Friends
Wilmington Friends School Spring 2014
New Theater to Open May 18 More on The Future of Friends AFS “Top School” Award WFS Students Abroad Winter & Alumni News
Friends
Wilmington Friends School Spring 2014
From the Head of School
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For Alumni & Friends
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From—and For—the Archives
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May 18 Open House and “The Future of Friends” Campaign
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WFS Recognized for Leadership in Global Education
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Three Years Abroad— Student Reflections and Advice
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Winter News
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Class Notes
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In Memory
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Connect-a-Thon Thank You In Closing: Oklahoma! BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary Andrew Aerenson ’81 Christopher F. Buccini ’90 Denise Chapman Thomas M. Connelly Doneene Damon Stephen L. Dutton Meg Gehret Erskine ’83 Brett D. Fallon Scott W. Gates ’80
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. On the cover, a glimpse of the theater construction as it nears completion; and this page, a snowy start to the spring sports season.
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Susan Kelley Darcy Rademaker Daniel Klein Russ Endo Ellen L. Gay J. Harry Hammond Susan Janes-Johnson Deborah Murray-Sheppard Laura K. Reilly Jocelyn Sutton Stewart ’82 David Tennent Harvey Zendt
Alumni Association Board Liaison
Christopher W. Lee ’82
Home & School Association Board Liaison
Jane Hollingsworth
ADMINISTRATION Head of School Assistant to the Head of School Assistant Head for Academics Assistant Head for Finance & Operations Head of Lower School Head of Middle School Head of Upper School Director of Admissions and Financial Aid Director of Communications Director of Development Strategic Marketing Manager ALUMNI BOARD 2013-2014 Melissa Fagan Billitto ‘87, President Stanita Clarke ‘06 Carolyn Gates Connors ‘81 Alexandra Poorman Ergon ‘77 Tim E. Gibbs ‘76 Joey Gutierrez ‘07 Ona Murdoch Hamilton ‘67 Amy Curran Harper ‘94 Raven Harris ‘06 Omar Khan ‘90 Josh Klein ‘98
Bryan Garman Ann Cole Peter Wenigmann William Baczkowski Annette Hearing Jonathan Huxtable Rebecca Zug Kathleen Hopkins Tracey Quillen Carney ’80 Chad O’Kane Susan Morovati Finizio ‘87 Matt Lang ‘08 Chris Lee ‘82 Kate Lester ‘02 Adrienne Monley ‘02 Raymond Osbun ‘71 Kristin Dugan Poppiti ‘03 Tom Scott ‘70 Amanda Corby Soto ‘00 Martha Poorman Tschantz ‘85 Nicole Caddell Wample ‘03 Joe Wolcott ‘97
Professional photography by Elisa Komins Morris and Joe del Tufo 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. Please send any comments or corrections to info@ wilmingtonfriends.org.
Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Friends, During the last week of February, representatives from the 1700 member institutions of the National Association of Independent Schools gathered for our annual conference. Entitled “Dare to Explore and Discover,” the 2014 meeting was in Orlando, and celebrated the region’s creative contributions to the arts and entertainment industry and the role it has played in the exploration of science and space. Among the presenters (one of whom was Friends teacher Carlos Charriez), two keynoters seemed to speak to recent developments at Friends School. Lyn Heward, Chief Operating Officer for the Creative Content Division of Cirque de Soleil, explained how her organization, one that brilliantly combines arts and athleticism, inspires performers to unleash their creativity and captivate audiences. Prominent strategies included a willingness to fail and to “take creative inspiration from constraints, worldly challenges, and cultural differences.”
August 2013
Performance, Heward reminded us, opens important avenues to selfexpression and discovery; in that spirit, with tremendous support from our Board of Trustees and our entire community, we at Friends School have dared to build extraordinary facilities that will support student performance in the arts and athletics. This May, our community celebrates our ability to“take creative inspiration” from challenge when we open the new theater, atrium, and gymnasium. We hope you will join us—specifically for our rescheduled Community Open House on Sunday, May 18—to tour the new facilities. Several weeks ago, I gave an advance tour to several upper school students, and they expressed great enthusiasm for staging, lighting, and design options that the new theater presents. One student texted a message that summarized the reaction of his peers: “OMG the theater.” The atrium is a dramatic and welcoming space that will support smaller performances and gatherings. And the new theater lobby will be in itself inspiring, which is only appropriate since it will be dedicated to longtime teacher Violet Richman, who has been a creative inspiration to so many Friends students and colleagues. The new gymnasium will be dedicated to Bill Neff who in his 41 years at Friends touched virtually every aspect of school life, including athletics. With the addition of windows, new ventilation systems, an elevator stop, fresh paint, a new floor and bleachers, rest rooms, and other enhancements, the gym promises to be a great space for athletes and spectators alike. So does the new synthetic turf field and track, which, we are pleased to announce, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2014. The field will be dedicated in memory of Christopher C. Mellor, parent of three Friends graduates and a great supporter and fan of Quaker athletics.
October 2013
These facilities will provide important opportunities for our students. But as former astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison reminded us at the Orlando conference, we must never stop exploring new possibilities and inspiring dreams. No one knows how to dream better than Dr. Jemison. The first woman of color in space, she is now leading a visionary initiative entitled “100 Year Starship,” which endeavors to ensure that “human interstellar flight is a reality in the next 100 years.” These efforts, she contends, enable us to discover new information about the solar system but, more important, yield a better understanding of the earth and of ourselves.
October 2013 Spring Spring2014 2014••Friends Friendsmagazine magazine
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FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Our plans for a new Global Learning Center build on just such assumptions. Featuring what our architects are calling the Innovation Hub, this project refurbishes the middle/upper school library so that students can make better use of technology and collaborate more effectively. In addition, a STEM Design Lab, to be named for Ira T. Ellis ’52, will enable our students to advance science skills by creating their own inventions and to explore the potential of our newly expanded robotics program. And while we are not yet ready for interstellar travel, our new language classroom addition will improve instructional spaces for the study of world languages and cultures, building on our mission to promote global education.
We thank all of you... for making Friends School great in the past and present. One last observation from NAIS: Jay Shuster, a production manager at the wildly successful Pixar Animation Studios, shared the underlying philosophy for the company that has been led by Steve Jobs, John Lasseter, et al.: “Make it great.” We thank all of you—alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students, and friends—for making Friends School great in the past and present. Please join us in celebrating our latest accomplishments and in daring to explore and discover opportunities that will ensure that the School will continue to define and achieve new levels of greatness in the years to come. In friendship,
Bryan Garman
Photos on this page, April 1, 2014
From the Alumni Association President Dear Friends, As this issue of Friends hits deadline for submissions, we are awaiting our umpteenth snowstorm here in Delaware. But we are busy planning for exciting spring and fall events that you won’t want to miss. Please save the dates: May 18th for the Community Open House for the new theater/ gym; May 31st for the 4th Annual Spring Fling; and October 17-18th for Alumni Melissa Fagan Billitto ’87 Weekend with Homecoming and Reunions and, special this year, the official dedication of the new theater lobby to Violet Richman and the new gym to Bill Neff. Phew! There’s much more about coming events inside these pages, but allow me to address Alumni Weekend. COME HOME! Every year, it just gets better and better. Whether you haven’t been back on campus since your graduation, or you come back every year, you will feel most welcome. The entire weekend is the ultimate “Friends moment,” and we want you to be part of it—especially as we honor two former faculty members who had such a profound and inspiring impact on the School. The Alumni Board is currently comprised of 22 members from all over the country. With four meetings per year, we typically meet in the Jones House and host a Google Hangout for our out-of-town members. The spring meeting is my favorite each year. This is when we come to consensus on the year’s Alumni Awards. Our members have spent the past month researching all the nominees. At the spring meeting, each researcher serves as the official advocate for “their” nominee. In the very same practice we learned as students at Friends, the group slowly but surely comes to consensus on who will be recognized as the Distinguished Alumnus/a and the Young Alumnus/a and with the Outstanding Service Award. Please be sure to join us on the Friday of Alumni Weekend: October 17th. That evening we will celebrate all reunions, the 4th Annual Alumni Art Show, and the Alumni Awards. We would love to have your input and insight in the future! Please consider nominating a classmate for a future Alumni Award. Just send your idea to alumni@wilmingtonfriends.org, and the staff in the Jones House can lead you through the process. In friendship,
Melissa Fagan Billitto ’87
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for Alumni&Friends
Homecoming Dedications to Violet Richman, Bill Neff, Jane Rayner Groo ’40, and Christopher C. Mellor As part of Homecoming 2014, there will be four special dedications:
Please see our summer magazine for the final schedule of events, but in the meantime, please save the dates!
Friday, October 17, 2014
• The new theater lobby will be dedicated to longtime Friends music teacher and director Violet Richman. • The new gym will be dedicated to longtime teacher and administrator Bill Neff.
Homecoming 2014
11:30am: 50th + Reunion and 1748 Society Luncheon ~ The DuPont Country Club To Celebrate the Classes of 1964,1959,1954,1949,1944,1939 &1934 and All Members of the 1748 Society
Violet Richman greeting friends at a February concert that included a piece commissioned in her honor (read more, page 15).
• The new conference room adjacent to the theater’s upper level will be dedicated in memory of Jane Rayner Groo ’40. • The new field and track will be dedicated in memory of parent of alumni Christopher C. Mellor. There will also be a ground-breaking ceremony at the field during the Alumni Spring Fling on May 31.
Many, many thanks to the donors who have made it possible for Friends to dedicate our wonderful new facilities to these great friends of the School.
6:00pm: Annual True Blue and All Alumni Reunion/Awards Reception ~ Middle/Upper School Library PLUS special dedications, with a musical performance, in honor of Violet Richman and Bill Neff and in memory of Jane Rayner Groo ’40 And featuring the Annual Alumni Art Show with works by alumni celebrating reunions in 2014 ~ If you might like to participate, please email a highresolution photo of the work you would like to display to: alumni@wilmingtonfriends.org.
10:00am: Meeting for Worship ~ Middle/Upper School Meeting Room Honoring faculty and staff, past and present, with 15 and more years of service to WFS 10:30am: Field Hockey vs. Tatnall 11:00am: Self-guided tours of the Middle/ Upper School Campus See the new facilities! 11:30am-1:30pm: Lunch in the Homecoming Tent All welcome 12:00pm-2:00pm: Kids’ Corner and Lower School Service Bake Sale ~ Jones House Lawn 12:00pm: Soccer vs. Tatnall With special dedication of Christopher C. Mellor Field
Volleyball vs. Sanford ~ West Gym
2:30pm: Football vs. Tatnall
Saturday, October 18, 2014
8:00pm: Upper School Homecoming Dance ~ West Gym
8:30am: Smith McMillan 5K Run/Walk ~ Middle/Upper School Campus With our Homecoming Service Project, a collection of goods for the Ministry of Caring
And evening reunions for classes ending in 4 or 9, arranged by class agents and volunteers ~ thank you!
Keep Up with Friends
Bill Neff cracking ever-wise at his retirement party in June 2012.
Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Pinterest—it all adds up to a full spectrum view that’s tracking the pulse of the school and our community. Join us in whatever format you prefer. And don’t forget to let us know when your email and mailing addresses change. Most of our communications are via email, but this magazine is just one of the reasons to ensure we’re up to date on your old-school address, too. Thanks! Spring Spring2014 2014• Friends • Friendsmagazine magazine
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From—and for—
The Archives
With Thanks to Doris Biesterfeld Townshend ’39
By Terence Maguire
D
oris Townshend graduated from Friends in 1939, only the second class from the Alapocas campus. She remembers the school at Fourth and West and was a classmate of former Friends Trustee Jack Hoopes, as well as John Mendinhall II, after whom our highest award for graduating seniors was named. In response to our last “From the Archives” feature, she has generously filled in some details about our school history of more than seventy years ago. (See Doris’s letter, and the “The Rose and The Ring” program images at right.) Such an effort is nothing new for Doris. She has lived in New Haven, CT, for many decades, and over the last 40 years, she has written nine books that deal with local history, going back to the founding of the original colony. Among these have been books on the New Haven public school system, 1638-2006; a history of the Quinnipiac tribe of Connecticut; a history of the village of Pomfret; explanations of the street names of New Haven and East Haven; and a family history of the Townshends. In focusing on her local history, Doris is part of a Friends School tradition. Graduates and members of our Friends School community have long been chroniclers of the school’s own local history. Among those with books in our collection (with apologies to those not included in this list): • In 1846, Benjamin Ferris, a member of the Friends School Committee, published The History of the Original Settlements on the Delaware, the first account of Delaware history. In it he recounts the story of Friends School, already 98 years old at the time. • Christopher Ward, Class of 1886, was one of the founders of the Whittier Miscellany. His books on Delaware’s early history include New Sweden on the Delaware and The Swedes and the Dutch on the Delaware. He was a major force in the Historical Society of Delaware for 48 years, including service as the Society’s president.
In focusing on her local history, Doris is part of a Friends School tradition. Graduates and members of our Friends School community have long been chroniclers of the school’s own local history. 4
Spring Spring2014 2014• •Friends Friendsmagazine magazine
• Henry Seidel Canby (1895), Yale professor and founder of the Saturday Review of Literature and the Bookof-the-Month Club, was a distinguished critic of literature who also wrote The Age of Confidence, about growing up in Wilmington in the late 19th century, and The Brandywine, a history of the society and culture along the banks of that small but storied creek. • Jeannette Eckman (1901) wrote about one of the earliest churches in the region, one that actually preceded Old Swede’s (1655), in Crane Hook on the Delaware, as well as A Century of Fine Cloth, a history of the Bancroft Corporation on the Brandywine. • Charles Lee Reese (1920) was first a reporter and then a longtime executive, including 13 years as president, of The News Journal Company. He knew everyone and was much involved in civic affairs. His book, The Horse on Rodney Square, is a lively and informed social history of early-mid 20th century Wilmington. Friends School has certainly produced historians of distant times and places as well. Perhaps, though, coming from a small school in a small state has inclined some Friends School graduates to examine closely the world most immediately around them.
“I remember very well the large assembly hall and small stage on the third floor that faced West Street.”
“I and others were involved in making puppets for the play, The Rose and The Ring. The puppet king was clothed in royal purple and then strung up.”
Spring2014 2014• Friends • Friendsmagazine magazine Spring
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You Are Invited Community Open House Sunday, May 18, 2014 11:00am-Ribbon Cutting 12:00pm-Brief Program Followed by Self-Guided Tours until 3:00pm Refreshments & Children’s Activities Please join us to celebrate the opening of our new theater and gym, and to hear Head of School Bryan Garman discuss the “Future of Friends,” a comprehensive campaign that encompasses completed, ongoing, and planned projects, including:
Turf Field and Track With construction slated to begin right after the spring sports season, our new multi-sport turf field and synthetic track promise to elevate Friends athletics and to enhance our lower school physical education program. The field will be dedicated in memory of Christopher C. Mellor, parent of three Friends graduates and a great fan of Friends School and Quaker sports teams. (Please note that there will be a groundbreaking for the new field at the Alumni Spring Fling on May 31, as well as an official dedication during Homecoming 2014.)
The QUEST Center and QUEST Term The School is looking for opportunities to build upon the mission-based work of its nationally recognized Quaker Center for Understanding, Engagement, and Stewardship (QUEST). An exciting possibility is the development of cross-cultural service learning trips as an integrated part of the 9th and 10th grade curriculum. Learn more in our discussions about the Future of Friends.
Endowment No discussion of the School’s future would be complete without a focus on endowment, specifically to support financial aid (including aid for students to participate in QUEST trips) and faculty salaries. Endowment is, simply, the best assurance of the School’s sustainability as a leader in educational quality and opportunity.
Future of Friends Donor Wall To be unveiled during the community open house, our atrium donor wall recognizes gifts to The Future of Friends comprehensive campaign. The wall’s design reflects the Quaker testimonies of simplicity and stewardship in the use of locally reclaimed, natural materials, including wood from retired Friends School bleachers. The wall has been built to grow, from the strong foundation of the earliest contributions to the campaign to include gifts and pledges received through June 2016. To learn more about The Future of Friends Campaign, please contact Director of Development Chad O’Kane, cjokane@wilmingtonfriends.org or 302.254.3853. Thank you for the many ways in which you support Friends.
Global Learning Center The planned five-classroom, environmentally designed Global Learning Center will provide needed classroom space, and will allow for additional renovations to create an Innovation Hub on the middle/ upper school campus. The addition and renovations, including a STEM/design lab to be named for Ira T. Ellis ’52, will further integrate technology and collaborative research in support of the curriculum. The School is still seeking support to make this exciting project a reality.
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Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
WFS Recognized by U.S. Secretary of State and AFS n March 2014, Wilmington Irecognitions Friends received two national for leadership in
promoting global education, specifically by hosting international students each school year. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recognized Friends for engaging in exchange programs as public diplomacy that “create longlasting ties that lead to greater understanding and peaceful relations between the United States and countries around the world.” In addition, AFS Intercultural Programs USA (formerly the American Field Service) presented Friends with the “2014 Top AFS School” Award for promoting “global citizenship though intercultural learning—both inside and outside of the classroom.” Only 79 schools nationally (of more than 2,100 that partner with AFS) received the Top School award.
The 2013-2014 AFS students at Friends, Constanca Eiras and Monika Rodiqi, hold the 2014 Top AFS School Award. Letter sent to Delaware media by AFS-USA President Jorge Castro, announcing both the recognition from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and the Top AFS School Award.
Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
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On Years Abroad
siblings Matt O’Brien ’14 and Martha O’Brien ’15 decided Ijuniornto2012-13, spend the school year living and learning abroad, Matt for his year through the School Year Abroad (SYA) program and Martha as an AFS student for her sophomore year.
Emilio Ergueta is spending the current school year in France, thanks to a Rotary Scholarship; Emilio will return to Friends as a junior (he is essentially doing a high-school gap year). Three additional students— fourth grader John Wang, sixth grader Anna Fahey, and sophomore Eli Akerfeldt-Howard—spent the first semester this year living with family overseas, and returned to Friends after winter break. Finally, WFS Trustee Harvey Zendt is on sabbatical for the spring semester, serving as “peacemaker in residence” at the world’s largest Quaker school, The Friends School in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Each year, the school invites a peace activist to share experiences in formats like classes and lectures. During his School Year Abroad, Matt O’Brien, left, had a chance to attend an FC Barcelona game with Gustav Hagman, an AFS student at Friends last year who was hosted by the family of Jamie Martelli-Raben, right, now a Friends senior.
Many thanks to Emilio, Martha, and Matt, who generously agreed to share some of their experiences and insights as “exchange” students. (We look forward to hearing more from Harvey when he gets back.)
Matt O’Brien France, 2012-2013 My decision to study abroad was not an easy one. In the end, I decided to do it because it would be something different than my 12 years already spent at WFS. While I love the school and the community at Friends, I felt that SYA [School Year Abroad] would be a great opportunity to jump out of my comfort zone and explore who I am. For me, it was a decision between SYA and IB [the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, during junior and senior year at Friends]. I chose SYA over IB after conferring with Director of College Guidance Kathleen Martin, who said that both are viewed equally in the college process. It was going to be (and was) an adventure.
my true family; I love them like my own and miss them very much. I cannot wait to go back.
Matt with his host family, in front of the Opera House in Rennes and visiting the Forum in Rome.
Of course, I learned more about myself and my place in the world, but I also really valued learning about France and its culture. The American School (as SYA is referred to in Rennes, the host city) features a class devoted entirely to the study of France, called Culture et Société Française (CESF); it was one of my favorite classes. 8
Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
In addition to being exposed to a unique and considerably different culture from the one I had been raised in, I’ve also created connections across the United States, as my friends from the program come from cities like D.C, Charlottesville, Dallas, and L.A. Lastly, my relationship with my host family rivals only that of
I entered my year abroad not expecting anything, or at least trying not to. I knew that it would be impossible to accurately predict anything that was going to happen, so I would just have to go in with an open mind and be prepared for the worst. So, that is what I did. Fortunately, things turned out great, but my message here is that no one (not even yourself) can prepare you for the SYA experience. They can give you their take on it, how their experience went, but no one will be able to tell you if you are ready for it, and you will not know if you are ready for it until you are doing it. I saw this in France; while most kids were fine, there were some who could not handle the stresses of living abroad. It is really different for every kid, so no one can accurately tell you “it’ll change perspective on life!” or “you should definitely do it!” You just have to do what you want, and do it in the best way you possibly can. Put everything into your year abroad, and you will find rewarding aspects to it. I found that my year away enhanced my family relationships. While I only saw my parents once, over Christmas when they came to visit, I Skyped with my parents and sister every other week. My sister was in Spain while I was in France, so we were going through a roughly similar
Martha O’Brien Spain, 2012-2013 I decided to study abroad very spontaneously, actually. One night at dinner when my brother Matt was a sophomore and I was a freshman, he brought up the SYA [School Year Abroad] presentation he had seen in school that day. We started talking about it as a family, and right there and then, before getting up from the table, I knew that’s what I wanted to do the following year. Also, knowing two awesome exchange students (Anna Haugland and Gustav Hagman) that year definitely influenced my decision. There were a lot of challenges over the year, but I suppose every year has its challenges, whether you’re away from home or not. Particularly challenging was the well-known culture shock part of the exchange-student experience. It was hard to move from the American culture into the Spanish culture, and it made
me thankful for things I once took for granted. Small things caught me off guard—for instance, the custom of always wearing slippers in the house or kissing on the cheek when first meeting someone, or only wearing flip flops when you are going to the beach or not running on roads because people think you’re insane. There were a number of small things that I had to learn the hard way in a new culture, and that threw me off a little. I would say the whole experience deepened my relationship with my family. It was extremely hard last year, all being in different places; and (continued on next page)
Martha, left, with her host sister, Lucia, on the beach that was about a fiveminute walk from their house.
I entered my year abroad not expecting anything, or at least trying not to. I knew that it would be imposexperience together, sible to accurately predict anything that was going to which was good happen, so I would just have to go in with an open for both of us, I mind.... Fortunately, things turned out great, but my believe. When we were all finally message here is that no one (not even yourself) can reunited in June, my family never felt prepare you for the SYA experience. so close. I found a new level of appreciation for my family during my year abroad, even though I barely even saw them! But that’s the magic of it.
Coming back to WFS wasn’t “hard,” per se, but I wasn’t exactly looking forward to it, either. In some ways, I felt like I was taking a step backwards, after having spent nine months in another country. Here, a lot of my friends are doing the IB program, which I cannot do. In a way,
it’s nice not having to do the extra work they are doing, but at the same time, my experience is different than theirs, and I do still wonder if it is putting me at a disadvantage going into college. I’ll find out next year, I guess. In all honesty, I think my year abroad over-prepared me for college, and my senior year is almost like a bridge between two challenging periods of my life. In terms of my next four years, my year in France has encouraged me to pursue a degree in international relations,
and another (if not multiple) year abroad experience. I really want to go to Istanbul—again, we’ll see what happens. It is hard to give people advice for a year abroad experience. If you do decide to do it, I’d say prepare for the worst, but hope for the best. Keep an open mind, and don’t judge too quickly. Try it before you refuse it. Take advantage of any travel opportunities (traveling around Europe is easier if you are living in Europe!). Give it your all, and don’t forget about your schoolwork. Do things outside of school; join a sports club, or a cooking class, or even a fitness program (in my SYA class, a group of girls did a Zumba class together). But if you do it with SYA friends, be sure to reach out to local people, too. It would be weird coming back from a year abroad only having new American friends, after all. My final piece of advice: Don’t wait. If you are thinking about doing something, do it as soon as possible. The nine months goes a lot faster than you’d think. Seize any and all opportunities, they are all oncein-a-lifetime. Bon voyage!
