Georgian Spring 2025

ENGAGED CITIZENSHIP

Cover: Building on our historic commitment to service and peace, the George School Academic Program seamlessly integrates meaningful opportunities to serve at the local and global level into the curriculum.

FSL Track Championships

Boys Track & Field won the Friends Schools League (FSL) Championship on May 7, 2025. The Girls Track & Field team took second place.

2025 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient “George School is where I found my voice and the seeds of confidence that have guided me throughout my career,” Donzaleigh Abernathy ’75 shared in her acceptance speech during Alumni Weekend, when she was recognized for her remarkable acting career and lifelong dedication to civil rights.

to Washington

recently hosted participants of “Quaker Walk 2025” along their 265-mile route from Brooklyn, New York to Washington, D.C. where they delivered a message to

Quaker Walk

George School

Dear friends,

What was apparent to me in my interview process has become further clarified in my lived experience this year: George School has been built for this moment.

Our values — timeless and always relevant — are a force for good. Our Engaged Citizenship program (p. 4) is the current iteration of our long-storied commitment to service, re-envisioned to meet the needs of today’s world and — thanks to the deep generosity of members of our community — available more equitably to all of our students. George School students learn to see service as an inherent piece of their own humanity. While developing and executing green initiative projects on campus, assisting local seniors, volunteering to counteract food insecurity in local communities, advocating for justice in Philadelphia and working with refugee organizations in Greece, our students reflect on how best to use their own strengths and talents to build a more just, sustainable and equitable world.

The George School Academic Program — nimble, rigorous, and tailored to meet each individual’s highest ambitions — prepares our students to adapt to a rapidly evolving world. Students engage in their own academic journeys with vibrancy and enthusiasm, mapping out their coursework, exploring elective subjects and looking for opportunities to squeeze in just one more course while also learning to create healthy balance in their lives. Faculty are innovating, creating wide-ranging electives including Organic Chemistry, Peace Studies, Microeconomics, and Japanese History and Culture. Our strong AP and IB exam scores support the success of our approach. The list of colleges and universities for the Class of 2025 (p. 44) — impressive in both caliber and array — affirm that the George

George School values are timeless and always relevant

School Academic Program inspires students to reach beyond what they may have thought possible.

Our global community — united by common experiences across decades and continents — leads with kindness; we continue to learn from one another and lift one another up. Alumni Weekend (p. 42) was a joyful celebration of community. Generations of alumni connected with fabulous student volunteers, toured campus, compared experiences and even engaged in spirited Four Square and Spikeball competitions. Celebrating together was extra-special for the Class of 2020, who gathered in the William Penn Outdoor Auditorium to acknowledge the in-person Commencement Ceremony they missed during the pandemic. I had the honor of presenting Donzaleigh Abernathy ’75 with the Distinguished Alumni Award for her remarkable acting career and her lifelong dedication to civil rights. And though we say farewell to seven of our esteemed colleagues this spring (p. 20), we are comforted in the knowledge that each will forever be a part of our rich tapestry.

George School has been built for this moment.

I am grateful to lead a community that clearly, consistently and visibly adheres to values that are more critical than ever in today’s world. And I am committed, with your support, to ensuring that it continues to do so well into the future.

In friendship,

Justin Brandon Head of School

In Pursuit of Peace

IN AN EFFORT TO PROMOTE GREATER CIVIC UNDERSTANDING, Shrihith ’25 created an engaging civics quiz, complete with prizes.

As a Quaker institution, service has been woven into the tapestry of George School since its inception, defined by a commitment to build relationships, foster empathy, and inspire sustainable possibilities for peace on both an interpersonal and global level.

Service became an intentional part of the school curriculum in the late 1930s, and eventually came to be considered a diploma requirement. On campus, with local partners like Snipes Farm and Pennswood Village, and through domestic and international travel, decades of students have expanded their understanding of community. Notable global citizenship experiences include Fran Bradley’s development of a longstanding trip to Cuba, dating back to the 1970s, and Ralph Lelii’s collaboration with the Vietnam-U.S. Society beginning in the 1990s. George School was one of the first U.S.-based schools welcomed into these countries.

Today, the George School Academic Program is designed in part to provide more space for this commitment, effectively weaving intentional coursework, experiential learning and service together within its unique schedule. Increased space for one-term elective offerings, five-week interdisciplinary travel courses and time built into the class day for service opportunities all make the practice of community-building a seamless part of the student experience. It begins with “shift,” a long-standing tradition of assisting in the dining hall as a way to learn and practice the daily responsibilities of living in community with others. Students

continue this practice in co-op programs with departments around campus. All ninth-graders are required to take two courses within the Religions curriculum: “Intercultural Friends Community Essentials,” which focuses largely on the Quaker testimonies of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality and Stewardship (“SPICES”), followed by “Faith, Responsibility and Stewardship,” the study of how various traditions connect community with food, faith, justice and the earth.

Students go on to take experiential servicerelated coursework; develop their own independent service projects as part of their International Baccalaureate requirement, or simply because they are spurred by their own interests and passions; and pursue mission-driven internships.

“Understanding our world directly, not just through a textbook, increases our level of care and commitment to the people and places around us,” explained program director Meredith Baldi ’01. “The relationships we form are long-lasting, and learning about global issues from a lived and seen place of understanding helps cultivate a desire for our students to promote peace and justice throughout their lives.”

The unique academic schedule has proven ideal for engaged citizenship coursework; combined with the newly established Fund for International and Experiential Learning, it ensures every student who chooses to is able to participate in at least one experiential service course in their time at George School. The fund serves as a key component in supporting the integration of these opportunities as consistent, equitable and deep parts of the curriculum. This fall, students traveled to Bonaire, Brazil, Greece, Turkey, Italy and Philadelphia. In June, students head to Botswana, France, Poland and the Netherlands.

Locally, George School works to establish strong partnerships and teach students what they can accomplish within their own communities, helping them become habituated to thinking about — and acting on — ways to improve the world around them.

The unique academic schedule has proven ideal for engaged citizenship coursework; combined with the newly established Fund for International and Experiential Learning, it ensures every student who chooses to is able to participate in at least one experiential service course in their time at George School.

STUDENTS ASSIST a local Caiman researcher in the Brazilian Amazon.

Engaged Citizenship Workshop

In this five-week course, students explore themes such as civic participation, stewardship of human and natural worlds, and concrete ways they can initiate service projects utilizing their own talents and strengths. Foundational coursework explores the meaning of citizenship and is followed by the development of student-designed citizenship projects. Projects are implemented within the term; the course ends with time for reflection, where students articulate the successes of the project, consider the impediments they encountered towards reaching their goals, and establish a future-thinking mindset for what can be done at the individual and collective level.

Following are projects from this year’s classes; together, they represent the wide range of interests and passions in George School’s diverse student body.

FOOD

Counteracting food insecurity. Juniors Majd Abu Tahoun, Cameron Cunningham, Stephan Noel, and Rachel Stephen were concerned for those who have limited access to food. Researching the scope of food insecurity in the local area, they learned that about 15% of people in neighboring counties lack adequate access to food. The group decided to partner with Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. Volunteering during class time over the course of three weeks, they prepared weekend bags for school children who receive free lunch at school but may miss meals on weekends. They also organized a community food drive, packing a George School van with non-perishables collected on campus to donate to Mercer Street Friends Food Bank. “Volunteer opportunities are much easier than I thought,” reflected Majd. “Working with Mercer Street Friends Food Bank has motivated me to seek ways to help others in my daily life.”

PARTNERING WITH THE LOCAL MERCER STREET FRIENDS

BANK, juniors Stephan, Rachel and Cameron filled a George School van with non-perishable donations collected on campus.

MAJD ’26, AND RACHEL ’26 partnered with Mercer Street Friends Food Bank to counteract food insecurity in the local area, and also organized a community food drive at George School.

Creating friendship through soccer. Seniors

Sam Tchoumandrine and Taylor Whiteside are passionate soccer players. Reflecting on how much they had personally gained from the sport, — how it made them happier, healthier, and more connected with others — they reached out to the Bucks County Interfaith Coalition for Refugee Resettlement and invited the youth they support to campus. Working closely with the organization, they hosted a group of unaccompanied minor refugees to play soccer and enjoy a pizza party with over 50 George School student volunteers. When learning that some of their invited guests wanted to participate but were not excited to play soccer, seniors Everwood Ingram and Jennifer Jia jumped in to organize an art workshop in the ceramics studio. “I’m really proud of the level of effort shown by everyone and grateful that we were able to bring this group of people together,” shared Sam.

SHRIHITH ’25 ORGANIZED A VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVE, helping students 18 and over easily register during their lunch break.

Promoting civic understanding and participation. Senior Shrihith Talapaneni was disappointed; in his experience, many U.S. citizens weren’t exhibiting the civic knowledge needed to make informed political decisions. His research showed that as many as a third of Americans don’t fully understand the three branches of government. Citizens with a strong understanding of how our political system works, however, were more likely to participate in civic life. Shrihith developed concrete goals for what he could do in his own community. He started by organizing a voter registration drive on campus, helping students 18 and over easily register during their lunch break. He also created an engaging civics quiz with prizes for students to incentivize learning and discussion related to our civic systems and rights.

SAM ’25 AND TAYLOR ’25 ORGANIZED STUDENT VOLUNTEERS TO PLAY SOCCER , make art and bridge connections with youth from Bucks County Interfaith Coalition for Refugee Resettlement on campus.

Cultivating inclusion with elderly neighbors.

A number of senior students were worried about a growing population of older adults and their disconnection from others. Many cited experiences with their own grandparents, reflecting on how lonely that time of life may be.

Partnering with nearby Pennswood Village, Friends Village, and Chandler Hall, the group planned a range of projects to connect with residents. Benson Nguyen offered one-onone technology support for residents, helping with everything from setting up their computers and email addresses to downloading and learning how to play video games remotely with their grandchildren far away. Jesse Stephen and Sophia Wang hosted art workshops; Martin Chiolo planned a concert and spent time playing cards and connecting with residents; and Iris Xia, Peter Tang, Ethan Xiao and Mars Zhang hosted crepe-making events, serving breakfast to residents.

Serving communities in multiple ways. Other students organized a campus blood drive in partnership with the Red Cross; held dance workshops for young children as a way to encourage decreased screen time; partnered with Mitzvah Circle to collect and organize material aid distribution to families in need; volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in support of more equitable access to housing; and planted a community garden to enrich our local agriculture. While projects varied, students shared in the experience of civic engagement and developed stronger relationships and connections within our campus and local community.

SENIORS SOPHIA AND JESSE organized and hosted art workshops for local seniors.

Service-Focused Internships

Working with alumni, parents and non-profit organizations, students often gain professional skills while serving their communities through internships that align with George School’s mission and values.

Learning about advocacy through immigration law. Each year, Immigration Attorney (and former GS parent) Sheena Bediako P’22 offers students an opportunity to learn the art of legal research and writing. Sheena’s practice helps individuals seeking asylum. Last summer, rising seniors Gabriella Harris, Noori Nagra, Alex Puisor and Ellie Remus interned with Sheena, interviewing clients and conducting research for the firm’s reports. Students contributed to the protection and advocacy of individuals in the community while developing useful careerspecific skills. Gabriella was able to build on this experience when she traveled to Greece as part of the “Storytelling for Social Justice” course. “These experiences allowed me to gain a much more in-depth understanding and perspective of the refugee crisis as a whole,” Gabriella said. All four students brought the knowledge they gained back to their classes, particularly “Higher Level IB Global Politics,” where they could speak with firsthand knowledge about the rights individuals have to seek asylum and the legal challenges of upholding these essential human rights.

Contributing to global conflict resolution efforts. Friends Peace Teams is a Spirit-led organization that creates spaces for truth-telling, dialogue, healing, and nonviolent action for justice in 20 countries. Students who intern with this organization have the opportunity to contribute to global conflict resolution — right from their dorm rooms. Lexi Matson ’25, Milo Bisgaier ’24, and Dallan Reimels ’25 all served as Justice and Peace Program interns, editing articles written by non-native English speakers; developing communications strategies to reach a larger youth audience; and collaborating with peace workers, organizing interviews and writing articles on global issues. The group gained realworld career skills in research and writing while contributing to global conflict resolution work.

While the range of global and local projects differ tremendously in goal and scope, at their core, all engaged citizenship work offers students authentic ways to “let their lives speak.” Helping students identify both what they care deeply about, what issues they want to help address, and what skills they might bring to that effort allows them to be more fully connected and successful in their work.

“I always thought that the word ‘citizenship’ meant someone’s nationality, but there’s so much more to this word,” shared Peter Tang ’25. “Being a good citizen is about being engaged, responsible, and contributing to one’s community in meaningful ways.”

SENIORS IRIS, PETER, ETHAN AND MARS hosted a crepe-making event at Chandler Hall.

Building a Program, Making a Splash

For the past three seasons, Head Coach Brandon Hullings has driven home from the Friends League Conference Championship meet soaking wet.

The winning team, including the coaching staff, traditionally jump into the pool to celebrate the victory. And while Brandon has built a strong program at GS, he knows better than to presume how a meet will go, so he never packs a spare set of clothes. Instead, he has made a new tradition of driving home drenched from head to toe.

“You have to always hope and expect the best based on your training plan, but it has always felt presumptuous to plan on celebrating,” he explained.

Planning with intention is how Brandon, in collaboration with Assistant Athletic Director Ginna Lewing, has developed a successful swim program at George School — a program that focuses on providing each individual studentathlete the opportunity to learn the sport and train toward their own clearly defined goals. The environment they foster is grounded in Quaker values of community, belonging, and the desire to inspire student-athletes to “let their lives speak.”

Rooting the program in these values has resulted in success. This year marked the third consecutive Friends Schools League (FSL) title for the boys team and the second consecutive FSL title for the girls.

Over a decade of difference

While swimming at George School has been a competitive sport since 1909, it wasn’t until 2014 that the full George School Aquatics (GSA) program was launched, expanding from a high school sport to a competitive program for swimmers ages 6-18. Inspired by the state-of-the-art pool built as part of the new Fitness and Athletics Center (FAC), GSA was a strategic way to advance the school’s profile in the world of swimming by training young competitive swimmers within a mission-driven program led by George School coaching staff.

Coach Ginna Lewing arrived a year later, and has been instrumental in building the program.

“My goal has always been to build this club and treat it like a family,” Ginna explained. “I want our parents and kids to enjoy spending time together outside of swimming, and treat and respect each other as they would their own family.”

“ W hether it comes from something as simple as breathing in proper position for the first time or as complex as legally completing their first twenty-five yards of butterfly, the look of accomplishment on a student-athlete’s face is something I believe each coach strives to find each day in practice and at every meet.”

H ead Swim Coach and Director of Aquatics

Brandon Hullings

Today, GSA operates 48 weeks out of the year at full capacity, with approximately 200 swimmers enrolled annually.

“ When registration opens, returning swimmers sign up quickly to keep their spot,” said Ginna. “That tells me we are creating a great impact as a club if people keep coming back year after year.”

To Brandon, Ginna is the nucleus of GSA. “A more accurate job title for Ginna would be ‘Heart and Soul of GSA,’” he said. “She reminds all of us including me — how much fun the sport can and should be.”

Called to coach

It’s hard for Brandon to remember a time when his life didn’t involve coaching. At the age of 12, he was teaching young children how to blow bubbles and fetch pool toys at Express Swim America, the swim lessons branch of USA Swimming. A few years later, as just a sophomore in high school, Brandon was named Head Coach at Ben Franklin Swim Club.

“It was my first dip into the ‘dry’ side of the sport,” Brandon remembered. “Managing coaching schedules, meet lineups, practice schedules for multiple age groups and abilities, and parents as excited as I was to be a ‘real’ coach, I quickly got the sense I was drowning. Fortunately, I had plenty of help from assistant coaches and parents. After that, I began to develop a strategic approach to coaching and program management.”

