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Transcription

SEWICKLEY SPEAKING
T H E
M A G A Z I N E
O F
S E W I C K L E Y
Serving in northern Thailand as a program manager for Rustic Pathways, Megan McAdams ’04
and her team mix cement for a community center’s foundation.
A C A D E M Y
SUMMER 2008
SEWICKLEY SPEAKING SUMMER 2008
A M E S S A G E F RO M T H E
CONTENTS
2
The Academy’s First
Romanian Exchange
A M E S S A G E F RO M T H E H E A D O F S C H O O L
8
Alumni around the World
Editor
Haley Woods
ContRibutors
Julie Bevevino ’99
Sharon Hurt Davidson
Tammy Ewin
Jennifer FitzPatrick
Kolia O’Connor
Debbie Osterhout
Trevor Rusert
Susan Ratcliffe Sour
Haley Woods
Students represent Ukraine at the sixth grade World’s Fair. Students completed research on their assigned
country and then designed a poster and booth to share at the fair.
Photographers
Dear Readers of Sewickley Speaking,
Sharon Hurt Davidson
Tammy Ewin
Harry Giglio
James R. Wardrop ’57
What does it mean to have a global perspective? We hear this phrase
increasingly, including at Sewickley Academy, and it is perhaps worth
pausing to note what is meant when we talk about global perspectives,
especially through the lens of a Sewickley Academy education.
Haley Woods
Design
Richard A. Hooper
Third Planet Communications
www.333planet.com
12
THE COLLEGE PROCESS IN
THE 21st CENTURY
16
Lessons from First Grade
A MESSAGE FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL
1
Sewickley Academy does not discriminate on
THE ACADEMY’S FIRST Romanian Exchange 2
the basis of race, gender, religion, national or
Sector Speaker SERIES 2008 / MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
5
ethnic origin, or sexual orientation in the
ANNOUNCING THE SEWICKLEY SERIES
6
administration of its educational policies,
MARJORIE “MARNIE” BROWN JUMP ’33
7
financial aid program, athletic program,
8
or any other policy or program.
Alumni around the World
THE COLLEGE PROCESS IN THE 21st CENTURY
12
The 2008 Elizabeth Bishop Martin Award
15
LESSONS FROM FIRST GRADE
16
SEWICKLEY ACADEMY IN THE NEWS
18
Farewells
20
New Trustees
22
New Faces
23
Familiar Faces in New Places
26
WELCOMING a New Alumni Council President 27
Reunion 2008
28
PICTURE THIS Campaign UPDATE
30
DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE
32
CLASS NOTES
34
IN MEMORIAM
40
Correspondence concerning
Sewickley Speaking should
be addressed to:
Haley Woods
Director of Marketing & Publications
Sewickley Academy
315 Academy Avenue
Sewickley, Pa 15143
[email protected]
412.741.2230
www.sewickley.org
Simply put, a global perspective is one that, while grounded in the
basic, traditional skills and values that have long been the hallmark of a
Sewickley Academy education, provides students a window into worlds
that are different from their own, ways of thinking that are different from
their own, and ways of operating within those worlds that will allow for
greater success.
Generations ago, schools were seen as vehicles for acculturating and
assimilating the children of immigrants into mainstream American life.
Today, this imperative is complemented by a growing understanding that
to be cultured, to be educated, to be competitive in the 21st century means
having an understanding of the world beyond our borders. More than
that, it demands a set of skills that will allow our young people to learn
from and learn with people who are different from them. We sometimes
hear people say that the world is getting more diverse, but that is not true.
The world has always been a remarkably vibrant and diverse place; it is just
that our increasing interconnectedness and interdependence make that
level of diversity and difference more important to us.
During the Middle School’s first South Asia Day, students try their hands (and feet) at fast-paced Bhangra dancing.
One powerful linguistic example comes from the auto industry, when
Chevrolet was attempting to market its highly successful Nova sedan in
Argentina more than 25 years ago. The marketing department did not pay
attention to the fact that “no va” in Spanish means “does not go,” certainly
not an effective marketing strategy for a car!
Take another example from childhood. Remember when a friend, holding
his hand up with the thumb and index finger joined to form a circle, said
to you, “Can you poke your head through this hole?” You said, “No,” only
to see your friend put the circle up to his head and then, using the index
finger of his other hand, poke his finger at his head through the circle. He
laughed, and you turned around and played the trick on your dad. Some
problems that seem difficult or even insoluble can be solved quite easily by
assuming the right perspective.
In his timely and compelling book, The Difference, Scott E. Page, a
professor of complex systems at the University of Michigan, writes
powerfully about the difference that perspectives can make in the solving
of problems. Ultimately, he argues that bringing together diverse perspectives by bringing together people in possession of diverse perspectives
makes it more likely that seemingly insoluble problems can be solved.
Collective collaboration, thus, is a fundamental skill that needs to be
taught so that our young people will know how to take advantage of the
different perspectives present in a group.
Europeans have always understood – because they have needed to – the
value of knowing and comfortably being able to use a second and even a
third language. While the hegemony of English as a world language is
not in question, the power that comes from understanding a culture and
community through a knowledge of its language is likewise indisputable.
That is why Sewickley Academy has long taught French and Spanish beginning in Pre-Kindergarten. That is also why we have added Mandarin
in Grade 9 and now introduced it in Grade 6.
As the Academy moves to refine our efforts to prepare our students for
success in the 21st century, we know that the foundational basics must
be assured; we also know that, in the world our children will inherit, the
basics are no longer enough. Additionally, we know that the same set of
skills that will allow our students to be more successful in the future is
also the one that will lead to even greater success in our classrooms today.
But knowing a foreign language is only part of the answer. Learning
to work in diverse groups, to collaborate, and to solve problems collectively are also skills that are fundamental to a global education and to the
development of global perspectives. There may not be only one correct
way to solve a problem; there may be several correct ways. Therefore, we
must teach our students how to choose the most efficient strategy given a
particular context, one that may, in fact, be culturally based. Students
need to understand this in order to be able to choose well – or even more
important, to avoid choosing poorly. Knowing the cultural coding that
suggests one option rather than another could spell the difference between
success and failure.
With best regards,
In the following pages of Sewickley Speaking, you will see that global
perspectives are already well represented at Sewickley Academy. In fact,
the school has a long tradition of reaching beyond our borders, and we are
proud to build on this legacy to ensure that the education we provide our
students today is as relevant and inspiring as it was in years gone by.
Kolia O’Connor
1
T he Academy ’ s F irst Romanian E x change
By: Debbie Osterhout
participate: Evan Fuhrer ’12, Will Kleeman ’13, and Connor Sebastian ’12. Mr. Kurt Cerny, song and dance teacher and descendant of
Eastern European heritage, was also very interested in making this trip
and together we discussed our hopes to encourage new growth and independence in our students through this experience. Shortly after our team
was assembled, the students began attending weekly meetings to discuss,
research, and prepare for a week-long integration into life in Romania.
This spring, Lower School Spanish
teacher Debbie Osterhout facilitated
an exchange between the International
School of Cluj, Romania, and the
Academy. The following is a personal
account of the life-changing experience.
Seventeen hours and three plane rides later, we arrived in Cluj on March
15 and began our adventure. Our week included an overnight stay in
Transylvania visiting both Peles Castle and the Castle of Dracula. We
spent the majority of our time on ISC’s campus, observing and taking
part in day-to-day activities. Mr. Cerny even had the opportunity to
teach the waltz to a group of sixth and seventh graders. Also that week,
we were all interviewed and filmed for a national television documentary on the changes in the Romanian educational system.
Currently enrolled at ISC on two different campuses are 250 students, half
of whom are in the pre-school and Kindergarten. The other 125 range
in age from six to 14 years, eighth grade being the highest grade enrolled
for the 2007-08 school year. The Romania these children know is much
different than the one their parents knew only a short time ago – no longer are foods rationed in small amounts, nor are multiple families living
in one small apartment. The country has a long history of communism,
repression, and poverty, and for 24 years was under the communist role of
Nicolae Ceausescu. Then in December of 1989, the communist regime
was overthrown in a week-long series of violent riots known as the
Romanian Revolution of 1989.
As founder and president of ISC, Simona Baciu and her husband have
established the school, which was built within the last 10 years. From my
perspective, watching Simona in action is comparable to standing next to
Martin Luther King, Jr. when he gave his, “I have a dream” speech. Simona has a dream as well, and that dream involves leading the way for new
ideas to develop in the educational system throughout her country. She
is a bundle of energy, excitement, and the force that currently encourages
her faculty and staff to try new things. She is willing to petition the
Minister of Education for changes that her faculty would like to try.
Currently, the entire system for the education of children in Romania
is mandated by the government. Strict regulations on class time and
structure prohibit the enriched education that a student enjoys in the
United States.
Romanian and Academy students at Peles Castle, considered by many one of the most beautiful castles in all Europe.
My participation on the Global Task Force here at the Academy resulted in the
opportunity to attend the 10th Annual Global Connections Conference in
July 2007. This task force was a faculty subcommittee asked to devise a more
challenging, rigorous diploma program with additional connections to business and political changes taking place in our world today. The Conference is
a yearly gathering of educators wanting to make world-wide connections in
order to brainstorm, share, and rejuvenate. What a privilege it was to sit among
heads and administrators of private independent schools the world over as they
shared ideas and strategies for leading and encouraging faculties and families
who make education a priority in an ever-changing world.
Connor Sebastian ’12, Evan Fuhrer ’12, and Will Kleeman ’13 with the view of the medieval
town of Sighisoara, Romania.
Much like their democracy, the existence of private schools is very new in
Romania. So new, in fact, that a business manager and marketing director
have only recently been hired at ISC. Connor, Evan, and Will were asked
to sit down with the four administrators of ISC to discuss job descriptions and how things are done here at the Academy! Two hours and
many questions later, our young gentlemen had given insights into their
own school, which will impact this school in Romania. The exchange of
ideas was stunning and something of which we should be proud.
I was fortunate enough to make an immediate connection with Mrs. Simona
Baciu, founder of the International School of Cluj (ISC) in Romania. We found
common interests and talked for hours about education, our students, and
our schools. After three days, we began to discuss seriously the possibility of
beginning an exchange between our schools. We planned and exchanged
information necessary to take the next steps once we both returned home. It
was exciting to make a new friend and to think that this friendship might impact
Sewickley Academy as well.
In October, I went to the Middle School with this idea and opened the opportunity to take three students. From a pool of 13 applications, three young men with
courage, confidence, and strong interests in history and travel were asked to
2
A curriculum that incorporates technology and additional courses in
the arts and physical education has been in place in the American school
system all of my 30 years of teaching and even earlier. But yet, during
our stay at the International School of Cluj, we heard questions such as,
“Sports connected to the school day?” “A class called Song and Dance?”
“Alumni giving? This is a new idea for us!”
Will Kleeman ’12 successfully bargained with this vendor and bought this beautiful oil
painting of Peles Castle.
Weeks after we returned from Romania, five students and Head of
School Iulia Bratfalean from ISC spent a busy week here in Pittsburgh.
Academy host families were dedicated to showing them everything
possible in that short time. As is typical in an emerging capitalist society,
While in Romania, Debbie Osterhout and her group visited ISC’s Happy Kids Kindergarten.
the goods in Romania come at a high cost. In fact, a pair of Dockers® in
Romania costs $150! It is no surprise then that shopping was high on the
groups’ to-do list. Our families spent hours looking and advising their
visiting students about iPods® and digital cameras. I spent hours with
Iulia at the teacher supply store buying books, materials, wall signs in
English, and games for every age student at ISC. Even more time was spent
at the Children’s Place and Gap Kids with Iulia browsing the racks, amazed
at the quality and color of the clothing. She repeatedly asked, “Will the
colors go out of the clothing after I wash three times?” I quickly assured
her that the quality would last, even when her two young girls had outgrown the clothes. After our day of shopping Iulia said with astonishment,
“I cannot believe I have so much money left!”
Looking back on the exchange, it was a dreamlike whirlwind of activity and memorable moments. I loved Romania, all of the people I met
and things I saw there, because I could. From my safe vantage point as
an American citizen with a good life, family, and security, I was free to
observe the lack of stop signs and traffic lights at any intersection and
ponder. I was free to appreciate whatever I was given while there, not
dwelling on all that was not. However, the most impactful experience for
me took place in Romania in the car with Iulia and her husband, Alex,
as they toured me around the city of Cluj. We looked at the old city, the
University of Cluj, and the cathedral, as well as the old tenement buildings labeled “communist” buildings by Romanians today. Alex and Iulia
recounted the afternoon in 1989 when the sirens began to blow. “Tension
had been very high, everyone knew that something was about to
happen,” said Alex. Upon hearing the sirens, Iulia drove down into the
city, oblivious of the danger. She needed to find family members to see
that they were safe and she wanted to stand among her fellow Romanians
shouting, “Down with Ceausescu!” as the man and the government fell
from power. As Alex told me this story, about freedom and fighting,
as friends watched friends shot down and killed at their feet, he talked
about people rallying to make a difference in a life full of government
control and lacking in the most basic freedoms. While he recounted
these memories, tears ran down his face and mine as well. Here I was
listening to people 10 years my junior telling of the very day life changed
and it was not so long ago. The beginning of freedom, which is still in the
making today, requires stamina, courage, and most definitely a willingness to think in new ways.
Upon her return to Romania, I received an email from Iulia. She wrote,
“I saw in America a more normal life and I know now that it is up to us to
make our lives better and our school a wonderful place.” Let her words
be an inspiration to us all.
3
T he Academy ’ s F irst Romanian E x change
( C ontinued )
Implications of the Global Economy:
2008 Sector Speaker Series
Weeks after the exchange was concluded, I sat down with those involved and we debriefed on our experiences.
Here are just a few of the responses shared:
What was the most
challenging part of
this entire experience?
“Before meeting our exchange families we all had each other for comfort
and support. Getting into separate
cars, driving to our host family’s
home, and getting my first glance at
Romania made me very nervous. It
was really nothing like I expected it
to be, but I was hoping for the best
and it turned out to be great.”
Evan Fuhrer ’12
“I think the hardest part of the
Romania trip occurred the first ten
minutes after leaving the airport. I
had to say goodbye to my friends
and get into the car with the family I
was staying with. I knew my host,
Alexandru, a little bit through the
emails we had been sending back and
forth but other than that, everything
was new to me. The ride home from
the airport was rough. I was trying to
make conversation, but there was not
much common ground yet. I didn’t
know the limits of their English and
they knew I did not speak Romanian.
But we had agreed to be flexible and
to be open to whatever happened. It
all turned out to be a great time.
Connor Sebastian ’12
“On the first morning at my new home, I experienced
both room temperature milk from aseptic packaging for my cereal and a PS3 video game in my room.
At once I was in a completely foreign land and yet
with amazingly familiar things around me.”
Will Kleeman ’13
ISC student, Alex, enjoys his cotton candy at PNC Park.
Chess is the same no matter what country you are from! Students enjoyed
this game in the Middle School Commons.
“The most difficult thing about hosting a foreign student was gaining her
trust in such a short amount of time. If she did not trust me, she was
not going to have fun. Trust was certainly a big factor in this experience.
Once you gain that trust, it is all worth it.”
Rumma Ahmad ’12 (Student Host)
“Seventeen hours of travel from Pittsburgh to Cluj result in, yes, excitement but also fatigue. Three plane rides through Atlanta, Milan, and on
to Cluj-Napoca, combined with a seven hour time zone change told us
that it was over 24 hours since we left home. But I needed to be perky as
I met my host family at the airport.”
Will Kleeman ’13
4
A few early rain showers gave way to bright sunny skies as
approximately 40 Sewickley Academy students participated
in the 117th Annual Sewickley Borough Memorial Day
Parade held on May 26. Academy parent Gwen Lewis
provided three convertibles and Senior School teacher
Jamie Wardrop, once again, brought one of his antique
fire trucks – this one a 1929 Ford – as part of the proud
contingency representing Sewickley Academy. An abundance
of Academy parents, families, faculty, staff, and alumni lined
the parade route as part of the thousands who enjoyed the
festivities associated with this very popular community event.
What about this
experience impacted
you the most?
“Living with a mom, dad, grandmother, and my
exchange friend in a new apartment in the city was
different for me. Eating every meal together as a
family made the distance from my own life seem
both more real and yet far away.”
Evan Fuhrer ’12
“As I was talking to Alex in his home on our
first day there, I was trying to talk about
Romania. He stopped me and said, “Enough! About
America now.” I asked him why and he replied,
“Romania is not a great place to live. America is the
most advanced country in the world and I want to
see it. Tell me about that.” I think I just laughed.
It gave me a new perspective on how people on the
opposite side of the world view our country. Alex
and his family, at least, look at America like it is the
pinnacle of technology and power. I think after his
week here he was overwhelmed by all he did see. I
will remember this always.”
Connor Sebastian ’12
“Possibly the most powerful moment in this whole exchange happened
right here on American soil. Stepping out of the Pittsburgh Airport, Iulia,
head of school at ISC, came to a stop and asked us to wait as she breathed
American air. She told us that never in her life did she think she would
actually stand on American soil. It made me realize that this woman
had lived most of her life, well into adulthood, under communism, and
truly had dreamed of seeing something we take for granted here daily…
freedom. I will never forget the look on her face at that moment.”
