Milestones 2026
Ready, set, run!
Middle School students track laps run by Beginning School children during the annual Jogathon, hosted by the CWA Family Association
SUMMER 2026
F E AT U R E S
10 CWA Voted Best in the South Sound
Charles Wright celebrates three Best of South Sound wins for the 2025-26 school year.
16 Congratulations to the Class of 2026
We welcomed 26 members from the Class of 2026 to the alumni family on June 6.
24 Kindergarten Wisdom The Class of 2038 shares sage advicefor the Class of 2026 as they get ready for college.
28 8th Grade Celebration
The Class of 2030 celebrated the culmination of their Middle School careers on June 9.
30 4th Grade Moves Up
The Class of 2034 celebrated the culmination of their Lower School years on June 10.
32 2026 Alum of the Year
The school honors Corey Matthaei ’03 for his accomplishments both on and off of the field.
34 Faculty and Staff Awards Meet this year’s recipients of the Inspirational Faculty Award, Stephen F. Bayne Jr. Chair in History and Ethics, and Christopher Steele Award for Outstanding Service by a Staff Member.
D E PA R T M E N T S CWA NEWS
6 Welcoming Our Newest Trustees
Meet the five newest members of the CWA Board of Trustees.
8 Welcoming Our New Senior Leaders Learn more about Jasmine Park and Steve Saalfeld.
12 Forging the Future of Technology
at CWA Senior leadership is guiding the community with new policies and facilities for the intentional use of technology across divisions.
14 2026 Spirit Auction Recap
The Tarrier community set records in generosity at this year’s “Back to the Future” Spirit Auction. LAST LOOK
44 Retirements and 2026 Lifetime
Teaching Awards Celebrating Brian Burdick and Gil LeFrancois as they depart Charles Wright Academy. ATHLETICS
38 Bleed Green
Tarriers fiercely competed throughout the 2025-26 season! Celebrate their achievements with us. ALUMNI
40 Class Notes
Catch up on news from classmates.
41 In Remembrance C WA M I S S I O N S TAT E M E N T To inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence.
A Foundation for the Future Rachel Rippl, Head of School
D
ear Tarriers,
As I reflect on the past year, it’s incredible to see how much we’ve accomplished together. From developing a new strategic plan to celebrating record-breaking generosity at the Spirit Auction, every milestone this year has strengthened our ability to fulfill our mission and serve students for years to come.
OUR MISSION To inspire active, joyful learning while nurturing and challenging our students to develop the character, creativity, and skills to successfully navigate the future with confidence.
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T I E S | Summer 2026
Last September, in partnership with our consulting firm, Leadership + Design, we formed the Strategic Planning Committee, composed of fifteen trustees, administrators, and current parents. Through interviews and brainstorming sessions, the team solicited feedback from the broader community, reaching out to alumni and current parents, as well as the faculty and staff. The message was clear: keep the Tarrier community at the center, continue strengthening the programs that define us, and seek meaningful ways to distinguish ourselves in the South Sound. One of the pillars of the new plan focus our efforts over the next five years on continued refinement and definition of academic excellence, which is a healthy, ongoing pursuit for an outstanding independent school. Another pillar focuses on he continued growth of our experiential education program, with the expansion of offerings into the summer, focuses on the clear articulation of the purpose and impact of each field trip, experience, and adventure. For athletics, we are harnessing the power of teams to unite students and families in building community, competition, and learning through victory and defeat. Finally, we’ve strengthened our foundational commitments to health and wellness, long-term financial sustainability, and campus safety and security to ensure the school thrives for many years to come.
The Risk Management Team meets regularly to assess campus safety needs, make recommendations, and advance projects for the health and well-being of all students, families, and staff. Last fall and winter, we conducted two in-depth campus security audits to ensure we are aligning with industry standards by either meeting or exceeding best practices in schools. These assessments confirmed that while many strong systems were already in place, they also identified opportunities to further strengthen how we care for our community. We are excited to welcome our first full-time School Nurse this August. She will provide support to students, supervise medication administration, lead ongoing training for faculty and staff, and create reliable systems for tracking and documenting our wellness procedures across campus. We also made significant investments in campus security infrastructure, including adding keypad access to all Upper School buildings over the past year. Now, students can move independently between the buildings while maintaining security. This summer, we installed over twenty exterior cameras across campus to monitor activity and increase visibility. Finally, for crisis management, we’ve adopted the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) with training for all administrators, faculty, and staff, instituted new messaging and alert systems, and integrated a visitor management protocol for all guests on campus. In March, I was blown away by the generosity of our Tarrier community at the Spirit Auction. You exceeded our expectations with recordbreaking donations. It was our highest-grossing auction in CWA history with the Fund-A-Need to elevate athletics, raising more than twice what we anticipated. This enables us to expand
our programs, increase staffing, and update our facilities, including new uniforms, summer conditioning programs for all Middle and Upper School students, resurfacing of the tennis courts, and purchasing new top-of-the-line football helmets, among other things. As our programs continue to grow, we’re adding additional staff members, including a Youth Athletics Program Coordinator and a new Middle and Upper School girls’ soccer coach. We have three alumni returning to coach football and track, including Sam Gaume ’12, Alex Meadowcroft ’18, and Jacob Lawson ’12. This summer, we received an additional gift from the Cochran family to update the weight room. We look forward to seeing students benefit from these enhanced facilities in the year ahead. In May, thanks to a grant from the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, we were able to complete significant structural repairs and reopen the Bradshaw Chapel for the first time in three years. Nestled among the trees, the chapel offers a peaceful place for reflection and gathering. We have started welcoming people in, and for many of our current families, it is the first time they’ve experienced the space. In future years, we hope to refinish the entire building in order to host community events. Looking ahead, we are excited to carry this momentum into the coming year by strengthening the relationships that define our community and creating the experiences that uniquely shape our students’ perspectives and prepare them for the future. In partnership,
Rachel Rippl
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CWA NEWS
Five new members join the Board of Trustees for 2026-27 We are pleased to welcome five new trustees who began their service in July. With their addition, and two trustees completing their terms, more than 50 percent of our current Board has joined in the past two years, growing to a robust 21 members. Each brings valuable expertise, perspective, and deep commitment to CWA’s mission. Jamel Bland (P ’31) Jamel is a Senior Manager at Blue Origin, where he has spent the past four years leading teams through complex engineering challenges — from clean sheet designs through the full lifecycle of a system. He holds a Bachelor’s in Aerospace Engineering from EmbryRiddle and a Master’s in Engineering Management from Tufts, building a career spanning two decades in aerospace, beginning with work on the Space Shuttle. He grew up in a neighborhood in Trinidad and Tobago called Gonzales, raised by a single mother whose resilience and belief in education and character shaped who he is today. Washington State has been home for four years, where he and his wife Priscilla, married 21 years, are raising two sons — Noah, in 11th grade at Curtis High School, and Levi, in 9th grade at Charles Wright. Outside of work, he’s a landscape photographer and avid hiker, and recently joined Outdoor Afro, connecting people of color with the outdoors. He’s drawn to CWA’s board by his belief in what intentional schools can do to help every student thrive. “Any opportunity I get to be of service to the community, especially at CWA, where we are all striving to give our kids the best opportunities to reach their fullest potential, is time well spent.”
Todd Blodgett (P ’32, ’34, ’37) Todd has three children at CWA — Hazel ‘32, Wesley ‘34, and William ‘37. He is a Trusts and Estate Attorney and Partner at Eisenhower Carlson in Tacoma, with broad experience in estate planning, nonprofit governance, charitable giving, and general counsel. He serves on the Board and Governance Committee of the American Leadership Forum of Tacoma/Pierce County, and is the past Board Chair of the South Sound Planned Giving Council and Friends of the Children-Tacoma. He received his degrees from Whitman College and Harvard Law School. For the past year, Todd has served on the CWA Strategic Planning Committee and is excited to give back more to the school as a trustee. “As a parent, I’ve seen how CWA helps its students feel known, challenged and supported. Serving on the Board of Trustees is a chance to give back to a community that means a great deal to my family and to help ensure that future students have the same opportunity to thrive.”
