Friends Wilmington Friends School Fall 2009
Commencement 2009 Summer Renovations & The New QUEST Center India, Spring Break 2009 And inside, The 2008-2009 Annual Fund Report
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
Friends
Wilmington Friends School Fall 2009
From the Head of School
1
Alumni & Board News
2
Auction for Friends
3
QUEST & Summer Renovations
4
Homecoming & Events
6
Commencement & The Class of 2009
7
India 2009, The Journey
12
Class Notes
17
In Memory
24
In Closing: State Champs
inside back cover
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary
David W. Singleton Susan Kelley Daniel Klein Russ Endo
Andrew Aerenson ’81 Christopher F. Buccini ’90 Thomas M. Connelly Bonnie Wilson Crosby ’79 Curtis Clapham Doneene Damon Meg Gehret Erskine ’83 Brett D. Fallon Reginald D. Flowers ’90
Ellen L. Gay Scott W. Gates ’80 J. Harry Hammond Saundra R. Johnson Freeman Miller Deborah Murray-Sheppard Laura K. Reilly Annette Woolard-Provine
Alumni Association Board Liaison
Christopher W. Lee ’82
Home & School Association Board Liaison
Paula Swain
ADMINISTRATION Head of School
Bryan Garman
Associate Head of School, Head of Middle School
William Neff
Assistant to the Head of School
Marilyn Maguire
Assistant Head for Academics
Peter Wenigmann
Assistant Head for Finance & Operations
William Baczkowski
Head of Lower School
Julie Gill
Head of Upper School
Robert Lake
Director of Admissions And Financial Aid
Kathleen Hopkins
Director of Communications
Tracey Quillen Carney ’80
Director of Development
Judy Aliquo
ALUMNI BOARD
Mission Statement 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. Our Magazine Friends is published twice each year by Wilmington Friends School. Fall 2009; vol. XV, issue 1. Members of the Class of 2009, on the cover, Julia Roberts and Christina Chapman, and this page, Grant Walczak
Kim Massih Dolan ’89, President Andy Atkins ’76 Thomas Baker ’57 Carolyn Gates Connors ’81 Kristin Dugan ’03 Meg Gehret Erskine ’83
Tim Gibbs ’76 Josh Klein ’98 Chris Lee ’82 Carol Bancroft Morley ’68 Donnie Morton ’94 Beth Lubaroff Pfeifer ’88 Martha Budd Shelnutt ’43
Class of 2009 photo by Bill Lindsey; additional professional photography by Billy Michels ’89, Elisa Komins Morris, Terence Roberts, Fred Comegys, and Bud Keegan Design/layout by Jacquelyn Quinn Dickey With thanks to the alumni, students, faculty, families, trustees and staff of Wilmington Friends School for their contributions to the community effort of Friends magazine.
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Friends, On the first day of school in 2008, then-senior Ryan Day walked up to me, shook my hand, and said he thought we should try to shake hands every day of the year. In many ways, that gesture—the openness, kindness, and active and good-humored spirit it represented—was a reflection of the Friends School Class of 2009. Our newest alumni are an accomplished group; their tangible successes, especially as seniors, were staggering. And yet it may be their collective spirit that leaves the most enduring impression on Friends School and that inspires our graduates themselves most meaningfully in the years to come. It was a class spirit shaped in part and inevitably by the historic events that took place during the past year, including the candidacy and election of Barack Obama. Amid troubled times, we saw the deep-seated social and spiritual needs pining in the hearts and minds of many young Americans, including the need to revitalize the concept of citizenship, to accept personal responsibility, and to contribute toward the greater good. Regardless of politics—and we had some great political debates—our students were drawn to a message of hope and determination, the idea that, “our destiny will not be written for us, but by us,” the call to recognize America as an ideal toward which we all must labor, sure in our conviction that individuals can make a difference. Dan Pfeiffer, Friends School Class of 1994 and now White House Deputy Communications Director, reiterated that call to serve with great insight in his remarks at Commencement, telling our graduates, “If you make your life mean something to others, it will mean more to you.” That message, which fits so well with the mission and heritage of this great school, is very much with us this fall as we open the Quaker Center for Understanding, Engagement, and Stewardship—QUEST—to deepen the promise of Friends education and of the impact that our students can have as they let their lives speak in the world. Hope is important, but not enough. QUEST will provide a structure to help promote intellectual understanding with engagement of issues and the development of leadership skills—aspects of education that Friends School has always done well, and that we now hope to do even better and with greater reach into our local and global communities. The 2009 spring break trip to India confirmed how powerful it is to bring learning and values together through engagement, in the Quaker tradition.
With Ryan Day ’09
As we move forward in that tradition, we are grateful for the inspiration of our alumni. We thank the Class of 2009 for embodying a spirit of hope and determination during hard times when we needed it most. We thank the members of the class for reaching out to shake our hands each day, most recently, but we trust not for the last time, at Commencement. Like the handshake at the close of Meeting for Worship, it has been an act of friendship and community, of appreciation for shared experiences and encouragement to meet the challenges ahead. Best wishes,
Bryan Garman
With Emily David ’09
Fall2009 2009••Friends Friendsmagazine magazine Fall
1
From the Alumni Association President
Alumni Families Kim Massih Dolan ’89 with husband Patrick and children Kevin and Molly, spring 2008
The Class of 2009 included eight children of alumni: Whitney Aerenson— Bob Aerenson ’79 Austin Carr— Nancy Magness Carr ’79 Haley Cashman— Chris Cashman ’78 Elizabeth Connolly— Chip Connolly ’79
Anna Crosby— Bonnie Wilson Crosby ’79 Marlee Raber— Lisa Townsend Raber ’77 Caroline Reese— Scott Reese ’74 Corey Ufberg— Carol Braunstein Ufberg ’79
Dear Friends, It’s hard to believe, but this year, I celebrate my 20th reunion along with the rest of the fabulous class of 1989 (subtle plug for the class of ’89—hoping to see ALL of you in October). As I’m sure many of you will agree, the years seem to go by faster with age, so whether you are celebrating your reunion or not, I hope you will come back for Homecoming, October 17. If you have not been back to Friends for Homecoming recently, I encourage you to make this the year! As always, there will be a wide variety of activities for all ages, and the alumni board is excited to announce a new event on Homecoming Friday, October 16, to honor our award recipients and to celebrate this year’s reunion classes (graduation years ending in 4 or 9). We hope that “reunioning” alumni will join us before venturing out for individual gatherings through the weekend. We are also delighted to recognize three remarkable alumni for their service, leadership, and career achievements: Pamela Perkins Young ’64, John Urice ’64, and Brian Mand ’90. You’ll read more about them in the next issue of Friends magazine. Another new initiative of the alumni board this year will be to create and connect alumni with service opportunities. As a kick-off, we are coordinating a Homecoming drive for the Ministry of Caring (see page 5). We’ll let you know of other activities throughout the year. In addition, we are working with the school to plan a career and service fair for juniors and seniors this winter and would love—and will need—help from alumni. Watch your email for more information (and please, send your email if the school doesn’t have it!). We hope that these efforts will provide meaningful ways for you to stay involved, and carry on a proud Friends tradition of service to the community. As you can see, there are many things happening— and on the horizon—for alumni, and we need your participation to make them a success. We welcome your thoughts, ideas, and involvement, and appreciate your continuing care for Friends School. Best wishes for a great year, and I hope to see you at Homecoming. Fondly,
Kim Massih Dolan ’89 2
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
Alumni with children newly enrolled for 2009-10: Alison Zinman Kortanek ’83 Stephen Malone ’84 Mark Pearce ’84 Peter Veith ’85 Beau Biden ’87 Susan Morovati Finizio ’87 William Medford ’87 Victoria Storm ’88 Christopher Buccini ’90 Reid Rademaker ’90 Melissa Chambers Riggs ’91 Sarah Schenck ’91 Shana Burns Pinter (Lower School alumna)
Wilmington Friends School Board of Trustees Newly appointed members of the Board are Christopher F. Buccini ’90 and Scott W. Gates ’80, both Friends School parents. Scott is a member of Kennett Monthly Meeting. Assuming new leadership positions on the Board are returning trustees Susan Kelley, Vice Chair, and Russ Endo, Secretary. Susan and Russ are both Friends parents, and Russ is a member of Green Street Monthly Meeting in Philadelphia. Retiring from the Board are Richard Srednicki and Clinton Pettus. The Friends School community extends sincere thanks for their service.
Showing off their Class of ‘09 symbol (the “0” in the middle, with one finger down for “9”) are Caroline Reese, Whitney Aerenson, and Marlee Raber.
Alumni Awards Event Friday, October 16, 2009 The Alumni Board is proud to announce the winners of the 2009 alumni awards: Young Alumnus of the Year – Brian Curtis Mand ’90 Outstanding Service Award – Pamela Perkins Young ’64 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year – John K. Urice ’64 The awards will be presented at a new Homecoming event, the Class Reunion and Alumni Awards Reception, on Friday, October 16, 6:00-8:00 p.m. in the Homecoming Tent, near the Jones House. Families, friends, and classmates of our award recipients, and members of all reunion classes (graduation years ending in 4 or 9), are invited to attend to help kick off our weekend of celebrations. Light hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine, and soft drinks. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Chris Motoyoshi in the Alumni Office, 302-576-2981 or alumni@wilmingtonfriends.org.
Auction for Friends, April 2009 Thank You! The Auction for Friends “World Party” on April 18, 2009, raised more than $109,000 to support financial aid at Friends. As of the close of the 2008-09 school year, thanks to the Auction funds, 10 students who otherwise would have left the school for financial reasons were able to reenroll for 2009-10.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make the event such a success. In addition to those listed below: • 23 members of the faculty and staff volunteered at the event; • 40 advertisers supported our auction program; • 350 people attended, including 89 who made an extra contribution by purchasing “Explorer” tickets; • and more than 300 items were donated to our live and silent auctions. Event Co-Chairs Katy Connolly Tara Quinn Committee Clerks: Advertising Jodie Morgan Andrea Rodi Kathryn Walker Auction Heyward Damon Lisa Davis Susan Tattersall Davis ’84 Lois Galinat Brian Curtis Mand ’90 Jacqueline Nix Joan Pearce Snyder ’78 Decorations Carole Bakst Stacy Gatti Entertainment GianClaudio Finizio Anne Martelli Finance Barbara Butterworth Food & Wine Karen Burns-Mannke Debbie Mellor Grace Nwabara LeeAnn Trudel Hospitality Kate Cowperthwait Beth Hopkins ’02 Susie Williams PR/Signage Peter Hollingsworth ’77
Special Thanks to Alumni Jocelyn Sutton Stewart ’82 and Barclays for the beautiful space, for providing parking for our guests, and for being so gracious Brian Curtis Mand ’90, Master of Ceremonies (and more) Peter Hollingsworth ’77 for the hand-painted signs Entertainment Reggae band Spokey Speaky with alums Danny Bloom ’04, Jeff Ferrara ’01, Jason Keenan ’01, and Aaron Poole ’00 Hannah Brilliant ’09, Harpist Friends instrumental music teacher/director Chris Verry and members of the WFS Jazz Band: Nathaniel Culver ’09, Austin Kirk ’09, Patrick Monari ’09, Kenny Rosenberg ’09, Ben Blumberg ’10, Samuel Finkelman ’10, and Luke Raber ’11 Food & Drink Toscana Catering, owned by Friends parent and chef Dan Butler Fairfax Liquors, owned by Friends parents (and now parents of an alumna, Whitney Aerenson ’09) Annette and Bob Aerenson ’79 United Distributors of Delaware Huang Dolan - Fine Cakes And More Thanks Staples at Concord Gallery Chris Maney, The European Gallery Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
3
Summer Work Continuing progress on our Strategic Plan—and thanks to the donors who generously supported the projects—there were major renovations over the summer to the middle/upper school building.
