Buckingham Friends School: Seedlings Spring 2021

BUCKINGHAM FRIENDS SCHOOL

SPRING 2021

together. wherever!

BUCKINGHAM FRIENDS SCHOOL

MISSION

Buckingham Friends School honors the Light within each person, inspires scholarship and spiritual community, and instills the value of caring for others and our world.

CORE VALUES

Rooted in the beliefs and traditions of Quakers, our values as a Friends school guide us to engage members of the school community in the shared responsibility of honoring the Light within each person and fostering the growth, individual talents, and passions of every student.

2020-2021 BOARD OF TRUSTEES

ADMINISTRATION

EDITOR

Michael Godshall, Clerk

Paul Lindenmaier

Katelynn Connolly

Laura Kinnel, Assistant Clerk

Head of School

Olivia Brangan, Assistant Secretary Lisa Pretecrum, Treasurer Andrew Garrett ’80 Chris Kerr

Melissa Clayton

Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Lukas Makris

Katelynn Connolly

Alison Mitchell ’81

Director of Advancement

Peter Rapaport

Chris Searle

Alexis Ridge-Simek

Director of Finance and Operations

Robert Roop George Yarnall

COPY EDITORS Michael Butler, Michele Levy COVER PHOTO Ralph Ozwald, rvoiiiphoto.com CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Katelynn Connolly, Paul Lindenmaier, Ralph Ozwald CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Nancy Sandberg

Katelynn Connolly, Rachel Griffin-Snipes,

Academic Coordinator, Secondary

Paul Lindenmaier, Isabella Tamburrino-Schrieber

School Placement Coordinator

DESIGN & PRODUCTION Brad Wilson

Every effort was made to present the information in this edition of Seedlings as accurately as possible, If you notice any errors, omissions, or misrepresentations, please contact Katelynn Connolly at advancement@bfs.org.

Contents FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL MOVING FORWARD: PLANNING FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS

2

3

ESTABLISHING A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION… RIGHT FROM THE START 4 FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS

5

ADMISSIONS UPDATE

6

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

7

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

7

COMMUNITY MEMBER PROFILE

9

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE ZOOM

10

NANCY SANDBERG RETIREMENT

11

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

12

ALUMNI NEWS

13

IN MEMORIAM

16

5 6

11

12

SPRING

|

1

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL PAUL LINDENMAIER

Together. Wherever!

ON E Y E A R AGO,

as we quickly evolved our ways of teaching and connecting in response to

the COVID crisis, we adopted “BFS: Together. Wherever!” as the mantra for sustaining the spirit of our community while implementing our new distance learning model. As I think back over the past year, I can point to many times when we surpassed the goals and expectations we had established for ourselves:

• O ur faculty tapped into every tool in their toolbox

and into their own emotional courage to embrace the challenges before them—always with a deep regard for every child and our mission.

• O ur vibrant, connected community came together virtually to celebrate so many beloved traditions.

• O ur friends and donors gave even more generously

than usual to support financial aid when emergency need arose.

• O ur alumni continued to demonstrate their deep connection to the school, and to one another.

It was then, and still is today, inspiring and rewarding to see the many ways that the BFS community can be “Together. Wherever!”

It has been a gift to return to our beloved campus these past several months, to be among friends and colleagues (masked and distanced, of course). And, it’s been exciting to advance the next steps of the excellent campus master planning process that we completed together before the pandemic struck. I think having to be away from campus actually deepened our appreciation of this wondrous place—our wide open outdoor and natural spaces; our historic buildings; the excitement about the enterprise of teaching and learning; and the memories we have of growth, joy, and accomplishment through the years.

We have been working through a rigorous, heartbreaking, stressful, and extraordinarily difficult time—and it’s not over yet. For those of you who are not part of the dayto-day experience at BFS, I am proud to share that we have been doing such a fine job under these daunting and unrelenting circumstances, moving forward through uncharted waters and stormy seas with purpose, always focused on the children and living our mission as a Friends school.

2

|

SEEDLINGS

Everyone has drawn upon the special well that is unique to the BFS community—both near and afar. Our teachers have done nothing short of an extraordinary job all year.

It is humbling to reflect on how much they care about every child, how they support one another, the concern they hold for the community, and all of the ways they have “shown up!” Our students have been equally exceptional, and our community of parents has rallied with unity, creativity, and support. We can all find solace in the realization that together we have made something special and important happen; we have been united in taking care of our children, enabling them to move forward as joyful learners—academically, socially, creatively, emotionally, and spiritually.

In this issue of Seedlings, you’ll find an update on the campus master planning process, a tribute to one of our beloved veteran staff members, memories of favorite spaces, news about former students and community members, stories about academic and community programs teaching valuable lessons about diversity, equity, and belonging, and so much more. If you have not been in touch with BFS in some time, I invite you to reach out, to share your stories, to send a special teacher an email, to go to our website, and to consider how you may want to join us in our future endeavors.

Paul Lindenmaier Head of School PS: Thank you for being such active and enthusiastic ambassadors for our admissions work. Re-enrollment has been better than ever, interest in BFS is strong, we have waiting lists in several classes, and you have played a crucial role in sparking that interest. Thank you!

MOVING FORWARD:

Planning for a Sustainable Campus PAUL LINDENMAIER

For 226 years, our wonderful campus has been central to the Buckingham Friends School experience. Over these past few months, we have grown to love and value it even more, aware that our strong sense of community is rooted in a shared sense of place. We’ve also explored new uses of our campus, in particular taking advantage of outdoor space for an expanded array of curricular and community activities alike.