B randon was also a highly competitive swimmer, earning Scholastic All-American Honors at neighboring Pennington School in New Jersey and continuing to compete at Denison University,

where his team won the 2010–2011 NCAA Division III Championship.

A fter graduation, he returned to Pennington to help develop their Aquatics Program, guiding both the Middle School swim team and the water polo team to championships while coaching over 20 varsity record holders, including four of Pennington’s five All-Americans. He also led the New Jersey Stingrays Swim Team, building a competitive program that produced Junior National qualifiers and finalists. Brandon transitioned to Senior Coach at the Eastern Express Swim Club before arriving at George School as director of aquatics in 2021.

“ When I first arrived at GS, the community made me feel as if I belonged there all along,” Brandon recounted. “I have found through my first four years here that the initial sense of community and compassion I felt was genuine.”

Mission Statement:

George School Aquatics provides swimmers of all ability levels the opportunity to train for success and learn the sport of swimming in a positive, challenging, fun, and supportive environment. Our professional coaches are devoted to developing complete studentathletes with a mind towards achievement, both in and out of the pool. We are dedicated to establishing a solid foundation of proper mechanics and training habits upon which our athletes can grow and accomplish their goals in competitive swimming.

Mission-driven

Brandon and Ginna — with support from Lead Junior Coach Will Freeman and assistant coaches

Ted Scheuller, Matt Michenfelder, Olivia Kochis, Madison Schluchterer, Mike Uchrin, and Keith Torok — are committed to “developing studentathletes with a mind toward achievement both in and out of the pool,” Brandon said. Each season, swimmers work one-on-one with their lead coach to develop personalized goal sheets, outlining an 18- or 36-week detailed plan to achieve those goals.

“In swimming, there are no ‘Hail Mary’ passes or half-court shots that miraculously hit their mark as time expires,” Brandon explained. “At its core, each championship swim is a testament to the work you have or have not done since your last opportunity.”

“Fundamentally, we believe that each athlete is responsible for their own swimming,” he continued. “We give them tools to become the best version of themselves and hold them accountable for their goals each time they touch the water or pick up a medicine ball.”

Through this lens, swimmers learn accountability, personal responsibility and commitment, along with the feeling of elation that comes with accomplishment.

“These values not only help build better swimmers,” Brandon said. “More importantly, they build reliable, resilient and caring people.”

Varsity: Where athletic drive meets academic excellence

“One thing that stands out about our studentathletes is their eagerness to learn, self-correct and adapt,” said Brandon. “Whether they hold a conference record or are novice swimmers, our student-athletes demonstrate a desire to be better through grit and efficiency.”

The coaching staff encourages swimmers to ask questions to fully understand the “why” behind their training sets and drills. This approach fits the school’s educational approach and results in stronger buy-in and healthier trustbased relationships. “No group of student-athletes I have ever worked with has asked more meaningful questions than this group,” he said. “For these students and coaches alike, the ‘why’ is just as — and perhaps more — important than the ‘how.’”

The interpersonal dynamics of the team are one of the best aspects of the program in Brandon’s view. “Every practice brings some of the healthiest competition between teammates that I’ve ever witnessed,” Brandon said. “The team thrives on positive reinforcement.”

“They are competitive with one another because they know that their success is intertwined with the success of their teammates. Everyone contributes, everyone improves — and in doing so, the whole team rises.”

BRANDON BELIEVES that the interpersonal dynamics of the team are one of the best aspects of the program.

“The team thrives on positive reinforcement,” he said.

2024–25 Record Breaking Performances

• Girls 200-Yard Medley Relay: Lillian Whittemore ’26, Gabby Karasinski ’27, Quinn Jerardi ’27, Freya Mottershead ’25 — 1:52.91

• Boys 200-Yard Freestyle Relay: Anton Beregovoi ’27 — 1:43.27

FSL All-Time Record

• Girls 50-Yard Freestyle: Gabby Karasinski ’27 — 25.36

• Boys 50-Yard Freestyle: Mikko Kuittinen ’26 — 21.57

FSL All-Time Record

• Girls 100-Yard Freestyle: Quinn Jerardi ’27 — 55.57

• Boys 100-Yard Freestyle: Mikko Kuittinen ’26 — 46.98

FSL All-Time Record

• Boys 500-Yard Freestyle: Anton Beregovoi ’27 — 4:41.31 Pool Record

• Boys 200-Yard Freestyle Relay: Mikko Kuittinen ’26, Luke Linden ’25, Anton Beregovoi ’27, Daniel Gluschuk ’25 1:30.07

Pool, Championship, and FSL All-Time Record

• Boys 100-Yard Backstroke: Mikko Kuittinen ’26 — 49.72 Pool, Championship, FSL Record, and All-American Qualifier

• Girls 100-Yard Breaststroke: Gabby Karasinski ’27 — 1:09.36

• Girls 400-Yard Freestyle Relay: Amir Brown ’27, Freya Mottershead ’25, Quinn Jerardi ’27, Gabby Karasinski ’27 3:45.09

• Boys 400-Yard Freestyle Relay: Mikko Kuittinen ’26, Luke McCool ’28, Anton Beregovoi ’27, Daniel Gluschuk ’25 3:14.19

FSL All-Time Record

• M ikko Kuittinen ’26 was named to the Scholastic All-American Team and qualified in the 100 backstroke for All-American consideration.

George School Hall of Athletic Honor Class of 2024

This winter marked the fourth annual Hall of Athletic Honor, recognizing members of our community for their significant contributions to George School Athletics. Inducted this year were Nancy Zurn Bernardini P’05, ’08; Dave Sattherthwaite ’65 P’92, ’99, ’04; Jason Sisti ’11; Grace Thwing, director of girls physical education from 1920–1949; and the 1970 Varsity Boys Basketball Team.

“All of us who love George School Athletics stand on the shoulders of the giants who came before us: coaches and athletic directors who coached, who counseled, who loved students enough to help us find our best selves on and off the courts and playing fields. We owe a debt to giants like Nancy Zurn Bernardini and Ann LeDuc, to Dave Satterthwaite and Bob Geissinger, and to many others. Some of these giants have been honored already by the Hall of Athletic Honor; more will be. Grace Thwing, ‘Thwingie,’ is the giant who began it all.”

— Robert Machemer ’92

Read more about Grace Thwing and all of the 2024 inductees at georgeschool.org/hoah

Math teacher and soccer coach Robert Machemer ’92 is building a comprehensive library of GS sports archives, a passion project to preserve the history of individuals like Grace and their impact on GS Athletics. If you have statistics, newspaper clippings, or information about GS teams or individual athletes, please send them to Robert at sportsarchiveproject@georgeschool.org

Is there an athlete, team or coach you would like to nominate for the Hall of Athletic Honor? Nominations are open through November 7. Visit georgeschool.org/HOAH

Scan to watch the HOAH slide show and learn more about this year’s inductees.

1. Nancy Zurn Bernardini P’05, ’08

2. Dave Satterthwaite ’65 P’92, ’99, ’04

3. Jason Sisti ’11

4. Grace Thwing FFAC 1920–1949

5. Members of the 1970 Varsity Boys Basketball Team with Athletic Director Kurt Ruch.

Carrying a Centuries-Old Family Tradition into the Future

Winni Weng ’27 has a passion for Jian ware — a beautiful, ancient art form central to traditional Chinese tea ceremonies. She is committed to preserving, advancing, and making it more accessible to a global audience using a truly interdisciplinary approach. Recently, as a tenth-grader, she published a book on the subject. Jian ware is a family tradition for Winni, and in a remarkable twist of fate, it is also something that brought her to George School.

Discovering an ancient craft

One early morning at the age of 10, Winni Weng accompanied her father on a quiet drive into the mountains, where she was first introduced to the rhythmic spin of a pottery wheel, the heat of a firewood kiln, and the ancient craft of Jian ware ceramics — a tradition passed down through generations in her family.

The unique process of creating Jian zhan, or Jian ware, originated during the Song Dynasty, roughly 1,000 years ago in the small town of Jianyang, Fujian Province, where Winni’s father was born. Tea bowls and ceramic pieces are covered with a thick glossy black glaze and contain distinct crackled, iridescent silver patterns called “oil spots” or “hare’s fur” that sporadically form and emerge on the pieces during the wood firing process.

“I was so fascinated with the simplicity of the bowls themselves and the exquisiteness of the patterns,” Winni remembered.

The art form disappeared for centuries and was lost to time until 1979, when a group of experts revived it and re-established its cultural significance. Today, it is highly prized by collectors and tea enthusiasts alike, admired for its historical value and artistic beauty.

The natural resources of Jianyang make it a prime location for pottery production. Situated in the central basin of the Wuyi Mountains, the region is known for its abundance of kaolin, yellow mud, red soil and other clays ideal for creating Jian ware. “Particularly important are the pine trees, which play a crucial role in the firing process,” Winni said. “The ash from these pine trees, when mixed with water and applied to the surface of molded bowls, produces the distinctive and beautiful glaze effects.”

Finding a mentor and Jian ware master

In addition to discovering the art form that day in the mountains with her father, Winni also met Que Meijiao, a highly respected and renowned female Jian ware master in China, who has dedicated her life to perfecting her skills based on Jianyang models and to overcoming gender stereotypes in the male-dominated ceramics field. Que Meijiao soon became a mentor to Winni.

“For over 20 years, Que Meijiao has advocated for female Jian ware enthusiasts, ensuring they have equal access to this dying art,” Winni explained. “She works tirelessly to shatter gender barriers by mentoring women artists.”

Que Meijiao was introduced to the craft at an early age, meticulously studying the art form and traveling extensively to learn from other masters. Eventually, she established her own kiln, created thousands of Jian ware pieces, and is now recognized as the most important Jian ware master in China. She also founded the first research institute dedicated solely to Jian ware and Jian kilns.

Que Meijiao’s kiln is especially renowned for producing pieces that closely resemble the historical masterpieces of the Song Dynasty, which also incorporate modern techniques.

“This blend of tradition and innovation has made her kiln a vital hub for both preserving and advancing this ancient art form,” said Winni. “It attracts admirers and collectors from around the world. Her teachings have profoundly shaped my understanding and appreciation of this art form and deepened my connection to our heritage.”

An unexpected connection

A few years later, in the process of planning the next chapter of her educational journey, Winni found herself on the other side of the world from Jianyang, in Newtown, Pennsylvania. Touring George School’s campus, Winni was greeted with an unexpected surprise.

“On my tour, I was immediately drawn to the ceramics room. As I walked in, a particular poster caught my eye,” Winni recalled. “It featured a stunning photograph of Jian ware! I felt a surge of excitement and a deep sense of connection. It felt like a sign that George School was the right place for me.”

At George School, teacher and artist Amedeo Salamoni introduced Winni to the world of Western-style wood-fired kilns and ceramics. “Amedeo has provided me with an invaluable international perspective, which has enriched my exploration of Jian ware,” said Winni.

Amedeo’s mentorship taught Winni to embrace the beauty of serendipity with woodfired ceramics, art, and life. And Winni’s commitment to her craft has energized Amedeo, too.

“Winni’s passion for ceramics is truly inspiring,” said Amedeo. “Writing her book as a high school student shows just how deeply she cares about the art form. Her love for clay and dedication to learning is incredible, and I’m excited to see where her talent takes her.”

Roots & rituals: The art of tea whisking with Jian ware

In the summer of 2023, Winni attended a Dian cha, or tea whisking, ceremony to experience Jian ware’s significant role in Chinese tea culture. “Initially, I thought tea art would be similar to the cappuccino art created in milk foam by baristas at the local café near George School,” said Winni. “I quickly realized I was mistaken. The Chinese Dian cha process is long, intricate, and elegant, encompassing everything from selecting the finest teas to tasting the tea soup.”

The art of Dian cha is a thousand-year-old Chinese tradition that dates back to the Tang (618–907) and Song (960–1279) Dynasties. Its focus is on calming the mind and eliminating distractions; some believe it leads to a state of serene mindfulness.

Jian ware’s design and color make it ideal for tea whisking; it has good heat retention; its shape provides enough space for practitioners to demonstrate their whisking techniques; the froth clings to the thick, slightly rough glazed surface for longer periods; and the contrast of the white froth against the black glaze illuminates the delicate designs and patterns in the froth.

Having learned the process of tea whisking, Winni is now able to practice it in pieces of Jian

WINNI WITH HER MENTOR, QUE MEIJIAO, who is recognized as the most important Jian ware master in China.

WORKING IN THE CERAMICS STUDIO in Hallowell Arts Center with teacher and artist Amedeo Salamoni.

ware that she has created herself, an experience she says has deepened her understanding of the connection between art and functionality in Chinese tea culture.

The science behind the art

One of the most intriguing aspects of Jian ware is its unique chemical transformation during high-temperature firing. “While most ancient ceramics were fired at temperatures below 1300°C, Jian ware requires at least 1330°C, with some varieties needing even higher temperatures,” explained Winni. “These high temperatures cause intense physical and chemical reactions in the glaze. This transformation makes each piece of Jian ware a singular work of art.”

Wanting to get a closer look at the intricate patterns created by these reactions, Winni began experimenting with microscopes designed for zooming in on diamonds and other optical tools, but found these imaging methods expensive and cumbersome. She enrolled in online courses on optics to learn more about light and magnification, and decided to invent the optical tool she needed. She spent last summer working in the laboratory of Professor Wu Yumin, where she had access to concave and convex mirrors, 3D printers, lasers, and other cutting-edge resources.

“It was like an inventor’s paradise,” Winni said. “I spent countless hours tinkering with MATLAB and 3D modeling software, fine-tuning my designs.”

Winni was able to develop a 3D microscopic image to demonstrate the unique authentication of each piece of Jian ware in a way that traditional methods cannot.

Winni’s 3D microscopic display invention won her first place in the spring 2025 Bucks County Science Fair, and one of her Jian ware

pieces “Whispers of the Rabbit” won a Scholastic National Silver Medal and Gold Key Award.

Jian ware through Winni’s eyes

Winni’s passion for the art form of Jian ware and commitment to preserving its cultural and historical significance has inspired an interdisciplinary approach, blending history, art, science and even entrepreneurship. She recently wrote and published a book, titled “Jian Ware Through Winni’s Eyes,” which is a reflection of her experiences in the craftsmanship and heritage of Jian ware. As part of an entrepreneurship class this spring, she worked with faculty member Heather Mooney to develop a business plan for launching her newly published book, complete with a marketing and finance plan. Winni hopes her book will help to widen understanding and appreciation of this important cultural art form.

“From selecting the right clay to the final high-temperature firing, the art of Jian ware is a testament to the skill and dedication required to produce these remarkable pieces,” said Winni. “Each bowl is a link to the past, a reflection of the artistry and innovation of ancient Chinese potters.”

Content sourced in part from “Jian Ware Through Winni’s Eyes” by Winni (Pujiangyue) Weng. Photography courtesy of Ye Feng and Winni Weng.

THE DELICATE ART OF TEA WHISKING using a Jian ware bowl. WINNI’S BOOK is a reflection of her experiences with the craftsmanship and heritage of Jian ware.

Saying Farewell

This spring, seven of our friends made the decision to retire from George School. Whether they’ve been with us for one decade or five, each will forever be a part of the fabric of our community.

Vince Campellone

Starting year: 1975

Roles: Groundskeeper, Grounds Supervisor, Varsity Baseball Coach, Varsity Softball Coach, Saturday Morning Work Detail (SMWD) Supervisor, Dorm Faculty, Class Sponsor; and parent of Tyler ’12 and Taylor ’14.

Path to George School: When I was a kid, we would drive past George School and I always thought, “What a beautiful place,” but I never dreamed that I’d work here. I went to horticulture tech school and after I got out of the service, I worked for a landscaper. After that, I started looking for work that would be year-round and saw the groundskeeper position available at George School. The rest is history!

Favorite campus memories: Lining the athletic fields and cutting grass is the best part of my day. Getting ready for Alumni Weekend and Commencement is hard work, but it’s rewarding. I look forward to it. Saturday Morning Work Detail was a great way to get to know the kids. When they see the real person behind the job, they learn not to take it for granted. I learned to lead by example. I always felt that working with the kids was what kept me young.