Visual and Performing Arts At a time when many schools are debating and implementing cutbacks to arts programs, we are especially pleased to open this September with enhanced facilities for our visual arts and music programs. We value arts education at Friends School as integral to intellectual engagement and to preparing students to work and lead in the 21st century. That commitment to the arts continues to be supported, with an ever-increasing sense of confidence and consequence, by research about the brain and learning. Study in the visual and performing arts helps to develop essential interdisciplinary skills in self-expression and communication, critical analysis and awareness of the world, synthesizing conscious and intuitive senses in making decisions and creative problem-solving, and the capacity for and confident engagement in original thought. Such “right brain” skills, as the author Daniel Pink and others have observed, are increasingly important as complements to technological skills, as we move from an
Arts Renovations and the New QUEST
age focused on information acquisition to a new focus on effective conceptualization and creative application. Through our summer construction, enhanced facilities now serve our choral music program (in the former upper school art room), our instrumental music program (in the old choir room), and our upper school visual arts program, which has been relocated to the old Meeting Room in an exciting architectural renovation, making good use of the unique light and space in that area of the building. The meeting benches have been relocated to the North Gym, the eventual site of a refurbished Meeting Room.
QUEST Adjacent to what will become our new Meeting Room (the old North Gym) is the Quaker Center for Understanding, Engagement, and Stewardship (QUEST). QUEST, a potentially transformative program focusing and expressing the mission of Friends School, is located on the old gym “stage,” and also provides an additional classroom for upper school.
cultural and international understanding, and environmental sustainability. Through QUEST, learning, values, and action are interwoven and mutually reinforcing, in the Quaker tradition. • The Center provides administrative leadership in the school’s efforts to: • Implement and maintain a curricular scope and sequence linking service directly to the academic program. This approach to service learning goes beyond the traditional view of service hours, to a deeper level of engaging issues intellectually and socially, including partnerships with other people who are concerned and working with a sense of shared responsibility and purpose. • As part of the service learning curriculum, formalize and maintain a curricular sequence for the development of skills necessary for effective civic engagement and leadership.
The QUEST Mission Statement • QUEST provides leadership and structure for programs that express and build upon distinctive strengths of Quaker education: teaching students to develop a global understanding of problems and questions they encounter; giving them the skills, motivation, and sense of responsibility to engage those questions in thought and in action; and helping them to grow as stewards and leaders, capable and willing to work toward positive change. • With service learning as an organizing structure, the QUEST curriculum focuses on issues of social justice, cross-
Left: The former Middle/ Upper School Meeting Room has been renovated into a new upper school visual arts center; pictured are the renovation in progress as of mid-July, and an architectural schematic showing the room’s final layout, with 2-D and 3-D studios, kiln room, and technology/computer design station.
4
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
• Support and initiate programs—through the curriculum, extra-curricular activities and public events—to engage students, parents, faculty, staff, and the broader community on issues of diversity, cross-cultural and international understanding. • Initiate and sustain partnerships with civic organizations that seek to address issues of social justice, international and cross-cultural understanding, and environmental stewardship. • Build upon programs like the International Baccalaureate, School Year Abroad, and AFS to expand international learning and service opportunities for students and faculty.
Architectural schematic showing the old North Gym refurbished as a Meeting Room (an ongoing project), with the new QUEST Center at right on the old gym “stage.” Below is the renovation in progress, with the meeting benches stored but not arranged, as of mid-July.
Pioneers in the QUEST curriculum: Talia Tiffany ‘09, who studied at an international boarding school in India for her junior year, 2007-08; and the three students who studied abroad in 2008-09: Mia Reynolds ‘10, daughter of Linda Harris Reynolds ‘75 and Jim Reynolds ‘75, pictured in Italy, where she participated in the School Year Abroad (SYA) program; Darrell Seeney ‘10, shown with his SYA host “parents” in France; and Becky Hodge ‘11, who also studied in France through the Youth for Understanding program. In 2009-10, Blaine Kebede ‘11 will spend the year in China through SYA. (More to come in the Spring 2010 Friends magazine.)
QUEST in Action A Truckload of Service Homecoming 2009 Under the auspices of QUEST, we will have an all-community Homecoming service project this year on Saturday, October 17—collecting items for The Ministry of Caring, a Wilmington-based, ecumenical non-profit, and a great partner of Friends School in community service. The Ministry of Caring provides our neighbors in need with food, shelter, job training and placement, child care, basic medical and dental care, a residence for people living with AIDS, clothing, and household goods. We are asking each Friends family—alumni and current families, faculty and staff—to bring at least one item to Homecoming, please, to help us fill a truck with donations for The Ministry of Caring. We need: non-perishable food, personal hygiene and baby-care products, winter coats, scarves, gloves, blankets, and towels. Drop off for donations will be in the parking lot; just look for the signs—and the truck!
Alumni & Community Service As the school opens the QUEST Center and we expand the service component of our Homecoming celebration, we would like to ask alumni to share your community service efforts with us. Please send us information about how service continues to be part of your lives; email Chris Motoyoshi in the Alumni Office, alumni@wilmingtonfriends.org, or call (302) 5762981.
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
5
Homecoming 2009 More Alumni Events 2009-10 Thursday, October 15
Saturday, October 17
12:00pm True Blue & 1748 Society Luncheon Homecoming Tent
7:30am-2:00pm Homecoming Service Project Please bring one item for donation to The Ministry of Caring; see page 5 for details, and thanks in advance for your help.
Friday, October 16 11:30am 50th Reunion Luncheon Greenville Country Club Class of ’59 (also includes classes of ’54, ’49, ’44, ’39, ’34) 3:00pm Cross Country, Bellevue Invitational Bellevue State Park 4:00pm JV Soccer vs. St. Mark’s Volleyball vs. Ursuline 5:00pm JV 6:00pm Varsity Snyder Athletic Center Class Reunion & Alumni Awards Reception (See Page 2 for details.) Homecoming Tent, 6:00-8:00pm
8:30am Smith McMillan Memorial 5K Run & Walk In memory of Wendy Smith McMillan ’77 and Jonathan Bacon Smith ’83 10:00-11:00am Meeting for Worship Lower School Meeting Room Honoring current and former faculty/ staff with 15 or more years of service to the school. All are welcome. 11:00am V/JV Field Hockey vs. Wilmington Christian 11:00am School Merchandise Tent Open through football halftime 11:00am-1:00pm Guided Campus Tours Depart from the Homecoming Tent 11:00am-1:00pm Lower School Service Fair Jones House Lawn 11:30am Lunch in the Homecoming Tent All are welcome. Noon V Soccer vs. St. Mark’s Noon Kids’ Corner Jones House Lawn 2:30pm Football vs. A.I. du Pont
Young Alumnus of the Year Brian Curtis Mand ’90 with his grandmother Molly Cohen at the Auction for Friends World Party in April 2009
6
Fall Fall 2009 2009 •• Friends Friends magazine magazine
Evening Class Reunion Celebrations
Alumni Board & Class Agents Luncheon with Bryan Garman Tuesday, November 10 Noon-1:30pm, MS/US Library Young Alumni Party, Classes of 2002-2006 Wednesday, December 23 Kid Shelleen’s, 8:00-10:00pm Regional Reunion, San Francisco Thursday, February 25 Leadership Reception Wednesday, April 29 Regional Reunion, Washington DC Thursday, May 6
For reunion information, contact: Chris Motoyoshi, Alumni Office cmotoyoshi@wilmingtonfriends.org (302) 576-2981 For other Homecoming information, contact: Trish Kocher, Alumni/Development Office tkocher@wilmingtonfriends.org (302) 576-2975
The Class Of 2009
First row: Laura Shand, Kyle Knight, Whitney Aerenson, Marlee Raber, Caroline Reese, Taylor Haly, Haley Cashman, Julia Roberts, Mary Williams, Elizabeth Kelsey, Emily David Second row: Amanda Reeder, Talia Tiffany, Mary Blumenfeld, Kimberly Siegfried, Maya Koretzky, Meera Ponnappa, Chelsea Gunter, Sabrina Coley, Claire Goodill, Cara D’Amico, Lindsay Schmittle, Perrin Downing, Anna Crosby, Samantha Shay Third row: Hannah Brilliant, Christina Chapman, Alexandra Junkin, Diana Patton, Sarah West, Monica Felder, Rebecca Jennings, Mackenzie Snead, Elizabeth Connolly, Corey Ufberg, Lauren Hartnett Fourth/fifth rows: Kieran Reichert, Patrick Quinn, Austin Carr, William Goswell, Ryan Procaccini, Somya Chhajlani, Austin Kirk, Vincent White, Nicholas Rapp, Grant Walczak, Kenneth Rosenberg, Thomas McNeeley, Ryan Day, Nicholas Culver, Andrew Scott, Todd Gerry Sixth/seventh rows: James Baczkowski, Nathan Squire, Geoffrey Butterworth, Andrew Trainor, John Chappell, Robert Lutz, James Skarbek, Patrick Monari, Travis Peck, Patrick Coronel, William Broderick, Bryan Radacosky-Pentoney, James Collier, Nathan West, William Rodowsky, Kyle Schindler, David Leff, Curtis Fincher, Morgan Jackson
Fall 2009 2009 •• Friends Friends magazine magazine Fall
7
The The Class Class Of Of 2009 2009
888
'BMM t Friends Fall 'BMM t Friends 2009 • Friendsmagazine magazine magazine
Dan Dan Pfeiffer Pfeiffer ’94— ’94— “Don’t “Don’t Be Be Most Most People” People”
D
