Maroon & Grey Spring 2024

ETHICAL AGENTS FOR THE COMMON GOOD

MAROON & GREY

Spring 2024

The Magazine of Church Farm School

EDITOR

Stefanie Claypoole

LAYOUT & DESIGN

916 Design Co.

PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY

Betsy Barron Photography

MISSION

The Church Farm School prepares a diverse group of boys with academic ability and good character to lead productive and fulfilling lives by making a college preparatory education financially accessible.

Support our mission at gocfs.net

ADMINISTRATION

HEAD OF SCHOOL

The Rev. Edmund K. Sherrill II

ASSISTANT

Margaret van Steenwyk

Suni

Chet

Dear Alumni and Friends of CFS

W.B. Yeats’ The Second Coming, written shortly after the First World War ended, offers a brooding commentary on the fate of humankind given our propensity for raging madness in biblical proportion. He sees nothing less than the greatest of challenges to the human spirit and observes that, “everywhere

The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best lack all conviction, while the worst Are full of passionate intensity.”

Reading it, over 100 years later, one takes pause to consider the poet’s prophetic vision. Indeed, there is plenty of historical evidence of subsequent wars with increasing destructive power, all suggesting we have done little to amend our ways, that we are pushing ever closer to the abyss.

But that would only be looking into the past with one eye closed to the endeavors of more virtuously minded people, such as our school’s founder and his successors. Together with dedicated faculty and staff, CFS has steadily pursued an alternate vision grounded in goodness and love. Here, the best hold undaunted, rooted conviction and work steadily, humbly, to lift young men into a sense of their own worth, their own abilities and how to apply these even in the hardest of circumstances and bleakest of conditions. This hopefulness is the work of Church Farm School. The innocence of youth still has its place on our campus and in our program. Young men playing hard and learning to be part of a team and community can be fun and enjoyable, and maroon and grey games still punctuate our annual “friendly” competition wherein points are awarded for a variety of skills be they

physical, intellectual or artistic. At the same time, CFS Griffins are aware of life’s cruelties through their own direct observation and experience. As much as our campus is a safe and secure place for a boy to grow and become a man, that process also means preparing to put away childish things, steadying one’s footsteps and getting at the task of building a more just world.

If God gives us a vision of what He wants done, He also give us the ability to do it.

To this end, our theme for the year has promoted being an ethical agent for the common good, one of the six characteristics of the Profile of a CFS Graduate. Learning to contend with one another while remaining committed to each other’s welfare sets us and our community on a path with a more prosperous and peaceful destination as our guiding vision. And, as we have learned here, “If God gives us a vision of what He wants done, He also gives us the ability to do it.”

Church Farm School continues to do what at times may seem impossible or improbable, and our graduates, parents, board members and friends offer ample testimony to this resilient fact. You will enjoy reading about some of them and of today’s scholars in these pages. We all hope you will return to campus to see for yourself all the wonderful things taking place here. You’ll be glad you did.

With warm wishes, N. Sherrill

ETHICAL AGENTS FOR THE COMMON GOOD

When the CFS administration and faculty started working on its Profile of a CFS Graduate a few years ago, it was important to identify the soft – but critical – skills that would serve our students well not only at CFS but in the larger world. The six characteristics that rose to the top portray young men without singular focus - we are developing graduates aware that it’s equally important to fail as to succeed, to focus on mental health as much as physical health, to explore a variety of interests, speak with confidence and think beyond our 150-acre campus to ways they can impact global communities. This year’s theme is drawn from the characteristic “Ethical Agents for the Common Good,” which speaks to a moral center that guides us.

SENIOR LEADERS PAY IT FORWARD

Our senior leaders set the pace for the school more than ever. They are running assemblies, meeting with administration on their peers’ behalf, working hard in the classroom, the cottages and athletics. A few particular senior leaders are also effecting important change on campus; changes that will not benefit them, but their Griffin brothers. Rafael Arellano, Dylan Lumumba, Fayi Nshanji and Shalva Bent are extremely grateful for the opportunities afforded to them through their affiliations with Prep for Prep and A Better Chance (Dylan). Through these relationships, they have been able to participate in both term-away (Rafael and Fayi) and summer programming that might otherwise be out of reach. Rafael and Fayi worked with Prep for Prep and CFS to make their term-away at the High Mountain Institute in Colorado financially accessible and to set a foundation that would continue. HMI visited CFS this year to highlight their offerings, the scholarships available to students and the benefits of spending a semester disconnected from technology and instead, connected with nature, endurance and resilience.

