Flint Hill School Magazine - Fall/Winter 2022

Grace Reidenbaugh ’23 dancing in the Upper School Fall Dance Performance, Kaleidoscope

3320 Jermantown Road, Oakton, VA 22124

FLINTHILL.ORG

Go to flinthill.org/paperless to opt out of receiving Flint Hill Magazine by mail. You can always find the latest edition on our website, and we’ll email you when new issues are published.

BOARD OF TRUSTEES 2022–2023

Miss Lucia Anna Trigiani, Chair

Mr. Michael P. Corkery, Vice Chair

Mr. Gary D. Rappaport, Treasurer

Mr. Patrick McHonett, Secretary

Mr. Omar Balkissoon

Ms. Alexandra L. Bettius ’03

Mr. Taylor O. Chess

Mr. Nathaniel A. Davis

Mr. H. Edward Dean III

Mrs. Linnie M. Haynesworth

Mr. Eric D. Hemmer

Mrs. Miki Toliver King

Mr. Richard P. Moxley

Mr. Joseph L. Musella

Mr. Terry A. Nelson

Mr. Terry Y. Pao

Mrs. Tanaia W. Parker

Mrs. Liza Wright Renner

Mr. Timothy R. Rupli

Mrs. KayAnn P. Schoeneman

Mr. Hugh E. Taylor

Mr. John M. Wasson

Dr. Howard-John Wesley

Mr. David S. Wiley

The late Mr. John T. Hazel Jr., Founding Chairman Emeritus

Sister Martha Carpenter, O.S.F.

Mr. Edward R. Carr

Mr. Otis D. Coston Jr.

Mr. John M. Dowd

The Honorable Johanna L. Fitzpatrick

Mr. Richard J. Hendrix

Mr. Paul C. Kincheloe Jr.

Mr. Michael C. McCarey

Mr. William N. Melton

Mr. Norris E. Mitchell

Mr. John M. Thomas

The late Reverend Edwin M. Ward

Cover Photo by Freed Photography

Welcome to the latest issue of the Flint Hill Magazine! Emerging from the pandemic, the 2022-23 school year has served as both a new beginning for Flint Hill and a welcome return to cherished campus experiences. Along with a new Head of School and innovative growth opportunities for our students, faculty and staff, we are also deliberately building community and connectedness. From the return of in-person events and student trips to the fun ways our Parents’ Association fosters that all-important school-family partnership, the togetherness, energy and optimism at Flint Hill is strong!

As you flip through the pages of this issue, you’ll learn more about what we’ve been up to so far this year. You’ll also have the opportunity to read updates from faculty and alumni, and take an hour-by-hour journey through the impactful work happening in our fine arts classrooms. Great independent schools like ours often encapsulate their experience in a triumvirate — academics, arts and athletics; we’re excited to shine a light on the outstanding ways we support our students’ growth, creativity and driving spirit in the art studio and on stage. For some Huskies, this exposure ignites a flame that leads to lifelong pursuits and careers as artists. Regardless of their post-graduate endeavors, what our students take from their fine arts education are the skills to learn, grow, collaborate and imagine what’s possible.

I hope that you enjoy learning more about our school community, our fine arts experiences and the ways in which our outstanding Husky alumni are blazing their own trails.

Thank you for your continued support of Flint Hill, now and always.

Go Huskies!

Patrick McHonett Head of School

Flint Hill Community,

And we’re back! Huskies came back to campus to begin the 2022-23 school year ready to lead and support with compassion. In a back-to-school video message to the community, Head of School Patrick McHonett encouraged everyone to “embrace the growth that happens on a day-to-day basis.”

OFF-CAMPUS FIELD TRIPS kept the wheels of Flint Hill’s blue buses steadily on the move throughout the fall. From urban to rural settings, students in all divisions ventured out to explore and learn in different settings across the Washington metropolitan area.

Upper School students in AP Environmental Science class conducted a stream health study at Difficult Run, a tributary stream of the Potomac River. Trips to Washington included a 9th grade visit to the Museum of the American Indian, an 8th grade visit to the Holocaust Museum and World War II Memorial and a 7th grade

scavenger hunt throughout the city along with a stop at the Museum of Natural History. Lower School field trips, including a Kindergarten visit to Oak Marr Farmers Market and a 4th grade water test at the Fairfax County Connector Trail, were close enough for students to walk from campus. Whether by foot or blue bus, experiential lessons spark enthusiasm for learning that’s undeniable.

PARENT MORNING MIXERS are back for the 20222023 school year! The Parents’ Association hosts the monthly informal socials for JK-12 parents to gather on campus after morning carpool. The one-hour Mixers offer an opportunity for people to meet, form connections and build relationships across grade levels. The location varies for each Mixer, giving parents the excuse to spend time at the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools.

Olson Theater bustled this fall with lively concert performances that featured Upper School music ensembles and Lower School music students. Here, 3rd graders perform a charming rendition of “Good Morning.”

THE 7TH GRADE CLASS and their advisors volunteered — through the Fairfax County Park Authority’s Invasive Management Area Program — to help restore the native habitat for birds and wildlife at Cunningham Park in Vienna. They dug up invasive plants and replaced them with trees and plants that contribute to a healthier ecosystem. Bethel Daniel ’28 said, “This was a really good experience because we’re learning how to help our environment and how we can do this in our own neighborhoods and backyards.”

Middle School Service Coordinator Ann Bazzarone proudly described the important work of the volunteers: “All of the students (and adults!) worked very hard, learned more about our environment and felt good about what they accomplished.” Only a few weeks after they volunteered, she received good news about the positive difference they made. “One of our students actually lives adjacent to the park,” she said, “and his father reported that he has seen the area ‘flourishing’ as a result of our efforts!”

At an annual ceremony, members of the Flint Hill community signed a pledge committing to uphold Flint Hill’s core values: respect and value all equally, lead and support with compassion, act with integrity, imagine what’s possible and blaze the trail.

THE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL on Saturday, November 12, brought new cultural experiences directly to Flint Hill. The program featured a West African drumming circle led by Alecia Cardell, a former Flint Hill music teacher, and an interactive Indian dance workshop, with upbeat music and a storytelling component, given by the founder of Rhythmaya Dance. Delicious culinary samplings represented more than a dozen countries, including Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, France, India, Iraq, Kuwait, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam and Ukraine. The Peterson Middle School was vibrant with diverse sights, sounds and flavors — being a Husky was the only passport needed to access the experience.

The Community of Care Forum was created for parents, faculty/staff, alumni and students in grades 7-12 to engage in thoughtful discussions about Flint Hill’s common mission and to celebrate the diversity that strengthens the School community. Guest Speaker Breana Turner, a Flint Hill alumna from the Class of 2015, discussed the importance of cultivating an inclusive environment and staying true to the school’s core values.

FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR, the Middle School Makers class partnered with Magic Wheelchair, a nonprofit organization that builds creative costumes for children in wheelchairs. This year, the students and their teacher, Chris Cook, were connected with the Agricola family in Oxon Hill, MD, and built a princess-themed costume for Judy, a nine-year-old who

uses a wheelchair due to a rare genetic disorder and who adores all things Disney. After more than 200 hours of designing and building, the students made Judy’s wish come true at the Peterson Middle School by presenting the magic wheelchair to her and her family a few days before Halloween.