Mr. Kurt Cerny
“The most impactful moment for me was watching Alex eat cotton candy at
the Pirate’s baseball game. I know it’s a simple thing, but that’s when I realized how different Romanian culture is from ours. There were many things
Alex had never done but he was willing to try and he liked much of what he
experienced. He was interested in our culture and he wanted to learn. He
was willing to come out of his comfort zone to experience another life.”
Rob Weir ’13 (Student Host)
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
Head of School Kolia O’Connor, Frank Cahouet, Josephine Olson, Alden Sector, Hugh Nevin, and Glen
Meakem.
In its 12th year, the Albert and Bertha Sector Speaker Series hosted
a panel to speak on the global economy. The panel was composed
of Frank Cahouet, retired Chairman and CEO of Mellon Financial
Corp, Hugh W. Nevin, Jr., Director of Cohen & Grigsby Law Firm,
and Josephine Olson, Director of the International Business Center,
Katz Graduate School of Business, University of Pittsburgh.
Moderator Glen Meakem, Co-Founder and Managing Director of
Meakem Becker Venture Capital, facilitated the morning panel with
Senior School students and the evening panel with members of the
community. Each session was open for questions from the audience
and the large attendance at both events proved the community’s
interest in the timely topic.
Lower School students smile for the camera in the back of a Mustang
convertible waiting for the parade to begin.
While opinions varied on issues that ranged from alternative energy
sources, the U.S immigration policy, job security, to the liquidity
crisis, the distinguished panelists were in sound agreement on one
theme: our students must be educated today so that they are able
to participate in, and make valuable contributions to the competitive
international marketplace of tomorrow.
When an audience member asked, “What can Sewickley Academy
do to prepare students for the global economy?” Professor Olson
replied that foreign language study is of utmost importance not only
because it allows students to discourse with another culture, but
it also raises the awareness of the students’ role as global citizens.
Next, she encouraged students to find opportunities to travel
abroad and interact with different cultures. Expanding on that point,
Hugh Nevin added, “We need to instill in students the ability to look
outside of their corner of the world, and realize that this is no longer
a U.S.-centric world. The perspective has quickly shifted.”
Middle School students proudly carry the Academy’s banner in the Memorial
Day Parade.
The sessions concluded with panelists’ remarks to stress that
although globalization brings some difficult changes to our nation
in this current day, it also brings with it innovation, success, and
promise for the future.
The Albert and Bertha Sector Speaker Series was established by retired
Middle School history teacher and Faculty Emeritus, Alden Sector, in honor
of his parents.
Jamie Wardrop, driving his 1929 Ford fire truck, leads the Academy’s procession of vehicles at the Sewickley Borough Memorial Day Parade.
5
ANNOUNCING THE SEWICKLEY SERIES
“Marnie Jump has been an integral part of building Colorado into the ski country that it is today. Her 50
years of service and quiet efficiency will be long remembered by all those who celebrated the spirit of skiing.”
The 2008-2009 school year will see the launch of the first
Sewickley Series. The Sewickley Series presents creative,
cultural, and enlightening events designed to bring
authors, speakers, performers, artists, and musicians to
Sewickley Academy for the educational benefit and enjoyment of the community. The Series provides artistic and
intellectual enrichment, creates a forum for diverse opinions on timely topics, and offers inspiring performances
to engage members of our local and school community.
All programs are free and open to the public. Mark your
calendars to join us for our inaugural season.
Check www.sewickley.org for times and locations.
6
MARJORIE “MARNIE” BROWN JUMP ’33
November 13
Cheryl Charles
March 5
Patrick Bassett
Cheryl Charles, Ph.D., is President of
the Children & Nature Network and
has worked closely with Richard Louv,
author of Last Child in the Woods: Saving
Our Children from Nature-Deficit
Disorder, to develop training and education for emerging regional leaders
in the children and nature movement.
Louv and Charles have developed
programming based on his provocative
study which shows how children’s lack of connection to nature causes obesity,
distraction, and depression. Charles offers helpful suggestions on how to
develop an environment-based educational program that can enhance
children’s problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
Patrick F. Bassett has been affiliated with
independent schools for more than 38
years. During his career he has been a
teacher, coach, headmaster, association
leader, and author. Since 2001, he has
served as the president of the National
Association of Independent Schools.
Bassett’s interests include the concept
of “right-brained” creativity, rooted in
ideas from Daniel Pink’s book, A Whole
New Mind, exploring the implications for teaching and learning in 21st
century schools. Bassett examines the core competencies of our rightbrained future and illustrates exercises related to each. He offers insight into
what skills and values the 21st century will demand and reward, and how
independent schools will teach them.
December 4 JhonNatan Mata Quartet
April 2 Dan Kindlon, Ph.D.
Academy strings teacher, Jhonnatan
Mata, and his quartet will perform
a selection of holiday music. Mr.
Mata has previously instructed the
Paraguana Symphonic Orchestra and
the Venezuelan Child’s Symphonic
Orchestra. He has also participated
in numerous Master classes, and has
performed for various orchestras,
including the Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho Symphonic Orchestra, the
Orquestra de Camara de Venequela, and the Erie Philharmonic.
As co-author of the best-selling book,
Too Much of a Good Thing: Raising
Children of Character in an Indulgent
Age, Dr. Dan Kindlon examines
groundbreaking research that reveals
the detrimental effect of overindulgence
on American children. He identifies
patterns of behavior common among
children of affluent times, known as
the “seven syndromes of indulgence,” and encourages family dynamics that
foster accountability and strong, meaningful relationships. Dan is a clinical
and research psychologist specializing in child and adolescent behavior. In
addition to his professorship in child psychology at Harvard University, he
is also the author of other best-sellers including: Raising Cain: Protecting the
Emotional Life of Boys and Alpha Girl: Understanding the New American Girl
and How She Is Changing the World.
This tribute comes from the Colorado Ski and
Snowboard Hall of Fame upon the induction
of Marjorie “Marnie” Brown Jump in 2000.
Marnie’s lengthy list of accomplishments is
awe-inspiring.
Along with her fellow skiers, Marnie went to
work raising the necessary funds to keep the
resort open. Their efforts were a success and
Marnie soon became vice president of the
Arapahoe Basin Corporation.
Adept at athletics at a young age, Marnie
played field hockey and basketball during her
days at the Academy. She fondly remembers
her friends and teachers from a time when
the Academy was shaping into the institution
it is today. “The Academy was a wonderful
school, in fact, one of the best. I have nothing but the best of memories about my time
there.” Because the school only went up to
ninth grade back then, she later attended the
Ethel Walker School and went on to study
at Bennington College where she graduated
in 1940. In the mountains of Vermont, she
and her college roommates learned to ski on
wooden skis at Mt. Bromley and Pico Peak.
At that time, skiing was a fairly new sport in
the nation and one that she quickly came to
love. Her days on the mountains were soon
interrupted by World War II. “After Pearl
Harbor, the whole nation was shocked and
we were all truly eager to serve and show
our patriotism,” she says. And so, Marnie
joined the U.S. Navy and was first sent to
Jacksonville, Florida, as a “radioman” specializing in communications technology. Shortly
after, Marnie became a commissioned officer and was assigned to teach communications to Navy personnel at Smith College,
Massachusetts. Her final assignment for
the Navy was in Maui, Hawaii, as a communications officer where she was stationed on
the day the Japanese surrendered (V-J Day)
in 1945.
In her leadership position, Marnie was very
much involved in the development and upkeep
of the area. Inspired by the accomplishments
of the legendary Andrea Mead Lawrence who
won gold medals in both the slalom and the
grand slalom in the 1952 Winter Olympics,
Marnie began to provide competitive opportunities for skiers of all types during the ensuing years. “At that time, most people in the ski
world were interested in developing different
aspects of skiing, and so we looked for ways to
bring the sport to different audiences.”
Youthful as ever, Marnie was still skiing at the age of 80.
Marnie is responsible for organizing the
first Veterans Race sanctioned by the U.S.
Ski Association in 1953. This program later
evolved into the premier adult ski racing
series in the country, the Masters Racing
Series – a competition Marnie participated
in until her late seventies. In 1968 she
organized Colorado’s first program for
handicapped skiers that included amputees
from the local children’s hospital and Vietnam
War veterans from Fitzsimmons Hospital.
Programs of this nature have since been
widely developed across the nation. For her
unwavering devotion in this ground-breaking
work, Marnie was honored with a Certificate
of Appreciation from the U.S. Army.
Today, Marnie has three grown children,
five grandchildren, and even a few great
grandchildren. Marnie still remains active
in the Academy alumni community, having
recently attended the last two Colorado alumni events. Just turning 90 this August, she
reveals her secret to longevity, “You must
always maintain a healthy lifestyle and a
positive attitude.” Now filling her days with
swimming and games of bridge, Marnie can
be proud of the legacy of innovation and
service she has built.
Soon after her discharge, Marnie ventured
out west to explore western skiing, something she had wanted to pursue before the
war. There, she met skier and future husband,
Larry Jump, who was involved with a struggling resort in the Arapahoe, Colorado, ski
area. Debt-ridden, the resort was in danger
of not opening for the 1947-48 ski season.
Marnie, with her husband, Larry Jump, in 1947
7
A L U M N I A RO U N D T H E W O R L D
“Wide worlds may call to us, but you hold
our hearts.” To alumni, these words
should be a familiar lyric from the school
anthem, “Hail Our Academy.” Chances
are, however, these words where not
given much thought as you stood to sing
the song in assemblies or special events
at the Academy. Much in the same way,
the following alumni never realized
how these words would ring true as they
find themselves far from home with
careers that bridge cultures through
service, the arts, and business.
“Each day I overcome the
desire to be comfortable.”
Inspiring Pathways Of Service
Megan McAdams ’04 - Cambodia
Walking through Tuol Sleng genocide
museum in Cambodia in 2006, Megan
McAdams ’04 knew she had found her call
for service. In a room blanketed with eerie
silence, she was overcome by the genocide
victims’ photos that were taken upon their
capture, and she struggled to hold herself
together. It was then she knew that Cambodia was where she was to stay.
Two years later, now a graduate of
Skidmore University, Megan works as a
program manager for Rustic Pathways,
an organization that offers travel abroad
programs for high school and college students, families, and groups. As a senior at
the Academy, Megan had hopes of spending her summer traveling to Thailand with
the program, but a bad case of strep throat
kept her home. Her plans were thwarted
again the following year due to the tsunami that struck the country and surrounding areas on Christmas Eve 2004. Finally,
in her sophomore year of college, Megan
made it to Thailand and worked as an
intern with the program, gaining experience with the company for which she now
works full-time.
This summer Megan led high school students through Cambodia, a country whose
shadow holds a mass genocide that killed
two million of its civilians in the years
8
Megan travels by boat to the remote locations of Cambodia.
1975-1979. In an attempt to form a Communist peasant farming society, Khmer
Rouge regime leader Pol Pot attempted
to “purify” the country through starvation
and executions, and eventually eradicated
25 percent of Cambodia’s population.
Megan spent the last year preparing and
scouting for the trip to create an itinerary for the students that introduced them
to the country and its people. Her group
started out in Phnom Penh, the capital
city, visiting the genocide museum and
killing field to gain understanding for the
country’s history and current state. They
then stayed with local families gaining an
appreciation for the Khmer culture and
people. Megan and the students traveled
by boat to various locations in the country
to work at orphanages and deliver supplies to remote floating villages, where
excited villagers gathered eagerly outside
their floating homes to greet their guests.
The group ended their trip at the Angkor
Wat, the most famed and well-preserved
ancient site in Southeast Asia.
Megan expects her students to gain a new
perspective on the world in much the
same way she witnessed other students
be transformed during a trip in northern
Thailand, where she was supervising students as they learned to ride and care for
elephants in a Royal Elephant Camp and as
the students did on the trip she led titled,
“Come with Nothing, Go Home Rich.” Here,
students were only permitted to bring five
personal items of their choice but nothing
else. “When the students arrived, we gave
them money to use in the local markets for
clothes. They were wearing some crazy outfits by the end of this trip!”
As a student who was first inspired to be
globally conscious in an African Issues
class at the Academy, Megan says that the
first skill needed to interact abroad is the
willingness to be uncomfortable. “People
often discount how difficult it can be to
leave one’s social networks and customs
in exchange for a completely new set of
norms.” Even after numerous less-than-
comfortable nights spent in a bamboo hut
on a straw mat, she says this skill is one she
is still developing. “On some days, I would
much rather stay inside my hotel room
than go outside where tuk tuk drivers and
street vendors follow me down the street.
However, each day I overcome the desire
to be comfortable, I grow to some degree.”
Her global perspective and experience
abroad allows her to appreciate each opportunity to represent America to the best
of her abilities. While sometimes a source
of frustration, Megan says that she seeks
each day to be a good ambassador of our
nation, and reminds her students to do the
same.
While she looks forward to leading more
student trips in the country, putting smiles
on villagers’ faces, Megan has future plans
to specifically aid women in Cambodia. As
only two percent of women in the country
have the opportunity to pursue education,
many have very limited options. Ultimately, these women are sold into the growing
sex trade industry and kept far away from
their families. With tourism as a booming
business in the country, there is currently
a need for individuals with hospitality
skills and a good command of the English
language. After determining the best location, she hopes to buy a guesthouse and
employ young Cambodian women, keeping them from the dark life of sex trade
and also empowering them with additional income. Lessons in hospitality, English,
and accounting would aid their chances of
acquiring employment in the tourist sector, which would make it possible for these
women to educate their children and empower younger generations. She hopes the
guesthouse could also become a haven for
local children to work on art projects and
receive tutoring for their homework.
Megan’s nickname among the Thai Rustic
Pathways’ staff is “ma gat” which means
“dog bite.” This is one that, unfortunately,
she has earned. Early in her stay in Thailand last year, she was attacked by a dog
while running down the street. Megan
spent the next few weeks in and out of
hospitals to clean the puncture wounds
on her leg. When she returned to base
at the end of summer, she was excited to
learn she had earned a nickname because
in Thai culture, a nickname is often a sign
that one has been accepted as a friend. Because of her selflessness and unwavering
devotion to those in need, it is safe to assume Megan’s future is one that will be full
of nicknames.
Uniting Cultures
through The Arts
Lisa Booth ’67 - New York City
Those in the Class of 1967 might remember Lisa Booth for her creative guises
and organizational skills that resulted in
themed dances and festive activities. For
instance, the Roman-themed surprise
birthday party for her Latin teacher, Mr.
Levesque. Much to Lisa and fellow collaborators’ credit, students dressed up in
togas made from sheets and honored him
as he came into class with a red carpet
leading up to a throne with music playing in the background. After presenting the cake, they formed an impromptu
parade and stomped around campus with
Mr. Levesque in the lead shouting, “Ave
Imperator!”
Lisa’s college friends remember her for the
same event planning skills — as the one
who started a coffee house on campus,
Lisa Booth ’67, founder of LBMI of New York City
9
A L U M N I A RO U N D T H E W O R L D
( C ontinued )
Photo by Dan Ozminkowski.
Her travels have led her all over the globe
to Cambodia, India, Europe, Japan, and
China. As a parent of Peter Jr., who is now
21, Lisa says that one of the best gifts she
and her husband gave their son was a familiarity and appreciation of different cultures, as she made many of these trips with
him in tow. Lisa’s global perspective was
further inspired a few years ago when she
read a biography of Benjamin Franklin.
His perspective on America was enriched
because of his postal work, which required
him to travel through all of the colonies.
“His travels gave him the broader vision
from which we are still benefiting today,”
she says. “It is so important to realize that
our way of looking at the world is only one
of many viewpoints.”
Lisa Booth’s firm organizes national tours for Spirit of Uganda, a group of young dancers and musicians who share the
histories, legends, and beliefs of East Africa.
which included the funding and purchase
of tables, chairs, and catering equipment
along with the booking of the talent for
nightly performances. Now as founder
and president of Lisa Booth Management
Inc. (LBMI), Lisa books the talent for
international artists on tours around the
nation and the world.
Based in New York City, Lisa established
the firm in 1983 after working for 10 years
at the American Dance Festival and for
Charles Reinhart Management, Inc. “In
time, I came to understand that by following my nose and doing what seemed to
make sense for me, I had found my calling.
It was in the cards all along; I just didn’t
realize it.”
In her day-to-day life, Lisa is excited to see
the arts function as an extremely powerful
tool for global exchange and understanding. “The arts communicate on different,
yet human terms and can break the ice between cultures.” For instance, this power
10
was manifested most recently when the
New York Philharmonic made a groundbreaking visit to North and South Korea,
performing in front of large audiences and
participating in exchanges with local artists. “This probably would have been impossible for Condoleezza Rice or any other
United States diplomat. Artists can lead
the way and go where others fear to tread.”
“The arts communicate
on different, yet human
terms and can break
the ice between cultures.”
Lisa is currently working with a performing arts company, the Khmer Arts
Ensemble, as they resurrect centuries of
old traditions almost eradicated by the
Khmer Rouge regime in the Cambodian
genocide. Ninety percent of the country’s
artists were killed in the genocide and
those who remain work hard to restore
this essential piece of the nation’s culture.
The Khmer Arts Ensemble travels the nation performing contemporary works of
art set in the classical Cambodian dance
technique.