These scholars leveraged their community-based organization (CBO) relationships for summer programming, too. Through their CBO’s partnerships with Student Diplomacy Corps, Dylan spent the summer in Alaska, Fayi traveled to Italy and Rafael spent the summer in France. Their capstone project – under the guidance of Dr. Nicole Campbell and tentatively named the Griffin Opportunity Program – aims to identify both opportunities and funding sources to ensure future Griffins can also access term-away, internship and summer programming. Their passion is already bearing fruit: Director of Strategic Initiatives and College

Guidance Tiffany Scott, working with Assistant Head of School/Director of Academics Margaret van Steenwyk and Dean of Studies Krista Peterson, are forging partnerships that we hope will become sustained pieces of our program. For example, summer opportunities with HMI, the Island School in the Bahamas and Yale University are already forged; new opportunities with the University of Pennsylvania and the Student Diplomacy Corps are underway. The scholars also hope to broaden opportunities for afterschool and summer internships and are hoping to utilize the school’s vast network of alumni and friends to secure opportunities where there are geographic groundswells of students. Interested in getting involved? Contact Tiffany Scott at tscott@gocfs.net .

CFS FACULTY ANSWER THE CALL

All of Church Farm School’s faculty and staff are devoted to the school and its mission. These are just three adult members of the community who put service above self.

John Evans first heard about CFS when he was having dinner with a neighbor in his retirement community. The neighbor discussed how enthused she was that her daughter, Margaret van Steenwyk, had been hired for the role of Assistant Head of School. At the time, John had been considering going back into teaching to keep his mind busy. John applied for a position at the Church Farm School and was hired as a science teacher. He teaches two courses in biology to the Church Farm School students. John is not only passionate about teaching at Church Farm School; he also has a wide array of interests and hobbies in his personal life. In his free time, he enjoys flower and vegetable gardening, reading mystery novels or the newspapers and has undertaken learning how to knit. Some future goals he is looking forward to are witnessing a volcanic eruption in Hawaii or Iceland and finishing his latest knitting project which is a scarf.

John “JC” Garges and his (now) wife joined the CFS community in 2022. A softspoken, eternally positive person, JC oversees Disston Cottage, coaches track, participates on Chapel Council and heads up the school’s community

service program. JC discovered Church Farm School through an Episcopal jobs’ website; he was looking for a job with aspects of ministry work. His background in teaching and coaching made him an excellent candidate when he applied for the position of cottage parent. Part of what makes JC excited about his work here is that there is always an opportunity to play multiple roles in the school and community. “I knew I would work in all my passions of coaching, helping with chapel and supporting students at the same time,” he says.

JC leads the school’s community service program which focuses on creating opportunities for students to live out our motto for the 2023-24 school year: “being an ethical agent for the common good.” Whether on or off campus, every amount of time a scholar is engaged in service work is tracked and recognized. JC was a natural fit for leading the community service program as he has experienced doing service previously and always finds it very rewarding. He says, “I wanted to take on the challenge of teaching students that service is not about getting things or fulfilling a requirement.” He most wants his students to understand that service work is rewarding for everyone involved. Some service areas in which students serve our campus directly are through our admissions ambassadors program, being a part of the snow crew who shovels and salts the sidewalks and as volunteers during some of the sporting events on our campus. Off-campus service this year includes assisting with plantings at Exton Park, volunteering with the Brandywine SPCA and volunteering with different organizations in Philadelphia that fight food scarcity.

JC also shows his service to the school by volunteering to be on Church Farm School’s Chapel Council. He typically can be seen playing the guitar, being a reader or setting up for the chapel service. He takes being on the Council as an opportunity to listen and learn how chapel is run here, as well as offer any thoughts he may have about improvements or different ways of doing things. In the coming years, JC hopes to earn

his Master of Divinity so that he can continue to work in ministry. When he has time outside of his volunteer work, he enjoys running, playing the guitar, reading, playing video games and spending time with his wife, Sarah.

Lori McDermott has worked at CFS for almost two decades, but still gets teary-eyed when asked about the school and its mission. She is an ambassador not because it’s her job, but because it is her vocation. Whether she’s assembling care packages for alumni in college with student ambassadors and members of the Alumni Association Executive Council; representing CFS as part of her work on the West Whiteland Township’s Friends of the Parks Committee; encouraging donations to the school’s Griffin Clothes Closet; or spearheading a new endowed scholarship; she puts her heart into her work.