an an anPfeiffer Pfeiffer Pfeifferbegan began beganhis his hisCommencement Commencement Commencement remarks remarks remarksby by bytalking talking talkingabout about abouthis his hisown own owngraduagraduagraduation tion tion15 15 15years years yearsbefore before beforeand and andhis his hisfamily’s family’s family’slong long long relationship relationship relationshipwith with withFriends Friends FriendsSchool. School. School.His His Hismother, mother, mother, Lear, Lear, Lear,was was wasaaalower lower lowerschool school schoolteacher teacher teacherfor for for15 15 15 years, years, years,and and andhad had hadtaught taught taughtseven seven sevenmembers members membersof of ofthe the theClass Class Classof of of 2009, 2009, 2009,equipping equipping equippingthem, them, them,Dan Dan Dansaid, said, said,“with “with “withthe the theability ability abilityto to to read, read, read,write, write, write,do do domath, math, math,and and andsit sit sitstill still stillduring during duringMeeting Meeting Meetingfor for for Worship—a Worship—a Worship—askill skill skillneither neither neitherof of ofher her hersons sons sonsever ever evermastered.” mastered.” mastered.” Dan’s Dan’s Dan’sfather, father, father,Gary, Gary, Gary,had had hadserved served servedon on onthe the theschool’s school’s school’sBoard Board Board of of ofTrustees Trustees Trusteesand and and“spent “spent “spentnearly nearly nearlyaaadecade decade decadegoing going goingto to toevery every every football, football, football,soccer, soccer, soccer,basketball, basketball, basketball,and and andlacrosse lacrosse lacrossegame.” game.” game.”Dan Dan Dan spoke spoke spokeproudly proudly proudlyof of ofhis his hisbrother brother brotherBob Bob Bob’97 ’97 ’97and and andhis his his“posi“posi“positive tive tiveimpact” impact” impact”on on onother other otherpeople. people. people. Dan’s Dan’s Dan’sown own ownimpact impact impacthas has hasincluded included includedwork work workwith with withsome some someof of of “The “Thenext next nextfew few fewyears years yearsof of of the the themost most mostprominent prominent prominentpolitical political politicalleaders leaders leadersin in inthe the thecountry, country, country, “The your your yourlife life lifewill will willbe be beaaagreat great great aaacareer career careerthat that thatstarted started startedright right rightafter after afterhis his hisgraduation graduation graduationfrom from from Georgetown Georgetown GeorgetownUniversity. University. University.He He Heworked worked workedbriefly briefly brieflyin in inthe the the opportunity opportunity opportunityto to toget get getout out out Clinton Clinton ClintonJustice Justice JusticeDepartment Department Departmentand and andon on onaaaballot ballot ballotinitiainitiainitiaof ofyour your yourcomfort comfort comfortzone, zone, zone, tive tive tivein in inCalifornia, California, California,and and andthen then thenin in in2000, 2000, 2000,joined joined joinedAl Al AlGore’s Gore’s Gore’s of presidential presidential presidentialcampaign campaign campaignas as asDirector Director Directorof of ofCommunicaCommunicaCommunicato to toexplore explore explorethe the theworld world world tions tions tionsfor for forthe the theNortheast Northeast Northeastregion region region(a (a (ajob job jobthrough through throughwhich which which and and andyourself.” yourself.” yourself.” he he hemet met methis his hiswife, wife, wife,Sarah Sarah SarahFeinberg, Feinberg, Feinberg,now now nowaaasenior senior senioraide aide aide to to toWhite White WhiteHouse House HouseChief Chief Chiefof of ofStaff Staff StaffRahm Rahm RahmEmanuel). Emanuel). Emanuel).Dan Dan Dan served served servedas as asCommunications Communications CommunicationsDirector Director Directorfor for forthe the theDemocratic Democratic DemocraticGovernors Governors GovernorsAssociation Association Associationand and and for for forTim Tim TimJohnson’s Johnson’s Johnson’scampaign campaign campaignfor for forU.S. U.S. U.S.Senate, Senate, Senate,and and andworked worked workedfor for forformer former formerSenate Senate SenateMajorMajorMajority ity ityLeader Leader LeaderTom Tom TomDaschle Daschle Daschleand and andfor for forSenator Senator SenatorEvan Evan EvanBayh. Bayh. Bayh.He He Hewas was washired hired hiredas as astraveling traveling travelingPress Press Press Secretary Secretary Secretaryfor for forBarack Barack BarackObama’s Obama’s Obama’spresidential presidential presidentialcampaign campaign campaignin in in2007, 2007, 2007,and and andbecame became becamethe the thecamcamcampaign’s paign’s paign’sDeputy Deputy DeputyCommunications Communications CommunicationsDirector Director Directorand and andthen then thenCommunications Communications CommunicationsDirector Director Directorfor for forthe the the presidential presidential presidentialtransition. transition. transition. Dan Dan Dannow now nowhas has haswhat what whathe he hecalled called calledhis his his“dream “dream “dreamjob,” job,” job,”serving serving servingas as asWhite White WhiteHouse House HouseDeputy Deputy DeputyComComCommunications munications municationsDirector. Director. Director.“Each “Each “Eachof of ofyou you youhas has hasan an aninkling inkling inklingof of ofaaadream,” dream,” dream,”he he hesaid said saidto to tothe the thememmemmembers bers bersof of ofthe the theClass Class Classof of of2009, 2009, 2009,“Your “Your “Yourdream dream dreammay may maychange change changeover over overtime time timeas as asyou you youfigure figure figureout out outyour your your role role rolein in inthe the theworld, world, world,but but butthe the theimportant important importantthing thing thingisisisto to tofollow follow followit.” it.” it.”
Dan Dan Danshared shared sharedthree three threepieces pieces piecesof of ofadvice, advice, advice,the the thefirst first firstfrom from fromaaa residential residential residentialassistant assistant assistantat at atGeorgetown Georgetown Georgetownwho who whoencouraged encouraged encouraged freshmen, freshmen, freshmen,“to “to “todo do doaaalittle little littlebit bit bitof of ofeverything.” everything.” everything.”“The “The “The next next nextfew few fewyears years yearsof of ofyour your yourlife life lifewill will willbe be beaaagreat great greatopportuopportuopportunity nity nityto to toget get getout out outof of ofyour your yourcomfort comfort comfortzone, zone, zone,to to toexplore explore explorethe the the world world worldand and andyourself,” yourself,” yourself,”Dan Dan Dansaid. said. said.“Learn “Learn “Learnthings things thingsfor for for the the thesimple simple simplesake sake sakeof of oflearning learning learningthem, them, them,and and anddiscover discover discoverwhat what what you you youlove.” love.” love.”The The Thesecond second secondbit bit bitof of ofadvice advice advicewas was wasnot not notto to tobe be be “boxed “boxed “boxedin” in” in”to to toaaaview view viewof of ofthe the thefuture future futureand and andjob job joboptions. options. options. “There “There “Thereare are areaaamillion million millioncareers careers careersand and andundoubtedly undoubtedly undoubtedlyaaa way way wayto to tomake make makeaaagood good goodliving living livingdoing doing doingsomething something somethingyou you youare are are passionate passionate passionateabout.” about.” about.”Finally, Finally, Finally,Dan Dan Danadvised advised advisedthe the theFriends Friends Friends graduates graduates graduates“to “to “totake take takerisks risks risksand and anddon’t don’t don’tbe be beafraid afraid afraidto to tofail.” fail.” fail.” “Given “Given “Givenaaachoice,” choice,” choice,”he he hesaid, said, said,“most “most “mostpeople people peoplechoose choose choosethe the the Dan Dan DanPfeiffer Pfeiffer Pfeiffer’94 ’94 ’94with with withhis his hiswife, wife, wife,Sarah Sarah SarahFeinFeinFeinsafe safe saferoute, route, route,the the thecomfortable comfortable comfortableroute, route, route,the the themost most mosttraveled traveled traveled berg, berg, berg,and and andparents, parents, parents,Lear Lear Learand and andGary Gary Gary route. route. route.Most Most Mostpeople people peopleare are areafraid afraid afraidto to toleave leave leavetheir their theircomfort comfort comfort zones—to zones—to zones—tomeet meet meetnew new newpeople people peopleor or orto to totry try trynew new newthings. things. things. Most Most Mostpeople people peoplethink think thinkthat that thatno no nodecision decision decisionisisisbetter better betterthan than thanaaawrong wrong wrongdecision. decision. decision.And And Andmost most mostpeople people people would would wouldrather rather rathernot not nottry try trythan than thanfail. fail. fail.Don’t Don’t Don’tbe be bemost most mostpeople.” people.” people.” Quoting Quoting QuotingPresident President PresidentObama, Obama, Obama,Dan Dan Danurged urged urgedthe the theClass Class Classof of of’09 ’09 ’09not not notto to tohave, have, have,“a “a “apoverty poverty povertyof of of ambition.” ambition.” ambition.”“If “If “Ifyou you youmake make makeyour your yourlife life lifemean mean meansomething something somethingto to toothers,” others,” others,”he he hesaid, said, said,“it “it “itwill will willmean mean mean more more moreto to toyou.” you.” you.”“No “No “Nomatter matter matterwhat what whatyour your yourpolitics, politics, politics,this this thisisisisaaacritical critical criticaltime time timefor for forthe the thecountry, country, country, and and andwe we weneed need needthe the thebest best bestand and andthe the thebrightest—which brightest—which brightest—whichyou you youall all allare—to are—to are—toget get getinvolved involved involvedin in inways ways ways big big bigand and andsmall.” small.” small.”“This “This “Thisisisisaaareally really reallyspecial special specialplace,” place,” place,”Dan Dan Dansaid said saidof of ofFriends Friends FriendsSchool, School, School,“you “you “you could could couldnot not nothave have havegotten gotten gottenaaabetter better betterstart.” start.” start.” 'BMM t Friends Fall 'BMM t Friends 2009••Friends Friendsmagazine magazine magazine magazine 999 'BMM t Friends Fall 'BMM t Friends 2009
The Class Of 2009 Whitney Aerenson Tulane University Service: American Lung Association Exploration: Marketing/ New York City
James Baczkowski
King’s College Service: Brandywine YMCA Exploration: Coaching Little League
Exploration: State court office
John Chappell
Emily David
University of South Carolina Service: Clarence Fraim Boys & Girls Clubs Exploration: Sports production
Somya Chhajlani
Bryn Mawr College Service: Beth Emeth Youth Group/service trip to Poland Exploration: Hiking Delaware State Parks
Hannah Brilliant
Sabrina Coley
Swarthmore College Service: Kutz Camp/ NYC Mitzvah Corps, Camp Possibilities Exploration: Surfing/ North Carolina
William Broderick Oberlin College Service: Brandywine Valley Association Exploration: Making chocolate
Geoffrey Butterworth
University of South Carolina Service: Boys & Girls Clubs of Wilmington Exploration: Coaching Little League
Austin Carr
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania Service: Christiana Care Physical Therapy Plus Exploration: Food Bank of Delaware
Philadelphia University Service: Exceptional Care for Children Exploration: Social work
James Collier
Juniata College Service: Emmanuel Baptist New Orleans trip Exploration: Building scaled model of WFS
Elizabeth Connolly Smith College Service: Wilmington Youth Rowing Association Exploration: Athletic Director’s office, WFS
Patrick Coronel
University of Delaware Service: Western YMCA Exploration: Mary Campbell Center
Anna Crosby
Haley Cashman
Colorado College Service: Brandywine Conservancy Exploration: Veterinary medicine
Christina Chapman
Pennsylvania State University, University Park Service: Habitat for Humanity Exploration: Mechanics/auto repair
Tulane University Service: WFS in New Orleans, New Castle Public Library, Girls on Track Exploration: Surfing/ Australia University of Massachusetts, Amherst Service: St. Michael’s School and Nursery 10
Exploration: Teaching public school
Georgia Institute of Technology Service: Brandywine Hundred Library, Johns Hopkins Civic Leadership Institute, Hagley Summer Camp Exploration: Restaurant management
Mary Blumenfeld
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
Listed by college choice, service project agency, and senior exploration topic.