The All-School Gathering brought together the Husky community to set the tone for the new school year. Student representatives from the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools gave speeches, and SCA President Jordan Rupli ’23 encouraged the audience to, “Pursue what you love and support your peers as they do the same. There are endless opportunities here at Flint Hill, so this year, let’s all come together and make it the best year yet.”

Huskies Go Jurassic was the theme for the 2022 Lower School Day of Play, inspiring students to stretch their imaginations and create their own kind of Huskysauruses.

So many talented students auditioned for “Clue,” the Upper School’s fall theatrical production, that two casts were formed. Each cast performed twice — all performances sold out!

A student-faculty tug of war was the finale of an energetic pep rally that kicked off the annual, two-day Tip-Off Tournament, December 2-3. After the 9th graders defeated the teachers, the FH Boys’ and Girls’ Basketball teams won their opening games. The boys’ team proceeded to take second place and the girls’ team was crowned tournament champions.

Headfirst Summer Camps: Age 3-Grade 5

Tap into the power of play, explore new interests and make the most of every day!

Athletic Camps: Grades 3-9

Work with our exceptional, experienced coaches to learn a new sport or take your game to the next level!

Enrichment Camps: Grades 5-9 Whether it’s a topic that you already love or you’re looking for something new to try, these camps are designed to expand your knowledge base and further develop your interests.

For-Credit & Academic Prep Courses: Grades 9-12

These prep courses get students back into the groove and academic mindset ahead of the upcoming school year. D.C. United Soccer Camp and Washington Nationals Baseball and Softball Camps: Ages 5-13 The perfect opportunity to connect with the hometown team while learning and practicing your favorite sport!

REGISTRATION BEGINS JANUARY 19.

Visit flinthill.org/summer for more information Questions? Email summerprograms@flinthill.org.

Flint Hill’s back-to-school calendar is full of familiar events like the Uniform Exchange, Hopes and Dreams Conferences and Parent Tennis Social. That Parents’ Associationsponsored tournament is often the first community event of the school year and offers parents, new and returning, an opportunity to meet each other and make connections across grade levels and divisions.

This year, a planned tennis court resurfacing at the Upper School put event organizers in a bit of a pickle.

Since they’d have to reimagine the event’s location, Flint Hill Advancement Officer Olivia Landrum ’11 suggested reimagining the whole darn thing.

“It’s always been tennis, for as long as I can remember. During COVID I started playing pickleball with my family and thought it would be really cool to bring it to Flint Hill.”

And just like that, the sport sweeping the nation swept its way into Flint Hill tradition. The hype swept in too.

Tournament slots sold out in just one day — with a waiting list!

Pickleball combines the structure of tennis with the pace of ping-pong and the feel of badminton. While it has only recently become a household name, pickleball has actually been around for over 50 years. It’s surprisingly inconclusive how the sport got its unique name, but we asked Flint Hill 1st graders to hypothesize, and, “They were eating pickles when they invented it,” sounded very well reasoned to us.

Soon our Lower School students will know much more about pickleball. Thanks to a generous gift from a donor, it will be a part of their physical education program later this year.

PE Department Chair Jody Patrick is excited to introduce pickleball to the 3rd-6th grade curriculum. “It’s a sport that combines all that is healthy in skill development for our young Huskies — hand-eye coordination, footwork, racquet skills, partner teamwork and a positive competitive spirit!”

I was hesitant to take the time off work for an event where I wouldn’t know anyone, but I am so glad that I did!

–Bridget Costigan P’23

It’s refreshing these days when a competition craze has nothing to do with screens or social media. Or years of practice, even! Pickleball requires less athletic prowess and formal instruction than other sports and is often called the great equalizer. Grandkids can play with their grandparents. Beginners can go toeto-toe with pros.

That inclusivity lends itself to the goal of sparking connections. At the PA Pickleball Social, 27 participants arrived at the Country Club of Fairfax on what was a beautiful September day, ready and eager to break a sweat. They started with an introductory lesson from the club’s director of racquet sports, Jonathan Moyer. According to Moyer, “It takes a little bit of time to learn the rules, but once you’ve got those down, you’re ready.”

The pickleball novices spent just 20 minutes in the beginner clinic before jumping right in to tournament play. “I can leave now. Everyone’s got it,” Moyer quickly observed.

Organizers designed the day as a round-robin tournament where participants changed partners after every game.

One couple arrived thinking they’d be playing together, but since the point was to mix and mingle, they were immediately split apart. They loved that.

By the day’s end, Bridget Costigan P’23 was named the 2022 winner, having scored the most points over the course of the tournament. She reflected about the fact that she almost didn’t sign up. “I was hesitant to take the time off work for an event where I wouldn’t know anyone, but I am so glad that I did! The Pickleball Social was really fun and a great way to meet other Flint Hill parents and reconnect with friends that I didn’t even know had children at Flint Hill!”

Event organizer Olivia Landrum said that “the spirit of community was evident. Everybody just went for it and really enjoyed each other.” She blazed the trail for a new Husky tradition, as they’re likely to repeat the event.

We may not know how pickleball got its name, but now we know how it got its start here at Flint Hill!

When the last school bell rings, Flint Hill employees often pursue professional development and enrichment opportunities that expand their expertise, which consequently enhances the academic and campus-life experiences of students. Here’s what some of our faculty and staff have been doing recently.

Upper

and Head Varsity Boys’ Tennis Coach

Nick is a United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Elite Pro. From 2020 to 2022, he served as the state president of Ohio for the Midwest Region. As a board member, he worked closely with the high school associations in the state to help them put on educational seminars for both certified pros and high school coaches. He presented seminars in 2020 and is scheduled to present again in spring 2023. Nick also serves on the USPTA’s Elevate Committee, helping to connect, involve and engage new and existing members.

Lower School Art Teacher

Adjoa was awarded second place for Best in Show in the “Made in VA” annual juried exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art for her experimental abstract monotype, “Run Down and Run Over.” She was one of 31 regional artists selected from 532 applicants. The exhibition opened on October 8 and continues until February 5, 2023.

Director of Institutional Equity and Inclusion and Interim Director of Counseling

Mia was selected to join the board of trustees of Pollyanna, Inc., a national nonprofit helping academic institutions and corporations achieve their diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging goals through programs that enhance cultural competency, racial literacy and equity practices.

Adjoa Burrowes

Christina performed in a production of “Dracula,” playing the role of Renfield, at the Rorschach Theatre, October 14 through November 6. In addition to working in the Admission Office, Christina often performs on stage. She has a BFA in theatre from Virginia Commonwealth University and has worked with many regional theatre companies, including The Hub Theatre, Imagination Stage, Happy Theater, Wit’s End Puppets, Flying V Theater and Venus Theatre. She also performed for two seasons at Hersheypark on the Ed-Zoo-Cation Team, a juggling show that has won awards from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.