Lori’s role in community engagement has evolved over the years. “It first began with my involvement with Make a Difference Day where CFS partnered with West Whiteland Township and Weston Solutions, a local environmental engineering company, to help beautify Exton Park, the land formerly owned by the school. I’ve served as Church Farm School’s liaison with the Township through my participation on numerous committees but my most active position has been with my work with WWT Friends of the Parks,” she says. As Chair of WWTFOTP, Lori has helped organize many free events for the community, and always tries to get CFS scholars involved. They help volunteer for the Annual Egg Hunt, Make a Difference Day, Earth Day and 5k runs.

Outside of Church Farm School, Lori is active with First Presbyterian Church in West Chester; she has served as a Deacon, Deacon moderator and co-chairs the Nominating Committee. She also enjoys volunteering at the Salvation Army Coatesville Corps for their Thanksgiving Dinner and summer barbecue events.

I

just want to pay it forward. My time was not my own when raising my children and I appreciated the support and available activities others helped to provide. This is my small way of giving back. I want to contribute where I can and to leave this world in a better place.

HENRY PREMPEH '99

Henry Prempeh ’99 seemed almost as eager to be back on the CFS campus for Convocation as we were to have him in early September. Henry says he was most impressed by the use and optimization of space at CFS since he graduated, as well as the diversity of the faculty and staff. And although his talk had to be moved from the Chapel to Alumni Hall due to excessive heat, Henry was happy that a strong sense of faith continues to permeate campus. “While I was a student, I didn’t realize how the chapel experience was contributing to my relationship with Christ,” he says. The alumnus of Ghanian descent raised in Newark, NJ, and then Connecticut revealed that about 10-15 of his extended family attended the school at one point, including his two older brothers and first cousin – Max ’94, Leroy ’96 and Kwasi Gyambibi ‘96. “Our father was a strong believer in education, and our local educational systems weren’t meeting our needs. This led my father to seek

out a more appropriate educational placement that would not only challenge us academically, but also place us in an environment away from home that would allow us to solely focus on learning without the potential risks that can come with growing up in a low-income, innercity environment.”

Henry’s recollections of his six years at CFS mirror so many alumni – there are not a lot of specifics that he reflects on, but an overwhelming sense of community. “You’re doing life with people. In school, after school, extracurriculars. We would play, study, fight, make up. You’re always spending time with your brothers.” He also recalls the strength of relationships with faculty and staff including teachers such as Mr. Smith. “They taught us work ethic, how to come back from failure and how to keep working at things.” At CFS, Henry was interested in mathematics and attended Georgetown University as a computer science major. After

transitioning to an undecided major, he recalls a news story that changed his trajectory: that of Andrea Yates, the Texas mother who drowned her children. “I remember being really intrigued by human behavior. I remember sitting there reflecting on the question of, ‘What are the factors that would lead a mother to drown her own children?’” He eventually decided to change his major to psychology and would spend hours after class talking to his professors about psychological topics. In addition to his curiosity, Henry’s natural empathy and ability to listen have served him well.

THEY TAUGHT US WORK ETHIC, HOW TO COME BACK FROM FAILURE AND HOW TO KEEP WORKING AT THINGS.

After Georgetown, Henry spent a year at the Child and Family Research Program in Philadelphia, received his master’s in clinical psychology with emphasis on marriage and family therapy from Pepperdine and then went back to Georgetown for his PhD. Initially, he worked at the Children’s National Medical Center in DC – work that he loved focused on supporting teen parents. But the hours became untenable once he became a new father – “safeguarding my family is important to me” – and he joined a private practice. Now, he is four years into his own practice in Arlington, VA, focusing primarily on individual therapy with adults and doing some couples therapy with an emphasis on integrating faith into the process. Henry’s approach is to meet his clients with grace and compassion. “It is a journey that we walk through together.” To contact Henry, email him at hprempeh2007@gmail.com .

WORKING FOR THE COMMON GOOD

MANI SABAPATHI

Mani Sabapathi has a great passion and interest in education, which is how he became associated with Church Farm School. His friend Mehul Trivedi was on the Board of Directors at the time and introduced him to the school. Mani quickly became involved with the Finance committee and helping with asset allocation ideas. When asked what made him want to be involved with Church Farm School, he said, “I really love the mission of providing access to high-quality education to students who would otherwise not have access to it. All members on the Board that I have come across have really impressed me with their passion for the school and making a difference through education!” Mani finds education as an avenue that helps people transcend socio-economic barriers. He emigrated to the United States while in fifth grade, attending public schools in Bensalem and Upper Darby through his remaining primary and secondary education. He found a great interest in math and science which prompted him to major in engineering and economics at the University of Pennsylvania. He credits his education for putting him in a position in which he can give back, and help others benefit from access to better education.

