Whittier Welcome 2017

The

Whittier Miscellany WELCOME ISSUE 2017 • WILMINGTON FRIENDS SCHOOL’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER • WILMINGTON, DELAWARE

Kilama returns from china “there was a lot [of culture shock],” and provided some examples. “First one is, Chinese people don’t think it’s rude to stare, like it is here, so in China there aren’t that Traveling the world tops may Americans’ bucket many black people to begin with, so for them it was list. The opportunity to explore foreign lands, get to very culture-shocking, so they would just stare at me know people, and learn about foreign cultures is one all the time and they would just take pictures without that many would capitalize on. One such individual is my permission. [They would] talk about me in front of Atim Kilama ’18, who, taking advantage of the WFS my face, and they would touch me, like they really liked study abroad program, spent the entirety of her junior to touch my hair without asking. So, that was a culture year overseas in Asia, where she encountered numer- shock, because, here, staring is rude, but if you stare at ous new people and the unique cultural features of [Chinese people] they think it’s normal.” Aside from the China. aforementioned mutual culture shock, she gave a secAfter sitting down and speaking with Kilama, she ond example of a key difference between Chinese and detailed the process and results of her experience. Al- American culture with which Kilama had some trouble ready knowing that she wanted to explore new plac- adjusting. “Another one was that they don’t eat breakes, she f a s t decided to they travel to just eat China bed i n n e r. cause she So, you “t h o u g h t have like it was difshrimp ferent, beand egg cause peorolls for ple usually breakgo to Euf a s t , rope and which I stuff, and thought [she likes] w a s to think kind of outside w e i r d ,” the box, so she re[she] tried called, a count h e n try where went on most stuto ded e n t s scribe w o u l d n’ t a third t r a v e l .” jarring Something element Kilama stands at the Great Wall of China during her Student Year Abroad else that of her motivated expeher decirience, sion was the desire to learn Chinese, which she accom- “I also had a little bit of trouble with the population. plished: “I learned [Chinese], and now I’m in Chinese [There are] so many people there. It’s insane. So, when 5, which I find to be a pretty easy class. When I first got you get on the subway, you’re squished. Bus? Squished. [to China], I didn’t speak any Chinese, but they have a Everywhere you go they’re pushing and shoving, bereally intense program. There were like six [students] cause there are just so many people that live in the city in Chinese 1, and we had two Chinese classes a day.” and China in general, so I had trouble with that.” AlIn addition, she listed a third element that influenced though intimidating at first, she overcame these chalher decision: “I really like learning about other people’s lenges and ended up taking much away from the exculture, so I thought that the best way to do that was to perience. actually go there and be immersed in the culture and Kilama also formed many relationships during her actually see for myself what it’s like. A lot of the time, in trip: “I made really good friends within the program the media, they portray the wrong things about differ- and outside the program,” she said. “Besides learning ent cultures, so when this opportunity came, I thought: the Chinese culture, I also made friends with foreign‘why not?’ Because the best way to [learn] was to go ers from different countries, mostly from Africa and there.” With a sense of what she wanted out of the pro- the Middle East and Europe. So, that’s something I gram, she journeyed to China and got more out of the took away from it, not only having Chinese friends, experience than she expected. but I [met] people from different backgrounds.” From Kilama stated that she had a good time in China, as her description, it would appear that Kilama had an she had the opportunity to live with a Chinese family. amazing experience in China, as future students who “I got to see their daily routine. I got to go to a Chi- study abroad also will. Now that she has returned, the nese school and see how the Chinese students were, WFS community welcomes her back with open arms! and I got to engage in Chinese activities like: painting, Before Atim Kilama, other students have participatcalligraphy, and stuff like that,” she said, “I also got to ed in the Student Year Abroad program, such as Jack be on sports teams with other Chinese students. I was Bulk ’16. Olivia Garber ’16, and Piarra Biggs ’17. fully immersed in that country and that different culThis year, Allie Miller ’19 is taking advantage of the ture.” However, Kilama encountered some obstacles. Student Year Abroad experience as she will continue When asked about difficulty adjusting, she noted that her studies in Spain for the next year. Good luck, Allie! http://www.k12academics.com