Since 2000, Lisa’s firm has been working
to organize national tours for Spirit of Uganda
as they raise money for vulnerable children
in Africa and spread the word about the devastating effects of HIV and war in their home
country. The group of young dancers and
musicians has performed all over the nation
as they share the histories, legends, and beliefs of East Africa. Empower African Children, the organization that produced Spirit of
Uganda, is currently in the process of building a model secondary school in Kampala,
Uganda, with an arts, health, and technology
emphasis. “This is a cause that is near and
dear to my heart and working with them has
been extremely rewarding,” says Lisa.
Introducing Flavors
to the Japanese Palette
Douglas Schafer ’86 - Japan
his now-wife, Sayuki. Sayuki’s father, the
owner of a family operated food distribution company, offered to sponsor Doug’s
visa as an employee of the company. It was
then that Doug decided to return to the
country he now calls home.
His position in the company fully submerged him in the Japanese culture, where
he quickly learned the language. The mentorship with his father-in-law allowed him to
pick up on the subtleties of the culture and
Japanese customs of doing business. Doug
says it was this mentorship that enabled him
to start his own company years later.
Doug & Sayuki Schafer
It was the 1980s all over again for Doug
Schafer ’86 when he opened a letter
from his mother that included one of his
Sewickley Academy report cards. He reflected on his time in the Senior School as
he glanced over the handwritten comments
from each teacher. “Looking back as an
alum and now a parent, I am appreciative
of teachers who took the time to provide
supportive and positive feedback – even
when my grades weren’t always A’s.”
Growing up in Churchill and commuting to
the Academy each day, Doug never would
have guessed that 22 years later he would
be living in Japan as the president of two
national companies, Toyo Beverage, K.K.
and Toyo Shokuhin, K.K. Doug’s first ties to
Japan were established after he completed
his B.A. in economic theory at American
University. Doug participated in one of the
first Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programs (JET) in 1990. Though he enjoyed the
experience, he came to realize that teaching
was not his end goal, and returned to the
States to reassess his career plans.
Doug spent the next year in Washington,
DC at a financial company that tracked
assets and funds of endowed institutions
such as Harvard and Northwestern. It was
not long, however, until Doug was offered
an opportunity he could not resist. During
his time with the JET program, Doug met
Witnessing the Japanese economic decline
in the late 1990s, Doug saw the country’s
need for new ideas, products, and companies within the marketplace and branched
out on his own to start Toyo Beverage K.K.
As an importer, his company markets and
facilitates the distribution of imported
branded food products to Japanese food
service and retail sectors. Despite the initial skepticism that he faced as an American transplant in a foreign country, Doug
held fast to his vision and began introducing new flavors to the Japanese palette. Today, his products and ideas are welcomed
in the marketplace.
Doug’s entrepreneurial skills as evidenced
in the success of Toyo Beverage K.K.,
allowed his father-in-law to confidently
make Doug president of his business, Toyo
The daily Japanese newspaper, Kobe Shinbun, where Doug
Schafer ’86 was recently featured.
Doug’s children,Yuki Aaron, Avi Koki, and Toki Tobias, have
fun poolside on vacation in Vietnam.
Shokuhin, K.K., in May 2007. This transition made Doug the first non-citizen in
Japanese history to take over an established
family-owned business. Now as president
of both companies, he oversees 110 employees and travels the globe to build his
product base. He was recently featured
in the Wall Street Journal and also owns
several cafes in Japan.
When not running the businesses, Doug
and Sayuki enjoy traveling with their three
sons, Yuki Aaron (13), Avi Koki (10), and
Toki Tobias (8). As parents, they want to
provide their children with a variety of
global experiences and a well-rounded
education. “Today’s traditional education
systems are not set up for the next stage of
this global marketplace,” he says. “Schools
are not emphasizing the arts when there is
truly a need for the fostering of creativity.”
With his global perspective, he can attest to
the importance of creativity in a time when
so much of our work can and will soon be
automated. He stresses the importance of
an education that teaches to the right and
left sides of the brain – an education he feels
he received at the Academy. With hopes of
sending his children for at least one year
of schooling in the U.S., Doug is exploring
the possibility of sending his sons to the
Academy, so they too can look back on
their report cards and smile.
11
T H E C O L L E G E P RO C E S S I N T H E 21 st C E N T U RY
By: Director of College Guidance Jennifer Fitzpatrick & Associate Director of College Guidance Trevor Rusert
What does it mean to have a successful college search? For each
of the 68 members of the Class of
2008, the answer to this question
would be as different as the playlists on their iPods®. One senior
might tell you that finding the best
college for fashion design would
equal success. Another might say
that finding a school where he
could pursue his interests in medicine and business would be best.
And yet another might tell you that
playing NCAA Division I lacrosse
is an important component of her
college process. The president of
the National Association of College Admission Counseling once
reminded his students that “college
is a match to be made, not a prize
to be won.”
After the Wall Street Journal
included Sewickley Academy
on its list of 60 schools that fare
particularly well in the world of
selective college admissions, our The Class of 2008’s Jocelyn Johnson, Stephanie Chen, Rebecca Gillespie, Shfali Bhandari, Emma Shannon, and Allison Buterbaugh steal a moment
together before entering Rea Auditorium.
email inboxes exploded. Parents,
recent Sewickley graduates, and
In The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost describes the importance of choosing
even distant family members sent along congratulations, all thrilled to see
one’s path, noting, “I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all
the Academy listed among some of the most prestigious prep schools in
the difference.” The paths of these five members of the senior class, some
the world. Were we excited about this news? Of course we were. The
well traveled, some less traveled, give one a sense of the different paths
article, however, took into consideration only a small fraction of students
Sewickley Academy students take to find a successful college match.
without illuminating the story behind the data. These stories are certainly
worth telling.
One student had a diverse range of interests that included physics,
Alumni celebrate with their children at the Class of 2008’s graduation. Back: John J. Edson
’79, Jeff Lenchner ’77, Ron Heurich ’79, and Mary Louise Falbo Heurich ’78 Front: Emily
Edson ’08, Rachel Lenchner ’08, Adam Heurich ’08, and Ashley Heurich ’08
12
music, and foreign language, and he wanted a college that would enable him to explore all of these areas. He was convinced that MIT
was his top choice, and on paper they seemed to have everything he
needed. He applied Early Action to MIT in November. Despite his
outstanding qualifications, MIT decided to defer his admission decision until March in order to compare him with the other applicants in
their regular decision pool. In March, he was accepted at MIT, Princeton, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, and the University of North Carolina,
where he was offered an opportunity to enroll in the Morehead-Cain
Scholars Program. The Morehead-Cain Scholars Program is one of the
most selective and prestigious honors that a prospective college student
may receive. Given the outstanding opportunities before him, this student
decided it would be best to visit each school once more, meet with faculty
members and students, and truly assess which college was the best match
for his interests. In the end, he decided the Morehead-Cain Scholars Program at the University of North Carolina would enable him to combine
all of his academic endeavors, develop his leadership skills, enter a network whose alumni include some of the most prominent global leaders
of our time, and ultimately make a difference in the world through four
summer enrichment experiences and a lifetime of service for the greater
good.
One student had a very specific
academic interest in electrical and
computer engineering, and the opportunities available in this field
were of paramount importance.
He wanted an institution where he
could explore electrical and computer engineering in a challenging
environment that would also offer
opportunities for undergraduate
research. He was admitted to five
universities that are well known
for strength in engineering. His
choices included Carnegie Mellon,
Vanderbilt, Bucknell, Case Western, and Rensselaer Polytechnic
Institute (RPI). Deciding among
these schools was no easy task,
and to further complicate matters
he received a lucrative scholarship
offer from RPI. However, this student truly believed that Carnegie
Mellon was the best match with
his interests and would provide
him with outstanding opportunities for success in the field both as Graduates Bennet Poepping, George Davis, Stephen Cercone, and Vikas Sunder line up in the procession before the ceremony begins.
an undergraduate and an alumnus.
Thus, he turned down the scholarship and will be enrolling at Carnegie Mellon University this fall.
exploring the Guiana Highlands, paddling the tributaries of the Madeira
Another student who had interests in Asian studies, vocal music, and
business began her college search by researching universities featured in
Loren Pope’s Colleges That Change Lives. Having always attended small
schools, she valued the opportunity to build relationships with teachers.
She wanted to find a college that could offer a similar environment to
Sewickley Academy. After visiting Kalamazoo College in Michigan, it
became very clear that this would be a perfect next step in her educational
journey. Admitted in January under Kalamazoo’s Early Action plan, this
student was convinced that she had found her perfect match and did not
apply to any other colleges.
A fourth student interested in pursuing a major in fashion design provided a unique opportunity for the college guidance office. This path of study
is one “less traveled by” for Sewickley students, so as she visited schools
and provided feedback, we called admissions officers at those schools to
understand the admissions procedures, portfolio review process, and intricacies of this area of study. Receiving admittance to a variety of universities with highly-rated apparel design programs and a sizeable merit
scholarship offer from Syracuse University, this student ultimately chose
to attend the school that stood out as her first-choice college since the day
she visited campus – Cornell University.
Another member of the Class of 2008 has deferred his admissions to
Bates College until the spring semester. In Grade 11, this young man
spent a life-changing Rocky Mountain Semester with the High Mountain
Institute in Colorado. Eager to broaden his knowledge and expand his
global awareness, he will be spending his fall semester in the Amazon with
the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). While his classmates
embark on the traditional college freshman orientation week, he will be
River, interacting with the rainforest’s indigenous population, and sleeping
in a hammock with monkeys in the treetops overhead. He will certainly
encounter paths less traveled, and even some paths never traveled.
Today’s college process is vastly different from even four years ago. Technology plays a large role in the college search and the college application
processes. Ask any upperclassman at the Academy about “Naviance” scattergrams and online college applications, and they could give you a tutorial that would make your head spin. Academy juniors are enrolled in a
college seminar class that meets once a week to allow students to learn
about themselves and about important milestones in the college process
(what to do at a college fair, how to prepare for a college interview, tips for
writing the college essay, etc.). One thing that has not changed, however,
is that the college process remains a journey of self-discovery, rooted in
an educational environment that both nurtures and challenges students
to think critically about themselves and their future. At its best, the
college process empowers students to be decision makers and their own
best advocate.
When you read the college list, know that you are not reading merely “a
list.” You are reading the results of years of hard work, late nights, and soul
searching. You are reading a list that may have looked drastically different in January than it does in June. Students change and evolve and, as a
result, so do their college choices. It is a pleasure and an honor to work
with such amazing young people who are committed to their studies, their
community work, and to each other. To that extent, the college process
has concluded for 68 Sewickley Academy students, and the list of college
matches is shown on the next page.
[Continued]
13
The 2008 Elizabeth Bishop Martin
Award Recipient: Sira Metzinger
The Class of 2008 was admitted
to more than 130 colleges. They
chose to attend the following 44
institutions:
Sewickley Academy’s Class of 2008
Kenneth Atwell
The George Washington University
Vincent James Barbuto
Princeton University
Shfali Bhandari
Caitlyn Bologna
Xavier University
Benjamin Breedlove
Pennsylvania State University,
Erie: The Behrend College
Allison Buterbaugh
Vanderbilt University
Rebecca Cady
University of Vermont
Adrienne Caputo
Villanova University
Lauren Case
Kalamazoo College
Stephen Cercone
Colgate University
Stephanie Chen
Case Western Reserve University
George Davis
Carnegie Mellon University
Kristen Deicke
University of Pittsburgh,
Honors College
Harman Deol
Case Western Reserve University
Margaret Dimmick
Cornell University
Emily Edson
University of Vermont
Brett Ekberg
Colgate University
14
Ian Frey
Roanoke College
Rebecca Gillespie
Taylor University
Clark Goodman
Wittenberg University
Paul Heffernan
Bates College
Adam Heurich
The College of Wooster
Ashley Heurich
Loyola College in Maryland
Matthew Hoch
Lillian Hozakowska
Villanova University
Ryan Ingram
Savannah College
of Art and Design
Jocelyn Johnson
Princeton University
Matthew Kaye
University of Pennsylvania
Erin Kelly
Johns Hopkins University
Jeffrey Kendall
University of Colorado
at Boulder
Alex Kiefer
Bucknell University
Victoria Klucher
Arizona State University
Lauren Lasorda
University of San Francisco
Christian LeCornu
Drexel University
Rachel Lenchner
University of Denver
Seth Libby
The George Washington
University
Jason Limbach
Rollins College
Alexander Miller
University of Colorado
at Boulder
Christopher Mills
Dickinson College
Christopher Nickell
The University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill (Morehead-Cain
Scholars Program)
Brian O’Leary
Keith Pfirrman
Yale University
Bennet Poepping
Caylee Rafalko
The Ohio State University
Ariel Sandhu
Leah Schrimpf
California Lutheran University
Anil Shah
Emma Shannon
University of Pittsburgh
Andrew Sharek
Wittenberg University
Parth Sharma
Northwestern University
Bradleigh Sherry
St. John’s University
Collin Sullivan
Syracuse University
David Sumney II
Vikas Sunder
Boston College
Taylor Takacs
Steven Tehovnik
Prerana Thapar
Benjamin Thomas
Ohio Wesleyan University
Natalie Tott
University of Colorado at Boulder
Jessica Trainor
Boston College
Raul Trisal
University of Pennsylvania
Allison Vogl
University of Michigan
Vaughn Wallace
Dayne Weber
Colgate University
Kendall Weir
Hamilton College - NY
Melanie Wilberger
University of Central Florida
Kylie Winkleblack
University Park
Ashley Zernich
The University of Tampa
Arizona State University
Bates College
Boston College (2)
Bucknell University
California Lutheran University
Carnegie Mellon University (5)
Case Western Reserve University (2)
Colgate University (3)
Cornell University
Dickinson College
Drexel University
Hamilton College
Johns Hopkins University
Kalamazoo College
Loyola College (Maryland)
Northwestern University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Erie: The Behrend College
University Park
Princeton University (2)
Roanoke College
Rollins College
St. John’s University
Savannah College of Art and Design
Taylor University
The College of Wooster (3)
The George Washington University (5)
The Ohio State University
The University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill (Morehead-Cain
Scholars Program)
University of Central Florida
University of Colorado at Boulder (4)
University of Denver
University of Michigan
University of Pennsylvania (2)
University of Pittsburgh, Honors College
University of Pittsburgh (3)
University of San Francisco
University of Tampa
University of Vermont (2)
Vanderbilt University
Villanova University (2)
Wittenberg University (2)
Xavier University
Yale University
The Elizabeth Bishop Martin Award is
presented to a faculty member who
has made a significant contribution
to Sewickley Academy by advancing
the mission of the school through
their actions. The annual award
was established by David and Ellen
Martin, former Academy parents,
and honors the memory of their
daughter who graduated from
Sewickley Academy in 1979.
The recipient is chosen based on
faculty and staff nominations, which
then are reviewed by a selection
committee of previous Martin Award
recipients and Head of the School.
The 2008 honoree is Senior School
French and Italian teacher, Sira
Metzinger, who has been a member
of the Senior School faculty for 35
years and is chair of the modern
foreign language department. In
describing this year’s recipient,
Senior School French and Italian teacher, Sira Metzinger, receives
colleagues speak of a gentle yet
the Elizabeth Bishop Martin Award.
demanding educator, a thoughtful guide able to lead students and
colleagues alike as they strive to achieve higher levels of excellence. One colleague,
upon visiting a class taught by this master educator, saw technology being used as a
window to the wide world of art, language, music, and culture. “Indeed,” the colleague
writes, one could almost “imagine him or herself touring an Italian town” without leaving
the classroom.
“This award is special to me because I knew Beth Martin and taught her in class,”
comments Metzinger. “It is wonderful to receive an award like this because it is given by
my colleagues and I consider that a tremendous honor.”
Previous award recipients include Julia Tebbets, John Charney, Lawrence Connolly, Cheryl
Lassen, Susan Pross, Guy Russo, Gil Smith, Pam Scott, Jessica Peluso, Linda Bowers, and
the late Barbara Salak.
15
L essons from F irst G rade
Wanted: Great Kids
When you walk into first grade teacher Kelly
Gary’s classroom, it’s easy to see from the dozen class photos on her wall that every child she
has taught is memorable to her. Looking at the
photo of 16 students from her very first class in
1996, she can name every child and is quick to
point out the seven faces that went on to complete their education at Sewickley Academy. It’s
a bittersweet trip down memory lane because
that very special group of students is now part
of the Class of 2008 that recently graduated
from the Senior School.
“I can’t believe how time has flown,” Kelly comments. “I can remember my first class like it
was yesterday. In reading, writing, and math,
this class enjoyed learning. It was amazing to
be in a classroom and witness the moments
when the children ‘got it.’ To see the little light
bulbs go off is something I looked forward to
then and it’s something that still makes teaching so enjoyable today.”
Reading has always been an important part
of the curriculum in Kelly’s first grade class.
Bradleigh Sherry ’08 credits Mrs. Gary with
setting the foundation upon which her
Academy education flourished. “She taught
me how to read and that set the stage for my
education,” Bradleigh recalls. “She was always
so kind and giving and was there for me when
I needed help.”
Fellow classmate Collin Sullivan ’08 echoed
the importance of reading in Mrs. Gary’s class.
“Every morning we’d sit on the floor in the corner of her classroom and she’d read to us. She
stretched your creative mind and was awesome
for giving extra reading help if you needed it.
She always tried to make learning fun.”
The Class of 2018 had a smooth flight on the “airplane” to Hawaii. This first grade tradition is a fond memory for many
Academy students.
when we were allowed back in our classroom, it
was decorated like Hawaii. She was so enthusiastic and always made learning fun.”