As this unprecedented year comes to a close, we are proud to say that we are making important progress in developing a blueprint for stewardship of our campus for years to come: the Buckingham Friends School’s Master Facilities Plan, which is now in the concept stage.

Last year, we were privileged to work with Jim Childress and Elizabeth Hedde of Centerbrook Architects, who facilitated a process to develop this plan, inviting participation and ideas from members from every BFS constituency group. The result of this comprehensive and inclusive community process, which can be found on the BFS website, is Stewarding Our Campus: Buckingham Friends School’s Master Facilities Plan, a blueprint for stewardship and a guide for the improvement and care of our campus for years to come.

We look forward to realizing the vision this project has brought into focus and achieving the goals it has identified. Doing so will benefit future generations of BFS students and families, while celebrating the character and legacy of those who have come before.

SPRING

|

3

Establishing a Strong Foundation for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion…

Right from the Start RACHEL GRIFFIN-SNIPES

With the racial events of this past summer on their minds and in their hearts, Lower School teachers felt called to develop a curricular experience for our youngest learners that would lay the foundation for the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the older grades.

“We strive to create citizens who value diversity, have strong self-identification, and want to advocate for peace and justice,” says Kindergarten teacher Juli Vogelsang. Through research, professional development, and cross-grade-level conversation, the five Lower School teachers began building a weekly class called Lower School Gathering.

Reading books such as I am Enough by Grace Byers, The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson, and We’re Different, We’re the Same by Bobbi Kates, Lower Schoolers engaged in discussions, projects, and activities exploring the themes of personal and group identity, inclusion, and diversity.

First grade teacher Rachel GriffinSnipes reflected, “This really is important and vital work we are doing with our youngest students.

Lower School Gathering is quickly becoming one of the best times of the week. We come together in mixed age groups to learn and share, and we all get to know each other that much more deeply.”

In this year in which large community gatherings have been hard to come by, they created outdoor learning experiences based on the standards of the Teaching Tolerance Curriculum developed by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Second grade teacher Ryan Rostine explains, “In planning the experiences, we have been intentional in addressing all areas of the Teacher Tolerance standards including Identity, Diversity, Justice, and Action. We believe it is important for students to learn at this young age that differences in others are to be celebrated and embraced.”

During the colder months, the Lower School continued to meet each week via Zoom. Books were shared and conversations were held in classroom groups, but the intent of the experience remained the same. “Lower School students grow into being valued members of the BFS community by experiencing our Gathering together. It provides a rich foundation to understand our commonalities and celebrate differences in a meaningful, developmentally appropriate way,” says Mary Beth Nyce, first grade assistant teacher.

“Our kids are biracial—I am Chinese American and Jon is white. Though there aren’t many families at BFS who might look like us, what we have loved about our school is its commitment to social justice, equity, and personal stewardship—to ‘let your life speak.’ We have felt so welcome and encouraged by this community, especially with the many current events weighing heavily on all of us.”

– Jen Robinson, current parent

4

|

SEEDLINGS

?

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE ON CAMPUS

“I have two memories of BFS at the moment - the first being seasonal: the sledding hill with big imposing trees on either side that only occasionally led to broken limbs! I never had a run-in, but now that my son is bombing the hills I feel both excited and afraid for him! I also remember the quiet afternoon yoga sessions with Ms. Marsten in the music room in the basement of the arts building, where we learned to notice our breath, challenge our bodies, and relax so deeply that we almost fell asleep.

What a great option for a kid not oriented to team sports, and a time to appreciate the meditative side of life early enough to carry it for decades afterward. I eventually studied at a Zen Buddhist monastery in Kyoto (for a month, a short stint but valuable), and would have to say the yoga class started that path.”

Chris Fanjul ‘09

What memories or feelings are stirred when you imagine this special place?

“I feel like there were so many!

But recently I was thinking about the sledding hill...

It got really snowy here and I found myself wishing that I had access to a hill as AMAZING as the one at BFS. I feel like sledding with friends at recess was something I took for granted and now realize what a unique and special experience that was.”

Katie Sigety ‘12

“It’s gotta be the stretch of trail leading from the pond to the lower field... the way the dappled light of the woods opens up to sunshine and that broad expanse of grass - and all the memories of playing soccer there.”

Krispin Leydon ‘91

“Some of my best memories of BFS are skating on the pond with Peter Barry, sledding down the hill behind the main building (some of us did chip a tooth), and Madame Plough marching on her desk as she enthusiastically sang the French national anthem (I can still sing most of it!).”

Alison Mitchell ‘81

SPRING

|

5

ADMISSIONS UPDATE:

A Record Year All Around!

PAUL LINDENMAIER

LAURA DOWNS

We are delighted to report that—thanks to the hard work of so many members of the BFS community—interest in our school is at an all-time high: • 97% of our current families have already re-enrolled for next year.

• Attendance at our open houses is up 200%.

• We currently have wait lists for multiple grades.

Credit for this good news must be shared many ways.

We are proud of our faculty for their passion and ingenuity as they continue to deliver the BFS experience. Their commitment to our students, to BFS, and to each other is unparalleled—and quite evident to our current and prospective families.

We are grateful to our current and alumni families for their trust in us, for their commitment to our community, and for their willingness to help spread the word about BFS. Word of mouth is by far our most powerful marketing tool—and our families are the most successful ambassadors.

