Perkiomen Magazine, Fall 2017 by Perkiomen School

Perkiomen FALL 2017

MAGAZINE

FOR ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILIES, FACULTY, AND FRIENDS

on the cover: Headmaster Devey discusses innovation with Student Senate members. this page: Gabe Delp entertains with his musical talent.

Perkiomen

MAGAZINE FALL 2017

MAGAZINE

SEPTEMBER 2017 Headmaster

Headmaster’s Letter

Peek @ Perk

Mark A. Devey

True Grit

How Libraries Have Changed

Editorial Staff Carol Dougherty Kimberly Gardner Christe Konopitski Bernadette Kovaleski

Perkiomen School Unveils New Logo

Abby Parish Moser Diana Weir-Smith Karl Welsh

Contributors David Antoniewicz Pete Dougherty Xiaorong Li Greg Martin Jon Moser

The Year @ Perkiomen

Cross-Listed Classes

Food for Thought

Commencement 2017

Alumni Weekend: Making Connections and Telling Stories

Trevor Smith Shaun Yorgey

Photography Tim Miller

Design Tony DeOliveira

Class Notes

In Memoriam

Celebration of Art in School: Walter E, Baum Exhibit Doug Rea ’67 Named Distinguished Alumnus

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For over

Headmaster Devey and CFO Mike Foux discuss the Innovation Center construction.

a century, Perkiomen has inspired students to push themselves, to solve problems,

INNOVA and learn

new things.

Today, we as a school are

creating new outlets for

our students to learn.

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

Dear Perkiomen Community, Throughout our history, Perkiomen has developed creative thinkers. Today, in our ever-changing world, it is more critical than ever for us to equip our students with a toolkit of skills that will allow them to adapt and embrace new opportunities. Across campus, innovation and entrepreneurism are terms that are woven into our everyday language at Perkiomen; it’s what distinguishes us from other institutions. We don’t just have a course or two with that specific focus; our entire culture has evolved to fully embrace these concepts in all we do. This past year was a roaring success! We kicked it off with an upper school innovation challenge. Without knowing the purpose of the challenge or the supplies they would receive, randomly assigned teams came together to build a piece of furniture. During the exercise we collaborated, debated, met new people, practiced team building skills, and eventually had an agreed upon concept—and then built it. The creations were judged by a designer from Knoll Manufacturing, an international firm with a home base in our area. The intense creative process generated boundless energy to launch the school year.

VATION The community witnessed the transformation of Carnegie Library that now blends the beauty and functionality of a striking historical landmark with the excitement and draw of our cutting-edge Innovation Center. We had hoped to enroll a dozen students in our entrepreneur program in its first year, but our expectations were exceeded. Over 40 students explored our introductory course of study and crosslisted classes, which led a group of determined and committed seniors to complete their capstone projects in just one school year. Seven seniors of the Class of 2017 became the first group to graduate with Entrepreneurial Distinction! Steve Jobs said, “Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” For over a century, Perkiomen has inspired students to go out into the world to excel, to push themselves, solve problems, serve as valuable team players, and lead. Today we are finding new outlets for our students learn without fear of failure and be engaged in their educational experience. We find that by empowering them and allowing them to take ownership of their education, they find an even deeper love of learning and drive for excellence and strive to be their best. I am convinced that this year will achieve even higher goals. Best,

Mark A. Devey Headmaster

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The Class of 2017 Applications by the Numbers Submitted 840 applications Applied to 283 colleges and universities 128 Early Decision and Early Action applications 12 Applications to 10 Art Schools Applications by Region • 20% Northeast • 34% Mid-Atlantic • 16% South • 13% Mid-West • 10% West Coast

Peek Perk • 1% Southwest

• 6% International

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P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

Volleyball In the fall of 2016, a new sport launched with a burst of energy and excitement. The girlsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; volleyball team was formed. The team drew lots of players, and both a varsity and junior varsity squads took the floor. The team was led by standout player Frances del Torro. Her talent coupled with Coach Megan Martin, an experienced player, resulted in the team finishing second in the league. Frances continues to play elite volleyball in the Lehigh Valley. The Perkiomen volleyball legacy has begun.

Peek Perk

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Online Learning Initiative In February 2016, Perkiomen launched our first online class. Dr. Greg Martin offered a five week class, “Conflict in the Middle East.” The experiment provided students with an opportunity to do something new for a short five week window. The success of the course resulted in a new winter online course offering. Online 2017 Course Name: “World Religions” • 1 Innovative teacher: Trevor Smith • Platform: Perkiomen.org and Zoom Online Meeting Platform • 17 students enrolled

Peek Perk • 10 hours of shared online class time

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Course Description: World Religions takes a global studies approach to the development and practice of various expressions of religious and spiritual life, exploring the similarities and differences that exist between different religious groups throughout the world. Particular attention is paid to religious traditions originating in India: Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. Comparative discussions serve as a foundation for building mutual respect, understanding, and tolerance, as well as a better understanding of the diversity of religious expression throughout the world. Assessments are in the form of discussion board posts, class participation, and multiple papers.

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In the summer of 2016, Nikki spent a week at SCAD and took two classes – “Graphic Design” and “Multi-Media Painting.” The Graphic Design class solidified her desire to major in Graphic Design. She created the piece pictured here in the Multi-Media class. It was not her original idea, and the final product made her realize that mistakes are creative. Andy Warhol is her favorite artist. She points out that he used simple objects to create his art that makes his work relatable to everyone. Nikki also finds inspiration from her mom, an artist as well. At Perkiomen, Nikki loves the art studio. “It is filled with light and beautiful old beams. And, the new Mac Lab in the Innovation Center is a great place to work.” She goes on to say “When we talk about innovation [at Perkiomen] it makes me want to make something new that hasn’t been made before, something that will make people stop and draw their own impression.”

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Arts

Nikki Ciocari The multi-talented Nikki Ciocari ’17 matriculated at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in the fall. Nikki’s creative juices bring life to everything she does. Art is her passion, but she brought her talents to athletics (tennis and basketball) and lent fresh ideas to the Entrepreneur Institute as well. She says her work is inspired by her surroundings and driven by her mood. In particular, the beach, nature, and the news form her artwork. She has a passion for photography and digital design and says that will get her a job. But she enjoys multimedia, painting, and watercolor, too. Her next challenge to try will be sculpture. “Graphic design will get me a job and bring awareness to the world; whereas sculpture brings awareness to me.”

Peek Perk

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Penn State

Collaborative Entrepreneurship This summer Perkiomen School and Penn State Lehigh Valley collaborated on an entrepreneur camp. The coordinated effort allowed students who are entering grades 9 to 12 to spend 12 days discovering the world of entrepreneurship. Students had access to the resource at Penn State Lehigh Valley including the Launchbox and Perkiomenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Innovation Center. The program included the basics of finance, marketing, making a pitch, and the lean launch model. Beyond the creative work, real-world entrepreneurs will lead workshops and show students how their businesses work.

Peek Perk 12

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TrueGr grit |grit| noun

Courage

and resolve; strength of character:

Just the grit

weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for in a leader. 14

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

rit

Reflection on William C. Fritz ’64 Grit is defined as the toughness, determination, and passion for sticking with something no matter what. William C. Fritz ’64, Bill as we all know him, was elected to the Board of Trustees in 1972. Less than ten years from his graduation, Bill was back doing the hard work that Perkiomen people are known for. Bill says he joined the board to make a difference in the lives of students and instill a sense of giving back to the community. One of his first tasks as a board member and chair of the development committee was to kick off the Second Century fund-raising campaign. It was a tough era for fund raising, but his determination helped move the school to a stronger position. His 43 years of service on the board was highlighted by fellow trustees that he characterized as unique and passionate for Perkiomen. In particular, Charlie Reid, Ruth Harris, and John Strassburger always focused on making the school a place to nurture students, a place where students learned by living – solvitur vivendo. In 1983, Bill took the helm as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. He guided the school through the renovation of Kehs Hall, the re-building of Kriebel Hall, and the Moving Forward Campaign. He commented that he and Headmaster George Allison had an agreement that they would toil away for the school as long as they had each other to lean on. And, together, they transformed the campus. His years as chair were filled with

heartbreak and triumph. The fire that destroyed Kriebel Hall demonstrated Bill’s grit. He stood tall with George Allison as they worked to rebuild the building. The rebuilding process and fund raising were challenges, but his commitment never wavered. And, the day Kriebel reopened in August 1995 was joyous beyond words. Bill remained as chair until 2010 and held a seat on the board until 2015. His loyalty to the school is unmatched.