For Kelly, instilling a joy of learning is what
she sees as one of her main responsibilities
as a teacher. “If a child doesn’t learn the way
I teach, I must teach the way he or she learns,”
she states, borrowing a quote from educator
and psychologist Anna Gillingham that she
has posted in her classroom to sum up her role
in shaping young lives. “I help them learn in
an atmosphere of positive reinforcement and
constant praise.”
Working with and observing other talented
teachers at the Academy, and coupling teachable moments with elements of fun are integral
parts of Kelly’s classroom style. Two milestone
events that every first grade student is able to
vividly recall are the “authentic” trip to Hawaii
and the popular first grade circus, both of
which are now traditions in the Lower School.
Her former students give her an A+ for her
efforts in living up to that charge. “Mrs. Gary
constantly gave us positive feedback and wanted students to succeed,” said Vikas. “She was
one of the best teachers I had in Lower School.
I’ll never forget when I moved on to Senior
School and was inducted into the Cum Laude
Society; she made a point to congratulate me
the next time I saw her.”
“I remember when the chairs were lined up in the
hallway and we each sat one behind the other
like we were on an airplane,” says Vikas Sunder
’08, another of Mrs. Gary’s students from her
inaugural class. “We pretended we were flying
over the Pacific Ocean and, after a few minutes
Bradleigh recollects similar fond memories of
her first grade teacher. In addition to recalling
her classmates eager to be the one to hold Mrs.
Gary’s hand on the way to lunch or sit next to
her in the cafeteria, she also is quick to share
how Mrs. Gary has remained a part of her life
16
even when she was no longer in her classroom.
“I’ll always remember in fifth and eighth grade,
when we moved from Lower to Middle School
and then on to Senior School, she’d write us
notes reminding us that were we were ‘almost
there.’ She was always so encouraging and celebrated our milestones with us.”
As they progressed through the grades, Kelly’s
notes to her students often invoked the wisdom
of Dr. Seuss. “Oh the Places You’ll Go” was a
familiar refrain from Mrs. Gary heard by students as they transitioned to each new phase of
their education.
advice? “She encouraged me to go to the school
that I thought would be best for me and not
pick a school just because someone said it was
the best.”
Given the indelible mark Kelly has made on
her students, it’s no surprise that she was
greatly impacted by a teacher in her youth.
According to Kelly, her fourth grade teacher,
Mrs. Sheldon, was a tremendous influence on
her. “Mrs. Sheldon managed to make even
uncomfortable things a learning experience,”
The Office of Admission is
With her strong connection to reading, it
seems only fitting that at the recent Senior
School graduation, Kelly chose to give a literary
memento to the seven students who helped to
launch her career at Sewickley Academy. No, it
wasn’t a tome by Shakespeare or a classic book
of poetry by Keats. As is now a tradition, students in Mrs. Gary’s first grade class each serve
as the author of one page of a book which Kelly
then compiles, binds, and makes available in
the class library. Back in 1996, the students
each wrote a page for the Eric Carle tale, The
Very Lonely Firefly, the story of a young firefly
that searches for companionship by first following other lights, such as a candle and a lantern,
by mistake, until ultimately finding the friends
it was searching for – other fireflies.
Academy, please share with
After holding on to that student-made version of the children’s book for 12 years, Kelly
presented each of the graduating seniors with
the page they wrote in her class more than a
decade ago. A fitting reminder that Sewickley
Academy will always be a place where they can
find fellow “fireflies” and a fitting gift to her students as they turn the page on their Sewickley
Academy education and start a new chapter in
their lives.
seeking new students for the
2008-2009 school year. If you
know of families that may
be interested in Sewickley
them these open house dates.
We would love to show them
around the school!
Admission Open Houses
Lower School Open House
October 15, 2008
9-11 am
All School Open House
November 8, 2008
9-11 am
November 19, 2008
9-11 am
December 4, 2008
5-7 pm
January 10, 2009
9-11 am
For Collin, Mrs. Gary’s impact has remained
steadfast throughout his Sewickley Academy
education. “Her teaching style and constant use
of positive reinforcement made me unafraid
to make mistakes.” That life lesson made Collin’s choice as to which teacher to be for Senior
Teacher Day an easy one. He chose to spend the
day shadowing Mrs. Gary. “I was very hands on
with the students and tried to make the lessons
fun while using positive feedback just like Mrs.
Gary did for me.”
When the decision loomed as to where he
should go to college, Collin didn’t hesitate to
consult his favorite teacher. “I wanted her opinion because she knows me so well.” Mrs. Gary’s
Kelly recalls. “She always managed to find a
book or a story that could provide a teachable
moment without making the child feel singled
out. I try to do the same thing by consulting
with Mrs. Branch to find a library book that
might help solve an issue or encourage a child
to model more positive behavior.”
January 21, 2009
9-11 am
February 18, 2009
9-11 am
The Class of 2008 in first grade
17
S E W I C K L E Y AC A D E M Y I N T H E N E W S
Senior School teacher Larry Connolly and students were featured on
KDKA’s Pittsburgh Today Live for the innovative use of the Smart Board
in the classroom.
18
19
FA R E W E L L S
Patricia Rose
When Pat Rose joined the teaching faculty in 1975,
her plan was to teach at the Academy for only a
little while. Somewhere in the midst of 33 years
worth of Feast of the Gods, To Kill a Mockingbird,
and Shakespeare, her plans changed. Legions of
students are grateful they did.
After graduating Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Pat’s love of
literature and the English language led her to a
career teaching English as a Second Language to
Vietnamese refugees. In time, she took a position
in the Middle School, quickly discovering that adolescent students were ideal partners in exploring
the world of ideas presented in literature. With
her vigor, poise, and charm, Pat inspired students
to love literature just as she does.
Linda Edson and former colleagues Mark Burke, Marnie McKnight, Roy Parker, Joyce Ferris, and Joe Zaluski prepare dinner as a
donation to the annual auction.
LINDA EDSON
Head of Lower School Linda Edson’s roles at the
Academy have been many since she joined the
community in 1987. She spent 13 years in admission, the last three years of which she held the
post of director. In 2000, she was enthusiastically
welcomed as a second grade teacher where she
stayed until 2006, when she took on the role of
head of Lower School.
Linda’s passion for nature and the environment has
shown through her involvement with Fern Hollow
Nature Center as she served on the board and devoted countless hours to the staffing and upkeep
of the Center. As a teacher and head, she strived
to provide opportunities for young minds to get
outside to observe the beauty and mystery that is
the great outdoors. Each summer she ran a summer camp for children, hiking and picnicking in local parks. So well known for her role as a naturalist,
she was often called “Sewickley Academy’s Own
Mother Nature,” making it ever-so-appropriate
that she donned a costume of flora and fauna of
the wood each Halloween.
Referencing South Pacific, one colleague affectionately labeled Linda a “cockeyed optimist”:
“Linda will see the positive in everything. She can
be counted on to turn something negative into the
positive...it is truly her gift.” This “half full” perspective has served her well in her most recent
administrative role as she encouraged teachers
and students who were experiencing challenging
circumstances. In the classroom, Linda’s strength
in teaching stemmed from her ability to manage organized chaos, to teach to different levels, and her
ability to “roll with the punches” when difficulty
comes her way. Linda’s sincere interest in the wellbeing of each child and colleague is apparent in all
she does. Each morning for the past two years, she
greeted families in the morning drop-off line, being
sure to ask about sore throats, weekend trips, and
the happenings of each student.
20
In Linda’s 19 years at the Academy, she has realized
that her true passion lies in teaching and being in
the classroom when students have their “ah-ha”
moments as they discover things about themselves
and the world around us. This year, she will teach
at the Montessori Children’s Community. With
her family spread across the nation and with her
new role as grandmother, Linda looks forward to
this next chapter in her life.
Doug Goodman
Friends and colleagues at the Academy have said
farewell to Director of Admission Doug Goodman.
During Doug’s eight years here, his friendly personality welcomed Middle and Senior School prospective families to campus. He quickly became a
trusted advocate for families as he counseled them
through the admission process. In addition to his
role in admissions, he has served as a Senior School
advisor, ethics teacher, Aviation Club advisor and
also as coach of Middle School boys’ lacrosse and
soccer teams. The Academy wishes him the best
of luck in the future.
David Long
Senior School history teacher David Long began a
new chapter in his life this summer as he moved to
Louisville, Kentucky, to serve as dean of students
of the Louisville Collegiate Upper School. David
taught in the Senior School for 10 years, inspiring students’ passion for history. This past fall, he
was on the sidelines as assistant coach of the boys’
varsity soccer team as they captured the PIAA
State Championship. He also served as head coach
for varsity track team. We wish him the best in his
new position.
Sharon Matthews
Francie McKenna teaches these first grade students about
the raccoon’s tail.
Patricia Rose
Always going the extra mile, Sharon devoted
herself to seeing that students excelled and
fully understood the material. Her support for
students did not stop at the classroom door. In
fact, decades of students looked out into the rows
of Rea Auditorium and to the sidelines to see Ms.
Matthews cheering them on. Fellow Senior School
teacher Joan Reteshka summarizes Sharon’s time
at the Academy best, saying, “Sharon has navigated
her tenure here with grace and composure, serving as a model for all teachers for her professionalism and dedication. She has a steadying influence
on the faculty, an eye for essential values, and a
ready compassion for students and teachers alike.
Sharon is a real Sewickley Academy pillar.”
Dolly Paul, Francie’s former colleague and “office
mate,” confesses their shared “pack rat” tendencies in the early years, “We saved everything – recyclable or not. Our office was packed with seashells, birds’ nests, wood, cardboard, Styrofoam,
boxes. You name it and we could supply it for you!”
Perhaps it is this collection that provided Francie
the tools to teach so dynamically. With her specimens and science “trinkets” in hand, Francie came
alive in the classroom as she made science exciting
for each student that entered the door, no matter
his or her learning style.
Sharon Matthews
For many colleagues, the first thing that comes
to mind when Sharon Matthews is mentioned is
“the voice of reason.” During her 29-year career at
the Academy, she has become well known for her
gentle, poised, and professional demeanor in each
situation. She did not shy away from additional
responsibilities in the Senior School, thoughtfully
contributing as a member of numerous teams and
support services such as Hear to Help and the
Teachers as Partners program. She also served for
many years as math department chair and as ninth
grade coordinator. Year after year, she left the
comforts of home to travel with the ninth grade
class to the Linsly Outdoor Center, leaping from
high ropes and hiking through the often-muddy
trails. Perfectly put together and unshakably calm,
the role of ninth grade coordinator fit her well as
she advised students transitioning from Middle
to Senior School. In each duty she took on, her
commitment to fairness resonated along with her
commitment to excellence.
A graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Sharon
arrived at the Academy in September of 1979, first
teaching math in the Middle School and then moving to the Senior School, where she remained for
19 years. She contributed to the evolution of the
somewhat traditional department into one that
implements new teaching styles and technology.
The clarity with which she explained complex
mathematical equations fostered in students a love
and appreciation for math, even for those whom
the subject did not come naturally.
Francie McKenna
For 21 years, Francie McKenna has served in various teaching roles throughout first to sixth grades.
Moving to the Academy with previous teaching
experience in California, Francie was responsible
for implementing progressive teaching methods
in the Lower School math and science programs.
With her vision and attention to detail, the Lower
School curriculum began to include activities that
integrated both math and science and taught the
fundamentals of problem solving. Her passion for
science and mathematics was perhaps inspired by
her father, a scientist by profession, who would
occasionally visit with her classroom and speak to
the students.
Her years of experience and willingness to help
made her a trusted resource for many teachers in
the Lower School. She frequently put new teachers at ease by offering to help in any way she could.
Her natural loquaciousness paired with her listening ear made Francie’s classroom a safe haven to
retreat to after a chaotic school day.
Through the years, Pat has completed additional
studies at Cambridge University in the United
Kingdom and attended the prestigious Writing
Workshop at the University of Iowa. Her works
have also been published in a number of books and
journals. Surely, Pat’s exceptional talent provided
her with a myriad of career opportunities, but she
remained faithful to her students and the Academy.
In 2006, she was honored with the Clark Faculty
Chair for Excellence in Teaching for her gifted
work in the classroom.
Pat taught her students to read not just with
the eye, but also with the ear and the heart to
understand more fully what a writer was trying to
convey. She never accepted less than her students’
best effort, as she accepted nothing less from
herself. A former colleague, Ginny Haiges,
describes the way Pat inspired and educated her
students, “With her personal faith in the ability
of each student, Pat instilled self-worth and selfconfidence in her students and required them
to stretch their minds and abilities beyond what
they expect of themselves. In her classroom, no
student was permitted to just get by.” Though she
has left her classroom at the Academy, she will
continue to build her legacy of lifelong learning
as she spends her first year of retirement teaching adults at the Academy of Lifelong Learning at
Carnegie Mellon University.
Colleagues also know Francie as a woman of faith
who is deeply dedicated to her family and church.
She now moves on to a new career as she becomes
a full time at-home mother of her two teenage
daughters and pursues Christian missions both
locally and overseas. She says, “I am so very
excited to have the opportunity to begin this
new ‘career’ and am grateful for everything the
Academy community has done for me.”
21
NEW TRUSTEES
N E W F A C E S : F A C U LT Y A N D S TA F F
Thomas S. Jones
James Boone III
Thomas S. Jones graduated from Sewickley Academy in 1985. In addition to being editor of the
newspaper and debate champion, he also kept busy while at the Academy playing varsity baseball,
basketball, tennis, and soccer. Tom went on to receive a B.A., with a double major in philosophy
and government, from The College of William and Mary. In 1992, he completed his law degree
from the Marshall-Wythe School at William and Mary in Virginia where he was editor of the Law
Review, an inductee into the Order of the Coif, and Moot Court champion. After serving as a law
clerk for a judge in Philadelphia, he relocated to Orange County, California, and became a litigator for corporate mergers and acquisitions. In 2002, he returned to Pittsburgh and joined the law
firm, Jones Day, where he is a partner in the trial practice group of the international law firm. His
practice includes business disputes, securities litigation, and product liability.
James Boone III comes to the Academy from East Allegheny High School
in North Versailles where, for the
last 12 years, he has taught Algebra
I and II, geometry, applied math, and
computer courses. He will be teaching
Senior School mathematics courses at
the Academy in the fall. He has served
as the head boys’ varsity soccer coach
at East Allegheny and was recognized
as WPIAL Section I Soccer Coach of
the Year in 2000. Mr. Boone received
his bachelor’s degree in mathematics majoring in secondary education
mathematics from St. Vincent College.
He also holds Instructional I and II
Certifications in mathematics.
For the last two years, he has served as president of the Alumni Council. Tom and his wife,
Courtney, live in Sewickley with their three children: Mary (Class of 2017), Katie (Class of 2019),
and Jack.
James Boone III
Alice Brannigan
Steven S. S. Collier
Jayme E. Crawford
Karen Underwood DiMaio
Alice Brannigan
Mark Poepping
Born and raised in St. Cloud, Minnesota, Mark Poepping graduated cum laude from St. John’s
University in Collegeville, Minnesota, in 1980 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. He went
on to earn a master’s in computer science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 1982.
Mark began his career as a systems programmer at Bell Laboratories in suburban Chicago where
he worked for three years before moving to Pittsburgh. He started his career at Carnegie Mellon
University’s Software Engineering Institute in 1985, moving to a campus position in 1996. Mark
is currently the head architect for Computing Services, the central campus organization that supports the information technology needs of the teaching, research, community, and administrative
functions for the global Carnegie Mellon enterprise.
Mark and his wife, Julia, moved to Sewickley Heights four years ago so their sons could be closer
to school. Bennet, a Class of 2008 Academy graduate, is slated to attend Carnegie Mellon in the
fall and Thomas, who will be a sophomore in the Senior School in the fall, is a proud charter
member of the Sewickley Academy Science Olympiad team.
Joining the Academy from McNair
Elementary School in Herndon, Virginia,
where she has taught since 2003, is
Alice Brannigan, who will join the
Academy as a Middle School English
teacher. Prior to her experience
teaching sixth grade in Virginia, Ms.
Megan Colt
Brannigan served as a substitute
teacher at Westerville City Schools
in Westerville, Ohio, and at Village Academy Kindergarten in Powell, Ohio, where she was also an
aftercare instructor. Her many honors and activities
include being named the recipient of the Patriot
Award for Most Inspirational Teacher, serving as the
Social Studies Committee lead, and involvement in
the Library of Congress American Mind Team Project. In addition to certifications in elementary and
middle childhood education, Ms. Brannigan holds
a bachelor’s degree in middle childhood education
from Otterbein College and a master’s in education
from George Mason University, both with honors.
Suzanne Genter Friday
Suzanne Genter Friday graduated from Sewickley Academy in 1976 and went on to earn a B.F.A.
in interior design from the University of Georgia in 1981. She began her career as a project
designer in the Pittsburgh field office of New York-based Neville Lewis & Associates where she
worked until 1983. Suzanne joined L.D. Astorino & Associates in 1984 and was promoted to vice
president of interior design in 1987, a position she held until she left the firm in 1997 to start Friday
and Genter Interior Design with her mother, Anne Genter.
Suzanne and her husband, Peter, live in Sewickley with their daughter, Lily, a sixth grade
student at the Academy. Additionally, Suzanne has two adult daughters, Alexandra and Claire
Shorall, both age 21, who will be seniors at the University of Pennsylvania and Rice University,
respectively.