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T I E S | Summer 2026
Dana Flaskerud (P ’20, ’22) CWA NEWS
Dana has been a student, teacher, and leader for as long as she can remember, often all three at once. After earning her BA in Spanish from the University of Washington and a PhD from Columbia, she and her husband returned to the Pacific Northwest, settling in Gig Harbor. She taught Spanish at Charles Wright for 15 years, often feeling more like the student than the teacher as she grew alongside her students — in the classroom, on trails and kayaks, and through international travel. Her sons, Hayden ’20 and Liam ’22, embraced every opportunity CWA offered. Though she stepped away from full-time teaching in 2022, Dana remains closely connected, substitute teaching regularly and recently chaperoning a Winterim trip to Spain. What draws her back is CWA’s dedication to nurturing its community at every age. “As a former Upper School teacher and parent, I’ve experienced the tremendous impact Charles Wright has had on my family and I, shaping the way we approach life’s joys and challenges. I’m incredibly grateful for all that CWA has given us and honored to serve the school in a new capacity. I look forward to supporting its mission, values, and extraordinary opportunities while helping ensure the Charles Wright experience continues to transform current and future Tarriers!”
Tereasa Gandhi (P ’29) Tereasa researched and evaluated non-US and emerging markets equity managers for more than 20 years with Russell Investment Group, where she also managed several US equity Fund of Funds and advised clients on institutional investment positioning. During her tenure, she took a two-year leave to serve in the Peace Corps’ small business development program in Romania. Since 2013, Tereasa has been a stay-at-home parent deeply engaged in community service, serving two terms on the Board of Prison Pet Partnership (2015–2021) and two terms on the Board of Tacoma Youth Chorus (2019–2025), including as Treasurer. Tereasa is a CWA parent with a student graduating in 2029, and has served on the CWA Endowment Committee since 2018. “I am honored to serve as a trustee and to support the students, faculty, and families who make Charles Wright Academy special. Watching my daughter grow—from her first day in Mrs. Burdick’s kindergarten class to the student she is today— has shown me how meaningful a caring, mission-driven school community can be.”
Hayden Taylor ’05 (P ’37, ’40) Hayden grew up in North Tacoma and attended the Upper School at CWA, building strong study habits, playing varsity tennis, and forming lifelong friendships. He went on to earn a degree in Mechanical Engineering from USC, then attended the University of Washington School of Law. His legal practice evolved from employee benefits to estate planning; he joined Eisenhower Carlson in 2021, made partner in 2023, and now leads the firm’s estate planning practice group. He lives in University Place with his wife Hala ’02 (also a Tarrier) and their two children, Olivia ’37 and Robbie ’40, both current CWA students. Hayden spent 9 years on the board of the Foss Waterway Seaport, serving as Secretary and chair of the Governance Committee, and is eager to support CWA’s mission as a trustee. “Serving on the CWA Board of Trustees provides me with the opportunity to give back to the institution that played such an important role in my own upbringing, while helping shape the experience of the next generation of Tarriers—including my own children. It is both an honor and a privilege to serve this remarkable school and community.”
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CWA NEWS
Incoming Senior Leadership
Jasmine Park
Director of Enrollment Management Jasmine Park, M.Ed., has been named Director of Enrollment Management. Jasmine has been an integral part of the CWA admissions team since 2024, serving first as Associate Director and, most recently, Interim Director. She holds a Bachelor of Public Affairs Administration and a Master of Education in Student Development Administration from Seattle University. Jasmine brings nearly two decades of admissions leadership to this position, with a distinguished record at some of the Pacific Northwest’s most respected independent schools, including Forest Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (where she is a proud alumna), Villa Academy, and The Overlake School. Her approach to enrollment is deeply relational and mission-driven, reflecting the very values at the heart of the Charles Wright experience. Jasmine has spent her career building expertise across every facet of enrollment management — from admissions and recruitment to financial aid and international programs. “I am deeply honored to officially step into the role of Director of Enrollment Management at Charles Wright Academy. I have cherished the incredible spirit, dedication, and joy that define our school. This past year has especially allowed me to partner more closely with families and the CWA leadership team to understand what makes Charles Wright a truly remarkable Preschool-Grade 12 school. A huge thank you to my wonderful Admissions Team, our school leadership, and the entire CWA community for your trust, partnership, and shared commitment. I am incredibly excited to continue strengthening our enrollment efforts, partnering with our amazing families, championing the CWA experience, and welcoming the next generation of Tarriers to our campus!”
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CWA NEWS
Steve Saalfeld
Director of Institutional Advancement Steve Saalfeld has re-joined the CWA Senior Leadership Team as our Director of Institutional Advancement. Steve comes to Charles Wright from Greater Tacoma Community Foundation, where he served as a Philanthropy Advisor supporting local families with their philanthropy, building relationships with professional advisors, and supporting local nonprofits with building reserve funds and advising on their planned giving programs. Prior to GTCF, Steve spent six years at MultiCare Foundations as a Major Gifts Officer raising funds for both Good Samaritan Foundation and Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation. This marks a return to CWA for Steve, who served in the Admissions Office from 2005-2017 (Director of Admissions & Financial Aid from 2008-2017). He is the proud dad of four Tarriers, and he and his spouse, Jennifer, live in Fircrest. He serves on the Board of Directors for The ARK Institute of Learning and loves to hike and enjoy the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest. On a sunny day, you might find him enjoying a good book in the treehouse he built “for the kids” in his backyard. For Steve, working at Charles Wright in the Office of Admissions was never simply a job. He said, “This community was an extension of my family. I started here in the Admissions Office the same year my oldest son began his Tarrier journey in Kindergarten. Before we knew it, all four of our kids were enrolled here. CWA was our “home away from home” as we watched our kids grow and thrive, and I was constantly reminded of a former colleague’s words (Thank you, Marc Janes) that “Charles Wright is a place that will inspire you to become the best version of yourself.” Returning to Charles Wright is exciting and humbling—though I spent many years working here, the school has evolved, and I come in knowing I have my own experience to share, but I also have a lot to learn. I look forward to that journey of discovery with a talented leadership team committed to living up to Sam and Nathalie Brown’s vision of the education here being equal to that of the best schools in the country.” CHARLESWRIGHT.ORG
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CWA NEWS
Three Times the Honor Charles Wright Academy Wins Three “Best of South Sound” Awards Written by Rachael Meyers, Director of Marketing and Communications
We are thrilled to share that Charles Wright Academy has been recognized not once, not twice, but three times in South Sound Magazine’s prestigious Best of the South Sound 2026 awards, voted on by thousands of South Sound community members this past winter. This triple recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff, and the families who entrust us with their children’s education each and every day.
After-School Programs Charles Wright Academy’s Auxiliary Programs have solidified their place as the Best in the South Sound, recognition that speaks to the breadth and quality of enrichment opportunities available to students beyond the regular school day. Led by Director of Auxiliary Programs, Colleen Borst, CWA’s offerings span after-school care and enrichment, summer day camps, specialty programs, and leadership experiences. During the school year, students can explore art, STEM, theater, and more in a safe, supportive environment on our beautiful 107-acre campus. Summer brings an even wider array of options: general camp sessions with forest hikes and field games, specialty camps in areas like coding, cooking, printmaking, and musical theater, as well as sports clinics coached by the same faculty who lead our athletics programs. Older students can step into leadership roles through the Counselor-in-Training and Intern programs. All programs are taught by CWA faculty, staff, and trusted partners – the same people who know and care for your children throughout the school year.
Beginning School Charles Wright Academy’s Beginning School has been named Best Daycare in the South Sound, and it’s easy to see why families keep choosing it. Our Beginning School is a child-centered preschool program rooted
in active, joyful learning – deeply connected to nature, creative inquiry, CWA NEWS
and the arts. As a proud member of the North American Reggio Emilia Association, we design our environments to spark curiosity and celebrate each child’s unique voice. Young learners spend time in our forest three days per week, building the postural strength, coordination, and emotional regulation they’ll carry with them for life. Our Atelier studio sessions invite children to investigate, create, and reflect through hands-on projects that culminate in meaningful learning journey portfolios. Beyond the school day, the Beginning School offers comprehensive wraparound care – including morning care, after-school care, and summer care – five days a week, twelve months a year. Meals and snacks are included, making it a seamless option for busy families. Children leave the Beginning School already knowing themselves as learners: curious, resilient, and ready for the adventures ahead.