Matt with the members of his futsal club, which played every week, and with friends on a school trip to Provence. Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
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although I got to see my parents in March, I didn’t see Matt for a whole 10 months. We did Skype every other week on Sundays for about an hour, but that’s nothing like really being with them. When we were all finally back together, it felt just like old times. I think we appreciate each other more now that we know what it’s like to feel alone. With my friends, I’m thankful to have such great friends who stayed in touch with me the whole year. They were the main reason my transition back to Delaware and to WFS has been so smooth. They’ve been there for me through everything and never gave up on me.
....I think my year abroad has helped me realize how lucky we are to go to a school like Friends, with faculty who really care about their students and students who are thoughtful about wanting to do something with their lives. Although it was hard getting back into the school schedule, I think my year abroad has helped me realize how lucky we are to go to a school like Friends, with faculty who really care about their students and students who are thoughtful about wanting to do something with their lives. I’m still catching up in some subjects, especially math and English (two subjects where I didn’t really get pushed last year), but I’m still enjoying it! Going abroad in high school has definitely opened my mind to the possibility of going abroad again in college and possibly finding a job that involves the mix of two (or more) cultures. Some advice I’d give to future exchange students is: 1) You might ask yourself if you’re really ready for this experience but the thing is...you’ll never know until you jump right in. 2) It will be a hard year, but in the end you’ll remember all the times you laughed and the great relationships you made, and you will realize that those hard times lead to amazing times. 3) Don’t forget to share your culture with people you meet abroad! Cook some good American foods, or show them your prom pictures (trust me...everyone knows prom as the American high school stereotype). And 4) Remember, you’re only there for one year and then you’ll be back to your old life, so take risks, talk to everyone, and make the most of it!
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Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
Emilio Ergueta France, 2013-2014 Since I was very young, my parents have tried to expose me to different cultures and ways of life. Teaching me to speak in other languages, showing me foreign movies, and listening to international music have always been a big part of the life I live. An important thing I learned from an early age was that the best way to learn a new language was to immerse oneself in it, to hear and speak it every day. For this reason, I have always felt attracted to spending time abroad, preferably in a country where English isn’t spoken. When I was in eighth grade, I had my first brush with this kind of experience, as I spent the year in Hannover, Germany, with my family. After a fantastic year of making friends, perfecting my German, and enjoying everything Germany has to offer, I wanted to do it all again.
Emilio hiking and visiting the Pyrenees with friends; he noted the value of having both local friends and exchange student friends from a variety of countries.
When I got to high school, the idea of repeating the experiAn important thing I learned from an early ence abroad firmly took hold, age was that the best way to learn a new but this time I wanted to do it by myself and with a different language was to immerse oneself in it, to hear language (German had already and speak it every day. For this reason, I have been familiar from our family background). After applying to always felt attracted to spending time abroad, multiple exchange programs, I was accepted for a scholarship preferably in a country where English isn’t by the Rotary International spoken. Youth Exchange. The Rotary At first, I was a bit shell-shocked. ArrivYouth Exchange offers the unique opporing in a new country can be tough at the tunity of being sent abroad within their network. Before leaving, the Rotary Youth beginning (especially with jet lag and the time difference). I soon found, however, Exchange provides weekend information that although I had left my family behind, sessions for outbound students and the chance to meet past and current exchange I was in a new one. My first host family students in the area. The organization also wasted little time in welcoming me into their home and hearts. (Rotary requires makes it easy to plan, obtain a visa, and students to change host families at least prepare for departure. two times during the year, so I have since As a result of my enthusiasm and prepara- moved from my first French “home.”) tion, I felt pretty ready to leave, but I was Soon, I felt like a member of the family, soon proved wrong. Nothing can prepare who took his turn washing the dishes, telling stories at the dinner table, and you for that moment when you’re at the airport, and you realize that the next step cheating at board games. My family had a great time showing me around you take is one that will take you away the Region of Languedoc-Roussillo and from everything you know and love. In France, taking me to the beach, the histhat moment, I realized that I was going to go on a yearlong adventure without my torical Roman towns of Nmes and Arles, an even Lyon (for the festival of lights). friends, family, or anything else that was familiar. I also realized that I had no idea I had been very worried that it would be where my next year would take me, but I had to face it all the same. I decided that I hard to find friends in a new country; was ready to take this step and, after tear- however, I really shouldn’t have been. Thanks to the weekends that Rotary ful goodbyes, I boarded the plane. organizes with the all the exchange stu-
Winter
News & Events from
I have noticed that arriving in a new country, being faced with the new challenges, meeting new people, and speaking a new language can have a huge effect on someone. dents (25 just in our region of France), I found people who shared my love for travel and were experiencing the same things that I was. Over the course of one weekend, I grew as close to many of these exchange students as I was to my friends in the U.S. Furthermore, these people came from all over the world (Argentina, Australia, Taiwan, Chile, Japan, Canada, Mexico, Korea), with interesting backgrounds and stories to share. Apart from the other exchange students, I started to make plenty of French friends, too. At school, I’m in a class of 35 kids (all French) who, although a bit shy to talk to me at the beginning, soon came to accept me as a member of the class, even voting me assistant Class Representative in October. Exchange is a time where people experience a lot of growth. I have noticed that arriving in a new country, being faced with the new challenges, meeting new people, and speaking a new language can have a huge effect on someone. Since I’ve been in France, I have felt myself becoming a different person with different interests and habits. More importantly, living alone (with a host family I had not known before) has given me a sense of independence I’ve never had in my life. Being on my own means I need to manage my money, schedule my days, and plan all the trips I take. This level of autonomy is something most people don’t experience until college or even their first career. I encourage everyone interested in studying abroad to do it. Spending a year, semester, or even a month in a new country is a wonderful experience. That being said, exchange is really what you make out of it. People can have a really tough time adjusting to their new environment and can come up against a lot of difficulties. What is important is to always have a positive attitude, be friendly and open to everyone you meet, and never to say no to anything you are offered (within the usual limits of good judgment). I would bet that no one who has adopted these principles has ever had a bad exchange experience.
2013-2014
Winter Concerts
The Performing Arts department and Friends students again presented a wonderful concert season. In addition to the concerts at school, First & Central Presbyterian Church hosted the Upper School Choral Concert; the fourth and fifth grade Kids Choir performed at the Brandywine River Museum; the Sixth Grade Choir sang at the Festival of Trees for Delaware Hospice; an ensemble from the Seventh & Eighth Grade Choir performed at Cokesbury Village and the Country House; and the Chamber Singers participated in Voices of Caring, a benefit for The Ministry of Caring.
Among many highlights of the winter concert season, our friends at First & Central Presbyterian Church kindly, and beautifully, hosted the upper school choral concert; the Kindergarten, First & Second Grade Concert featured plasticplate percussion and choreography to a Tchaikovsky tune; and third-fifth graders played and sang to a packed house in the lower school Meeting Room.
Hour of Code Friends students participated in the worldwide “Hour of Code” during Computer Science Education Week in December. At Friends, coding is a formal part of the curriculum starting in kindergarten, reflecting its importance as a 21st century literacy—not just for computer scientists but for everyone.
Senior Chosen as TEDx Presenter Senior Julia Rhodes was selected to participate in a TEDx conference at New Hope Solebury School (PA). The theme of the conference was “Youth,” and Julia spoke about her personal “introvert to activist” story. As a self-described introvert, Julia was inspired to activism after reading Escape From Camp 14, a narrative of the first and only person to have been born in and then escape from a North Korean political prison camp. Julia described the theme of her talk as, “the ways in which society values extroversion and novelty, and how introverts can find personal success in that paradigm.”
All-State Theatre Friends senior Eliza Durham and junior Wyatt Thompson both auditioned successfully for this year’s Delaware All-State Theatre production of The Drowsy Chaperone. In the upper school fall musical in Friends students participated in the worldwide “Hour of Code” November 2013, The Sound of Music, Eliza portrayed Maria, and Wyatt played in December. Friedrich, the oldest of the von Trapp family boys. Spring Spring2014 2014• Friends • Friendsmagazine magazine 11
Career Track Program Featuring WFS Alumni In early January, the Alumni Office hosted a program for seniors and young alumni called, “Career Track: How to Jump Start a Successful Career.” Erin Bushnell ’96, Avi Dadone ’99, and Jennifer DeCastro ’96, all professionals in recruiting and hiring, shared tips on networking, interviews, resumes, and more. In addition, the program was designed to help students learn how to use WFS alumni resources, build a LinkedIn social network, approach and optimize contacts, and leverage experiences as athletes, volunteers, artists, and leaders in school and community activities.
IB Group IV Tackles Millennium Goals Fifty-five students engaged in research for this year’s IB Group IV project, “Futuring with a Purpose—Looking at Future Status of the UN Millennium Goals.” The students are from four IB classes: SL (standard level) and HL (higher level) Biology, SL Chemistry, and SL Physics. After two mornings of research and a model-building session—the models had to be assembled from limited materials and in a short time period—students made small-group presentations to an audience of teachers and students from both middle and upper school.
Partnership with Boys & Girls Club This winter, the Friends partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware officially got underway with the first session of Mike’s TEAM (teaching excellence by academic mentoring). Ten upper school students led the way, working at the H. Fletcher Brown Club twice each week for eight weeks this winter. The first group of student mentors from Friends included senior Caroline Grover; juniors Danny DePaulo, Logan O’Brien, Tommy Rhodes, Macon Sheppard, Myles Wilson, and Jane Yeatman; and sophomores Olivia Garber, Jakob Katzen, and Miles Katzen. Macon and Miles are also participating in the Mike’s TEAM spring session, along with eight new upper school student mentors.
Scenes from the winter session of the Mike’s TEAM program at the H. Fletcher Brown Boys & Girls Club.
Middle school students took notes on IB Group IV presentations on topics related to UN Millennium Goals, such as the importance of protecting bee populations, the potential of water desalination, the threat posed by malaria, and expanding the use of solar power. 12
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Fifth Grade “Epoch” Musical Production of Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark, KIDS
Thanks to Genevieve Van-Catledge, the students, and all of our parent volunteers.
It Snowed a Little.... In a winter that brought more than 50 inches of snowfall to New Castle County, everyone bore a bit of the burden—snow days and delays upset family schedules (though technology helped keep the school program moving forward); events were rescheduled, sometimes two or three times; our construction project, and opening celebration, got pushed back—a list of small problems under the circumstances, and it’s good to have small problems. We are very proud and grateful for how our school community weathered the winter together. And we are deeply grateful to the Friends School staff who bore the especially heavy burden of clearing and securing the safety of our campuses, including: Ray Carbone Joe Kruk Bill Miller Mike Stump Alan Ramsey
Bill Howell Rich Collins Isiah Davis Rick Morrison Vernon Stevenson Cathy Taylor
Ben Congo Howard Craighead Norval Brown Thank you!
Pre-K celebrated the snowy winter with hat-andmitten self-portraits; the partially cleared baseball field and tennis courts, four days into the spring sports season. Spring2014 2014• •Friends Friendsmagazine magazine 13 Spring
Quakeover Cancer Dance-a-Thon Benefits B+ Foundation On January 19, the B+ Foundation Committee of Wilmington Friends, clerked by junior Meera Kohli and advised by Mary Woodward, hosted a five-hour, multischool Dance-a-Thon, called “Quakeover Cancer,” with all proceeds going to research and to support for families struggling with childhood cancer. Joe McDonough, president of the Foundation, had spoken at Friends twice, and the committee started its planning and fundraising efforts last spring—and not only met but exceeded the ambitious $20,000 goal for the event. The students would like to thank everyone who supported their effort, including the parent chaperones, sponsors, and participants from partner schools.
opportunity.” The filmmakers, who are one of the boys’ parents, also have written a book, Promises Kept: Raising Black Boys to Succeed in School and in Life.