GS people who inspired you and why: GS folks in athletics inspired me. Bob Geissinger was like a father figure to me. Dusty Miller was a great mentor, and Dave Satterthwaite ’65, Paul Machemer ’65, and John Gleeson ’65 were like big brothers.

Points of pride: I joke with the kids when they ask me, “Vince, what do you do on spring break?” I tell them, “I turn campus from brown to green!” When I first got here, they hadn’t fertilized any of the fields; I talked them into doing athletic fields and then we expanded little by little to the academic quad, around the classroom buildings and South Lawn.

I have friends who say, “You’re still working at George School?” And I say, “Why wouldn’t I be? It’s the best thing that I could imagine. It doesn’t feel like work — it feels like a gift. We’re lucky to be here.”

What you’ll miss: The work I do every day. I usually start at 7 a.m. To some people, it might seem like I do the same thing every day, but every day is different. The difference is in your attitude.

I’ll also miss the little ones in the Children’s Center; I catch them outside and show them the tractor and take them on hayrides in the fall. We used to bring them down to the greenhouse to plant flowers.

The saddest day of the year for me is Commencement because I know there are kids who graduate that I’ll never see again. The happiest day is over Alumni Weekend when I see some of them back on campus.

Joyce Falsetti

Starting year: 2007

Roles: Admission Assistant, Admission Visit Coordinator, Administrative Assistant for Physical Plant, Office Manager for Physical Plant, Safety Committee Recording Clerk, Administrative Technology Group, Staff/Community Concerns Committee; and parent of Dana ’11.

Path to George School: My daughter was entering George School as a ninth-grade student, and I was looking for an academic year position so that I could have the summers off. The admission position had not yet been filled, so I applied and got the job!

A favorite campus memory: One spring afternoon, I was walking from Red Square over to the campus post office. Birds were singing, butterflies were fluttering in the air, and flowers were blooming. Then I heard the intro to one of my favorite songs (“Over the Hills and Far Away” by Led Zeppelin) being played on an acoustic guitar. It was magical. The talented musician was Chris Lyons ’09. He made my day!

GS people who inspired you and why: When I worked in the Admission Office, I had the pleasure of working with many students who trained to be tour guides for prospective students and their families. They were outstanding representatives of George School, who loved sharing their knowledge and experiences with others. I was very proud of them.

Points of pride: After working at GS for over 17 years in two very different departments, I am one you can call with a question about anything. If I don’t have an answer, I can probably refer you to someone who does.

What you’ll miss: The beautiful campus and my wonderful, hard-working colleagues in the Physical Plant Department.

Islande Joseph

Starting year: 2000

Role: Environmental Services Associate

Path to George School: My younger sister, Marie Denise Plaisime P’08, ’16, ’16, led me to George School. She retired from the Physical Plant Department at GS in 2022 after 32 years of dedicated service.

Favorite campus memory: The special holiday gatherings and moments every year.

GS people who inspired you and why: Terry Tuttle was one person who always inspired me to keep pushing. If I was having a bad day, she would always find a way to make me smile and remind me that tomorrow would be a brighter day. She is an uplifting person who has a positive spirit filled with compassion and strength.

Points of pride: My job at George School has been the only job I’ve had since coming to this country. It takes a lot of discipline, accountability, and self-respect to hold on to a job for 25 years. This is my biggest accomplishment.

What you’ll miss: I will miss my colleagues and all of the students on campus who always give me a warm, “Good morning!” and appreciate all of the little things that I do for them.

Polly Lodge

Starting year: 1983

Roles: Science Teacher and Department Head, Lacrosse and Soccer Coach, Service Learning Trip Leader (Vietnam, Nepal, Israel-Palestine, Ghana, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and Montana), East Main Dorm Parent, Day Student Sponsor, Discipline Committee as both a member and Clerk. It was a joy to be a parent of two GS students (Thomas ’12 and Ramzi ’14) and to get to know other students through that avenue. What a gift!

Path to George School: I learned that independent schools were looking for people who were passionate about their subject matter, and could coach and live in a dorm. I knew that was me! Working as a counselor at a Quaker camp, I met peers from George School, Westtown, and Brooklyn Friends School. They had deeper, more meaningful connections to their schools than I did to my public school. When I started to look for a teaching position, I knew I wanted to be in a Friends school. My interview with Peggy Anderson (Head Dean at the time) clinched it for me when she described the holistic approach to teaching health.

A favorite campus memory: One spring, I was coaching JV lacrosse and all the other sports had completed their games against Westtown. The two schools were tied for Moose points, so winning the Patterson Cup came down to this JV game! It seemed half the student body arrived on the sidelines to cheer on the team. The score

switched back and forth as each team alternately scored goals, but in the last 30 seconds, George School scored the final and winning goal. It was so exciting!

GS people who inspired you and why: I was inspired by colleagues who demonstrated moral courage and leadership on various social justice issues, including Carolyn Lyday, Chip Poston, Fran Bradley, John Davison, and David Bourns. Mac McNaught, Phyllis Sexton, and Rob Orr ’76 were inspirations as kind, funny, and creative science teachers. Nancy Zurn Bernardini was an extraordinary coach; it was an honor to serve beside her. Students inspired me everyday to make science interesting, challenging, and fun!

Points of pride: I am proud of the work the Science Department did to renovate the Spruance-Alden Science Center about 10 years ago. It was a huge lift, but it was cost efficient and improved our ability to serve the growing interest of students to study science. I am also proud of all the students who went on to study in a science-related field. Not many schools have offered experiences in the countries to which we have taken students, especially Israel-Palestine. I think that speaks volumes to GS’s commitment to Friends’ values.

What you’ll miss: I will miss the energy of the students; they are such amazing young people, involved in important issues, with many dreams, while facing incredible challenges.

Kevin Moon

Starting year: 1995

Roles: Math Teacher, Theory of Knowledge teacher, Cross Country Coach, Math Team Coach, Math Help, Math Department Head, various committees including Environmental Services Operations (ESOC), Faculty Concerns, Safety Committee, Staff/Community Concerns Committee; and parent of Owen ’13 and Gabriel ’16.

Path to George School: I studied philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and completed my doctorate except for my dissertation. My wife and I were starting a family and I needed a job. We chose George School for the values and community, and arrived on a two-year plan — and here we are, 30 years later.

Favorite campus memories: I have so many wonderful memories — from the XC team, the Math Team, the Math Department, walking back to Brown House after dinner with my little kids and listening to the owls in the woods.

GS people who inspired you and why: I have been deeply inspired by the teachers and professors I had before I arrived at GS. I look at my approach, pedagogy, and practice and see traces of their work all the time. At GS, I found a place where I could nurture those seeds. For that, I am forever grateful.

Points of pride: I am most proud of the role the Math Department took in transforming math education at GS, and in transforming the student experience at the school in general.

What you’ll miss: Great kids! Wonderful colleagues!

Starting year: 2014

Roles: Director of Student Activities, Clerk and Co-Clerk of the Wellness Committee, Rowing Co-Founder/Coach, Chess Team Sponsor, Community Chorus, Student Engagement Committee, Children’s Center Committee, Class Sponsor, New Student Orientation Coordinator, Dean-Spring/Summer 2020, Art for Relief Sponsor, Washington, D.C. service trip leader, last but certainly not least: proud parent of a George School graduate, Henry ’14!

Path to GS: I was led here when my husband, Michael Toohey, accepted the job of Chief Financial Officer. I like to say there are no coincidences. We made the decision to embrace George School together. While not Quaker, we found the Quaker SPICES to be consistent with our values, and this community of Friends to be one we could call home. My career path has traversed a wide territory, from finance and banking to entrepreneurship. The new head of school at the time, Sam Houser, wanted to heighten the student experience. As a native New Yorker with a lifelong love of the arts and a deep appreciation for Bucks County, I embraced the opportunity to serve and grow student activities.

Favorite campus memories: I have so many! Creating the Haunted Trail, taking students on the Staten Island Ferry to Manhattan and having them feel the excitement of seeing the Statue of Liberty, years of cooking with many affinity groups for Multicultural Weekend...the list goes on.

GS people who inspired you and why: I love the quiet way teachers teach so much more than their subject. Hearing Robert Machemer draw attention to a profound thought in a most unexpected way in Meeting; watching Prescott Seraydarian provide hands-on insight to students as they are filmmaking; Mo West affirming students with her unexpected risk-taking casting choices; Vince Campellone on a Saturday morning with students or working all hours of the day because that is what’s best for the campus; Patrick O’Dunne instilling life lessons as he coaches rowing about work ethic, perseverance, teamwork and the importance of investing in something bigger than oneself; and many others.

Points of pride: Successfully founding a rowing program at GS. Being a sculler and having taught adult rowing, I am passionate about the Zen-gifts and fitness benefits of this sport. It’s such a perfect fit for GS students — one that grows character and creates community. I see this every day that I have coached crew and in the enthusiasm students now share. I am thrilled rowing now has a place here.

What you’ll miss: First, seeing JOY on students’ faces! Whether from a first experience kayaking or a first exploration of New York City, seeing them conquer their fears and master a new sport like rowing, creating events like dances, Live Music Weekend, the haunted hayride, karaoke or special food nights — students are free to be themselves at GS, share with their friends, and just be joyful!

Second, Collection, which offers the opportunity to get to know students at a deeper level. I will miss challenging students to think and engage with significant issues, to look inward to know who they are, and listen to others with open minds and hearts willing to empathize.

Finally, I have treasured living and working on this beautiful campus. The trees are rare in today’s developing world. While I love being with students, I also loved walking home to South Campus in the silent dark of night after checkin. It was my special time with the cosmos, especially in the snow, with moonglow illuminating the landscape. This campus is a magical place.

Shari Rossmann

Michael Toohey

Starting year: 2012

Roles: Chief Financial Officer, parent of Henry ’14

Path to George School: I spent most of my career in finance and management, consulting in a strategic planning role. My first move into the nonprofit sector was as Chief Operating Officer at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in Montgomery, Alabama. When Shari and I decided we were ready to return to the Northeast to be closer to family, I began to explore the education industry. My sisters are both college professors and since my college days, I had an interest in the business of education. When George School popped onto my radar and I began to research the school, one of the first things I learned was that two of our famous alumni were Julian Bond ’57, who was on the board of SPLC, and Lael Brainard ’79, who I went to college with. Julian wrote a very nice reference letter for me.

A favorite campus memory: When I first started at George School, Shari was still living in Montgomery, and our son Henry had decided to be a boarding student at GS. There wasn’t much housing available (it was late July), so I lived in a small apartment in the basement of the Health Center. I loved the boarding culture right away; it brought something out in me. I loved hearing the students clomp up the steps of the Health Center before check-in at 9:30.

During the pandemic, George School housed anywhere from 20–40 students through the spring and summer. Shari and Ioanna Bailey were instrumental in making this happen, providing meals and planning activities. As a “trailing spouse” I spent a fair amount of time with those students, biking and kayaking locally.

Over the course of three summers, Shari and I also hosted students from the M-PESA program after graduation. They would work at jobs on campus to earn money for college and we would host them. We later visited them at their colleges.

GS people who inspired you and why: Ed Huff, a long-time board member and trustee of the Barbara Dodd Anderson Trust, set an example for me in terms of his love of the school. He always came in person to board meetings; he would arrive a day ahead of the meeting so he could visit classes and sit with faculty in the dining hall. He always wanted to be part of the fabric of the school, and that resonated with me.

Points of pride: Developing the George School Aquatics program with a vision for both what it could do for George School’s swim program and what it could do for the larger community; strengthening the basketball program; growing George School Day Camp into a fully enrolled, high quality program that better reflects who we are as a community; restructuring the Children’s Center to operate on a full-year calendar, which enabled us to fully enroll the center and also increase the subsidy provided to employees.

What you’ll miss: I’ll miss boarding school life; Shari and I thoroughly embraced it. I loved running out of my office to see the Cross Country team mid-race on Red Square. I loved seeing the kids at meals, attending arts and athletic events, and getting to know the faculty. Students at this age undergo such transformation; they arrive on campus as babies and leave as well-formed adults-to-be.

Laramore Awardee Anica Bush ’25 Inspires Young Scientists

Anica Bush ’25 was announced as a Laramore Award recipient in May of 2024. The award recognizes students who are “quiet givers.” Students are encouraged to use award funds on projects that will help the George School community. And in true Laramore fashion, Anica’s project planning was underway well before she was announced as the recipient.

“I wasn’t going to go to Assembly that day.”

Eager to decompress after an arduous IB French exam in May of 2024, Anica Bush ’25 was on track to miss a defining moment of her George School career. However, Becky Hutchins, science teacher and Anica’s advisor, intervened and urged her to attend — knowing that this Recognition Assembly was one she would not want to miss.

“They don’t tell you before you win the award,” said Anica. “But when they started describing the person who was receiving the award, I thought, ‘Oh, sounds kind of similar to me.’”

The Julius B. Laramore Award, named after a former longtime head of Orton Dormitory, recognizes students who are “quiet givers.” Recipients will have assisted others on a one-to-one basis in areas characteristic of Mr. Laramore’s values and interests: education, community service, entrepreneurship, and spiritual growth. The Laramore Award is typically given to students who have not received a great deal of attention or public recognition during their time at George School.

For nearly a year prior, in collaboration with the Science Department, Anica had been planning to bring students attending under-resourced schools to George School to participate in a science lesson and lab and visit campus. She knew

exactly what she wanted to do with the funds when she received the Laramore Award.

Anica’s enthusiasm for science extends far beyond the school day. In seventh grade, she used a microscope for the first time and fell in love with studying the world around her. Her grandparents gave her a microscope of her own and she spent her spare time analyzing whatever microorganisms she could find in her backyard and the creeks in her neighborhood. Today, she is especially interested in genetics, doing her own research on gene editing, and taking a microbiology summer class at Stanford University.

This past fall, Anica connected with the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia, a nonprofit organization that offers enrichment programs to students in under-resourced communities. The organization was thrilled to collaborate with her to bring club members in grades 5–11 to campus for the lab. She recruited three friends to help her lead the lab — Avery Frank ’25, Anaiya Patel ’25, and Abby Kaufman ’26.

“What started as one student’s caring initiative blossomed into a beautiful partnership between students,” said Science Department Head Pascal Lanciano. “Anica never sought the spotlight, yet her impact has created lasting ripples through both communities.”

“ I took a transformative biotechnology class my junior year, where we used more advanced equipment and completed cool labs. I wanted to share my love of science with others who may not be able to have that experience.” — Anica Bush ’25

Anica wanted to show students how science can lead to future opportunities far beyond their grade school career, so she chose to teach a DNA extraction lab. Students examined DNA using gel electrophoresis, a common technique used in fields like forensics, medicine and biochemistry.

“Some of the participants were very shy. After a while, they warmed up,” said Abby ’26. “You could tell they were absorbing the knowledge. Some of them were really interested in it and asking questions. They were so engaged.”

Abby, a junior, is eager to carry Anica’s initiative forward. “I’m so grateful to Anica for including me in this project,” said Abby. “A lot of the groundwork has already been laid. This was a great experience, so I’m looking forward to leading it next year.”

Anica has a deep appreciation for the community members who believed in her vision and helped her make it a reality. “I am grateful to the faculty who worked with me, like Tom Hoopes ’83, Pascal Lanciano, Polly Lodge, Brian Patton, and the entire Science Department,” said Anica. “A big takeaway from this project is the community I built with the Science Department and the relationships I made with the students who helped me.”

One of the things Anica loves about science is learning how small parts make up a complete whole. The science lab in and of itself was educational; its impact reached far beyond simply teaching students about the merits of gel electrophoresis. “As I watched Anica present the science lesson to the rapt audience of younger students, I observed her intense focus and clarity of purpose,” reflected Tom Hoopes ’83. “Seeing the students from the Boys and Girls Club soak up the possibilities of an academically ambitious education made me appreciate the power of what Anica had created. She had helped those kids imagine for themselves a possible trajectory that previously may have eluded them.”