Upper School The recognition of our Upper School comes as no surprise to those who have watched our students go on to thrive at colleges and universities across the country (and even abroad!). The Upper School at CWA is a vibrant, welcoming community – large enough to offer the full high school experience, yet small enough that every student is truly known. With an average class size of around 15 students, our faculty build genuine relationships with each learner. Our robust Advanced Placement program – 14 AP courses in total – has earned CWA recognition as a Platinum AP Honor Roll School for two consecutive years. Academics are just the beginning at CWA. Upper School students have access to an extraordinary range of athletics, performing and visual arts, clubs, experiential education, and a dedicated college counselor who helps each student successfully navigate their future with confidence. The Upper School is a place where students are challenged to develop as scholars, athletes, artists, and leaders – and where they are supported every step of the way.
A Community Effort These awards belong to every member of the CWA community: the faculty who inspire curiosity, the staff who show up with care and commitment each day, and the families who chose CWA and then told their neighbors about it. Being voted “best” by the people who live and work alongside us in the South Sound means more than any ranking could. Thank you to everyone who voted, and congratulations to the entire CWA community. We are incredibly proud to serve the South Sound, and we’re just getting started! CHARLESWRIGHT.ORG
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Forging the Future
Senior leadership is guiding the community with new policies and facilities for the intentional use of technology across divisions. Written by Kimberly Banti
Kim Feehan loves to iterate. Entering her fourth year as a Middle School humanities teacher at Charles Wright Academy, she has also founded the MS engineering and design program, which allows for both project-based learning for students as well as deeply thoughtful curricular development for Ms. Feehan. “At the end of our first year of the design and engineering course, I did a survey and asked students to tell me about the projects they really enjoyed,” she recalled. “They also told me about the ones they enjoyed less and why to help me understand. So the things that didn’t hit, I took out and replaced with lessons that I thought would be even more engaging.” Citing several professional development courses she’s completed, Ms. Feehan continued, “I’ve also been able to peel from all these other courses that I’ve taken and bring in little gems here and there. So it’s really evolved.”
Middle School Students in Ms. Feehan’s Engineering and Design course
That evolution mirrors a more holistic consideration by school leadership toward creating an intentional philosophy around technology use and learning across all divisions. In addition to the proposal to bring Ms. Feehan’s engineering and design program into the Upper School via a new innovation complex tentatively named the Forge (made possible by a generous restricted anonymous gift for such a purpose), CWA leadership spent much of the last year developing new policies both for responsible AI use and for cell phone use in the Upper School so that all faculty, staff, and students are on the same page. With the school’s mission and values at the center of new policy, curriculum, and facility development, school leadership aims to futureproof against any reactive impulses as technology evolves. Director of Operations and Technology Muhammad Ramadan has led the charge to update the AI policy to mirror the school’s overarching approach to any technology use. “We’ll still have the same expectations that when using AI, we’re going to show perseverance, respect, integrity, compassion, and excellence,” he said. “‘To demonstrate integrity, I’m going to acknowledge that I’ve used AI to create this slideshow, or I used AI in my research’—it’s treating AI just as another source. No one would be embarrassed to say, ‘I used Google to search for something.’ So why would there be embarrassment around using AI to help develop ideas? At the end of the day, it’s the student’s responsibility and the teacher’s responsibility to start with the idea and then be the one to check the work at the end.”
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CWA NEWS
Citing the axiom of “human first, human last” throughout any academic exercise, Mr. Ramadan reflects the value of human connection regardless of technology or device usage. This adage rings true in the Upper School, where Director Kevin Campbell has been drafting a new cell phone use policy with feedback from faculty, students, and families. Students will continue to keep their phones away during class unless approved on a case-by-case basis, but starting in fall 2026, they will also store their phones during lunch and class breaks. Parent and guardian contact will take place via office relay or with student cell phone access at the Upper School front desk when needed for communication only, and enforcement will become more consistent with clear accountability structures. “School is a special place,” said Mr. Campbell, who helped implement a successful no-phone policy at his previous school, Sun Valley Community School in Idaho, before arriving at CWA last summer. “We’re engaged in traditional liberal arts education and social-emotional development, and what we see is that kids need explicit education on how to have a real conversation with each other. What’s going to center human relationships and human agency? How do we prioritize that? One of the things that we can do is be intentional about the ways in which we’re using technology to either facilitate and stimulate that, or being honest enough and brave enough to call it out Middle School Students in Ms. Feehan’s Engineering and Design course when it’s not. And I believe we owe it to our students to create a space where authentic conversation, meaningful relationships, and sustained attention can flourish without the constant distractions competing for their focus.” Without the diversion of a cell phone at their constant beck and call, they will then have an opportunity to more fully immerse themselves in the deep work of innovation and creativity in class and community, especially as the numerous spaces of the Forge come to fruition. Utilizing existing Upper School space, Ms. Feehan said the Forge is intended to serve as a “unified ecosystem where students in grades seven through twelve design, build, code, and investigate.” Ultimately, the Machine Shop (robotics and automation), the Think Tank (AI, programming, and computer science), the Foundry (engineering design and fabrication), the Studio (film, podcast, web, and graphic design), the Lab (science, biomedical, and environmental), the Incubator (ideation, mentorship, and collaboration), the Gallery (exhibition and student showcase), and the Grove (outdoor learning) will combine as the Forge to allow for deep, concentrated work in project-based learning. Having recently partnered with Middle School art teacher Christopher Hoppin for a cross-curricular humanities project around ancient civilizations in the current innovation lab, Ms. Feehan said, “I want to be able to do that in the Upper School, too. I want to be able to sit down with the English department and ask, ‘What do you teach?’ And then we can brainstorm and devise a related project. Students could record a podcast, 3D-print an item, or create a web page. The sky is the limit, and I believe it exposes students to the things they’re actually going to need to be doing to create their best path forward in the future.” In looking ahead, CWA leadership aims to be transparent, communicative, and proactive when establishing new programs and policies around technology—while continuing to anchor policies and practices in the school’s values, helping students learn how to navigate their future with success. “While our policies will need to be responsive to a dynamic world, the guiding philosophy behind our policies should remain grounded in the school’s values and driven by developmentally appropriate learning goals. Our technology norms should mirror our general community standards so that our expectations remain consistent in both the real world and the digital one. Success for our students and for our school is the ability to have a common compass to help us navigate an in-person and digital future with confidence, even as society and technology evolve.”
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Charles Wright Academy’s 2026 Spirit Auction electrified the South Sound on March 21, raising over $600,000 in record-setting generosity. Dressed in their totally 80s best, guests bid enthusiastically on standout experiences, student art projects, and the dessert dash — but it was the Fund-A-Need supporting Elevating Athletics at CWA that brought the room to its feet.