Nathaniel Culver
Cara D’Amico
Dickinson College Service: Brandywine YMCA
Dickinson College Service: Embassy of Costa Rica Exploration: Working with chef
Ryan Day
Taylor Haly
East Carolina University Service: Camp Possibilities Exploration: Yoga
Lauren Hartnett
Lafayette College Service: Faithful Friends Exploration: Interior design
Robert Lutz
Vassar College Service: Western YMCA Exploration: Invention
Thomas McNeeley
Amanda Reeder
Caroline Reese
Morgan Jackson
Villanova University Service: Department of Veterans’ Affairs Exploration: Photography
Patrick Monari
Perrin Downing
Rebecca Jennings
Diana Patton
Monica Felder
University of Rochester Service: Tick Tock Early Learning Center Exploration: Photography/Florida
Curtis Fincher
Wesley College Service: Visions Service Adventures Exploration: Nursing
Alexandra Junkin The George Washington University Service: Glen Riddle Rotary Club Exploration: County court office
Swarthmore College Service: Feline Helper Exploration: Origami
Swarthmore College Service: Delaware Aerospace Academy Exploration: Approved exemption
Travis Peck
University of Delaware Service: CYM Basketball Exploration: Medicine
Meera Ponnappa
Vanderbilt University Service: Habitat for Humanity Exploration: Habitat for Humanity
Elizabeth Kelsey University of Delaware Service: Faithful Friends Exploration: Medicine/pediatrics
The George Washington University Service: Sea View Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Exploration: Gemstones/ jewelry design
Todd Gerry
Austin Kirk
Ryan Procaccini
Dickinson College Service: Main Line Animal Rescue Exploration: Aviation
Claire Goodill
Tulane University Service: The Pink Invitational Exploration: Sports science
William Goswell
University of Delaware Service: Build Goodness Foundation Exploration: Installing solar water heaters
Chelsea Gunter
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Service: Camp Possibilities, service trip to France Exploration: Photography/Florida
“gap year” Service: Second Harvest Food Bank, New Orleans Exploration: Music industry
Kyle Knight
Old Dominion University Service: American Lung Association/Asthma Camp at du Pont Hospital for Children Exploration: Working with chef
Maya Koretzky
Cornell University Service: Delaware Nature Society Exploration: Medicine/pediatrics
David Leff
Johns Hopkins University Service: Rodney Street Tennis Camp Exploration: Writing
Dickinson College Service: Abbott’s Mill Nature Center Exploration: Neuroscience
Temple University Service: Delaware Special Olympics Exploration: Teaching English as second language
The University of Tampa Service: Immanuel Church Highlands New Orleans trip Exploration: Fishing/ Massachusetts Haverford College Service: Winterthur Exploration: Making/decorating cakes
Nicholas Rapp
McDaniel College Service: Brandywine YMCA Exploration: Yoga
Patrick Quinn
Chapman University Service: Hearts and Minds Film Industry/United Way, YWCA Exploration: Filmmaking
Marlee Raber
The University of Tampa Service: Camp Sandy Cove Exploration: Studying art & architecture/Europe East Carolina University Service: Camp Possibilities, Christiana Care Exploration: Cultural immersion, Italy
Kieran Reichert
Swarthmore College Service: Habitat for Humanity Exploration: Backpacking/ Utah
Julia Roberts
Washington University in St. Louis Service: Habitat for Humanity Exploration: Architecture
William Rodowsky
University of Delaware Service: Camp Possibilities Exploration: Small business
Kenneth Rosenberg
Berklee College of Music Service: BBYO Exploration: Soundtracks for videos
Kyle Schindler
University of Delaware Service: Emmanuel House, Western YMCA Exploration: Computer science/programming
University of Maryland, College Park Service: Guardian Angels, Habitat for Humanity Exploration: Hiking Delaware State Parks
Lindsay Schmittle
Bryan RadacoskyPentoney
Duke University Service: Kennett Land Trust Exploration: Hiking Delaware State Parks
Cabrini College Service: Ashland Nature Center Exploration: “Ultimate fighting” training
University of Delaware Service: Mushroom Festival of Kennett Square Exploration: Graphic design
Andrew Scott
End of Year Recognitions Laura Shand
Miami International University of Art & Design Service: Camp Possibilities Exploration: Yoga
Community Center Exploration: Songwriting
Corey Ufberg
Connecticut College Service: Service trip to France Exploration: Teaching preschool
Cornell University Service: Camp Possibilities, Volunteen PMRI and Asthma Camp, St. Francis Hospital, Nemours Health & Prevention Clinic Exploration: Event planning
Kimberly Siegfried
Grant Walczak
University of Delaware Service: New Bolton Center Exploration: Veterinary medicine
Clemson University Service: Camp Possibilities Exploration: Sports production
James Skarbek
Nathan West
Samantha Shay
Fashion Institute of Technology Service: Hickman Retirement Home Exploration: Museum curatorship
Rensselear Polytechnic Institute Service: Brandywine Counseling Exploration: Video game mapping
Mackenzie Snead
Sarah West
Columbia University Service: Service trip to India Exploration: Cultural immersion, New York City
Nathan Squire
Muhlenberg College Service: Western YMCA Exploration: Veterinary medicine
Talia Tiffany
Reed College Service: Gratz Hebrew School Exploration: Windsurfing/ North Carolina
Andrew Trainor Williams College Service: Claymont
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Bryn Mawr College Service: Ashland Nature Center Exploration: Web site design
Vincent White
Dickinson College Service: Head Start Exploration: Medicine/orthopaedics
Mary Williams
Haverford College Service: Camp Sunnybrook/ Delaware Association for the Blind Exploration: Florist shop
1 The graduating class chose Mary Williams and Andrew Trainor to speak at the 2009 Final Assembly. 2 Maya Koretzky received the John Mendinhall II ’39 Memorial Award for service to the school. Maya is pictured with Head of Upper School Rob Lake and Head of School Bryan Garman. 3 Rob and Bryan presented the Charles W. Bush Award for “character, scholarship, and service” to rising seniors Abby Walter and Adrian Lo. 4 Jane Hukill is pictured with Ryan McGeehan ’10, who received the 2009 Robert P. Hukill ’49 Science Award. 5 Meg Gehret Erskine ’83 presented the Amanda Spackman Gehret ’51 Memorial Mathematics Award to Bill Broderick ’09. 6 The Howard W. Starkweather, Jr. ’44 Community Service Award was shared by three graduating seniors. Pictured
are Corey Ufberg, Service Program Coordinator Richard Bernard, Howard Starkweather, Christina Chapman, and Maya Koretzky. 7 The school’s newest class agents, Elizabeth Connolly and Will Rodowsky, with Alumni Association President Kim Massih Dolan ’89 and the Class of 2009 scroll 8 Cynthia Stan Mellow, longtime coordinator of the American Field Service (AFS) program at Friends, paid tribute to AFS students Natalia Kimpen (The Netherlands) and Luca Rivolta Rippo (Italy). Other Final Assembly highlights included the presentation of Distinguished Service Awards for leadership to 36 upper school students; performances by the Chamber Singers with senior soloists; a special recognition of building services, grounds, and food service staff by the Class of 2009; and the presentation of the class gift of a table-top clock and a donation to help fund the QUEST Center. Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
11 11
India
Lessons on the Journey
Spring Break 2009
O
Gabbi Harris, Mackenzie Snead, Loraine Snead, Brook Kebede, John Fairchild, Ellen Rodowsky, Okechi Nwabara, Adrian Lo, and Scott Rhodewalt in front
12
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
n March 12, 2009, seven Friends students and two teachers boarded an Air India flight out of New York: history teacher Scott Rhodewalt, science teacher Loraine Snead, John Fairchild ’11, Gabrielle Harris ’11, Brook Kebede ’10, Adrian Lo ’10, Okechi Nwabara ’10 (who has since relocated to Texas with his family), Ellen Rodowsky ’11, and Mackenzie Snead ’09. They landed about 16 hours later at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. As long as the flight “halfway across the world,” as one of the students described it, may have seemed, preparations for the trip had begun months—even nine years—before.
and social concerns.” Mackenzie Snead noted the India-Friends connection in the spring break experience. “The entire trip was influenced by Gandhian principles,” she wrote, “in practice, very similar to Quakerism.”
In 2000, a group within Philadelphia Yearly Meeting organized to build upon, “the social and spiritual values that PYM Friends and India Friends share.” The initial focus of the Philadelphia group was to help revitalize a peace center in New Delhi. That effort opened a wider understanding of the Indian Quaker community, which is concentrated south of Delhi in the central region of Madhya Pradesh around the city of Bhopal. The “India Friends Working Group” (IFWG) was then formally established, “to widen and deepen acquaintanceship between Friends in India and PYM Friends, primarily through interactions focused on peace
In November 2008, the school gave Richard Bernard a brief leave to participate in an eight-member delegation from PYM attending the Asia West Pacific gathering of the Friends World Committee on Consultation in Bhopal, where Richard was able to make preliminary contacts for the spring student trip. Richard, Scott, Loraine Snead, and the school administration—later joined by the students who registered for the trip and their parents— then worked for several months to finalize plans. Adrian Lo’s mother, Mary, a doctor who was born in India, helped the group with travel preparations. Vijay Chhajlani, father of then-senior and nowgraduate Somya, provided important contacts with political leaders and the Nai Disha School in India. The students also shared their own and their families’ international experiences: Brook Kebede had traveled to Ethiopia, where his parents were born; Okechi Nwabara’s parents are from Nigeria; and Adrian Lo’s father is Chinese. So by the time the plane landed
Two Wilmington Friends teachers got involved with the India Friends Working Group: Scott Rhodewalt, whose master’s degree is in South Asian Studies and who teaches the Peace, Justice, and Social Change course; and Richard Bernard, who directs the upper school service and religious studies programs. Scott organized regular visits to Friends School by one of the IFWG’s leaders, Viv Hawkins, who later shared her insights toward planning the 2009 spring break trip. At about the same time that Viv began her visits to the school, the IFWG sponsored a Quaker teacher from Bhopal, Archana Gour, for a year at Pendle Hill, the Quaker study center in Wallingford, Pennsylvania. Archana not only helped to organize the 2009 trip for Friends students and teachers, but also served as the group’s primary guide, translator, and teacher in India.
Guide, teacher, and friend Archana Gour, along with the students, encouraged Scott to climb a banyan tree.
in Delhi in March of 2009, it was less the beginning of one trip than the continuation of many.
At the Ashram
The first part of the trip was spent in New Delhi, where the Friends School group stayed at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, contributing each day, as do all visitors and residents, through shramdan, a work offering. Mackenzie Snead appreciated, “how well integrated volunteering is into Indian society. There is no recognition or special acknowledgment; it’s just expected of you.” The idea of an “integrated” life reflects the founding philosophy of the ashram. Sri Aurobindo (1872-1950) was a poet, philosopher, and leading Indian nationalist, who was put on trial three times for his political activity and writing in opposition to British rule. He turned gradually from politics to spirituality and originated a theory that all humankind could achieve salvation through a process of spiritual evolution. The ashram in New Delhi was founded after Aurobindo’s death, with the blessing of his collaborator and chosen successor, born Mirra Alfassa and known as “The Mother.” The Mother’s International School, one of four schools the Friends group visited in India, was founded at the ashram in 1956. The school’s mission statement reads, in a spirit familiar to Quaker school families: “Our aim in the school is to help a child to realise his own unique potential in the light of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother’s vision of integral education....An education which aims at the flowering of the child’s physical, emotional, mental and spiritual personality. It is the progressive widening of consciousness which helps the child to manifest that within him, which is uniquely his,
leading to an increasing satisfaction and success in individual living as also collective living, socially, nationally and internationally. Our endeavour is to impart education which looks beyond the frontiers of formal education. It is, in fact, a preparation for life long learning.” The first night at the ashram, and every night of the trip, ended with a “serial testimony,” in which each member of a group speaks for a brief, designated time in response to a guiding question, not unlike Quaker worship sharing. Serial testimony is from a program called SEED, “Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity,” which was developed at Wellesley College and has been implemented at Wilmington Friends in both faculty/staff and parent groups. As SEED founder Peggy McIntosh explained the power of serial testimony, the fit with Quakerism is apparent; “When you speak for just a
Walking in the footsteps of Gandhi, at the Gandhi Smitri museum Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
13
Delhi Friends Meeting
fragment of time and listen to others the rest of the time, a kind of database begins to form within the room....The combination of highly personal testimonies, the group setting, and the strictly democratic distribution of time produces a feeling in the room that is both very personal and potentially connective.”