Matt Byer ’18 sports editor

from saudi arabia to delaware connor miller ’19 FEATURES EDITOR As summer ends and the leaves start to fall, a new school year at WFS is under way. New students are getting adjusted to a new school and becoming acquainted with students and faculty alike. While there are many new freshmen to the upper school, there are also a handful of new upperclassmen. One student in particular, Abd-Elrahman “Man” Hefnawi ’17, has made a long journey in order to attend Wilmington Friends School.

While Hefnawi was born in the U.S., his parents are originally from Egypt. His family moved to Saudi Arabia when he was very young because of his father’s job. He went to school in Saudi Arabia from kindergarten through 10th grade, and is now a junior. Hefnawi has clearly experienced a rainbow of interesting cultures throughout the world, as he stated, “I went to Qatar for an International Model United Nations Conference along with my school committee.”

One of the main reasons why Hefnawi transferred to Wilmington Friends School was to become enrolled in the International Baccalaureate program, an international educational program which focuses on distinguished learning and leadership. Besides English, Hefnawi also speaks Arabic and is currently enrolled in French class at WFS. With this global experience, Hefnawi could consider joining M.O.A.S. as he would offer a diverse perspective to the D.C. conference where WFS students will represent Mexico as well as Trinidad and Tobago. Wilmington Friends offers various diversity clubs and diversity workshops with which Hefnawi could also become involved.

Hefnawi is a swimmer and plans on joining the WFS swim team this upcoming winter season.

He additionally plans on joining the school robotics team, the “Bad News Bots.”

Several of the main differences between Saudi Arabia and the U.S. include climate and entertainment options. Hefnawi expressed, “Saudi Arabia is typically a dry desert region. There is very little to do in Saudi Arabia. There are no theaters, no concerts, and no sport clubs.” Hopefully, he will be entertained by the abundance of activities available at WFS and beyond. Hefnawi identified two other major main differences between his home country and the United States: “Saudi Arabia is very rich because of the oil business.

Another big difference is that Saudi Arabia is a Muslim nation, as you would probably know!”

Along with the incoming freshman students, as well as new sophomores and juniors, Hefnawi participated in Freshman Orientation. Students from Link Crew worked with all new upper school students to make them feel welcome in the WFS Community. As Hefnawi has been on a journey across the world, he will hopefully embark on a new journey of learning at WFS. The school welcomes Man Hefnawi and other new students to the community!

John blackwell ’18 Web editor At Wilmington Friends School, community is one of the Quaker SPICES that is central to the curriculum and atmosphere of the school. This year, five new upper school faculty members join the Wilmington Friends community! Xuedan Yang is the new upper school Chinese Teacher, Rose Gnade is the new Biology and Environmental Science teacher while Caitlin Norton is on maternity leave, Sue Kampert is the new Human Dynamics and Health teacher, Stella Mask is the new MS/US Learning Resources Coordinator, and Meredith Joppa ’00 is the new MS/US Consulting Psychologist. In order to welcome the new upper school faculty and staff to WFS, The Whittier Miscellany conducted short Q&A Sessions with each of them.

As these are only a few excerpts from the interviews, please visit www.wfswhittier.com to read the full versions.

Q&A with Xuedan Yang, upper school Chinese Teacher: Q: Why did you want to come to Friends?

A: I have worked in two Friends schools over the past two years. I have enjoyed working at Friends because Quaker values inspired me a lot.

Q: What have you enjoyed about your experience so far?

A: I feel like students at WFS are respectful and kind to others. They are responsible, thoughtful, and curious. They are excited about learning and always eager to learn more. In addition, my colleagues are supportive and friendly; they’ve always made me feel welcome.

Q: What are you looking forward to?