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CWA NEWS
Photos by Pavel Verbovski
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Congrats TO THE CLASS OF
2026
Photos by Jonathan Allen
Class of 2026 Graduates Risa Allen Viktoria Chardakova Ava Close-Boyd Benton Coffey Brendan Ee Kerr Forrier Emilee Hood Jamaiya James Rebecca Kim Tyler Kim Dash Lauritsen Camdyn Lovejoy Samuel Metzgar Ayris Minter Dante Nderitu Jeremy Njonge Landen Poplawski Madeline Raney Sarai Reaves Riley Shick Hazel Underwood Aly Valencia Piper Weist Corey Welch Seeton Wong Oscar Xu Cum Laude Scholar
FACULTY SPEAKER Laurel Webster Upper School Math Teacher
CLASS SPEAKERS Tyler Kim Piper Weist
PORTRAIT OF A TARRIER AWARDS RECIPIENTS Bradshaw “Explorer” Award Viktoria Chardakova Haertl “Communicator” Award Piper Weist
Risa Allen and Ayris Minter
Havens “Collaborator” Award Landen Poplawski Sanford “Innovator” Award Madeline Raney Minnerly “Stewardship” Award Sarai Reaves Camner “Thinker” Award Brendan Ee
Laurel Webster
SAM & NATHALIE BROWN AWARD RECIPIENT Samuel Metzgar
WASHINGTON STATE HONORS AWARD RECIPIENTS
Jeremy Njonge
Brendan Ee Piper Weist Madeline Raney
SANDRA OVERMIRE MINNERLY AWARD Seeton Wong
SENIOR ENGLISH AWARD Tyler Kim
SENIOR BOOK AWARD Dash Lauritsen
RICHARD NEUNHERZ HISTORY AWARD Madeline Raney
Tyler Kim
The Class of 2026
DOROTHY CREPIN MATH AWARD Brendan Ee
LEIGH VAN ETTEN SCIENCE AWARD Rebecca Kim
WORLD LANGUAGE AWARDS Dante Nderitu (Spanish) Piper Weist (Japenese)
FINE ARTS AWARDS Risa Allen (2-D) Camdyn Lovejoy (3-D)
PERFORMING ARTS AWARD Brendan Ee
SENIOR STEWARDSHIP AWARD Rebecca Kim
Sarai Reaves
CHUCK WIGHT ATHLETIC AWARDS Emilee Hood Seeton Wong
BOOSTER CLUB ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
Viktoria Chardakova and Ava Close-Boyd
Brendan Ee Jeremy Njonge Benton Coffey
BILL WHITE MOST OUTSTANDING ATHLETE AWARDS Ava Close-Boyd Benton Coffey
CHRIS GORYCKI AWARD CWA Faculty and Staff
Jamaiya James
Hazel Underwood, Riley Shick, and Emilee Hood
Rachel Rippl and Samuel Metzgar
Piper Weist and Laurel Webster
Madeline Raney and David Adams
Kerr Forier with his mother, Heidi Huckins
Aly Valencia and Susana Carvajal
Naomi Shiga and Rebecca Kim
Landen Poplawski and Christopher Hoppin
Corey Welch and Brian Burdick
Emilee Hood, Ava Close-Boyd, Jamaiya James, Camdyn Lovejoy, Viktoria Chardakova, Hazel Underwood, and Riley Shick
Once a Tarrier, Always a Tarrier!
From the College Counselor Dear Charles Wright community, As we celebrate another academic year, it is an honor to highlight the achievements, adaptability, and tenacity of the Class of 2026. From their first days as Tarriers to the moment they walked across the graduation stage, this class has demonstrated a remarkable willingness to embrace change and welcome newcomers without reservation. While each student’s journey has been distinctly their own, watching them cross that stage, high-fiving, handshaking, and even chest-bumping the faculty, staff, and coaches who shaped them, illustrates what it truly means to be a Tarrier. That send-off was more than a ceremony. It was a testament to the relationships this class built and the culture they helped sustain. In a time when so much around them was changing, the Class of 2026 met uncertainty with grace. They leaned into community when it would have been easier to retreat, and they showed up for one another in ways both visible and quiet. Faculty Speaker Laurel Webster perhaps said it best, “This group of graduates may be the most prepared class CWA has ever sent out into an ever-changing world.” The paths that led members of this class across the graduation stage are as varied as the students themselves, and this is among the more diverse groups in terms of what comes next. Our Tarriers will be embarking on the next phase of their educational journeys in 12 states and Spain, with over 77% attending college out of state. That breadth reflects not only the range of ambitions within this class, but also the confidence with which they are stepping into the wider world. Amongst this small but mighty group are athletes and artists, future cadets and soldiers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and writers, each carrying with them the values, skills, and sense of belonging that Charles Wright Academy has worked to cultivate. To the Class of 2026: the handshakes and hugs at graduation captured something real, the warmth, the humor, the deep affection between students and the adults who cheered them on. That is the Tarrier spirit, and we hope you carry it with you wherever your futures take you. Continue to build community, seek out your people, and show up for them the way you showed up for each other here. We celebrate you, we thank you, and we cannot wait to watch what you do next. Sincerely,
College Counseling Mission Statement Talia Pole Director of College Counseling
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The College Counseling team at Charles Wright Academy empowers all students in grades 9-12 to navigate their future with confidence. Our team emphasizes research and reflection, addressing diverse student needs through personalized counseling, interactive workshops, comprehensive resources, and our network of college, alumni, and community connections. We help develop skills and self-awareness essential for identifying and successfully pursuing each student’s best postsecondary fit.
Members of the Class of 2026 were accepted to the following colleges and universities: Alabama State University
Montana State University
Trinity College
Andrews University
New Mexico Military Institute
Tufts University
Arizona State University
New York University
United States Air Force Academy
Baylor University
Nichols College
University of Arizona
Binghamton University
North Carolina A&T State University University of California, Davis
California Northstate University
Northern Arizona University
University of California, Irvine
California State University, Long Beach
Nova Southeastern University
University of California, Riverside
California State University, Northridge
Occidental College
University of California, Santa Barbara
Campbell University
Oregon Institute of Technology
University of California, Santa Cruz
Central Washington University
Oregon State University
University of Colorado, Boulder
Chapman University
Pacific Lutheran University
University of Colorado, Denver
Colorado School of Mines
Pacific Union College
University of Delaware
Colorado State University
Pacific University
University of Denver
Coppin State University
Penn State University
University of Hawaii, Manoa
Drexel University
Pepperdine University
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Eastern Washington University
Pitzer College
University of Montana
Elon University
Reed College
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
ESADE University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
University of New Haven
Fisk University
Rocky Mountain College
University of North Carolina, Charlotte
George Washington University
Saint Louis University, Madrid
University of Oregon
Georgia Military College
Saint Martin’s University
University of Portland
Gonzaga University
Saint Mary’s College of California
University of Puget Sound
Grand Canyon University
San Diego State University
University of San Francisco
Guilford College
Santa Clara University
University of the Pacific
Hampton University
Savannah College of Art and Design University of Utah
Hartwick College
Seattle University
University of Washington, Seattle
Hawai’i Pacific University
Seton Hall University
University of Washington, Bothell
Howard University
Simpson University
University of Washington, Tacoma
Indiana University, Bloomington
Skidmore College
University of Wyoming
James Madison University
Smith College
Utah State University
La Sierra University
Southern Adventist University
Walla Walla University
Lewis & Clark College
Sumner College
Washington State University
Louisiana State University
The American University of Rome
Western Washington University
Loyola Marymount University
The Evergreen State College
Xavier University of Louisiana Bolded names indicate matriculation
Wisdom for What’s Ahead
The Class of 2038 offers important advice for the Class of 2026 as they get ready to leave home for college
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Mrs. Arias’s Kindergarten Class at the Curran Apple Orchard in September
Mrs. Burdick’s Kindergarten Class at the Curran Apple Orchard in September
Celebrating the Class of
2030
The 33 members of the Class of 2030 celebrated the culmination of their Middle School years on Tuesday, June 9, surrounded by family, friends, and faculty. Welcome to Upper School, Tarriers!
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Each year, eighth graders write a personal statement reflecting on their time in the Middle School — looking back on how they’ve grown, appreciating those who shaped their journey, and imagining who they hope to become. Each student closes by choosing the Tarrier Trait that resonates most deeply with them. Below are the traits chosen by the members of the Class of 2030. Brynn Anderson Thinker Matthew Beagle Collaborator Dylan Rain Blair Collaborator Wallace Bracken Steward Landon Brokens Collaborator Preston Brokens Explorer Clara Charlton Communicator Braden James Charvat Collaborator Jared Hoon Cieslak Explorer Alex Copes Collaborator Ben Abe Craig Thinker Benjamin Lee Dowdell Jr. Communicator Lauryn Elyse Gorospe Communicator Emma Joyce Horstman Collaborator Abigail Gracie Ruth Mackmer Steward Nora Maples Collaborator Maya Mazur Thinker Hannah Moorehead Steward / Explorer Jayden Muguthuri Nderitu Thinker Harper Olds Explorer Jayant Patel Explorer Ava Potter Thinker Bridget Allison Proctor Communicator / Collaborator Emma Roberts Explorer Sheron Rogers Jr. Innovator Jazlynn Celeste Rojas Collaborator Wilson Theodore Sagle Communicator Ellis Sapstead Innovator Quentin Elijah Schwandt Communicator Levi Samit Shelton Collaborator Caroline Grace Stender Collaborator Preston James Walters Explorer Kylie Yang Innovator
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Celebrating the Class of
2034
Fourth grade students and their families gathered on Wednesday, June 10, to celebrate their final day as Lower School students. Each student was presented with a certificate and a hand-made walking stick to carry them through their the next big journey, Middle School!