Gandhi and Friends
On their first full day in India, the Wilmington Friends group visited the Gandhi Peace Foundation, where they met with community leaders including S.N. Subba Rao, founder and director of the National Youth Project. Raoji, as the students called him, adding the suffix –ji to express respect, has been a leader in youth programs in India since he was a student activist in the 1940’s; he has been a “life member” of the Gandhi Peace Foundation since 1970. When Subba Rao visited the U.S. in the summer of 2009, he made a special effort to meet with the Friends students again. At the Gandhi Peace Foundation, the Friends group also saw a dance performance,
Mohand se Mahatma, depicting “the life of Gandhiji.” Mahatma is an honorary title meaning “great soul.” The group then toured Gandhi Smitri, the museum of Gandhi’s life at the site of his assassination. The Friends teachers and students also attended Meeting for Worship each Sunday—or First Day—of the trip. The first week, they went to Delhi Friends Meeting, housed in the local YWCA, a “visitors’ Meeting” where they were hosted by two members and joined by two graduates of Quaker boarding schools in England and a visiting scholar from South India. The second week, the group attended programmed worship at Bhopal Friends Church, a century-old Quaker group with a number of teenage members. “It was like a Quaker Youth Leadership Conference in South Asia,” Scott Rhodewalt said, with “everyone so interested in learning about each other.” Hospitality and interest came to characterize India for the Friends students. “We felt so welcome everywhere,” Gabbi Harris said. There was special appreciation for the hospitality of the Gour family. Dayal Gour is a scholar and former head of a Quaker boys school; his wife Archana, the teacher who had
John, Brook, and Adrian and one of many inspiring views of India done a study year at Pendle Hill five years before, was described by John Fairchild as, “the kind of person who changes your life forever.” Archanaji, as the students often called her, was raised a Quaker, and in addition to sharing what John called “wisdom, good spirit, and amazing patience,” also taught the group how to ride a moped, some common phrases, and how to make their favorite Indian beverage, Chai, the authentic way. Loraine Snead said that the pursuit of Chai became something of “a quest” on the trip and a symbol of hospitality.
Politics and Poverty
The Delhi portion of the trip also included a visit to Parliament, arranged through the Chhajlani family. The group first met with Ravi Zutshi, a high ranking federal official whom Scott Rhodewalt described as “an incredible resource.” A discussion that started with insights about the history and workings of India’s government evolved into a consideration of what Brook Kebede described as “old culture vs. new culture” issues. As Ravi Zutshi talked about increasing individualism as opposed to the traditional kin system, Brook recognized the conflict from his own experiences visiting Ethiopia. Parliament had been dissolved just before the Friends group arrived in preparation for the elections in India. “We saw campaign posters everywhere,” Scott said.
With members of Ekta Parishad, a Gandhian organization devoted to helping marginalized people in India, with a focus on land rights 14
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
In describing their experiences in India, students repeatedly talked about getting out of their “comfort zones.” Few
things were more uncomfortable than their encounters with beggars, who could be very insistent but whom Archana and others had advised them to ignore. Adrian Lo said the encounters prompted an “onslaught of various and conflicting emotions.” The students followed the advice not to give to the beggars, but continued to question it—as Head of School Bryan Garman said, “like good Friends students”—even after they returned home.
Bhopal
On the Bhopal portion of the trip, much of the group’s activity was organized by Ekta Parishad which Richard Bernard characterized as “a group that works with marginalized peoples,” with a focus on land rights. Richard had visited several times with members of the Gandhian organization, whose name translated means “unity forum,” during his 2008 trip. Ekta Parishad engages in non-violent action toward social change in India, and also is connected to many locally based programs throughout Madhya Pradesh. The Friends students met with rural youth, visited with a Hindu family in their home, participated in a homebased “self-help” sewing class led by two Muslim sisters, and toured a medical clinic where survivors of the 1984 industrial disaster receive ongoing treatment. The group also visited with the founder of Bhopal’s Gandhi Center and his wife, the leader of another local women’s selfhelp program. They enjoyed the hospitality of the Gour family and visited with Archana’s students and toured another local school for girls. In addition to service learning at schools and in community programs, the Friends group participated in two major droughtrelief projects near Bhopal, including service on World Water Day. Students helped to dig a village well, carrying dirt from a 50-foot-deep hole. It was a time when they encountered one view of Americans that they wanted to contradict. Gabbi said, “Our guide was afraid we wouldn’t be strong enough to take the dirt out. It was like when we got henna and were told it would last longer on our skin because we don’t do real work.” The group also used pick axes and shovels to remove dirt in the dry upper half of Bhopal Lake, an effort that was documented in several Indian newspapers. It was also an opportunity to learn about the implications of water scarcity. “I take shorter showers now,” Brook said.
Before leaving Bhopal, the Friends group visited Satpura National Park, the setting on which Rudyard Kipling based The Jungle Book. The park is home to a range of wildlife in a varied scenic setting—deep valleys, high mountains, small rivers, waterfalls, and a major reservoir. It is not a “Safari park,” and is described on a tour web site as having, “creature comforts reserved for the creatures of the forest.” Nonetheless, the visitors from Friends enjoyed a sunset over the Satpura mountains that could accurately be described as luxurious.
Nai Disha
Asked about the most enjoyable part of their trip, the Friends students agreed that it was their visits with students from the Nai Disha School, which serves homeless and other needy children in New Delhi and was co-founded by Somya Chhajlani’s aunt. “They were so happy to be in school; education really is a privilege,” Ellen Rodowsky said, “And they were so excited to meet us and to teach us about their lives, even though we didn’t even speak the same language.” Mackenzie remembered, “the pure excitement and happiness that radiated from the kids. They were so positive, so excited to learn, and enthusiastic about everything.” Brook talked about the pride the students took in their achievements and in the opportunity to help their visitors, and Okechi said, “They have so much less than many of us, but still find a way to be happy.” After working with the Nai Disha students at their school, the Friends group met them again on a New Delhi street. After talking with the Friends students when they got back, Bryan Garman noted the contrast of meeting the Nai Disha kids on the street as opposed to the encoun-
“We felt so welcome everywhere,” Gabbi said of Indian hospitality.
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
15
ters with beggars. “They were able to greet each other with such happiness,” Bryan said, “because they had met before, and they knew what they had in common. Friendship was possible instead of walking away.” Ellen agreed, “You have to meet people to get this kind of experience.” Mackenzie said, “There are kids we will always remember,” and John added, “They taught me a lot.” The friends from Wilmington and Nai Disha met one more time on the last day of the trip, when the younger students gave a dance performance. “They cared so much that we were there,” Mackenzie said, “It was simultaneously a great ego boost and very humbling.” The Friends students were working on plans to raise money to help the Nai Disha School.
Final Reflections
For all the preparations, meetings, and discussions that preceded it, the trip to India still proved a revelation for students. John Fairchild wrote, “We had been thoroughly prepared to deal with the differences between India and the United States, and I would be the first to tell you that there were a lot.” “But,” John added, “our trip to India uncovered much more; it revealed similarities and made real the idea of a global village that we had talked about in class.” John said in India, “people used email, went to school and had ‘tough exams,’ felt the same emotions, experienced illness and recovery, and dealt with the dynamics of family—similarities that might seem obvious, but it has taken all these countless memories of India to have them come alive for me.” Mackenzie Snead compared the experience to a previous trip abroad, when she felt she had learned a lot about a different culture but never felt a part of it. “India,” she wrote, “not only taught me some of its thousands of cultural traditions, but also included me in them.” Mackenzie attributed the difference to the service component of the India trip, the direct interactions with people in settings important to their lives, like schools and community well sites. John said, “We were interested in them; they were interested in us. That’s a lot of what changed in me, recognizing how similar we are and how that connection makes you care.” Mackenzie concluded her written reflection on India by saying, “I suspect we’re not done learning. There are some experiences we may not even recognize as ‘lessons’ yet, but they affect us just the same.” •
Top: John and Ellen with students at the Nai Disha School in New Delhi Center: Helping to dig a village well on World Water Day Bottom: The Sri Aurobindo Ashram
16
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
CLASS NOTES SUBMITTING CLASS NOTES
Do you have some good news to share about yourself or a friend/relative from Friends? If so, we want to know about it and so do your classmates! Send your news and/or photos to alumni@wilmingtonfriends.org, or enter them directly through the alumni online community, at: www.wilmingtonfriends.org. (Please note that entries edited for space in the magazine will be posted in their entirety online.)
1939 • Reunion Year
Doris Biesterfeld Townshend in New Haven, CT, wrote to the 12 surviving members of the Class of ’39 to gather their news and comments on life. Research and writing has been Doris’s chief interest, aside from her large family. She has had seven books published on history of a Montana hiking club named WOW (Women of the Wild) that she and two other women started. Doris also shared news from two classmates: Sarah Eliason Englehart, who lives in Baltimore, keeps in touch with Mary Louise Shoemaker Lind in Lake Osego, OR, and Janet Frorer Taylor in Glen Mills, PA. Sarah wrote that her number one job is to care for husband Bill, but she has had time to attend the Ladies Red Hat Club where she is “Queen.” Sarah and Bill have seven grandchildren. Jack Hoopes in Kennett Square reported that he is still busy taking photographs for his
local camera club and taking long walks. His daughter, Kathryn Hoopes Bowen ’71, is a speech pathologist in Claremont, NH, and daughter Pam Hoopes ’73 is legal director of the Minnesota Disability Center. Jack and Marj have four grandchildren.
1942
Sue Fenimore Ford wrote in May, “I reached 87 years in very good health, taking no medications and walking for exercise. I’m here because of five grandchildren. I’ve had four children and two stepchildren, the last one in my 40s. It’s been a great life!”
1944 • Reunion Year
On May 20, 2009, Nancy Carol Willis, daughter of Alice Pillsbury ’51, visited with second grade students at Friends. Nancy is the author of several bird and wildlife books that were donated to the lower school library by Don Altmaier ’51.
Margaret Milliken Tyson was named a Diversity Champion by the Race Relations and Diversity Task Force of Birmingham, MI. Maggie is on the Board of the Northern Oakland County NAACP and is a life member of the NAACP. She also chairs the Friends of Oakland County Welfare Rights Organization in Pontiac, MI.
1946
Eleanor Woodward Lilley married William Borders on May 8, 2009. She wrote, “we are both widowed and residents here at Willow Valley, active with music and volunteer work.”
A 7th Grade Championship Remembered by Peter Sprague ’49 As the Class of 1949 approaches its 60th reunion, old memories surface once more. Many classmates will recall the 12-year-old basketball team in 1943-44, coached by Alan Hughes— longtime Athletic Director and coach of many and all sports teams at Friends. The 1943-44 team was the unofficial state champion for 12-year-olds (as there was no state tournament as such). The team was undefeated—maybe the only undefeated team at Friends that year— winning all seven of its games including four wins over Tower Hill, and one each over Mt. Pleasant, A.I. du Pont, and Ursuline Academy. Check out the original “box score” from The Wilmington News covering our game with Ursuline. One will find many familiar names from our Class of 1949, players in this game which was ref’ed by Coach Hughes. As the game was played at Friends School’s gym, many of our classmates cheered our team on to victory.
1949 • Reunion Year
Abe Abrams wrote “I retired in 2009 after a 40-year career in Delaware corporate law and litigation, and real estate development. My wife, Duane Gill Abrams ’52 died in 1999. I have a winter home in Aventura, FL. My hobby/avocation is horseracing.” Ann Fletcher Beekley and John Beekley completed an 11,200mile trip around the US by car, ending with a large family wedding in Alabama. John wrote in June, “This is not our first such trip and, hopefully, not our last.”
Ginny Shaw Martin reports that she and her husband Wesley retired to Beaufort, SC, in 1996. Wes died in 1999, but Ginny remains in Beaufort where she welcomes alumni to visit. Ginny is retired as a librarian and social worker, but continues to care for young children, some with special needs. Robert Rudrow is retired and lives in Citrus Heights, CA, with his wife, MaryJo. He has two children and five grandchildren. Rob was in the Army Ordnance for 27 years, retiring as a Colonel. He is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and worked 13 years as manager of solid rocket production at Aerojet.