22
Steven S. S. Collier
Steven S. S. Collier will join Sewickley Academy as
a new Senior School English and history teacher
this fall, leaving his career as an attorney. In addition to his legal background, Mr. Collier’s experience
includes serving as an associate instructor teaching
elementary composition at Indiana University in
Bloomington, Indiana, and teaching English and history at Dublin School, an independent coeducational
boarding school in New Hampshire. He earned a
bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, and Phi Beta
Kappa, in English from Miami University in Ohio and
a master’s degree in English literature from Indiana
University, Bloomington, Indiana, where he also
earned his law degree, cum laude. As a graduate of an
independent school, Mr. Collier is aware of the difference an independent school education can make. He
looks forward to returning to the classroom where
he will help his students develop and exercise the
critical thinking skills that translate to – and depend
upon – strong reading and writing skills.
Megan Colt
Megan Colt joins the Academy as the director of
alumni relations. She comes to us from Carnegie
Mellon University where she served as the associate director of admissions for almost two years.
Prior to her work at Carnegie Mellon, Ms. Colt was
the assistant director of admissions at Duquesne
University for six years. She began her career
as a paralegal for the law firm Swenson, Perer &
Kontos. Ms. Colt earned a bachelor’s degree in
political science from Wittenberg University in
Ohio and a master’s degree in liberal studies from
Duquesne University.
Jayme E. Crawford
Jayme E. Crawford will assume the position of associate Kindergarten teacher this fall. She has served
as the director of KidsFest at Orchard Hill Church
and did her student teaching in a third grade class at
Western Row Elementary School in Mason, Ohio.
Ms. Crawford earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Miami University in Ohio where she was
on the dean’s list and was a member of Kappa Delta
Pi, the International Honors Society in Education.
Karen Underwood DiMaio
Welcome back to Karen Underwood DiMaio, who
is returning to Sewickley Academy as a head teacher
in Kindergarten. Mrs. DiMaio previously served as
an Academy Kindergarten teacher from 1993-2007
and was an early childhood coordinator for more
than a decade. She also served as the Academy’s
assistant director of admissions. Her career also
includes a year as a director of a KinderCare Learning Center and six years as a Kindergarten teacher
at Cos Cob Elementary School in Greenwich,
Connecticut. Mrs. DiMaio holds a bachelor’s degree
in child development from Connecticut College and
a master’s of education degree in early childhood
reading from Fordham University, New York.
23
N E W FA C E S : FA C U LT Y A N D S TA F F
William Gellman
Nicole Hughes (Findley)
William Gellman has joined the Summerbridge staff as executive director.
Mr. Gellman joins the Academy from
the Kinkaid School in Houston, Texas,
where he has been a member of the
faculty since 1996. His classroom
experience includes teaching anatomy
and physiology, biology, and chemistry. For eight years, Mr. Gellman also
served as the the assistant to the
director of the Kinkaid/Houston Independent School District EngineeringWilliam Gellman
Math-Science Institute, a program
that brings minority students to the
Kinkaid campus for intense summer instruction in math and science. His teaching career also includes three years at the Asheville School in North Carolina.
Fluent in Spanish, Mr. Gellman acted as a liaison for a Montana-based organization
involved in the construction of a church/family development center in Nayarit,
Mexico. Mr. Gellman also worked as a fisheries biologist for the U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service in Anchorage, Alaska. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology
from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s degree in zoology (genetics)
from the University of Montana.
Nicole Hughes (Findley) is coming to us from Fairfax
County Public Schools in Vienna, Virginia, where she
has taught third grade for the last four years. She will
be teaching fifth grade at the Academy in the fall. She
completed her student teaching in a fifth grade classroom in the New Wilmington Area School District,
New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. In addition to serving on several committees and taking on the role of
team leader for the past two years, Ms. Hughes also
facilitated a Teachers as Leaders group to improve
literacy instruction. She received her bachelor’s
degree in elementary education from Westminster
College in New Wilmington and her master’s of
education degree in curriculum and instruction
with an emphasis in literacy from George Mason
University in Virginia.
Mark Hansen
Neal Holmes
Mark Hansen
Joining the Academy as the new head of Lower
School is Mark Hansen. With an education career
spanning more than 20 years and five countries, Mr.
Hansen comes to the Academy from Berlin Brandenburg International School in Kleinmachnow,
Germany, where he has served as the elementary
principal since 2001.
His administrative experience also includes serving as the elementary principal at Northern Hills
Elementary School in Onalaska, Wisconsin, and as
the head of school at the American International
School of Vilnius in Lithuania. He spent several years
as an Upper School coordinator and Middle School
teacher at the American International School of
Rotterdam in The Netherlands, and has taught
24
Richard Isaacs
Matthew Michaels
Brendan Schneider
Julie Hurray
Samuel Z. Hamilton
Samuel Z. Hamilton will join the Middle School
faculty in the fall as an English teacher. His classroom experience has all been in the Pittsburgh area
and includes teaching English at Mount Lebanon
Senior High School and Community Education
Partners at Clayton Academy and one year as an
intern teacher at Wilkinsburg Senior High School.
In addition, he has served as a forensic coach at
Upper St. Clair Senior High School. Mr. Hamilton
earned bachelor’s degrees in modern and postmodern philosophy and English literature and creative
writing, both summa cum laude, from the Robert
E. Cook Honors College of Indiana University of
Pennsylvania. He earned a master’s degree, summa
cum laude, in secondary English education from
the University of Pittsburgh. He also attended the
Scottish Universities’ International Summer School
at the University of Edinburgh.
Julie Hurray
Alison Howells
elementary school at both the St. Mary’s International School in Tokyo, Japan, and Karen Acres
Elementary School in Urbandale, Iowa. Mr. Hansen
has been a member of several accreditation teams
and has participated in leadership and training
programs both in the U.S. and abroad during his
career. He holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary
education from the University of Northern Iowa
and a master’s degree in elementary administration
from California State University, Northridge.
Neal Holmes
Accepting the position of director of diversity and
global education, Neal Holmes comes to us from
Savannah, Georgia, where he has served as the Lower
School director of diversity and director of Harambee, a Savannah Country Day School program for
gifted minority second through eighth graders. Mr.
Holmes also served as a Spanish teacher and taught
modern, jazz, tap, and hip-hop dance as electives
at the School. His experience also includes serving
as a teacher and assistant director for the National
Horizon’s Organization and adjunct instructor teaching English at Armstrong Atlantic State
University, both in Savannah. His career also includes two years as the director of public relations
of Inner Circle Inc., a division of Arista Records,
in Atlanta. Mr. Holmes earned a B.A. in English at
Morehouse College and Jackson State University
and an M.A. in English from Jackson State University
in Mississippi.
Nicole Hughes (Findley)
Alison Howells
Alison Howells is joining Sewickley Academy as a
full-time Lower School Spanish teacher after serving
as a substitute teacher since January. Prior to coming to the Academy, she was a bilingual financial sales
consultant for PNC Bank. Her teaching experience
includes a variety of positions both in the United
States and abroad. For her college practicum, she
served as a second grade Spanish teacher at Wilson
Christian in Minnesota and she also was a teacher at
Nueva Esperanza, a bilingual church in Robbinsdale,
Minnesota. Her international experience has taken
her to countries such as Nicaragua, Guatemala,
and Ecuador where she has developed curriculum,
taught English, volunteered for women’s rights
organizations, and completed accelerated coursework in Spanish. Mrs. Howells earned a bachelor’s
degree in Spanish with a minor in teaching English
as a second language from Bethel University in St.
Paul, Minnesota.
Julie Hurray will return to the Early Childhood
program at Sewickley Academy as an associate
Kindergarten teacher. She previously held the
position of assistant Pre-K teacher during the
2004-2005 school year. Her teaching career also
includes several years as both an assistant Kindergarten teacher and a permanent substitute fourth
grade teacher at Winchester Thurston School. She
has also taught mathematics in summer school in
the Allegheny Valley School District and completed
her student teaching in a fourth grade classroom in
the North Allegheny School District. Ms. Hurray
earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the
University of Pittsburgh and a master’s in elementary education from Duquesne University.
Richard Isaacs
Richard Isaacs will join the Senior School as a history teacher this fall. He comes to us from Hillel
Academy of Pittsburgh where he has taught history
and English since 2005. His private school teaching
career also includes eight years teaching history at
both the Silver Spring Day Institute in Silver Spring,
Maryland, and with Denver Academy in Denver,
Colorado. Mr. Isaacs earned his bachelor’s degree
in history and world literature at the University of Toronto in Canada and a master’s degree
in history from Touro College in New York City.
His education also includes School Leadership
Certificates I and II from Harvard University and
graduate courses in education taken at The George
Washington University. Mr. Isaacs is also a United
States Hockey certified ice hockey coach and a
National Youth Sports Coaches Association
certified baseball coach.
Matthew Michaels
Brendan Schneider
Matthew Michaels will join the Academy as a math
teacher in the Senior School. He comes to us
from Fleming Island High School in Orange Park,
Florida, where he has taught calculus, algebra, and
Cambridge Math, in addition to creating critical
thinking math activities for the senior class. He has
also taught honors geometry at the Community
College of Allegheny County during the summer
and served as an intern/substitute math teacher
at North Allegheny Senior High School. Fluent in
Japanese, Mr. Michaels is a Japan Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar who travelled to Japan to study
the country’s educational system during the summer. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and
a master’s degree in teaching, both from the
University of Pittsburgh.
Joining the Academy as the new director of admission is Brendan Schneider who comes to us from
Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio.
During his 12-year tenure there, he served as the
director of technology for six years, the dean of
students for three years, and most recently was
the director of enrollment and financial aid. In addition to his administrative responsibilities, he has
taught Web publishing for more than a decade.
Mr. Schneider served as a member of the admission committee of the board of trustees as well
as the school’s executive committee. His career
also includes serving as the assistant director of
admission at Washington & Jefferson College, where
he received his B.A. in political science.
Among his extensive participation in campus activities at Western Reserve Academy, was time spent
as a student advisor, dorm master, and football, lacrosse, and basketball coach. Mr. Schneider is slated
to complete a master’s degree in liberal studies
from Dartmouth College this summer.
CORRECTIONS:
In the winter issue of Sewickley Speaking
we inadvertently did not credit Dawn
Palmer for the photo of the state
champion boys’ soccer team.
25
FA M I L I A R FA C E S I N N E W P L A C E S
W E L C O M I N G a N ew A lumni C ouncil P resident
Chris Carney – Formerly a fifth grade teacher, Chris Carney will now be
focusing his teaching on insects, animals, and the environment as the new
science teacher for the primary grades.
Nhan Ngo – This fall, Nhan will take on a new role as a Grade 5 homeroom teacher. As she has for the last two years, she will also be teaching
Grade 4 and 5 math and science.
Sharon Hurt Davidson – Formerly the director of communications,
Sharon transitioned into the role of director of advancement in April. She
will now oversee development, alumni relations, marketing, and community
relations.
Christina Pales – This past year, Christina worked under the direction of
Kindergarten teacher Ashlee Hoffman. Beginning in the 2008-2009 school
year, she will be teaching Grades 4 and 5 math and science. Christina has a
B.S. in elementary education from St. Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana,
and she looks forward to her new role in the Lower School.
On Thursday, May 29,
outgoing Alumni Council
President Thomas S. Jones
’85 and Council members welcomed Suzanne
Genter Friday ’76 as the
new president. Council
members and the Office
of Advancement paid
tribute to Tom’s two years
as president and applauded his leadership and
efforts to re-energize the
Council. Since 2003, he
has been one of the most
active members, spearheading new initiatives
and building a closer relaSewickley Academy welcomes Suzanne Genter
Friday ’76 as the 2008-2010 Alumni Council
tionship between alumni
President.
and Academy administrators. During Tom’s term
as president, the Council established the Alumni Scholarship Fund that will
continue to grow and benefit children of alumni for many years. Tom trusts
that the school and alumni will continue their dialogue about the future
of the Academy and will utilize technological innovations to personalize
communication with alumni.
Larry Hall – Larry Hall is a 38year veteran of the Academy.
During these years he has served
as a German teacher, Senior School
dean of students, director of college
guidance, Middle School English
teacher, and as advisor to a number
of clubs. For the past 18 years,
Larry has taught Middle School
German, inspiring students with his
love of German culture, language,
and music – especially Wagnerian
opera. A visit to his classroom was
to enter a charmed land where the
cuckoo clock, shields, Germanic
headgear, and other assorted artifacts of German life and culture stimulate
the imagination.
As dean of students, he began the student exchange program with
Munich, Germany, which is now in its 30th year. Through this program and
throughout his career, he was committed to providing equal opportunities
for students on financial aid to participate in foreign travel. He has cared
deeply about his students and selflessly supported them in ways large and
small. Never seeking the limelight or even credit for the countless ways in
which he makes a difference, Larry Hall is remembered with great affection
by thousands of alumni for his dedication, humor, and unwavering support.
In the same way, he has made a lasting impression on his colleagues for
his intellect and generosity. Former Senior School math teacher Sharon
Matthews recounts such generosity when, due to a lack of space in the
Senior School in the late eighties, she was placed in Larry’s office. “As dean
of students, Larry opened his office to me and was willing to have another
desk put into his space. He never complained and had a wonderful sense of
humor about the whole thing even though the arrangement lasted for several years!” Although retiring from his Middle School classroom, Larry will
work part-time in the advancement office, reconnecting with the alumni
who so fondly remember him, as well as coordinating community service
in the Middle School.
Larry Noyes – The new Middle School German teacher, Larry Noyes,
brings with him extensive experience teaching foreign languages to children
and adults. He is a two-time graduate of the Foreign Language Institute for
the completion of their Spanish and Russian programs and has also served
abroad as a Foreign Service officer. He taught Spanish in the Middle School
this past year, and now transitions into his new role in the foreign language
department.
26
Jerilyn Scott – After teaching fourth grade for the last six years, Jerilyn
Scott will again be joining the first grade team. She looks forward to working with the younger children and being a part of first grade traditions such
as the Ho Ho Hoe Down, circus, and the trip to Hawaii.
Gil Smith – One colleague
describes Gil Smith as the “MacGyver” of teaching – resourceful
and always prepared. Others who
had the pleasure to teach with him
in his 35 years of teaching agree.
“If there was ever an emergency,
I would head to Gil’s classroom,”
says one colleague. His wit, creativity, and intellect not only earned
him respect among fellow teachers,
but also among his students. Even
on short trips to and from the cafeteria, students were prepared to
be quizzed on classroom material
by Mr. Smith. He seized each teachable moment, large or small. While his
composure and wisdom are evident to all those he meets, his students and
those who know him best can attest to his quick wit and humorous side.
With a natural aptitude for mechanics, one of Gil’s favorite classroom activities with students was launching rockets on Wardrop Field. His mechanical
skills were also put to use each year as he traveled with the fifth grade
to McKeever Environmental Learning Center, equipped with his power
tools, to build birdhouses. For his uncompromising leadership and selfless
dedication, he was awarded the Elizabeth Bishop Martin Award in 2003.
Generations of Academy students have benefitted from his calm, thoughtful, and witty teaching. A wise resource in times of question, Gil has left
his post as fifth grade teacher, but has assumed the position of assistant
director of admission. The Academy looks to the future with confidence
as we continue to benefit from his experience and knowledge of the
community in the years ahead.
Renee Williams – First grade teacher Renee Williams will be joining the
fourth grade team this fall. New to the Academy last year, Renee brought
with her seven years of independent school teaching experience.
Haley Woods – This past spring, Communication Specialist Haley Woods
transitioned into her new role as director of marketing and publications.
Her duties will include the monthly Under the Cupola newsletter, editor of
Sewickley Speaking, and other marketing responsibilities throughout the
school.
As a result of his leadership in the Alumni Council, Tom was recently
appointed as a new trustee on the Academy’s Board and will serve again
on the Technology Committee. He also has plans to remain actively
engaged with the Alumni Council and is eager to see the direction in
which Suzanne takes the Council. “Suzanne has great skills and contacts
that will allow her to continue to effectively represent alumni, making
sure concerns are addressed as she guides the Council in this exciting
time. She is a successful business woman, and her organizational abilities
make her the ideal leader to head the Council,” says Tom.
New President Suzanne Genter Friday graduated in 1976 as an Academy lifer. Her brother David also graduated in 1972. She went on to
receive her B.F.A in design from the University of Georgia. She currently
owns and operates the interior design firm of Friday and Genter Interior
Design, which she started in 1997 with her mother, Anne Genter. She
is the mother of Alexandra and Claire Shorall, seniors at the University
of Pennsylvania and Rice University respectively, as well as Lily Friday, a
member of the Academy’s Class of 2015. As the designer for many homes
in Sewickley, she has also been an active community volunteer through
her involvement in the Carnegie Museum, Warhol Museum, AIDS Task
force, and the Child Health Antique Show and House Tours.
Suzanne joined the Council in the fall of 2007, upon her return as a parent
to the Sewickley Academy community. She quickly distinguished herself
as a key member of the Council and valued the opportunity to hear the
thoughts and perspectives of fellow graduates throughout the years. As
president, Suzanne “would like to see the core group expanded to include
a larger cross-section of individuals who are like-minded in their affection
for their alma mater and willing to participate as conduits of goodwill.”