Patrick traveled to Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia in October and met with the deans of admission to learn more about the matriculation process for their schools as well as admission and education trends and partnership with Flint Hill.

On October 19, Flint Hill hosted leaders from the Virginia Association of Independent Schools (VAIS); approximately 15 heads of school who are members of VAIS’ Northern Virginia Heads group attended. Patrick met with the group at the Peterson Middle School for a lively discussion on issues surrounding independent schools, teachers and communities. “It was the group’s first in-person gathering in three years and a nice time to show our FH facilities and strengths while

building these professional connections. I was really happy to represent our school on a larger level in the best ways possible,” he said.

Lower, Middle and Upper School Choir Teacher and Director of Musical Productions Sarah sings with The Outer Loop, an event band that has been playing music together in the Washington metropolitan region for more than 10 years. In October, they performed at Chantilly National Country Club in their first big engagement since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

Middle and Upper School Classics Department Chair and Upper School Classics Teacher

In June, Brad co-presented “Low Prep NLE Resources for Busy Teachers” at the annual meeting of the American Classical League in Charleston, SC. At that meeting, he was elected to the Board of Excellence Through Classics in the role of information chair.

In October, Jennifer was a guest on the Enrollment Insights Podcast, produced by Niche, and spoke on the topic of data-driven recruitment. During the interview she commented, “We want families to be at the school that is very best for them. At Flint Hill, we’ve gotten more and more competitive, so we’ve needed to be more sophisticated about how we’re determining fit and how we’re collecting data.”

Christina Day

Sarah Pramstaller

Patrick

first

But how much do our inquisitive Huskies really know about their new Head of School? Recently, Mr. McHonett sat down with Mrs. Smilowitz’ 3rd graders, Ms. Ingram’s 7th graders and Mr. Chang’s 10th graders for a trio of candid Q&A sessions. He fielded questions that reflected our students’ thoughtfulness, curiosity and imagination, including the 7th graders’ question, “What dinosaur would you be if you could be a dinosaur?”

Did you want to be a head of school when you were young?

Or, did you decide that when you were old?

Ha! It was definitely when I was an adult. When I was younger, I wanted to be an artist — specifically for comic books, which I loved and collected (still do!). It wasn’t until I was well into my career in schools that the idea of being a head of school came along. I have had great teachers, coaches and mentors who have encouraged me on this path, and I continue to love the opportunity to support schools, students and teachers in this role.

Did you ever get in trouble in elementary school?

Yes! I was an active child, and like some active children, I had trouble with boundaries, physicality and staying in my seat. At that age, it was hard for me to understand accountability. It’s important that kids are invited to reflect on the impact of their actions; discipline without accountability or reflection isn’t very helpful. I have really enjoyed seeing our teachers and counselors help the students here understand when something is unacceptable, and why, so that — ideally — it doesn’t become a repeated cycle.

McHonett has become a very familiar presence for students in his

few months at Flint Hill, from fist bumps at morning arrival to drop-ins during advisory and daily walk-throughs of each building.

I’d be a stegosaurus. Between the plates on their back and the spikes on their tail, I’d feel fairly protected out there.

–Patrick McHonett

My dad always told me, “You’re as good as your name,” which is kind of like our core value of “act with integrity.” It’s the idea that we all have to be our best selves, because that will be perceived and impactful to others and their experiences. And, while we give grace when we fall short, there’s a trust that’s built through living with integrity, honesty and kindness to others.

It’s a minor one, but probably representative of a greater pet peeve: I hate it when people don’t return shopping carts to where they’re supposed to go. To me, it’s just disrespectful to the folks who work at the stores to leave them strewn about in the parking lot. It may take me one or two minutes extra to return it to the right place, but for that person who has to run all over the lots gathering these things, that little bit makes a big difference. In the end, I suppose it is about being respectful to others, even when no one’s watching.

When have you failed and what have you learned from it?

That’s a great question. I fail every day at some things, whatever those may be. When I was a senior in college, I was the captain of the football team. We only won two games that year. We were the most talented 2 and 10 team ever, and it was hard feeling like we were doing our best without earning the wins to show for it. Looking back, I think of it as my most productive season because I learned so many lessons that I’ve applied as a parent, teacher, coach and as a head of school. In my opinion, if you’re able to learn from it, it’s not really a failure.

What mindset do you have to achieve your goals?

Resilience and hard work. I’m the youngest of three and in appropriate ways — and sometimes inappropriate ways — my brother and sister picked on me a lot. I was very accustomed to getting knocked down and figuring out how to get back up. As an athlete, I was never the most skilled player on the field. I had to rely on outworking everyone to get my starting position or to best my opponent. That hard work and focus on effort over output, that really propelled me. It’s also important to zone in on exactly what your goal is. In my position as Head of School, I recognize that my job is to support all of our teachers and administrators so that they have minimal roadblocks to doing the great work that they do with all of you.

I was lucky enough to have positive relationships with teachers and coaches while I was growing up, and those relationships really got me interested in education. There are these really fun opportunities for all of us to serve as mentors and mentees. When you were 6th graders last year, you set the tone as leaders in the Lower School. And now, here you are on a new campus getting to learn from the 8th graders. We expect our Upper School students to be mentors and leaders for all of the younger Huskies. Taking those opportunities to positively impact those who look up to you or learn something from someone you look up to is truly valuable.

How do you feel about so many people looking up to you?

If I think of it as, there are 1,035 kids and 270 faculty and staff looking up to me, that’s a bit too much pressure and power. That’s why I really love the ethos here at Flint Hill that we’re all pulling the sled together, that we share the work and rely on one another to accomplish our goals as a team. But if you all are looking up to me, thank you, and I’m going to take that as a responsibility to continue to do my best.

What is your typical day like as Head of School?

That’s a good question. I don’t know if I’ve had a typical day yet. I started out this morning doing fist bumps at carpool, then did rounds through Lower School classrooms, then came over here for a quick meeting with the Parents’ Association president, then went back to the Lower School for a team meeting, then came back over here to be with you all. I’ll have three more meetings here, then over to the Middle School to pop in on classes. My focus this year is just to be as present as possible and available to listen. A typical day is that there is no typical day. It can get pretty busy but it’s always worthwhile because it’s in service to all of you, and I love it.

What thing are you most proud of since being Head of School?

There’s a lot that I’m excited to do but the thing that I’m most proud to have done so far is connecting

with our faculty and staff. One of my goals this year is to meet with every member of our faculty and staff and ask them what they like about Flint Hill and where they think we can improve. There are 270 employees and I’ve met with 139 so far. I’ve really enjoyed those conversations. I’ve learned a lot about who they are as people and where their desire for growth is. It’s a time-consuming experience but it’s been really neat.

What was the transition like for your family to move from California?

Thanks for asking; I really appreciate that question. It was a lot to pack up and move across the country. Saying goodbye to friends and family on the West Coast was challenging. Knowing what we were running towards here at Flint Hill was really helpful. I accepted the job last October so I had a lot of time to process the transition. I’ve been so grateful and pleased because my kids’ transition has been better than we could’ve hoped. They’ve got amazing teachers and great friends and that allows me to focus a little more on being the head of school.