Special thanks go to Melissa Clayton, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. Melissa has transformed our enrollment management process over the past few years (and then completely reinvented it this year!). While constantly taking a broad perspective, she is able to connect with and discover the promise in each child she meets.

The extraordinary nature of the BFS community has never been more apparent than in the past 12 months. We are pleased and proud at how that has manifested itself in a successful admissions effort, and we are excited to see the momentum continue!

I loved my world, but at the age of six, holding my black lunchbox with a red plaid thermos, I marched off with my older brother across the fields to first grade at Buckingham Friends School. I remember the little red chairs, “Dick and Jane’ readers, and the fact that there were eight in my class. I also recall that recess was my favorite subject! As a young child, I thought a Friends school meant I would have a lot of friends.

But, as I learned, it meant a Quaker School where, each Thursday at Meeting for Worship, we’d sit in silence on benches for forty-five minutes as people rose to speak.

– KITSIE CONVERSE ‘53 Read the whole story at bfs.org/lightsinaction

6

|

SEEDLINGS

noteworthynews

L

ast year, the BFS communications team introduced a weekly newsletter filled with highlights, reminders, and important announcements for current

parents, faculty, and board members. You can find newsletter stories posted on the home page news section of the School’s website, bfs.org. These stories provide a great way to stay up-to-date on BFS happenings and catch glimpses into the life of the school, from the First Grade Zoo project to the sixth grade Escape Room and from celebrating student successes to announcing the arrival of a new faculty member. It’s a must-visit hub for all things BFS today.

community Service to others is integral to the BFS experience and remains a central influence o on the personhood of the student. Just ask any BFS alum!

Here are just a few ways that students this year were able to connect with local n organizations that support our neighbors in need: n Sydney Fox, Shop Teacher, led projects throughout the grades producing wooden pull toys and Tic-Tac-Toe game boards that were donated to Fisherman’s Mark, a social service organization in Lambertville, New Jersey, for their holiday gift e program serving low-income families and individuals in need. c Lower School students made Valentine’s Day crafts for senior citizens living in lowincome housing in Philadelphia. Our partner for this project was HACE, a community development organization that serves a mainly Hispanic neighborhood. Students t were told that the most serious problem many of the residents face is loneliness and that by sending a Valentine, they could send a bit of love. i The BFS annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day service project benefits The Bucks County Housing Group. Each year, the School community collects, sorts, and o delivers adult personal hygiene product kits, as well as breakfast bags filled with nutritious foods for children. Although we could not gather together this year, the community “showed up” by participating fully in delivering items. The first grade n class, the host of this school-wide event, visited with Madelaine Burgess, BCHG Food Pantry Manager via Zoom to learn about their mission. s The fourth grade class, led by Jennifer Gibson, supports the SPCA. This year, Natalie DiGiacomo, the Director of Community Outreach for Bucks County SPCA, visited the class via Zoom to educate the students about the work and mission of the organization and ways that students can make a difference. The fourth graders will now create presentations to share with other classes, spreading the word about this important organization. This year, the students are also partnering with a local toy shop to raise funds for the SPCA to benefit the animals in our area, while promoting Shop Local. In addition, they are making original art note cards to sell in support of our local animals in need.

SPRING

|

7

D.E. Steward ‘49 ‘Talking River, No 16, Spring 2014, Lewiston, ID

“Three things matter in this world: memory, environment and text.”

– REIN SEPP (1921-1995)

Tannic brown oak leaves on blond sandstone Blow into corners rattle in the bare trees

A strider’s handles bang in low November sun A quiet schoolyard of dazzle light facets

Off the old building’s southeast corner line A vivid angled edge of fieldstone rising to Copper guttered slate roof eave overhang

Brilliant sun nappe broken to cold shadow Chilly swing chains each seat worn slick

As the ground around this small school of Three hundred years of light shafts at its

Sunny southeast corner where Indians came Out of the woods to beg from knickered

Quakers who slipped off with kith and kin To bar the door and shutter out the light

8

|

SEEDLINGS

What was the highlight of your BFS experience?

Everything about it! The friends, the teachers, everything we learned. That included the value of service to others and caring for one’s community— the way you learn how to “work it out” and the way you’re taught to listen. We were exposed to so much.

For example, in eighth grade we visited a prison and learned how we could help members of the broader community.

I appreciate that there was equal access to all things regardless of gender. Boys and girls did the same activities. We were given the same opportunities in subject choices as well as sports. BFS does a great job educating students to take responsibility for their actions and to be kind and look at the other side of things. There was a great balance. We worked really hard but played really hard.

Why do you support BFS? BFS is a gem of a school. The teachers are amazing, and I know that because of its smaller size, my support is that much more meaningful. I want the students to have the same opportunities that I had.

Can you share some lessons learned that have stuck with you?

The experience of gender equality at BFS helped me to develop a sense of character that enabled me to advocate for myself later in life. When I was entering the workforce after graduating college, I was awakened to the fact that the genders are not treated equally.

Having that inclusive experience as a child gave me the grit and tools to advocate for myself and others.

COMMUNITY MEMBER PROFILE

Ashley Garrett ’72 QUICK FACTS: LIVES IN NEW YORK CITY.

How have you seen BFS change for the better and what are your aspirations for its future?

GRADUATED FROM SMITH COLLEGE WHERE SHE STUDIED THEATER.

I’m struck by the way the School has improved physically, the trips that the students go on, and most especially the JEM program. This did not exist when I was a student.