Leo Arias
Milo Craig
Erica Lin
Benjamin Samudosky
Mila Arias
Nolan Crosby
Andrew McClendon
Izumi Shiga Wohlers
Nation Black-Crow
Piper Crozier
Adira Meiches
Vivian Snyder-Darby
Anja Cabanas-Holmen
Gino Dinicola
Pasha Merritt
Bodhi Tran
William Callahan
Gumke Gumke
Emilie Mondesir
Gavin Whalley
Javier Chacón
Wesley Hoffman Blodgett
Angelina Peleckyte
Landon Wright
Lynsey Charlton
Otis Jones
Catherine Perreault
Olin Clark-Gamble
Tyce Jones
Eleanor Rose
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Corey Matthaei ’03 2026
ALUM OF THE YEAR From the hallways of Charles Wright to the Super Bowl Written by Rachael Meyers, Director of Marketing and Communications
When Corey Matthaei ‘03 walks onto an NFL field, he carries the lessons of a childhood spent in Tacoma — a tight-knit community, a demanding academic environment, and a work ethic quietly forged long before he ever set foot in an NFL facility. As Assistant Offensive Line Coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, Corey’s journey from the halls of Charles Wright Academy to one of professional football’s most celebrated franchises is a story about seizing opportunity, putting in the work, and never underestimating the power of the people around you. 32
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A Charles Wright Kid Through and Through Corey is, in every sense of the word, a Charles Wright kid. His father attended the school before him, and both of his older brothers walked the same halls. With a graduating class of roughly 68 students, the experience was intimate in a way larger schools simply can’t replicate. “I could have gone through my yearbook and named everybody in my graduating class, and probably most people in the whole school,” Corey recalled. That closeness extended well beyond his friend group — to teachers and coaches like David Adams, Tyler Francis, Bob Beeman, Heidi Huckins, and Casey Jones, a teacher who once flew Corey and his father to a remote Canadian cabin in his personal float plane for a fly-fishing weekend. “I don’t know how many people would have kept in touch with a high school teacher,” Corey said. “But that’s for sure a unique opportunity there.” Playing Hard, Working Harder On the athletic fields of Charles Wright, Corey found an identity built around effort. He played both football and baseball, and while he wasn’t the biggest or most naturally gifted player, he made up for it in ways no stat sheet could measure. “My greatest strength is that I’m willing to work,” he said. “I didn’t think I was the greatest athlete. But I put time in, and I worked at it.” He took full advantage of every opportunity, including Saturday morning baseball workouts with Coach Jim Pelander. “If someone gives you an opportunity to help you get better, you take it,” he said. Beyond sports, Corey played the saxophone and embraced Charles Wright’s experiential education program — the Middle School Beach Hike and Winterim trips to the San Juan Islands and Havasu Canyon — experiences that instilled a love of the outdoors he now passes on to his own children. The Road to the NFL After graduating, Corey attended Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he played Division III football, earned a degree in exercise science, and met his wife, Cari. He then spent a season coaching at Willamette while working as an aide in a special needs classroom — work
that moved him so deeply he committed to pursuing a master’s degree in teaching. Then, just before Christmas, the phone rang. It was Andy Reid, then head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, offering a full-time position as a coaching assistant. Professionally, the decision wasn’t difficult. Emotionally, it was wrenching. “The last thing these kids needed was one more person to enter their lives for a few months and then leave,” he said. “I felt sick about it. But I knew I needed to take this opportunity.” Kansas City and Championships Corey spent five years with the Eagles before following Coach Reid to Kansas City in 2012. “We got here, we started on the right foot,” he said with characteristic understatement — one way to describe being part of one of the most dominant dynasties in modern NFL history, anchored by Patrick Mahomes, a player Corey calls simply “as good as there is.” Now entering his 14th year with the Chiefs, Corey’s inseason days routinely run from 6 a.m. to midnight, with weekends consumed by travel and competition. “I might as well be gone,” he admitted. “It’s all work.” But the sacrifices come with rare rewards: “People would pay money to do the stuff I get to do. It’s a fantasy.” The Person Behind the Coach Away from football, Corey is a devoted father of three — filling the offseason with national park road trips, school musicals, baseball practices, and, more recently, triathlon training. And behind everything, he is quick to note, stands Cari. “She might as well be a single mom for six months out of the year, and she makes everything happen,” he said. “I couldn’t have done any of this without her.” Advice for the Next Generation Asked what he would say to current Charles Wright students, Corey doesn’t hesitate: “There is no substitute for doing the work.” Charles Wright gave Corey a foundation. The rest, he’ll tell you, was just putting in the work.
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2026 INSPIRATIONAL FACULTY AWARD Presented to
Kara Gjesdal Beginning School Lead Teacher
Nominations poured in with the same themes again and again: care, reliability, joy, leadership, trust, and an unwavering belief in our students. One family wrote: “She is the epitome of an amazing teacher. She embodies unwavering patience, a loving energy, and a temperament perfectly suited to young, curious minds. Her dedication to providing each student with exceptional care is noticed by every family lucky enough to be in her classroom. Our family is so thankful for the opportunity to share a school year with her — not once, but twice.” Another shared: “She is fantastic. She is welcoming and attentive to each family and creates such a thoughtful and rich learning environment. Our child has thrived in her class, and we know so much of that comes from her intentional approach to both time and space, tailored to each group of students. We see her constantly making adjustments to meet their needs as they grow. We couldn’t ask for a better teacher.” These words capture what so many in our community already know. In her classroom, our youngest learners discover a love of school, learn to advocate for themselves, and begin to build confident, curious independence. She shows up with intention every single day. She notices what others may miss and pours her heart into each moment. She supports her students through challenges, celebrates their growth, and helps them see what is possible.
Each year, the Family Association Steering Committee requests nominations from members of the Charles Wright community for an award to acknowledge the unique qualities of an individual teacher who inspires students to learn, families to cherish their child’s experience, alumni to reflect on their CWA days, and faculty to continue to maintain their high standards both in and out of the classroom.
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2026 STEPHEN F. BAYNE CHAIR IN HISTORY AND ETHICS Presented to
Glenn Pihlak Upper School English Teacher
This chairship recognizes a humanities faculty member and is named in honor of a founding Trustee. The title of Bayne Chair of History and Ethics is awarded to a faculty member who teaches in the humanities. The individual receiving this award has distinguished themselves as a leader among our faculty, and is known for nurturing and challenging our students. They will also receive an award of professional development funds to be used at their discretion to further the good work in teaching and learning they already engage in and model for others with enthusiasm. The Bayne Chair is awarded to the educator who shows dedication to teaching the values and ethics of our cultural heritage. As Chair of the Upper School English Department, Glenn has played a leading role in helping our faculty thoughtfully consider the role of AI in teaching and learning while also helping reimagine key elements of our English curriculum. This year, he took on an additional course and worked to strengthen the Humanities Capstone experience, including the introduction of capstone presentations shared with the broader Upper School community. His collegiality, wit, and intellectual curiosity enrich our school and we are grateful for his many contributions to this community.
The Stephen F. Bayne Chair in History and Ethics was established at Charles Wright Academy in 1992 in remembrance of the Right Reverend Stephen Fielding Bayne Jr. (1908-1974) to honor faculty members at the school. Reverend Bayne served as the bishop of the Diocese of Olympia between 1947 and 1960 in addition to being an original member of the CWA Board of Trustees, and he was an educational and a spiritual inspiration to Charles Wright Academy founders Sam and Nathalie Brown.