One of his long-term life goals is to bring access to education and improved educational resources to rural communities. His main locations of interest include Nepal and Kenya. He found that rural areas in these countries lack resources for students and teachers. Currently, Mani travels to Kenya, where he is developing an offline learning platform. This platform consists of a learning management system that provides a framework for teachers to assign work and oversee student progress. He has curated the program to fit Kenya’s curriculum for grades 1-8 and is currently working on organizing and providing access to Cambridge curriculum which is used by international schools in many parts of the world. The program also comes with a robust set of assessments to help identify gaps in learning - real-time feedback for teachers. Mani feels that often, technology is used by students to consume material rather than create it which is why his program also features tools of student’s content creation. Mani looks forward to taking his knowledge about education and applying it to the Student Development Committee to develop more datadriven analysis of the benefit of a Church Farm School education.

I REALLY LOVE THE MISSION OF PROVIDING ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION TO STUDENTS WHO WOULD OTHERWISE NOT HAVE ACCESS TO IT.

Mani and new board members Tammy James and Geoff Sheehan.

ALUMNI GIVING BACK

ELIJAH FREEMAN ’14 & STEVE LONEY ’97 MODELING MENTORSHIP

The CFS alumni mantra is “Look Back, Come Back, Give Back.”

Stephen Loney ’97 has always been a shining example of this mantra, whether volunteering his time and expertise on the school’s Board of Directors, generously supporting the school philanthropically or imparting his wisdom to today’s scholars (which currently includes his own son, Stephen ’26).

When Elijah Freeman ’14 reached out to the school looking to connect with an alumnus who could help him find an internship at a Philadelphia law firm, Director of Alumni Relations Lori McDermott immediately thought of Steve, who was a then litigator at Hogan Lovells US LLP. Fast forward a few years later, and Steve has transitioned to his dream job –a senior litigator at the ACLU – and Elijah has transitioned his internship to a full-time role at Hogan Lovells. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, where he works on matters related to

asylum and PA gun laws. The duo are featured in the April issue of Philadelphia Magazine.

While on campus for the magazine photo shoot, Steve and Elijah (along with Robert Jefferson from Gawthrop Greenwood and Blaine Feinauer from Saul Ewing), participated in the school’s first Griffins Meet & Eat event of the year, where students could share

a meal with experts in a particular field. We are grateful to Steve and Elijah for continuing the long tradition of alumni “giving back” to current and former Griffins! Want to share your expertise with today’s scholars or need help with your own networking? Contact Lori McDermott at lmcdermott@gocfs.net.

Thomas Knezevich ’18 joined the community as a cottage faculty member mid-year, and immediately dove right into enhancing the Griffin experience using his unique insights and experiences. An accomplished artist who works in a variety of mediums, Thomas worked with CFS’ Arts Chair, Dina Schmidt, to put on the school’s first-ever solo art show in the Buck Center for the Arts, which ran in March and April and featured receptions for both scholars and adults. Kordell TateRoberts ’26, an aspiring journalist, interviewed Thomas about his show.

What was the inspiration for your art show?

The inspiration was to show my progress as an artist. I incorporated works from when I was a student here at CFS to my evolution when I was going into college for ceramics and then as I transitioned into metal working there. I really began to do blacksmithing during Covid-19 and I brought that into my college career and incorporated it into my major.

How does it feel to host the very first CFS solo art exhibition?

Honestly, I was thrilled when they gave me the opportunity and I didn’t know it was the first solo art show here, but I was really trying to put my best foot forward so that way the students could see what I do. They know I’m an artist but they don’t know what length I’ve gone into art and how deep I’ve gone with working with very different mediums.

What’s your experience in working as a blacksmith?

My experience first started when the Covid pandemic hit. I thought being around a 3000-degree forge would be a safe way of staying away from Covid. Then I felt a deep passion for it because blacksmithing is really the opposite of ceramics with the process of working with the materials. With forging, you would need to use fire

THOMAS KNEZEVICH ’18 ADVOCATING ART

to make the metal malleable and use water to quench it and harden it. With ceramics, you would use water to make the clay pliable and then use fire to harden it. It's the opposite for the way it works.