I know there’s been thoughtful work put into the dress code policy and looking at that through a lens of equity and mutual support. I hate to punt this question, but that’s a student conversation with Mr. Paige and Mr. Chang. The pendulum at Flint Hill swung pretty rapidly from button-downs and khakis to anything goes, and that was really challenging for kids, parents and staff. Since then, the School’s goal has been to find an acceptable middle that balances student comfort and self-expression with the fact that we’re still helping you understand the importance of how you present yourself. I try to operate from the “yes, and” standpoint. I want to take it all the way through the yeses until there’s a compelling reason for the “no.” Sweatpants at school? That’s not a hill I’m gonna die on. If that’s important to you, share that with the “why,” and acknowledge your responsibility to always represent yourself and the School.

Number of times Mr. McHonett identified as a Swiftie: 3

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Dogs or cats?

What was your favorite book as a child? Calvin & Hobbes

Humans process their feelings through the arts, develop empathy through the arts and understand unique perspectives through the arts. It’s no wonder fine arts are a pillar of Flint Hill’s JK through 12 curriculum. The skills established and molded in performing and visual arts learning spaces are skills students carry with them throughout their educational journey and beyond.

Flint Hill offers 72 courses in various arts disciplines. Each hour, there are up to nine fine arts classes happening simultaneously.

On any given day, students are connecting in the studio and on the stage — with themselves, their classmates and the world around them.

From junior kindergarteners learning the building blocks of art making to upper schoolers curating dynamic art school portfolios, Huskies in every grade are blazing the trail as artists.

Lower School Music Teacher Thomas Murley knows the importance of teaching a vertically aligned music curriculum that helps students prepare for the music education they receive in all three divisions. And, alongside that curriculum, he helps students to develop skills that help them become better citizens. While teaching 2nd graders the concepts of patterns, pulse, rhythm, melody and harmony, he’s also teaching students about our shared musical heritage and the meanings behind the songs they sing, including explorations of Blues music and traditional folk songs from around the world. Learning the building blocks of music and its origins imparts a foundation from which students can derive a passion for it. Often that passion produces performers and composers. Upper Schoolers enroll in Kenneth Whitley’s AP Music Theory to expand their understanding of sight reading, advanced terminology, musical phrasing and musical composition, music history, chord structure and cadences. Students take this course as a supplement to their participation in one of our four music ensembles — band, choir, orchestra and percussion — in order to help them prepare to pursue college music majors, a process that starts with the music foundation set way back when they were students in the Lower School.

2ND GRADE MUSIC

The process of making art gives inherent value to the artist; the act of sharing art offers an undeniable value to the world. There’s a connection every artist makes with their audience that brings a deeper understanding of the human condition. In our Upper School classes of Filmmaking and Portfolio Art, teachers Catherine Huber and Nikki Brugnoli help to shift their students’ artistic process from a private one to a public one. They encourage students to keep their audience in mind as they’re creating. Filmmaking students write, shoot and edit original films that are to be screened at the Upper School Visual Arts Show and submitted to festivals and contests throughout the country. Portfolio Art students have the rigorous task of creating 10 or more outstanding pieces to include in portfolios that get reviewed by the country’s top art schools. In both classes, teachers guide students through the process of starting a conversation with their audience through their art. This unspoken conversation allows us as a community to explore who we are.

PORTFOLIO ART

Students in the Upper School Jazz Band have been playing their instrument for five to eight years. They’ve long mastered reading music and playing scales and are now learning to infuse their artistry into the music they’re making. Band Director Dereck Scott encourages his students to make connections with the music, their bandmates and the audience and to let those connections guide their improvisational choices. Fifth graders in the art studio are also encouraged to make choices based off the connections they’re making. Their teacher, Susan Yennerell, focuses on building her students’ skills and confidence to take creative risks and make the transition from following the instructions they’ve been given to setting their own art making plan. The goal is that students who take meaningful risks in the band hall and art studio will continue taking those risks to deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

JAZZ BAND

What art does a singer bring to a song that’s been written and composed by someone else? A great deal! Middle School Chorus Teacher Sarah Pramstaller helps her students understand that the artistry of performance is just as important as the craft of writing and composing. Deciding how long to hold a note, how to phrase a lyric and how to blend and balance harmonies gives students the agency to impart their own interpretation to make someone else’s song their own. Dance Teacher Ariel Harper asks for the same level of interpretation from her students when teaching them to perform choreography in the dance studio. While the goal may be to follow the steps that the choreographer designed, students are always encouraged to infuse their own style and self-expression through the flow of their movements, the placement of their hands, even the expression on their faces. Performance, whether the piece is original or not, is always a creative endeavor.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CHORUS

In the introductory ceramics courses, students focus on sketching and planning out their projects and go to the wheel with the goal of creating the pot they have in mind. In the advanced course, Topics in Ceramics, Julia Cardone teaches potters that they can start a project without a set idea or design. These student artists learn to let the clay lead them and lean into whatever creative decisions emerge. Students in Jackie McLoughlin’s Improv class are also mastering the art of creating as they go. With improv, the feedback you get from your fellow performers can give a story a new direction. Both sets of student artists step out into the unknown and lean into being guided by each decision. Not knowing what’s going to happen but knowing you can get there takes practice and confidence. The best artists repeat that process enough and develop trust in their own skill level to know that no matter the way, they can create something beautiful — they can entertain an audience.

IMPROV

TOPICS IN CERAMICS HONORS

With a performance schedule that includes eight local and nationwide stops, the Major Minors find themselves in front of more audiences than any other Flint Hill performing ensembles. While they’re not solely here for the applause, audience satisfaction is certainly a major factor in their song selection. From the traditional Scottish song “The Parting Glass” to The Beatles classic “Because,” these singers know the value of a crowd pleaser. Speaking of pleasing crowds, the students behind the ingenious KPAW radio station are learning the art of engaging their listeners. Their audience may be a small one (parents waiting in line during Lower School pickup), but the students are intent on giving them a quality program. The station was the brainchild of Director of Fine Arts James Venhaus, who noticed the captive audience of cars, outside his window, in the carpool line. He decided the School could use their FM transmitter to go on air with a student-produced radio show. The students really enjoy creating that public content. Each week, they’re motivated by the feedback they receive of what worked and what didn’t and use that to write new material for the coming show.

LOWER SCHOOL RADIO CLUB

MAJOR MINORS

It isn’t just that he’s talented, he’s incredibly dedicated. Talent’s not enough, you have to work hard.

These five Flint Hill alumni are debunking the stereotype of the struggling artist and showing the world and the teachers who believed in them that having a successful and fulfilling career in the arts is absolutely within arm’s reach.

BEN EPHRAIM ’20 . FILMMAKER

Filmmaking is all about collaborating and working closely with others, but Ben Ephraim ’20 started film school just when we were all trying to keep our distance from each other. When Ben got to the University of Southern California (USC) he was savvy enough to launch a Facebook group to find filmmakers who were interested in quarantining together to collaborate on projects during isolation.