A PHOTOGRAPHER SPECIALIZING IN LIVE PERFORMANCES, PROFESSIONAL HEAD SHOTS, AND PORTRAITS.

I am also excited about the recent plans to update the School’s campus and physical plant. The School continues to work to improve. I am looking forward to seeing how it continues to increase its diversity in the future.

FOR 20 YEARS, RAN ALL SOULS SOUP KITCHEN IN NEW YORK—SERVING 2,000 MEALS A YEAR.

What will your next challenge in life be?

My goal in life has always been to raise my two daughters, Megan and Caitlin, with the right values, and I believe I have successfully launched them into the world now with those tools. I would like to continue to grow as a photographer. What makes me happiest is to give people photographs that they love. Being able to sit with my subject—to draw out that comfort and trust to produce a fantastic image, and to make that positive difference is great. I would ultimately like to take a photo that has a lot of meaning for a lot of people.

SPRING

|

9

IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT THE ZOOM

Penning Conversations Across the Globe ISABELLA TAMBURRINO-SCHREIBER

Every year in September, I begin a year-long pen pal exchange between the Buckingham Friends School students in grades 6,7, and 8 studying French and students of Collège Saint-Martial in Montmorillon, France.

The goals of this exchange program are to establish an international relationship—the JEM component—and to have an enriching language experience.

I usually create a Wikispace in which the American and French students communicate regularly. This simple yet effective blog has enabled my students not only to strengthen their language abilities but also to develop a long-lasting relationship with their French friends.

Pen pal partnerships are often formed out of personal relationships, so this year I asked my friend and colleague Mme. Cusin to connect me with the fourth and fifth grade teachers of Saint-Martial. The students from France write in English to practice their English, and my students write in French to practice their French.

Given the young age and the basic language skills of our students, we have opted for a simplified teacher-guided approach that focuses on communication and ongoing collaborative projects. The whole class selects a theme and completes a poster with photos and captions. Then the poster is scanned and sent to France and vice versa. The first poster was about “moi” (me).

While travelling to France has been on hiatus due to COVID-19, this pen pal exchange has ignited a curiosity for the world outside and has allowed my students to benefit immensely as they are using their language skills to communicate authentically.

“My great-grandma is from France, and my dad was born in Canada, so this experience makes me feel more connected to my family’s history.”

Asher Mendelsohn ’25

“The way Madame set it up, it influences the friendship to be more authentic, than just a school assignment.”

Henry Liddelli ‘22

“I was supposed to go to France last spring, but due to COVID the trip was canceled. This pen pal experience has allowed me to have a connection with, and exposure to the culture and hopefully a long lasting friendship.”

Christina Makris ‘22

10

|

SEEDLINGS

Nancy Sandberg PAUL LINDENMAIER

This past winter, Nancy Sanberg —BFS’s highly-regarded, respected, and beloved academic coordinator and secondary school counselor —announced her intention to conclude her career as an educator, wrap up her spectacular run at BFS, and retire this year. “Nancy is moving on from BFS this year, but she is leaving us with an incredible legacy that defines for the ages what it means to be a member of the BFS community, ‘’ says Steve Bernardini. After she leaves BFS, Nancy plans to move to be closer to her growing family and one-year-old grandson in New Jersey.

Not surprisingly, she’s excited about this opportunity to begin a new phase in her life!

Nancy has worked at BFS for 35 years. A consummate professional and independent school and Friends school educator, she has served our school in countless and immeasurable ways, first as a teacher of Russian, beginning in September 1985, in grades 6,7, and 8; then as a coordinating teacher of math and science in Lower School; then as a second grade teacher for four years; then as a fourth grade teacher for 18 years; and, most recently, in her current role for the past four years. She has served on countless committees, traveled around the world as part of our JEM program, chaired our accreditation process, and participated in every way imaginable in the life of the school.

With compassion and a deep regard for children and her colleagues, Nancy has touched the educational and personal lives of a generation of students, their parents, and her colleagues.

Linc continues, “In the last several years, after stepping down as fourth grade teacher, Nancy has assumed various administrative roles, working in the main office next to the head of school.

What a journey she has had from the basement, windowless Russian classroom!”

“How do you capture in words the essence of a friend and colleague, when words are inadequate to describe the impact the person has made on you and on an entire community? How do you articulate the vast array of thoughts, feelings, and memories that encompass the aura of a person with whom you’ve worked, played, laughed, and learned for over three decades?”

– S teve Bernardini, current faculty

“In all capacities these past 35 years, Nancy has served the BFS community and ten BFS heads of school with dedication, grace, and good cheer. I valued her as a wonderful colleague and continue to appreciate Nancy as a good friend.”

– Linc Merwin, former faculty member

I met Nancy during the Cold War days when geopolitical tensions were high. As an attempt to help BFS students better understand the Soviet Union and Russian people, the School hired Nancy to teach beginning Russian language and culture classes in sixth through eighth grade.

Richard Eldridge, then Head of School of BFS, and I were also interested in learning Russian. So (much to Nancy’s joy I’m sure), Rich and I sat in on her sixth grade Russian classes. From this experience, I learned two things: First, Nancy was a stellar teacher. Second, she was an extraordinary person.

Nancy was engaging, focused, and patient.

Her ability to communicate information with empathy and patience was clear, as was her knowledge of child development. But most of all, Nancy was a teacher who cared. She cared about each child, about their families, about her coteachers, about the world.