A: I desire to help my students have a better understanding of Chinese language, lifestyle, society, and literature. As a Mandarin Chinese teacher, my goal is to foster students’ ability to understand and appreciate the complex literature and cultural traditions of China, both ancient and modern.

Moreover, I also look forward to have more opportunities to interact with my students. I feel like interacting with students is such an important thing.

Having the opportunity to interact with them every day and get the chance to be a part of their lives will be such a rewarding experience.

Q&A with Rose Gnade, Long-Term Biology and Environmental Science Substitute: Q: Why did you want to come to Friends?

A: I wanted to come to Friends because I was familiar with the school culture and had worked with a handful of WFS students in the past. I can honestly say those students were some of my favorite and I was happy to have the opportunity to teach more intelligent, caring and hardworking students.

Q&A with Sue Kampert, Human Dynamics and Health Teacher: Q: What are you looking forward to?

A: I am looking to forward to helping the students in any way I can and assisting them in fulfilling their dreams. I love young people and the hope they have to make this world a better place for all of us.

Welcome to the Wilmington Friends community, Xuedan Yang, Rose Gnade, Sue Kampert, Stella Mask, and Meredith Joppa! In addition to these three new upper school faculty members, WFS welcomes all other new staff throughout the school. WFS would also like to thank Tom Jenik for being Javier Ergueta’s substitute after he was injured. WFS is happy that Ergueta has returned in good health, as he constantly displays his passion for history in and out of the classroom!

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Fall sports overview ley ’18, and Max Pickles ’18 have noticed a transformation in the WFS soccer team which has been fueled by the underclassmen athletes. “I think that this may be the best soccer team that WFS has had It is the beginning of a new school year, and, in turn, in my four years of playing. The underclassmen have the beginning of a new year of athletics at Wilming- brought a new level of intensity that has raised the ton Friends School. The year opens with the fall sports bar, igniting our drive to win. We are off to a great season, consisting of six teams: football, field hockey, start and look forward to what lies ahead,” commentsoccer, volleyball, and boys’ and girls’ cross country. ed Pickles. WFS soccer returns from a solid 8-7 and Led by captains Dalton Ramsey ’18, Jason Saville surely have a promising future. ’18, and Jeffrey McAbee ’18, the WFS football team has In the same way, captains Delaney Martin ’18 and high expectations for this season. “It’s always difficult Dani Nathan ’19 appreciate this new generation of coming off of a great season because everyone expects athletes on the WFS volleyball team. “Even though so much out of us this year. We this year we have a really just focus on taking it one week young team, it also means at a time, and try to get better that we have a lot of new taleveryday. If we continue to do ented players,” Martin stated. that, we could be as successful WFS volleyball is coming off as last season, or potentially of a 10-4 season, ending with even more so,” explained Raman appearance in the quartersey. After two consecutive years final round of the state tourof reaching the semifinals, the nament, and have high exQuakers now come off of a pectations again for this year.

11-2 season, which concluded The boys’ and girls’ cross with a valiant effort at the Dicountry teams are guided by vision II State Championship captains Fiona Saunders ’18, - this was the first appearance Mary Agne ’18, Donovan AlEmma Davis ’18 has been the Wilmington Friends School of Quaker football at the state dridge ’18, and Ryan Fischer Varsity Field Hockey Goalie for 4 years. championship since 1984. This ’18, respectively. Both the year’s football team is excited to girls’ and boys’ teams have see what is in store for this team’s season. also been positively influenced by a new team dyThe WFS field hockey team is equally as enthusias- namic. “With the loss of several seniors last year, the tic to follow up after last year’s accomplishments, and team is much smaller, but more cohesive than ever. captains Alice Irwin ’18, Anna Erskine ’18, and Emma I think often times people underestimate the ‘team’ Davis ’18 anticipate another strong season this year. aspect of cross country, but any of our runners could “We graduated several valuable players, but the under- tell you the key to our success comes from the bond classmen are stepping up and excelling. I cannot wait that forms between all of us,” Saunders reflected. to see how our season will progress because I have a WFS cross country is determined to utilize this cafeeling we can go far,” Davis observed. Returning from maraderie to push the team to the next level. an 11-2-2 season, which was drawn to a close in the As the new year of Wilmington Friends athletics quarterfinal round of the state tournament, WFS field begins, the entire school community wishes each of hockey expects comparable efforts in this year’s season. the six fall teams the best of luck in their seasons. Go Similarly, captains Chad Connors ’18, Danny Man- Quakers! alice irwin ’18 sports editor