Collaboration was something Ben was known for at Flint Hill. Digital Arts Teacher Catherine Huber remembers how much of an impact Ben made in the School’s inaugural filmmaking class. According to Mrs. Huber, Ben stood out as a leader (even though he was the youngest of that cohort), taking on every facet of filmmaking — screenwriting, cinematography, directing and editing. “He brought people into his universe like a magnet,” Mrs. Huber recalls. “Everyone worked hard because he was working hard.” Ben spent hundreds of hours working outside of school in local student film organizations to learn this craft and ready himself for the likes of the prestigious USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Since becoming a Trojan, he has only elevated that work ethic, creating visual stories at warp speed, collaborating with other talented filmmakers and expanding his own notions of what the camera can do. He credits teachers like Mrs. Huber for encouraging his growth as an experimental

artist. “They just let me do what I wanted to do and motivated me to explore what’s possible.” Ben says his goal is to make films that elevate discussions of identity and drive social change but in a subtle way that invites viewers

to traverse new perspectives. After graduation, Ben hopes to stay in California to write and direct for television and pursue independent filmmaking.

Navigating art school during a pandemic is not for the faint of resilience. Luckily, Sam Gloe ’19 has that in spades and reflects fondly on her time at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, FL. Illustration and visual development, her current major, was a field of study first illuminated to her by her teacher, Nikki Brugnoli. “I wasn’t exactly sure where I wanted to go with art, and Ms. Brugnoli really helped me hone in on illustration.”

“As a student, Sam was desperate for technical challenges and for the space to critically and creatively think outside the box,” recalls Ms. Brugnoli. Sam had a huge internal drive and was destined, it seemed, to go as far as that drive could take her.

While art school is definitely demanding, Sam is absolutely loving it. “I really enjoy the community that comes with it. There’s a stereotype of a lonely artist and that’s really not the case. You’re typically working with teams to bring an idea to life.” She’s excited for the career possibilities available to her in visual development, also known as the “idea stage” of movie and video game production, and in illustration, which, she explains, is a lot less specific than people think. “It’s not just someone who draws the pictures in books.” Sam points out that illustration encompasses

a wide range of artistry including editorials, preproduction storyboarding, tattoo and logo design.

Marketing yourself and having an online presence is paramount in Sam’s industry. “Someone needs to be able to Google you and find your work,” she says as she reflects on learning to write an artist statement in her Portfolio Art class at Flint Hill. It’s a lesson that can be challenging for students: how to translate into words something you’ve specifically chosen to communicate with your art. Sam emphasizes the importance of picking up some dexterity in communication and self-promotion before considering a career in the arts: “You have to learn how to articulate what you do and advertise your value.”

Sam is incredible — a very talented observational technician.

Toi has always had an impeccable sense of style and class about her, not just as a singer and performer, but how she carries herself as a young lady.

To make it into Major Minors as a freshman is a coup. Flint Hill’s a capella singing group is as selective as it is popular. There was no denying the talent of a certain 9th grade student during the 2015 fall auditions though. Toi Howard ’19 experienced a bit of culture shock when arriving at Flint Hill because she came from a small school environment where there were many students who looked like her. She wasn’t sure at first how well she would fit in. “In joining Major Minors, I found my people,” Toi recalls. Having the gift of community in her freshman year helped her build on her self-assurance to continue getting out in front as a performer.

Choir teacher Sarah Pramstaller remembers how naturally Toi progressed as a leader on the concert stage. “Rather than lead overtly, she chose to lead by example and with quiet confidence,” Ms. Pramstaller describes. Because she shined so brightly in Major Minors, Concert Choir and in multiple musical productions, Toi’s teachers fully expected her to pursue a career as a performer. The twist they didn’t quite see coming was that she would concentrate on acting.

Upon getting into NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, Toi was placed in the Lee Strasberg Theatre program where she is currently wrapping up her fourth year studying method acting. “It’s a decision they make for you as far as where you belong within the artistic community at Tisch,” Toi says. While she has pursued film and commercial acting in her spare time, she’s come to embrace and really dive into her study of theater. This December, she starred in an off-Broadway play called “Everybody,” a modern retelling of the 15th century morality play “Everyman” that explores the meaning of life. She looks forward to making her living bringing life to the important stories of our time.

Toi not only left her mark on Flint Hill as a performer but also maintained the important connections she made as a Husky. From her mentor, Mia Burton: “Our before-school conversations and afterschool concerts have been replaced with text messages, meme sending and Zoom productions, but the joy of watching her journey as a student to now, a soon-to-be professional performer, has never changed.”

Clare Jessey ’14 started at Flint Hill as a standout varsity soccer player. After a serious sports injury forced her off the field, she channeled her energy into the art studio where her teachers noticed her unique ability to seamlessly blend fabrication and artistry. It’s no surprise to them that she now works as a UX (user experience) designer for Philips Healthcare’s HealthTech Innovation Lab. Her talent for “radical thinking,” as Clare calls it, helps her create thoughtfully designed user experiences for people visiting the cardiologist’s and radiologist’s office. Recovering from

her sports injury as a teenager gave her insight into the workings of the healthcare system, and she’s grateful for the opportunity to use her art to impact patient wellbeing.

Clare remembers how much her Portfolio Art class taught by Cianne Fragione challenged her to think creatively to accomplish skills that were outside her wheelhouse.

For her application to the top design school in the country, the Rhode Island School of Design, Clare had to submit a drawing of a bicycle. In contemplating how to show mastery of a skill she had less confidence in, she reimagined the assignment and submitted a drawing of a bike track in the snow. “She was inventive and that’s exactly what they wanted to see,” recalls Ms. Fragione.

Clare rose to every occasion and went above it, always pushing herself. That’s what I admired about her.

JOANNE SEONGWEON LEE ’11 . CERAMICIST

It wasn’t until 10th grade that Joanne Seongweon Lee ’11 first noticed the pottery studio and decided to sign up for ceramics. Prior to joining Flint Hill in 9th grade, she had never taken an art class. Her teacher, Julia Cardone, noticed right away that she was a natural with the clay and told her so. “It was so meaningful coming from her. After that point, I knew I wanted to do that for my life,” Joanne recalls.

Her inventiveness is constantly manifesting. During the pandemic, she recorded adorable videos of her cat, Charlie, to send to her grandparents and has parlayed those videos into a successful TikTok presence with almost 50,000 followers and more than one million views. Check them out @ohcharliecat for some pawsitive social scrolling. “

It’s not easy to imagine a career as a ceramist. Making pottery for a living comes with costly equipment needs and studio space as well as the “steadfastness to endure those lonely firings,” as Ms. Cardone describes it. But Joanne’s determination and commitment was evident to everyone during her time at Flint Hill. She took every ceramics class offered, spent hours in the studio and even traveled with Ms. Cardone and other students to the National Conference for the Education of Ceramic Arts — twice.

In between earning her BFA from Alfred University and MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art, Joanne spent time in South Korea as an artist in residence at the Korea Ceramic Foundation. The experience allowed her to deepen her connection to Korean artistry and learn new techniques. Today, she serves as the studio coordinator of ceramics at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village, CO, where she plans workshops and organizes residencies while maintaining her own studio. Her goal is to open her own residency, inviting Korean artists to the states where they can have access to the equipment, studio space and collaboration opportunities that are hard to come by in Korea. Joanne thinks of her practice as “a link to my home and my culture.”