What was your favorite art piece in the show?

I have to say it is the small bull sculpture. It was one of my earliest sculptures and it really allowed me to focus on the structure and anatomy of the animals because I was studying them by going to living history farms and doing sketches. It was the most freeing because you take a piece of metal, put it next to the frame and see if it works. If it does, you weld it on. If not, you find a new piece. It was just picking out pieces and trying to put together

a puzzle. Once that puzzle is completed, you get a step further to make it a dynamic piece.

Which piece was the hardest to craft?

I would say the horse. That piece had many prototypes beforehand; it took a lot of refinement, and a lot of perseverance. There were many different flaws with it including many times it collapsed and I had to go back and reinforce everything. There were little details like the hair on the horse. It was forged out with each strand of hair taking about 10 minutes to forge. It was a long process and very satisfying when it was finished.

NURTURING KINDNESS

THE REV. ANN LOVEJOY JOHNSON P'25

Ethical agents for the common good can be found in many places and professions; those who are devoted to pastoral care are certainly often among them. The Rev.

Ann Lovejoy Johnson says much of her life’s work has focused on helping “people discover meaning in the situations in which they find themselves” and “equipping people to do what they are called to do.” For the past two years, she has been doing this work as the Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life at Seabury Active Life Plan Community in Seabury, CT. Prior to this, she spent many years in parish ministry in three dioceses. Prior to seminary, she worked in substance abuse treatment. Most importantly, perhaps, is her role as a loving mother to her two adopted children from Ethiopia – Azalech and Musé Kabiso-Johnson ’25 (pictured top left).

Ann says that Musé is a quick study, which helped make his transition to life in the United States at the age of 2 an easy one. When Musé approached Ann about following in his older sister’s footsteps and attending

private school, Ann says Church Farm School – with whom she’d become acquainted through the Episcopal Church – was at the top of her list due to the deep financial aid the school could offer. “CFS was a good match financially, but also because of its emphasis on brotherhood, the academic support and the opportunity for racial mirrors that he wasn’t finding in public school.” She says although CFS is farther away than she would like, Musé has found a wonderful community where “everyone is held to high standards.” “It’s been a great opportunity for him to navigate life without Mom in the middle of everything,” she says. In just 2 1/2 years, Musé has made a name for himself in a variety of opportunities at the school – serving on Student Government, as a cottage prefect and contributing to multiple sports teams. He is also known for his compassion for others and his own desire to serve his community, likely a trait picked up from his mother.

Ann’s work over the past 20 years has transitioned from, “what can we do for the church?” to “what can we do for God’s mission?” She says, “Sometimes we need to break out of our church doors to be in the mission of everyday life for people.” She hopes to be part of a revival to nurture what she says is perhaps the greatest of all virtues: kindness.

Aggies and Griffins of every decade: we hope you can join us in Exton as we host three days of events designed for you to connect with your peers, interact with our current students, visit former teachers and mentors and enjoy some competition, discussions and celebrations!

We are especially excited to honor longtime (45 years!) faculty member and coach Art Smith as we wrap up fundraising for our new Arthur Smith Endowed Scholarship during Alumni Dinner, which will also honor recipients of the Newt Disney Service Award, J. Tyler Griffin Award for Ambassadorship and Hall of Athletic Honor.

FRIDAY, MAY 10

12:00 PM

12:45 PM

3:30 PM

5:30 PM Lunch

Career Conversations with Scholars

Campus Tour

Welcome Reception

SATURDAY, MAY 11

11:30 AM 2:00 PM 3:15 PM 5:00 PM 5:45 PM

Alumni Association Annual Meeting and Luncheon

Basketball Game Campus Tour

Chapel Memorial Service Alumni Reception and Dinner

SUNDAY, MAY 12

12:00 PM 1:00 PM Brunch

Music and Art Spring Celebration

Announcing Our 2024 Hall of Athletic Honor Inductees

Every other year, a committee of CFS faculty and staff have the privilege of selecting inductees into our Hall of Athletic Honor, which recognizes alumni, faculty, coaches and other school community members who represent the best of CFS athletics and its values: sportsmanship, teamwork and athletic excellence. The following three inductees will be celebrated at our Alumni Dinner on May 11. Read their full bios on our website!