“What’s truly remarkable about her work is how naturally it all came together,” said Pascal. “She simply saw that students at the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia could benefit from hands-on science experiences, and instead of just talking about it, she rolled up her sleeves and made it happen. No fanfare, no fuss — just pure dedication to making a difference. Anica is exactly the kind of quiet changemaker who makes our community shine brighter.”

Posting with a Purpose: Mental Health Advocacy in the Age of Social Media

In a world where social media can be divisive and negative, Jamie Weng ’26 provides a fresh perspective. She launched her social media blog “Voice of Youth” in China and has since expanded her reach globally, sharing powerful messages of mental health awareness and human connection.

Growing up in China, Jamie did not pay too much attention to mental health topics, but her perspective changed when entering her teenage years. One of her close friends confided in her that she was struggling due to the amount of stress she was under. “At that moment, I started to understand that mental health problems were not just about ‘getting over it,’ but a deep struggle that needed ongoing attention and care.”

That conversation helped her realize the importance of bringing light to individuals’ voices and inspired Jamie to create “Voice of Youth” with the hope of providing a space for all teenagers’ voices be heard.

“Voice of Youth” started with a few friends in Jamie’s middle school. They recorded podcasts discussing issues that puzzled them, ranging from stress over grades to how to manage and accept emotions. It quickly grew in size and impact,

building a following on the Chinese social media platform RedNote. The site focuses on a variety of topics from nutrition and eating habits to fast fashion and teenage brain development.

Jamie’s favorite part of the blog is the Resonance column, where she captures and displays the “inner voice of teens.” She accepts submissions of artwork, writing, opinions on society, and other forms of media. She enjoys giving these voices a platform to share their thoughts and feelings with others. “I’m happy to look back and see that people trusted me to share their stories,” said Jamie.

Her blog soon became a movement, expanding to more than 80 active members and nine chapters in the U.S., Canada, and China.

She began a chapter at George School with Sumy Shao ’27, aiming to enhance mental health wellness through engaging therapeutic games and crafts. They host weekly meetings during which they do crafts, talk about their school life, and provide support for one another and their peers. They have also worked with the Counseling Department in the Student Health and Wellness Center to co-host wellness activities on campus, including a “Mindful Harvest,” an all-school

mindful craft activity in which students made beaded corn, wrote gratitude messages, fundraised for the club, and participated in a Holiday Craft Project to de-stress with art and music.

“I have received so much support from the Counseling Department and club members to expand my ideas further and be more impactful,” Jamie shared.

Through this transnational platform, Jamie has been able to reflect on the similarities and differences between American and Chinese culture.

“The stresses for teens in the U.S. are wide ranging, while in China, many write about the stresses of family and school,” she said. “People across the world have similar and different perspectives, but social media transforms the way all of us think and communicate with one another.”

To Jamie, social media is not all doom-scrolling and wasted time; it can be powerful to scroll through the good and see connections on display. For her initiative, Jamie says, “the mission is not in the numbers, but in making a difference and

reaching people.” The true power is not only to gain attention, but to reach others with genuine content.

Jamie took an entrepreneurship class this year, taught by faculty member Heather Mooney. The course further motivated her to make an authentic impact in her community and develop creative solutions for problems she sees.

“For the next step, I hope to connect with more local organizations and resources to broaden my impact,” shared Jamie. “I want to fully understand what it means to be an engaged global citizen and a social activist.”

She is currently working on establishing “Voice of Youth” as a registered non-governmental organization (NGO) and planning an art competition themed on exploring the inner voice of youth through a partnership with an independent art gallery in California.

“All feelings are valid,” she hopes to remind her peers. “Your emotions are there to tell you something. Trust yourself and your feelings, and always reach out for help.”

PARTNERING WITH THE COUNSELING DEPARTMENT, the “Voice of Youth” Club hosted a Mindful Harvest pop-up that included a craft activity and writing thankful messages. The club also sold homemade postcards, stickers and crochet items as a fundraiser for future mental health workshops and community activities.

KESHAV '25 TRAVELED TO NEPAL with his father to introduce school principals there to EDCET, a nonprofit he co-founded to improve education access in rural communities.

Leveraging Educational Technology for Equitable Access

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Candidate Keshav Sabapathi ’25 reflects on his recent trip to Nepal and the power of technology to break barriers and create access.

I am the co-founder of EDCET, an educational technology initiative focused on bringing highquality education to rural public and private schools in Africa. The initiative includes a Learning Management System (LMS) that teachers can use to implement offline learning services. Internet access is a large problem in Africa, so EDCET’s LMS is completely offline. Each student can complete work on their individual Chromebooks, which we supply.

Before co-founding this organization, I worked with various nonprofit organizations that shared my goal of using educational technology for rural populations. However, I disagreed with their approach to supporting schools. Instead, I wanted to develop a completely offline software system for the Kenyan curriculum.

Over spring break, I spent two weeks in Nepal to expand the reach of our LMS to schools in the Himalayan region near Everest Base Camp (EBC). My dad and I embarked on a seven-day trek through the Nepalese Himalayas, reaching EBC and climbing Mount Kala Patthar. However, the true purpose of this trip wasn’t just to climb mountains and take in the views of Mount Everest; it was to explore the possibility of integrating our LMS software to schools in the region.

We visited four schools in the Nepalese Himalayas, where I presented our LMS software to their principals and discussed the possibility of integrating it into their curriculum. Three of the four schools were very excited about implementing our system and showed appreciation for our efforts to improve the quality of education in their region. Next, we plan to visit schools in Bolivia.

Co-founding EDCET has been a life-changing opportunity that was driven by my belief that every student deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their location and socioeconomic status. Bringing our LMS to rural schools in Africa, the Himalayas and Bolivia has shown me the power that technology holds to fix educational inequalities and barriers. Seeing the enthusiasm of the schools I visited and witnessing the impact our platform has already had in Kenya has been very inspiring. This experience has given me lots of hope that every student can and will receive a highquality education in the near future. I look forward to scaling our platform even further and providing more disadvantaged students around the world with the necessary tools needed for a quality education.

From Tax Credit to Transformation TEN TIMES THE IMPACT

At George School, we are committed to increasing access to a Friends Education for more families. The Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program turns your generosity into 10x the impact for George School students if you or your business have $3,000 or more in Pennsylvania state tax liability.

For every dollar you donate to George School:

• 90% comes back to you as a PA tax credit.

• 100% supports financial aid for students.

For example, a $10,000 gift earns you a $9,000 tax credit. Your net gift of $1,000 has a $10,000 impact for George School students.

To learn more about using your PA tax dollars to help make a difference for George School students, please contact Adrienne Hessert in the Advancement Office at 215-579-6573 or ahessert@georgeschool.org.

Empowering Girls, Building Futures

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Candidate Ziva Salan ’26 reflects on her IB project with SOMA BuildHers, a nonprofit she co-founded to empower young women through learning and leading construction projects.

When we invest in girls, we invest in the blueprints of our future. This has been an idea that has followed me throughout my life. A little over a year ago, I co-founded SOMA BuildHers, a nonprofit founded by girls for girls, dedicated to empowering young women through learning and leading construction projects.

Based in South Orange and Maplewood (hence the name SOMA), New Jersey, the SOMA BuildHers team has partnered with local contractor Amy Straub to build community projects, lead woodworking workshops for women and kids, and learn the art and business of construction. SOMA BuildHers provides women with the resources, mentorship and opportunities they need to thrive in the male-dominated construction industry and all other facets of life. Since its founding, I have taken on the role of director of operations and project management.

Before starting this nonprofit, some members of the SOMA BuildHers team, including myself, were involved in Girl Scouts. My troop was far from typical; instead of caring about earning different badges, we poured our efforts into empowering young girls. In 2018, my troop compared the Girl Scout promise and law to the Boy Scout (now Scouts) oath and law. When doing this, my troopmates and I realized that in the Boy Scouts’ oath and law, there was definitive language such as “I will.” This contrasted the Girl Scouts’ law and promise which used weaker language such as “I will try.” Although this is only a three-letter difference my troop felt as though this prohibits Girl Scouts from leading a life of confidence.

After this realization, my troop started the movement #IWill. For six years, we collaborated with gender psychologist Dr. Cindy Whaler, presented to international corporations, and lobbied at both local and national levels until our proposal was voted on in the 2023 National Girl Scout Conference in Orlando, Florida. At the conference, my troop learned that this small change intended to instill more confidence in young girls across the country was too drastic of a change and our vote failed. Still committed to our goal of supporting girls and women, my troop decided to quit Girl Scouts and start our nonprofit SOMA BuildHers.

I am a junior International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Candidate. One component of the IB diploma program is the completion of a Creativity, Activity, or Service (CAS) project — a collaborative, month-long project defined by one of the three CAS strands. I knew that for my CAS project I wanted to do some type of service.

ZIVA ’26 COLLABORATED WITH FRIENDS from her former Girl Scout troop to start SOMA BuildHers.

Ziva’s IB project, Happy Spaces 2.0, was an effort to redesign and redecorate rooms in a local transitional housing community. It was a perfect project, she said, “because I worked collaboratively and developed my construction and leadership skills, all while addressing the global issue of housing inequity.”

I decided to create the Happy Spaces 2.0 project — a collaboration between SOMA BuildHers, local contractor Amy Straub, and 12 other designers. This was a perfect CAS project because I worked collaboratively and developed my construction and leadership skills, all while addressing the global issue of housing inequity. Happy Spaces 2.0 brought together local designers to reimagine the Isaiah House in East Orange, New Jersey.

Isaiah House is a transitional housing program that is vital to our local community. It provides single women and families with food, shelter, and employment until they can transition into permanent housing. It consists of three connected houses with more than 20 rooms in total. Each designer was in charge of redesigning and decorating a room. Amy, who creates custom builtins and storage, was asked to install the closets in all three houses and SOMA BuildHers helped her with this task. Together, we designed each closet, organized the project, and stayed on the site until the project was completed. From what we have heard, the Happy Spaces 2.0 has been a success and the work that we and the 12 other designers did have transformed the space completely!

SOMA BuildHers has continued to strengthen our relationship with Isaiah House, and have started a new project building wooden chests stocked with needed supplies. These chests are then raffled off to families. Once they move to permanent housing, they take the chests with them, offering them some stability and comfort as they transition into permanent housing and provide essential supplies they need for their new chapter.

Being a part of the SOMA BuildHers team has been a life-changing experience. I never imagined the impact I would have on my community. The transformation of Isaiah House after Happy Spaces 2.0 and the potential implications of our future projects have shown me the power each individual possesses.

The journey from the #IWill movement to the creation of SOMA BuildHers has reinforced my belief in the importance of encouraging young women and girls to take leadership roles, challenge societal norms and make a difference in the world.

Campus News & Notes

There are always stories unfolding at George School. The following are excerpts; read more and follow along at georgeschool.org/news.

Chris Odom meets and fuels the enthusiasm of his students

“I wouldn’t be the teacher I am today without George School,” said Chris, “but the best thing George School has ever done for my wife Kathleen’s and my family has been educating our own children, Ivy ’17 and Josie ’19.”

Chris is only the fourth physics teacher in the history of George

School, and is proud of how the course selection and the number of physics faculty members has increased since he first started at GS. He is also proud of the robotics program he and his colleague Brian Patton built at the school. Chris has written and published a series of three robotics textbooks that were later used by other schools, including Princeton University.

Building community — and a more sustainable world

Jasmine George ’25 is a prefect in Westwood Dormitory, member of the Student Activities Board (SAB), and dedicated athlete on the soccer and track teams who builds community across campus. “Dorm life is so amazing to me,” she shared. “If you need homework help, want to watch a movie, or need to walk into town, you can go next door and always have a friend to turn to.”

The George School Academic Program’s unique seven-term schedule allows more course options for students, and Chris is excited about it. “I teach electronics, astronomy, even a scuba course,” he gushed. “And the travel coursework — it’s amazing what we can do.”

An elective robotics course with Chris Odom ignited a passion for sustainability within Jasmine. She created a solar panel robot that collects energy from the sun and uses its energy to charge a phone or other device. “I didn’t know I could combine environmental science with computer science until I took classes at George School,” she said. Jasmine hopes to continue building upon her values of sustainability and community that she developed at George School at Washington University in St. Louis in the fall.

Seeing the world through the street photographer’s lens

Juniors Celine Ge and Sarah Zhu were accepted into the twentyfourth annual Drexel University High School Photography Contest. Only 188 students were accepted into the show out of 980 applicants across 46 states. Sarah’s photo “Silent Witness” was taken during a walk with her dad in one of the poorest cities in Indonesia. Celine’s photo “Caged Sheep” was taken during a visit to an outdoor market in a remote area of northwestern China — both images shed light on a part of the world many Western viewers have not been exposed to. Celine was one of six winners, receiving an honorable mention for her piece.

“Celine’s street photography, particularly from her homeland of China, bursts with vibrant colors and masterfully captures decisive moments that reveal the quiet dignity of everyday life,” said Director of Visual Arts and Photography Teacher Danielle Picard-Sheehan.

“Sarah’s work spans from street photography to intimate portraiture, demonstrating her versatility in capturing a wide range of subjects,” continued Danielle. “It is a privilege to teach these remarkable young artists.”

George School seniors nominated to the U.S. presidential scholars program

Orli Rabinowitz ’25, Kevin Gong ’25, Ricky Hou ’25, and Cecilia Li ’25 have been nominated to the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Candidates were selected by the U.S. Department of Education from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in 2025. The honor acknowledges the students’ commitment to scholarship. The students reflected on how they have grown through the George School Academic and International Baccalaureate programs.

Orli was drawn to GS as a transfer student because of the academic program. “My favorite thing about GS academics is the variety of classes that are available to students,” said Orli. “Even in only one year at GS, I have been able to take classes in almost every subject area!”

“The support we receive from advisors during course selections has helped me maximize the match between my interests and GS’s offerings and make informed choices,” said Kevin.

Cecilia reflected on how the IB program has allowed her to challenge herself to think globally. “The IB program has really pushed me to grow in ways I never expected,” shared Cecilia. “Working with peo -

ple from diverse backgrounds has been one of my favorite parts. It’s not just about academics; it’s about learning from each other and seeing the world in a more global way.”

GS Math Team triumphs at Philly Math League Olympiad

The GS Math Team wrapped up another very successful fall season with a championship at the Philly Math League Olympiad held at Westtown. Reigning three-time champions, the team was able to reclaim its title after finishing in second place during the season with a record of 6–3.

Team members included Simone Lu ’25, Jackson Yang ’25, Kevin Gong ’25, Tammy Nguyen ’27, Bill Li ’26, Anne Huang ’27, Lucas Zhang ’26, and Grant Stoltzfus-Dueck ’28.

Thirteen schools across FSL, Inter-AC, and the Main Line

Alumnus Forest Ho-Chen ’22 (center) had the honor of awarding the championship trophy to the math team.

competed this year. The GS Team beat Haverford in the quarterfinals, the Hill School in the semi-finals and then Episcopal Academy in the final to take home the win.

Tied at 21 points for several minutes, Simone Lu ’25 posted a correct answer with less than a minute to go to take the win 22–21. Bill Li ’26 won the season’s individual championship. In the Olympiad individual championship, Jackson Yang ’25 won by scoring a perfect 6 in less than 12 minutes — faster and higher scoring than all other competitors.

A coach’s commitment and inspired vision

Patrick O’Dunne has the kind of personality that makes you want to be on his team. That might be part of the reason why the George School Rowing team has grown exponentially since his arrival. But to hear him tell it, it’s the students who have drawn him in — not the other way around.

The previous professional rower (Penn State University, Penn Athletic Club, and U.S. National Team) has found GS the perfect place to start a rowing team. Collaborating with Director of Student Activities Shari Rossmann and a handful of students, the team officially made the roster of varsity sports at GS in fall 2023.

Their original team of 17 nearly doubled last spring, and now boasts a roster of about 60 students. Patrick has a clear vision for the program

and the student-athletes and their families have committed to the program’s success.