(Bill) commented that he and Headmaster George Allison had an agreement that they would toil away for the school as long as they had each other to lean on. And, together, they transformed the campus.

When asked who inspires him, he replied Warren Buffett. Bill says Buffett is down to earth no frills or flash from his wealth. He is self-made, very knowledgeable, and a great leader that gives back. In words of advice to the current students, Bill says that he came to appreciate every detail of Perkiomen after he graduated. He appreciated the faculty, even Dean Lytle, and all the care they offered to the student. He valued attending school with international classmates; he would never have had a classmate from Saudi Arabia. He fondly remembers Hal Cragin reading the Gift of the Magi at Christmas time in English class. And, to this day he is still very close with many of his classmates. Beyond his Perk memories, he says to the students “be true to yourself, keeping this focus will take you far in life.”

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How Libraries Have Changed

Please W h i s p e r

to a SHOUT for 3D Printing

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

The roots of libraries or repositories of written knowledge reach back to a collection of clay tablets found in Mesopotamia dating back 5000 years and a collection of papyrus scrolls found in the ancient Egyptian cities of Amarna and Thebes from 1300 to 1200 B.C. Fast forward to 1731, when Benjamin Franklin helped to establish private libraries for the sharing of books since books were in not easily available. Then in 1790, he gave a set of books to establish the first Free Lending Library in America. By the end of the American Civil War, Public Free Libraries were well established across the nation. The Boston Public Library opened in 1854 with a collection of 16,000 volumes to borrow. In the early twentieth century, a boom of library construction was fueled by entrepreneur and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. His passion for libraries resulted in the construction of over 2500 libraries world-wide. This includes a gift he made to Perkiomen School for the Carnegie Library on our campus. However, for decades, libraries were defined by whispers, silent nooks to read, and check out desks. The early rise of computing and technology resources in the 1970’s and 80’s led to dramatic changes in libraries. The demand for access to information exploded. Simply finding a book on a shelf was no longer enough. The original intent of a “library” has simply taken a new shape. Originally, books were a resource that inspired thought. Today that what inspires takes many forms. Books still fill the shelves in Perkiomen’s Carnegie Library, but computers and spaces for collaboration take more floor space. As the ways that people access information increase through new technologies and modes of global communication, so must the ways that the school library serves its students. While students can now “Google” almost anything and find results to their queries, no one is born an expert at structuring the most effective search query, or evaluating the results they find for reliability and usefulness. School librarians, as information specialists, have reoriented their professional mission to incorporate new and

changing modes of access and information literacy. While developing a collection that supports students’ information needs is still a vital part of a library purpose, even more important is teaching them to be expert searchers and to evaluate the information they find critically. One of the greatest shifts in library services over the last couple of decades has been in providing intellectual access to information versus physical access; imparting the skills students need to navigate the world of information successfully. A useful collection now includes access to curated digital sources unavailable on the open web, eBooks, and quality print materials. Instruction moves beyond the use of the catalog and citation methods to focus on the crucial skills of source evaluation, using information effectively and ethically, and the role of social media in global sharing. Part of school libraries’ evolution includes a focus on the collaborative learning allowed by the open learning commons model and the development of makerspaces. The Innovation Center and the library are a perfect match in their shared purpose of empowering students to ask big questions and discover answers. Through their library, students learn how to find, evaluate, and organize information. The Innovation Center stretches the space to accommodate all kinds of learning; empowering students to ask questions, to form ideas, prototype, and put research and information management skills to practical use. Students have tools far beyond books. The new Mac Lab almost doubles the number of computer in the library. And, resources such as 3-D printers, and CNC* machines allow students to actually fabricate products for engineering, entrepreneur, additive manufacturing, and art classes. The space is designed for collaborative work. “Please whisper” has been replaced with collaboration, innovation, and learning in a whole new way. * CNC Computer Numerical Control. A computer

converts a design produced by software into numbers the number are considered coordinated on a three axis graph. The CNC controls the cutter to replicate the design by cutting or shaping material. The machines can manage almost any material.

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Unveils

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

“It is an exciting time to be a part of the Perkiomen School Community... We now have an identifying brand to match.”

New Logo Perkiomen School Headmaster Mark A. Devey

Perkiomen School Headmaster Mark A. Devey announced the week of July 24 the completion of a visual rebrand for the school. The project, which includes multiple styles and variations of a new logo, was approved by the Board of Trustees in May. “Perkiomen School has been a leader in education since 1875,” said Devey. “When I arrived on campus in 2015, I identified multiple long and short-term projects, including a complete rebrand. It was critical that our visual brand be an accurate representation of the curriculum that is so unique to Perkiomen School: a logo that is vibrant, clean, and modern with a nod to our storied roots.”

Perkiomen School enlisted the help of J2 Design out of Philadelphia. The teams worked together over the course of six months to identify themes, colors, and visual markers that best represented the School. It was important to honor the existing seal, as well as the established school colors. “It was a pleasure working with the Perkiomen team on their rebrand, said Lucy Price, Senior Designer for J2. “They were able to communicate a clear vision of how they wanted to represent the School, which was helpful in narrowing down

possibilities—giving us plenty of time to focus on the finer details. Through our research and collaborative work sessions, our teams were able to strike a balance between the School’s strong history, and their fresh and modern approach to education, producing a mark that honors the School’s legacy, and reflects the pride they feel in Perkiomen.” The new logos continue be rolled out over the next few months over a variety of medium, including uniforms, external signage, and via the new www.perkiomen.org. The redesigned website was launched in August in time for the 2017-18 academic year. “It is an exciting time to be a part of the Perkiomen School community,” continued Devey. “From the launching of the Entrepreneur Institute to the complete renovation of the lower level of the Carnegie Library into the new Innovation Center, Perkiomen School is changing the face of middle school and high school education. Our dynamic faculty, curriculum, globally diverse student body, and top-notch after school activities are setting us apart with a cutting edge educational experience. We now have an identifying brand to match.”

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Volleyball added as a sport.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Tin Womanâ&#x20AC;? wows the theater audience.

The Year Per Football posts a solid season. Cross County, girls soccer and girls tennis win the league. Boys soccer and golf record winning seasons.

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

FALL TERM 2016

Thanksgiving Dinner is a reminder of how fortunate our community is.

erkiomen Fall music recital rocks the crowd.

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WINTER TERM 2016/17

The Carmel M. “Midge” and Chaplain George E. Thomas Vespers Service

Innovation Center opens

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Basketball teams step up level of play

The community celebrates the Lunar New Year

The Year

Upper and Middle School students rock in the musical “Back to the 80’s”

Swimmers send five to Easterns

r Perkiomen

Valentines Dance sparks fun

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Baseball wins 22nd League Championship All teams post winning records

Track send 32 athletes to State and two relay teams to the Penn Relays

The Year Per 24

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Senior girls in full glam for prom

SPRING TERM 2017

Class of 2021 Moves Up to Upper School

Yana Menadzhieva is awarded the Marian Stefano Prize

erkiomen Sadie Butcher wins The Carmel “Midge” Thomas Music Award

Tracy Kanimba receives The Carmel “Midge” Thomas World Language Award

Tatiana Spinosa is awarded The Chaplain George E. Thomas Religion Award

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Classes Cross-listed

This spring, seven members of the Class of 2017 earned the honor of Entrepreneurial Distinction. Earning this distinction involves coursework and a capstone project. There are 13 cross-listed classes in the curriculum.

Jonathan Moser

Note: this is a quick feature of a few of the classes Course: Advanced Placement Psychology Faculty: Jonathan Moser ’97, Chaplain

M. Ed., Educational Leadership Columbia University (candidate) MA, Religion, Yale University BA, Philosophy and Religious Studies, St. Mary’s College of Maryland Advanced Placement Psychology Description: The AP Psychology course is designed to introduce students to the systematic and scientific study of the behavior and mental processes of human beings and other animals. Students are exposed to the psychological facts, principles, and phenomena associated with each of the major subfields within psychology. They also learn about the ethics and methods psychologists use in their science and practice. The course is a comprehensive survey of psychology covering including the history of psychology, the brain, personality, abnormal psychology, etc. The AP course covers more than a typical introductory college course.

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When asked, “How do you see this course being a resource for the Entrepreneur Institute?” Moser replied, “Psychology is ubiquitous, which is why so many students find it interesting. The creation and exhibition of any capstone project is inevitably going to involve psychology. Many students are ultimately drawn to psychology because they want to know more about themselves. I think it is this shared quest for self-discovery and personal improvement that blends with an entrepreneurial spirit.”