Joanne was like a sponge soaking up every bit of technique and opportunity around her. She was interested, curious and so present in the practice.

32 Flint Hill School

HOMECOMING is one of Flint Hill’s most beloved all-school celebrations. For one weekend in October, the whole community gathers to reconnect with old friends, cheer on our student-athletes and show our Husky pride. This year brought familiar traditions, like Spirit Alley and the bonfire, and introduced new ones, like the halftime dance performance that featured our Upper School Dance Team and their Lower School protégés. We’re definitely looking forward to seeing that again next year! Flint

This is what Homecoming is all about for alumni — coming home and reconnecting with old friends, teachers and coaches. Faculty love to hear what their former students have gone on to do beyond the

Hill

This year, alumni varsity athletes were recognized during halftime for their years as both Falcons and Huskies.

36 Flint Hill School

Flint

classrooms.

Pictured left to right: Director of Athletics Dewayne Robinson, Eliot Brenner ’67, Scott Niklason ’69, Josh Green ’10, Jaylin Hertz ’21, Justice Ellison ’20, Harrison Daley ’22, Bryson Robertson ’22, Andrew Doll ’03, Olivia Landrum ’11, Scott Schillereff ’05, Mohamad Mogharbel ’22, Director of Alumni Relations Maria Taylor and Admission Officer, Alumni Ambassador and Head Boys’ Varsity Basketball Coach Rico Reed

Maria Taylor greets Jaylin Hertz ’21 as he is recognized as an alumni varsity athlete. Eliot Brenner ’67 getting ready to come out for the alumni athlete recognition.

This year’s Faculty Homecoming Host Committee included Fred Atwood, Rico Reed, Amy Clement, Catherine Huber, Tracy Peterson, Adam Rice, Derek Ross, Steph Hulke Batbouta and Debbie Ayers.

Theo Jenkins ’18, Nina Jenkins ’18 and Phoebe Chess ’18 pose with Klondike at the Alumni Tent. Shelly Chahel Cooper ’01 and Garnett Soles ’93 catch up during Homecoming Weekend.

Front row, left to right: Scott Niklason ’69, Steph Batbouta, Debbie Ayers, Robert Spencer ’09, Andrew Doll ’03, William Judge ’22. Back row: Maria Taylor, Eliot Brenner ’67, Fred Atwood, Scott Schillereff ’05, Olivia Landrum ’11, Catherine Huber, Josh Green ’10, Andrea Zegarra ’07, Tracy Peterson, Hailey Scherer ’16, Amy Clement, Rico Reed

If you’ve noticed a potent sense of school spirit wafting through the hallways this year, give credit to the student members of the Athletic Advisory Council (AAC). Made up of 10 seniors, three juniors and a sophomore, the AAC’s solitary goal is to raise school spirit and overall pride in being a Husky.

For many of the student members, this is a clawing back from the loss of community caused by the pandemic. They spent the last three years living a much-altered school experience without many of the normal festivities and activities upper schoolers relish in.

“During quarantine, we couldn’t even be in the building together, much less go to athletic events together. There was basically no school spirit,” recalled Nina Breen ’23 Though last spring saw a slow resuscitation of community, this year, the AAC really put the panels on to jolt the Husky spirit back to life.

Homecoming 2022 was a highlight for them. The celebration started off with a bang of a pep rally that offered an opportunity for this behind-the-scenes crew to come center stage as the emcees and organizers of the event.

Wil Thomas ’23 talked about his experience revving up the crowd of 4th through 12th graders as one he’ll never forget. “I’m not gonna lie, standing in the middle of the gym, it was tough.” (Editor’s note for older people: tough means cool.) “Everywhere I turned, people were getting up and yelling with me. It felt like we were finally all in unison again. We’re all here together every day, spending all these hours with one another; we need to feel that unity.”

The whole event was a triumph of community, school spirit and palpable joy. The AAC members were invited to reflect on the planning process and could immediately identify where they made mistakes. Garrett Seegers ’23 pointed out, “We should’ve done a walk-through.”

Realizing they were 30 minutes ahead of their run of show, they put their improvisational skills to the test and came up with the dance-off and cup game to fill the time — two of the activities the students loved the most!

“This is the most professional thing we do,” Wil said. “Working together with each other to brainstorm ideas and work out logistics, emailing administration to verify what we can and can’t do. We take it very seriously.”

38 Flint Hill School

Teaching student leaders to set up a meeting, hold a conversation, look at issues from multiple perspectives, and craft an inclusive program is something we value even above the school spirit that they create. We know that in the long run, these students will advocate for positive change wherever they go, and we want them prepared to do so when the time comes.

–Don Paige

Other people in the community have been taking notice of their hard work and professionalism as well.

“Like many of our student leadership groups, we push the AAC onto their growth edges when it comes to advocacy and leadership. Teaching student leaders to set up a meeting, hold a conversation, look at issues from multiple perspectives and craft an inclusive program is something we value even above the school spirit that they create. We know that in the long run, these students will advocate for positive change

wherever they go, and we want them prepared to do so when the time comes,” said Don Paige, director of the Upper School.

Director of Athletics Dewayne Robinson serves as their advisor and is proud of the lessons the kids are learning. “They’re building leadership and communication skills that they’ll lean on for the rest of their lives.”

What’s next for the AAC? You tell them! They’re hoping to get ideas from their fellow classmates. If you have any ideas for raising school spirit, email them at aac@flinthill.org.

College Dinners are back in person this year! Take a look at all of the colleges and universities the alumni office has visited!

Front row, left to right: Yuan Choi ’20, Sebastian Aguilar ’19, Dhruv Pillai ’19, Erica Kim ’20. Back row, left to right: Patrick McHonett, Sophia Gianoplus ’20, Yash Mehta ’20, Henry Bright ’21, Tyler Nguyen ’21, Anson Yuan ’21, Tracy Peterson, Kayla Hewitt ’17, Samir Rahman ’21

UNIVERSITY Chasya Egube ’19 and Rico Reed (left) Rico Reed and Nicole Kladakis ’22 (below) NEW YORK CITY COLLEGES

Left to right: Tiam AzabDaftari ’19, Isabel Garcia-Sosa ’20, Sam Song ’22, Grayson Newell ’22, Savannah Scarborough ’20, Victoria Bedoya ’20, D.J. Young ’20, Disha Sharda ’20, Joy Ridenhour ’19, Andrew Hamilton ’19 (above)

UNIVERSITY

Left to right: Alan Rizkalla ’19, Rico Reed, Chris Hendrix ’20, Jonathan Breen ’20, Ava Buffum ’20, Will Ma ’20, Dany Rizkalla ’19

Left

Left

Left

Left to right: Hannah Khan ’19, Andrew Erickson ’19, Peter Heller ’19, Maria Taylor, Megan Johnson ’20, Jeanne Marie Greathouse ’22, Harrison Daley ’22, Seth Nelson ’21

CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY

Left to right: Paige Thomas ’22, Jyden Simms ’19, Will Plaut ’22 (above)

to right: Patrick McHonett, Kathleen Boyce ’19, Parth Mehta ’20, Max Pilloff ’19, Zain Zahir ’19, Rhea Zahir ’22, Alexis Stengle ’22, Rico Reed (above)

HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY Rico Reed and Jason Mendler ’22 (above)

to right: Victoria Stanciu ’19, Sydney Abell ’19, Rico Reed, Sarah Bright ’21, Ashley Schedler ’21 (left)

to right: Kyla Norton ’21, Matthew Running ’22, Griffin Hover ’19, Alexis Chickillo ’22, Neha Matai ’22 (above)

Front row, left to right: Elizabeth Britt ’20, Brigid Radtke ’20, Olivia Nyarko-Odoom ’22, Piper McDade ’22. Back row, left to right: Patrick McHonett, Emad Said ’20, Tyler Swain ’20, Vijay Mannava ’20, Maria Taylor, Rico Reed (left)

JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY

Left to right: Aidan Radtke ’22, Brian Boyce ’22, Daniel Ferguson ’20, Joe Worman ’19, L.A. Rice ’19, Reagan Pomeroy ’21, Maria Taylor, Rico Reed

WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY Rico Reed and Justice Ellison ’20

Back in person for the first time since 2019, alumni from the classes of 2005–2018 gathered at Wilson Hardware the night after Thanksgiving. This annual event is back, so mark your calendars for next year!

Left to right: Rico Reed, Emma Dowell ’08, Andrew Kulak ’06, Ivan Seigel, Clayton Childs ’07, Robert Spencer ’09, Akeem Garnett H’09, Tess Boyer ’08, Brandon Anderson ’12, Lara Meehan ’08 (right)

Left to right: Kaveri Bansal ’11, Brandon Anderson ’12, guest, Ricky Marske ’12, guest, Brendan Kennett, guest (above)

Back row, left to right: Brandon Alloy ’14, Corey McCarten ’14, Phil Wellde ’14, Grace Cleland ’14, Ally Lucas ’14, Alana Suter ’14, Carah Abod ’14, Lizzy Schofield ’14. Front row: Tanvi Bansal ’14, Britton Anderson ’14 (right)

Left to right: David Song ’18, Jeff Amankwah ’17, Bryce Bias ’17, David Akinyemi ’17, Ally Jones ’17, Lauren Curtis ’17, Elli Hausamann ’17, Carolyn Holran ’17, Arnav Boppudi ’17, Nick Wright ’17

To be included in Alumni Class Notes, email the Alumni Office at alumni@flinthill.org with news of a union, birth of a child, adoption, professional developments, travels or anything you’d like to share with your classmates. If you would like to include a photo with your submission, please note that digital photographs must be high-resolution JPEG images (1MB+) to appear in print.

Flint Hill Magazine editorial staff reserve the right to edit submissions for clarity and length.

Patrick Lovelace ’18 graduated from the University of Michigan in May. See p. 49

44 Flint Hill School

Ronald Yankey ’71 writes, “I moved to Naples, FL, in February 2021. We did pretty well through Hurricane Ian. Our subdivision lost some regular trees and palm trees. Several of the palm trees came down on houses, but all in all, nowhere near as bad as other areas here in southwest Florida.” Recently some members of the Class of 1971 gathered virtually. “It was great seeing some of the class. Falcons Forevermore.” (below)

also share the house with a Labrador retriever, named Eli, and six cats (effects of Sandy’s 30-year career as a licensed veterinary technician). Sandy and Pappy are very active in the prison ministries of Kingsway Prison and Family Outreach based in Harrisonburg, VA, and of Kairos Prison Ministry International. They are also active in their church, Community Fellowship Church in Staunton, where Sandy serves on the sound team, running sound for church services and having fun playing with the mixer boards.

Jessica King Tsun ’04 and Matt Tsun ’04 welcomed a new baby in December 2021 and now have two children together, Camden (3 years) and Zoe (10 months). (right)

Vikram “Bobby” Chauhan ’06 writes, “Hello Flint Hill family. I hope everyone is doing well. Time is flying!! A little about me since 2006 — I went on to earn my MBS from Rutgers University and DMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. I was introduced to implant dentistry during my residency at Marshall University and knew this is what I wanted to focus on for the rest of my life. I am finally back in Vienna and am excited to announce I purchased my first dental practice — Mayberry Dental. If you get a moment, swing by the office and come say hi. I would love to catch up. Take care everyone, happy holidays and hope to see you soon.” (below)

Sandy Sjosten Pless ’73 and her husband, Pappy Pless, continue to enjoy living in the Staunton, VA, region. They are both winding down their employment years as school bus drivers for Augusta County. They share a log home with Sandy’s daughters: Kelly, who is a corrections officer at a local prison, and Beth, who is a clerk dispatcher for the county Sheriff’s office. They

Taylor

Kaitlin Hill ’07 writes, “After graduating from the University of Richmond in 2011, I attended the Culinary Institute of America and graduated with my culinary arts degree in 2013. Since then, I have worked in food media for Saveur magazine, The James Beard Foundation, and former NY Magazine food critic Gael Greene. In 2016, I returned to Washington, D.C., where I started my own catering company and continued food writing for Middleburg Life magazine, The Piedmont Virginian and Old Bust Head Brewery’s food blog. In November 2021, Middleburg Life promoted me to Editor-in-Chief. Also in 2021, I married fellow FHS Husky Steven Lenz ’07. We live in D.C. with our sixyear-old cat, Tommy.” (below)

Caroline Gray ’08 writes, “I recently completed University of Virginia Darden’s Executive MBA program while working at Tuckernuck. Tuckernuck is an e-commerce retail company founded in Washington, D.C. I work on the product development team and oversee the development of Tuckernuck’s activewear line, Tnuck Sport.” (below)

Cameron Yassine ’08 writes, “I have some lovely news: Our baby, Jolene Michelle Yassine, came a little early and is doing wonderfully. Mom Emily did a fantastic job and is also doing great. She is my hero. I am currently taking a little break from teaching middle school English as I work to fulfill my lifelong dream of writing, and hopefully publishing, a novel, as well as preparing for another dream of mine: being a stay-at-home dad. I am so excited for this new chapter of life and grateful to Flint Hill for all the community has done to inspire me and prepare me for what lies ahead.” (below)

Chelsea Overholt Ginty ’09 writes, “Hello! A lot happened during COVID-19, including marrying my husband in July of 2020, and exactly one year later (on our anniversary date) we welcomed our son, Preston Ginty. Pictured alongside me in my wedding photo are my sister, Courtney Overholt ’10, and classmate, Ashley Bazzarone ’09 (above)