Together, the GS Rowing Team has created a dedicated practice facility in the basement of the Alumni Gym. Working in collaboration with two area independent schools, they now also have a newly constructed space at Core Creek Park to store boats and equipment.

Anna Gluschuk ’25 shines at National Prep Wrestling Championships

Anna Gluschuk ’25 concluded her remarkable wrestling career at George School by finishing fifth in the Girls 132 lb. category at the 2025 National Prep Wrestling Championship.

In a thrilling quarterfinal match against the fourth-seeded wrestler, Anna put her opponent on her back — scoring a near fall in the second period. However, time ran out in the period before a pin could be attained. Anna continued to fight but narrowly lost after the third period on points, 18–13. Still, Anna

secured two technical falls, winning by more than 15 points in each match, on her way to the consolation semifinals.

“She’s been a tough wrestler for four years,” said Head Coach Terry McGovern. “Anna listens well, is very quick and athletic, and has phenomenal endurance. She has been a real pleasure to coach.”

Sam Tchoumandrine ’25 continues his soccer career at Juventus Residency Academy

Sam Tchoumandrine ’25 earned a spot on the Juventis 2025–2026 U19 Academy squad. Sam will compete against top academies across Europe while training with Juventus coaches and technical staff. He’ll also study Italian on site and begin pursuing his college degree through Arizona State’s top-ranked online program.

“I’m looking forward to the outstanding training and development that the academy provides,” Sam said. “I’m confident its world-class facilities, professional coaching staff, and of course, great players

and environment, will push me to get better each day.”

A four-year varsity athlete, Sam is the second-highest goal scorer in GS history, ending his high school career with 36 goals. “I’m incredibly proud of Sam and excited for the extraordinary opportunity that lies ahead of him in Turin,” said Head Varsity Boys Soccer Coach Glenn Curry. “This experience will undoubtedly shape Sam’s future on and off the field, and GS will be cheering him on every step of the way!”

Students celebrate the Year of the Snake

The Southeast/East Asian Student Union (SEASU) hosted a full week of activities in celebration of Lunar New Year.

“In our culture, the spring festival is the most important holiday of the year. At home, we would gather with our family and have a big meal in front of the TV watching “Chun Wan,” an annual live show on Lunar

New Year’s eve, to celebrate the end of a year and the beginning of a new year,” shared Cecilia Li ’25, a leader of SEASU.

At George School, seniors like Cecilia recreate those traditions to make their home away from home extra special. For this year’s celebration, they prepared food early in the morning and decorated Marshall with traditional Chinese ornaments such as red lanterns, couplets, and red pockets.

Student artists shine at the 2025 AOY Emerging Artists Exhibition

Twelve George School student artists exhibited their work at the 2025 Artists of Yardley (AOY) Emerging Artists Exhibition in Yardley, Pennsylvania. Students from across six Lower Bucks County schools were featured in the show; pieces exhibited by GS students

“We intended to create a sense of family for the rest of the students, since in Chinese culture, we believe that the elder ones should take care of the younger ones,” Cecilia explained. “We had an amazing meal and ended the day with some board games! I am super grateful that George School gave us a day off to celebrate this meaningful holiday in our culture.”

ranged from oil and acrylic painting to colored pencil, stoneware and photography. Ben Ferrenz ’26 received third place for his oil painting, “Untitled,” winning $250 and receiving a flag that had been flown over the U.S. Capitol and a Certificate of Merit from Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick.

“I have enjoyed watching Ben’s growth as an artist,” shared Painting and Drawing Teacher Jo¯ Adachi. “This was his first attempt at oil painting, and he quickly grasped the layered painting technique. Ben’s award for this piece reflects his dedication and artistic growth, balancing technical precision with creative expression.”

“This piece helped me develop as a painter,” reflected Ben. “Using oil paint allowed me to experiment and practice aspects of art and painting that I wasn’t very confident about on a large scale. This award was unexpected because it is hard to distract myself from the imperfections in my art. I thank Jo¯ for encouraging me to take on a challenging piece and for submitting my piece for the show.”

CFO Michael Toohey Receives Unsung Hero Award

Michael Toohey was named a 2025 Will J. Hancock Unsung Hero by the National Business Officers of America (NBOA), a nonprofit focused on supporting independent school business officers and business operations staff.

The award is given to independent school business officers who have made significant differences in their schools, and whose contributions exemplify exceptionally high standards of integrity, knowledge and motivation. It is named after Will J. Hancock, who always went above and beyond the call of

Inspiration everywhere

duty during his 35 years at Hawaii Preparatory Academy in various positions, where he touched many lives and inspired countless independent school business officers along the way.

“Michael has had a tremendous impact on George School,” shared Megan McBride, Controller and close associate. “Not only has he significantly improved the financial health of the school, but he has been involved in every facet of the community. He is always available as a mentor to faculty and staff, a cheerleader at athletic events, a captive member of the audience at theater productions, a chaperone

Artists of all ages and skill levels across faculty and staff were invited to showcase their talent in a Community Art Exhibition in Walton Lobby Gallery. The exhibition encouraged artists to explore the theme of “inspiration everywhere.”

Works for the exhibition were submitted by Beth Castiglione (Library Staff), Bob Fest (Science Faculty), Ginny Waller (Religions Faculty), Michael Maestas, Pacho Gutiérrez ’77 (Science Faculty), and Stéphanie Perrais (Language Faculty).

“Whether it emerges from the natural world, everyday objects, personal experiences, or the depth of our emotions, beauty is present in every corner of our existence,” said Ceramics Teacher and Gallery Coordinator Amedeo Salamoni. “This art exhibition invites artists to explore this theme, offering a space to reflect, create, and share their personal interpretations of the beauty that surrounds us.”

when needed, and so much more. His energy and love for George School is contagious.”

Michael was one of only nine business officers nationwide to receive the 2025 Will J. Hancock Unsung Hero Award.

“It has always been a joy to collaborate with Michael, especially in strategic planning in the admission and enrollment realms,” said Kim Major, Director of Admission. “What sets him apart is his full investment in the life of the school and the students. He and his wife, Shari Rossmann, have opened the doors of their home to host numerous international students over the years. The care they have shown for students has impacted so many lives.”

NBOA is the only national nonprofit membership association focused exclusively on supporting independent school business officers and business operations staff while fostering financial and operational excellence among independent PK–12 schools. Membership includes more than 1,500 members, including schools, business partners and associations from the U.S. and 25 other countries around the globe.

Science teacher Bob Fest’s photo selected for cover

“ The American Biology Teacher,” the official peer-reviewed journal of the National Association of Biology Teachers, selected Science Department faculty member Bob Fest’s photograph for the cover of the January 2025 issue.

Here’s how Bob described the image on “About Our Cover” in the magazine (exerpted with permission from “The American Biology Teacher ,” Vol. 87, No.1, January 2025):

“During a high school field studies course that took place in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, students and faculty had the privilege of observing a male leopard (Panthera pardus) in its natural habitat. This encounter provided a rare opportunity to observe the behavior and ecology of this elusive predator.

T he field studies course immersed George School students in Tanzanian culture, society, and nature by having them work collaboratively on inquiry-based, interdisciplinary projects with their student-peers from The Paoja School,

located in the Maasai lands of West Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Students engaged in the vibrant cultures of West Kilimanjaro’s Maasai tribe while staying in a Maasai village.

T he second portion of the international experience focused on wildlife ecology. Students learned about the unique wildlife of East Africa and the conservation efforts underway to protect it while exploring the wilds of Serengeti National Park, Tarangire National Park, and Lake Manyara National Park.

These areas boast the highest concentrations of elephants, lions, leopards, cheetahs, giraffes, zebras and wildebeests on the planet. They recorded their wildlife observations in a detailed field journal and had nightly reflections around the campfire to discuss what they learned during the day’s activities.

T his encounter underscores the importance of field research for high school students in understanding the behavior and ecology of wildlife.”

Engineering Creativity, Creatively Engineering

As an International Baccalaureate (IB) student at George School, Saffron Buscemi ’22 learned the power in allowing herself to be curious about everything.

Merging knowledge recently gained in her robotics class with her passion for painting and drawing, she made a dress with LED wiring to form a Saffron Crocus flower for her IB senior exhibit. And this was just the start of Saffron’s interest in smart textiles.

Now at Drexel University, Saffron is pursuing an interdisciplinary custom-designed major, weaving together interests in fashion design, materials engineering and immersive media.

She is currently working on a fire-resistant knitted garment, a project to produce fashion specifically for a video game, and the development of a biopolymer-based nanofiber that can help in healing processes in both filtration and healthcare.

Saffron has been selected for the 2025 DAAD Research Internship in Science and Engineering (RISE) and will spend her summer working

The following stories are excerpted from “Under the Trees,” George School’s digital newsletter. If you would like to receive “Under the Trees” in your inbox, send a request to georgian@georgeschool.org.

in Zweibrücken, Germany at Hochschule Kaiserslautern, creating digital fashion and virtual reality components for an immersive biking simulation. She plans to pursue a PhD related to textile engineering after Drexel.

Community Is Where You Create It

There is a special group of Friends in New York City: Toni Burdick ’14, Naomi Hastings ’14, Emmanuel Tapia ’08, and Ché Williams ’16.

This past fall, they organized a special Meeting for Worship for George School alumni at the Fifteenth Street Friends Meeting, where they were joined by Head of School Justin Brandon.

Though they were members of different classes, and had different experiences, they — along with so many George School graduates across decades — share common threads, and carry forward the George School community wherever they are.

“George School was the most extraordinary experience of my life,” said Toni. “The faculty, students and staff shaped me into who I am

today, and I’m endlessly grateful. In New York, the George School alumni community continues to fill my life with so much light and connection.”

“Coming from Washington Heights in New York City, I have so much sincere gratitude for being accepted with open arms into a community I had never even dreamed of,” shared Emmanuel. “Having roommates from Belize, Taiwan, and Bucks County, the culture was bound to be authentic.”

“George School gave me everything that’s important to me,” said Naomi.

“George School changed my life,” commented Ché. “It gave me an opportunity to breathe. To think about my schoolwork while in a loving, diverse, social justice-oriented community was what I needed at 14. It’s what I built off of and constantly still pull from in my life today.”

Sharing Silence Connects Generations

Sitting in shared silence in the George School Meeting House last August with her son, Francis, Liz Jandoli ’91, P’11, ’27 was immediately brought back to her first meeting for worship as a George School student.

“The first time you attend meeting is a unique experience of nervous energy,” Liz said. “Everyone is looking around and trying to understand what it means to sit in complete silence. The power of sitting in silent worship together, finding community away from the noise of life, is unlike anything else I’ve experienced.”

Liz found her light in the meetinghouse and at George School, as did her stepson, Caspar ’11. So, when it came time to drop off her son Francis, a new member of the Class of ’27, she knew that she couldn’t miss the opening meeting for worship. She was pleased to find the building virtually unchanged.

She and fellow classmate, Andrew Kessler ’91, were hired to support George School Archivist Kingdon Swayne ’37 as he compiled materials for his book, “George School: The History of a Quaker Community,” which was created to mark the celebration of the school’s centennial. After her senior year, this experience deepened her relationship to the meetinghouse.

“We spent our summer on the second floor of the meetinghouse with boxes of historical photographs, looking for clues to categorize them,” she remembered. “I glimpsed how the school evolved through different eras. Spending the summer in Kingdon’s office in the meetinghouse forged a special connection with that building and gave meeting for worship an even deeper meaning for me.”

Through Caspar and Francis, Liz feels more connected to George School than ever. “George School is this constantly evolving organism that people connect with during their time on campus, but there is a throughline of Quakerism that transcends the generations. I’m proud to be an alumna and parent of two international students who followed in my footsteps in making George School their own.”

Find more “Under the Trees” stories here:

Alumni Weekend 2025

It was thrilling to welcome a record number of over 625 alumni and friends home to George School for a weekend full of reconnection, recognition and reflection.

George School Class of 2025 Matriculations

Our citizen-scholars are prepared to go out into the world to do well and do good. Here’s where they have chosen to matriculate:

Amherst College

Arcadia University

Boston College

Boston University

Brandeis University

Bucks County Community College

Carnegie Mellon University

Clark University

Clarkson University

Cornell University

Dickinson College

Drexel University

Eckerd College

Elon University

Emory University

Fashion Institute ofTechnology

Fordham University

George Washington University

Hamilton College

Haverford College

Korean Olympic Ice Hockey Team

Lafayette College

Lehigh University

Leiden University, The Netherlands

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Michigan State University

Middlebury College

Muhlenberg College

New Jersey Institute of Technology

New York University

Northeastern University

Ohio Wesleyan University

Oxford College of Emory University

Pace University

Pennsylvania State University, L ehigh Valley

Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Princeton University

Rochester Institute of Technology

Rutgers University, New Brunswick

Saint Louis University

San Diego State University

Sarah Lawrence College

Savannah College of Art and Design

School of Visual Arts

Skidmore College

Stanford University

Stevens Institute of Technology

Swarthmore College

Syracuse University

Temple University

Texas A&M University

The New School

The University of Tampa

The University of Virginia’s College

a t Wise

Tufts University

Tulane University of Louisiana

University College Dublin, Ireland

University of Birmingham, England

University of California, Berkeley

University of California, Davis

University of California, Los Angeles

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Chicago

University of Colorado, Boulder

University of Delaware

University of Florida

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

University of Michigan

University of Pittsburgh

University of Rhode Island

University of Richmond

University of South Carolina

University of Southern California

University of Toronto, Canada

University of Vermont

University of Virginia

University of Washington

Vanderbilt University

Vassar College

Villanova University

Wake Forest University

Washington University in St. Louis

Wellesley College

Wesleyan University

West Chester University

William & Mary

From the Archives

The daisy chain is a longstanding George School Commencement tradition; here, juniors from the Class of 1931 assemble the daisy chain for the Class of 1930, while juniors from the Class of 2025 process with it down to the William Penn Auditorium as a way of honoring the Class of 2024.

Class Notes

For alumni information, visit our website: georgeschool.org/alumni

To share news and updates for the Class Notes section, email classnotes@georgeschool.org

1938

George School mourns the passing of Agnes Warne Blackstone on March 30, 2025. Born in 1921 in Canada to Quaker parents, Agnes was raised on a small farm in Lithia FL. When the Great Depression made it impossible to continue farming, a Bucks County Friend vacationing in Tampa offered Agnes’s father a job at George School. The family moved to Newtown, and Agnes and her two siblings attended George School. After graduation, Agnes enrolled in a business program at Rider College in Trenton. She became a medical secretary, attending surgeries at Jeanes Hospital, later working in radiology at Temple University Hospital. At Temple, she met engineer Archie Blackstone; in 1943 they were married. A long-time member of Plymouth Meeting, she volunteered on Meeting committees and for Friends General Conference. A book lover, she volunteered for many years at Jeanes Library in Lafayette Hill PA. After Archie died, she was an adventurous European traveler. She always spoke of her George School years with great fondness, and attended Alumni Day into her late nineties. Agnes leaves two daughters, three granddaughters, and three greatgrandchildren.

1940

George School mourns the passing of Ruth Stiles Gannett Kahn on June 11, 2024, at the age of 100. Born in 1923 in Brooklyn NY, to journalists Mary Ross Gannett and Lewis Stiles Gannett, Ruth attended a progressive elementary school called City and Country. Ruth graduated from

Vassar College in 1944 with a degree in chemistry and wrote the children’s book classic “My Father’s Dragon,” just a few years later. Published in 1947, the year she married Hans Peter Kahn, it was named a Newbery Honor Book and, along with two sequels, has remained in print ever since and has been translated into many languages. On an old farm not far from Cornell, Ruth and Peter raised chickens, geese, pigs, and other animals and tended to a large vegetable garden as well as their growing family that by 1963 included seven daughters. In the late 1960s, the family moved to Ithaca where Ruth worked with others to create a progressive elementary school called East Hill School. Ruth and Peter moved to their yellow Victorian farmhouse on a hill in nearby Trumansburg in 1976 immersing themselves in the community. After her husband’s death in 1997, Ruth continued to live in Trumansburg. She loved to sing — especially with others — and to live sensibly by composting, recycling and walking, and by keeping in touch with family and friends. Ruth is survived by her seven daughters: Charlotte B. Kahn ’66 , Margaret Crone, Sarah Manfredi, Hannah Kahn, Louise Kahn, Catherine Kahn, and Elizabeth Kahn Ratzlaff; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends who meant so much to her.

