, 83, passed away in Concord, Massachusetts on June 2, 2019. Jack was born on March 25, 1936 in Wilmington, Delaware to the late John W. Nestor Sr. and Marian Chaney Nestor. He attended the Wilmington Friends School and went on to obtain a degree in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University in 1959 and a doctorate in Chemical Engineering from MIT in 1964. Jack married Martha Martin in February 1968 and they moved to the woods of Carlisle, Massachusetts, where they had their three children. In 1977, the family moved to Concord. There, Jack maintained an 1815 house and barn, tinkered with his orange Corvette, built treehouses and brush bonfires with his children, and scared the local children playing a ghost in the cellar of the Haunted Barn tour, held at the Nestors’ barn for many years on Halloween. Jack spent the majority of his professional career as a Research Senior Manager at Polaroid Corporation. He was a member of the Engineering Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi, the National Chemistry Honor Society, Phi Lambda Upsilon, and the Scientific Research Honor Society, Sigma Xi.

Jack loved basketball, golf and skiing, the third of which he generously passed on to his children. His later years were spent residing at Newbury Court in Concord, with a view of a golf course from his balcony. Jack is survived by his former wife, Martha Nestor of Concord, MA; Camilla Nestor and Will Hong of Newburgh, NY, John W. Nestor III and Erin Roland of Burlington, VT and Sarah Nestor Welch and Michael Welch of Kittery, ME; and his grandchildren Felix and Walker Nestor of Burlington, VT and Sargent and Miles Welch of Kittery, ME. A private memorial service will be held in Concord. 1955 William “Bill” Robert Epcke, Sr. ’55, age 82, of Wilmette, Illinois. Beloved husband of Joanne Epcke nee Parker; loving father of William R., Jr. (Judith) Epcke and Bradford P. (Karen) Epcke; proud grandfather of Lauren and Mitchell Epcke. John Hammitt Lacher ’55 was born on December 23, 1936 and passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019. John was a resident of South Carolina at the time of passing. He attended Southern Technical School in Chamblee, Georgia and then enlisted in the Navy. 1959 Terrence Kinnard “Terry” Hancock ’59, of Wilmington, died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on October 13, 2019. He was born on the 4th of July to John and Helen Hancock. After graduating from Wilmington Friends School and Dickinson College, Terrence served in the Army Airborne Division and spent a tour in Korea. He then worked as a stock broker for 51 years, 45 of those as a Senior VP with Morgan Stanley. He was predeceased by his parents John and Helen Hancock and his sister Patricia Russo ’57. Terry is survived by his wife Diana Hancock; 3 children, Jeff Evans, Melissa Chambers, and Tim Hancock, Jr.; 6 grandchildren, Brooke Kosiorowski, Jessica and Abbie Evans, Riley and Teddy Chambers, and Audrey Hancock; and one great grandson, Emmitt Kosiorowski. He is also survived by his sister, Deborah (Hancock) Breck ’62, and mother-inWinter 2020 • QuakerMatters

law, Louise Colatriano. J. Thomas Nash ’59 died Tuesday, July 30, 2019 from complications following open heart surgery. He is survived by his wife, Marti, daughters Katharine and Laura, their husbands Paul Suding and Erik Edborg, grandchildren Madeline and Thomas Suding, cousin Susan Nash Rice, niece Susan Johnson Preston, nephews Douglas and Kenneth Johnson and brother-in-law H. Keith Johnson. He was predeceased by his parents (Barbara and Duane Nash III, former WFS Teacher) and by his older sister, Nancy Nash Johnson ’56. He lived in Louisville, CO. Tom was born 78 yrs ago on July 30, 1941, in Glen Cove, L.I.,NY. He spent his childhood in Wilmington, DE, attending Wilmington Friends School, and on Lake Champlain near Keesville, NY. He graduated from Amherst College in 1963, then Columbia U. with a Ph.D. in Geology, 1966. His entire working career was with the U.S.Geological Survey, retiring in 2002. This work carried him happily throughout the West on summer field trips and down into working gold and uranium mines. Many younger colleagues will be forever grateful for his mentorship. He loved being a geologist. It allowed him to combine a strong work ethic and independent spirit with his lifelong love of open spaces. Natalie Hooker “O.B.” Smith ’59, age 76, of Newark, DE, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s residence on Friday, February 23, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Wilmington, DE on May 23, 1941, she was a daughter of the late Paul Edgar and Eve Manning (Reid) Smith. Raised in Arden, Natalie resided in Newark for most of her adult life. She graduated from the University of Delaware, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. A long career in food service, Natalie was a manager at Deer Park Tavern and was Director of Food Services at the Newark Senior Center where she retired after many years of service. She had a passion for Jazzercise, which she taught at the Newark Senior Center for the past 16 years. Natalie was a grateful and active member of AA for the past 38 years. In addition to her parents, Natalie was preceded in death by her son, Major Kenneth Charles 40

Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

“KC” Simpkiss III; sister, Priscilla Bill Witke ’57; and son-in-law, Edward Francis Crowe. She is survived by her daughters, Natalie Royer Fischer, and her husband, Rob, and Rebecca Parker Crowe; sisters, Reid Smith Suchanec, and her husband, John, and Krista Manning Meinersmann; brother-in-law, David Witke; 9 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. 1960 Nancy Moore Goll ’60, age 76, of Fenwick Island died Monday, May 27, 2019 at Coastal Hospice At The Lake in Salisbury. She was born in Wilmington and was the daughter of the late David C. and Helen (Blackard) Moore. She was a graduate of the University of Delaware and a former member of the Wilmington Junior League. She is survived by a daughter, Cynthia G. Smith of Severna Park, MD; a son, Richard K. Goll Jr. and wife Jennifer of Selbyville; a sister, Elizabeth “Betsy” Moore Johnston ’58 of Sarasota, FL; two grandchildren; Carson Smith and Parker Smith. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Kurt Goll and a sister, Sarah Moore Finger ’46. 1961 Hugh Buchanan “Bucky” Gage ’61 of Atlanta passed away on Thursday July 4th. Bucky was born on March 22, 1943 in St. Paul, MN. He was the only child of Jean Wherry and Hugh Buchanan Gage. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to Wilmington, DE. After graduating from Wilmington Friends School, Bucky went on to the University of Virginia where he was a member of St. Anthony Hall and was an honored resident of the Lawn. Bucky completed his degree in English Literature in 1965 and moved to Atlanta to pursue an MBA from Emory University, graduating in 1967. His early career was in banking and securities. He later transitioned into commercial real estate, where he remained until his retirement in 2003. He was a member of The Piedmont Driving Club, as well as 9 O’Clocks. Bucky is survived by his wife of 37 years, Alice Monroe Gage, daughters Haley Champion of Savannah (Forrest IV), Maggie Gage and Cooper Gage of Atlanta,

grandson Forrest V, and sister-in-law Isabelle Monroe. 1962 Philip J. Hessler ’62, age 76, of Newark, DE and Elkton, MD passed away surrounded by his loving family on May 10, 2019. Born in Wilmington, DE, Philip was the son of the late Dorothy (Carpenter) and Paul C. Hessler, Jr. He graduated with his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Delaware. Phil was a teacher at William Penn High School, North East High School, and Padua Academy. Aside from teaching, he was a talented woodworker, chef, and brass musician, performing with the Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band, Johannes Brass Band, Navy Alumni Band, Newark Symphony, and the Swing City Band, among others. Phil was a veteran of the United States Navy serving during the Vietnam Era. Phil is survived by his wife of 42 years, Lynn N. Hessler; his daughters and their spouses, Jennifer H. Dillard and Michael J. Dillard of Phoenix, MD and Dr. Jessica L. Hessler and Kenneth J. Sturniolo of Clinton, NJ; his siblings, Dr. Paul C. Hessler III ’58, Dr. Stephen Hessler (Susan Gramling), Ann Winston (Robert) and Robert Hessler (Melinda). 1963 Karen Alexandra Murphy ’63 was born on June 21, 1945 to Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Murphy. She passed away on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. 1979 Warren Harvey Minix ’79, 58, a longtime resident of Wilmington died on Friday, September 27, 2019. Born in Wilmington to the late Ray and Marjorie Minix, Warren was a graduate of Wilmington Friends School and the University of Delaware. He made his career as a chemical engineer. In his younger years, Warren enjoyed cycling. He was an astronomy enthusiast, photographing eclipses, one of which was published in the News Journal. He is survived by his sisters - Evelyn Rowe (Don) and Amanda Lawrence; nephew, William Rowe; nieces, Sara Mount (Tom), Kari Rowe (Geoff Brower), and Kat Lawrence (CJ Box); great-nieces, Charissa and Aerith; aunt and uncle, Elsie and Dave Russ; and cousins.

IN CLOSING

Scenes from the Upper School Musical

The Addams Family

Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage

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

PAID Permit No. 1249 Wilmington, DE

Eighth graders on the annual Cape Henlopen trip as part of their study of ecosystems.

Upcoming Events 2/21 & 22 H&S Used Book Sale

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Winter 2020 • QuakerMatters

2/28

8th Grade Musical

3/3

H&S Three-School Speaker

3/7

Quaker Quiz Night

3/10

5th Grade Musical

4/18 & 19 US Play

Join us online at wilmingtonfriends. alumnifire.com

4/21

IB & Visual Arts Major Exhibition Reception, MS/US Choral Concert

4/29

NYC Regional Reunion

4/30

US Band Concert

5/7

MS Band Concert

5/14

PS/PK & K/1/2 Concerts

5/21

3,4,5 Concert

5/8

LS Grandparents & Special Friends Day

5/16

Spring Fling

5/30

Commencement

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Articles inside

In Memory

20min
pages 39-42

Class Notes

11min
pages 35-38

Emerging Careers in Public Service

5min
page 34

Lower School Project Update

7min
pages 27-31

John McClelland ’87: Advisor to

3min
pages 32-33

From the Archives

6min
pages 16-17

Faculty Around the World

7min
pages 18-19

Trying New Things in Tasmania

15min
pages 20-26

Reunion Photos

4min
pages 12-15

From the Alumni Board Clerk

1min
page 4

Homecoming 2019

12min
pages 6-11

Planned Giving Spotlight

2min
page 5

From the Head of School

3min
page 3
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