State Writing & Art Awards Congratulations to seniors Peyton Beard, Kenji Endo, and Rachel MacKelcan for being recognized in this year’s Delaware Scholastic Writing Awards. Kenji and Peyton were two of five seniors statewide to receive Gold Key awards for individual pieces, and Rachel received Honorable Mention. Kenji also won a Gold Key for his Senior Writing Portfolio, the only portfolio Gold Key this year, as well as two Silver Keys and two Honorable Mentions. He also won three Gold Keys and an Honorable Mention in art.
Middle School Robotics Team Advances The WFS seventh and eighth grade team won the first place trophy in “Innovation and Strategy” at the FIRST LEGO League January qualifier event, finishing in the top six overall to advance to the championship round. Thanks to the coaches, middle school teachers Jerry Taylor and Yue Wang, and congratulations to the team: seventh graders Jordan Berry, Tobias Bulk, and Liam Johnston; and eighth graders Ciara Horan, Hareena Houston, Alexander Morrison, Grace At the FIRST LEGO League Para, and Victoria competition in January. Schroeder.
Film Event Partnership with Prestige Academy In a partnership with Prestige Academy, the Wilmington Friends Home & School Association and QUEST Center sponsored a screening and discussion of American Promise. The film, which has since aired on PBS, follows two middle-class, African-American boys who attended Manhattan’s Dalton School. The awardwinning documentary—an Official Selection of the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, among other honors—presents “complicated truths about America’s struggle to come of age on issues of race, class, and 14
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“Treehouse Village” and “Dreamscape” by awardwinning artist Kenji Endo ’14.
At WFS and at DE Art Museum, Chinese New Year Celebrations Friends students participated in the annual, and very popular, Chinese New Year program at the Delaware Art Museum. The students, who had learned about the artistic features and cultural significance of Chinese opera masks, helped visitors with mask-painting activity. Back at school, the Chinese program students led a New Year collection for the entire middle school.
Members of the upper school Robotics Team (minus those who had basketball and swimming conflicts) at the FIRST Tech Challenge regional competition.
FIRST Tech Challenge Team Success Congratulations to the “rookie” upper school Friends Robotics Team, which made a splash at the Delaware Region’s FIRST Championship, competing against 27 other teams. The WFS “Bad News Bots” won five of six matches, the second highest total score for any Delaware team, qualifying for the semi-finals—an amazing accomplishment for a first-year program. Thanks to the faculty advisors, physics teacher Matt Cauchy and computer science teacher Jenks Whittenburg, and congratulations to the team: seniors Chase Conley, Matt Schmittle, Dan Shaw, and Joey Woodward; juniors Jimmy Carney, Jacob Gagliano, and Spencer Hall; sophomores Jack Bulk, Michael Ly, and Drew Pittenger; and freshmen Hannah Kushner, Andrew Slomski, Margaret Sullivan, and Chris Wallace.
QYLC The 17th annual Quaker Youth Leadership Conference, with students from Quaker schools around the world, was at Westtown School this year, cohosted by Delaware Valley Friends. The theme was “SPICEing up the 21st Century: Integrity.” The core Quaker testimonies— simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship—are known by the acronym SPICES. Wilmington Friends was represented at the conference by junior Steven Ly, sophomores Jack Bulk and Ty Moyer, and freshman Evelyn Wakeley. The faculty chaperone was science teacher Ellen Johnson.
WFS students led a Chinese Opera Mask activity at the Delaware Art Museum’s Chinese New Year event, and a collection at school, including the presentation by eighth grader Jerica Xu on her mastery project about Chinese puppetry.
Ty Moyer ’16, Steven Ly ’15, Jack Bulk ’16, Sandy Robson (from the Friends Committee on National Legislation), and Evelyn Wakeley ’17 at Quaker Youth Leadership Conference at Westtown School.
Author Visit at Lower School
Eighth Grade Musical, Oklahoma!
Continuing its tradition of hosting a children’s author each year, lower school welcomed Jacqueline Davies in February. Davies led presentations for pre-K through fourth grade students and conducted a writing workshop with fifth graders. She is the author of the popular Lemonade War series as well as picture books, a biography of John James Audubon, and an historical fiction book, Where the Ground Meets the Sky.
Please see “In Closing” (inside back cover) for photos of the eighth grade’s inspired production of Oklahoma! With thanks and congratulations to the students—cast, stage and tech crews, and pit band—to directors Sara Gaines, Margaret Anne Butterfield, and Christopher Verry, and to all of the parent volunteers.
An organizing committee of seniors, working with faculty advisor Ellen Johnson, worked with the Blood Bank of Delmarva to host this year’s drive. Since blood donors must be at least 17 years old and because there are some restrictions on student-athlete participation, the committee especially appreciated the support of faculty, staff, parents, and local alumni and friends. The senior co-clerks were Bevyn Mannke and Mitchell Juers.
All-State Choir Seven WFS students were selected for All-State choirs this year. Middle school students Jack Hanson, Emma Landis, Max Pickles, and Fiona Saunders performed with the Junior All-State Chorus. Freshman William Bodycot was chosen for Senior Mixed Choir, and senior Molly Marcus and junior Kerry Shay made the Senior Women’s Choir. Molly was selected all four years of her high school career.
Author Jacqueline Davies answers students’ questions after one of her presentations at lower school.
Ultraviolet, honoring Violet Richman, Premieres On February 23, Friends was very pleased to host a performance by the ensemble Mélomanie, which included world premiere of “Ultraviolet,” a piece commissioned in honor of former Friends music teacher and director Violet Richman. More than 120 people, many of them friends and former students of Violet, attended to applaud both the work and its inspiration. There will be another tribute to Violet Richman this fall when the new theater lobby is dedicated in her honor.
Violet Richman, escorted by fellow former Friends faculty member Bill Bickley, receives a warm reception at the February concert that featured a work commissioned in her honor.
Annual Blood Drive
History department chair Scott Clothier and students examine artifacts from the National WWII Museum’s traveling footlocker.
Operation Footlocker at WFS In late February, students in classes studying 20th century American history had a chance to view artifacts on traveling display through the National World War II Museum’s Operation Footlocker. Each traveling trunk is filled with 15 artifacts (not reproductions) such as ration books, dog tags, a bag designed to host the personal effects of a deceased soldier, wartime magazines, and a high school yearbook from the early 1940s. The artifacts helped to personalize the war history students were studying and, indeed, prompted discussion of family members’ experiences.
Mock Trial Record 3-1, Five Gavel Awards Congratulations to the Wilmington Friends Mock Trial team for its success in the statewide competition, February 21-22. The team finished 3-1, good for a top-10 placement, and earned five individual “gavel” awards. Sophomores Joslyn Gardner and Jodi Lessner each won a gavel as best lawyer, and senior Eliza Durham and juniors Tommy Rhodes and Brian Zittlau earned best witness gavel awards. The team was coached by lawyer-advisors Jody Barillare and Ericka Johnson, with faculty advisor and upper school math teacher John Roskovensky. Special thanks also to Friends parent, The Honorable Andrea Rocanelli.
The 2014 Friends Mock Trial team won three out of four trials and five “gavel” awards at the state competition.
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Excellence Starts Early
History Bowl and Bee
Even a glimpse at current brain and child development research inspires a sense of urgency about quality early education:
Forty-seven Friends students competed in this year’s Delaware regional event of the National History Bowl. Thanks to the leadership of history teacher Javier Ergueta, Friends hosted this year’s competition. A team of juniors John Napoli, Brian Zittlau, Ian Furman, Philip Trainer, and Danny DePaulo took second place in the varsity division. Senior Gil Connolly took fifth place in the varsity History Bee, an individual competition held in conjunction with the team Bowl. Sophomore Blaise Glowiak was among the top finishers in the JV division of the Bee. In addition, a team of middle school students from Friends competed in the JV Bowl. Thanks to the team’s success, Friends will be well represented at the National championship event, to be held in April in Washington, DC.
• At birth, a child’s brain is about 25% of the weight of an adult’s brain, 80% by age three, and 90% by age five. • Between age three and five, it is critical to “build the circuits” in the parts of the brain that handle language, executive function, and social/emotional development; developing the cognitive parts of the brain early leads to high-level functioning later. • Academic/school readiness involves a combination of skills developed through a variety of activities in a context that helps children to make connections—activities that include not only reading and math, but also art, music, movement, exercise, and play. A special February 24 Open House highlighted the Early Years program at Friends, including the Early Learning Center and pre-kindergarten. Parents and grandparents were able to see and hear from Friends teachers how classroom activities contribute to critical brain development, and why excellence really does start early.
A middle school team joined the 10 WFS upper school teams at the National History Bowl regional competition, hosted by Friends this year.
High School Science Olympiad This year’s high school Science Olympiad was on the same day as the History Bowl, and despite the conflict, Friends was well represented with a team of 15 students. The team’s faculty advisors were science teachers Matt Cauchy and Ellen Johnson. Freshmen Jayna Jones and Margaret Sullivan medaled in the Boomilever event; seniors Matt Schmittle and Thomas Connelly earned a medal in Circuit Lab; and seniors Dan Shaw and Jesse Miller medaled in Adventures in Agriculture.
Charriez Presents at NAIS Conference A proposal by sixth grade science teacher and service coordinator Carlos Charriez was accepted and then presented as a workshop at the 2014 NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) Annual Conference in Florida. Carlos’s workshop, “Start a School-Wide Green Movement to Reduce Waste,” was chosen from more than 550 proposals. The presentation was based on 16
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“Stuff-ology,”—a multidisciplinary unit that Carlos implemented with the sixth grade team at Friends, using concepts in physical science, math, technology, and social movements to engage students in developing sustainable solutions for their community.
Jazz Festival This year’s Independent School Jazz Festival was at Germantown Friends School during the first weekend of spring break. Director of Instrumental Music Christopher Verry leads the Friends Jazz Band. Thanks to Chris and the students (and one additional teacher) who made time over break to participate: flute, sophomore Ciara Graves; alto sax, junior Conor Ganse and freshman Andrew Jaworski; tenor sax, senior Caleb Aerenson and sophomore Ryan Wood; baritone sax, senior Chase Conley; trumpet, senior Conner Armstrong, sophomore Tommy Cover, junior Nick Granda-Stone, senior Emma Hartley, sophomore Patrick Haubert, and senior Jesse Miller; piano, senior David Gobris; drumset, seniors Will Beardell and Dan Getty; and computer science teacher Jenks Whittenburg on bass.
Moody’s Mega Math Challenge Friends entered two teams, the maximum allowed, in this year’s Moody’s Mega Math (M3) Challenge, which included more than 5,000 high school students from across the country. Friends was the only DISC school to participate. The M3 program is designed to highlight applied mathematics as a problem-solving tool and a vehicle for advances in an increasingly technological society. The Internetbased Challenge lasts a full day, during which team members work (without consulting a coach or any other “live” source) to devise a solution to an openended problem. This year’s problem asked students to design a mathematical model for providing nutritious, student-friendly school lunches within a strict budget. Math teacher Sarah Stock Patterson helped to organize and register the two teams from Friends, which included seniors Chase Conley, Kenji Endo, Matt Schmittle, and Dan Shaw; and juniors Jimmy Carney, Terrence Dai, Jake Erskine, Jacob Gagliano, Spencer Hall, and Jane Yeatman.
Lower School Science Teacher Receives Presidential Award for Excellence Tim Dalby, lower school Science Specialist and Science Content Coordinator at Wilmington Friends, received the science award for Delaware in the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The December 20, 2013 White House press release announcing the awards stated: “The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level.” The press release also quoted President Obama, who said, “These teachers are inspiring today’s young students to become the next generation of American scientists, mathematicians, and innovators. Through their passion and dedication, and by sharing their excitement about science, technology, engineering, and math, they are helping us build a promising future for all our children.”