She encourages alumni to be involved and engaged with their alma mater
as they share their Academy experiences and feedback. Under Suzanne’s
leadership, the Council will undoubtedly continue to engage in new projects that will best serve the alumni community and Sewickley Academy
as a whole.
Former Alumni Council President Tom Jones ’85 and Head of School Kolia O’Connor discuss
the success of the PICTURE THIS Campaign at Reunion 2007.
Alumni Council 2008-2009
Suzanne Genter Friday ’76, President
George H. Craig ’59
Brett Fulesday ’99
Jonathan Glance ’93
Amy Symons Hughes ’89
Mark A. Moore ’88
Marguerite Gregg Park ’95
Kate Poppenberg Pigman ’82
David Street ’93
James R. Wardrop ’57
Meghan Fawcett Wise ’72
The Alumni Council, under the new leadership of President
Suzanne Genter Friday ’76, will continue to strive to serve the
needs of our growing alumni population. Regardless of where
our alumni call home, this Council wants to ensure that you
remain connected to the school. In the upcoming 2008-2009
school year, the members are engaging in an evaluation of
their current operating procedures and structure.
The Council also remains committed to children of local
alumni recruitment and their close partnership with the
Admission Office. They plan to continue to assist with open
houses and engage in personal visits, phone calls, and emails
with alumni who have school-age children.
New member recruitment remains essential for the Alumni
Council to remain a visible and integral part of the Academy
community. While the Council currently comprises local
alumni, they eventually hope that regional clubs and chapters can develop in parts of the country where a significant
concentration of alumni live. If you are interested in learning
more about the Alumni Council, please contact Megan Colt,
director of alumni relations, at [email protected].
27
R eunion 2 0 0 8 P R E V I E W
REGISTRATION
You can now register for Reunion Weekend and check for
updates by visiting www.sewickley.org/alumni/reunion2008.
All RSVPs must be received by Wednesday, September 24,
2008. Invitations, including a list of finalized activities, are
forthcoming.
HOTEL RESERVATION
A block of rooms have been reserved at the Courtyard
Marriott in Coraopolis for Reunion Weekend. Mention
“Sewickley Academy Reunion” before September 5
to receive a special rate of $89 per night (Friday and
Saturday only).
Courtyard Marriott Pittsburgh Airport
450 Cherrington Parkway
Coraopolis, PA 15108
412-264-5000
Reunion 2008 Schedule OF EVENTS
(Subject to Change)
Friday, October 3
SATURDAY, October 4
Sports Hall of Fame
Induction Ceremony
Honoring David Gibson ’58
10:15-11:15 am
Rea Auditorium
Registration with continental breakfast
9:30-10:30 am
All Reunion Celebration!
6:30 pm
Allegheny Country Club
“The State of the Academy” –
Head of School Kolia O’Connor
This is a special opportunity to
learn about the Academy’s strategic
and master plan, status of PICTURE
THIS Campaign, and the launch of
the class relations program for the
2009-2010 academic year.
10:00-11:00 am
Tours of Campus
10:00-3:00 PM
The Cum Laude Society
of 1988 recognizes the
outstanding students in
this class.
CLASS PARTIES
Coed Alumni Soccer Game
Wardrop Field
11:00 am
Invitation from host to follow.
1958
Picnic Lunch
MS/SS Cafeteria and Gregg Family Theater Courtyard
12:00 pm
Dinner at Andora
Restaurant
Mt. Nebo Road
6:00 pm
Alumni Council General Meeting
Boyd Room in the Hansen Library
1:15 pm
1973
Games Day – Show your support for the Panthers!
Varsity Girls’ Soccer vs. Quaker Valley Nichols Field 1:00 pm
Field Hockey vs.Vincentian Wardrop Field 2:00 pm
Varsity Boys’ Soccer vs. Beaver Nichols Field 3:00 pm
Party at Dingy ’67 and Robin
Hay’s home in Sewickley
6:00 pm
1978
Party at Katherine Bantleon
Walker’s home in Sewickley
6:00 pm
1983
Mike Fitzgerald’s Barn
at Treesdale
600 Warrendale Road
Gibsonia
7:00 pm
Paul Ribar, former science teacher, and members of the Class of
1968 engage in a scientific discussion.
1988
The Class of 1958 celebrates their graduation from ninth grade and heads
off to various high schools.
The Class of 1993 performs “Nicholas Nicklby” as their Middle School play.
The Class of 1973 poses for their first class picture at Sewickley Academy.
Roof deck of Smith Bros.
Advertising
(Bronson Smith, Host)
116 Federal Street
Downtown Pittsburgh
7:00 pm
1993
Happy Hour at Sharp Edge
510 Beaver Street
Sewickley
5:30 pm
1998
Firehouse Lounge
Penn Avenue in the Strip
District
7:00 pm
Special thanks to
our volunteers!
1958 Elsie Oliver MacKenzie
1967 Dingy Hayes
1973 Robin Hays
1978 Katherine Walker
Bantleon and
Ted Stevenson
1983 Bill Goehring and
Mike Fitzgerald
1988 Bronson Smith
and Mark Moore
1993 Jonathan Glance
and David Street
1998 Sara Donatelli and
Katie Joy Rosinski
The Class of 1978 eagerly await their entrance into the Senior School.
Under the leadership of Gil Smith and Tom Sadd, the Class of 1983 learns newfound discipline and study skills.
28
Members of the Class of 1998 congregate outside in front of Rea Auditorium before graduation.
29
SEWICKLEY ACADEMY PILLARS
SOCIETY: SUPPORT FOR THE FUTURE
PICTURE THIS C ampaign UPDATE
CO LO R A D O R E C E P T I O N
On Friday, April 18, Kolia O’Connor,
Sharon Hurt Davidson, and Julie
Bevevino ’99 traveled to Denver for
a campaign reception and alumni
reunion. Approximately 20 people
attended the reception, and the guest
list included a mix of alumni from
the Class of 1933 through the Class of
1988, in addition to a parent of alumni and former staff member. The
guests asked questions and were enthusiastic about the Academy’s
plans for the future, especially the increased emphasis on faculty
professional development and global experiences for students.
Build a meaningful legacy for present and
future generations through your generous
support of Sewickley Academy’s Pillars
Society. The Pillars Society recognizes
Making our way to $20 million, the PICTURE THIS Campaign has raised $17 million
for people, programs, and Phase I of the Master Plan at Sewickley Academy.
benefactors who have provided for the
Academy’s
future
through
charitable
gifts such as bequests, trusts, or other
Helly Duncan, Dave Bonnet ’83, and Matt Duncan ’88 reminisce about their former
teachers.
Portrait of Giving: The Bevevino Family
As long-time members of the Academy community,
the Bevevino Family recognizes the importance of
philanthropy and its ability to positively impact a
community. By making the decision together to support
the PICTURE THIS Campaign, the Bevevinos want
to ensure that current and future families experience
the same quality and wealth of opportunities that
Sewickley Academy has provided them over the years.
Marjorie Brown Jump ’33 and William Koger ’38 recall when Sewickley Academy was
only one building and went through the ninth grade.
“As the years have passed, our involvement and roles have
changed from parents and students, to parents of alumni,
alumni, and staff; but regardless of how we define our
roles, we have deep appreciation and respect for all that
the Academy has provided to our family.”
EVERY GIFT COUNTS CELEBRATION
On May 28, the community
gathered for the third annual
Every Gift Counts Celebration, an evening to celebrate
the accomplishments of the
year and honor all donors who
have supported the school in
2007-2008 and through the
PICTURE THIS Campaign.
Along with great company
and live music from the
Senior School jazz ensemble,
guests especially enjoyed the
photo booth (left) and the
ice cream cart stocked with a
variety of flavors.
We hope to see you all at next
year’s celebration!
estate plan gifts. These are gifts that
will sustain Sewickley Academy’s tradition of excellence for years to come. If
you have remembered the school in
you will or through another type of
planned or deferred gift, please contact
us in the Advancement Office. We would
be honored to acknowledge your thoughtful generosity and welcome you to the
Pillars Society. For more information about
the Pillars Society and deferred gifts, please
visit www.sewickley.org/advancement.asp.
Cindy Bevevino
Missy Fenner Stolberg ’70 and Margaretta Oliver Caesar ’69 (with husband Brew)
quiz Kolia O’Connor, head of school, on the success of the athletic teams this year.
30
31
DELIVERING ON THE PROMISE
“Delivering on the Promise” highlights a number of the initiatives identified during the strategic planning process
that have been supported by the PICTURE THIS Campaign and that are now being implemented at the Academy. Each
of these components contributes to a broad vision of Sewickley Academy as a school at the forefront of preparing
students for the challenges of the 21st century.
[1] Attract, recruit, retain, and develop an
outstanding faculty, administration, and staff.
The Academy has sought to establish ten faculty chairs. One Chair
will be established through a planned gift, and unrestricted gifts
have been received to date that will allow the funding of an additional seven.
A new Professional Development and Evaluation Plan has been
implemented, and professional development funds have been
increased by 17% in the past three years.
A Compensation Task Force has developed a framework that
aligns the way faculty are compensated with the school’s long-term
strategic goals, as well as our Mission and Core Values.
A New Employee Mentoring Program (NEMP) has been established, with Master Teachers serving as mentors for faculty and
staff who are new to the Academy. Initial funding has provided
stipends for the mentors and for the leadership of the NEMP.
Program growth will depend on being able to release faculty from
teaching duties, and this will require additional resources to cover
the classes from which the releases have been granted.
[2] Evaluate and increase racial, ethnic, cultural,
and socio-economic diversity among students, faculty, administration, and the Board of Trustees.
A new “Middle Class Grant” program has been instituted as part
of the financial aid budget for students.
We received a $1 million gift to establish the McAdams Scholars
program, and the first scholar has been named; in addition, a $1
million challenge has been issued by the Alumni Council to fund
an alumni scholarship program. Overall, our financial aid budget
continues to grow, but additional resources are necessary to fund
this initiative fully.
A consultant who specializes in the recruitment of faculty and staff
of color in independent schools has been retained, and every effort
is being made to broaden the pool of qualified candidates of color
for open positions on campus.
The Committee on Trustees has made diversity a priority in the
recruitment process for new Trustees.
[3] Assess, evaluate, coordinate, develop, and
implement pre-eminent educational programs.
An Intercontinental Classroom was successfully piloted with
our sister school in Wuhan, China last year. This initiative will
provide our students unparalleled ability to interact with students
in other countries in real time.
A fully integrated character education program PK-Grade 12 is being developed by our new guidance counselor.
A new strings instructor has been added to the faculty, and this has
dramatically improved the quality of the music experience for our
stringed instrument students.
A new Honor Code, developed by our student leaders in conjunction with the administration of the Senior School, has been implemented in the Senior School this year.
A Mandarin program has been established with great success this
year. Mandarin is currently being taught in Grade 9. Next year,
students will continue their studies in Grade 10, and new students
will be able to begin Mandarin studies in both Grade 9 and Grade 6.
A new Cross Age Tutors (CAT) program has been developed. In
addition to supporting students in need of academic remediation,
the program provides students in the Middle and Senior Schools
the opportunity to work together. The Gr8 Aid program will provide a similar opportunity for Middle and Lower School students.
Additional SMART Boards have been added to classrooms every
year as resources come available. In addition, ELMO Document
Cameras are now being added to classrooms to expand the capabilities of teachers to blend old and new technologies.
Community service has grown slowly with a dedicated director
of community service who now works part time; expanding this
role to a full time position would allow a greater expansion of
service opportunities for our students.
[4]Foster a stronger community of respect,
responsibility, and well-being to provide a
foundation for constructive interactions
with those beyond the school community.
[5]Maintain and develop outstanding facilities that support our programs and reflect our values.
We are now in the process of obtaining the necessary approvals
and permits from the Borough of Edgeworth so that Phase I of the
Master Plan will be able to proceed, with construction beginning
February 2009 and completion slated for August 2009.
The Global Studies Task Force has been working hard to develop a
comprehensive Global Studies program. With additional resources provided by the endowment, we have been able to move to hire
a director of diversity and global education.
A Language Arts Task Force has been examining our Lower School
program and has already begun implementing some changes, with
recommendations for additional enhancements to be implemented in the 2008-2009 school year.
The Middle School has also undertaken efforts to improve English
instruction by creating writer’s workshop opportunities for
students of all ability levels.
In the Cross-Age Respect Education program, Lower School students learn about the
Academy’s Community of Respect from a Middle School student.
32
During a web cast with students from Cluj, Romania, these fourth grade students learn
about Romanian culture.
Phase 1 of the Master Plan
33
C L A S S N OT E S
1953
Peter D. Jones ’53 writes “My
daughter, Palmer, had a baby boy
on February 4. His name is Ryan
Finn O’Sullivan.
He is my fifth
grandchild.”
Carol Keeney Munro ’53 writes, “I
am saddened to report my brother
Pete ‘55 was killed in an automobile
accident in February in Colorado.
He leaves his two children, Robert
Keeney III and Marjorie Keeney. Dick
and I just celebrated our 46th wedding anniversary and love spending
our winters in Naples, FL, and summers in the 1000 Islands. We have
three boys, one living in Buffalo (his
daughters came to Sewickley this
spring to play lacrosse!), one in Lake
Placid, and one in Jackson, Wyoming.
Four grandies in the group. I saw
Charlotte O’Neil Oliver ’51 in Las
Vegas. She is as much fun as ever!
Best to all my classmates.”
1957
Dick Hull ’57 shared with us his
excitement in meeting up with
former classmates Carolyn Malone
MAIN HEADING
wonderful time. It was really terrific
to see them all again. Wynne and
Betsy and their husbands had come
to my 1972 wedding to my nowlate wife, Patty. I hadn’t seen them
since!”
1958
Alice Baker Duff ’58 writes, “Look-
ing forward to seeing everyone at our
reunion! It cannot be 50 years! When
did we get that old? I guess with four
grandchildren (three girls and one
boy), I have to admit to grandparenthood, but the rest of us? Not true!!
Still playing tennis and paddle and
trying to sell real estate in a tough
environment.”
Jane Paffard Nichols ’58 writes,
“I’m in Seattle for five months being
a nanny to two grandchildren while
my daughter finishes her medical
residency. Will return to NYC in
the fall to continue teaching acting at
Yale School of Drama and privately.
Saw Trudi (Oliver) ’60 and Art ’58
Hetherington for lunch last month.
They both look exactly like they did
40 years ago! So do I, of course.”
Bonier ’55, Betsy Gardner Riley
’55, Joan Foedisch Adibi ’55,
Wynne Paffard Delmhorst ’55,
and spouses in Andover, MA, this
past June. He says, “Wow, what a
Carolyn Malone Bonier ’55, Dick Hull ’57, and Arthur Delmhorst, husband of Wynne Paffard Delmhorst ’55,
enjoy dinner together.
34
1959
Stephanie Gerard ’59 now owns
Petcetera, a pet sitting business in
Washington, DC, after having been a
dog walker nine years ago. She visits
Sewickley about once a year.
196 0
Susan Barker DePree ’60 sent in
this news, “We are all healthy and
well. Traveling to wonderful places,
mostly to fish. Enjoying weddings of
our friends’ children in far off places
like Italy! Spent Christmas in Spain
with our son, George (25), and
daughter, Lucy (28), and her husband,
Bill. Had a few special days at Rolling
Rock with Deezie Stebbins Flower
’61 and Chris Flower ’56. Have had
e-mail contact with Bill Lear ’57
(he goes WAY back!) who lives in
Chicago.”
1967
Candy Fowler ’67 shared news of
her family, “My younger daughter,
Laura Brookhiser, graduated summa
cum laude from Duke University in
May. She will move to Boston in the
fall to begin a job as an associate
with L.E.K., a strategic management
consulting firm. Her older sister,
Elizabeth, is already in the Boston
area, where she has just finished her
second year at Harvard Law School.
I continue to teach English composition and literature at George Mason
University in Fairfax, Virginia, and
my husband, Bob Brookhiser, is a
litigation attorney with a Washington,
DC firm. I loved seeing old friends
(however few of them) at my last
reunion and would welcome a call or
visit from Academy alums who find
their way to the DC area.”
Sisters Dingy ’67 and Robin ’73
Hays were honored as the Sewickley
Herald Women of the Year for their
longtime connection to the community as the owners of Party Ants. The
two were featured in an article in the
April 10 issue of the Herald and recognized by family, friends, and members
of the community at a dinner in late
April at the Edgeworth Club.
196 8
Darcy Wilkinson Achziger ’68
writes, “I have released my first CD.
Go to www.darcysings.com to hear
bits of it. I am continuing to pursue
my singing, having performed in Los
Angeles and Chicago, in addition to
New York in the last year. I am VP of
Elliott Lauren, a women’s clothing line,
and still loving travelling and selling!!
Siblings C. B. ’71, Dingy ’67, Robin ’73, Annie B. ’61, and their cousin, Mary Hays Mathews (sister of Christi
Hays ’70).
My son is a recording engineer in Los
Angeles, and my husband advocates
for affordable housing around the
country. We are lucky.”
Beth Lyon Copenhaver ’68 expresses her enthusiasm for her
upcoming reunion, “Wow! 40 years
coming up. I will definitely be there
to catch up on all the news with past
classmates. I hope we have a good
turnout as it would be wonderful
to see you all. Life in Florida has
been good. I’m still with Coldwell
Banker Real Estate, have been for 16
years. Would love to get emails at
[email protected].”