Courses: Advanced Placement Macro and Micro Economics, Advanced Algebra with Financial Applications

for computing interest. The course also includes fixed assets, depreciation and scrap value, methods of depreciation, payroll and payroll taxes.

Faculty: Peter Dougherty

Dougherty says the Advanced Algebra with Financial Applications fits into the curriculum nicely. The coursework incorporates traditional math that students have already mastered and provides them with financial vocabulary to use traditional math in financial applications. Classwork is based on group work, and many of the assessments are collaborative. The structure is real world project based, not a traditional classroom.

BSBA Marketing, University of Hartford MBA, concentrations in Economics and Finance, University of Hartford Advanced Placement Macro and Micro Economics Description: The courseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s microeconomics component gives students a thorough understanding of the economic principles that apply to the functions of individual decision makers â&#x20AC;&#x201D;both consumers and producersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;within the economic system. It places primary emphasis on the nature and functions of product markets and includes the study of factor markets and the role of government in promoting greater efficiency and equity in the economy. The macroeconomics component introduces students to fundamental economic concepts such as scarcity and opportunity costs. Students understand the distinction between absolute and comparative advantage and apply the principle of comparative advantage to determine the basis on which mutually advantageous trade can take place between individuals and/or countries and identify comparative advantage from differences in opportunity costs. Other basic concepts include the functions performed by an economic system and the way the tools of supply and demand are used to analyze the workings of a free market economy. The course also introduces the concept of the business cycle to give students an overview of economic fluctuations and to highlight the dynamics of unemployment, inflation, and economic growth.

Peter Dougherty

Advanced Algebra with Financial Applications Description: This course is designed to inform students about their role as a citizen, student, family member, consumer, and active participant in the business world. It is intended to provide opportunities for selfawareness, expression, and satisfaction in a highly technical and competitive society. Students will learn applications of multivariate statistics and their use in market research. Students will review and learn to understand financial statements, how to measure cash flow, valuing a company, raising additional debt, and equity capital. Students will get an introduction to basic accounting concepts and gain practice on the following topics: debits, credits, the chart of accounts, the ledger, inventory measurement, net realizable value, recovery of bad debts, and methods

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Classes Cross-listed

Shaun Yorgey

continued

Course: Foundations of Entrepreneurship Faculty: Shaun Yorgey ’97 Director of the Entrepreneur Institute M.S., Educational Leadership, University of Pennsylvania BS, Education, Temple University Foundations of Entrepreneurship Description: This project-based year-long course provides the base for students to succeed in the Entrepreneurial Program. Students undergo a process of personal reflection as they develop an understanding of what excites and engages them. They examine how they interact with the world, cooperate and work with others, and lead and manage a process to completion. The course emphasizes specific skills in business development such as marketing, finance, and management. As the Director of the Entrepreneur Institute, Yorgey’s view of the coursework for the program is critically linked to creativity, innovation, and problem solving. He notes that he rarely wants to tell a student what to do. He wants them to invest in iterations of solutions. “Having started and run a small business, I learned a lot about the process. It allows me to bring first-hand knowledge of many of the topics we discuss. Students are especially engaged when I tell them about times when I messed up and why, or about times when we found success against some odds.” Yorgey goes on to explain how this will benefit Perkiomen students in college, “Creating value through insightful efforts becomes a positive feedback loop. When students recognize that they can accomplish their goals through an iterative process, they begin to think about what else they can accomplish. Learning to fail as a part of succeeding can build resiliency and the knowledge that anything they can imagine is possible. This mind set and the tools to move any project forward is essential to success in the world, and certainly in college.”

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

Courses: Advanced Placement Computer Principles, Advanced Placement Computer Science A, Computer Programming, Additive Manufacturing Faculty: Xiaorong Li Ph.D., Second Language Acquisition, Carnegie Mellon University MA, Chinese as a L2, Linguistics, Beijing Language and Culture University BA, Chinese Language and Literature, Qingdao University Advanced Placement Computer Principles Description: AP Computer Science Principles introduces students to the central ideas of computer science, inviting them to develop the computational thinking vital for success across multiple disciplines. The course is unique in its focus on fostering students to be creative and encouraging students to apply creative processes when developing computational artifacts. Students design and implement innovative solutions using an iterative process similar to what artists, writers, computer scientists, and engineers use to bring ideas to life. The AP Computer Science Principles course is complementary to AP Computer Science A. Students can take these courses in any order or at the same time, as schedules permit. Both courses include rigorous computer science content and skills that can be built on to complete further science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) and computing studies. It is important to note that the AP Computer Science Principles course does not have a designated programming language.

prior programming experience or technical knowledge. Students learn Python programming language in this course. Those who successfully complete this course may have the skills to move on to the AP Computer Science course. This course exposes students to the basics of computer programing: variables, control structures, stepwise refinement, testing, and debugging. Additive Manufacturing Description: Additive manufacturing is much more than simply 3-D printing, it plays a significant role in global product development and innovation. In this course, students engage with a broad range of 3-D printing applications, aerospace, aquatic, biomedical, consumer products, and artistry, to build the skills necessary for a culminating capstone project. Students conduct industry research, prototype, and then manufacture a product designed to meet a specific market need or to improve on an existing design. Dr. Li describes herself as more of a coach than a teacher for the computer science classes. She says that she is a linguist and programming is just another language. And, this course work is key to developing a strong logic skill set. She encourages students to be inquisitive, dive deeper, ask questions, and work collaboratively. The process and material in these classes prepare students for both specific computer science work and undefined problem solving.

Dr. Xiaorong Li

Advanced Placement Computer Science A Description: This course is designed for students who are serious about programming. Students learn the JAVA programming language in this course, which requires a good mathematical background and strong programsolving skills. The course is designed to prepare a student for the Advanced Placement Computer Science exam; level A. Topics include simple, use-defined and structured data types, algorithm development, decisions and loops, arrays, recursion, searches and sorts, data abstraction, and classes. Computer Programming Description: This course emphasizes the discipline of computer science, focusing on techniques and strategies to use the computer as a problem-solving tool. Students learn how to break problems down into smaller parts, craft careful solutions, and turn those solutions into working computer programs. The course assumes no

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“We chose tilapia because they can be kept in pretty much any temperature.” Sidney Palmer interrupts her brother Zach and counters, “No, tilapia typically need to be kept in temperatures between 72-74 degrees. Trout are more temperature tolerant.” “I’m 99% sure that tilapia have a wider temperature range than trout,” says Zach. But Sidney references their research to prove her point and peace between the siblings reigns again. That’s a good thing, considering that the duo is working on a joint aquaponics project through the Entrepreneur Institute and Innovation Center at Perkiomen School. The Palmers’ aquaponics project, which joins aquaculture (raising fish) and hydroponics (growing plants without soil), was one of a handful of projects voted on and approved by their Foundations of Entrepreneurship classmates to bring to fruition. The beauty of the system is its sustainability: with natural or artificial light, the fish produce fertilizer for plants, which in turn filter the water for the fish. Eventually, the setup will efficiently produce both plants and fish for human consumption. The impact on the greater community is a driving force for both students, who reference food deserts in cities throughout the United States. Communities with limited food resources have even more challenges obtaining fresh fruits, vegetables, and healthy protein sources, often resorting to the few options that fast food restaurants and convenience stores provide. Many

FOOD FOR 30

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

families that live in these areas must rely on public transportation to reach grocery stores, further limiting regular access to healthy food. In fact, engaging the Upper Perkiomen Valley is a vital part of the aquaponics project fully taking off. Sidney and Zach reached out to resident Scott Roth, owner of Bike and Sol in East Greenville, who eagerly agreed to work with the pair. Roth also has an interest in making aquaponics more mainstream for residents, utilizing his own setup in town. According to the Palmers, the ultimate goal is to work with Philabundance, a Philadelphia-based food bank, and other local community food pantries. The Perkiomen aquaponics project will be located in the Hollenbach Middle School Center, where Sidney and Zach plan to implement three different setups to determine which is most successful long-term. They have secured permits for the tilapia and hope to have everything up and running by the end of this academic year. That being said, there is much to be done on campus before expanding. Zach and Sidney both acknowledge the need to educate students, faculty, and staff on this agricultural practice and wish to bring the working system to younger students if it is to be a success longterm. Both envision this being something that future students can “own” and even expand upon. The Palmers agree on this: if you are what you eat, you should be aware of where your food comes from. Now that’s food for thought.