Nancy embodies the very spirit of our school, she has loved working at BFS, and her contributions to the culture, vitality, and successes of the school have been nothing short of remarkable. Abby Galardi, current parent, says, “Nancy’s understanding of my son’s abilities and goals was reflected in how she taught, supported, and spoke to him. She provided a foundation for his success with grace and caring.”

I know she will be missed. I also know that she will never be forgotten. Nancy planted many good seeds during her years at BFS, and her full yield is yet unknown!

With an exemplary work ethic, tremendous leadership skills and smarts, a keen sense of humor, and loads of integrity, kindness, and an unwavering regard for quality and the promise of each person, Nancy has exemplified our mission and served as a model for others. She has been a trusted and reliable colleague, confidante, and friend to all. For these and many other reasons, she will be greatly missed.

–Karen Seaton, former BFS faculty member

I wish her a world of happiness and good health in retirement.

With love, PS: Nancy is now eligible for the retired BFS teacher lunch gathering, whenever that becomes feasible again!

SPRING

|

11

alumni SP

TLIGHT

SAMUEL OSWALD ’12 KATELYNN CONNOLLY

Sam’s passion to advocate for sustainable and equitable development in the energy sector is rooted in the BFS JEM program’s mission of promoting an international community dedicated to the collaborative resolution of global challenges. After graduating BFS in 2012 and continuing on to Westtown School, Sam graduated from Georgetown University in 2020 with a B.S. in Global Business. Sam says, “In my work, I have been afforded a wide view of the prism of our company and its interlocutors, allowing me perspective on the bigger-picture issues, such as providing reliable and affordable energy to all.” Sam plans to continue his studies of energy and environment at Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs.

Sam describes the moments and experiences that led him in the direction of global change that he now pursues: The year a group of peers and I traveled to St. Petersburg through the JEM program, Moscow was threatened with severe wildfires.

Sitting in an auditorium, staring at a red, flickering screen, scenes of burning forests were etched into my mind. This early memory pairing the international with a challenge— climate change—founded my interest for foreign affairs... in the seventh grade! I have since followed a trend of international engagement through a variety of experiences: studying peace building in the West Bank with my Quaker high school, Westtown; attending the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University; working for an educational non-profit in Tamil Nadu; and, surveying pollution in the Philippines with a sustainable land developer—until I found the energy sector as a perfect host for global challenge resolution and what I have come to know as policy advocacy, with the added benefit of private industry efficiency.

Samuel Oswald is currently a policy analyst representing Eni, S.p.A.— the Italian multinational energy company— in Washington, D.C., focusing on its technology transition and decarbonization strategy.

12

|

SEEDLINGS

Eni is a multinational energy company with 30,000+ employees and operations in 68 countries. The mandate of the D.C. office is to accompany Eni’s fast-evolving business through persistent dialogue with U.S. authorities, institutions, think tanks, and U.S.-based organizations, such as the U.N. in New York and International financial institutions in Washington. In his current role with Eni, Sam promotes conversation around the company’s U.S. investments. “But,” Sam explains, “I personally consider my role an opportunity to present the sustainable and equitable transition of the energy sector by pairing my appreciation for the legacy role of oil and gas in our global human development with excitement for technology innovations that underpin the potential for decarbonization.”

It was through his Quaker education beginning at BFS and continuing through high school that he found an appreciation for viewing challenges with an open mind, acknowledging and mitigating his biases. This is in part the reason he enjoys facilitating change from

Alumni News TO UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION VISIT WWW.BFS.ORG/ALUMNI If you do not currently receive emails from BFS, please consider providing us with your email address so that you may receive updates, the electronic alumni newsletter Friends!Connect! and more.

within an establishment rather than outside, because his opinions are replaced with action. “I appreciate the role of climate activism as the catalyst for change, but firmly believe that the private sector holds the key to our accomplishing a cleaner and greener future. I have been thrilled to join Eni as a community dedicated to this future and for connecting me with the collaborative international community to which BFS introduced me.”

Sam continues to express the influence that BFS has had: “Of course, we all share an experience at BFS in Meeting for Worship, which has left me with an appreciation for quiet reflection—perhaps an odd take-away from a childhood experience. But the power in listening to others cannot be understated. I love being the person in a conversation that has nothing to contribute and everything to learn. This allows me to piece together functional narratives from what other people have told me is important to know on a subject.”

Sam also attributes the value he places in creating and maintaining close relationships to BFS. “Of course, my professional interests require that I make and keep a lot of friends. But, I also importantly live with my BFS classmate and one of my best buddies in life, Katie Sigety. We have managed to establish a happy bubble and thank BFS nearly every week for our eccentricities that have kept us entertained through the era of pandemic! Our home is several blocks away from the Capitol Building. It has certainly been an interesting moment to live in Washington, but we are noticing the seedlings of reconciliation sprouting from the D.C. community that has faced such polarization and division in recent years. We are excited for the world to mend and to visit BFS when public health allows.”

1940s David Steward ’49 - Things are chugging along well for me. What I’m doing with myself is pretty well described below. This month-to-month project continues beyond the fifth volume of Chroma.

Begun at exactly the time computers with their ability to enlighten and intrude were becoming commonplace, Chroma is five balanced volumes of six years apiece, 2,470 pages, written in and about the months from September 1986 to September 2016.