“These teachers are inspiring today’s young students to become the next generation of American scientists, mathematicians, and innovators.” Winners received a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation, and were invited to Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony and a program of educational and celebratory events. Tim, who is famous for wearing high-top sneakers in bright colors, set up a bulletin board for student responses to, “What shoe should Teacher Tim wear to meet the President?” The winner, not surprisingly—red, white, and blue, flag-motif, high-top Cons, which Tim did indeed wear proudly on his trip to Washington.
The shoes lower school students selected from Tim Dalby’s famous high-top collection for Tim to wear to meet the President, and Tim in the winning shoes in Washington, DC.
Among his many contributions to Friends, Tim started the school’s Elementary Science Olympiad program, and was instrumental in launching and in the physical/curriculum design of the lower school STEM Lab, which has become a regional model.
In the lower school STEM Lab, Tim challenged kindergarten students to get a piece of cardboard to move down a ramp. After trying different surface modifications to reduce friction, students then thought about adding wheels and axles—and once that problem was solved, decorated their cardboard cars. Spring2014 2014• •Friends Friendsmagazine magazine 17 Spring
MLK Day In a new approach to the commemoration of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, each division of the school organized activities that could involve all students and teachers, focusing on the theme of social justice.
• The Gay Straight Alliance work- shop involved a simulation of the process of “coming out” for those who have not had the experience, including the responses that are more and less likely from different groups.
Lower school held its annual Peace March, where kindergarten/pre-first students carried signs with messages like, “Don’t leave people out,” “Work on friendships,” and “Stand up for others.” During the Meeting for Worship that followed, in addition to presenting and hearing musical pieces about social justice, lower school students and teachers viewed an excerpt from the “I Have a Dream” speech. Each grade then participated in a service project, which teachers explained in the context of the commemoration.
• Amnesty International developed a board game to simulate the reallife struggle of Syrian refugees; for example, move forward if emergency food arrives or take two turns to draft a letter arguing for better living conditions. Head of School Bryan Garman shared reflections on Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech with upper school students and in a blog posting. Bryan ended his blog with a reflection on the commemoration at school:
The middle school developed a “The teach-ins in our upper school, multi-week program to define and the collaborative work and service practice values related to how we in middle school, the experience sit together at Dr. King’s “table of of peace-making and community brotherhood.” The program emphabuilding in lower school remind sized the importance of small acts of us not only of Dr. King’s work but kindness, courage, and generosity. also that our work as Americans At the middle school Meeting for is not done. Our students are on Worship, readings from Dr. King’s their way: they take risks; they works were interspersed with the have demonstrated a commitment words of eighth graders, reflecting to making the world a better place; on their service at Lutheran Comthey know that the work demands munity Services. Middle school resilience and courage, intellectual Scene and signs from the lower school Peace March, led by kindergarten students also held a summit, where and moral integrity. We ask of students and followed by a programmed Meeting for Worship about Martin they agreed on three foundations them, as we should always ask of Luther King’s work and the idea of social justice. for a culture of kindness: 1. Treat ourselves, to think about our place everyone with respect; 2. Accept in the network of mutuality, about responsibility (be trustworthy); 3. Act in kind, helpful ways. what we might do to move our nation closer to the beautiful Then, students wrote on cutout paper bricks about acts that vision of freedom and equality for all of its citizens, about what reflect those principles, and built a “wall of kindness” on that it would take for us to demonstrate on our own equivalent of foundation. the streets of Birmingham. What will we do to bend the arc toward justice?” The upper school program was organized around “teach-ins,” mostly student led. Among the events: • The Quaker Life Committee welcomed Friends parent David Wakeley who led a workshop about John Woolman. • The African American Affinity Club led an interactive workshop called, “What’s Race have to do with it?” using activities from this year’s National Association of Independent Schools Student Diversity Leadership Conference. • The Equality Now Club introduced and led a discussion following a “salon screening” of the PBS film based on the book by the same name, Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide. • Editors of the student newspaper led a discussion on the role of journalism in fostering social change. • The Peace and Ecology Club hosted a University of Delaware Professor who talked about lobbying and specifically the work and mission of the Friends Committee on National Legislation. 18
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The still-growing middle school “wall of kindness,” celebrating simple acts that help support a culture of kindness, in keeping with Dr. King’s idea of a “table of brotherhood.”
Winter Sports Round-Up Congratulations to all the winter studentathletes and coaches from Friends, with thanks to our families and fans for their support. Sixteen Friends student-athletes earned All-Conference recognition this winter (not including indoor track, which does not name All-Conference teams), and 35 qualified for statewide, post-season competition. Among the many highlights for each team:
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL Girls’ basketball finished with a sweep of the season series with rival Tower Hill, with other notable Ws (9 total) including Mt. Pleasant, DMA, and Wilmington Christian. Thanks to the seniors for their leadership, and with two eighth graders and a freshman point guard this year, the future looks bright. All Conference: Meryl Gatti ’15, second team Sonia Kumar ’14, honorable mention Captains: seniors Sonia Kumar, Maria Rizzo, and Elena Veale Head Coach: Carolyn Gates Connors ’81
BOYS’ BASKETBALL With no players returning from last year’s varsity rotation, the young Quakers played 13 games against ranked opponents, beating one and putting a scare into a couple of others. Wins in the second games of the season vs. Tatnall and Charter made for a highlight week during Coach Brian Fahey’s 20th and final season. (Brian will be leaving Wilmington Friends after this year to become Head of School at West Chester Friends; full story coming in our summer issue.) All Conference: Jimmy Carney ’15, second team Jake Erskine ’15, honorable mention Captains: senior Jack Kempner and junior Jimmy Carney Head coach: Brian Fahey
WRESTLING Coach Gregg Miller reached (and went by) the 150-win milestone in dual meets, and senior Jesse Miller became the third Friends wrestler to win 100 matches in his high-school career. Three wrestlers qualified for individual states: senior Conner Armstrong (who won his firstround match), and juniors Jacob Gagliano and John Napoli.
Joey Woodward ’14, Second Team Travis Aerenson ’15, Honorable Mention Matt Denney ’17, Honorable Mention Josh Pincus ’16, Honorable Mention Captains: seniors Conner Armstrong, Bill Gordon, and Jesse Miller Head coach: Gregg Miller
All Conference: 1st Team (Conference Champions): Conner Armstrong ’14, Matt Denney ’17, and Ian Furman ’15. 2nd Team: Zac Hinderhofer ’14, Jesse Miller ’14, and Alex Trudel ’16. 3rd Team: Will Beardell ’14. Academic All-State (awarded by state wrestling coaches association): Conner Armstrong ’14, First Team Will Beardell ’14, First Team Jacob Gagliano ’15, First Team William Gordon ’14, First Team Jesse Miller ’14, First Team Zac Hinderhoffer ’14, Second Team John Napoli ’15, Second Team
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CLASS NOTES
INDOOR TRACK In the state indoor track meet, senior Thomas Connelly finished seventh in the 1600m run and ninth in the 3200m; and senior Quinn McNeill was 12th in the long jump. Thomas also won the 3200m at the Haverford meet, setting a new WFS record, and earned a listing on the state’s Track Honor Roll (2/14/14) as third in the 1600m and fourth in the 3200m. Martha O’Brien ’15 set a school record in the mile, and Jordan Carter ’17 set a new WFS mark in the 55m dash. (There are no All-Conference teams in indoor track.)
1960
Jane Allen Wolfle is still enjoying living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and traveling the world as often as possible. When we heard from Jane, she had recently returned from a trip to Antarctica, which completed her visits to every continent. She says, “Every country has unique aspects that add to the understanding and appreciation of all people.”
1963
The Class of 1963 celebrated its 50th Reunion in 2013, with (in addition to Jane Allen Wolfle ’60 shared photos from her recent trip the “official” school events) a get-together to Antartica. at Buckley’s Tavern over Homecoming weekend. Many thanks to Sally Nauman Dougherty for planning the event.
Captains: seniors Bobbie Atkins, Rachel MacKelcan, Thomas Connelly, and Kenji Endo Head coach: Paul Nemeth
SWIMMING At the state championship swim meet, senior Luke Morgan-Scott took third in the 100 fly, and sophomore Noah Landis was third in diving. In addition, the girls’ swim team finished the regular season with an impressive 10-1 record in dual meets, and the boys’ team also posted a winning record. Meet highlights included the girls’ dramatic 89-81 win vs. Tower Hill and 86-83 win vs. Westtown. Both the boys and girls beat conference rivals Tatnall and Sanford. All Conference: 1st team: Luke MorganScott ’14, Bron NadalTodd ’14, and Demetria Ruhl ’16. 2nd team: Ryan Beneck ’14 and Blair Atkins ’17.
State Meet Qualifiers: Boys - Luke Morgan-Scott 100 back, 100 fly; Bron Nadal-Todd 100 free, 100 breaststroke; James Sepelyak 100 fly; Ryan Beneck 50 free; Chase Conley (relays); Nate Ruhl (relays); Sean Cochran (relays). Girls - Demetria Ruhl 200 im, 100 fly; Ryann Schutt 200 free, 100 back; Blair Atkins 50 free, 100 breaststroke; Maddie Fruchtman 50 free; Piara Biggs 50 free; Alex del Tufo (relays); Julia Russ (relays); Margeaux Pantano (relays). Captains: seniors Chase Conley, James Sepelyak, and Ellie Anderson, junior Maddie Fruchtman, and sophomore Demetria Ruhl Head coach: Robin Lebauer 20
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Members of the Class of 1963 celebrating their 50th Reunion. Left to Right: Tom Cooch, Anne Gledhill O’Leary, Bruce Hess, Nancy Ball Halsey, Bennett Stilmar, Ginny Poole Bainbridge, Lisa Kruse Smith, Sally Nauman Dougherty, Jennifer Whitney Farver, and Bill Tracy. 1968
We received this update from AFS student, Harald Bergmann, “I made a lot of friends during my year at Friends. I also had the pleasure of having Mr. Edward Savery as a guest to our home in Norway a few years later. I have always since then been a true follower of the Quaker thinking: that the commandment of doing the right thing to people will lead to a better world and to better understanding amongst people. Personally, I live a steady life outside of Oslo, and my work is with industrial safety in companies. My wife, Sidsel, and I have two children, and now a grandson of three years. I was back in the U.S. some 20 years ago, and visited my host family, the Lauters, who had moved to New England. I believe both Aaron and Ann now are passed away, so David is my sole connection. So I have not been to Delaware for 45 years! I shall save the date for the reunion in 2018, and try to put aside cash for the trip. My wife has also a strong wish to visit the U.S., so I think we both will attend. I want to send my best wishes to every member of the ’68-class! I think of you often, and cherish the good memories!”
1970
David Graybeal shared this update: “For most of the WFS class of ’70, this is our 40th college reunion year. Yikes; in my mind’s eye, I can’t be that old! But it’s true—I have been in NY for the last 25
Class notes
1975
years and was in California for the previous 15 years. Recently, when not trying to be gainfully employed or paying the college tuitions of three sons, I ride my bike—with the joy of a kid.” Elisabeth Taylor Holmgren sent this David Graybeal ’70 in the update: “My son, 2013 NYC Gran Fondo: Taylor Evenson, “Eight hours in the cold rain; 24, my daughter, 114 miles, 8500 feet, and a Raquel Holmgren, ton of fun.” 14, and I commercial salmon fish in Cook Inlet. This last spring, the National Geographic Wild channel show ‘Alaska Fish Wars’ chose our family for their reality TV show. Bizarre?! Taylor is the skipper, I am the deckhand, and Raquel is the 3rd man during the peak of the season. Our boat is the Nedra E designed by Taylor’s father, Thor, and built by Taylor’s grandfather, Jim. Check out Alaskan commercial salmon fishing! The producers make up their own reality, so don’t believe everything you see!” Chip Oat moved to Washington, DC, in 2012 after 38 years in New York City. He lives close to classmates from ’70, Nancy Layton Caffey and Heather Whitney Price. He also keeps up with Roy Wilkinson and Tom Scott via e-mail. Bill Sussman is still working at his law practice in Augusta, Georgia, where he lives with his wife, Debra, and their three children. His son, Robert, graduated from law school, passed the South Carolina bar, and is waiting to take the Georgia bar. His daughter, Erin, is in her last semester of law school; and daughter Sarah is a junior pre-med student. Bill reports that their dog, Bella, is “at home loving us without asking for money.”