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2017 Commencement

Photos as numbered: 1. Congratulations to the Class of 2017. 2. Steve Ratigan, Class Speaker, delivers a humourous Baccalaureate address. 3. Trustee, Jim Nallo P ’05 puts commencement in context for the class of 2017. 4. Trustee, Marcia Moll Barone ’79, P ’14, ’17 awards her daughter, Isabel Barone, her diploma. 5. Ni Dan delivers the Valedictorian Address 6. Headmaster Devey awards Mary Dent the Phi Beta Kappa Award. 7. Faculty members Mark and Paige Longstreth award their son, Miles Longstreth, his diploma. 8. Trustee, David Liu awards his daughter and Salutatorian, Louisianna, her diploma. 9. Sara Glaze performs at the Baccalaureate Service. 10. Trustee Scott Schultz ’81, P ’11, ’13 welcomes Ni Dan to the podium.

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

The Class of 2017 wrapped up their years at Perkiomen with a weekend of celebration. Commencement speaker Jim Nallo, a past parent and trustee, talked about putting things in context. He outlined how each part of his life fit into the total context of his journey. He advised the class to be true to themselves and put their lives in context.

3 6

5 7 8

9 FA L L 201 7

Alumni Weekend:

Making Connections and Telling Stories Early in June, alumni wandered back to campus to meet old friends and tell stories. The alumni had a chance to see what was new and share memories with classmates and new connections. The new Innovation Center was the tour highlight and the new alumni lacrosse game drew a great crowd. As always, the food and friendship connected the community.

Headmaster Devey welcomes Louie Bentancourt â&#x20AC;&#x2122;62 and Eric Kolbe â&#x20AC;&#x2122;61.

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Alumni gather in the Stefano Garden to remember those who are no longer with us.

Headmaster Devey and Eric Kolbe â&#x20AC;&#x2122;61 at the entrance to the Kolbe West Entrance.

Alumni lacrosse drew a crowd.

Checking out Class of 1967 memorabilia.

Jared Cameron â&#x20AC;&#x2122;11 ready for the weekend.

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Alumni Weekend:

Making Connections and Telling Stories continued

Headmaster Devey welcomes Martynas Simanavicius ’16

Soccer buddies Luis Betancourt ’62 and Ridge Goodwin ’60 reconnect

Paul and Carla Hausmann tell Headmaster Devey about their former students.

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

Hall of Athletic Honor – R. Warren Schmidt ’81

Cheryl Price ’73, Kevin Kirkwood ’81, and former Chaplain John Sakalouckas tell stories in the new Innovation Center.

Betsy Starr ’07 and Mike Roberts light sky lanterns.

Warren graduated from Springfield College in 1985, majoring in health fitness. He played four years of football at a variety of positions for the Springfield Pride (then the Chiefs). In 1988, Warren joined Paul Sheehy, a former teammate from Springfield, and together they started what is now ProStar Sports, working with football players at the collegiate and professional levels. They pride themselves in having negotiated with all 32 NFL teams, and some of their current clients include Pro Bowl players Cameron Wake of the Miami Dolphins and Johnny Hekker of the Los Angeles Rams. In his role as Senior Vice President of ProStar, Warren is a certified contract advisor assisting with contract preparations, marketing and endorsements, team contacts, and other various day-to-day functions of the company. In his spare time, he is the head coach of a little league team, the president of the Cust-Wick neighborhood association, president of Cheltenham Football Parents Association, and the Widener football game day radio color broadcaster on ESPN radio. He lives in Glenside, Pennsylvania with his wife, Terri, and their two sons.

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Class Notes 40s

1964 Bruce Sanft and his family turned Alumni Weekend into a Sanft Family Reunion. Bruce and his three children, Al Sanft ’92, Bryan Sanft ’94, and Brianna Garrett ’97 with their spouses and children all made Perkiomen the place to be. To commemorate the life of Harry Morgan ’66, his brother, Bob Morgan, donated a pink dogwood tree. The tree was planted in the arboretum near the Marian Stefano Garden and a second tree will become part of the landscape of the new accessibility entrance of the Carnegie Library. 1965 Rick Casey joined the Alumni Weekend BBQ and brunch. He spent some relaxing time on the porch looking out on campus. 1966 David Dratch, John McCabe, and Richard Provost all showed their support for Perkiomen by visiting campus and reconnecting with friends during Alumni Weekend.

1948 p Frank Stefano set the alumni pace with a visit back to campus. He spoke eloquently about his mom, Marian Stefano, in the meditation garden named for her.

50s 1955 In July, Conway Jones and his son stopped by campus during their east coast vacation. 1959 Don Pursel and his wife Maureen visited Bob McKee and his family in July 2016. The two had not seen each other since they graduated in 1959.

60s 1960 Trustee, Ridge Goodwin made a point to come to Alumni Weekend to connect with his long time soccer buddy Luis Betancourt ’62 who traveled from Guatemala to attend. 1961 John Winant enjoyed Alumni Weekend festivities. Also visiting campus, Eric Kolbe spent the weekend and was able to see the student projects in the Innovation Center. 1963 As the Alma Mater says “loyal, tried, and true” Fred Ahlborn and John Civitts visited campus for the parade and Saturday luncheon on Alumni Weekend.

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1967 p 50th Reunion Class Twenty-three members of the class of 1967 returned to campus for their 50th reunion. Some members have been back often, for others it was their first time back since graduation. Julio Abislaiman, Neil Amper, David Butler, Jim Flaws, Malcolm Fox, Gary Josephson, Michael Krajsa, TJ Latoff, Donald Lichterman, Lee Muth, Steve Niederhauser, Paul Pickard, Doug Rea, David Sabin, Steve Saidman, George Selby, William Senkel, James Sherman, Robert Siegrist, James, Taylor, Thomas Turner, Steve Weisberg, and Charles Wolbach were in attendance. George Selby is noted for the furthest traveling from the reunion class. He traveled from London. Jim Flaws said he didn’t remember where his room was in Schultz Hall until he walked down the hall and there it was. David Sabin traveled from California to reconnect with his longtime friend Neil Amper.

1974 Steven Price is working for Boart Longyear Drilling Services as the Pump Operations Manager for the Large Rotary Division in the United States. Alan Printz and Larry Levin enjoyed reminiscing under the tent at Alumni Weekend. 1976 Lisa Baas was back on campus for Alumni Weekend and had a great time with the class of 1977. 1977 Celebrating a reunion year, the class of 1977 had a good group back at Perkiomen. Paul Cameron, Cary Eggerling, Bret Miller, and Peter Saenger all were telling stories and remembering their Perkiomen days. 1978 Carol Weber was at Alumni Weekend with her husband and daughter, Hannah. Carol was also joined by classmate Mike Drelling. p Michael Krajsa spent time exploring the space that has become the Entrepreneurial Center at Perkiomen. He and Shaun Yorgey ’97 created a summer program for young entrepreneurs that is co-led by Penn State Lehigh Valley and Perkiomen. Doug Rea was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award. Over the course of Alumni Weekend, Doug’s photography was on display in Schumo Gallery. (inside back cover) Gary A. Josephson has returned to Perkiomen a few times while traveling to New York. He shares that his time at Perkiomen was very helpful to his life and it was here that his academic curiosity was kindled. He later graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Human Resources. Gary is now semi-retired and pursuing a second degree in English at Ohio State.

70s 1971 Jim Cochran and his girlfriend, Ellen, hosted the members of the Alumni and Development Office for an afternoon at his horse farm. They also attended Alumni Weekend. David Meltzer was on campus for the Alumni Weekend Luncheon. He connected with Carla and Paul Hausmann during his visit. 1972 Chris Heller relocated to Addison, TX in July of last year. He says, “My wife, Karen, and I are becoming Texans! A great contingent from the class of 1972 returned to campus for Alumni Weekend. Larry Cohen, Greg Finn, Mike Gibson, and Wendy MacDonald reconnected on campus. 1973 Cheryl Price is the new Director of College Counseling at The Grier School. She was back on campus for Alumni Weekend.

1979 Marcia Barone celebrated her daughter’s graduation from Perkiomen. Isabel Barone ’17 will attend Lehigh University in the fall. Marcia also returned for Alumni Weekend along with classmate Maggie Wright.

80s 1981 Warren Schmidt was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Honor (see feature on page 35). Also in attendance at the ceremony were Greg Grauer, and Dave Krupnick. Kevin Kirkwood stopped by campus on Saturday and tried out the virtual reality goggles in the Innovation Center A spring 2016 Art Exhibition featured an Oil Painting by Stephen Bluto. While at Perkiomen Steve was often found in Kehs Hall spending as much time in the theater as he did the art studio. After Perkiomen, he earned his BFA, Art History, Criticism and Conservation at Syracuse University. Steve moved to New York City, completed his MFA in painting at the New York Academy of Art, and found a job at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, first as a security guard and later as an Art Technician building displays. For the past 15 years Steve has served as Collections Manager in the Arms and Armor Department at the Met. 1982 Doug Kershner and Jessica Orr-Sheets joined the Alumni Weekend festivities. 1983 Chris Byers, Director of Marketing and Operations for New England Studios, was instrumental in bringing film production back to Boston. The new Hulu series about Stephen King Castle Rock will be filmed in Boston. 1984 Alumni and current parent Todd Barringer held the Alumni Weekend honor of the oldest alumnus who played in the lacrosse game. He was cheered on by classmates Duke Ruppert and Bob Higman.