MICHEAL ERIC ’07

Mike was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, and came to the U.S. as a teenager. He spent his last two years of high school at CFS playing basketball for Coach Marc Turner. Over the course of two seasons, Mike averaged 17.2 points, 14.6 rebounds and 6.4 blocks per game while leading Church Farm to the KSAC regular season championship. He earned first-team all-league and all-area both years. After CFS, Mike played for Temple University. As a junior, he was named the team co-captain and started the first 24 games of the season before fracturing his right patella. After Temple, Mike had multiple stints in the NBA Summer League, playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers (2012), Philadelphia 76ers (2013), Golden State Warriors (2013), Milwaukee Bucks (2015) and the Washington Wizards (2016). He has played abroad in Greece, Italy, Spain, Turkey and Russia. He is currently playing for the Korean Basketball League.

JASON KITTLESEN ’91

Jason “Kitt” Kittlesen attended CFS from 8th to 12th grade, excelling in multiple sports for the Griffins and earning nine varsity letters. His most dynamic sport was wrestling, where he was a consummate leader, demanding hard work from everyone on the team and giving maximum effort every day under Coach Art Smith. In addition to winning multiple league championships, Kitt had only one loss heading into the State Championships his senior year. The team won the league title and finished undefeated. Kitt had an excellent chance to win the State Tournament, but suffered a fractured wrist and was unable to compete. After CFS, Kitt enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving 30 years from 1994 through 2024. A decorated officer, he was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division, and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He was also an Apache helicopter pilot; in 2007, he presented CFS with an American Flag he flew during a reconnaissance mission in Baghdad, Iraq. He earned a BS in History, Secondary Education from Appalachian State in 2004 and received his MS in Adult, Occupational and Continuing Education from Kansas State in 2015. A recently retired service member, he plans to work in the education field with veterans, their families and the future service members of our nation.

RICHARD LUNARDI

Richard Lunardi came to Church Farm School in 1981 to be the school’s guidance counselor. During his 31-year tenure, he touched the lives of countless students in his roles as Director of Admissions, teacher, college counselor, administrator and coach. Rich had a passionate belief in the educational value of the CFS Athletic Program. An avid sports fan, he was the head coach of the cross-country and lower school basketball teams before assisting for 10 years at all levels of the CFS baseball teams. He also loved to run the scorer’s table for basketball and wrestling. Rich was one of the most loyal supporters of the CFS Griffins at home and away events, believing it was vital to show up for our boys who often did not have family there to encourage and cheer them on. Rich passed away on November 5, 2013, after a yearlong battle with pancreatic cancer.

The Newt Disney Service Award: Steve Marcus '73

The Newt Disney Award recognizes service (the gift of time) to Church Farm School as well as the larger community. We are thrilled to announce that this year’s recipient is Steve Marcus ’73. Over the past few years, he has been essential to numerous initiatives at the school. Along with his wife, Barbara Woods, Steve reached out to the school to inquire about honoring longtime CFS faculty member and wrestling coach Joe Rhile with an Endowed Scholarship. Not only did they personally financially support this project, Steve worked with a few other alumni to perform extensive outreach to secure the Scholarship goal of $125K. The Scholarship has been presented to a deserving rising senior for the past two years.

Steve has also been extremely supportive of the CFS wrestling program. This includes the purchase of wrestling shoes, wrestling gear, training equipment, mat corners and more. He returns to CFS for wrestling matches to support the scholars and the coaches whenever he can, which is above and beyond as Steve lives in New York City. He attends other events to remain connected, too, including his recent 50th reunion and Dinner and Basketball game events. Steve is always working for the greater good to connect CFS alums to those within various schools or organizations. He has also taken on fundraising initiatives to see that Art Smith's new Endowed Scholarship is met. Steve loves to fly under the radar without recognition for his many efforts. Steve is an active NCAA Men’s Wrestling Official and along with his officiating duties, Steve also is the Regional Coordinator of NCAA Wrestling Officials for the NYC area. In addition to the support Steve provides to Church Farm School, he is also an ethical agent for the common good in his local community.

The J. Tyler Griffin Award for Ambassadorship: Beckie Kistler

Rebecca Johnson Kistler, Beckie, has been involved with Church Farm School since 1968, when she and her late husband, Jack, along with their four children, took residence at the Colfeldt house, where they would live for 26 years while Jack served as a beloved administrator at Church Farm School. Jack and Beckie’s son, John, would eventually work at the school for nearly four decades himself as a math teacher and administrator. Jack found Church Farm school through sports, so it’s no surprise that the Kistlers were ardent supporters of the Aggies, then Griffins. Beckie could always be found at the annual CFS Wrestling Invitational and nearly every home basketball game. She is also partial to the Chapel, and if unavailable to attend Pageant, or a particular musical service, her son, John, or son-in-law, Art Smith, never neglected to request a DVD for her.

