The
Vedette
Welcome to Camp! // Meet Your Directors
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Meet the Vedette Staff Jessie Morgan Deck 7
“People from around the globe can come together to this little unheard-of and remote place, and learn from each other.” These are the words of Jessie Morgan from the small Appalachian town of Fisher’s Ferry, Pennsylvania. Jessie is sixteen years old and a first-classman from Deck 7. For the first week, Jessie was the executive officer for her unit. Jessie has been a fiddle player since the age of six, and used to travel in a family gospel band. Here at Culver, she is a member of the crew team, sails for her unit, sings, and loves horsemanship. Jessie plans to study at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, but as of now, her major is undecided. Jessie has country roots but enjoys all types of music, as long as it sounds great.
Karla Medina, of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, is a first classman here at Culver Academies. Karla is seventeen years old. At home, she will be entering her senior year of high school, and is an experienced volleyball player. Karla came to know Culver Academies after her cousin attended the summer program. Now, Karla is first-make Operations Officer for 2nd Ladies’ Battalion. Karla is a dedicated member of Deck Four and competes in semaphore, crypto, volleyball and was a member of her unit’s crew team for several competitions. She says, “At home it is hard to be social, but here at Culver, nobody judges you. You can just be yourself, because we’re all One Culver.” Karla plans to attend college in the United States and major in either airport management or business.
Kevin Dagvadorj AVA
Deck 4
Deck 4
The time we spend at Culver is unforgettable when we meet new people and try new things. We make memories at camp of the people we meet from different places of the world. Kevin Dagvadorj is a camper here at Culver in the AVA unit. His parents moved from Mongolia to the U.S. but he is originally from Carmel, Indiana. Kevin is now a second classmen in AVA and hopes to get his bronze wings this year. Besides the activities at Culver he likes to cook, read, and play the piano and violin. So if you see him in the hallway or anywhere on campus, stop and ask for some dessert or a piano solo.
If you’re looking for a friend who is smart, funny, sporty, and loves Culver then Lianna Hinds is for you. Lianna is from Boca Raton, Florida and is part Jamaican and Irish. Lianna is a third classmen in Deck 4 who is only one step on her way to her dream college of Harvard. Lianna is going into her freshman year and is already taking AP classes. Lianna loves to play soccer and to run track at school. When asked if she would go to winter school she loved the idea and the military aspects. If you see this ambitious new girl make sure to say “hi” and you will see she would make a great new friend.
Lilith Kocian
Karla Medina
Lianna Hinds Deck 4
Lilith Kocian from Cleveland, Ohio is here for her third and last summer as a first classman. She attends Culver to participate in her family’s tradition of every generation going to Culver, whether it be winter or summer school. Her grandfather started this tradition 55 years ago. Lilith enjoys photography with her friends in her spare time, especially while hiking. She also enjoys reading books and acting in her thespian troop. She works at her family’s business on the weekends and can be seen taking pictures for her school’s yearbook during the week. When she graduates high school she hopes to attend college and eventually get a master’s degree in literature.
Editors
Jim Wall, Morgan Hofferth
The Vedette / / Culver Summer Schools & Camps
Photographers
Hannah Farmer, Camilo Morales, Lewis Kopp
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New Leadership - New Spirit A Bird’s Eye View Kevin Dagvadorj, AVA
If you look into the life of Dr. Douglas Bird you can see he is more than just the Head of Culver Summer Schools and Camps. Dr. Bird is someone that is extremely qualified and prepared for the job. Dr. Bird attended Culver Winter School and worked as a teacher, principal, and administrator at Carmel High School from 2003-13 and Centergrove High School from 2013-17. Dr. Bird attended the United States Naval Academy, served in the Marine Corps, and received his doctorate from Ball State University. An aspect of winter school that he would want to implement would be to expand the leadership program to apply what he learned. At Culver Summer School and Camps, these classes are an important part of what makes it great. Dr. Bird acknowledges that and wants to make them even better and start any new ones that people want. He is willing to expand the classes and is always considering new ones. This summer, he actually added new STEM classes, such as coding, and hopes to add, change, or improve classes to better the experience for all of us. Dr. Bird got his position when a friend called him and told him about the opportunity, and he realized it was the perfect way to give back to Culver. He went to the interview and, eventually, got the job. He believes that Culver should be safe and fun, but you also have to make mistakes to learn. Although he is busy with weather watches, holds, and keeping everyone safe, he would much rather be outside with everyone enjoying the activities Culver has to offer.
Settling In with Mr. Seddelmeyer Jessie Morgan, Deck 7
Here in a little bubble called Culver live hundreds of worldly people, people who gather together each and every year to meet again and live the Culver summer experience once more. A face that is most recognizable to all campers is our Director of Upper Schools, Mr. Andy Seddelmeyer, who is more than just the man who gave the fiery speech about standing proudly in ranks with someone’s vomit on your back. Some have known him as a friend and mentor from their very early summers in Woodcraft, but nonetheless, Mr. Seddelmeyer is beyond excited to settle in among the entirety of Culver Upper Schools this summer. From the beginning, Seddelmeyer’s calling was not just to educate children, but that true teaching is also represented in the form of leadership, responsibility, and pushing children to grow as outstanding citizens of the world. Culver was everything he believed in. Seddelmeyer adds, “What really sold me on Culver was the fact that Culver’s system gets kids to learn these values in six weeks, and I couldn’t do that in nine months as an elementary school teacher.” Mr. Seddelmeyer believes that Culver and its system have the power to change the world entirely, one camper at a time. Seddelmeyer hopes to encourage all of his new campers with the advice of trying new experiences, and to returning campers, he adds, “Leave your legacy. You opened your mind, body and heart to this place, and as a returner the new kids are watching everything you do. How you make a bed, how you handle leadership, and how you accumulate trust and friendship. Make your mark on Culver so that the ones who follow you can lead just as you led them.” The Vedette / / Culver Summer Schools & Camps
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A Culver Summer Parade by Mr. Tony Mayfield, 2008
A Culver Summer Parade is worth writing about. It’s a fine example of this unique and special place, As it captures all the elements of leadership and character The ideas we embody here and long to embrace. A Culver Summer Parade is breathtaking to behold. Thirteen hundred and fifty on the field is spectacular and bold, With Lake Maxinkuckee in the background and large crowds in the stands, As units move to Ready Line under their leaders’ command. In sixty years I think I’ve marched in, or reviewed nearly a thousand. And they continue to move in me a sense of awe and wonder As the collective whole made individuals pieces Comes together with determination, precision, and splendor. Woodcraft with its youthful energy is fun and exhilarating As the Cubs march by with eyes wide open and legs always flailing. The Butterflies so cute and determined, the Cardinals with grace and precision, And the Beavers showing strength, youthful passion and gritty determination. The Upper Camp in a sea of white and shades of gray and blue The Naval School, Aviation, and the troop showing raw maturity anew And the Girl’s Decks bringing youthful beauty and wisdom beyond reason With horses prancing, flags flying, and patrons applauding appreciation. To hear Attention played, the bugler sounding Retreat and the canon fired Brings a sense of excitement and anticipation, that’s true Along with the Sound Off, and the National Anthem at Present Arms All leading to the final command of - Pass and Review. Although I know a Culver Parade is not everyone’s favorite moment, I trust those involved in the years ahead Will look back on this experience with their peers from around the world And understand what a special moment they all shared. In my final years as I take the Review I’m still always quite amazed At how youth from around the world in just a week or two Take a hold of this moment and place. I know every time I hear a drum in the distance Or a bugle call crisp and clear, It reminds me of a beautiful Sunday evening And the Culver Summer Parades we hold so dear.