Carola Waples Lacy writes, “Hi Class of 1940. Are any of you still out there? At 102 I’m doing quite well. Wishing you all the stamina we’ll need to live with Mr. Trump for four years.”

1942

George School mourns the passing of Shane E. Riorden on January 22, 2025, at age 100. He was born in 1924 in Baltimore MD, but his home in childhood was New York City. After three years leave for military service he returned to finish at Harvard University and then Columbia Law School. His career was in college

business administration, principally at Williams College, where he worked for 26 years. He and his wife Virginia moved to Asheville NC in 1993 and lived there until 2013 when he moved to the retirement community of Pennswood after Virginia’s death in 2012. He was a dedicated family man; always active with his children and grandchildren. He was an avid reader, writer, and lover of opera, ballet, visual arts, politics and current affairs. His extended family always included beloved cats and dogs. He is survived by his daughters Elizabeth and Rebecca, five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

1949

Edward (Ed) Berman writes, “After graduating from George School, I earned my engineering degree from the Drexel Institute of Technology. Once I received my diploma, I enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served overseas for two years. Following my service, I relocated to Pittsburgh PA for work. There, I met my amazing wife, Rose, who I have been married to for 65 years. I began my career at Allied Electric where I spent 25 years before purchasing the company. During my time as the owner of Allied Electric, I was honored to serve as President of the National Association of Electrical Distributors (NAED) and President of the Pittsburgh Electric League. I am also very dedicated to my community. My wife and I established the Edward and Rose Berman Hillel Jewish University Center for Jewish college students. I was President of our local Jewish Community Center,

Edward (Ed) Berman ’49 and his wife Rosie.

and I was Chairman of the United Way’s distribution committee. I was recognized for my philanthropic efforts with the City of Pittsburgh Outstanding Philanthropist award in 2009. We have wonderful children and grandchildren, all of whom also participate in community life. I have very fond memories of my time at George School and believe it set me up for a wonderful life.”

1951

George School mourns the passing of William (Bill) Biddle Ayars, 91, on February 11, 2025. Bill received a BS in Forestry from Syracuse University and a master’s degree from Oregon State, and served as a Forest Ranger in Oregon where he engineered new roads throughout forest-populated areas. He and his first wife, Albina Rose, moved to Bakersfield CA where he became a professor of business at California State University, Bakersfield. Always an educator, he went on to receive his Ph.D. from Purdue University. Bill served honorably in the U.S. Navy in missions that were of top security and in a capacity that allowed him to keep his Quaker commitment to do no harm. Bill was a proud Eagle Scout and became an avid volunteer at nursing homes/assisted living facilities. He was raised in the Quaker faith but after marrying his wife Pam he began attending the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church. Strong in his belief of peace, he volunteered to write letters for Amnesty International on behalf of people wrongly imprisoned. Bill is survived by his wife Pam of 24 years, her children, and two grandchildren, his sister Marjorie (Peggy) Ayars Laidman ’53 , brother-in-law John Cipriani, and the widow of recently deceased brother-in-law Dom Cipriani (Joanne), stepchildren from Sylvia Ayars, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Bill was predeceased by his three sons, (Lew, Randy, and Ric) who were tragically lost in an automobile accident, and their mother and his former wife, Albina Rose Ayars; and his former wife Sylvia Scharry.

George School mourns the passing of Cornelia (Neal) Washburn Frey on November 11, 2024. Born in Hartford CT, she was the youngest child of Cornelia Williams Belden Washburn and John Merrow Washburn, and the cherished sister of Martha, Jack, and Dick. Neal showcased her athletic prowess as a member of the field hockey and tennis teams, as well as President of the Girls’ Athletic Association at George School. At the University of Vermont, she excelled as a member of the ski team; she graduated from Wheaton College with a double major in mathematics and physics. At Greater New Orleans Homestead, Neal held a variety of positions, including Chief Auditor, and served later as the accountant for St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church, where she was an active member for over 67 years. Above all, Neal cherished her family. She was married to Edward Roberts Crawford (deceased), with whom she lovingly raised their children: Deborah Jeanne Crawford, Barbara Belden Crawford Sheffer, and Mark Edward Crawford, along with their infant daughter, Margaret Ann, who preceded her in death. Neal and Ed moved to Metairie in 1957. Neal delighted in the lives of her nine grandchildren. Her legacy extended to her six great-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren. Later in life, Neal found love and companionship once again with Walter Graff Frey. Neal loved education, hard work, perseverance, friends, and family. She appreciated the loving care and friendships at Sunrise of Metairie in her last years as she continued to touch many lives with her warmth, wit, and unwavering dedication to those she held dear.

George School mourns the passing of Theodore (Ted) D. Frey on July 26, 2024. Born in Philadelphia, Ted grew up in Bethlehem PA. In 1947, his family moved to Maryland where he began his career at the United States Naval Postgraduate School in Annapolis. Ted graduated from Stanford University in 1955 with a degree in

economics and immediately enlisted in the Navy, serving as a Supply Officer on two ships in the Western Pacific. During his Navy years, Ted met and married Barbara Thornton. Upon leaving the Navy they moved to Boston MA where Ted was a Baker Scholar at Harvard Business School. He began his 30-year business career in Boston at Kordite Corp. In 1981 he met Anne Spanier, a nurse educator who shared many of his interests, including the outdoors, tennis and traveling the world. They were married in 1985. Ted was the President of the International Diplomacy Council and was active in Family Paths. In his later years, Ted traveled and hiked throughout the world with friends and family. He particularly enjoyed his trips to Bodrum, Turkey to visit his brother Donald A. Frey ’53 and sail on gulets — traditionally designed wooden sailing vessels. His daring adventures included paragliding in Switzerland, parasailing in Mexico, bungee jumping in New Zealand, and parachuting in Concord! Ted was predeceased by his daughter Laura Frey. He is survived by his wife Anne Spanier Frey, his daughter Leslie, his daughter Jennifer Frey, his stepchildren and three beloved grandchildren.

1952

Mary Jane Mikuriya writes, “Life is still very busy at 90 years old. We, the Class of 1952, have been through the Depression, WWII, the building of Eisenhower’s Interstate System of highways, and JFK’s Peace Corps. We were here when President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society passed laws supported by federal money to help educate and support the very poor. Then there was Title IX when suddenly all Ivy League and other single gender schools became co-ed! We are still living in changing times. Yet, we old timers can still drive and actively engage in our communities. Then there is technology and how it is changing society and challenging us old timers. So many changes, so many opportunities to learn. Hope all are well, and we can continue to be

engaged in the volunteering that we learned so well at George School.”

George School mourns the passing of Richard (Dick) R. Packer ’52 on November 15, 2024. Born in 1934 in Philadelphia PA, Richard was the son of the late Jesse E. Packer, Class of 1910 and Mary Rice Packer. He grew up in Newtown PA, where he developed a love for sports during his time at George School. Richard went on to attend Penn State University on a full athletic scholarship, where he played both baseball and soccer. A standout athlete, he was a 2-time First Team All-American Soccer player and helped lead Penn State to back-toback National Soccer Championships in 1954 and 1955. In 1956, Richard’s talent earned him a spot on the US Olympic Soccer Team for the Summer Games in Melbourne, Australia. After graduating from Penn State, Richard was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and served for three years in Germany. Upon completing his military service, he began a successful career in hotel marketing with the Robert F. Warner Corp. Over the next 50 years, he worked with major Fortune 500 companies. One of Richard’s greatest passions was soccer, particularly the Packer Soccer Camp, which he co-founded in 1978 with dear friend Peter Gogolak. Richard spent countless hours at the camp, supervising and cheering on the campers, right up through last summer. Richard was predeceased by his first wife, Joan Packer, with whom he shared many years of mutual respect and a lasting friendship. He is survived by two loving sons; three beloved grandchildren, his cherished sister, Mary Ann (Min) Packer Stewart ’51 ; and his loving partner of over 40 years, Joan Brusven, whose family became his own. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched through his family, his career, and his love of sport.

William (Bill) M. Quigg writes, “Still clicking. What else do we say at this age? I continue to realize the benefits I received from my George School experience. Also, I am conscious of benefits I hadn’t previously appreciated. Still love Phoenix and the opportunities the move here has provided. Bad knees keep me off the trails, but it is a wonderful location to explore my hobby of photography. Of my three daughters, ten grandchildren, and three great grandchildren, all but four have migrated to Nashville and Louisville. Makes staying in touch much easier. The four live in Whitefish MT. Still keep a finger in business serving on the board of the Richmond Baking Company in Versailles KY. Hope to make the next reunion.”

1953

George School mourns the passing of Mary (Polly) Griscom on September 17, 2024. Born in 1935 in Philadelphia PA. Polly attended Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design. She worked at N. W. Ayer & Son and became Assistant Advertising Director at the internationally renowned Nan Duskin Boutique in Philadelphia. She met her first husband, John “Jack” Fiedler sailing on Long Beach Island NJ. They raised their young family in Wayne PA and later New Haven CT. Polly owned and operated “Artist’s Signature Gallery” in New Haven, representing 75 Connecticut artists. She became a proficient printmaker to satisfy her corporate customer’s needs for larger pieces of artwork. In 1991, Polly married the love of her life, Warren Elliott. She moved to Washington, D.C. with Warren; when he retired, they moved to Hanover NH, where Polly spent 10 happy years. In 2001, Polly and Warren moved to Santa Barbara CA, where Polly was a member of the Santa Barbara Art Association and served on the board of Santa Barbara Studio Artists for many years. Polly continued to produce art her entire life and is represented in many private and corporate collections. When Warren passed away in 2012, Polly and their

beloved therapy dog, Tashi, moved to Casa Dorinda. She is survived by her daughter, Georgia Ford Griscom; son, Jonathan Fiedler; and sons-in-law, Hadley Ford and David Kujan. Her youngest daughter, Katrina Kujan, passed away in 2021. Polly is also survived by her five grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

1954

George School mourns the passing of Anthony (Tony) Weir on May 31, 2024, at the age of 88. He graduated from Duke University with a degree in English. In 1958, after serving six months in the Air Force Reserve, he started his advertising career as a copywriter for Batten, Barton, Durstine & Osborn (BBDO). In 1962, Tony joined Ogilvy and Mather (New York) as the youngest Senior Vice-President and youngest Creative Director in the history of the company. Two of his campaigns for American Express Cards and American Express Travelers Cheques won the David Ogilvy award. In 1991, Tony joined Leo Burnett managing the South Asia Region based in Hong Kong and later Argentina. He returned to the U.S. as part-owner of Whitford Corporation, a member of the Board of Directors, and Worldwide Director of Communications. After living in Gladwyne PA, Tony and Maria relocated to West Palm Beach FL, where they enjoyed retirement with family and friends. Tony was an avid reader and writer and a great inspiration to his children and grandchildren. He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Maria Emma Weir, his three children and 11 grandchildren.

1955

George School mourns the passing of Frances Jacobs Frawley on August 30, 2024. Born in 1937, she was proud of her New York heritage, which traces back generations. Growing up, Frances was an accomplished horseback rider. After George School, she continued her education at Vassar College, the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Art Education, and the Sogetsu School in Kanazawa,

Japan. She worked at the New York ad agency Wells Rich Greene. Frances is survived by her first husband, Alan Solomon, MD. She was predeceased by her second husband, Franklin C. Frawley; and her two siblings, Robert Jacobs Jr. and Barbara Tamerin. She is survived by her two sons, David Solomon and Joseph Solomon; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; five stepchildren, five stepgrandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Marcia Perera Van Dyck writes, “Hear ye, hear ye, all 70th reunioners! What a ridiculous number, but if you do the math, it is right. This number is worthy of a celebration especially as we didn’t get to celebrate our 65th. Marjorie (Marj) McFeely Burton, Lamartine (Lam) F. Hood, and Marcia Perera Van Dyck worked with the George School staff to make it special.”

Rosalie Rothman Weiss writes, “I live on the edge of Sarasota FL with Lulu the cat! And would greet anybody around here. My son Rusty lives in the Doylestown PA area.”

1957

Patricia (Pat) Patrick Bryan writes, “My husband, Ed Bryan, passed away suddenly in July 2021. Old age is not being kind to me, but I still live in our house and manage to get around using a walker or two canes. I had a hip replacement in 2013 which did not do well, so consequently my golf and other activities ended. I took up golf in my mid-30s so Ed and I could play together. I

got fairly good at the game, winning three ladies club championships at Whispering Pines. I’ve spent most of my time since we moved to North Carolina volunteering, and started a recycling program when we lived in Whispering Pines with three other ladies. It was pretty popular and the club there made a truck available for us to get the material to a recycling business not too far away. All the money we made went into building a nice scoreboard for the main golf course. I have found that not having a “smartphone” has me in the dark ages. So far, I haven’t had any problems with a computer I finally got and am self-taught by those “For Dummies” books, helped out by belonging to a Computer Club where I could gain additional knowledge. I was secretary-treasurer for the club for years, and in its final year, President. I am amazed at all the new activities that have come for the students at George School.”

1958

Annette Wilder Breiling writes, “I’m active these days with a number of local efforts. In addition to co-clerking the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Peace and Social Concerns Committee, I serve on a task force dedicated to reducing homelessness here, work with a Prevent Nuclear War group, and another group working on immigration justice. I still volunteer at the Friends School I opened in 1997.”

Prudence (Prue) Ingerman writes, “Greetings to all who might remember me. In 2013, I retired from 16 years of teaching Academic English to international students at Juniata College just up the street from where I live in the middle of PA. Since then, I have been writing and illustrating useful books. I am on Book 33 at the moment. Part 1 – Service Projects (21 illustrations and instructions for both knitting and crocheting projects) and Part 2 – History of Textile Arts. I write in the morning, illustrate in the afternoon, and cannot knit until 6:00 p.m. unless I am

out of the house at sports events or at a meeting. At the moment I have made and donated 758 small 6-inch Peace Pals, 162 hats for cold-headed refugees in NYC, 15 Twiddle Muffs for those with dementia, 17 Knitted Knockers — prostheses for after mastectomies. My newest project is very popular in Denmark. People there crochet Octopi each with 8 coiled tentacles. These are used in neonatal units where preemies are comforted when they hold a tentacle, waking up their memory of holding the umbilical cord when in utero. That’s all the news for now. I wonder what everyone else is doing.”

John F. Steinfirst writes, “Turning 84 was a shock. I am lucky, remain in general good health, with one exception, a car accident in May 2024. Two surgeries and consistent physical therapy have brought me back to functioning and walking much better. I retired as the CEO after 20 plus years at a psychiatric mental health/social services agency serving youth and families based in Oakland CA. My dear, late wife and I lived in Paris with side trips, and I began a new profession as an ‘expert witness.’ I did my undergraduate work at Duke University, and participated in the Civil Rights Movement, a rare happening for a white boy in 1959. I do remember as a George School student, looking at old alumni, defined then as 70 and above. My friends and I sometimes made remarks of how old they seemed to be. Now, as an 84-year-old, I am a happy member of that age group. The difference is that I am fortunate to have a full life, still working, have really active friends of all ages, travel when and where I want to, remain curious, and try to change the world — and the U.S. of A. — into a better place. If I come to the next Alumni Day for the Class of 1958, I would love the opportunity to meet with George School students and share my thoughts, my experiences, and, in turn, learn from students.”

Rosalie Rothman Weiss ’55 at the Imagine Museum in St. Pete FL.