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Rich Ridall has had a lot to celebrate. His daughter, Mikaela Ridall ‘16 graduated from Perkiomen! The two received their Legacy Award at the Commencement Dinner on May 27, 2016. In April 2016, Rick was named The Outstanding Teacher of the Year from Temple’s School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. The award is given annually and chosen by the faculty of the college for the scope of work done during the academic year. When asked about the honor a humbled Rick said, “Being chosen by my peers for the work I do in the classroom, with the students and for the impact I made was very rewarding. I was quite honored and humbled to receive this prestigious award!” 1985 Todd Mayer joined his niece Gabby Glinski ’13 at Alumni Weekend. And, Andrew Schwinger stopped by to see the lacrosse game. 1986 Sayuri Daiman and Karen Kotera ’10 met with Headmaster Devey in Tokyo. 1987 Jean Pietsch and her sister Nadine Brenan ’88 played in the Alumni lacrosse game. They looked as sharp on the field as the day they graduated. Nadine’s daughter is a middle school student at Perkiomen. 1988 Paul Adamczack welcomed his son Drew Adamczack ’17 into the ranks of the alumni with Drew’s graduation from Perkiomen this year. Rich Korson is the executive producer for the 2018 Netflix comedy series Who Was? Show. The 13 episode season is based on the Penguin book series Who Was?

Albright College, and a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from The University of Texas at Austin. “When I transferred to Perkiomen School, my junior year of high school,” says Watts, “I was placed into the choir, due to my musical background. My late choir director insisted that I audition for district choir my senior year and as a result, we were elated to learn that I had placed fourth out of 75 bass ones without any formal training. It wasn’t until then that I discovered that I had an operatic voice. The school hired a new voice teacher to work with me and within two lessons, an operatic voice emerged.” In the article Watts also recognizes the late Mary Jane Royal, long-time Perkiomen choral director, as a musical inspiration. 1995 Rachel Demeter stood in goal like she just graduated during the Alumni Lacrosse game. Alumni Council President Larry Jackson was at Alumni Weekend, hosting the festivities. 1996 Jenn Majoras was back on campus for Alumni Weekend and filling everyone in on her daughter and alumna Caitlyn Kondradt ’16 first year at college. 1997 Shaun Yorgey was present at Alumni Weekend Shaun directed tours of the new Innovation Center alongside Headmaster Mark Devey and Associate Headmaster for Finance and Operations Mike Foux. 1999 u On June 18, 2016, Jamie Gordon-Rodriguez married Miguel Rodriguez at Congregation Keneseth Israel in Allentown.

90s 1991 It started with a Facebook conversation, and a few hundred posts later the Alumni Lacrosse game was formed. Ethan Rhodes ’92, Art Schuessler, and Lucas Velez organized decades of alumni to come out and play one more time. The co-ed game was great fun for the players and the spectators. John Rodgers and Cara Koch were among the fans for the game and celebrated great memories throughout the weekend. 1993 Dane Tobin P ’22 and his wife, Elena, were in attendance at Alumni Weekend. Their daughter, Hailey ’22, is a Perkiomen’s middle school student. Nick Nickers is back in the states and was thrilled to be part of the lacrosse game. Amanda Arkans enjoyed the Saturday BBQ as well. 1994 Benjamin Delp Watts was featured in Wyomissing Neighbors magazine in February 2017. Ben is a professional opera singer who is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Philosophy in Leadership at Alvernia University. He also currently serves on the Board of Trustees at The Reading Musical Foundation and has his Bachelor of Arts in Music, Theatre/Dramatic Literature, and German from

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t The Alumni Baseball game is usually in Pennsburg and always someone jokes, “This game should be in Puerto Rico.” This March the game was in Puerto Rico and a great group of players turned out. Taking the field in the field for the alumni were Luis Frontera, Ricky Maldonado, Juan Olivero, Gabe Torres, Angel Marrero ’01, Victor Rodriquez ’01, Max Eckert ’04, Manny Zeno ’04, Luis Serrano ’06, Miquel Valcarcel ’06, Jake Dougherty ’11, Jorge Montes ’11, Axel Rivera ’12, and Javier Quinones ’15.

00s

Peter Sharkey and his wife, Lauren, welcomed the birth of their first child in November. This summer, Jill Ziegler married Kevin Cahill. And, Mary and Adam Olson were married.

2000 Mike Stehpens was back on campus for Alumni Weekend. Jess Ziegler married Max Benjamin in May 2016. Shara Donohue and her husband, Zane Winey, visited campus in June 2016 to drop off some Small Polymer Clay Creations sculpture pieces for an Art Exhibit. While at Perkiomen, Shara could most often be found onstage in Kehs Hall. She attended Kutztown University before beginning a career as an independent puppeteer, storyteller and renaissance “Jillof-all-trades.” Shara works in schools with sciencetellers. com, combining storytelling and exciting science experiments into an unprecedented theatrical learning experience. Shara’s (and husband Zane’s) displays can be seen at local Craft and Renaissance Fairs. See more of Shara’s work on her Etsy page MadDashMinstrels: www.etsy.com/shop/MadDashMinstrels Peter Thobaben shared his paper mache and acrylic paint creature sculptures for an Art Exhibit. Pete earned his BFA in Illustration at the University of the Arts in 2004. After several years he returned to UA where he earned his MAT in Art Education. For the last five years Pete has been a public school art teacher in Atlanta. He is in the process of relocating to the Philadelphia area where he will serve as the middle school art teacher at the Abington Friends School. Pete’s paintings and sculptures are filled with whimsical creatures and imaginary landscapes, along with the occasional alien. To see more examples of both his work and student artwork as well as content about his teaching visit his website at: www.mrthobaben.com. Pete can also be contacted at ThobabenX@gmail.com.

2001 t Adrienne Nash Melendez and Carlos Melendez welcomed their first child into the world.

2004 Carly Herman Mayer has been making jewelry for more than a decade. She earned her BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry Design at Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in 2009. While at Tyler, Carly apprenticed with master leathersmith A. Jason Ross, owner of accessory company Artemas Quibble. In 2014 Carly and her two business partners, Desiree Casimiro and Emily Kane, launched the Philadelphia-based jewelry company Forge & Finish. The brand boasts marrying traditional and experimental metalsmithing techniques with mold-making and slab-forming which are at the core of Forge & Finish Studio. Some jewelry begins as metal sheet, rod, wire, and tubing while other pieces are molded and formed from clay or concrete. Together they offer a wide range of jewelry from collections that are easily mixed and matched providing endless options and fresh looks. Carly has also worked closely developing products with top Philadelphia clothing designer Bela Shehu of NINO brand, as well as the acclaimed Philadelphia glass blower Mathew Olian, owner of Grateful Glass. Forge & Finish studio and showroom is located at 2424 Coral Street, Philadelphia, PA 19125. Appointments can be booked by emailing them at Forgeandfinish@gmail.com. Find them online at www.forgeandfinish.com.

This spring, Greg McSwain welcomed his first child into the world. Erindira Tejada married James Farris in May. Chris Lawrence and his sister Mary Lawrence ’11 both came back for the Alumni Lacrosse game. 2005 Anna Dixon passed her licensing exam and graduated in May with her Masters in Social Work from University of Maryland School of Social Work. She was offered a job immediately after graduation and is now working at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore. Congratulations to Yusuf Jami on the birth of his daughter. Melissa Weinstein married Samantha Carney. 2007 In June, Hyun Joon “Ryan” Park and Noboyuki Suzuki ’09 (SJ Yeo) played lacrosse for the Korean National team at the ASPAC (Asian Pacific Championship) Lacrosse Games.

Congratulations Allen Amate on the birth of his second daughter. 2002 A special thanks to Stacy Bowe and her colleagues at The Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative. This critical initiative recovers and protects cultural heritage in times of crisis. Mike Zdrojesky earned the rank of Major in the U.S. Army this spring. 2003 Josh Glass and Dean Smith came back to play in the Alumni Lacrosse team. They still had their magical speed and great connecting passes.