Chris Peterson ’09 married Elizabeth Bernhard on August 6, 2022, in York, ME. It was a beautiful Maine afternoon, and there were many Huskies there to celebrate with the couple. Chris and Elizabeth live in New York City. Huskies in the picture, front row, left to right: Steven Peterson ’12, Jillian Goulding ’12, Cara Peterson ’10, Jess Wisiakas ’09, Jon Peterson P ’09,’10,’14, Anne Peterson P ’09,’10,’14, Elizabeth Bernard (bride), Chris Peterson ’09 (groom), Tim Peterson ’10, Jillian Fellows Dill ’07, Railey Dill. Back row: John Stertzer ’09, John Rehberger ’09, Christian Melton ’09, Nick Peterson ’14, Everett Dill on shoulders, Jared Leader ’10, Tommy Peterson ’15, John Wisiackas ’10 (below)

Christian Melton ’09 married his college sweetheart, Nicole Good, on September 3, 2022. There were so many Huskies in attendance! (above)

Sheeza Mahmood ’10 writes, “I got married at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel on May 13, 2022. Mr. & Mrs. Krug and Lauren Porter ’11 were in attendance as were my nephews, Alexander and Nicholas, who are now Huskies in lower and middle school.” (below)

Cara Peterson ’10 and Jay Howard were married on April 23, 2022. Cara’s book, “The Effortless Perfection Myth,” was also released this past September! (above)

Lauren Smith Gutić ’13 writes, “I married Jack Gutić on June 25, 2022. Jack and I agree it was easily the most incredibly beautiful and surreal day of our lives. There were so many Huskies attending, including Daniel Giguere ’12, the best man; Mary Giguere,

Daniel’s mother; Trevor Ogundepo ’12, who was the DJ; Angelica Young ’13, bridesmaid; Richard Young, Angelica’s father; Quinn Keeley McLaughlin ’13; Dan and Marianne McLaughlin, Quinn’s parents; Stephanie Altreuter ’13; Kasandi Mulaa ’14; Brianna Klein ’14; Julia Cardone, my first teacher at FHS; Alex Smith H’17, my brother and groomsman; and Lindsay Smith H’18, my sister and maid of honor. I painted a photo of the 4x6 foot emerald cut teal gem (oil & acrylic on canvas) for the photo booth backdrop. Art is still very much what I am most passionate about, and I’ll always credit Flint Hill for my strong foundation in which I’ve made all my artistic dreams come true.”

Claire Rodriquez ’15 writes, “I’m excited to announce that I have just started a new role as an associate manager for Disney’s Entertainment Brand Solutions team in Los Angeles, supporting the Scripted Team in the development and execution of brand solutions associated with scripted series across the Disney portfolio. I have only the fondest memories of my time spent at Flint Hill and want to invite any students with interest in the entertainment industry to reach out to me for informational interviews, as I would be so excited to meet you and assist in any way possible as you prepare to embark on your professional journeys: linkedin.com/in/claire-rodriguez2018”

Sami Morse ’16 is currently a research assistant at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. His lab works to unveil the mechanisms behind cancer cell initiation, communication, and development, with the hope of delineating pathways helpful in diagnosis and treatment. Specifically, Sami is focused on the development of a cancer vaccine to help address pancreatic cancer. In the future, he is considering pursuing a career in medicine — through research, clinic or both.

Austin Clay Jones ’17 writes, “I am excited to share that I have published my first novel! It is called ‘A Broken Watch from Capers Island.’ It is available on Amazon and Kindle.” (right)

Patrick Lovelace ’18 writes, “I graduated from the University of Michigan in May and double majored in Spanish and Higher Education. Spending the year living in Cuenca, Spain, where I’m teaching 11-14 year olds at an English immersion center. I won’t make it to the reunion but hope to be back at FHS soon!” (below and on p. 44)

Neha Sharma ’18 writes, “2022 has been a year full of big accomplishments! I graduated from the College of William & Mary in May with a BA in government and a minor in economics. During my time at William & Mary, I served as the first-ever Indian-American Editor-inChief of ROCKET Magazine, W&M’s premier fashion, arts and culture publication and served as tour guide program lead for W&M’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Following graduation, I secured my dream job at L’Oreal USA under their Active Cosmetics Division as a junior marketing associate for SkinCeuticals. I now work in product and influencer marketing where I am able to combine my love of media, content creation, marketing and skincare. I currently live in Brooklyn, New York City, and hope to visit FHS for my 5-year reunion!” (below)

L.A. Rice ’19 writes, “Over this past summer, I did my best to see many of my Flint Hill classmates of all ages, gearing up for my last year of college at JMU. It is always a great time to go to Nationals games with alumni, especially with classmates rooting for opposing teams. I had an internship in Newark, DE, as a global finance and business management intern with JP Morgan Chase & Co., meeting a plethora of successful individuals along with learning an immense amount about the finance industry and becoming a professional in the corporate world. My family and I had a great time at Bethany Beach, DE, on our annual 4th of July trip as well. Always great to think about the great times and people at Flint Hill and will always be rooting for the Huskies!”

Justice Ellison ’20 writes, “God has been working in my heart and touching other people around me. I am a part of the servant team for AIA which stands for Athletes in Action. It is a Christian ministry for athletes on campus.” (below)

Lauren Meier ’19 is a psychology undergraduate student at Virginia Tech and has been awarded the 2022 American Psychological Association’s Division 50 (Addiction Psychology)

Student Poster Award for her poster, “Proximal Relations between LGBTQ+ Students’ Alcohol Use and Cyber Abuse: The Role of Discrimination.” Congratulations, Lauren!

AJ Coston ’07 and Victoria Traver

October 2022

Chelsea Overholt Ginty ’09 and Devin Ginty July 2020

Chris Peterson ’09 and Elizabeth Bernhard August 2022

Christian Melton ’09 and Nicole Good September 2022

Cara Peterson ’10 and Jay Howard April 2022

Lauren Smith Gutić ’13 and Jack Gutić June 2022

Kavon Akhtar ’06 and Jordan Akhtar

Piper Akhtar, born October 2022

Chelsea Overholt Ginty ’09 and Devin Ginty Preston Ginty, born July 2021

Jessica King Tsun ’04 and Matt Tsun ’04 Zoe Tsun, born December 2021

Cameron Yassine ’08 and Emily Yassine Jolene Michelle Yassine, born October 2022

Mac Hazel ’07 and Katelyn Hazel Harper Elizabeth Hazel, born October 2022

Timothy C. Jones ’74

August 2022

Manish Sangal August 2022

Parent of Arhaan Sangal ’32 and Aashvi Sangal ’25

Joel R. Stanley ’08

October 2022

Michael G. McGuirk ’66 September 2022

George R. Smith September 2022 Spouse of former Trustee Merlyn M. Smith, Grandparent of Heather Smith Presgrave ’01, Matt Smith ’05 and Steven Thompson ’10

Kacie Fisher November 2022 Parent of Jackson Kropp ’24

Can anyone identify the members of the cast of the first Flint Hill School Husky production of “The Wizard of Oz?”

Email Director of Alumni Relations Maria Taylor at mtaylor@flinthill.org.

Your support empowers students of all ages to seize opportunities — from our 4th graders testing water samples from a nearby stream to our middle schoolers exploring historic sites and museums in Washington, D.C. You give them the resources they need to become innovative thinkers and curious learners — blazing their own trails.

Make your gift today at flinthill.org/give.