1959

Henry (Bob) R. Hidell III writes, “I remain fully engaged managing a global consultancy focused on the science of water. We have been in business since 1968. Much longer than I ever anticipated. Life has been good to us with the exception of the loss of our eldest son Christopher to pancreatic cancer this past September. It’s a tragedy that no loving parent ever wants to experience. We are OK. His wife and daughter are managing. His daughter Celia graduated from USC in May. Our other two boys are in Maine and happy. I have been on the board of Oakwood Friends School in Poughkeepsie NY. It is the oldest boarding school in the State of New York. I remain fully engaged with life. My wife Cindy shows Quarter Horses in the major shows across the US. It’s a very interesting activity and physically demanding. Best wishes.”

George School mourns the passing of William (Skip) A. Wilson, age 82, on July 12, 2023, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. His loving family was by his side. Born in Somerville NJ, Skip excelled in sports at George School: specifically, football, wrestling and baseball. He later graduated from Rider University with a B.A. in business administration. Skip married the love of his life, Rosemary Shappelle, in 1965. They had two daughters, Holly and Amy; and Skip happily built a life around his family. He was a true outdoorsman and felt most at home in nature. In addition to collecting and refinishing primitive antiques, Skip was an avid sports fan. Teaching and sharing his love of nature and animals with his grandchildren was one of his greatest lifetime joys. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his beloved wife Rosemary of 56 years, his dear brother Richard Wilson, his stepfather Dr. Robert C. Wilson III ’37 , and his stepmother, Thelma Raffensperger. He is survived by his daughters, Holly Bormann and Amy Schlack, sister Carolyn Heller, two

half-brothers, Alan Henry Raffensperger and David (Dave) L. Wilson ’74 , and five grandchildren.

1960

Graham D. Johnson and Janet Hicks Johnson write, “Our classmate, Henry S. Taylor died on October 13, 2024, in Santa Fe NM. There were five of us in the GS Class of 1960 who continued on to the University of Virginia: Henry S. Taylor, Rees (Toby) J. Frescoln III, Robert C. Woll, Jay E. Ziegler and Graham D. Johnson.

Elisabeth Lippold McLaughlin writes, “Although I attended George School only for one semester in 1959, that time at George School was a significant time in my life. Since then, I moved to the U.S. as a student at Barnard College Columbia, met my husband Joe, taught German at Barnard and Pace Colleges, raised a family in Connecticut where we have lived for the past 50 years. I have become a quilter, Joe is retired but constantly revising a law book and we are very fortunate to have a full life. Our 3 girls are scattered over the country, coming to a family reunion in May. Enjoy the reunion.

George School mourns the passing of Henry S. Taylor on October 13, 2024. The oldest of four children, Henry was born in Lincoln VA and raised in the Religious Society of Friends. He studied English at the University of Virginia. He received crucial encouragement from one of

his professors, poet George Garrett, who advised him that “if you can’t make any money” from writing poetry, “you might as well have fun.” Henry quickly gained a reputation as a parodist, poking fun at established writers in poems. His first book, “The Horse Show at Midnight” (1966), was published weeks before he received a master’s degree in creative writing from Hollins College (now a university). After teaching at Roanoke College and the University of Utah, he joined the faculty at American University in 1971. Henry also taught poetry workshops at elementary schools, reviewed books for the “Washington Times” and translated works from Bulgarian, French, Greek, Hebrew, Italian and Russian, including a verse version of Sophocles’ “Electra” for the University of Pennsylvania Press. Many of his essays on contemporary poetry were collected in a 1992 book, “Compulsory Figures.” His other works include the poetry collections “Understanding Fiction” (1996), in which he used writing as a metaphor for life; “Brief Candles: 101 Clerihews” (2000); and “This Tilted World Is Where I Live: New and Selected Poems” (2020). Henry is survived by his wife; his sons, Thomas and Richard; two sisters; and two grandchildren. Frannie, the mother of his children, died four days after he did.

1961

Corinna F. Fales writes, “A year after I delivered it, TEDx finally published my short, 7-minute talk, ‘Rethinking Political Correctness’ and ‘flagged’ it. I’m surprised they published it at all. I still want (as Johnny Cash tells Bob Dylan to

Corinna F. Fales ’61

Elisabeth (Lippold) ’60 and Joe McLaughlin in her beloved hometown of Hamburg, Germany.

do in ‘A Complete Unknown’) to ‘get some dirt on the carpet’ when I think it is needed. Hope this finds you all well. ”

Catharine (Cathy) Bothwell Rachlin writes, “We have a new great granddaughter, Josie Rae Rachlin, born January 2025. She came three weeks early so she’s a perfect little peanut.”

1962

Newton (Newt) T. Brosius writes, “My first class note after 63 years! Lots happening! Finally, after the third time, I’m staying retired after selling my Carriage Import business in 2020. After three downsizes and my wife Gini’s passing in 2014, I moved to the Jenners Pond Retirement Community in West Grove PA in a great first floor apartment with my Maltese mix rescue dog Peanut. I’m closer to my family and close to where I was born. I bought a small RV, been doing some traveling including a trip to the Masters last spring with three sons, and took a 5800-mile 21-state trip with my son Chris while he was East from his home in Maui. Plans are set for a fall trip to visit stepson Brian in England followed by a walking tour in Italy. Last September, I took a golf trip to Ireland followed by a trip to Germany to see Gudrun Heiser. Gudrun was from the Gertrauden-Schule in Berlin, our exchange school, and a member of the GS ‘work camp’ in 1962 at the orphanage in Lahr in the Black Forest area of Southwest Germany. John (ffac) and Jackie Streetz ,

our GS chaperones, had maintained contact with Gudrun over the years and many years ago John gave me Gudrun’s email and told me I should reach out to her. I never did until I read the 2023 summer edition of the ‘Georgian’ which included an article on the history of GS workcamps. I sent it to Gudrun and much to my surprise her email was still working. After several emails we decided I should extend my Ireland golf trip and visit her at her home in Heidelberg. A great few days catching up and talking about how the world has changed since we first met as teenagers 63 years ago.”

1963

David W. Green writes, “I enjoy my work as a staff psychiatrist in a community health center in Boston. The work is almost all in Spanish with people from the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. When not at work, my focus is on poetry writing. My daughter is a poet and director of graduate writing studies at St. Clair University; my son lives in Brooklyn NY, is married, and works as a music director/composer for Broadway and regional musical theatre. His wife is a retail executive and dancer, and they have a son just turning three. He and his wife are avid runners. ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.’ — Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

1964

Deborah Teel Bradley writes, “As New Year’s Eve was upon us, we were contemplating 2025 with a sense of foreboding. How can we safeguard the values of kindness, generosity,

and integrity that George School taught us? How can we live our lives in a way that ensures that these values will survive in the years ahead? My answer is connections, an existential necessity in this disconnected era. I have made deeply meaningful connections with GS friends this past year; first with Sarah (Sally) Walton Clark ’65, and then with David Rivinus ’67 . I became David’s violin teacher when he was a freshman and I was a senior. I went on to teach both music and French (thanks to Mme Eugénie Vickery’s (ffac) inspiration) and still play professionally in the Cape Cod Symphony. David went on to be a unique luthier, designing and building ‘ergonomic’ violas (which look like violas designed by Salvador Dali: Pellegrina Violas). I am enriched by these reconnections with GS and the values we share.”

Nancy Lange writes, “Through Gary Katz I learned of the passing of Jeremie Gardiner Tucker She was my roommate as a prefect in senior year. She lived in Vancouver BC. I wanted to share this sad news with my classmates.”

Kathryn McCreary writes, “Dear classmates, I have been in Port Townsend for a year now and am still amazed by the beauty of my surroundings. I am coming to know the wildlife here, and the windstorms and dramatic skies, as well as the ever-changing currents and moods of the waters below. I am disturbed by the future of our country, and my youngest son is in the process of becoming a Canadian citizen. He grieves the loss of his homeland and his childhood dreams for his future, but he tells me he has never felt as safe as he does now. Among the things I have loved about our country is its ability at times to look back at some of her horrible missteps against humanity, and to make some effort to atone. I have been lucky in life. I have fine memories of my working years, and I still enjoy writing for myself and puttering with plants and

Catharine (Cathy) Bothwell Rachlin ’61 welcomed a great granddaughter, Josie.

David W. Green ’63

animals. I have found a deep and long desired love after many years, and I hold close my family and old friends. In spite of Type 1 Diabetes, I am healthy. Yes, I am very grateful; hope the best for you, too, and I hope we get through the next four years knowing that we have done the best we can with what we have…and I hope we succeed in holding destruction to a minimum.”

George School mourns the passing of Jeremie Gardiner Tucker on October 31, 2024. Long-time Certified MTA and valued community member, Jeremie was a beloved member of the first ever music therapy class in 1976 when Capilano College first started its Diploma in Music Therapy. She earned her Bachelor of Music Therapy in 1996. She worked at several sites and was the halftime music therapist at Shaughnessy Veterans hospital until 1993. She became the first full-time unionized music therapist at Queen’s Park Care Centre. She supervised more than forty practicum and internship students during her career. Jeremie said, “the students were pure gold, each so different and adding so much to the work.” In 2005, Jeremie published her book, “Multidimensional Music Therapy,” which is still available. She was a board member of the BC chapter (pre MTABC) and was awarded with a life membership from MTABC in 2009. Jeremie retired from her exciting 40-year career only because of severe arthritis.

1965

Peter (Pete) L. Joslin writes, “After graduation I went to Washington College and was lucky to have Steven T. Wrightson as my roommate. After graduating, I started work with Armstrong World Industries and was sent to Raleigh NC. After several promotions, I switched companies and became SE Regional Manager for Eaton Corp. In 1995, I left the corporate world and started my own automation company called Bryco Controls, Inc. which designed and built systems for UPS, Coke,

Hyundai, Nissan, FedEx, and Toyota to name a few of our customers. Finally retired, my wife Ginna and I split our time between the Northern GA mountains and IsleAway, which is our summer home on an island off the coast of Maine. We have been blessed and give thanks daily for our wonderful life together! My best to all!”

1966

Michael Becker writes, “Greetings from Germany! This is my very first note to you — shame on me! GS and my year as a senior was the most important period in my life. After finishing baccalaureate back home, I entered into a trainee programme with the leading fashion retailer in Europe and stuck with them in many diverse leading executive roles, working from locations in Germany and Belgium until 2000. After an interruption, I partnered with a London UK shirt retailer and began expanding their business into Germany. In 2016, I quit and started to slow down. I’ve been married since 1978 to Mecki, who worked as a social pedagogy expert with adolescents

in a psychological practice. We are proud of our twin girls, one being an author of children’s plays, the other working as an artistic director in an off theater. Since 2017, we have lived in Berlin. I am considering joining the 60th reunion in 2026. Looking forward to reading other prospective participants and hope to see as many of you as possible. Stay safe!”

1968

Amy Lewis Tabor writes, “In October, I moved onto the campus of SUNY Purchase into a Senior Continuing Care Community. I have a two bedroom/two bath house which enabled me to bring the furniture that meant the most to me. The community is a year old and full with a long waiting list. I am surrounded by the most interesting people. So much to do. We have exercise classes, art classes, Mahjong, Canasta, Bridge, lectures, and movies. We can even audit classes at the college. I am so happy with my decision to move here. I am even near a GS friend, Melanie Wright Tripp ’67 , so we are able to spend time together as well. I am still involved with my Lions Club and am currently planning my mother’s 100th birthday celebration.”

Rachel Carey-Harper ’69 launched a new website, healingreflections.info

1969

Rachel A. Carey-Harper writes, “One thing that has been very healthy for me during this difficult time is producing a new website which shares prayers, photography, and messages that can help people stay grounded in the source that connects us together, overcome that which keeps us separate, and help chart a course so we

Peter (Pete) L. Joslin ’65 hauling lobsters last summer at his summer home in Maine!

Michael Becker ’66

can move forward in love. While not every message will speak to everyone, folks are invited to contribute to the ‘From the Orchestra’ section for anyone who wishes to share their sense of the Spirit. This website is part of a collection of four websites which are a form of art that is not only about learning, beauty, and healing, but also about inviting people into a process of understanding, growth, and connection.”

1970

Nicholas Custer writes, “Nicholas (Nick) Emlen introduced me to a metaphor. Probably not original with Nick, but he said, ‘consider yourself a thread in a tapestry, crossing many other threads of different colors.’ George School is a place where we became one of life’s tapestries, and you are all a part of mine.”

Christoffer (Chris) A. Graae writes, “Thankfully we are all fine and pretty healthy — my wife Mary and I are going into our seventy-fours this year, our daughter Hannah (39) and son Soren (41) have wonderful spouses and children (two girls and two boys respectively) — we are SO lucky! Mary retired from the Smithsonian in 2015 and I sold my shares in the firm I co-founded at the end of 2018... and happily we have never looked back! If you would like to see what consumed the last five years of my career — modernization of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts — go to America By Design, season two, episode six, last project. We live on

the South River near Annapolis enjoying its beauty and bounty — bird watching, swimming, sailing, gardening, oyster spat raising, beekeeping, drawing and painting…and lots of volunteering on environmental and architectural boards and committees. Paul R. Evans III, Richard (Rick) M. Valelly, Burnes P. Hollyman — you out there? Hope all is well!”

1971

John F. Hallowell writes, “I write this as I am making plans for my 50th college reunion (as I suppose many of us are). Amazing how time flies! My wife, Meg, and I are still on Long Island and have enjoyed being close to family and the ocean for many years. I spend much of my summer months captaining a boat volunteering for a non-profit that cleans the bay of all sorts of debris. I really enjoy it and our collective work makes a true difference. I am not bored at all in retirement. Peace and my best to you all!”

1972

Faith Kiermaier Feder writes, “I’ve been living in New York City for many years and only recently met up with Ann E. Levin for the first time since being at George School. We’ve been enjoying walks around the Central Park reservoir, going to museums, reminiscing about George School, and talking about books. It’s been a wonderful reconnection.”

Amy Ann Jarrett writes, “This is a year of change for me. My mother and I will be moving into a Senior Living Continuing Care Community. That means downsizing a lot of things we have collected over the many years. Things that have been in the family for generations will be going to new homes. It is a time to reflect on life’s journey through my mother’s 97 years and my 70 years, including my memories of my time at GS. Looking at my father’s George School yearbook from the Class of 1944, I see classmates that had children that were in the Class of 1972

Deborah (Debbie) Vernon DiMicco and Cindy Harry Keene. William J. Hough III ’74 was not in our class, but his father and uncle were also in my father’s class. Memories of reunions, laughter, etc.”

1973

Colin G. Edmonds writes, “Retired three years ago after 42 years at Robert College in Istanbul. We go back and forth between our homes in Istanbul and Princeton NJ a couple of times a year. Kind of funny to end up with a home just down the road from GS after all these years on the other side of the world.”

Christoffer (Chris) A. Graae ’70 sailing on the Chesapeake Bay.

Karen J. Hossfeld ’73 with partner Dan, visiting Sigmund (Sig) J. Roos ’72 and Ruth Rohde ’74 last fall in Massachusetts.

Karen J. Hossfeld ’73, Gwyndaf (Gwyn) Jones ’73 and Patrick (Paddy) R. Booz ’72 in the French Alps last summer.

Colin G. Edmonds ’73 in front of Main a few years back.

Karen J. Hossfeld writes, “The Jones and Booz families have long had side-by-side houses in the medieval village of Yvoire, France, on Lake Geneva. My partner Dan and I visited Gwyndaf (Gwyn) Jones and his partner, Ariel, while Patrick

(Paddy) R. Booz ’72 and his partner, Ingrid, were staying next door. Later that year, Dan and I visited Gwyn and Ariel in New England, and also saw Sigmund (Sig) J. Roos ’72 and Ruth Rohde ’74 . Very wonderful to have forged lifelong friendships at George School.”