Katie Park announced her engagement to Bobby Romanow. She works at Goldman Sachs. Marking their 10 year reunion Anthony Gordon, John Manferdini, Gifty Nii Moi, Betsy Starr, and Tom Wohlegmuth came to campus. 2008 Last summer, Dan Pittman choreographed the Northeastern Pennsylvania Premiere of Rock of Ages at the Little Theatre of Wilkes Barre, which opened in September. This fall, he started his third year at Dance Academy XIV and celebrated the second year of his store, Dan’s Dancewear. Dave Boehm and Collin Glass enjoyed playing in the lacrosse game on Alumni Weekend and seeing their friends Mike Sacks, Lauren

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Mayewski and Mike Pugliese. Lauren and Mike also celebrated their engagement with all of their friends. 2009 The Alumni Weekend Art Exhibition 2016 featured two acrylic paintings by Rachel Black. A Pennsylvania native, living in Philadelphia since 2009, Rachel earned her BFA in Painting from Temple University’s Tyler School of Art in 2014. Growing up surrounded by the woods of rural Pennsylvania, the natural landscape continues to inspire much of her work. Rachel currently works as the Philadelphia Grassroots Director for a leading animal welfare organization called The Humane League. The mission of The Humane League is very close to Rachel’s heart, and her passion for farm animal protection and love for all animals is very present in her paintings. Rachel paints a wide range of subject matter, from more serious subjects like the horrors of factory farming to more child-like and uplifting paintings featuring fantastical animal-like creatures in surreal settings. Rachel describes her work as “All things whimsical, beautiful and animal.” To see more of her artwork, check out her Etsy store www.etsy.com/shop/ RachelsAnimalArt. To learn more about Rachel’s work for animal rights visit www.thehumaneleague.com. In addition to managing the Perkiomen Fund, Christe Konopitski broke out her cleats to play in the Alumni Lacrosse game. Taylor Manferdini was on campus for the Alumni Weekend Celebrations. Min Jae Park is working for Target as a financial analyst in Minnesota. This spring, Morgan Snelling welcomed the birth of her first child.

10s

Maggie Dougherty graduated from Dickinson College and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. Gabby Glinski interned with the Town and Country Newspaper last summer. This spring, she graduated from Wilkes University with a degree in Communications. Olivier Joseph graduated from Williams College. He has been named a Fulbright Scholar. This fall he will be teaching English in Spain. Last summer. He was a Research Assistant with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, a pioneer in the science field, combining systematic approaches in the sciences with cutting edge technology to transform medicine and understanding of disease. His work at the Broad focused on discovering novel insulin resistance genes by studying adipocyte differentiation with the goals of furthering drug development for patients with Type 2 Diabetes and other comorbid diseases. He also returned from a semester abroad in Chile last December. Kate Wetzel was on campus for Alumni Weekend with Gabby Glinski, and Liz Burnett ’14. John Williams graduated from Susquehanna University with a degree in Communications. He has returned to Perkiomen to coach and work in the Communications office as an intern. 2014 In July 2016, Dagny Barone attended Global Village for Future Leaders of Business and Industry at Lehigh University. Throughout the program she lived and learned alongside 89 individuals from 46 different countries, she being one of only five from the United States. During the five weeks, she worked on a consulting team for the Republic of Georgia and attended different business classes on a variety of topics, as well as lectures by local executives.

2010 Brittany Slattery Kershaw graduated from Physician Assistant school in August 2015 and has been working as a Physicians Assistant. She married Bobby Kershaw in October 2015.

Last fall, Maddy Faraco participated in Widener University’s coop program at GlaxoSmithKline. Maddy and Mindy Gallagher played in the Alumni Lacrosse game as well.

Michael Lin who is living in Washington. DC was back on campus for Alumni Weekend.

Last academic year Emma Longstreth studied abroad at the University of Exeter in Devon England.

2011 Lindsey Manferdini, and Abigail Rose-Craver ’14 were among staff members working at Alumni Weekend. Jared Cameron made the trip across Pennsylvania for Alumni Weekend and relived his glory days on the lacrosse field. 2012 Congratulations to Bruce Brittingham who was a featured speaker and honored guest at a gala event for Urban Promise Trenton. Bruce shared his story about growing up in Trenton, attending Perkiomen, how it lead to a college scholarship. Bruce is working at Merrill Lynch. Yi Kan Marcus “Eason” Lai graduated from Mitchell College in May 2016, with a degree in Hotel and Resort Management. In July, he took on a position as Guest Service Manager at the Kolwoon Hotel in his home country of Hong Kong.

2013 Aicha Ba graduate from Colgate University and is working at the Doe Foundation.

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Joey Pena posted a great season with the St. Thomas Aquinas’ Spartans. The team made it to the National Championships tournament. Overall, the Spartans posted a 44-17 record, 20-5 in their conference. Perkiomen’s infielder Joey Pena posted a near perfect fielding record with a .955 fielding percentage. Pena was a leading contributor at the plate as well with a .378 batting average, .517 on base percentage, and a .545 slugging percentage. In May 2016, Abigail Rose-Craver returned from a semester-long study abroad program at the Universidad Veritas in San Jose, Costa Rica where she fulfilled her Spanish language residency requirement. In those four months, she traveled to all seven provinces and visited Nicaragua and Panama along the way. Tim Turner was on campus for the Alumni Lacrosse game. He is studying at Rochester Institute of Technology and has had an internship with Merck. He continues as an actor. He has done several commercials for his family’s car business.

Congratulations to Nicole Pupillo who was awarded the Circuit Champion in Horsemanship at the New Jersey Youth Quarter Horse Association in Dream Park, Gloucester County, NJ. 2015 In July 2016, Maddy Glinski graduated from her Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, VA for the US Army, specializing in Mortuary Affairs. She was second in her class. Immediately following the ceremony, she and her parents, Kelly ’86 and Richard, traveled to Fort Gordon in Georgia to visit sister Addy Glinski. Maddy is training to be a nurse for the US Army and will complete her studies in December. Angel Lopez pre-draft was ranked in the top 25 collegiate catchers in America. He was being pursued by several MLB teams. On draft day, Cleveland drafted Lopez in the 13th round. After his standout career at Perkiomen, he went to Northampton CC with draft hopes. At Northampton, his batting average was .411 with 14 home runs. His on-base percentage was .549. This season he drove in an impressive 62 runs. His slugging percentage leads the team at .858. Coach Baker says “Defensively Angel has great skill. Senior year he consistently posted a pop time between 1.85 and 1.9. He has strong footwork and is quick. Of course, the icing on the cake is his good bat speed and consistent hitting.”

2016 This year as a freshman at Lehigh, Minuette Laessig tied for 16th place in the Patriot League Tournament and shared Patriot League Rookie of the Year honors. Martynas Simanavicius stopped by campus for Alumni Weekend on his way home. During his first year in college, he was a member of the men’s basketball team for Union College that won the Liberty League. The victory came over Hobart College that included Justas Valciukas ’14. Perkiomen’s baseball standout, Levi Stoudt led Perkiomen’s baseball pitching staff for his four years. This fall he enrolled at Lehigh University and continued to lead on the mound in the Patriot League. Recently, he earned the honor of Freshman All-American. David Juechter is playing baseball for McGill University. This fall the team won the Canadian Collegiate Baseball Championship.

Do you have a class note for the next issue of the magazine? We hope so! Send it to Diana Weir-Smith, Alumni Director dweirsmith@perkiomen.org

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In Memoriam 1946

Raymond D. Angle died peacefully at his home in Florida on May 24, 2015. A World War II Veteran, he was born in Ithaca, NY, to the late Raymond D. Angle, Sr. and Elizabeth Willis Angle. He is survived by his wife, Sue Angle, two children, his brother, and several nieces and nephews. Ray grew up in Fanwood, NJ, and attended Perkiomen before serving in the US Marine Corps from 1945-1947. After graduating from Lafayette University, he worked for 28 years as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Pittsburgh, Jamestown, NY, and Scranton, PA. In Sarasota, he was a member of the Gulf Coast Chapter of Former FBI Agents. After retiring, Ray and Sue enjoyed golf and tennis as members of Palm Aire Country Club for 24 years. They had also been active volunteers with Golden Retriever Rescue. Ray was an Elder at Church of the Palms and served as Clerk of Session for 17 years. He served on many committees over the years, most recently on the Mission Committee and Memorial Garden Board.

1949

Wayne W. Diller passed away on July 29, 2015. Wayne was born in Philadelphia. He is survived by his four children and two grandchildren. He will also be lovingly remembered by his significant other, Fiorenza Anderten.