1969
Niland Mortimer ’69 shares, “2008
will see a number of milestones
in the Mortimer household. Oldest son, David, will graduate from
Columbia with a graduate degree in
physics and will get married to Lila
Carey on August 2 in Woodstock,
New York; middle son, Sam, will
graduate from New York University; and youngest son, Adam, will
graduate from high school and be
a freshman at Bowdoin College,
following dad and brother, David.”
1970
1971
Scott Ferguson ’70 writes, “Fueling the fire on rumors of a full scale
Jades Reunion, Scott Ferguson will
be joining Doug Rice ’70 at Doug’s
Annual Briar Patch Unplugged Music
Festival in Stonington, Connecticut,
the weekend of August 9. This will be
the first time in 37 years Scott and
Doug will perform together. I’m still
waiting to hear from Tom Stinson and
Jeff Gray.”
Hilary Higgins Parker ’71 writes,
“Husband, Tom, and I just finished
our 28th year at Woodberry Forest
School where he teaches English and
I do project work for the academic
dean and the development office. Son,
Warren, graduated from Guilford
College in ‘07 and works in concert
(music) production in Charlottesville,
Virginia.”
Helen Boal Scott ’70 emailed, “I
197 2
moved to Pittsburgh in ’06 after a
brief relocation to North Carolina,
now very happily living in Green Tree
and working as an independent insurance agent. My daughter, Julia (29), is
living in Portland, Oregon and holds a
Master of Science and is an engineer
with Intel, and son, Ben (27), is living
locally, working for Verizon.”
Mark MacWilliams ’70 was promot-
ed to full professor in the Religious
Studies department at St. Lawrence
University, and looks forward to a
year’s sabbatical – hopefully, part of
the time in Japan, Iran, and points as
yet unknown!
Mark MacWilliams ’70 travels across the Taklamakan Desert in western China, completing research on the
Silk Road.
From Texas, Sherry Hawes Conrad
’72 writes, “Rick and I are planting our fourth church. This one is
called NewSong Covenant Church.
Our daughter, Chelsea, just graduated from Trinity University in San
Antonio. Sean (25) works for the TX
Health Dept. in Austin. Christopher
(28) is an assistant D.A. in Houston.”
Martha Wyatt Springstead ’72
writes, “I will receive my Doctor of
Musical Arts in Music Education on
May 10. My daughter, Jane, and I will
graduate from Shenandoah University
on the same day–she will receive her
bachelor’s degree in music therapy. I
am the proud mother of four fabulous
musicians–all have been participants
in All-State Chorus and are still active in music activities. I am the choral
director at Landstown High School in
Virginia Beach and also director of
music at a large Methodist church. My
husband, David, is a worship leader.”
1973
Eileen Minnock ’73 writes, “Mark
and I celebrated our 25th wedding
anniversary this year. We were able
to use our dental/midwife talents on
a mission trip to Mexico, with our
youngest daughter, Megan, in April.
Our oldest, Sara, graduated with
her MBA/CPA and is with KPMG in
Pittsburgh. Our middle daughter,
Marie, is in pre-med at Gannon. It’s a
whirlwind with lots of travel to watch
the girls play basketball and volleyball
year-round.”
Margaret Mitchell ’73 updated the
school on her recent retirement
from Penguin Bookstore. “After 25
years of being a bookseller, I decided
to ‘lighten up.’ The 78-year Penguin
tradition has been passed on to special Sewickley people ( Scott ’67 and
Karen Fadzen) who are committed to
the future of the Village as it changes
and grows. Nothing has brought
more joy into my life than placing
the right books in the right hands at
the right time for so many years. (A
special thank you to Kay Kruse who
instilled my book passion beginning
in second grade.) On to the next
adventure!”
Martha Wyatt Springstead ’72 and her daughter, Jane, celebrate their simultaneous graduation from
Shenandoah University.
35
MAIN HEADING
1976
Charles Cross ’76 recently appeared
on The News Hour with Jim Lehrer on
May 12. He currently serves as the
president of United Oil with an office
in the north side of Pittsburgh.
197 7
Nicholas Gray ’77 sent in a recent
update: “I want to send my sympathies
to the Bermingham family on the loss
of their daughter/sister Anne. We are
all saddened by the loss of our friend
and classmate. My family and I are
getting ready for a return to the U.S.
after three years living in Europe. It
has been an exciting and educational
opportunity for us here in Belgium,
but we are looking forward to being
back in our home country. We are
hoping it will be back to northern
NJ where we had lived before this
assignment. Ian just turned seven and
his brother, Jackson, is four and a half.
All is well, and hello to all.”
1978
Brian Haas ’78 writes, “Dianne and
I are still busy doctoring as usual,
but with fewer in the nest. My two
stepchildren are globally dispersed:
Eric is in San Francisco working for
Bain Consulting; Simone is working
for Weiden and Kennedy in Amsterdam on their Nike account. As
for my boys: Zachary is graduating
from high school this May and appears to be headed to college here
in Florida, despite my strong encouragement to explore another region
of the country. His brother, Julian,
on the other hand, is now happily
enrolled in boarding school at The
Asheville School in North Carolina
where we have a beautiful mountain retreat called Wineberry Hill.
Understandably, all of my free time is
now occupied coordinating schedules
so that we can all see each other once
in awhile! This and Texas No-limit
Hold’em are my new hobbies. I hope
to return to campus for our 30th
(wow, can it really be?) reunion and
catch up with all of my classmates.
See you there!”
19 81
Mark D. Moore ’81 updates us on
his recent career move. “My latest
career move lands me on the ground
floor of a restructured community
bank in northern Virginia – John Marshall Bank. We just completed a $22
million capital raise and a negotiated
management takeover and are now
off to the races! I serve as EVP &
chief lending officer. Also, Julie and I
are sending our oldest daughter (Liz)
off to NC State this fall – amazing
how the years roll by! Best regards
to all and hope to connect in 2008
– if you’re in the DC area and need a
loan, give me a call.”
19 8 2
Matthew Pilarski ’82 writes, “Robin,
Jonathan, Jacob, and I have moved to
Chicago, IL. I have been promoted
to corporate director of food and
beverage for Select Hotels which is
part of the Global Hyatt Portfolio.
I currently oversee all the food and
beverage operations for all the Hyatt
Place and Hyatt Summerfield Suites
brands. We moved last September
and are loving Chicago, Naperville,
and all that they both have to offer.
Look forward to hearing from anyone
and everyone.”
Susan Thompson ’82 will be gradu-
ating from University of Phoenix
with her BSN. She will be moving to
North Carolina and starting a new
job in a nursing home as 3-11 nursing
supervisor.
Anita
Loomis
Wilkinson
’82
and her husband, Makoto Yamaguichi,
proudly welcomed their daughter,
Hanako Loomis Yamaguichi, on
May 23.
19 83
19 87
Laurie Zug Quimby ’83 writes, “In
2005 we left Yale so my husband,
Peter, could take a job as associate
dean of the College at Princeton
University and I began working as
a physician in the health center at
Princeton. Our children are 14 and 11
years old.”
Bill Driscoll ’87 shared his future
plans via email: “Three years ago,
I ‘retired’ from our family business
after 14 years, and set out on a new
journey. My final two years at the business were by far the best with regard
to my relationships with my dad and
brother-in-law, but nonetheless the
Lord made it clear it was time for the
‘next thing’ – His next thing. My final
day at the business was July 31, 2005,
and I entered the MDIV program at
Trinity School for Ministry in August.
Fast forward to the present. I am currently taking the final two classes of
my seminary career, will graduate on
May 17th, and will be ordained on June
7th (I will be a deacon for six months,
and will then be ordained as a priest).
I am excited to announce that I have
accepted a position as assistant rector at Redeemer Anglican Church,
and we will be moving to Jacksonville, FL, in June! We praise God
for His faithfulness, His provision,
His grace, and His guidance through
these past few months and years.
Please continue to pray for us as we
seek to sell our house, determine
where to live (schools, distance from
church, etc), and as we prepare to
relocate all that we are and have to
sunny Jacksonville.”
19 8 5
Craig Senovich ’85 writes, “After
living in several different states working as a mechanical engineer, I have
moved back to the Pittsburgh area.
In 2004 my wife, Suzan, and I moved
back to the family farm in McDonald,
PA, to partner with my parents and
make use of the farm land. After
two years of research, planning, and
hard work, Half Crown Hill Orchard
was born. Planted in 2004 where my
great-grandfather farmed vegetables
decades ago, HCH Orchard has 11
different apple varieties grown on
over 1,300 trees. The orchard is
open during harvest season for educational school tours and pick your
own apples. We also have hay rides,
a pumpkin patch, and honey from our
own bees. To see pictures, get more
information, or contact me, please
visit the orchard web site at www.
hchorchard.com.”
The Advancement Office recently
received notice that due to her
innovative efforts to provide quality and affordable housing to more
Americans, Kelly Romigh McNally
’87, was among the “30 Under 40”
award winners at the recent International Builders’ Show in Orlando,
Florida. The awards were presented
to 30 people under the age of 40 to
recognize emerging talent.
The judges singled out McNally as
one of three “Rising Stars in the Industry” for her longtime mission to
promote modular, panelized, log, and
concrete homes. Her longevity and
involvement in National Association
of Home Builders’ Building Systems
Councils, as well as her organizational and promotional efforts helped
her earn this extra recognition.
McNally handles Bonded Builders
Warranty Group’s systems built
manufacturer accounts across the
country and works with both systems and traditional site builders in
the Northeast. In addition to her
service on many Building Systems
Councils committees, she has served
as chairman for both the Associates
Council and Sales and Marketing
Committee. She has previously been
recognized as Associate Member
of the Year for the New Hampshire
Seacoast Area Home Builders and
Remodelers Association. She has
been named a “Stand Out Supplier”
in Building Systems magazine and has
won several sales and marketing
awards for public relations campaigns.
At the annual Building Systems
Councils banquet at the International
Builders Show in Orlando in February, McNally, 38, was awarded a
plaque in recognition of her efforts.
McNally was also featured in the
March/April issue of Building Systems
magazine, a nationwide trade publication profiling innovative construction
technologies.
19 8 9
Joelle Mellon ’89 is a librarian at
an Episcopal school in Maryland.
She lives in Baltimore and her work
appears regularly in Faerie Magazine.
She recently published a nonfiction
book about women’s history and
women’s spirituality called The Virgin
Mary in the Perceptions of Women. She
will be doing a reading at The Penguin
Bookshop when construction is
complete.
sister, Isabella, who will be six in October. I am still working from home
with my online jewelry business, Bella
L’oro. We make handmade sterling
silver mothers bracelets. I also do
Pampered Chef part time; we are
busy, but enjoying every moment.”
Lauren Sangillo-Ruble ’90 and her
husband, Will, are proud to announce
the birth of daughter, Ansley Raffaella
Ruble. She was born March 24.
19 91
Ayanna M. Lee ’91 writes, “I am a
commercial real estate attorney with
Reed Smith LLP and I reside in Moon
Township with my two children. The
big news is that I am a candidate
for the PA House of Representatives for District 44 (which includes
Sewickley). Having won the primary,
we are now gearing up for the general election. For more information
on the campaign, please visit www.
AyannaLee.com.”
19 93
19 9 0
Dana
Pennetti
McFarland
’90
writes, “We are expecting our third
child in August. Our new little girl
will be joining her big brother, Shawn,
who will be four in July and her big
Andrea and Bryan ’93 Boatner
welcomed their first child, Emily
Florence Boatner, on May 3. The
family resides in Boston, and all are
doing well.
Ansley Raffaella Ruble, daughter of Lauren
Sangillo-Ruble ’90 and her husband, Will.
Brian Haas ’78, wife, Dianne, and his children catch their breath on a family hike.
36
Hanako Loomis Yamaguichi, daughter of Anita
Loomis Wilkinson ’82 and Makoto Yamaguichi.
Craig Senovich ’85, wife, Suzan, and parents, Donald and
Jan, in their apple orchard in McDonald, Pennsylvania.
Bill Driscoll ’87 and his family prepare for their move to Jacksonville.
Ayanna Lee ’91 enters the political arena.
37
MAIN HEADING
Lucie Hoch ’93 writes “I can officially
be branded a Houstonian now that I
have lived here for almost a year and
a half. I am entering my twelfth year
with PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
as a director in their Advisory services practice where I work primarily
with energy and utility companies advising them on strategy and process.
I recently travelled to Meadville, PA,
to attend my sister Laura’s (SA ’04)
graduation and I also watched my
brother, Matthew (SA ’08) , win in
the WPIAL Tennis team finals. I made
another trip back to Pittsburgh with
my sister, Tammy (SA ’03) , for my
brother Matthew’s graduation from
SA this year. I have also reconnected
with some classsmates on Facebook,
including Brad Pasanek ’93, Greg
Walters ’93, Rohini and Rashmi
Luthra ’93, and Alison Skillington ’94.
Amie Rose Rotruck’s ’93 first
book, Bronze Dragon Codex (written
under the name R.D. Henham) will be
out in June 2008 from Mirrorstone.
More information on Amie’s writing
is available at www.amieroserotruck.com. In other news, Amie
married Brian Heller on October
20, 2007. Fellow ’93 alumni Mischa
St. Amand and Rashonna Lewis
attended the wedding.
Nicole Aloe Keane ’95 and her
husband proudly announce the birth
of their daughter, Lillian, on April 11.
Nicole is enjoying being a stay-athome mom to Lily.
Brad Pasanek ’93, Jason Fincke
’93, Jon Glance ’93, Greg Walters
’93, and Allen Daily ’93. It’s a good
19 96
year to be a nerd.”
novel, Nixon’s Pals, debuted in March
from Image Comics. The novel focuses on a parole officer for super
villains and is jam-packed with utter
lunacy. Chris lives in Chicago and
earns his living by drawing pictures.
19 9 4
Robin Moll Rueger ’94 recently
welcomed a new addition to her
family. “My partner, Jane, and I are
looking forward to celebrating the
first birthday of our daughter, Eleanor Elizabeth Rueger. She was born
on April 24, 2007. I graduated from
Indiana University School of Law several years ago and worked briefly for
an attorney specializing in adoptions,
but now I am busier than ever as a
full-time mom.”
Lauren Thomas South ’94 and
her husband, Patrick, (Quaker Valley Class of 1992) celebrated their
daughter Margaret (Meg) Evans
South’s first birthday this June.
The other members of the Sewickley Academy Nerd Society celebrate the wedding of their classmate and
friend, Jason Long ’93.
38
19 95
D. Sculley ’93 shares, “This summer,
I’m finishing my Ph.D. in computer science, marrying my sweetheart Jessica
Evans, and moving back to Pittsburgh
where I’ll be working for Google. We
recently had the pleasure of attending
the wedding of Jason Long ’93 and
Deborah Eggerman, accompanied by
Chris Burnham’s ’96 first graphic
19 97
Not completely satisfied with a B.S.
and M.S. (in electrical and mechanical engineering, respectively), Casey
Goodwin ’97 has decided to continue his pursuit of an engineering Ph.D.
Having not yet decided on the branch
of engineering in which he’d like this
degree, he has taken a position with
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s
Multidisciplinary Design Lab, a “strategic” move that will allow him to take
classes while putting off the decision
for 100 years (or so he likes to think).
Non-standard career paths aside, he’s
enjoying the bachelor lifestyle, and is
exploring a handful of personal and
Eleanor Elizabeth Rueger, daughter of Robin Moll
Rueger ’94 and her partner, Jane.
professional hobbies along the way,
including hybrid vehicle engineering,
home brewing, SCUBA diving, and
sport kiting, among several others.
Randy Newman ’97 is currently
working in Ypsilanti, MI, as an operations controller for an air cargo
company, called Murray Air. He’s also
a member of the Air Force Reserve
located in Dayton, OH, at WrightPatterson AFB and is going to
Afghanistan in September. Randy is
in civil engineering in the Reserve.
19 9 9
Brett Fulesday ’99 accepted the po-
sition of senior associate, tax within
the Economic & Valuation Services
department (in the Pittsburgh office)
of KPMG in April 2008.
recently
founded Adora Interactive Corporation which launched DropToMe.com.
The site allows you to see what your
friends like, discover things you’ll love
through our amazing algorithm, all
while meeting new people who like
what you like. It is social networking
based on shared interests rather than
shared e-mail addresses. His company
is always looking for new users, and
Andrew invites all of you to check out
DropToMe.com!
Andrew
Vincent
’99
Meg Evans South, daughter of Patrick and Lauren
(Thomas ’94) South.
2 0 02
Thomas Patrick McGuire ’02 , son
of Dr. & Mrs. Sean McGuire, of Mars,
Pennsylvania, was recently engaged
to Kristen Lee Balotsky. Thomas has
a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University and is
pursuing a master’s degree in energy
and geo-environmental engineering
at Penn State University. The future
bride graduated from Notre Dame
High School, Lawrenceville, New
Jersey, and has a B.A. in English from
Penn State University. She is a production supervisor at Tyson Foods, New
Holland, Pennsylvania. A November
28, 2008, wedding is planned.
2 0 03
Jake Creese ’03 writes, “I’m deployed
in Iraq with the 2nd Squadron of the
3rd Armored Calvary Regiment. I’ll
be in the country till February 2009.
After I realized I didn’t know what I
wanted to do with my life, I enlisted
in the U.S. Army, which was one of
the best decisions I ever made.”
Ada Osthoff ’03 graduated with a
masters in competitive intelligence
systems and currently work as a
business intelligence architect at Del
Monte Foods.