Chroma is a récit, a narrative, a telling, not necessarily autobiographical but with the constant presence of narration. The text of all five volumes is reflection and description, often self-contained but linked to the theme at hand, which is generally the author’s reading and experience. The books attempt to subjectively deal with the intellectual times in which they are written.

1950s

Contact: Katelynn Connolly Director of Advancement at 215-794-7491 ext. 121 Email: advancement@bfs.org Send to the School via snail mail: Buckingham Friends School, The Office of Advancement, PO Box 159, Lahaska, PA 18931

then would roam around the playground waiting for the walk home after school.

The “playground” back then had all sorts of wonderful machinery designed to spin us around until we puked or broke something.

It was a great test of balance and fortitude, and the goat loved it. To you current sixth graders: Hang in there. These scary times will pass. Someday you, too, will have weird, charming little memories like this.

Kitsie Converse ’55 - Health and Hello to BFS, which I left after sixth grade in 1953.

I moved to Haverford on my 12th birthday!

Yikes, Shipley was hell after my free-range education — “nature walks” in the woods and to Bowman’s Hill with Mrs. Haines to see the red-winged black birds and pink lady slippers. I remember red chairs in first grade, naps on the floor, walking to Mrs. Price’s for hot lunch on 202, lots of recesses with the Maypole, trapeze and swings.

I always will love BFS the most and sent my four kids to Germantown Friends — all lifers! I still go to Meeting there, although my mother’s funeral was in the BFS Meetinghouse, as we lived on Street Road.

I have been best, best friends since about 1946 with Peggy Ritchie Weymouth ’56 !!!!

My sister! I just moved back to Philadelphia after 16 years in Paris. I went to Penn and Pa. is my home.

1970s

John Leydon ’55 - A fuzzy memory from long, long ago (1952): I ran across this photo during one of my COVID ‘sequester’ projects. It’s from sixth grade with Mrs. Haines and shows me and my pet goat, who used to follow me across the fields to BFS from the Leydon farm in Lahaska, and

Susan Wiggins ’77 - is back at BFS again this year supporting the third grade class as well as working with the Lower School students in the After School Program. BFS has been fortunate to have Susan as a partner in teaching.

SPRING

|

13

1980s

been frequent. I did come back to PA for Luke’s wedding last fall.

together for over ten years and it’s exciting to be stepping into the next stage of life together.

Alison Mitchell ’81 - recently joined the BFS board and continues her work on the Advancement Committee. Her daughter, Frederica Keep ’19 is a sophomore at George School, where she plays field hockey (learned at BFS!). The team is coached by Nancy Bernadini, BFS former parent and spouse of seventh Grade teacher Mr. B. There are still lots of connections between BFS and GS.

BFS ski trips made me a life-long skier, and the friends I made on those trips also brought mountain biking into my life. I’ve been passionate about both since then. I started working at a bike shop in Doylestown at the end of high school. I went to college at Shippensburg and earned a degree in earth science and cartography. I went back to school to be a teacher, but life happened and my wife and I ended up in Wisconsin, which at the time made it extremely difficult to transfer my license from PA, so I went into outside sales. I wasn’t passionate about that, and my wife urged me to follow my passion and go to work full time at a local bike shop. Today, I manage one location of a ten-store family-owned bicycle dealer. I also am a volunteer ski patroller, and an instructor for both the first aid program and ski skills program.

My parents are doing well and have currently moved to OKC (Oklahoma City). They wanted to be closer to the grandkids, four in OKC and three in Bentonville, AR. My sister-in-law recently had twin babies, Ruby and Judah, and we’re all very excited to meet them when this is all over!!

My wife and I have two wonderful kids. A 13-year-old daughter, and a 9-year-old son. Izzy loves rock climbing and skiing. Gabe loves both and also loves to mountain bike.

Whitney Yarnall ‘01 was recently in the area visiting from San Diego, CA, and dropped by campus to say hello!

1990s Krispin Leydon ’91 - I’m currently in Bellingham, WA, with my girlfriend, testing out what life might be like here. It’s been challenging to get a sense of the place culturally, given the COVID situation, but it’s been wonderful to have access to all the wooded walking paths and flat-water paddling that the area offers. Work-wise, I’m lucky enough to have a remote gig, designing software that enables utility-scale batteries to autonomously “bid into” energy markets in optimal ways—effectively hastening adoption of wind and solar. It has certainly been a challenge to see joy clearly these last few years, given our collectively muddled state, but perhaps some corners are being turned? Fingers crossed.

Chris Fanjul ’92 - I’m living in Stone Ridge, NY, which is a soulful and progressive place to settle after a dozen years on the North Fork of Long Island, where I’d been in the wine industry. I’m now able to focus on ceramics and sculpture (using a 16’ sawmill to make big wooden “prisms”) in the scant hours when I’m not playing with my two kids, Robert (almost 7) and Vanessa (4). We’ve assembled a homeschooling pod with five other families, which has worked wonderfully, and I teach Spanish once a week to the crew. We have two dogs, nine chickens, and access to streams and mountains (just went snowboarding for the first time in 15 years and may not be able to walk tomorrow!).

Dave Martin ’94 - After BFS I went to New HopeSolebury public school. I stayed close to Jeremy Brodhead ’94, Glen Warner ’94, Luke Sorensen ’95, and Matt Kuhnel ’95 through high school and college. Luke, Jeremy, and I have kept in touch since then, though in-person visits haven’t 14

|

SEEDLINGS

Nick Kerr ’96 - says hello. He and his wife, Jess, have two daughters, Magnolia, 4, and Remy, 1.