1952

Douglas Eugene Pinguely passed away on January 4, 2015 at St. Elizabeth Hospice Center in Edgewood, KY. During his Perkiomen years, he was a football player and involved with the glee club and the Perkiomenite student newspaper. Douglas was a Manufacturers Representative. He was a member of the Russell Springs Masonic Lodge, and the Highland United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois L. Pinguely, and his daughter, Jane C. Pinguely. He is survived by his son, Jeffrey Pinguely, his sister, Donna Nell Jones, three grandchildren, and a great grandson.

1953

Joseph Christy Rodri, Sr., of Wilson, NC passed away on December 15, 2015, after a four year battle with cancer. After graduation in 1952, he entered Perkiomen School and then joined the US Army in 1953. Upon his discharge from the Army, he attended North Carolina State University on a football scholarship. Joe starred on the 1957 ACC Championship team and played in the North-South All Star Senior Bowl in Florida. In 1957, he married the love of his life, JoAnne Gray. After graduation from NCSU, he worked with his brother in the restaurant business in Pennsylvania. Upon returning to North Carolina in 1960, he was a teacher and the head football coach at Roanoke Rapids High School. He left his teaching and coaching career to enter sales with Alton Packaging (later acquired by Jefferson-Smurfit) in Wilson in 1967, and went on to become their Sales Manager in 1974. Upon his retirement in 1996, Joe started Rodri Packaging Company with his son, Christy. Joe was active and involved in his Wilson community— alumni supporter for NC State University through the Wolfpack Club; he served as Fourth Degree District Deputy and Local Grand Knight, supporting LAMB, Share and Care with the Knights of Columbus; he served on the School Board and the Advisory Board for St. Therese Catholic Church, and

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was involved in building the current church; he was a member of the Elks Club, American Legion, Moose Lodge, and Wilson Country Club; and he coached various Wilson little league baseball teams. Joe was always the first in line to help others. Those that loved him share that he will be remembered as a man who was thoughtful and kind and who never met a stranger. He was one of the most broadly loved individuals in the community. He made everyone he met feel special and had a positive and fun-loving disposition. He will be missed dearly by many and thought of often. Joe is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, JoAnne, his two children, four grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, his sisters, and many nieces and nephews.

1954

The Alumni Office was informed that James Lockhart passed away in March 2015.

1955

Charles Hall Simpson of Crisfield, MD passed away peacefully on September 8, 2014. He was predeceased by his wife of 50 years, Earlene “Early” Sulin Simpson. Charley met Early at Washington College in Chestertown, MD, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree. He then discovered his love of teaching and went on to earn his Masters from Temple University and then his Ed.D from Rutgers University. He retired from the Maple Shade School Division in New Jersey in 1996 after over 30 years as an elementary school principal. They retired to Crisfield, because their love of boating and the Bay, and many a fun night was had on I Pier. He was an avid photographer and a lover of good conversation – to the point that he would choose to take the opposing view, if for no other reason than to liven up a conversation. He will truly be missed.

1958

The Alumni Office has received notice of the passing of Alan Wolnek on December 15, 2012. Alan was born in New York and resided in Lighthouse Point, FL. He is survived by his two sons, David and Jason, his grandchildren Kayla, Brenden, Hanna and Jacob, and his loving companion, Lorraine Duval. The impact of Alan’s life will live on for many years through his family and his many accomplishments. Alan was a pioneer in childcare and education. In 1985, Alan moved to Florida and took over the operation of Alphabetland Preschool in Coral Springs. This became the launching pad for other organizations including ASP, which Alan built into the largest private not-for-profit after care provider in the State of Florida. Over a 27 year period, Alan served as a champion for economically challenged families and children and realized the importance of structured after school programs that could assist parents and children. In 1991, Alan formed ASP for Broward County schools. Alan took the organization statewide and there are now a total of 76 after care programs in Florida. In the last year of his life, Alan joined the fight for proper nutrition for students, citing recent studies that connected poor nutrition to a student’s poor performance in school. In typical fashion, Alan turned this concern into a cause and in December 2011, ASP introduced The Free Supper Program. He was also active in the community as a member of the Before and After School Advisory Committee, and a corporate board member of Junior Achievement of South Florida. Alan served on the corporate board of directors for The Boys & Girls Club of Broward and was

a member of the Broward Community Foundation. His loved ones share that Alan lived a full and happy life with his family and friends. He had a passion for the water and enjoyed boating, skiing, fishing, diving, travel and flying.

1961

Gordon R. Laubach of Media, PA died February 7, 2016 after a sixyear battle with ALS. Gordon was a 28-year member of St. Timothy’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Gordon was passionate about Friends of the Chester Creek Rail–Trail, Delaware County, PA. He was a broadcast engineer for WCAU TV-CBS/NBC and is survived by his wife of 35 years, Anne Marie DePaul Laubach, four children, and five grandchildren.

1962

John Bennett passed away on September 19, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Penni, three children, six grandchildren, and one greatgrandson. John served in the Air Force, started the neo-natal unit at Seton Hospital in Austin, TX, and was instrumental in the formation of the School of Inhalation Therapy at SW Texas State, now known as Texas State University, but his family and friends say he was best known for the pranks he played. Robert Montague, of Amelia Island, FL, passed away on March 1, 2017 after a long battle with brain cancer. He is survived by the love of his life, best friend and incomparable caretaker, Tina. Bob is also survived by two children, a grandson, and numerous nieces and nephews. Bob was a graduate of Dickinson College, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law where he served as Business Editor of the Law Review. From 1966 to 1970 he served as a Lt (j.g.), Surface Warfare Officer and Communications Officer aboard the guided missile cruiser, USS Chicago (CG-11). He also served aboard the amphibious command ship, USS LaSalle (LPD-3). From 1969 to 1970 he served as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer attached to Battalion Landing Team, 1/10, U.S. Marine Corps. He was an early member of Vietnam Veterans Against The War. Bob practiced law in the areas of securities and corporate finance and spent the bulk of his career with Robins Kaplan, Minneapolis, MN. He served on various corporate boards and before retiring to Florida in 2005, he resided in Wayzata, MN.

1964

Felice Proctor notified the Alumni Office that her brother, Paul G. Proctor, passed away on August 15, 2015 at his home in Budd Lake, NJ. Felice shares that Paul was a life-long musician and one of his best memories of Perkiomen was the small combo he played in there with three other Perkiomen students. That experience helped confirm for him his chosen career path as a musician, one he loved and never regretted for a moment. During the late 1960s and 1970s and into the 1980s, he contributed his skills as a trumpeter, guitarist, organist and vocalist as a member of several New Jersey bands, among which were The Kidd Brothers, Hog Heaven, and Showcase. After retiring from regular band work, Paul turned his energies to teaching both guitar and composition, and to pursuing two other pastimes, woodworking and oil painting, both of which he enjoyed thoroughly.

1965

John Lenox notified the Alumni Office that his brother, William “Bill” Lenox, passed away suddenly in Vail, Colorado on January 20, 2017. Bill is survived by his wife Marilyn, three sons, two grandchildren, and two brothers. Known for his entrepreneurial achievements, generous spirit and engaging character, Bill found business success with Circle T Western Wear, Bob’s Steak & Chophouse, BSCH, Inc., a partnership with Omni Hotels & Resorts. He served on the Board of the Dallas Contemporary Museum and was a collector and patron of the arts. Bill’s son shares, “He loved people, and people loved him. While probably best known for his business acumen, I want people to know that he was funny, he loved his family, and his friends were very important to him.”

1968

The Alumni Office was notified that J. Victor de Journo passed away on March 10, 2015.

1972

D. Alan Garber passed away March 18, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Ellen (Parastino) Garber. After graduating from Perkiomen School, Alan worked at various car dealerships as a vehicle sales representative for more than 20 years until his retirement. Alan found joy in fishing and all varieties of music but especially enjoyed 70s Rock n’ Roll. He was a member of New Hanover Evangelical Lutheran Church.

1981

Lawrence Carl Olivieri passed away after a long illness on February 29, 2016. After Larry graduated from Perkiomen, he attended Elizabethtown College. He founded and was president of The Fabricologist, a well-known carpet and upholstery cleaning company. He leaves to cherish in his memory many friends and family members. His loved ones share that Larry will be remembered for his big heart, wonderful laugh, love of family, and was the handsomest of men both inside and out.