In our Centennial memory book, Beckie recalls, “Jack, being from a doctor’s family and I, being from a real estate business family, had observed the plenty and non-so-plenty of the world around us and felt we could make a difference in a positive way to many lives we saw before us. There was that need to serve, and we so wanted our own children to realize that the “plenty” of life came with hard work, honesty, determination and a vision to point us on our way. Jack wanted to be an important part in helping young people to attain these goals. He needed to find young men who “needed” him! Then CFS appeared!” For Beckie’s devotion to the CFS mission, we are proud to bestow her with the J. Tyler Griffin Award for Ambassadorship.

CLASS NOTES

Summer is always a wonderful time when we receive an abundance of CFS alumni visits! We were thrilled to see Jim Tate ’52, Ray Fernandez ’05 and Alex Hamer drop by to see the campus! Lori McDermott, Bob Warfel and Stefanie Claypoole also made a trek to Penn State Main Campus this summer to visit Jim Tate and his wife, Carol.

Alumni gathered this summer with Director of Alumni Relations and Community Engagement Lori McDermott and her husband, Steve, in Charlottesville, VA. and Charlotte, NC

A number of CFS alumni, friends and family of Eric Weller '74 gathered in Manheim, PA, in July to celebrate Eric's recent wedding to Valerie (who was on hand during Alumni Weekend to help celebrate his Alumni Achievement Award honor). Attendees included Director of Alumni and Community Relations Lori McDermott and her husband Steve, former CFS faculty Joe Rhile and his wife Mary Ellen and former CFS classmates Ed and Becky Bates, Jeff Middleton, Ralph and Janet Steele and Dale Elks.

At September’s Golf Classic, we had a number of alumni join us – including Thomas Knezevich '18 (who joined our cottage faculty team this winter), Don Burt ’77 and his son, and Dave Carroll ’62, who donated a wonderful pair of golf pants.

Our Alumni Soccer game featured a win by our strong alumni team and lots of catching up between our Aggies and Griffins!

On his way to the funeral service for alumnus and longtime faculty and plant manager Leroy Coer, Damon Charman ’92 stopped by the new maintenance center to visit Joe Fanelli and see his tribute desk to Leroy.

Franky Mills ’12 joined us at our Track & Field Dedication Ceremony to share a few words about his experience as a track star at CFS! We were also elated that recent grads and track stars Dylan Jones ‘23, Andre Anyimah ‘23 and Jaden Roberson ‘23 came by for the celebration, as well as Webber Lewis ‘80 and Don Burt ’77 (with his son and grandson!)

Dave, Eric and Michael Stelle (son and grandsons of Fred Stelle ’31) stopped by for a tour and visit this fall.

Webber Lewis '80 and Don Burt '77

Dylan Jones ‘23 Andre Anyimah ‘23 Jaden Roberson ‘23

Jim Tate '52

Ray Fernandez '05

Alex Hamer

Franky Mills '12

Our seniors went on a college tour in Washington, DC; Maryland; and Pennsylvania in late October. Seniors were able to visit CFS alumni at Howard University (Darius Osborne ‘21, Kaleb Hammond ’23 and Ethan Izuogu ‘20) and at Gettsyburg College (Gavriel Henriquez Peralta ’23 and Olivier Cohen ‘23), and also toured University of Maryland, Johns Hopkins University and Dickinson College.

In October, we enjoyed a visit from Zhenjian Wang '19, who attended CFS for two years and who recently graduated from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) with a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and a Bachelor of Science in Data Science. Currently enrolled in the Master of Information System Management (MISM) program at Carnegie Mellon University, Zhenjian is specializing in Business Intelligence and Data Analytics!

One of our favorite newer traditions at CFS is sending care packages to our alumni in college! In November, members of our Alumni Executive Council and our Student Ambassadors gathered to send packages filled with CFS swag, treats and other surprises to our college freshmen. Our Alumni Success Program remains engaged with more than 200+ alumni each year through outreach that includes phone calls, texts, visits and care packages.

Poets & Quants, a publication for undergraduate students, recognized Gary Ballinger ’85 as a Best Undergraduate Professor at the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce. Currently a professor of commerce, he has taught courses in leadership, organizational behavior and human resources management at the undergraduate, graduate and executive levels in the United States and in Germany. Check out his full interview online.