Karen Wilderman Keegan works for the Delaware Department of Education, in the Higher Education Office. Her work focuses on what she describes as a “passion,” helping more Delaware students get to college and into other postsecondary programs. She has two sons, Karen Wilderman both in their 20’s. Keegan ’75 and Violet Mike graduated Richman at the February from Princeton as a Mélomanie concert, which financial engineer and included a piece commisworks in Manhattan. sioned in Violet’s honor. Dan graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a math degree and is now at Cornell pursuing a Ph.D. in statistics. Karen was back at Friends in February for the concert by local ensemble Mélomanie, including the world premier of “Ultraviolet,” commissioned in honor of longtime former Friends teacher Violet Richman. Karen was a frequent pianist in Violet’s theatrical productions and concerts at Friends.
1980
Martha West Olson has been Director of Admissions for almost 10 years at Christian Heritage School, a K-12 private school in Connecticut, where she helped to launch an international student program. She has five children, ages 16 to 24, and has been happily married for more than 25 years.
1983
Steve Cohen came back from the Midwest for his first visit to campus in a long time. He visited with Bob Davis and his family, and watched a Quaker boys’ basketball game (including some fine shooting by Bob’s son, Scott ’15).
1992
Gregory Walker works for the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. He and his wife, Angelique, are enjoying life with their son, Aidan.
1995
Scott Jarrell is working at Ernst & Young in the Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services practice. When we heard from Scott, he was temporarily based in Washington, DC, with a move on the horizon to New York City.
1997
Beth Werkstell and her husband, Christian Brucculeri, welcomed their son, Theodore Ira Brucculeri, on December 29, 2013 in New York City.
Theodore Ira Brucculeri, son of Beth Werkstell ’97.
2000
Josh Galperin lives in New Haven, Connecticut, where he runs the Yale Center for Environmental Law and Policy, and teaches at Yale Law School. He wrote, “The Center is a joint initiative of the Law School and the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. It carries out research, outreach, and educational activities. One of my most important jobs is coordinating the dual law/environment degree program, which I’m particularly excited about because I’m a product of that program myself. Prior to coming to Connecticut, I lived in Knoxville, Tennessee, for several years while my wife was working toward her Ph.D. in ecology and evolutionary biology. (She successfully defended her dissertation this February!) While there, I worked for the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy, a regional environmental advocacy group. I’m glad to be back closer to home.”
Meredith Jones Joppa shared this update: “After three years in Providence, RI, where I am finishing up my postdoctoral fellowship in HIV-focused Pediatric Psychol1987 ogy at Brown University Medical Steven Cohen ’83 and Bob Davis ’83 enjoy a Gregory Mand (See School, I have accepted a faculty little Quaker basketball. box story, page 22.) position at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, where I will be an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychology. 1988 Excited to be moving back to the Wilmington Michael Mand (See box story, page 22.) area with my husband, Andy, and daughter, Felicity (13 months), this July!”
1990
Brian Mand (See box story, page 22.)
Bill Sussman ’70 with his wife Debra and three children, Robert, Erin, and Sarah; Bill’s tuitionfree dog, Bella.
Abigail Bartoshesky Pruitt teaches in the School of Education and Human Development at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, where she lives with her family.
2002
Beth Hopkins Denenberg was recently appointed as a Senior Genetic Counselor at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
2005
Michael Dalton is in his second semester at Villanova School of Law.
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Class notes
James Hopkins wrote, “I am currently in my first year of a three-year JD/MBA program at Penn Law and the Wharton School in Philadelphia, PA. I will be traveling to Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq on March 8 with six other Penn Law students, all members of the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project. There, we will meet with NGO’s and interview Syrian and Iraqi refugees who are seeking resettlement. Prior to graduate school, I worked for the Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba in Hangzhou, China for three years.” Jennifer Ljungqvist is working as a Health Economist in Monrovia, Liberia, on a twoyear ODI (Overseas Development Institute) Fellowship program, having finished her Master’s degree at Warwick University, UK. Jennifer wrote that the ODI is the UK’s leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues, and noted that has started a blog, jenljungqvist. wordpress.com, and is hoping to inspire others through her work. Emily Scott wrote, “I continue to work on and grow my women’s boutique, Compendium, which carries mostly made-in-America clothing and accessories and has been open for almost two years now near Swarthmore College. Also, my eco-friendly women’s line, Lila Ila, has just been picked up by another store! This one is called Labelocal and is located in the Moorestown Mall, so starting this spring, you’ll be able to find my line there as well as in my boutique and in US*U.S. in Old City Philadelphia.” Shanika Tunnell graduated last May with a Master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She recently passed her examination for national certification and is working at the public defenders office in Dover as a psychoforensic evaluator.
2006
Ethan Timmins-Schiffman recently emailed WFS middle school teacher John Hanson, who is hoping to have his students correspond with Ethan during his work as a Peace Corps Agro Forestry volunteer in Guinea. Ethan’s two years of service started in February. Among the early insights he shared with John’s class was that seventh-grade-age students in Guinea have simultaneously more and less freedom than Americans. Ethan wrote, “Guinean adolescents have more freedom because their free time is governed by far fewer rules: I’ve never seen a Guinean parent tell a pre-teen or teenager to stop doing something because it’s dangerous; when kids play sports, there is no consistent adult supervision; plenty of motorcycle drivers are of middle school-age. The responsibilities that a child does have, however, are generally more numerous and demanding than what most American seventh graders are assigned. For instance, Guinean adolescents might wash most of their family’s clothing (and families here rarely consist of fewer than 10 people, and often are bigger than 20 members), clean the house and the courtyard by hand, carry a 15-pound bundle of firewood from the brush back into town, fetch water from the well, be 22
Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
Alumni Spotlight: Alumni Honor “Nana” and Her Service to Friends Wanting to make an impact at their alma mater, and to honor their grandmother and her dedication to WFS, Gregory Mand ’87, Michael Mand ’88, and Brian Mand ’90 made a substantial family gift to the Friends’ endowment in honor of their Nana and longtime Friends volunteer, Molly Cohen. (A sad note: On March 25, 2014, after this article was prepared, Molly passed away; please see “In Memory,” page 27, for more about her wonderful life.) For more than two decades, Molly made the weekly trek to volunteer in the Alumni/Development Office at Friends—trips that, according to Molly’s daughter, Shelly, were always a highlight of her week. Shelly said her mother, “always looked forward to going to the Jones House, and seeing her ‘girls,’” meaning the staff members of all ages who worked with Molly. Even when she could no longer drive, Molly continued to volunteer from her residence at the Kutz Home in Wilmington, where “her girls” from the Jones House visited—and dropped off work— regularly.
“We hope our gift can be used as a lasting base to offer others the opportunity to experience WFS, regardless of whether they can afford it.” Last December, the month of Molly’s 99th birthday, friends and family joined in a celebration at the Kutz Home, with a special tribute to Molly’s long and distinguished service to Friends. Head of School Bryan Garman unveiled a commemorative plaque, which now hangs in the Jones House living room, honoring Molly; and the Mand “boys” also unveiled their gift to Friends at the party. Making this generous gift in Molly’s honor was an easy decision, Brian Mand explained. “The relationship between my Nana and Friends was a two-way street,” he said. “As great as Friends has been in thanking and appreciating her for her service, she got a great deal out of volunteering for WFS.” Michael summed up the desire to honor his grandmother in two words, “adoration and admiration.” The brothers’ decision to steer their gift toward the endowment came after much consideration. “I know that WFS played an important role in my life,” explained Gregory. “We hope our gift can be used as a lasting base to offer others the opportunity to experience WFS, regardless of whether they can afford it.”
At Molly Cohen’s 99th birthday tribute, where she was honored with a commemorative plaque that now hangs at Friends and with a generous donation to the School’s endowment by her three alumni grandsons.
Like Molly Cohen, endowment gifts are part of the soul of Wilmington Friends School, directly supporting the school’s mission to serve a diverse community and to challenge our 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.” We thank the Mand family, and all donors to endowment, for their commitment to the mission and philosophy of Wilmington Friends School.
Class notes
called upon to buy food from the market at any moment.” Friends students look forward to hearing more from Ethan in the coming months.
news organizations across the country. Reity said, “I’m so thrilled to be in a profession that demands of me to ‘speak truth to power,’ a value I first learned as a WFS student.”
2008
Reid Schmidt is enjoying California life, working at A. Smith & Co. Productions as a Post Production Coordinator.
Nick Dowse is serving as a legislative intern with the U.S. Senate while he studies International Affairs at George Washington University. Sara Geoghegan spent this school year working in the WFS Alumni/Development Office. She will be heading west this spring to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. In December, Sarah organized the Class of 2008’s fifth reunion at her parents’ home. (See photo below and additional photo of four members of the class at the WFS Young Alumni party, page 24.) Emily Howe shared this update: “This fall, I started a service term with FoodCorps, ‘a nationwide team of leaders that connects kids to real food and helps them grow up healthy,’ in Red Lodge, Montana. I split my time between teaching elementary schoolers about vegetables and cooking, working to maintain and improve upon the Red Lodge youth garden, and working with our food service director to bring more local foods into the cafeteria. It’s a total blast, and every day is completely different. My new adopted town is better than I could have ever imagined—a tiny mountain hideaway in south-central Montana. Before FoodCorps, I spent a year traveling the U.S., making artwork, and working trips for the Cottonwood Gulch Foundation, an outdoor education expedition outfit in New Mexico.”
Nikki Shand is engaged to Ross William Ferguson; the wedding is planned for September 2015.
2009
Emily David has started a food blog, including a recent feature about pesto sauce made out of carrot tops. Check out her latest entries at shortandsweet9.tumblr. com.
view. The documentary also draws connections among Reed’s athletics, academics, and service. Reed works in a cancer research program at Dickinson and relates that academic research to his personal experience. He also shares insight about athletics, and the relationship of his motivation on the field to his experience as a Be The Match donor.
2011
Gabbi Harris is very involved in the University of Delaware chapter of BuildOn whose mission is to “break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.” She is fundraising to build a primary school in Nicaragua.
2010
On March 16, Troy Beneck won at first singles in a match vs. Villanova, setting a new University of Delaware record in career singles wins. Troy is also the only player in Delaware history to win 70 matches in both singles and doubles. At Friends, Troy played first singles all four years of high school, amassing a 69-1 record, with three individual and two team state championships.
Ben ’12 , Javier ’11, Maria and Erich Horstmann with Vice President Joe Biden at a University of Delaware basketball game.
Troy Beneck ‘10, center, celebrates with family (including parents Steve and Diane and brothers Ryan ‘14 and Justin ‘17) after setting a new University of Delaware record for career singles wins in tennis.
For the past year and a half, Reity O’Brien, has been working at the Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative news organization in Washington, D.C. She reports on the influence of money in state politics. She recently released a major collaborative investigation of disclosure rules for state judges, which was referenced in The Washington Post, National Journal and by dozens of other
Javier Horstmann (See photo above.) Mostly due to her experience with Global Medical Brigades, Anna Melnick has decided to stay a fifth year at Boston University to obtain a Master’s Degree in Public Health before continuing on to medical school.
Brook Kebede is studying Mass Communication at the University of Delaware and serves as a video production assistant for UD’s television station.