2010

The Alumni Office was notified that Stephen David Lewis, III passed away on March 27, 2017. Stephen was finishing his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from Drexel University. In pursuit of his degree, he had two co-ops at Intel in Allentown, PA and was employed as a Junior Computer Engineer at ConnectDER in Philadelphia, PA. He earned his Second Degree Black Belt from Eagleville Tae Kwon Do Academy and competed in the Junior Olympics in 2001 and 2003. His family shares that Stephen enjoyed helping others and tutored math in school. He was an avid on-line gamer and, through that, made friends throughout the world. He is survived by his parents, paternal grandparents, paternal great grandmother, aunts, and cousins.

The Alumni Office was notified that Anthony Cucinotta passed away on June 22, 2017.

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Faculty

Beloved nurse Elaine Holley died peacefully in her sleep on July 20, 2016. She received her nursing degree at Chestnut Hill Hospital in Philadelphia and continued her education at Cedar Crest College. From then, she served as Perkiomen’s resident nurse for 34 years until she retired in 1997. The many decades of students she cared for remember her for her unending compassion and energy. Elaine was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church as well as SPCNA. In her retirement, she enjoyed taking trips to the local flea markets, catching up with Perkiomen faculty members at lunch gatherings, and going to Florida to visit her son, Ken ’77. Joyce “Jodi” Kelton passed away on March 10, 2017. She came to Perkiomen in 1979, teaching eighth and ninth grade English. Over the years, Jodi was a mainstay at Perkiomen, teaching hundreds of students from all over the world, including her own children. In addition, she also coached softball and the cheerleading squad, managed the school’s dining hall, accompanied boarding students on weekend and international trips, went to school at night for her Master’s degree, started a cake decorating business, and watched her children play soccer, tennis, lacrosse, and swim. Jodi spent the last part of her career as a reading specialist and tending the gardens at Perkiomen; she retired in 2009. Much of her retirement was spent listening to jazz, drinking coffee at Starbucks, taking care of her own garden and fish, and being ever optimistic about the Philadelphia Eagles. Jodi is survived by her son, Colin Kelton ’85, daughters, Kristen Mazurek ’88 and Megan Kelton-Rehkopf ’92, six grandchildren and two brothers.

Friends and Supporters

Barbara A. Brown passed away September 2, 2016. She was preceded in death by her husband, former Perkiomen Headmaster James O. Brown, in 2003. She was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Bellfonte, PA and enjoyed reading and spending time with her grandchildren. Norman Seidel of Easton died at home on December 29, 2014. He was the father of Trustee Judy Waldman PP ’10 and grandfather of Allison Buckley Waldman ’10. He was an Attorney in the Easton area starting in private practice in 1941, then with the Seidel, Cohen, Hof and Reid Law offices. He was a graduate of Easton High School in 1934, Lafayette College in 1938 and University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1941. An active member of B’nai Abraham Synagogue, he was a Past President of the Northampton County Bar Association; Counsel for the Easton Redevelopment Authority and a founder of ProJeCt of Easton. He is survived by two daughters and four grandchildren and was predeceased by his wife, Myriel. Katherine “Kay” Strelecky passed away in the presence of her daughters on March 10, 2016, in Reston, VA. She was preceded in death by her husband, former faculty member Richard Strelecky, in 1979. Kay, or Kate as she was known to family, received degrees from Carlow College and The Catholic University of America before embarking on a career as a research scientist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). She married Richard and raised four children before returning to work in social services eventually retiring as the Director of the Upper Perkiomen Senior Center. Kay was a community volunteer, lifelong gardener, avid reader, and lover of classical music and crossword puzzles. She enjoyed the company of her family, bus trips and theater with her friends, and the loving attention of her cat, Bill. She was a former member of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Pennsburg. She is survived by her children and five grandchildren.

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

William H. Swalm, father of Laura Swalm ’92, passed away on January 31. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Carolyn K. Swalm, and second wife, Anne Cornell Swalm. Bill was a proud Korean War Veteran who graduated from Wharton School of Business as well as General Motors Institute to become President and Owner of Foss Hughes, Lincoln-Mercury Corp in Doylestown. He continued his career at J.L Freed Honda dealership. Bill loved the automobile industry but his true success was as a loving husband, amazing father to five wonderful children, and grandfather to three treasured grandchildren. His loved ones share that Bill was a remarkable man enriching the lives of everyone who knew him. Always with a smile or sage advice, Bill would extol his wisdom on life and living to all around him. His patience was a rare gift and his ability to take pleasure in the little things was a lesson we will all take with us. He had unique ways of handling any sized problem and helped people understand that anything is possible with hope, patience and love.

Celebration of Art in School

Walter E. Baum Exhibit October 27, 2017 | 7:00 pm Carnegie Library

In conjunction with the Michener Museum, Perkiomen School will host an exhibit of Walter E. Baum’s paintings. The Michener Museum’s current exhibit Dedicated, Displayed, Discovered: Celebrating the Region’s School Art Collection includes the works of Walter E. Baum. As part of the preparation for the exhibit, co-curators Adrienne Neszmelyi-Romano, Director of Interpretation & Innovation and Louise Feder, Assistant Curator reached out to Perkiomen to learn more about the school’s Baum Collection. Perkiomen has a small collection of five paintings. In 1948, Baum held a retrospective at Perkiomen, so it is fitting that this exhibition is in the same place. Baum believed that art is an integral part of education. Today, this is a value continues to live with passion in the Perkiomen community. Annually, 10% of each graduating seniors matriculate at Art Schools including FIT, Parsons, Pratt, Savannah College of Art and Design, and University of the Arts. Walter Baum was born in 1884 and had a long and diverse career as a painter, museum director, teacher and critic. He studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts and apprenticed under Thomas Anschultz. Baum chose a more academic route in his art while other American artists were celebrating more artistic freedom. He produced more than 2,000 works in oil, tempera, watercolor, and pastel. His artwork is generally divided into two distinct groups; landscapes of Delaware River Valley, illustrating woodlands, creeks and the countryside, and cityscapes of surrounding towns with detailed architecture, intense pure color and objects outlined in bright black. In addition to painting, Baum co-founded and supported the Lehigh Art Alliance in the 1930s. He also served as Director of the Allentown Museum of Art and headed the Baum School of Art. He is often considered the “Father of Art in Lehigh Valley.” (Caldwell Gallery)

The exhibition at Perkiomen will include the school’s Baum Collection, pieces by Melville Stark (one of Baum’s most talented students), watercolors by Brad Hendershot, and sculptures from David Flaharty and Steve Tobin. For more information about the event or viewing the exhibit contact Carol Dougherty, Associate Headmaster cdougherty@perkiomen.org FA L L 201 7

THE PHOENIX SOCIETY

Create a legacy for generations to come

Perkiomen Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Planned Giving Society

Planned gifts consistently have the greatest short and long-term impact on Perkiomen students. Recently, estate gifts from Dr. Frank S. Riordan and William C. Woodmansee were integral in the funding of the new residence halls and the Innovation Center. Historically, planned gifts have funded the natatorium, the chapel, and scholarships. Many donors allow the school to assign their gift to the schools greatest need at the time. Other donors choose to direct their gift to a specific program, building project, fund, or endowment. Planned gifts can be as simple as a bequest in a will. Bequests provide substantial tax benefits for family members. However, these gifts can also be structured to provide income now, or in the future for your spouse or child. There are numerous options available to meet your needs. Perkiomen offers a web tool to find the best option for you. On the website (www.perkiomen. org) click on alumni and then click on plan a legacy to explore your options. If you would like to set up a personal meeting, contact Mr. Karl Welsh, Director of Development 215-541-5048 or Kwelsh@perkiomen.org

P E R K I O M E N M AG A Z I N E

Rea ’67 Named Distinguished Alumnus Doug Rea ’67 was awarded the honor of Distinguished Alumnus early in June. He received Bachelor’s degrees in social work and sociology from Union College in Kentucky in 1971 and went on to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) to earn his MFA in photography in 1974. Doug was a professor of photojournalism as well as editorial and documentary photography at RIT from 1975 until he retired in 2015. In his tenure, he explored digital photo techniques, including establishing the ESP (Electronic Still Photography) Lab in 1989, and he was Chair of the Photojournalism Department from 2002-2010. Doug’s humanitarian photography has filled a critical need for those he documents as he focuses on spreading awareness of their struggles but also highlighting their achievements. In allowing these innovators to tell their stories, he also empowers them to continue to take risks to improve and make the best of their situations. Some of his humanitarian projects have taken place in Afghanistan, Europe, Haiti, India, Indonesia, North America, South America, and Sub-Saharan Africa. He is honored to have photographed the 2010 and 2012 Opus Prize recipients for a book titled The World is Our Home. Doug is also a freelance photographer working for NGOs, news agencies, and motorsports interests. His work has been published in various national and international media outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, and ESPN.

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