2010s

2000s

Flannery McDonnell ‘10 recently stopped by campus for a visit and is doing well living out in LA. Shannon Daniels ’06 - graduated from Cornell University in May 2014 and from Temple University Beasley School of Law in May 2017.

She is currently in the first of two judicial clerkships for federal judges on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. She met her fiancé, Aakash Patel, at Temple Law, and together they reside in Philadelphia, with their Havanese, Oliver. They are looking forward to getting married in New Hope on October 16, 2021.

Mari Pillmore ’08 - I went to high school here in Charlotte, attended Clemson and studied business and then moved back to Charlotte after graduation with some friends. I started a wedding photography business, Captured by Mari, my senior year and have been doing that full time ever since.

It’s been so much fun and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I got engaged to my high school sweetheart, Sam, last August and we were married in Charleston, S.C., this past October. We’ve been

Nathan Pillmore ’10 - After I graduated high school in N.C. I went on to California for university and I still live here now. I’m currently pursuing an online degree in Organizational Leadership (managing groups, leadership training, HR logistics, etc.) while working at a “digital cinema localization” company.

Basically, we receive the U.S. version of a film from a studio and they ask us to “localize” it for various countries (adding subtitles, changing on-screen text to the spoken language, or replacing the English audio with the territory’s spoken language). It sounds a bit complex, but my department’s responsibilities are fairly straightforward but very detail-oriented. One of those “easy to learn, tough to master” type jobs, especially with all the different versions we do. For example, the recent Elton John movie Rocketman had about 120 different versions!

During high school I picked up an affinity for Ultimate Frisbee (and won a H.S. city championship our first year) and played

throughout college. I don’t play much anymore, but it’s still fun to get outside and throw the disc around. I took a break from being a sports fan for a bit as I pushed to excel at school, but during college I got back into them and am fairly passionate about them now. That was a tough stretch to be a Sixers fan for sure. As a previous film major I’m also very much into watching movies and TV as a form of entertainment, but also to study and learn from the pros.

Blake Rivas ’10 - earned her MHA (master’s in health administration) at Cornell University in the spring of 2020 and began Medical School at Jefferson University last summer.

Katie Sigety ’12 - I am living in Washington, D.C., with none other than Sam Oswald ’12. We are living in a beautiful house on Capitol Hill with some other friends. We all feel very lucky to be together during this hard time. I graduated in May of 2020 with a degree in Art History and Fine Arts from George Washington University.

Many young alumni attended the most recent Connections with Friends! alumni virtual gathering: Lucy Clayton ‘17, George Sigety ‘17, Julian Lentchner ‘19, Grace Kantra ‘19, Savannah Barile ‘19, Ella DeBari ‘19, Dylan Garber ‘19, Derek Denoon ‘19, Sam Gerth ‘19, Will Sadowski ‘19, Emmett Schmucker ‘19, Michael Shaw ‘20. Andrew Garrett ‘80, David Steward ‘49 were also in attendance. leading design thinking workshops in graphic design, UX/UI, animation, GIS mapping, etc.

We just got approved for our official non-profit status, so we are super excited! If you want, you can check out our website (girlzbydesign.com).

Long term, I am hoping to go to law school— maybe to be a non-profit lawyer? I don’t know, we shall see.

Eva Kinnel ’16 - graduated from George School last May and began her studies at Smith College this February. Eva was working with elementary students in various settings over the past several months to support their virtual learning experiences. BFS was lucky to have Eva on campus as a classroom aide before she began her next great adventure.

Summer Holland ’12, Sam and Katie at their at-home graduation and this past Halloween together.

Now I am working as an interior designer for a firm in D.C., which I have really been enjoying!

Other than my job, I have started a non-profit educational org with two of my other roommates called Girlz by Design. Girlz by Design is a virtual learning program that offers students a platform to exhibit their creative work, to gain practical career advice from design professionals, and to build a lasting supportive community. We have been working with DCPS schools directly and

Zoel Boublil ’17 - joined the RFK Human Rights Organization Youth Advisory Board after participating in a workshop last summer. He is currently helping to develop their youth education infrastructure and moderate events such as the world leader speaker series. So far, he has had the opportunity to interview Yves Leterme, former prime minister of Belgium, and will interview Boris Tadic, former president of Serbia. He is also co-spearheading an original project, creating a three-month long online workshop based on the U.N. Sustainable

Development Goals. His intention for the program is to provide education about sustainable development and to inspire budding activists about compelling engagement opportunities.

He is collaborating with experts in human rights, climate change, and environmental studies research such as Dr. Glenn Mitoma, Director of the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center. Prominent youth activists like Marie-Claire Graf and Cara Kennedy-Cuomo also participate in the program.

Lucy Clayton ’17 - Currently in her final semester at Blair, Lucy was inspired to help found the Blair Girls’ Coding Club after participating in a cybersecurity competition sponsored by Girls Go CyberStart. The student-led club meets every other week to explore core concepts of computer science—including coding for websites, app development, and robotics— through virtual courses. By participating in a variety of challenges and learning opportunities, members build skills and confidence that can open doors to future career options, education, and personal interests. Lucy and the other founders are eager to pass on their knowledge and skills to younger students, in hopes that girls will feel empowered and confident in male-dominated STEM fields.

Toshi Amagasu ’18 - is busy. College counseling officially started and there are many things to think about and do other than school work.

Although, he loves his life at George School and making friendships.