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2026 CHRISTOPHER STEELE AWARD Presented to
Michelle Verkooy Development & Alumni Relations Operations Manager
Michelle joined the Development Office in 2021, and in the years since, she has become one of the quiet forces that keeps Charles Wright running. She coordinates many of the school’s signature events, managing everything from food and décor to volunteer logistics with a careful eye for detail that makes each gathering feel organized and welcoming. Behind the scenes, she processes every donation received by CWA, working closely with the Finance team to ensure that each gift is properly received, tracked, and stewarded. Perhaps most notably, Michelle has been a source of stability during a period of significant transition within the Development Department. As one nominator put it, “she has provided important continuity, helping ensure that essential work continues to move forward smoothly.” That steadiness, paired with genuine warmth, came through in nomination after nomination from her colleagues. “Michelle is an invaluable community member of Charles Wright Academy,” wrote one nominator. “It is evident that she truly cares about CWA, and ensures that best practices are considered at every step of the way for the overall fundraising success of the school.” Another described her as “a thoughtful and generous collaborator” who “provides meaningful feedback, asks important questions, and approaches her work with a solutions-oriented mindset. Working with her is always a positive experience, and her steady presence strengthens every team she supports.” For many colleagues, Michelle is simply the person they know they can count on. “Over the years, I have relied on Michelle for answers to countless questions,” one nominator shared. “I trust her with every phone call I send, confident that she will field them with professionalism and care. Throughout numerous changes in the Development department, Michelle has been a steadfast and invaluable resource.”
Christopher Steele graduated from Charles Wright Academy in 1982. As a student, he threw himself into all Charles Wright had to offer. He played soccer, took an active part in drama productions, and was a talented visual art student. He had a particular love for the outdoors, and those who went on trips with Chris Steele recall his passionate enthusiasm for hiking and climbing. After a long fight with cancer, Steele passed away in 2002. In his memory, his family and friends established an annual award to honor a Charles Wright staff member who has made an outstanding contribution to the school and its students and faculty.
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LAST LOOK
The Burdick Playbook CWA celebrates Brian Burdick’s 10 years as he retires
After a remarkable decade at Charles Wright Academy, Brian Burdick is closing the chapter on an extraordinary career as a full-time P.E. teacher, Head Football Coach, and Upper School Golf Coach. To say he will be missed is an understatement, though given the range of that famous voice, we suspect we’ll still be able to hear him from somewhere near the track. Master of the Game Plan On the football field, Coach Burdick was a master strategist. He put in countless hours of game planning so his teams were prepared for anything an opponent could throw at them — so prepared, in fact, that he would often call out the other team’s plays before they ran them, having studied exactly what they did out of certain formations. And when Coach called out those plays, everyone in the stadium heard him. His voice carries. His dedication earned him multiple Nisqually League Coach of the Year honors as well as the National Football Foundation Coach of the Year award. Coach Burdick never coached alone. Football at CWA was truly a Burdick family effort. His wife, the famous Karen Burdick, joined him to scout opponents, during football season this was known as “date night.” His son Cooper served as Offensive Coordinator, and you could always tell the two were related: they share the same dance moves in their touchdown and turnover celebrations. Daughter Maggie Schmitz (Burdick) held the unofficial title of general manager, with one critical responsibility, making sure her dad didn’t get too excited and storm the field to debate a questionable call. CWA alum Andrew Schmitz ’09, Brian’s son-in-law and now the proud father of Brian’s granddaughter Nellie, could be found on the sidelines keeping game stats. Leading on the Links Brian’s coaching talents extended well beyond the gridiron. As Head Coach of CWA Upper School Golf, he guided the girls team to an impressive third-place finish at the WIAA State Tournament last spring, one more highlight in a career full of them. The Loudest Teacher in Wight Gym As a P.E. teacher, Brian brought his larger-than-life personality to Lower School students every day. When he donned his microphone headset in the Wight Gym, his voice could be heard all the way out at the track. His classes were full of goofy verbal cues and sound effects, signals for students to start an activity or report to their squads that simply cannot be explained in words. You just had to be there. His students weren’t the only ones who noticed. Brian was named Washington State P.E. Teacher of the Year not once, but twice, first during his years in public schools, and again a few years ago right here at Charles Wright. Calling His Final Play CWA has been better in every way for having Coach Burdick on campus. His strategy, his spirit, his sound effects, and his whole wonderful family have left a mark on this community that will last far beyond his final whistle. Congratulations on your retirement, Coach! You will be deeply missed.
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Cooper Burdick, Karen Burdick, Brian Burdick, Maggie Schmitz (Burdick), and Andrew Schmitz ’09
CWA NEWS LAST LOOK
Brian and Karen Burdick on a Kindergarten field trip
Brian coaching the Upper School Football team in 2025 CHARLESWRIGHT.ORG
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LAST LOOK
A Career That Adds Up Celebrating 43 years of Gil LeFrancois
Some teachers leave a mark on a school. A rare few become part of its foundation. After 43 years at Charles Wright Academy, Gil LeFrancois, known affectionately to generations of students simply as “Swa”, has retired from the Upper School. His departure closes a chapter that has shaped CWA in ways both measurable and immeasurable: in the students he taught, the teams he coached, the trips he led, and the countless lives he quietly changed along the way.
A Teacher’s Teacher
Gil joined the Upper School math department in the fall of 1983, and in the four decades since, he has become one of the most beloved and respected educators in the school’s history. As Mathematics Department Chair for more than two decades, he brought steady leadership to one of the school’s core disciplines, but it is his presence in the classroom that colleagues and students describe with something close to reverence. “Gil is without a doubt the most patient and thoughtful teacher I have ever worked with,” one colleague shared. “Even after years of teaching the same courses, he still spends time every single day thinking about what he can do to improve the learning for the kids. He never stops thinking about improving his craft. Everything he does is about the students.” That devotion has never gone unnoticed. In 2017, the Family Association named Gil the recipient of the Inspirational Faculty Award. One student’s reflection at the time captured what so many have experienced in his classroom: “Throughout Middle School I hated math; it was difficult for me to grasp the concepts and ideas. However, in honors geometry, I have not only grasped the concepts, but I’ve also learned that I enjoy math. Now I find myself looking forward to geometry every single day, something that I never would have imagined myself doing.” Often described as having a “quiet wisdom,” Gil has a gift for meeting students where they are and showing them what they’re capable of. It’s a gift that has turned math skeptics into math lovers, year after year, for four decades.
Beyond the Classroom Walls
For Gil, education has never been confined to a whiteboard. For more than 40 years, he led Upper School students into the outdoors on trips that challenged them physically, built character, and forged bonds that many alumni still count among their most formative experiences at CWA. From the trails of the Pacific Northwest to adventures as far afield as Costa Rica and Africa, Gil brought his passion for the environment, and his belief in what students could accomplish — to every expedition. Fellow travelers know him as the teacher who works through math puzzles in his head while hiking, finding joy in his subject even miles from the nearest classroom. On the soccer field, Gil coached generations of Tarriers, instilling perseverance, teamwork, and tactical skill along the way, a legacy honored with a Hall of Fame induction for one of his teams. He also coached track and chess, advised clubs, and led Winterim groups, weaving himself into nearly every corner of school life. His connection to CWA runs deeper still: both of his children attended the school, making his commitment to this community not just professional, but personal. 40
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A Legacy That Endures
LAST LOOK
In 2023, in honor of his 40th anniversary of teaching at Charles Wright Academy, Gil’s classroom was officially named for him, a fitting tribute that will inspire students for years to come, carrying his example forward to every educator and student who passes through its doors. Though Gil has now taught his final class, the community he shaped continues to feel his presence in every corner of campus. The mark he has left on this school, and on the students, colleagues, and families whose lives he has touched, is one that will endure long after the last bell has rung. Congratulations, Swa! We are deeply grateful for all you have given to CWA Tarriers, and we wish you every happiness in a retirement as rich and full as the career that earned it.