Faculty member and alumnus Nate Ventura graciously donned the Knight costume to help promote the CFS Christmas Pageant to the community.

Alumni Steve Loney ’97 and Elijah Freeman ’14 participated in our Griffins Meet & Eat event in January, where students were able to ask questions about the process of becoming a lawyer.

March,

Our Gender Sexuality Diversity Alliance (GSDA) had a special visit from Chase Engel '19. The former student ambassador recently graduated from Vassar with a degree in international studies and is living and working in Poughkeepsie where he works in Vassar's Development Office, focusing on young alumni relations and student

In December, we enjoyed a full day visit from Ziting Liu '20, currently a finance major at the University of Waterloo in Canada. As part of Waterloo's co-op program, Ziting goes to school and has an internship in investment banking. His ultimate goal is to get his CPA. While at CFS, Ziting was a dedicated student, artist and wrestler.

We held a special recognition for our 2013-2014 championship basketball team and coaches during halftime as part of our Dinner and a Basketball Game on January 12.

In

Director of Alumni and Community Relations Lori McDermott traveled to Florida, hosting dinners for alumni, faculty and friends in the areas of Tampa, Neptune Beach and St. Augustine.

IN MEMORIAM

LARRY CASEY ’68

LEROY COER ’54

RON HAFER ’54

DUNCAN MACPHERSON ’76

ARTHUR MARCUS ’53

CHARLES MCKINLEY ’70

BEN MCNAMARA ’81

WILLIAM NEUMANN ’59

FRED PITTS ’62

VINCENT RICCI ’13

ALEX THOMAS ’96

CHARLES WEIN ’64

RUS WETHERILL ’75

DAVID SHAW, faithful faculty husband of longtime CFS faculty member Doris Shaw, recently passed away after a long co-existence with Alzheimer’s disease. Doris says, “David received wonderful care and love in the Memory Support Neighborhood at RiverMead, with a quality of life that many with Alzheimer’s are not able to experience. It was his wish that there will be no services; instead, excursions will be made to the places where we lived or made good memories.”

THE ARTHUR SMITH

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP

In January, we announced our goal to raise $125,000 (or greater) for a new Endowed Scholarship named in honor of longtime CFS faculty member and coach Art Smith. Art joined the CFS community in 1978 as a houseparent, and over the past 45 years, he’s served the school faithfully as a science teacher, wrestling and track coach and Dean of Students. He also helps maintain our connection to farming through his Greenhouse Club and Community Garden, whose bounty is used both in the CFS kitchen and donated to the Chester County Food Bank.

At the time of this writing, we’ve not only met our goal but exceeded it, thanks to more than 100 donors and a generous match from Talmadge O’Neill ’86. The Scholarship will exist in perpetuity and support a deserving CFS student annually beginning in 2025-2026.

If you haven’t already added your name to the large list of supporters, you can do so at www.gocfs.net/art! We will present the finalized Endowed Scholarship during Alumni Dinner on May 11 to Art and his family and friends. Join us!

Leroy Coer teaching woodshop.

WAYS TO GIVE

There are so many ways to support CFS! We are grateful to our vast network of friends who believe in our mission.

DONATE TO THE ANNUAL FUND

The CFS Annual Fund is the lifeblood of giving to the school and supports scholarships, programs and resources. Annual Fund giving is recognized through a number of programs:

• The Maroon & Grey Society recognizes loyal, annual giving

• The 1918 Society recognizes annual gifts of $1,918 or greater

• The Griffin Scholars Program recognizes annual gifts of $6,000 or greater

• The Colonel’s Circle recognizes cumulative lifetime giving of $200,000+

Want to learn more? Contact development@gocfs.net to see how you can support the school!

BECOME A MEMBER OF OUR SHREINER SOCIETY

The Shreiner Society recognizes those who have made a lasting commitment to the school by including Church Farm School in their estate plans.

SUPPORT STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS THROUGH EITC, OSTC OR OUR SPE

The Educational Improvement Tax Credit and Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (EITC and OSTC) programs allow both PA individual taxpayers (through the Special Purpose Entity partnership) and PA business owners to redirect up to 90% of their PA state tax liability to provide support for scholarships.

VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME

Lending expertise to our students is one of the most valuable ways to get involved with the school. We are always looking for community members to share their knowledge at assemblies, in classrooms and through career panels.