1951
Don Altmaier (See box above.)
1952
The class of 1952 had a mini-reunion in Florida this winter that included Jack Porter and Ann Mayfield Porter ’54, Lew and Vi Doughton, John and Mary Nice, Carol Staats Truax and Hank Truax, Rufus Jones, and Bill Quillen and Marcia Stirling Quillen ’56. Bill Quillen, class agent, also shared the following news: Mimi Cone Atkins has a new puppy, Charlie, “thus assuring Mimi’s longevity for at least another 15 years,” Bill wrote. Mimi also has become a girls’ lacrosse fan since granddaughter Bobbie Atkins ’14 is one of four seventh graders who made the Friends middle school “A” team that beat Tower Hill 10-9 in a thriller during the 2009 season. Trish Ames Chappelle reported that she’s in her best health of the last 10 years, having taken up water exercise and continuing her devoted activities in Eckankar.
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
17
Class notes
1957
Tom Baker ’57, wife Sue, daughter, Amy Baker Deitrich ’88, and son Scott Thomas Baker ’92 generously donated Tom’s mother’s restored baby grand piano to the Wilmington Friends Lower School. Pierre Berloquin has a new book, Hidden Codes & Grand Designs. It is described as sharing From the Class of 1952, Lew Doughton, Bill Quillen, Rufus Jones, Carol Staats “ingenious methods Head of Lower School Julie Gill, Bobby Deitrich, Bill Deitrich, Amy Baker Truax, and John Nice; not pictured but also attending the dinner, Jack Porter Deitrich ‘88, Tom Baker ‘57 and Sue Baker for encoding communications throughHersh Loomis wrote that he continues to work Bill Kruse is a minister and sports massage out history.” Pierre has written more than 35 four days a week at the Department of Electritherapist in Tucson, AZ. He wrote, “I refer books, and is currently developing interactive cal and Computer Engineering, Graduate often to the fundamental values of spirit and puzzles for the iPhone. See (and enjoy) his School of Engineering and Applied Services, puzzles in French or English on www.crealude. conduct formed during my years as a Friends Naval Post Graduate School, Monterey, CA. Schooler.” com. Hersch’s wife, Shirley, has a thriving calligraphy business. The Loomises have been married Tom Nash wrote, “We enjoyed for 52 years. living in Vermont for five years,
1953
Ellie Alexander Poorman wrote in March, “Joel and I spent a lovely January evening with Alison Lunt Steadman and John Steadman attending the Miriinsky Ballet at the Kennedy Center,” before the swearing in of Ted Kaufman, now the junior senator from Delaware. Judy and Rob Hoopes ’57 and Hilary and Rob Hoopes, Jr. ’85 also attended.
1954 • Reunion Year
Anna Hubbard Bellenger shared news that her art book debuted in April. She also had a onewoman show that same month at Crosslands. Candy Kane Bender wrote in June that her husband Doug is now fully retired. They spend summers at their house in the Poconos, where they plan to move “if and when the other house sells!” Anne Bailey Donaghy and her husband Jim sold their house in Minnesota and were planning a summer move to their home on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Anne wrote that they are enjoying friends, children, and nine grandchildren. Marie Geesey Robinson wrote that she enjoys the Annapolis Town Center, aerobics, yoga, pilates, and art classes. Marie has seven grandchildren, giving her a chance to attend lots of athletic events. She also volunteers at the Londontown Public House Museum.
1956
Marcia Stirling Quillen (See 1952.) 18
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
but moved to New Mexico to be closer to our daughters and granddaughter. After attending Meetings for years, we became members in 2001 and continue to learn from Friends.” Jennifer Wheeler wrote in April that she plays in a musical group called “The Rescue Team.” They “rescue” old songs and play at events on the Eastern Shore. JenAnne Harper Heaton ’57, Pierre Berloquin ’57, and Sara Heaton in France. nifer was President of the Talbot County Public Schools Retired Personnel Ann Harper Heaton traveled to England in Association from 2005-2007 and was chosen March to visit her granddaughter, Sara Heaton to receive a senior citizen award in May 2009. (daughter of Robert Heaton, Jr. ’79), who She also now has time for her painting and is spending her junior year at the University said, “I am finally becoming an artist!” of Sussex. They also traveled to Paris for nine days, and spent a weekend with Pierre 1960 Berloquin and his wife, Marie Therese, in Martha Greene the village of Bossay-sur-Claise. Pierre and Phillips shared the Marie Therese took Ann and Sara on a day of news that her first chateau tours, and to the local village fair. “It book has been pubwas truly wonderful,” Ann said. lished, The Floating Boathouses on the Rob Hoopes (See 1953.) Upper Mississippi: Their History, Their 1959 • Reunion Year Stories (www.mississippiriverboathouses.com). Patricia Poole Benzien wrote in May that she Martha attributed her ease with writing in has two grown children and a grandson. After part to the education she received at Friends. retiring 10 years ago from a 32-year career in She lives on a small farm in central Wisconsin, social work, she had decided to start workand works in the mental health field and voling again, having enjoyed “a wonderful trip unteers for nature and conservation organizato China last year” and hiking and walking tions. vacations through the U.S. and Ireland. “I’m looking forward to seeing my classmates again at our reunion.”
Class notes
1967
Charley Berl wrote in April that he is living in and loving Fort Worth. “Two years ago, I was fully retired for wounds sustained in Vietnam, 1968. I had the privilege to return to college (at age 47) at Texas Christian University, graduating at age 52 in December of 2000.” Charley would love to hear from classmates from 1966 and 1967 and can be reached at greywolf3rd@yahoo.com.
Charley Berl with daughters (L to R) Christina, Leilah and Elise Thirteen members of the class of ’67 got together at a restaurant in Chadds Ford for a collective 60th birthday party. Sandy Krieger Hobbs reported that is was a great party, complete with a birthday cake decorated with a WFS banner in blue and white icing.
1969 • Reunion Year
Lissa Cook Coady wrote, “I have worked 25 years as an RN with 20 years at Chambersburg Hospital on the Behavioral Health Unit. Robert and I have been married 34 years.”
1978
Lissa and Robert also raise sheep on their 38-acre farm. She wrote, “Our oldest daughter is married and has three children who give us much joy. Both daughters live within an hour drive, and my father lives next door.”
Marci Lobel received the 2008 Strickland Daniel Distinguished Mentoring Award from the American Psychological Association. The award Jane McCormick Hogan wrote in is given annually by the spring of 2009, “We have one the APA’s Division wonderful daughter, Annie, who of the Psychology of is a Duke student. We love coming Women to recognize to Wilmington, for it is a magiexcellence in mentorcal place. We always zip through ing students. Marci Alapocas to pay our respects to was also elected a my parents who provided me and Fellow of the APA. my family with a wonderful life Her research focuses on School Road.” Jane is retired on psychosocial Marci Lobel ’78 with her husband Louis and from the University of North aspects of women’s children Maya and Carlos Carolina at Chapel Hill where she reproductive health, was Health Administrator. particularly the impact of prenatal maternal stress on adverse birth outcomes. Marci is James Jordan is a partner with Miller Nash in a professor and Director of the Social and Seattle, WA. His focus is on complex comHealth Psychology Doctoral Program at Stony mercial litigation, with an emphasis on Native Brook University. She and husband Dr. Louis American issues. James was previously a Peña are the parents of two children, Carlos special-education teacher, counselor, and social and Maya Peña-Lobel, ages 14 and 7, who worker. He enjoys family and friends, with keep the family busy with soccer, basketball, whom he skis, hikes, river-rafts, and attends baseball, swimming, and math competitions. rock/blues concerts.
1979 • Reunion Year
1971
Kathryn Hoopes Bowen (See 1939.)
Steve Johnson still owns and drives the 1967 Mustang convertible he had in high school. Steve and his family live in Jacksonville, FL.
1973
Pam Hoopes (See 1939.)
1974 • Reunion Year
Carol Mullin Holzman reported that she is the Director of Resident Services at Cadbury in Lewes, a Quaker-guided continuing care retirement community. She is working toward a Nursing Home Administrator license.
At the class of ’67 collective birthday party, seated: Richard Stat; first row: Chris Strahan Barker, JoAnn Tigani Sears, Laura Geesey Payne, Ona Murdoch Hamilton, Jay Resnick; back row: Sandy Krieger Hobbs, Gail Wollerton Corby, Rilla Sharpless Taylor, Josephine Martin Bayard, Margie Hirschland Robinson, Warren Deitcher, and Doug Freeman
Robert Heaton, Jr. (See 1957.)
1977
Louis Hoffman has been at the forefront of campaign finance reform in Arizona, and was appointed to serve as Commissioner of the Citizens Clean Elections Commission. Louis says his “real job” is as a patent lawyer, taking advantage of the recently developed market for intellectual property. He has been married to his wife, Kathy, for more than 20 years and they have two children.
Randy Sabbagh wrote, “My partner and I became one of 18,000 gay/lesbian couples to get married in California. We tied the knot after 19 years together.”
1984 • Reunion Year
Dagmar Krewson Dunn (See 1988.) Tina Kerr-Stover wrote that she earned her pilot’s license when she turned 40. She also volunteers fostering abused and abandoned dogs and cats.
1985
Rob Hoopes, Jr. (See 1953.)
1988
Renee Dobbs Biery and Brandon Biery announced the arrival of Elliott Durbin Biery on May 5, 2009 – “Cinco de Mayo birthday.” Amy Johnston Colbourn and Dagmar Krewson Dunn ’84 had a brush with fame when they met Astronaut Buzz Aldrin and his wife, Lois, at the 2009 PNC Bank Common Wealth Awards. Aldrin received the award for distinguished service in science. Amy Baker Deitrich ’88 (See 1957.) Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
19
Class notes
and guests included the brides’ siblings Christy Searl Haegele ’87, Tim Searl ’90, and Drew Searl ’95, as well as Chris Farrell ’89, Jennifer Johnson Vinton ’89, Neil Rubbert ’87, Heather Vinton Robitzer ’87, Joan Trumeanz Gee ’68, Jan Engle (parent of alumni), Fred Sears ’60 and Jo Ann Tigani Sears ’67.
Dagmar Krewson Dunn ’84, Lois and Buzz Aldrin, Amy Johnston Colbourn ’88
Kaldis, Daris, Andris, Lucija, and Inga Karins Berzins ’89 1989 • Reunion Year
Inga Karins Berzins and her family have lived in Riga, Latvia since 2005; she and Andris have been married for 12 years. “Children Lucija (2001), Kaldis (2003) and Daris (2005) are now enrolled in a Latvian school and are fully bilingual with English. I’m practicing intellectual property law for an American/ European client base (www.ikblaw.com) and lecturing at two universities… I won’t make it back for our reunion, but please stay in touch: ingrida@ikblaw.com.” Rob Brand married Jenni Collins on May 16, 2009. They live in Yorklyn, DE. Rob became the President and owner of Comprehensive Business Services in January 2009. Rob’s sister Rebecca ’92 wrote of the May wedding, “It seems only Homecoming Rob Brand & wife Jenni weekend could rival the number of WFS alums in attendance!” Attendants included John Allen ’90, BJ Vinton ’89, John Cox ’89, Scott Smith ’89, Andy Houston ’89, and Rebecca Brand ’92. Family 20
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
Billy Michels’s photography was featured this summer at the Tai Sophia Himmelfarb Gallery in Laurel, MD, in an exhibit called, “Children of the World: One Spirit, Many Faces.” Billy is also a fifth grade teacher in the Baltimore City public school system. His photography can be seen on his web site, www.billymichels. com (and in Friends magazine).