Larry Kuhn Photography

Welcoming New wfs Teachers

Staying active this summer Leah johnson ’18 News editor There are countless activities that one can do during the three months of summer break. Wilmington Friends School students, faculty, and staff were all over the country this summer. From down south, local, or off the U.S. mainland, their exciting experiences defined an eventful summer.

In elementary and middle school, many WFS students attended Sandy Hill summer camp. Mary Agne ’18 returned this year as a camp counselor, which she described as “being paid to have fun.” Her responsibilities included an 8 hour kitchen shift, which she admitted was not as fun, working on the waterfront staff as a canoe instructor and boat spotter, teaching dance lessons, and instructing cooking classes. She loved working with the children and getting to hang out with them; some of her favorite times of the day were the evening activities where she got to be a “hype-woman” for the campers. Agne remarked that her favorite memory was being a banana boat spotter because she got to be on the water and watch kids fall off banana boats. She loved being able to do something different with her summer and meet all sorts of interesting people - staff and campers alike.

Working with kids seemed to be a trend amongst the senior class, as Serena Gutsche ’18 worked at a preschool in her neighborhood. The age range of her students was three to five years old. She remarked that she had a very fun time and became known amongst the preschoolers as “Serena Swing Pusher.” Her favorite moment was when staff spread shaving cream all over the desks and she got to watch the kids play with it. Another of her favorite activities this summer was swimming in the senior relay race on her summer swim team. She said her whole team dressed up in old ball gowns and stilettos to swim the race.

Unlike Gutsche, who stayed local, Norville Brown, Maintenance Staff, traveled to Virginia. He took his mom, who did not want to travel by train, to see her sister who moved down there just a just under a year ago. He enjoyed seeing family again and remarked that

he was able to see some of the local landmarks of the area. One of his favorite landmarks was the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, which is a 17.5 mile bridge.

This summer, Toby Bulk ’19 was offered an internship at the University of Delaware. He worked with material science, and when asked for details he commented, “We controlled the magnetic orientation of a layer of ferromagnetic material and a layer of heavy metal.” The purpose of this project was to explore more compact ways of storing computer data. His favorite part of this internship was getting to work in a college lab full of lasers. He did not get to work with them, but they were still incredibly interesting to see.

Bulk has worked with The University of Delaware during the summer before and has also participated in STEM Camps. He wants to be a scientist some day, so this experience was particularly interesting to him.

Finally, Chamby Zepeda, upper school Spanish teacher, went to Costa Rica this summer on a service trip which involved building and tiling a bathroom for a community center. He traveled with students from all over the country and for that week they stayed with host families near Zarcero, the farming community they helped. He commented that they assembled everyday at 7am and worked until 4pm. When asked about his motivations, Zepeda responded, “I felt like I was called to serve because I have a passion to lead groups and have them experience what it’s like to stay in host families, speak the language, and help out communities that may need help. This community was very grateful to have us there to help out and the students also were thankful for their experience.”

His favorite memory from the trip was the “cena de despedida” or goodbye dinner, which he described as particularly poignant. Zepeda has already begun incorporating his experiences into his classroom.

The Wilmington Friends community was clearly very active this summer; this article barely covers all of the amazing experiences people had during their time off school! Although many people had enjoyable summers, it is now time to hit the books as faculty and students enter a new year filled with learning and activities!

WELCOME ISSUE 2017 THE WHITTIER MISCELLANY