Lillian Keane, daughter of Nicole Aloe Keane ’95
and her husband, Patrick.
2004
Elizabeth Bureman ’04 enjoys her semester abroad
in Florence, Italy.
Elizabeth Bureman ’04 graduated
versity’s newly founded chapter of
Engineers Without Borders, USA.
There I helped build a greenhouse
for local families to grow crops to sell
and use for food. Six of my peers and
I painted the structure, hung mesh
siding, dug pipe trenches, and pulled
weeds. Spending time with the families and understanding how important the greenhouse was to them was
extremely rewarding as they were
very grateful. This summer I will
travel to Philadelphia, to intern with
The Boeing Company.”
cum laude from William and Mary in
May. She was a member of Phi Alpha
Theta History Honor Society, Kappa
Delta, ballroom dance team, a facility
supervisor at the Recreational Sports
Center, a Tribe Ambassador for the
Admissions Office, and a certified
fitness instructor.
Lauren Echavarria ’04 graduated
in May as one of only 11 Whitman
Scholars from The Whitman School
of Management at Syracuse University with degrees in finance, marketing, and retail management. She will
start work as an assistant buyer for
TJX Corporation in Boston, Massachusetts, this summer.
Jackie Grimes ’04 shares, “Over
my spring break I returned to Queretaro, Mexico, the town I lived in
last summer, with West Virginia Uni-
With his backpack fully loaded, Casey Goodwin ’97
pursues a Ph.D. in engineering.
Hanging high off the ground, Jackie Grimes ’04
builds a greenhouse in Queretaro, Mexico.
Andrew Vincent ’99, and his wife, Emily.
2006
Alex Benestelli ’06 recently con-
cluded five performances of Gustav
Mahler’s Symphony No. 8, “Symphony
of A Thousand,” as a member of the
Westminster Choir in collaboration
with The Philadelphia Orchestra. A
piece not often performed because of
its enormous size, it was only the third
time that The Philadelphia Orchestra
performed the symphony since it led
the American premiere in 1916. Critics from The Philadelphia Inquirer and
The New York Times praised the performances for their “directness and
clarity.” These performances were
recorded live at The Kimmel Center
for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia
and Carnegie Hall in New York City
for future CD release on the Ondine
record label. This series marked the
end of Conductor Christoph Eschenbach’s tenure as music director of The
Philadelphia Orchestra.
During the Westminster Choir’s 20082009 season, Alex will be collaborating
with the New York Philharmonic, Bavarian Radio Symphony (Munich), and
Staatskapelle Berlin. Under the direction of Loren Maazel, Marris Jansons,
Pierre Boulez, and Daniel Barenboim,
these performances will take place in
Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center
and Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Alex will be a junior at Westminster
Choir College in Princeton, NJ.
Alex Benestelli ’06 performs Mahler’s Symphony
No. 8 as a member of the Westminster Choir.
39
IN MEMORIAM
ALUMN I
We wish to express our sincere condolences to
all family and friends of the deceased.
Mary Kneass Armstrong ’33
Mary Kneass Armstrong ’33 died January 27,
2008, in Walpole, Massaschusetts, of natural
causes. Mary and her husband of 65 years,
Robert W. Armstrong, have resided in Walpole
since 2004. Mary’s husband, daughters Martha
A. Gray and Patience T. Armstrong, and granddaughters Erin P. Powers and Allison A.
Fuchs, survive her. Martha Gray is a resident of
Westwood, and co-founder of Boston’s Dance
Collective. Mary’s second daughter, Anne A.
Powers, and sister, Anne Kneass Wheelock
’36, predeceased her. Mary enjoyed learning
throughout her life, enrolling in microbiology
and dendrology courses at UNC when in her
50s and 60s. Her interest in the decorative arts
inspired her to volunteer at the Mint Museum,
doing research on pottery.
Anne Bermingham ’77
At sunrise on May 9, 2008, Anne Bermingham
’77 passed away peacefully in her home with her
husband, Chris Allsopp, son, Liam, and family
and friends at her side. Anne was the cherished
daughter of Pamela and Woolly Bermingham
of South Londonderry, Vermont, and beloved
best friend and sister to Jill Isenhart ’82 of
Boulder, her four brothers Biff ’70, Stephen ’72,
Douglass ’74, and Ned ’80, and magnificent
“Tia” to 14 nieces and nephews. Born on January
10, 1959, in Greenwich, Connecticut, Anne was
raised in Sewickley, where she graduated from
Sewickley Academy in 1977. Anne attended the
University of Vermont earning her bachelor’s
degree in 1986. She pursued many interests
including participation in the Frontier Nursing
program in rural Kentucky. Following college,
Anne taught at Rye Country Day School in
New York and later settled in Boulder in 1991
where she met and married Chris. Anne placed
at the top of her accomplishments the honor of
being mother to her beloved son, Liam. Anne
expressed her passion for healthy, happy community by engaging people with her naturally playful and positive personality and her enthusiastic
love of children. She was a much-loved teacher in
Boulder and put her talents to work at Friends’
School, Boulder Waldorf Kindergarten, Shining
Mountain Waldorf School, and Shepherd Valley
Waldorf School. Her summers were dedicated
to running her own summer camp where both
during and after-hours, Anne always had time
to teach any child to ride a bicycle, play tennis,
hike their first mountain, swim, or fish. Through
all of these experiences, Anne beautifully and
inspirationally affected the lives of hundreds of
youth. The enormity of Anne’s open and generous heart allowed her to share her boundless love
for life with everyone that she knew. Her spirit
will live on in the loving words and actions of
her family and friends. The memory of her life so
exquisitely lived will be a guiding light in all our
lives. Anne’s spirited essence showed through
her commitment to volunteer efforts supporting
many non-profits, the closest to her heart being
local radio station KGNU.
40
Charles B. Forcey ’39
Charles B. Forcey ’39 of Ft. Myers, Florida,
Professor Emeritus of American History at
Binghamton University, died on February 8,
2008, at age 83. His death was precipitated by
severe anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting while
on holiday in Mexico. Professor Forcey was
born in Sewickley in 1925 and after the Academy, was educated at the Lawrenceville School
and Princeton University. He then studied
American History at Columbia University (M.A.
under the mentorship of Richard Hofstadter)
and the University of Wisconsin (Ph.D., 1954,
under the mentorship of Howard K. Beale). His
professional career included teaching at the
University of Wisconsin Extension at Wausau,
Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, Columbia
University, Rutgers University, and Binghamton
University (SUNY), where he taught from 1967
until his retirement in 1991. Professor Forcey
was active in professional and political organizations and wrote “The Crossroads of Liberalism:
Croly, Weyl, Lippmann and the Progressive Era,
1900-1925” and “A Strong and Free Nation”, and
edited many publications. Professor Forcey was
in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1943-46, serving
as a Lieutenant in the Pacific.
He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 41
years, Professor Emeritus Linda Rennie Forcey;
and their son, Charles Budd Forcey III. He is
also survived by his children, Blythe Forcey
Toussaint and Peter Cottier Forcey, with his
previous wife, Pamela Cottier Forcey; and his
stepchildren, Sally Nash Dougherty, Peter Adam
Nash, and Margaret Nash Myrick. He greatly
enjoyed his ten beloved grandchildren, Brenden,
Elizabeth, Connor, and Claire Dougherty, Ezra
and Isaiah Nash, William Myrick, and Kai, Liv,
and Alja Forcey-Rodriguez. He also is survived
by siblings, Barbara Frank ’38, Evelyn Gosko
’41, and Harry Leonard Forcey ’47. He was
predeceased by his parents, Dr. Charles Budd
Forcey and Evelyn Morsing Forcey; and half
brother, William Forcey ’29.
While teaching at Binghamton, “Pete”, with
the help of Linda and their blended family,
restored an 1811 farm house and passionately
tended its maple trees, gardens, and fields beside
the Susquehanna River. Pete was also an avid
traveler. He was a Fulbright lecturer at Xavier
University in the Philippines (1964-65), and
spent a sabbatical year, with his wife, Linda, and
all six children, near Nimes, France (1973-74).
Subsequent journeys took Linda and Pete for
extended stays in India and Senegal, and later to
ports around the world through the Semester at
Sea Program. Pete and Linda moved to Florida
in 1999, where they enjoyed several years of avid
sailing in Punta Gorda. They moved to the Shell
Point community in 2004.
Pete Keeney ’55
Pete Keeney ’55 of Buena Vista, Colorado,
passed away on February 13, 2008, in a fatal car
accident in Park County, Colorado. Pete was
born in Pittsburgh. He is survived by his exspouse, Harolyn Keeney, children, Mat Keeney,
Marnie Keeney, his siblings, Carol Munro ’53,
John Keeney, James Keeney, Suzie Keeney and
Bill Keeney, his grandchild, Matison Keeney and
Marjorie Jump, Alice Jump, Mike Jump, and Pat
Jump. He was preceded in death by his parents,
John Hamling Keeney and Alice Douglas Keeney.
He was employed as vice president of systems
operations at Neo Data/Dun & Bradstreet, and
a consultant to EDS. Pete spent time in the
Army Reserve. He was an avid outdoorsman
and conservationist. He leaves behind a legacy of
environmental conservation, concern for the
environment and a family who will miss his
physical presence more than can be expressed.
Marion Collin Moller ’36
Marion Collin Moller ’36, a resident of The River
Cottages at Huntington Commons, Kennebunk,
and Kennebunkport, and formerly of Radnor,
Pennsylvania, died Monday, February 25,
2008, at the Southern Maine Medical Center,
Biddeford, after a brief illness.
She was born in Sewickley, on January 10, 1921,
the daughter of William Welch and Marion Elizabeth (Clapp) Collin. She graduated from Sewickley Academy and also attended Sarah Lawrence
College, Bronxville, New York. Marion was a
homemaker who was happiest when surrounded
by her children. Holidays and family gatherings
at her summer home in Kennebunkport were
particularly special. She was very skilled at flower
arranging and an avid knitter – argyle socks for
her husband were her specialty.
In her youth, she was also an accomplished tennis player. She had volunteered as an assistant
X-ray technician in Sewickley during World War
II. She worked with the Red Cross and she was
on the Board of Trustees at Sewickley Academy.
She was a member of Allegheny Country Club
of Sewickley, Kennebunk River Club, Arundel
Beach Club, both of Kennebunkport, and the
Acorn Club of Philadelphia.
She was devoted to her husband and five children
throughout her life. Although badly crippled
from arthritis in her senior years, she rarely
complained and she always smiled.
She was predeceased by her husband of 52
years, Kenneth Moller Jr., who died in 1998. She
is survived by her four sons, Kenneth Moller
III MD ’62 of Brunswick, William Collin Moller
’67 of Alexandria, Virginia, Frederick Andrews
Moller ’71 of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, and
Manton Walter Moller of Frazer, Pennsylvania,
and her daughter Marion Elizabeth Davis ’71 of
Lyman, Maine. She is also survived by her two
sisters, Helen Adams ’40 of Kennebunkport, and
Elizabeth Biddle ’43 of Ligonier, Pennsylvania;
eight grandchildren and her caregivers, Sherry
Black and Jane Dubois.
Charles S. Nimick ’37
Charles S. Nimick ’37 of Latrobe, formerly of
Beaver and Moon Township, died Tuesday, April
15, 2008, in Excela Health Latrobe Hospital.
Charles was a graduate of Sewickley Academy,
Phillips Exeter Academy, and Princeton University, where he earned a degree in industrial
and applied psychology. Chuck saw combat in
the Pacific Theater of both World War II and
the Korean War serving with the Army. He
attained the rank of captain and was awarded
two Purple Hearts. He later retired from the
Army Reserve. After active duty, Charles headed
west to Wyoming to work as a ranch hand at
Easton’s Ranch, which he often referred to as his
“home away from home.”
where he began his career at Colonial Steel in
Monaca. When Colonial Steel became Vanadium
Alloy Steel Company, the Nimicks transferred to
Latrobe and Chuck remained with the company
for 35 years. Charles was preceded in death by
his twin brother, William Kennedy Nimick, who
died in infancy; his wife, Carolyn (Schmertz)
Nimick; his parents, Francis Bailey Nimick Sr.;
and Mary (Spencer) Nimick; his brother, Francis
Bailey Nimick Jr. ’32; and his sister, Eleanor
Howe Nimick ’35. He is survived by his brothers, David Acheson Nimick ’39, George Guthrie
Nimick ’42, and Reade Bailey Nimick ’42; his
children, Bill Nimick and his wife, Linda, Dan
Nimick and his wife, Gail, Ellen D’Urso and her
husband, Gary, and Jeff Nimick and his wife,
Stefanie. He was “Grandfather” to Elizabeth
Jameson and her husband, Alex, Christy,
Stephanie, Matt, Amanda, Isaac, Allison and
Christopher Nimick; and great-grandson,
Nickolas Nimick.
Chuck was a member of Latrobe Presbyterian
Church, where he served as deacon, elder, trustee,
and Sunday school teacher and loved being
a member of the choir. He served the City of
Latrobe as a member of the school board and was
a 30-year member of the zoning commission.
He also volunteered at Torrance State Hospital.
He was involved with the Exeter Alumni Association and founded a scholarship in his name at
Exeter. He gave generously to numerous national
charities and sponsored scores of children
throughout the world.
IN MEMORIAM
PA R E NT S O F A LU M N I
J. Sterling “Skip” Davis
Husband of Marjorie K. Davis (former
faculty) and father of J. Sterling “Chio”
Davis III ’83, Candace Davis Palya ’86,
and Christine Davis Clark ’87
Samuel Green
Father of Janet Green Garrison ’67 and
Matthew Green ’71
Patricia Van Bree Hough
Mother of Christine Hough Asher ‘72
Helen Owsley Hall Heard
Married to the late Drayton Heard ’33,
mother of Drayton ’56, John ’60, and Helen
Hetherington ’68, aunt to Elizabeth Heard
Guy ’66 and Jeannette Heard ’69
John Carroll Murphy, 76, of Rector, died Wednesday, August 1, 2007, in Excela Health Latrobe
Hospital. He was born Thursday, March 19, 1931,
in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of the late Clarence
and Jane Caroll Murphy. John was a member of
Holy Trinity Roman Catholic Church of Ligonier
and was active in various civic organizations and
charitable causes. After graduation from Western
Reserve Academy, John received a B.A. from
Williams College and a master’s from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a pilot in the USAF and
the Army National Guard. Before his retirement,
he was a sixth grade teacher and later Head of
Lower School at the Academy (1959-1968), Short
Hills Country Day School, and Valley School of
Ligonier. Besides his parents, he was preceded
in death by his daughter, Julia Ecker ’76; and a
sister, Ann Garrity. He is survived by his wife,
Adelaide R. Rogers Murphy; three daughters,
Carroll Murphy ’74, Cynthia Beck ’79 and her
husband, Lewis, and Martha Murphy and her
husband, Rick Page; son-in-law, Eric Ecker; six
grandchildren, Benjamin and Bridget Tisdale,
Emily and Alex Ecker, Whitney and Holly Beck;
a great-granddaughter, Juliana Kramer; and
numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Beth
Heard Guy ’66, one of his first students, recalls
the encouragement and enthusiasm he displayed
to his classes. She spoke fondly of his love for
music and the fun her classmates had with him
on various school plays.
Alumni News
315 Academy Avenue
Sewickley, Pennsylvania 15143
You may also send this information
directly to [email protected]
or call 412-741-2230 ext.3044.
Name:
Graduation Year:
Mother of Mary Ann Kmetyk ’73
F R I E N D S O F TH E SC H O O L
Just got married? Found a
new job? Took an exciting
trip? Moving away or back
to the area? Whatever your
news is, we want to hear it!
Class Notes is the place to
share news and information
with friends of the Sewickley
Academy community.
Please detach and mail to:
Margaret Kmetyk
IN MEMORIAM
We want to
hear from you!
Mailing Address:
Betty Norris
Mother of Cynthia Norris Roberts ’68, Scott
A. Norris III ’70, and Robert W. Norris ’73
Caroline Moody Roberts
Mother of W. Drake ’74 and Caroline
Roberts Wentling ’76
Phone:
Email Address:
Jean Seymour
Mother of Michael W. ’68 and Henry ’75
(Lisa Baker Seymour ’77)
News:
John W. Todd
Father of Virginia “Gigi” Todd
Prindiville ’62
William Wolf
Father of Marietta Wolf Renne ’78, Ronald
W. Wolf ’81, and Daniel A. Wolf ’84
After returning to the Pittsburgh area, he
married his childhood sweetheart, Carolyn
Schmertz. They started their family in Beaver,
41
Mark Your Calendar – Reunion Weekend 2008 – October 3 & 4
From record players to ipods ®, times have changed since you
were at the Academy! Mark your calendar for Reunion 2008
to come back to school and catch up with friends.
Visit www.sewickley.org/alumni/reunion2008 for updates and to register.
SEWICKLEY SPEAKING
T H E
M A G A Z I N E
O F
S ew i c k l ey A c ad e my
315 A c ad e my Ave n u e
S ew i c k l ey, PA 15143
S E W I C K L E Y
A C A D E M Y
This photo and short story on the newly constructed Mary Ellen Davidson Building appeared in the
Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph on March 24, 1957. If you
are able to recognize any of these Kindergarteners,
email [email protected].

sewickley speaking sewickley speaking sewickley speaking

Transcription

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