At the wedding of Rob Brand ’89, Andy Houston ’89, Scott Smith ’89, Rebecca Brand ’92, John Cox’89, and BJ Vinton ’89
From Billy Michels’ photography exhibit, “Children of the World.”
1993
Pigeon Pollard Graham and her husband Doug welcomed, “with love,” twin girls Georgia Swan and Weiler Reeder, born on April 3, 2009.
Jane Williams Moore and her husband John are the proud parents of Pamela Hoyt Moore, born February 27, 2009. Jane is a family physician with Christina Care. Brian Nilstoft, wife Laura, and daughter Emma welcomed little sister Kate Margaret on January 21, 2009.
This past summer, Rebecca Brand was promoted by Villanova University to Associate Professor of Psychology and was granted tenure. She wrote, “All the reading and squinting seems to have paid off.” (See also 1989.)
1996
Pamela Hoyt Moore
1990
Michelle Burke Kelly and husband Dan had a baby girl, Margaret “Maggie” Kelly, on May 26, 2009. Maggie has two older brothers, Nate and Colin, who live a short tractor Kate Margaret Nilstoft ride from their good friend, Henry Nathan Stenta (see Catherine Wiedwald Stenta ’96).
Meg Ting Ryan and husband Mike had a baby boy, Finbar Peter, on January 13, 2009. Meg wrote that she was also finishing her endocrinology fellowship at Thomas Jefferson Finbar Peter Ryan University Hospital in July, and starting work in a private practice endocrinology office in Media, PA in September. Catherine Wiedwald Stenta, husband Rob and big brother Henry announce the arrival of Jackson Gary Stenta, born on February 27, 2009. Cat wrote, “Life is busy in Kennett Square.” She helps out at Trail Creek Outfitters between feedings and play dates.
Sara Titus Skelly and husband Piper welcomed Caroline Atherton Skelly on October 24, 2008. Caroline joins big brother Jackson. Sara and Piper are still enjoying Chicago.
1992
Scott Thomas Baker ’92 (See 1957.)
Sara Titus Skelly ’90 with husband Piper and children Caroline and Jackson
Class notes
1998
past year.” Eden was planning a September move to New Hampshire to pursue a Ph.D. in English at the University of New Hampshire. She is also planning a 2011 marriage to Matthew Freedman, a Ph.D. candidate at Boston College.
Karen Gordon married Matthew Bastow on June 22, 2008. WFS graduates in attendance included Rachel Spiller, Shannon Milonas, and Lienna Wilson, who served as maid of honor. Karen met Matt when she was studying at George Washington University’s Graduate School of Education and Human Development. Karen is an early childhood special education teacher. She and Matt live in Arlington, VA, with their two dogs.
2001
Jeff Rhoades begins his final year of law school this fall at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR.
Brie Willoughby-Knox wrote in May, “I recently finished a master’s degree in applied linguistics at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. I was honored to be named valedictorian of my graduation class.” Brie teaches at the University of Technology, Sydney, and works as a research officer at Macquarie University’s Adult Migrant English ProgrammeResearch Centre.
1999 • Reunion Year
News of Jordan Wolk arrived thanks to an email from his mother: Jordan passed the Georgia Bar Exam, after receiving his J.D. from the Georgia State University College of Law in 2008, following a B.A. in business finance from Franklin and Marshall. Jordan lives in Atlanta and works for PricewaterhouseCoopers.
2003
Karen Gordon Bastow ’98 and Matthew Bastow.
Lily Davidson married Brett Rodget on September 14, 2008 in Northfield, NJ. Lily works at the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association where she was recently promoted to Director of Membership. Jennifer Flayhart married Matthew Keller on December 19, 2008. In June, she graduated with a master’s in international human rights with certificates in global health and humanitarian assistance. When Jennifer wrote in May, she was planning to move to South Korea in July to teach ESL.
Pigeon Pollard Graham ’93 with husband Doug and daughters Georgia and Weiler.
Paury Flowers and Michael Gilmore are proud to announce the birth of their son, Michael David Gilmore III, born on February 9, 2009. Paury is Coordinator of Student Activities at Swarthmore College.
Kristin Plys graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 2007 with honors in sociology. She was inducted into the Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society and was awarded the James S. Coleman Award for “most outstanding graduating sociology major.” Since 2007, Kristin has been working as a researcher for the chair of the economics department at Princeton University and director of the Center for Health and Wellbeing at the Woodrow Wilson School. In fall 2009, she will start work toward a Ph.D. in sociology at Yale. Kristin received the prestigious MacMillan Fellowship for graduate study in globalization and international studies, in addition to the Yale University Fellowship.
2004 • Reunion Year
Lee Herzog is a private bank analyst with JP Morgan in New York City, and a CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) candidate.
Michael David Gilmore III
Madeline Kirk graduated with a master’s of accounting from
Katie Wolf Martinenza and husband, Brian, welcomed their second child, “Ellie” Elizabeth Irene Martinenza, on April 19, 2009. Ellie joins big sister Avery who turned two in April.
Rob, Henry, Jackson, and Catherine Wiedwald Stenta ’96
Eden Wales wrote, “After teaching American and British literature for three years at St. Mark’s High School (Newark, DE), I graduated with an M.A. in English literature from Boston College and have been working as the academic director at Boston International Academy for the
Katie Wolf Martinenza ’99 with husband Brian, Avery and Ellie Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
21
Class notes
Tulane University in May 2009. She works for Ernst and Young and lives in Tulsa, OK. Jeff Palmer graduated from Cornell University in May 2008 with a B.A. in history, and is now a student at Brooklyn Law School.
2005
Michael Dalton graduated from Dickinson College with a B.A. in history and a minor in Italian. He has been awarded a scholarship for a teaching assistantship in Italy, “a program of study, training, and cross-cultural experience to native speakers of English, promoting linguistic and intercultural exchange within Europe and across the globe.” Michael will be in Italy for approximately six months beginning in October. Fazeel Khan graduated from Cornell University in May with Magna Cum Laude honors. When he wrote in June, he was looking forward to starting work in Investment Banking for Nomura Securities in New York. From a Haverford newspaper: Jeff Monhait graduated from Haverford College with high honors in psychology, and was named Phi Beta Kappa. Jeff will attend Harvard Law School in the fall. Kelly Patton graduated from Middlebury College in February, and spent the spring in Berkeley, CA, tutoring high school students. Her plan was to take classes at the University of Vermont during the summer before moving to Des Moines, IA, where she hopes to teach math for a year before going to graduate school. News of Dan Rhodes, courtesy of father Joe: Dan graduated in May, Phi Beta Kappa, with a degree in biology from Syracuse University. Dan plans to attend medical school after working for a year in medical research. Emily Scott graduated Cum Laude from Arcadia University with a B.A. in business administration and a minor in Japanese. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi (National Honors Society) and Delta Mu Delta (International Honors Society for Business). Emily also started a freelance design business called Emily Elizabeth, with a focus on wedding and other special occasion dresses. Alyssa Serra participated in a trip to Cameroon in January with the University of Delaware chapter of Engineers without Borders. Alyssa is an anthropology major, and the trip served as primary case material for her research on the efficacy of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). In a UD Daily article, Alyssa said, “The trip showed me that to help people, you really have to understand their problem as well as how they view it.” 22
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
Alumni Share Expertise As Seniors Explore As many alumni remember, Friends seniors spend the final three to four weeks of the school year off campus, working on a project in an area of career or personal interest. The project, now known as the Senior Exploration, was described by Director of College Guidance Kathleen Martin as, “a chance for seniors to explore something new, to challenge themselves outside of the classroom, to take a risk, to expand their horizons.” Each senior must have a mentor for the exploration, and in May 2009, three alumni, along with a number of parents and Friends faculty/staff, shared their time and professional talent—in very different areas of expertise—with students. Peter Townsend ’75 When Vince White ’09 tore his flexor tendon while playing football, Peter Townsend ’75, orthopaedic surgeon and WFS football team physician, repaired the injury. The experience peaked Vince’s interest in medicine and inspired his exploration project. For three weeks, Vince shadowed Pete in the office and the operating room. Vince enjoyed meeting patients, especially when they got a cast off or stitches removed; it was harder, he said, when there was bad news. Vince, somewhat to his own surprise, most enjoyed observing surgeries. Pete enjoyed the experience of having Vince in the office, too, and hopes to work with other seniors on exploration in the future.
Peter Townsend ‘75 with Vince White ‘09
Diana Hutz Hoscheit ’83 Laura Shand ’09 and Taylor Haly ’09 both wanted to explore the benefits of yoga. Their friend Renee Hocsheit ’08 put them in touch with her mom, Diana Hutz Hoscheit ’83, instructor and director of Empowered Yoga studio. “I like to take every opportunity I can to share my passion for yoga with others, so the experience was a good one for me,” Diana said. “Working with Diana was such a good experience,” Laura said at the end of the project. “She is so passionate about what she does…What I learned from this experience was that I can become better at things I didn’t think I could do before. I like the idea that there is Diana Hutz Hoscheit ’83 no such thing as perfection; there is always something different you can try and achieve. It’s a good lesson to take into everyday life—not to settle when I become good at something. I can’t thank Diana enough for giving her time to mentor us.”
Jeff Durham ’78
Jeff Durham ’78 Lindsay Schmittle ’09, an IB visual arts student, knew that she wanted to explore a career in graphic design. Jeff Durham ’78, owner of Aztec Printing in Wilmington, agreed without hesitation to be her mentor. “We always like to host interns,” Jeff said. “It is especially interesting to show design interns the ‘other’ side of the business—the real application of their work, and how files are actually set up and used in a commercial outfit. It is different from the classroom experience.” Lindsay agreed, and said that she enjoyed seeing the full process, from design to production, and thought that the broadened perspective would help her in her career. Jeff and his business partner, Edward Dwornik, started Aztec in 1998.
Shanika Tunnell graduated this past spring from Guilford College with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She plans to take a year off before pursuing a graduate degree.
2006
Linda Donatoni completed a semester at American University in Washington, DC, with an internship at the Children’s Defense Fund working on the Health Insurance for All Children campaign. Linda planned to return to
Gettysburg in the fall for her senior year; she is a psychology major with a Spanish minor. Katie Hunt wrote in June that she was studying at the University of Wollongong in Australia, enjoying the education, travel, and surfing. She enjoyed three weeks traveling around Australia with her parents in April and wrote, “I am looking forward to the start of my senior year at Ursinus College and my last field hockey season.”
IN MEMORY News of James Maguire came in conversation with his dad (the Maguires still have two children at Friends): James was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa and graduated Magna Cum Laude in May 2009 from Washington College, with a B.A. in English and concentration in drama. He is continuing graduate studies in English at Washington College this fall. News of David Schley, thanks to his mom: David was awarded the Bub Hanes Prize from Earlham College for exceptional work in the management program. David is a business and nonprofit management major with concentrations in psychology and legal studies. In addition, and no surprise to anyone who remembers that old Quaker Oats costume, David is a General in the “Quaker Army,” Earlham’s student fan section that specializes in quasi-intellectual heckling. Samuel Wein’s news came via his dad: Sam helped lead the first Earlham College computer team to a strong third place finish among 16 teams at the Iowa State National Cyber Defense Competition. Sam serves with two faculty members as system administrators for the school’s Quark computer, used by the math and science departments. Thanks to Julie Jenks Zorach for this news: Ben Zorach was selected a College Scholar (3.6 g.p.a. or higher) at Middlebury College for the fall 2008 semester.
2007
Laura Wolf finished her second season on the Sweet Briar College swim team with an 10th place medal for the 400IM at the ODAC Championship. Sweet Briar was also the only team in the conference recognized as an AllAmerican Academic team, posting a cumulative team GPA of 3.0 or better for fall 2008.
