Letter From Admissions
Alumni Notes Clinton Fields ’90 (cfields@forcefieldstrack. org) reports that daughter Ayanna, a sophomore at the Academy of Notre Dame and an accomplished member of the track and field team, will be competing in multiple events at this year’s indoor state championship. You can find the video of her long-jumping at http://www.brightcove.tv/title. jsp?title=1398206873. Clinton Fields ’90 and wife Michele
CPT Jason S. Kittlesen ’91 (jskitt7@hotmail.com) returned to Texas after serving in the armed forces in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jason was the Pilot-inCommand of an AH-64D Apache Longbow Attack Helicopter tasked to conduct aerial reconnaissance and security in Baghdad. Jason recently presented CFS a gift of the American Flag he flew during a recon mission on September 29, 2007. Nate Harris ’92 (nateh7@yahoo.com), wife Keirstan, and two children, Nathaniel and Beckham, are now living in Summerville, S.C. They are both teachers and coaches. Nate coaches football and soccer while Keirstan coaches cheerleading. Jamie Seymour ’92 (jamieseymour@hotmail.com) has relocated from the NYC area and is now residing outside Pittsburgh, Pa., with his wife Tina. Jamie’s new address is 212 Snyder Dr., Coraopolis, PA 15108-2940. David Hatchard ’93 (dlhatchard@gmail.com) now lives in NYC and has a new position at work: Senior Project Manager, Lincoln Center Development. Darshan Dohle ’94 (darshan_dohle@yahoo.com) is currently working as a pilot for a private military firm in Afghanistan. Max Prempeh ’94 (Maxwell.Prempeh@uphs.upenn.edu) returned to campus last spring as a guest speaker for Career Night. He also played in the alumni basketball game in December.
Bart Bronk ’96 (bbronk@gocfs.net), wife Chrissy, and older sister Emilia welcomed a new addition to the family. Charles Barton Bronk arrived into the world on January 4, 2008. He shares a name with his dad, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather and (they think) greatgreat grandfather.
Charles Barton Bronk
Moussa Kone ’96 and fiancée Andrea at a friend’s wedding in September 2007
Moussa Kone ’96 (nanopilot1@yahoo.com) is currently residing in Hollywood, Calif. He returned to CFS in September 2007 with fiancée Andrea. Moussa completed his high school degree at a local public school in D.C. and graduated from the University of Maryland in 2001 with a degree in government and politics. Moussa is currently working in the real estate field and is looking to return to law school.
Director of Admissions Bart Bronk ’96 with associates Patricia Ceschan and Colletta Roberts
Bart Bronk, Class of 1996, returned to school on October 1 as the first alumnus to direct CFS Admissions. He invites any alumni interested in potential admission for family or friends, or in being an admissions ambassador, to contact him at 610-363-5346 or bbronk@gocfs.net.
I
t is hard to believe that it has already been four months since my return to campus. It has been a wonderful homecoming for me, and I am greatly enjoying the chance to offer the kind of opportunity I had as a student here to the CFS students and leaders of tomorrow. While the weather keeps getting colder, our 2008-2009 admissions cycle is beginning to heat up. As applications pour into our office from across the area – indeed, the nation and the world – we begin the challenging task of building our incoming classes of September 2008. One of my major goals as Director of Admissions is to maintain and grow the impact that you, our alumni, can have as ambassadors for the admissions process. You have been faithful supporters of the school through attending on- and off-campus events, donating to the Annual Fund, bringing speakers to campus, and in so many other ways. Please know that one equally – if not more – significant way you can give back to CFS is by being a source of student referrals. There is simply no better advertisement for our school than a man whose life was changed as a student here. Be they family, friends, co-workers, or casual acquaintances, I hope you feel empowered to “talk up” CFS and the great work that goes on here to everyone you encounter. As I, myself, learn “the ropes” of today’s CFS admissions process, I’m left with a few impressions about the make-up of our 21stcentury applicant pool that you, our alumni ambassadors, should know as you represent the school in your community. First and foremost, today’s applicants to CFS are more talented, more motivated, and more determined than ever. Our typical admissions candidate is an A/B student, who is respected by teachers, has strong standardized test scores and well-rounded talents on the athletic field, participates in extra-curricular activities, and is, increasingly, skilled in music and the fine arts. Of course, what makes our school so special is that we can offer an incredible educational experience – at an uncommonly affordable price – to these outstanding young men, for most of whom paying the typical high tuition of a private school would be impossible. Of course, with increasing interest from talented applicants comes increasing competition. This year’s ninth grade class will be our most competitive to date; we anticipate a healthy waiting list and will certainly have to turn away some truly fine candidates.
Chris Dorer ’97 (cdorer@gmail.com) and fiancée Emily DeGarmo will be married on June 14, 2008. They joined other alums and guests at the 2007 Alumni Dinner. Chris Dorer ’97 and Emily DeGarmo
Tom Phelan ’97 (tom@pmamoney.com) continues to own and operate a successful mortgage finance operation with offices in both Pennsylvania and Florida. His generous gift to the CFS Choir helped fund the summer performance and outreach tour of South Africa.
Given this reality, one of the best pieces of advice you can give anyone interested in a CFS education for their son is to begin that decision-making process when he is in sixth or seventh grade. Our middle-school applications do not approach the volume that we receive for ninth and tenth grade. To the extent a family can apply for their son to come here as a middle-schooler, it will greatly help his prospects of ultimate enrollment as a CFS student. As always, I’m available to answer any questions that you – or those whom you are referring – might have about CFS and our admissions process. Also, make sure to stop in to the Admissions Office whenever you come back to campus – fellow Griffin (or Aggie!) alums are always welcome. 9