Members of the Class of 2008 got together to celebrate their fifth reunion in December 2013. Front Row: Bob DeWees, Phoenix Mellow, Kristi Kerrigan. Second Row: DeSean Taggart, Lis Power, Vicqui Yu, Kelly McGeehan, Reity O’Brien, Kelsi Sleet. Back Row: Sara Geoghegan, Renee Hoscheit, Dante Pannell, Matt Lang, Morgan Dorsey, Misha Barker, Matt Gluckman, Evan Bartle, Carrie Hopkins, Pooja Yadav.
Reed Salmons, varsity lacrosse defensive midfielder and biology major at Dickinson College, is a peripheral blood stem cell donor through Be The Match, the world’s largest and most diverse marrow registry. Reed’s experience as a donor, matched this year to a patient suffering from Leukemia, was the subject of a Dickinson Athletics documentary that is posted on YouTube, www. youtube.com/watch?v=aRO9Gq MbmR8&list=UUQv0tDKdERe E-btYq-70Ldw&feature=c4-over-
Anna Melnick ’11 with father Paul and mom Karen, middle/ upper school nurse at WFS. Josh Zimmerman will be working at Google’s Mountain View campus this coming summer. He will be working with Tavis Ormandy on “either kernel exploitation (looking for major security vulnerabilities in Windows or Linux) or finding vulnerabilities in x.509/asn.1 (some of the critical infrastructure code that allows you to connect securely to things like Amazon and bank websites).”
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Class notes
2012
Derek Bednarski is spending four months participating in Project Leyte with All Hands Volunteers to assist with Typhoon Haiyan relief in the Philippines. He will be with a group of 50 volunteers from around the world distributing food, clearing debris, and rebuilding hospitals, public buildings and homes. Virginia DeWees recently returned from a semester abroad in New Zealand. She loved having the opportunity to teach kids while studying abroad. Ben Horstmann (See photo, previous page.)
Lauren Kelley will be spending the fall of 2014 in Rwanda through the study abroad program at Claremont McKenna College.
2013
ming Association honors for outstanding performances at the Total Performance Swim Camps in December, where she earned set program records in four top-five finishes for the Wildcats.
Elise Lankiewicz, a Bryan Scholar (a scholarship recognizing outstanding student-athletes) at Davidson College, has received considerable recognition during her freshman swimming season. Elise earned Coastal Collegiate Swim-
Dwyer Tschantz, who was drafted into the United States Hockey League (USHL), has committed to play Division I hockey at Cornell following his USHL career. In the 2013 NHL draft, 32 players were chosen from the USHL, and more than 300 players on team rosters last season have committed to NCAA Division I schools. Dwyer becomes one of a small group of ice hockey players from Delaware to go on to play at the Division I level.
TyLisa Johnson is enjoying her first year at Florida A&M. She wrote, “I absolutely love working with Journey Magazine, both writing and public relations, and I am so blessed for this opportunity.”
WFS Young Alumni Event The School hosted this year’s celebration for young alumni on December 27th at Catherine Rooney’s in Trolley Square. It was wonderful, as always, to see so many of you and the wonderful renewal of friendships. Thanks to all who came (with apologies if you didn’t get in a photo).
Members of the Class of 2008 showed some Quaker pride— Seated: Reity O’Brien, Carrie Hopkins, and Pooja Yadav. Standing: Bobby DeWees.
Hannah Brilliant ’09, Monica Felder ’09, Glenn Felder ’11, and Darrell Seeney ’10.
Perrin Downing ’09, friend, Grant Walczak ’09, Geoff Butterworth ’09, and Bill Goswell ’09.
Members of the Class of 2010—Front row: Ernest Higginbotham, Lizzie Donatoni, Jake Glassman, Caroline Armstrong. Second row: Jesse Paul, Hunter Witmer, Brook Kebede, Darrell Seeney. Third row: Kelsey Mellow, Connor Juers, Eric Kelley, Ryan McGeehan. Emily McMillan’07, Katie McEnroe ’07, and Kyle Knight ’09.
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Class notes
The Class of 2007: Where Are You Now? Lena Bradley graduated from the University of Delaware in 2011 with a B.A. in Foreign Languages and Literature: French, Italian and German. After graduating from UD, she moved to Stuttgart, Germany, for one year to study, followed by a year working as an English Teaching Assistant in Strasbourg, France. Lena is currently studying for a Master’s degree in European Studies at King’s College in London. After graduating from Friends, Kelsey Burston found, “I was most prepared to write an English essay. My friends in college would stay up all night writing essays and trying to figure out how to write a thesis statement. After going through higher level IB English, I felt very comfortable.” Kelsey earned a B.A. from Ithaca College in Theatre with a minor in Psychology. She is now a freelance Opera Assistant Stage Manager and travels all over the country working for different opera companies. When we heard from Kelsey, she was working in Florida at the Palm Beach Opera, with her next job coming at the Tulsa Opera, to be followed by a summer at The Glimmerglass Festival in Cooperstown, NY. Jon Culver is founder/CEO of snapcam. me. He is also working as a software engineer at Next Jump.
“Friends truly instilled in me a sense of curiosity and taught me to be a lifelong student. Diana Farmer received a B.A. from the University of Delaware in International Relations. She is a Senior Associate at Boyden Global Executive Search in Baltimore, MD. She wrote, “Friends truly instilled in me a sense of curiosity and taught me to be a lifelong student. Since graduating from University of Delaware, I have been taking classes online in a variety of subjects and look forward to pursuing a Master’s degree.” Diana is also an active member and volunteer with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, specifically “planting” oyster beds and raising awareness of environmental issues regarding the Bay. Colleen Farrell recently moved to Haddonfield, NJ, where she is working on renovating a house with her boyfriend. She is in school at West Chester University and will be applying to Physician Assistant programs this summer. Current WFS Alumni Board member Joey Gutierrez works with philanthropy and technology for a foundation in Menlo Park, CA, near San Francisco. He received a B.A. from Bucknell University and an M.A. from Stanford University. He wrote,
“Friends instilled in me an appreciation for the privileges I’ve been given and a desire to translate those blessings into meaningful action.” Joey is also a BUILD mentor, working with students from Oakland as they prepare for college and, in some cases, to start businesses.
Ayana Suber ’07 (right) at her two-year college reunion at Mount Holyoke College with fellow WFS alumna Michaela Snead ’07 (center).
“Friends instilled in me an appreciation for the privileges I’ve been given and a desire to translate those blessings into meaningful action.” Anna Haslinsky attended Roanoke College and earned a B.A. in Art History. She is living in Bryn Mawr, PA, is in her second year at Villanova University School of Law, and expects to finish her J.D. in 2015. Anna is a staff writer for the Jeffrey S. Moorad Sports Law Journal, President of the Art Law Society, and Secretary of the International Law Society. This summer, she will be working at a small Philadelphia law firm, Mattioni, Ltd., primarily focusing on real estate and zoning, and trusts and estates. She wrote, “At Friends, I took a class in Art History with Mrs. Mellow. I went on to major in art history at Roanoke College, and I hope to continue to work in the area of art law and historic preservation in my legal career.” Anna also volunteers at Face-toFace, a legal aid clinic that serves the Germantown area, assisting the homeless and indigent as well as helping those unable to find housing or work to obtain birth certificates. Anne Kelsey attended the College of William and Mary and now works in media relations with the Society for Neuroscience in Washington, DC. Sean Mansoory attended Trinity College and graduated with honors in Biochemistry. He lives in Brooklyn and is working in Healthcare Investment Banking in New York City. He is a board member for the Michael J. Fox “Team Fox Young Professionals” in both New York and Boston. Emily McMillan earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Lynchburg College. She shared, “For the past few years I have been teaching and coaching in the United Kingdom. I started September 2011 at Barnard Castle School as a lacrosse coach and quickly started teaching in the Elementary School. In September of 2013, I started a new job teaching P.E. at Queen Margaret’s School in York. In addition to my teaching, I coach lacrosse and field hockey for QMS as well as manage the
Yorkshire County lacrosse teams. In my spare time, I have been able to travel all over the UK as well as continental Europe.” Janelle Nelson earned a B.S. from the University of Tampa. Janelle wrote, “I am currently living on the island of St. Kitts in the West Indies, where I am attending Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. I am in my second semester and I have five more semesters on the island before I return to the United States to complete a year of clinics at an affiliated veterinary school. Island life is unique, and I am fortunate to be experiencing a new culture while I also pursue my dream of becoming a veterinarian.” Janelle also shared, “I am a member of VIDA at Ross University, where we coordinate trips with local veterinarians and help animals in need here on the island of St. Kitts. We also aim to educate the locals with regard to the health and care of their animals.” Laura Rosenberg Rocek earned a B.A. from Beloit College and is working on a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Delaware with her fiancé, Sanjay Kulkarni, and is planning their wedding for this June. Lauren Schmittle graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Science in Dietetics. She is currently working for Sodexo in Silver Spring, MD, as a Clinical Dietician. She is also head of Nutrition for Camp Possibilities, which serves children with diabetes. Michaela Snead (See photo above.) Having received her B.A. in Biology from Mount Holyoke College in 2011, Ayana Suber is a first year Ph.D. student in the Molecular and Cellular Biology Program at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. She also volunteers with the Massachusetts Academy of Sciences which promotes public understanding and appreciation of the sciences. (See photo above.) David Walter is working as a journalist in Hong Kong. He graduated from Princeton University.
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IN MEMORY Two corrections from our fall winter/issue, with apologies to the families: William P. Harris ’44 was misidentified as a cousin of Frank Martin Taylor ’68; this was an error in the school’s database. Based on School Directory listings of faculty/staff, the correct years of Charles Toler’s tenure as a teacher at Friends were 1967-1989. Mary Clark Keyser ’36 passed away peacefully on November 20, 2013 surrounded by her loving family. Born in Norristown, PA, Mary was the daughter of Frank and Viola Clark; Mary’s great-grandmother, Sarah Harman, was a graduate of the Friends Class of 1855. Mary earned her bachelors degree from the University of Delaware Women’s College. She then went on to earn her VMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 1944. Mary and her husband, Dr. Morton Keyser, shared the unique distinction for many years of being the only veterinarian-doctor married combination in the United States. Mary was a woman of many talents and a pioneer. She fought against the odds to become the first female licensed veterinarian in Delaware in 1944, having been the only woman student in a class of 50, followed by a private practice of 20 years. She was also an awardwinning painter, winning best in show in the National League of American Pen Women Biennial Art Exhibit, out of 6,000 entries from 45 states; and she was an accomplished pianist, playing her Steinway concert grand in her Kennett Square home. Mary grew up with and owned Irish Setters, showing them for many years. She received her amateur radio license in 1960, eventually graduating to the expert level. Her husband had his pilot’s license and wanted Mary to be able to fly the plane in case anything ever happened to him, so after several years of combining flying lessons with taking care of children, she got her own pilot’s license in 1964. Her older daughter used to accompany Mary on flying lessons. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years and by her son, Steven Jay Keyser. She is survived by her two daughters, Mary Keyser Smiley of Sarasota, FL, and Jennifer Keyser Skolfield and her boyfriend Michael Mongelli of Wilmington, DE, as well as her grandchildren, Jessica Farenski (Jason), Steven Skolfield (Alyssa) and Kinsey Skolfield and her boyfriend Tyler Dey, her extended family Linda Watjen, Kate and Gregory Mongelli, Shelby and Garrett Schwing. William G. Simons ’39 passed away on December 3, 2013. Bill is survived by three children, Allen Simons of Bass Harbor, ME, Brian Simons of Merrimack, NH, and Cathy MacIntyre of Newark, DE; two stepdaughters, Anne Brunelle of Waterbury Center, VT, and Ellen Cipri of Essex Junction, VT; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Caroline Simons
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Kent ’45, and brother, John Simons ’41, and was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Buzby ’43. Bill graduated from Amherst College in 1943, and entered the plastics industry working on defense projects. A holder of two patents, Bill’s post-war developments in plastics were used in the creation of the Minuteman missile, the Mercury space capsule, the Corvette, and fiberglass printed circuit boards. In 1950, Bill married Louise Eichhorn of Greensboro, NC. They remained married until Louise’s death in 1978, and together, raised three children. They enjoyed sailing and traveling, and were active with American Field Service, hosting several exchange students. An avid sailor and skilled navigator, Bill was a longtime member of the United States Power Squadrons, for many years managing the Advanced Piloting course, the most popular course offered by the Squadrons. He also taught the most advanced course, Celestial Navigation, for many years. He was recognized for 58 continuous years of service to the organization. He was also a life member of the Troupers Light Opera Company; he served on the organization’s board and coordinated set construction for many productions. Robert W. (Bob) Johnson ’44 passed away on December 31, 2013. Bob is survived by his wife of 62 years, Mary, and five children, all of whom attended Wilmington Friends School, and their families: Steven Johnson ’79, Richard Johnson ’74, Nancy Rash Sutherland ’73, Barbara Newcombe ’71, and Robert W. Johnson Jr. ’70. He is also survived by his sister, Bette Good ’42, 15 grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and numerous nieces and nephews. All benefited from the love, values, compassion, work ethic and kindness he instilled in his family. Bob was born to John B. and Shirrell Johnson in 1926 in Emporium, PA. After childhood years in PA and Hercules, CA, his family moved to Wilmington, DE where he lived until a 2007 move to Maris Grove in Glen Mills. A 1944 graduate of Wilmington Friends School, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned as an ambulance driver in the Pacific Theater during World War II and in Japan following the war. Upon his discharge and return to Wilmington, he completed his business degree at the University of Delaware and went to work with his father, brother, and brotherin-law at Hercules. During that time, he met Mary, the love of his life, and together they raised their five children. After a long career in the Purchasing Department, Bob retired in 1990, and he and Mary traveled extensively across the U.S. and abroad, both on their own and visiting their children. The whole family was active at Grace United Methodist Church for many years. Bob was an avid collector of toy trains and a long time member of the Train Collectors Association (TCA). The family very generously suggested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions in Bob’s memory be made to Wilmington Friends School.