Two Great Ways to Stay in Touch Facebook: See what’s happening at school and meet old friends anew on the Wilmington Friends School Alumni fan page.
Our Alumni Online Community: www.wilmingtonfriends.org/alumni.
1929
Elaine Hanley died peacefully at home on April 9, 2009. She was 96. Ms. Hanley received her baccalaureate degree from Wellesley College in 1933 with majors in art and literature. Following graduation, Ms. Hanley studied costume design and illustration at the Traphagen School of Art and pursued a career in advertising and merchandising. Ms. Hanley was an avid supporter of the arts, attending music and theater productions and art exhibits throughout the region. Her greatest concerns, going back many decades, were environmental protection and animal rights. She supported many charities devoted to these goals.
1932
Marjorie Regestein Hackett, Age 93, of Wilmington, DE, died on Saturday, March 14, 2009. Mrs. Hackett was a 1936 graduate of Wheaton College, where she spent her junior year studying at the Sorbonne in Paris. After college, she worked at the DuPont Company where she met her husband, Charles M. Hackett, whom she married in 1954. A student of local artist Ed Loper, painting was a lifelong passion. She also was an enthusiastic student at the Academy of Lifelong Learning, and enjoyed traveling and playing golf at the Wilmington Country Club. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Elizabeth Dougherty (ex ’38) and Virginia Regestein Stapleford ’31. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, as well as several nieces and a nephew.
1934
Jane Swayne Stott Vreeland passed away on March 13, 2009. Jane was born in Kennett Square, PA and kept close associations with her hometown throughout her life. She was a member of the Little Garden Club, the Roland Park Women’s Club, Baltimore Country Club, and The Women’s Golf Association of Maryland. She was an avid and competitive golfer and continued to play into her 80’s. She was also a member of the Stony Run Friends Meeting.
1936
Winifred Nixon Ellis, age 88, of Mendenhall, PA, passed away May 4, 2009. “Nicky” graduated from Scripps College in Claremont, CA, where she studied Romance languages. When war broke out in Europe, she was eager, though under age, to join the Red Cross. After the war, she went to work for the Hercules Powder Company and completed a master’s degree in education from the University of Delaware. In 1947 she married William Charles Ellis, and they raised four children. Nicky was a wonderful, loving mother and grand-
mother, a passionate gardener, and an active contributor of time and energy to her Kennett Square community. She loved music and played the piano with great skill, usually with one of her beloved German Shepherds underfoot. She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, and is survived by four children and their families, William Robert Ellis ’66, Michael Nixon Ellis ’68, Thomas Harper Ellis ’71, and Edith Patricia Ellis ’72.
1937
Hugh M. Wendle, 92, longtime resident of Wilmington, died on April 26, 2009. He was the husband of the late Mary Jane (Dempsey) Wendle with whom he shared 55 years of marriage. Hugh was a graduate of the University of Delaware, where he played football. He served as an officer in the US Army, and during WWII, participated in battles throughout the European theater including the Brest Campaign and the Battle of the Bulge. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 21 years of distinguished service. Hugh then worked for Goldsborough Realty, first as a realtor, then a sales manager and finally became their educational director, teaching real estate. After his retirement, he volunteered at numerous organizations including Meals on Wheels and A.I. du Pont Hospital for Children. Hugh’s greatest joy was spending time with his family. He is survived by three children and eight grandchildren.
1939
John R. (Jack) Munda, age 88, passed away on May 30, 2009. Jack graduated from Princeton University and worked for the DuPont Company for 37 years. Jack enjoyed many years boating with family and friends on the Chesapeake Bay while belonging to the North East Yacht Club. After retiring in 1980, he lived on Singer Island where he belonged to the Sea Birds Yacht Club and cruised the waters of Florida. He is survived by his daughter, a grandson and a great-grandson.
1945
John Biggs III died on March 30, 2009 in Wilmington. A member of the Class of 1945, Jack served in the United States Army from 1944 to 1946, and returned to graduate formally from Friends in 1947. He attended Princeton University, was a member of Cloister Inn and was enrolled in the ROTC. Upon graduation in 1951 he was posted to Fort Sill, OK, along with other members of his Princeton class, and from there he was deployed to Korea; he earned three battle stars. After graduation from Harvard Law School in 1956, he returned to Wilmington where he clerked at Morris Nichols Arsht and Tunnell. He was Secretary of the New Castle County Democratic Committee and served as Attorney for the Senate of the State of Delaware. In 1960 he was the Democratic candidate for Fall 2009 2009 •• Friends Friends magazine magazine Fall
23
IN MEMORY
Attorney General. In 1968, in association with Victor F. Battaglia, they established the law firm of Biggs and Battaglia. Jack specialized in the area of Employee Rights and Workman’s Compensation Law. For thirty years he served on the board of the Opportunity Center Inc. and did fundraising for his Princeton Class of 1951. He further gave his time to the board of the Wilmington And Western Railroad, as well as The Wilmington Trapshooting Association. He was also a life member of the American Trapshooting Association. A modest man, Jack spent his retirement years attending the Academy of Lifelong Learning, cultivating a very large vegetable garden, and walking with various Brittany Spaniels of dubious pedigree. He was a member of the Wilmington Club, The Vicmead, The American Law Institute, The Aurora Gun Club, The Atlantic Indians, The Society of Colonial Wars and the Princeton Club of New York. Jack is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ann Busch Atwood ’51; their three children, Jane Biggs Sanger ’79, Anna Massey Biggs ’83, and John Atwood Biggs ’85; six grandchildren; his brother, Charles Rupert Biggs ’46, and sister, Anna Biggs Pierce ’47.
1971
Jeffrey Grossman died on May 28, 2009. Jeffrey, a graduate of Hobart College, had traveled extensively through the U.S. and Europe, where his facility at speaking foreign languages, particularly French, served him well. He was an avid supporter of charitable organizations, including the Simon Wiesenthal Center. Anna Elizabeth Worth, 55, formerly of Chadds Ford, died on May 16, 2009, following a valiant fight with cancer. Her parents were the late Richard Merritt Worth ’31 and Sarah Edge Worth. Anna graduated from Denison University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. She and her husband were married at Romansville Friends Meeting. For nearly 30 years, they operated the West Mountain Animal Hospital near their home in Shaftsbury, Vermont, while raising their two children. Anna served in a variety of professional capacities including: the board of the Bennington County Humane Society; president of the Vermont Veterinary Medical Association; Vermont delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association from 19921999; chairwoman for the Vermont Cruelty Task Force and the Vermont Animal Welfare Committee. In 1992 she received the Massachusetts SPCA Veterinarian of the Year Award and in 1997 the David Walker Award. Nationally, Anna served on numerous committees of the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), and was President of the Society for Veterinary Medical Ethics. In 2005, she helped found the AAHA Helping Pets Fund. From 2008 to 2009, during her illness, she served 24
Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
Lower School Meeting Room, and the family generously designated memorial gifts to the performing arts department.
2006
Elizabeth Antal Chasey Colmorgen died on June 1, 2009 of hepato-renal failure secondary to autoimmune hepatitis while waiting for a transplant. Elizabeth attended Wilmington Friends School and graduated from the Alexis I. DuPont High School. She attended Cedar Crest College in Allentown, PA, and Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs. Elizabeth is survived by her parents, her grandmother, and her fiancé and his mother. Elizabeth was a member of St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church and was a birthright member of Shrewsbury (NJ) Friends Meeting.
Former Faculty
Charlotte Hubbard Fries died on March 29, 2009. Charlotte was an accomplished athlete and was extremely active throughout her life. She coached women’s tennis at Wilmington Friends School.
A view of the Class of 1964 Memorial Garden, outside the Jones House as the AAHA president and championed student advocacy, mentoring guidelines, and had numerous speaking engagements at veterinary colleges in the U.S. and Canada. Anna was a beloved daughter, mother, spouse, and friend. She was a born leader, communicator, and creative thinker. Most importantly, Anna was an optimist, which propelled her through a difficult year and inspired all who loved her. She is survived by her husband, daughter, son, and granddaughter; and by her mother, Sally Worth, sister Lark Worth ’68, and brother Richard Worth ’70, all of West Chester.
1979
Edward T. (Ted) O’Brien passed away on March 28, 2009, from cardiac complications of chronic pulmonary disease. Ted was a graduate of Fordham University in New York City with a degree in theater. He worked in theater and television in New York and subsequently in Los Angeles before settling in Birmingham, AL, in the mid-1990’s. His two greatest mentors were Violet Richman, a music teacher at Friends, and the actress Dixie Carter. In Birmingham, he continued to be active in community theater companies both acting and directing. His major performances included Mack the Knife in Three Penny Opera and McMurphy in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. He brought joy and laughter to all who knew him. Ted’s survivors include his five siblings: Thomas ’70, John ’72, Margaret ’74, James ’77, and Matthew ’81; three nephews, including Logan ’15; and his niece, Leah ’13. A memorial for Ted was held in the Friends
Jane Rittenhouse Smiley passed away on April 27, 2009. She grew up on the Haverford College campus where her father was a professor. She graduated from Swarthmore College in 1940 with a B.A. in French. Jane taught French at the Lancaster Country Day School and at Wilmington Friends. Along the way she acquired an M.A. in French from Middlebury College and served as a Teacher of English Conversation at the Friends Girls School in Tokyo, Japan. Jane left the teaching profession in 1969 to accept a position as Rare Books Librarian at the Winterthur Museum. After acquiring a M.S. in Library Science from Drexel University in 1970 she returned to her alma mater serving as a librarian and archivist for Swarthmore’s Friends Historical Library. In 1976, Jane married Daniel Smiley of Lake Mohonk, and contributed to the family resort, creating Mohonk’s first archive and serving as librarian archivist coordinator of religious activities, leader of historic tours, and guest hostess. Jane was also active in the New Paltz Friends Meeting and participated in a local prison program. In 1994, Jane moved to Crosslands where among other activities she edited the Crosslands Chronicle. Jane was preceded in death by her husband and her sister, and is survived by two stepdaughters, one stepson, seven grandchildren, and six greatgrandchildren.
In Memory information is gathered from press reports and direct submissions to the school. Please email information you would like to share to alumni@wilmingtonfriends.org.
IN CLOSING
State Champions Troy Beneck ’10 and Greg Miraglia ’10 Troy Beneck won his second consecutive state tennis championship at first singles, finishing a perfect 18-0 for the 2009 season. Greg Miraglia won the state diving championship in February 2009. His margin of victory was 90 points; for comparison, the girls’ championship was decided by 0.3—that’s three-tenths—of a point.
Photo: budkeeganimages.com
At Final Assembly, Head of School Bryan Garman recognized Greg and Troy, saying, “You guys made it look easy when it wasn’t, and we thank you for your hard work, dedication, and for the pride that you have brought to Friends School.”
Photo: Fred Comegys, The News Journal Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
101 School Road Wilmington, DE 19803 www.wilmingtonfriends.org
PAID Permit No. 1249 Wilmington, DE
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Homecoming Service Project Saturday, October 17 7:30am-2:00pm If you plan to attend Homecoming (and please do!), we are asking each Friends family to bring at least one item to help us fill a truck with donations for The Ministry of Caring.
Friends students Brook Kebede ’10, Gabbi Harris ’11, and John Fairchild ’11— and a beautiful sunset— Satpura National Park, India Fall 2009 • Friends magazine
Please bring one of the following: • non-perishable food item • personal hygiene or baby-care product • cold weather coat, scarf, gloves • blanket • bath towel Thank you for helping us to make a difference in our community as we celebrate Homecoming 2009.