Gil in the Upper School in 2001
Gil with the Upper School Boys Soccer team in 2001
Gil with a group of students on an outdoor education trip
Gil walking with a student in the Upper School CHARLESWRIGHT.ORG
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ATHLETICS
BLEED GREEN
ATHLETIC
2025-26 Athletics Highlights Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees •
VANESSA DAVIS ’14 Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, Track & Field
•
PHILIP GRENLEY ’15
ALEC PLA ’29
Tennis •
TEDDY GRENLEY ’15 Tennis
•
ZACHARY SOKOLIK ’03 Football, Basketball, Baseball
State Competitors Boys Tennis •
ALEC PLA ’29 (3RD PLACE, SINGLES)
Girls Tennis •
RIYA JOSHI ’27 & MADELYN MCFARLAND ’27 CECE BERRY-MORLEY ’27
Baseball •
THE ACADEMY’S (A’S)
Golf • • • •
MAYA GHIMIRE ’29 MADISEN HAN ’29 TYLER KIM ’26 (9TH PLACE) EMILIO NGO ’29
Track & Field • • • •
CECE BERRY-MORLEY ’27 THEO CROKE ’27 KERR FORIER ’26 ISAAC MCFARLAND ’28
Nisqually League MVPs •
ALEC PLA ’29
Tennis
•
TUCKER GRASSER ’27
Baseball
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RIYA JOSHI ’27 & MADELYN MCFARLAND ’27
HALL OF FAME
CWA District 3 Champions •
ATHLETICS
Boys Tennis ALEC PLA ’29 (SINGLES)
Girls Tennis •
RIYA JOSHI ’27 & MADELYN MCFARLAND ’27 (DOUBLES)
Baseball •
THE ACADEMY’S (A’S)
Track & Field •
CECE BERRY-MORLEY ’27 (HIGH JUMP)
Nisqually League Sportsmanship Award •
BOYS BASKETBALL
Nisqually All-League UPPER SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL
FIRST TEAM •
AVA CLOSE-BOYD ’26
Volleyball
•
ALEC PLA ’29
Tennis
•
JAIDEN BROKENS ’27
Football
•
JONATHAN GARCIA ’27
Baseball
•
RIYA JOSHI ’27
Tennis
•
MADELYN MCFARLAND ’27
Tennis
•
MAYA GHIMIRE ’29
Golf
•
CECE BERRY-MORLEY ’27
Track & Field
SECOND TEAM
TYLER KIM ’26
•
COLBY STICE ’27
Baseball
•
TYLER KIM ’26
Golf
•
EMILIO NGO ’29
Golf
•
KERR FORIER ’26
Track & Field
•
ISAAC MCFARLAND ’28
Track & Field
HONORABLE MENTION •
HAZEL UNDERWOOD ’26
Volleyball
•
MADISON OLDS ’29
Soccer
•
HENRY GOODWIN ’29
Football
•
COREY WELCH ’26
Football
•
EVERETT JOHNSON ’28
Football
•
BELLE RUSSELL ’27
Basketball
•
TYTY LI ’27
Basketball
•
DANTE NDERITU ’27
Basketball
•
BENTON COFFEY ’26
Soccer
•
LOUIE VANDER PLOEG ’27
Soccer
•
BRANDON WAWERU ’29
Soccer
•
MADISEN HAN ’29
Golf CHARLESWRIGHT.ORG
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ALUMNI
Class Notes 64, 65 & 66
Members of the classes of 1964, 1965, and 1966 returned to campus in the fall. They received a tour from the Head of School and Trevor Will ’93. Thank you to Jamie Will ’65 for organizing this reunion!
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“I live in Brisbane, Australia, with my Australian husband. We are both retired from careers in IT. I am active in my local Anglican church, where I initiated a program for monthly donations to a charity helping the homeless. The photo is from our monthly delivery. Also, I volunteer for the Brisbane Anglican Diocese IT department, creating parish websites, digitising records, and implementing AI. Brisbane is the site for the 2032 Olympics, so I hope to see CWA alumni here in 2032.” -Karen Higgins ’72
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Members of the class of 1975 gathered to celebrate their 50th reunion out in Browns Point. They have held a reunion every 5 years for the past five decades.
03
Corey Matthaei ‘03, recipient of the 2026 Alumni of the Year Award, returned to campus for Founders’ Day to accept his honor and share a message with the next generation of Tarriers: be the hardest working person in the room.
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64, 65 & 66
05
Another Tarrier Grammy in the books! Congratulations to J’Nai Bridges ’05 on winning her third Grammy Award!
Class Reunion
15
20
The class of 2015 celebrated their 10th reunion during Homecoming & Alumni Reunion Weekend in the fall.
20
Sebastian La Rosa ’20 and Sitara McMillin ’20 visited campus and reconnected with some of their old teachers: Profe Blackman, Mrs. West, Mrs. FastLee, Mr. Hoppin, and Mr. Kangas. Sitara recently graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Environmental Science. Sebastian went off to Marquette University following CWA and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences.
75 Class Reunion
05
25
Ben Bortel ’25 was named to D3football.com’s Team of the Week for Special Teams after a standout performance in Grinnell College’s 63-6 win over Lawrence on Saturday, November 8. Bortel broke the school record for kicking points in a game with 13, going 7-for-7 on extra points — the fifth-most in a game in GC history — and 2-for-2 on field goals, connecting from 46 and 41 yards. Ben was also named the Midwest Conference Special Teams Performer of the Week.
15 Class Reunion
ALUMNI
IN REMEMBRANCE Patrick Mahar ’73 passed away on October 11, 2025, in Lakewood, Washington, after a long struggle with health issues. Born on January 27, 1955, in Greenfield, Massachusetts, Pat was the eldest of five children of Anthony and Margaret Mahar. In 1967, the family relocated to Tacoma, Washington, where the Mahar name became well known at Charles Wright Academy. Whether it was Tony or Margaret serving as teachers, coaches, or counsellors—or one of the five Mahar children excelling academically or athletically—everyone knew the Mahars. Pat made his mark on both the basketball court and the football field, where he was admired for his skill and sportsmanship. He graduated with the Class of 1973 and went on to attend Claremont Men’s College in California, earning a double major in Mathematics and English in 1977. In 1979, Pat married Carol, and together they had three children: Brian, Kasey, and Andrew. In 1986 the family moved from Alta Loma, California, to Gig Harbor, Washington, to be closer to the Mahar side of the family. Following in the Mahar tradition, Carol became a teacher at Charles Wright where all three children attended school. Although Pat and Carol eventually went their separate ways, they always shared one thing in common—their children were their greatest joy and accomplishment. Pat had a deep passion for the restaurant industry and played a key role in helping many establishments across the Tacoma area thrive. His friendly smile and generous spirit were familiar sights at Anthony’s at Point Defiance, Harbor Lights, and, in later years, Chambers Bay, among many others. Pat was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret; his sister, Debora; his father, Anthony; and his stepmother, Shirley. He is survived by his children, Brian, Kasey (Kip), and Andrew (Danielle); his siblings Greg, Garth (Donna), and Jennifer (Paul); as well as six beloved nieces and nephews, and seven grandchildren.
From Patrick’s Classmates
After suffering a debilitating health condition during the past three years we lost one of our cheerful classmates, Pat Mahar, last Fall. Always greeting his friends with a smile and a signature utterance, he will be missed. Pat entered the 7th grade at CWA in 1967 when his father, Tony (English teacher, Basketball Coach, and long-term Head of the Upper School), and his mother, Margaret (long-term elementary school teacher), were recruited by CWA to come to the PNW to assist in developing CWA during its “formative” years. No easy task. Accompanied by his two brothers and two sisters Pat was a natural fit for the small, unique atmosphere at CWA. He was both a talented athlete (football, basketball, and baseball) and student. Of our many good memories of Pat, one that stands out was his contribution as the team’s quarterback in leading the Tarrier Football program to the 1972 League Championship. Under the guidance of our gritty Headmaster and Head Football Coach, E. Bruce Haertl, it was a magical moment for all involved and the entire school. Happy “troopers” all!! Earning admission to Claremont McKenna, Pat went on to hone his natural people skills in the food and beverage industry, managing several local quality restaurants, including the legendary Harbor Lights and the popular Chambers Bay Grill. Raising his children (Andrew, Kasey and Brian) And keeping in touch with his many friends was a passion for Pat. We all wish him well on his next “adventure” and tip our hats to his many feats and personal accomplishments. He will be missed. CHARLESWRIGHT.ORG
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Former Upper School Receiptionist Phyllis Kriese passed away peacefully, leaving a legacy of warmth, laughter, and love on October 17, 2025. She was a beloved and steadfast presence at Charles Wright Academy for more than 30 years, dedicating herself wholeheartedly to our students, faculty, and families. As the Upper School Receiptionist, Phyllis was the heart of the Upper School. She was a welcoming face, a trusted listener, and a keeper of countless stories. She knew who had forgotten their lunch, who was nervous about an upcoming performance, who was going to prom with whom, and who might need a stern reminder to get out of bed a little bit earlier to make it to school on time.