Cornelius V. (Neal) Robbins ’49, 82, President Emeritus of SUNY Cobleskill College (19861991), passed away on December 1, 2013 at home in Delmar, NY after a long battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. He is survived by his loving wife, Janet (Porter) Robbins; his four daughters; his sister, Evelyn Robbins Lang ’55 and her husband Edward Lang ’55; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; several nephews and nieces; and many close friends, all of whom he loved and cherished as they equally loved him. Neal had a lifelong affection for his home state of Delaware and his large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived there. In his early years, Neal worked in his father’s hardware business, Robbins and Clark, in Wilmington. After graduating from Wilmington Friends School in 1949, he attended the University of Delaware where he earned his undergraduate degree in political science and graduate degree in economics and political science. At the University of Delaware, he met his future wife, Janet Porter of Camden, DE. They married upon graduation in 1953. He later earned his doctorate in education from the University of Pennsylvania. Neal loved his country and served in the U.S. Army from 1954-1956, and then in the U.S. Army Reserves for 20 years until his retirement as a major. In 1958, Neal began his long and dedicated career in education starting as a history teacher in Wilmington, followed by positions in college administration including: Dean of Instruction at Ocean County College in Toms River, NJ; Dean at the Community College of Delaware County in Media, PA; President of Genesee Community College in Batavia, NY; Associate Chancellor for Community Colleges in SUNY Central Administration in Albany, NY; Acting President of SUNY Potsdam in Potsdam, NY; President of SUNY Cobleskill in Cobleskill, NY, from which he retired in 1991. He came out of retirement in 1992 to join the Department of Educational Administration at SUNY Albany to teach graduate courses in educational administration. After 16 years of teaching, Neal retired again in 2008. No matter on which campus Neal was working, he was always a proud supporter of the students and could be seen at their athletic, musical, theatrical, academic, and other organizational programs. Neal loved to spend time with his family and friends. Prior to his illness, he was actively involved in tennis, golf, reading, and his church, Faith United Methodist Church in Schenectady, NY. He especially enjoyed spending time on his pontoon boat in Delaware with his wife, Janet, and family, as well as friends, whom he encouraged to come visit anytime and take a ride.
IN MEMORY
Thanks to Chick Altmaier ‘51 for sharing this obituary for his classmate and friend. Allan R. Plumley, Jr. ’51 passed away the day after Christmas 2013. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marie Chapin Plumley; three children; and six grandchildren. A fourth generation lawyer, Mr. Plumley was born in Washington, DC, and raised in Wilmington, where his father, a patent attorney, was an executive with DuPont. Mr. Plumley graduated from Wilmington Friends School and attended the University of Virginia, George Washington University, and the George Washington University Law School, earning A.B., B.S., and Juris Doctor degrees. He served for two years (1956-1958) in the U.S. Army Counter Intelligence Corps. He completed the three-year course of study at GWU Law School in one and one-half years, and in 1961 became law clerk to the late David A. Pine, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. He joined the Arlington law firm of Adams, Porter, Radigan and Mays, becoming a full partner in 1965. In 1975, he was elected President and CEO of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Arlington, which became the publicly traded CFS Financial Corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Continental Federal Savings Bank. When CFS was sold to Crestar Bank in 1992, Mr. Plumley became Vice Chairman of the Greater Washington Area for Crestar. He retired from Crestar in 1995. Mr. Plumley also served as Chairman of the Virginia League of Savings Institutions. In 2000, he became founding Chairman of the Board of First Service Bank in McLean. When the bank was sold in 2006 to Southern National Bank of Virginia, Mr. Plumley became a member of its Advisory Board. In addition to serving as President of Washington Golf & Country Club, he was President, Trustee, and Director of many corporate, charitable and social organizations. Mr. Plumley had resided in Arlington since 1958. Arthur G. Connolly, Jr. ’55 died on March 25, 2014. A full obituary will appear in the next issue of Friends magazine. Mary Jane (Mimi) Hogan Green ’55 passed away on January 7, 2014 after suffering a stroke. Mimi was born in 1937 in Chadds Ford, PA, and attended Pembroke College of Brown University, graduating in 1959 with a degree in art history. She was a winner of the annual Mademoiselle magazine’s Guest Editor Competition in 1958, was hired to work in sales promotion, and worked as assistant to Leo Lerman at Mademoiselle following college. Mimi moved to Random House in 1965, ultimately being promoted to Managing Director of Trade Sales Promotion. After receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, she retired from Random House in 1991 and divided her time between New York City and Sanibel Island, FL. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Annette Kaiser Voorhes ’77, 54, of Winchester, MA, was taken from us suddenly on January 29, 2014. Annette is survived by her daughters, Kate and Emma Voorhes, of Winchester, MA, and her beloved and loving partner Michael Myers of Arlington, MA and Winchester, MA; by her parents, John (Rex) Kaiser ’45 and Claire Kaiser. She is also survived by her former husband David Voorhes of Boston, MA; and three brothers, John Jr. ’79 of Annapolis, MD, William ’82 of Manchester by the Sea, MA, and David ’83 (wife Jennifer) of Mattapoisett, MA, and one sister, Aimee ’86 (husband Paul) Satterfield of Nottingham, PA. Annette had 16 nieces and nephews, and will also be missed by her (nearly) adopted son, Herve Gerard of Atlanta, GA. Annette’s uncle Robert Kaiser ’47 also attended Friends School. Annette’s two daughters, Kate and Emma, were the true love of her life. Annette’s selfless and unconditional love for her girls and everyone in her life will be sorely missed forever. Born and raised in Wilmington, DE, Annette attended Ursuline Academy and Wilmington Friends School. She received her B.A. from Kenyon College, where she was a star field hockey teammate and sung in the a capella group “Owl Creek Singers,” and then earned her Master’s in Creative Arts with a focus in Dance Therapy from Hahnemann University in Philadelphia. Her love of dance, especially modern dance, was a focal point of her life. After suffering a major head injury more than 30 years ago, Annette had fought back and persevered every day to triumph over obstacles most people would never overcome. Annette was a dedicated civic leader in Winchester. She was a volunteer and substitute teacher in the public schools, and a host parent of the Winchester “A Better Chance” program. She was also a tour leader of Winchester Trails. She loved introducing children to the beauty of the Middlesex Fells Reservation, an area where she could often be found hiking with her dog, Brandy. Annette was also an accomplished windsurfer, skier and sailor, and often assisted the Winchester High School Sailing team. Growing up, Annette spent summers in Edgartown, MA, usually living on her family’s sailboat, where she learned to sail and race competitively. She was active in the Edgartown Yacht Club, winning many awards and later worked as a sailing instructor. She later spent many summers on Cuttyhunk Island. In the past few years, she and Mike restored their sailboat “Serenity” and sailed in Mattapoisett, Buzzards Bay, and Martha’s Vineyard waters. Thomas B. Putney ’84 passed away at Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care at Christiana Hospital on January 15, 2014 after a long struggle with cancer. He was 48. He is survived by his father, Thomas Putney ’52, and his step-mother Mary Putney; his mother, Thalia Putney (former Friends faculty member), his sister Laura Wright ’80 and his twin sister Ann Putney ’84; as well as extended family members.
FRIENDS OF FRIENDS Molly A. Cohen passed away peacefully on March 25, 2014 at the age of 99. Please read more about Molly and her service to Friends— and the service she inspired—on page 22, an article prepared before her death. She was born in Wilmington on December 27, 1914, and was a graduate of Wilmington High School. After retiring from the IRS in 1962, Molly began an extraordinary career as a volunteer. She contributed tens of thousands of hours to the Wilmington VA Medical Center, Christiana Care, Jewish Family Service, Wilmington Friends School, and Congregation Beth Shalom, and was a member of B’nai B’rith Women. In addition to receiving the prestigious Governor’s Award for the state’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, Molly was honored on multiple other occasions with notable awards for her selfless service. In her rare free moments, she loved crossword puzzles, gardening, bowling, and spending time with her beloved family. She will be remembered for her generosity, vitality, and always elegant attire. (“You never know whom you might see!”) Molly was pre-deceased by her husband, her parents, and her brother and sister. She will be deeply missed by her children Shelly Mand (Martin) and L. Robert Cohen (Marilyn); grandchildren Gregory Mand ’87 (Rebecca), Michael Mand ’88 (Erin), and Brian Mand ’90 (Tamara); and great-grandchildren Emily, Maple, Daryn, Oliver and Alana. The family expressed deep appreciation for the loving care that Molly received at The Kutz Home, and generously designated memorial gifts to Friends School, along with Congregation Beth Shalom, Christiana Care Volunteer Services, The Kutz Home, or Jewish Family Services of Delaware. Adelaide C. Tinker, age 97 of Greenville, DE, passed away peacefully at Wilmington Hospital on January 2, 2014. She is survived by her stepchildren, Robert Tinker ’59, Dorothy Powell, and Irene Tinker. Adelaide was a former Trustee of Wilmington Friends School and a true “Friend” of Friends. Among her many expressions of support for the School, she was a True Blue Donor and a member of the 1748 Society. Adelaide graduated from the University of Chicago with a degree in Chemistry and went to work for DuPont, where she met John Tinker, whom she married in 1943. An avid pilot, she held a commercial license for singleengine planes, and was active in the “99s,” the association of women pilots, and in the Civil Air Patrol. She served on the board of the Wilmington Music School, Wilmington Friends School, and the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra. She had been a member of the Wilmington Friends Meeting since 1947.
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Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
IN CLOSING
2014 Eighth Grade Musical, Oklahoma!
Photos by Elisa Komins Morris Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
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Coming events May 9 Lower School Grandparents & Special Friends Day May 18 Community Open House New Theater and Gym May 31 Fourth Annual Alumni Spring Fling Groundbreaking for Mellor Field June 9 Commencement October 17-18 Alumni Weekend, Homecoming & Reunions (class years ending in 4 and 9)
Spring 2014 • Friends magazine
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