SPRING

|

15

in memoriam We honor the memory of the following Buckingham Friends School community members CHARLES DARROW ’66 Alumnus

ALAN KEIM Former Board Member

MEG WELLER HARKINS ’49 Alumnus

KEVIN NAKASHIMA ’69 Alumnus

Charles Darrow ’66 Charlie died in his home surrounded by his loving family on February 16, 2020.

Meg Weller Harkins ’49 Meg died peacefully of COVID-19 on Oct. 1, 2020. Born in 1935, she attended Buckingham Friends, George School, Connecticut College, and Drexel University.

She became a librarian and was admissions director at the Penn Graduate School of Education. She loved her days at Camp Dark Waters and her communities at Germantown Friends and Friends Select. Meg is survived by daughter Kate, son-in-law Mats, and grandsons Johannes and Eli.

Charlie was educated at Buckingham Friends School, Central Bucks and Palisades High Schools, and Lycoming College. While at Lycoming College, he found himself spending more time in the parking lot working on friends’ cars than in class, and he began his long career as a mechanic. Eventually he began his own business, Valley Sports and Classics. He was an aficionado of old English sports cars and drove his 1953 MG across the country, competing in The Great American Race. More recently, he built two ’60s-era Triumphs and successfully competed in vintage races around the Northeast.

He also helped bring soccer to the Williamsport area and will be remembered by many as a player, referee, and referee instructor.

Charlie is survived by his loving wife and best friend of 44 years, Jane Hileman Darrow; his sons and daughters-in-law, Patrick, Terra, Jesse, and Hannah; and his beloved grandchildren, Esther, Isaac, Timbre, and Redding.

Charlie was a passionate man who pursued many interests, but his family was the center of his life and brought him his greatest joy.

16

|

SEEDLINGS

Alan Keim Buckingham Friends School Board notes the passing of former board member Alan Keim.

An alumni parent and grandparent, Alan was a bridge across multiple generations within the BFS community. He served on the school board for 9 years and was a member of the Advancement and Finance committees. Alan’s calm manner and sense of balance, along with his advocacy for Quaker values, made him a respected and valued Board member and friend to BFS. Our thoughts are with his family… he will be missed.

Kevin Nakashima ’69 Kevin, the only son of George and Marion Nakashima, finally lost his month-long battle with congestive heart failure and aspiration pneumonia shortly after midnight on November 7, at the same hospital where he was born nearly 66 years ago in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Born December 18, 1954, the long-awaited male heir was my Christmas present that year. After a short stint as the “built-in baby-sitter,” I went off to college, so we were both brought up as “only children,” and he was closer in age to my

children than he was to me. After a near-drowning experience at the age of three, Kevin attended Buckingham Friends School, then Solebury School, studied Tae Kwon Do, and after graduation spent a semester at Sophia University in Tokyo, and studied Kyojiya (shoji-making) in Takamatsu, Japan. Aside from worldwide travels with his parents and my husband, Jonathan, and me, he lived his entire life in the same house and never married. As soon as he could talk, my parents dubbed him the PR person at the Nakashima Studios, where he later helped my mother with bookkeeping chores and was her travel companion and chauffeur after our father died in 1990. After our mother died in 2004, he became vice-president of Nakashima Woodworkers, was best known as the Saturday Open House greeter, and enjoyed practicing his French and Japanese linguistic skills when we had visitors from those countries. Although my mother tried to teach him how to cook, he really enjoyed other people’s cooking much more, and as one of his friends once said, “If you want to enjoy a meal, just invite Kevin.” Kevin was an avid movie buff, especially fond of Manga and Chuck Jones cartoons as well as Karate and Samurai action movies. He loved vintage cars and beautiful jewelry, crazy socks and ties. Even the nurses and doctors at the hospital said he was so pleasant to the very end, and we shall all miss him very much. Kevin is survived by his sister Mira; three Amagasu nephews and a niece, Satoru, Shanti, Misha, and Maria, and their spouses; five great-nephews, Akio, Sasha, Katsutoshi, Zeke, and Alec; and two great-nieces, Maya and Zoe. -Taken from Kevin’s Obituary

BFS

ANNUAL GIVING DAY HONORING OUR TEACHERS

WEDNESDAY

M a y 19 | 2021

226 GIFTS IN 24 HOURS AND UNLOCK AN ADDITIONAL $5K

5 7 488 4500

HAND WASHINGS AN HOUR ZOOM CALLS ATTENDED IN A DAY DEEP BREATHS TAKEN IN A MONTH

+ =5K+

WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT EXPRESSED IN A WEEK

ENDLESS MASKED STUDENT SMILES MADE SO FAR THIS YEAR

Will you help us meet the challenge?

Visit www.bfs/givingday21 for additional details

challenge A robust ANNUAL FUND provides the necessary resources for the BFS faculty to deliver the promise of a BFS education. This includes a safe environment to teach in, professional development, advanced technology, and increased salaries. Join us in support of our teachers this Giving Day. Participate with a gift of any size to help us reach 226 gifts in 24 hours.

By meeting this challenge, we not only unlock an additional $5,000 gifted by a generous alum, we also honor those who have gone the extra mile for our families and students.

P.O. Box 159

Lahaska, Pennsylvania 18931

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

BFS ANNUAL GIVING DAY Honoring our Teachers

Wed., May 19, 2021 Will you help us meet the challenge?

Visit www.bfs/givingday21 for additional details

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PA I D Doylestown, PA Permit No. 55