Gordon “Casey” Jones ’66 passed away on December 19, 2025. Casey grew up in Olympia, Washington, and most recently relocated to Neenah, Wisconsin. He was a Charles Wright Academy 1966 graduate, athlete, and friend. He became a highly respected and loved CWA teacher, football coach, Charles Wright Athletic Hall of Fame inductee twice, and Washington State Football Coach of the Year in 2007. When Casey didn’t have a project to do, and he always did, he was either piloting his Cessna 185, skiing, or watching the Seahawks play. He loved to ski with his family and taught others at Crystal Mountain, Red Lodge, Montana, and White pass. He was an accomplished builder who was proud of the beach house he built on the Long Beach Peninsula. Casey’s favorite place to be was at his family cabin on Chaunigan Lake in British Columbia where he’d be found fly fishing for hours on end. Casey will be greatly missed by his wife Carol, siblings David and Nancy, children Tyler and Abby, his grandchildren, extended family and friends. Carlyle Willis (C.W.) “Crash” Clark passed away on February 24, 2026, in Tacoma, WA, less than three weeks shy of his 90th birthday from advanced years and some help from ALS. Born on March 13, 1936 in Suffern, NY, he was a cherished educator, mentor, and outdoor enthusiast. C.W. graduated from Suffern High School, excelling in three sports: football, basketball and baseball and earned his B.A. in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania in 1958, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity and competed in crew and baseball. He went on to become a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1958 to 1962. Crash served his country with distinction and honor in the short period sandwiched between the Korean and Vietnam Wars as commander of a 16-man tank platoon based in Okinawa. His military tenure was marked by the same leadership and dedication that he would later bring to his educational roles. Discharged as a Captain, C.W. followed his time in the Marines by securing an M.A. in English and Education from SUNY Albany, NY in 1963. His profound passion for education was reflected in his long and distinguished career in teaching and administration, which included roles as an English and Communication Arts Teacher, English Department Chair, Assistant Headmaster, Headmaster, and Director of Admission, Development, and Financial Aid at various public and independent schools including Pine Plains Central School, NY; Haviland Junior High School, NY; Westover School, CT; The Tatnall School, DE; Brewster Academy, NH; The Vail Mountain School, CO; The Park School, NY; Keith Country Day School, IL; and Charles Wright Academy, WA. He concluded his professional journey as a Senior Staff Consultant for educational placement at Bennett School Placement Worldwide.
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T I E S | Summer 2026
ALUMNI
Crash’s love for the outdoors was unparalleled. He was an avid whitewater and sea kayaker, whitewater rafter, skier, beach comber, hiker, and fisherman, coordinating untold number of outdoor expeditions and trips for friends, family, and students. His home office is a testament to these explorations, overflowing with years of adventure photos taped to every flat surface, memorabilia and oodles of binders labeled with pre and post-trip notes, photos, maps, budgets, contacts etc. He had a certain fearlessness and courage in the outdoors for himself and others, pushing everyone out of their comfort zones (Jill probably has the best stories on that topic!). His Marine officer training type A taskmaster personality reared up on many occasions as Crash took lead as “Commodore” in outfitting and planning almost every detail of the expeditions. However, his unique brand of silliness and playfulness was a personality counterpoint that drew others to him and made his expeditions downright fun. Somewhere back in the annals of history in his earlier life on the east coast, C.W. coined and founded B.A.B.C., affectionately known as the “Barely Adequate Boating Club,” a young group of whitewater kayakers. While the group was, in fact, more than adequate in skill and preparation, paddling challenging rivers in NY, WV, and ID, it set the tone for Crash’s penchant for self-deprecating humor and fun in all of his expeditions. B.A.B.C. lived on when C.W. moved west and gathered an intrepid band of friends, family and strangers to tackle annual river rafting trips in Alaska and sea kayaking adventures in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands and up the inside passage into B.C. Crash would be the last to define himself as an artist, but he delighted in being creative and facilitating the creativity of others. He made elaborate cards with collage and stickers, rigged kayaks, took a gazillion photos, wrote stories, planned goofy events with his kayak buddies like parades on the beach using beach combed nylon rope, fishing floats, seaweed and bandanas for flags. His artistic side was also expressed through his love, alongside Jill’s, for photography, theater, classical music, ballet, film, and travel, and he was an avid reader, especially a fan of outdoor adventure stories sprinkled with a little poetry. And you knew he was happy when he puttered around the house tinkering on a project or at a beach camp, tidying up the camp stove, whistling a classic tune, or some war-time ditty from his father’s era. There are many, many stories about Crash, not the least of which is how he got that nickname as a little boy, the one that so aptly described him throughout his life. He was infinitely curious about people and cultures and would get lost in lively conversations with people, pocketing a sticky note with their contact info. Friends say he never met a stranger. He even annually “adopted” an entire troupe of Maori youth dancers coming to the NW on tour from New Zealand after striking up a conversation with their leaders in the Auckland airport. These 15 or so people slept on Jill and Crash’s floor of their small house in Tacoma in the late 1990s for several days annually, as they performed at local schools. The lifetime trove of C.W. stories are epic and endless; some are heartbreaking, others funny, head-scratching, amazing and delightful. He lived on both coasts of the U.S. and a few spots in between. He raised Beagles and Black and Tan Coonhounds, built a geodesic dome home on family property in NY, was an expert marksman with a pistol in the Marines, owned and operated a bar and grill, led rafting trips down the Colorado River with his kids and friends on multiple occasions, and even summited Mt. Rainier. He was one of a kind. Please take the time to share the endless C.W. stories with one another. He was preceded in death by his father, Willis Clark; mother, Edythe Clark; brother, Edmund Clark and former wife, Audrey Long Hinz. C.W. is survived by his wife, Jill Nordfors Clark; son Brian Clark; daughter Diana Clark; daughterin-law Heather Clark; granddaughters Fallon Clark, Kiera Clark, Madison Menzel, Maya Menzel; sister-in-law Dorothy Clark; stepson Chris Nordfors (Kathryn Lewis); stepdaughter Erica Applewhite (Tom Applewhite), former wife, Audrey S. Abbott…and a whole big pile of friends and family old and young, from the east coast and west coast, and far-flung around the world who will miss him so so much.
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Save the Dates! Charlie’s Picnic Friday, September 18, 2026
Homecoming & Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame Friday, October 16, 2026
Alumni Pub Night Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Spirit Auction Saturday, March 20, 2027
Founders’ Day Friday, April 23, 2027
FROM THE ARCHIVES
(From left) Former Heads of School Rob Camner, Robert Minnerly, Philip Havens, CWA Co-Founder Sam Brown, Bruce Haertl, and Edgar Sanford at CWA’s 50th Birthday Party.
From Peach Acres to Seventy Years of Tarriers When this photograph was taken at CWA’s 50th birthday celebration in 2007, our school was already five decades removed from its improbable beginning: a frost-killed peach orchard, a shuttered spaghetti restaurant, and two people with an outsized dream. Sam and Nathalie Brown didn’t set out to build one of the finest independent schools in the Pacific Northwest, at least not in so many words. They simply wanted a school where their own children, and generations of children after them, would receive an education of the highest caliber in mind, body, and spirit. With the blessing of Bishop Stephen Bayne and the help of a small group of determined parents, they purchased 127 acres on Chambers Creek Road known as Peach Acres. On September 16, 1957, forty boys and five faculty members opened the doors on that first school year. Seventy years later, the orchard is long gone, but what the Browns planted has flourished beyond anything they could have imagined: an inclusive community of more than 550 students, preschool through Grade 12, still nurtured and challenged to develop the character, creativity, and skills to navigate the future with confidence. As we approach our 70th year in 2027, we look back with gratitude to the Browns, to the founding families, and to every Tarrier who has walked this campus since.