1975

George School mourns the passing of Lawrence (Larry) Klatzkin on July 3, 2024, at the age of 66. Lawrence leaves behind a legacy remembered by family and friends. As Lawrence departs from our midst, his spirit ascends to join the cosmic dance of stars, a shimmering constellation of memories that will forever grace the night sky of the hearts of those who loved Lawrence. Though Lawrence may no longer walk beside us, his legacy lives on — a testament to the enduring power of love to transcend the boundaries of time and space.

Douglas (Doug) H. Mau writes, “I have just taken on the role of Venue Manager at Crown Point Venues in Grass Valley CA. The venue is currently under construction and due to open late 2025-26. The venue features 540 seats, and is designed to be an acoustically perfect concert hall. It is only one of a few concert halls of its kind in the US.”

Kate Sherfy Rogers writes, “Dear Classmates of 1975, as we planned our upcoming 50th reunion with big efforts on the part of the committee, we were excited by the energy that our classmate Peter D. Harris brought to our reunion planning process. His enthusiasm and gift for communication — cards, texts, emails and videos — were an inspiration to the committee, classmates, and the Advancement Office at George School. Kudos to his job well done and to our fantastic reunion celebration! I know many of us enjoyed all the reconnection with old friends during the planning journey. I had a fantastic visit with Donzaleigh Abernathy when she visited

Annapolis — and I saw Drue Bogdonoff Van Roon in California in January. Peter reconnected with Peter A. Hyman in NYC and Rebecca Armstrong and Marti J. Sagar enjoyed a visit in New Mexico. Peter and Marti scoured the alumni and George School history areas on a cold day in January and Stephen (Steve) G. Allison, Rebecca, and Kimberly (Kim) Allen participated in the many Zoom calls we had as we tried to make this reunion one that people wanted to attend. Sending much love, joy, and friendship for the new memories we now share.”

1976

Jayne Nichols writes, “In the last five years, my life has been filled with four new grandchildren on both the East and West coasts. My husband Jay and I have traveled cross-country a number of times and spent each of the last five years living part of the time near Jenkintown PA and the rest of the time in our home in El Cerrito CA. We had a wonderful two-month trip to Tuscany, Italy; Paris, France; and Norway last year where we reunited with a dear friend who lives in Fredrikstad. This year has started in a sobering way as I have been viewing and cataloging the photographs my father, a WWII photographer, took in the European Theater of Operations. I am looking forward to our 50th reunion!”

Mavis Mathis Smith writes, “I am happily retired! I work with an afternoon program at my church. We will soon be involved in the Backpack Buddies program in my community. If anyone has contact with Vanessa E. Randolph , please let me know.”

Elizabeth R. Vahlsing writes, “I’m loving 2025 because it’s not 2026 which is 50 years since graduating GS. Amazing to me because I remember my years there like it was yesterday. And still have close friendships. This summer Julia Seltz and I will be in Toulouse, France where she is join-

Rebecca Armstrong ’75 and Marti J. Sagar ’75 (photo by Dave A. DiMicco ’74)

Kate Sherfy Rogers ’75 and Drue Bogdonoff Van Roon ’75

Kate Sherfy Rogers ’75 and Donzaleigh Abernathy ’75

Peter D. Harris ’75 and Peter A. Hyman ’75

ing her equestrian colleagues, and I am spending time with my grandson Ira (4) while my daughter Lucy travels the country as a professional Jazz Violin musician. I am still happily married to Tom Southern (not GS) after 33 years. My son Drew is pitching screenplays, finding bands to promote, and making movies. Thank you, George School, and hope the institution can ready the next generation to deconstruct this current political moment.”

1980

Philip (Phil) A. Hayden writes, “Who among the Orton lads can forget Super Freddy? Yesterday, I had the privilege and pleasure of visiting our indomitable dorm master Daniel (Dan) D. Fredricks (ffac) in his snug apartment in Martinsburg PA. Hilarious and sanguine as ever, Freddy’s only grievance was exposure to Kryptonite, which had peppered his hair but hardly lessened his powers to divert mighty rivers and demolish students in his bare hands. We laughed and reminisced, and I have never had such a good time!”

Phebe B. Macrae writes, “I recently published my first book of essays. “The Desert is Harsher Than I Imagined and Other Musings: Musings from Santa Fe, New Mexico.” It is available through Amazon.”

1981

David Aronson writes, “I have been speaking at technical conferences for several years now and have achieved another milestone: giving

the opening keynote for Voxxed Days CERN in Geneva, Switzerland about my definition of software quality and tips on how to achieve it.”

John (Fell) F. Cadwallader Jr. writes, “I would love to hear from anyone who wants to reflect on the last 40+ years. My partner and I are innkeepers in Saugatuck MI. Sold the house and sloughed off the possessions. Things have gotten really amazing. Who knew? Hope each of you are at peace and caring for the Light we shared for a brief moment at GS. To paraphrase Billy Strings, I thought my blessings were abundant, then grew up and realized they are few and far between. I would add it’s the Light that fills the moments between.”

1983

Olof C. Hellman writes, “With kids either graduated from (U Washington) or in (Rhode Island School of Design) college, Tomo and I are continuing our adventure and have moved to Rabat, Morocco, where I’m working as a consultant writing scientific software. We love the experience of living here, all the French I studied at George School and then forgot is coming back to me, and we are studying Arabic as well.”

Anne Snipes Moss writes, “I am working harder in retirement than I ever did before — having made the critical blunder of volunteering as President of Dressage at Devon and being on the United States Dressage Federation Executive Board at the same time, oops! Both are organi-

zations that I love and have been involved with for decades. I have met my Zoom saturation point! The better news is that my brother Daniel (Dan) M. Snipes ’76 has moved back from the Netherlands with his wife, Thea Van der Geest, and I am delighted that they live nearby. On the home front, John and I still enjoy historical re-enacting, gardening, and traveling to visit our 12 grandies. Our pet family has grown to include two stray cats; their mousing has dissuaded the stubborn vole population in the garden that I have battled for eons. I am still in love with my mare Kasinaa a.k.a. equine dreamdate and am looking forward to doing a lot of dressage showing and judging in 2025.”

Michael (Mike) L. Sherman writes, “Wendy and I became Drayton dorm parents this year and the 40 plus years of curiosity of what it’s like to live as a boarder here on campus has been fulfilled. The roles allow us both to connect with students in a way we are all enriched by. Coaching cross-country and track and field

Phebe B. Macrae ’80 published her first book.

Anne Snipes Moss ’83 and her mare Kasinaa.

David Aronson ’81 giving the opening keynote for Voxxed Days CERN.

Michael (Mike) L. Sherman ’83 just prior to moving into the basement apartment in Drayton in September 2024.

will also continue and the commute to the track is now a 100 meter jog. As we continue to integrate with this incredible community, we feel our place here can only sprout even more growth for the future.”

1985

John C. Dessalet III writes, “Wow! Where did 40 years go? Looking forward to Alumni Weekend!”

Victor Khodadad writes, “Looking forward to seeing oodles of classmates at our, gulp, 40th Reunion. John C. Harley, Brendan Kehoe, Mark D. Bigelow and I can’t wait to reconnect with everyone.”

1986

Alicia Marciano Sullivan writes, “Thanking my wonderful friends and former GS classmates for inspiration and recent connections — Laura G., Pete S., and Kirby R. The Sullivans are doing great in Charleston NY, suburbs of Albany. My oldest daughter Jacquelyn is a junior at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and youngest daughter Alexandra a sophomore at Emma Willard

School in Troy NY. I recently changed jobs within New York State and now serve as an Administrative Law Judge in an administrative agency. Love to all my fellow Georgians. Also, cannot forget my friend and former roommate Lara B. for giving me a second home during my transition. Love you!”

1987

Malcolm K. Fleschner writes, “In the early days of the pandemic, I arranged a weekly Zoom call every Friday with GS classmates Adam I. Wilson, Rhazi Khodadad, Joshua H. Bourdrez, John (Kurt) D. Wolfrum, Robert (Rob) E. Barrett ’86, and Stephen E. Eberhard. Although not everyone made it each week, we kept it up for months, dubbing the event ‘Friday Evening Convenience.’ It was a wonderful way to stay connected during the otherwise isolating pandemic times. Even now, almost five years later, we’re still at it — although these days we only meet about every 4-6 weeks. At various times we also invited other classmates to join, and over the years have welcomed Stephanie AlisuagSchreiber, Lisa Allison-Lee, Tara M. Chambers, Luca Finocchiaro, Eliza G. Fox, Douglas R. Gauck ’88, David P. Glendinning, Hyung Soon Lee, David E. Lippman ’86, Kevin M. McLaughlin, Brett A. Morrison, Emeline Owen Orloff, Andes Van Syckle Hruby, Benjamin (Ben) R. Fiore-Walker and Susannah Wolf, and it’s always been great fun — even more entertaining than its namesake Friday Evening Inconvenience used to be!”

1988

Tamara (Tammy) L. Harper writes, “I am excited to be a new Professional Member of the Recording Academy — made up of musicians, producers, recording engineers, and other musical professionals, and famous for its Grammy Awards! I attended the 66th Grammy Awards on

February 4, 2024, in Los Angeles for the first time and enjoyed both ceremonies; one at 12:00 p.m. PST at the Peacock Theater that is non-televised, and the telecast at 5:00 p.m. PST at the Crypto.com Arena. I also joined the Atlanta Classic Soulful Symphony as a pianist that same month!”

1989

Susan Shin Andersen writes, “I was thrilled to be on campus during Alumni Weekend in May 2024, where I got to be with a small but mighty group of my class and other graduating classes! It was especially meaningful to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award and address students during assembly. It was also fun to get a personal tour from students and attend the mixer for alumni of color. What an honor and such a great chance for me to reflect on how my time at GS continues to impact my values. Coincidentally (or not), I was elected to Montclair NJ’s Township Council on May 14 and was sworn in as its first Asian American elected official in its history in July. So, I think Alumni Weekend was my good luck charm. I’ve been working hard in this new role and in my regular job in NYC and just enjoying life and every opportunity to connect and reconnect, a day at a time.”

Katherine (Katie) Winn Boyer writes, “I’ve always thought that the alchemy of the Class of 1989 is magical. I certainly felt it when we were back in Newtown in May 2024. All these years later, I know that this cohort of people are kind to the core.

Alicia Marciano Sullivan ’86

Tamara (Tammy) L. Harper ’88 in the audience at Crypto.com Arena attending the 66th Grammy Awards in Los Angeles CA!

John C. Dessalet III ’85

This recently resurfaced in January when classmates were expressing concern about our peers in LA who might be impacted by the fire. The outreach was genuine and generous; and once everyone was safe and accounted for, there was relief and gratitude for connection. How fortunate we are to have these threads as a part of our tapestries. I’m living in NH these days when I’m not traveling for work. You otherwise might find me in Upstate NY; Washington DC; Bermuda; Florida; California; New York City; or Fairfield County. My daughter moved to Yardley PA in the fall, so it’s possible I’ll be walking our beautiful campus more often!”

1991

Pablo Velosa writes, “My wife Carolina and I have lived in South Florida since finishing grad school in 2004. We are in Key Biscayne, a small key right off the coast of Miami. We have two kids. Nicolas ’26 (16) is currently, and excitingly, a junior at GS; and Martin (11), a 5th grader. Although we live in Florida, my work is mostly based out of Colombia where I own a coffee exporting company. We buy beans (green, unroasted) from producers, and then mill them and sort them for quality before shipping them by sea to our customers all over the world. So maybe some of that coffee you are drinking right now comes from us. Carolina, on the other hand, has been working at Apple for the last 20 years — from when there were no iPhones. We have gone back to GS every few years and now that Nicolas is there we will be visiting more often.”

1997

Johanna R. Kolodny writes, “I married Barton Rivera in October 2023 in New York City. Funnily, one of my best friends and bridesmaids, who I met as a freshman in college, went to Westtown. I was happy to bring Barton to see George School for the first time and meet classmates during our 25th reunion.”

1994

Abraham (Abe) C. FormanGreenwald writes, “My documentary directorial debut ‘Brother Orange’ was recently released on digital platforms by Buzzfeed Studios and Gravitas Ventures. It’s a tale about an unlikely cross-cultural friendship that all began with a stolen iPhone in New York City that made its way to China. The film has been a passion project for me that I’ve worked at on and off for the past decade.”

1995

Ann W. St. Claire writes, “I’m proud to share that my daughter, Elise S. Dehlin ’25 , will be graduating from GS this year — the same year as our 30th reunion! It’s been fun to relive my GS memories as she’s charted her own path over the last four years. GS was a special place 30 years ago and still is today! ”

2000

Theodore (Ted) B. Fetter writes, “Happy to share that life is good as a parent and carpenter in the Burlington VT area. I’ve also gotten swept up in the pickleball craze and now compete and coach. Looking forward to bringing my kids (six and four) to our 25th GS reunion!”

2003

Alexander (Alex) S. Germanacos writes, “Hi friends! Building on my last post, I’ll share a special memory from GS. Sophomore year, I was on JV Basketball and Coach George E. Long Jr. (ffac) was the coach. I was also in his English class. One day we had a long drive into Amish country for a game. In my fatigue from the long day and after the game, my guard had been down, and I responded to him from the back of the van, ‘Come on, Dad!’ Everyone heard it. Someone next to me said, ‘You just called him Dad.’ I saw his eyes twinkle in the rear-view mirror in acknowledgment and some of my embarrassment eased and I forgot what he said but he made it alright. It was a special moment. Unrelated: In my opinion Rashid O. Santiago

Pablo Velosa ’91 and his family.

Abraham (Abe) C. FormanGreenwald ’94 released his directorial debut.

Eliot, Theodore (Ted) ’00 and Emerson Fetter.

Barton Rivera and Johanna R. Kolodny ’97 got married at the Angel Orensanz Foundation in New York City.

and Robert (Rob) L. Waters should be inducted into the GS Hall of Athletic Honor. Rashid was the best rebounding point guard (best rebounder on the team) and he made all around him better. He could score at will. Rob was unstoppable on the football field and track. He flew. Check their stats.”

Jonathan (Jon) A. Katz writes, “For the past decade, I’ve been working in Hollywood as a postproduction supervisor on a variety of TV series, mostly obscure comedies. I have also served as President of the Santa Monica Democratic Club since 2017, and we just swept our local city council election, replacing the conservative majority with progressives who constitute the first ever millennial majority in city history. Most importantly, my wife and I have a two year old son named Avery who continues to impress me every day with his intelligence, humor, and compassion.”

Ian T. Rhodewalt writes, “I am delighted to share that at the end of January, I successfully had my right hip replaced. In addition to having had my left hip replaced in 2021, with this surgery, I no longer have the avascular necrosis that I have been living with since 2008 and am excited about all the new adventures that greater mobility will allow. I am very grateful to have had the moral support through the surgery of GS friends Ross A. Hollister, Andrew (Andy) W. Carten ’04,

Juliana (Julie) D. Carten ’00, Adriana E. Essilfie, and retired GS teacher/dean Carolyn B. Lyday (ffac) . I live in Amherst MA with my wife, Courtney Cullen, and cat, Pickles. I am looking forward to seeing the 175 daffodil and hyacinth bulbs that I planted last fall in their gardens bloom this spring. I work as a labor organizer for the Western Massachusetts Area Labor Federation and am currently working with the Fairness for Farmworkers coalition to pass legislation that would raise the sub-minimum wage for agricultural workers. I continue to write nonfiction, fiction, and poetry.”

2004

Eben P. Alguire (they/them) writes, “I am the Chair of Arts and Entertainment Technology in the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. I am also Chief Steward of the faculty union, NTFC, and recently was elected to the Board of Directors of the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. At home, I live with my spouse, Andrea, two kids, Harper (8) and Riley Wren (4), a Great Pyrenees named Bazorka, and about 30 pounds of cats.”

George School mourns the passing of Marion Vincent (Marvin) L. Mempin on December 23, 2024. He was born in 1986 in Langhorne PA to Manolo and Abbelane Mempin (Legaspi). Marvin earned premedical degrees, with honors, from Georgetown University before graduating from Chicago’s Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science with degrees in both medicine and health administration. Following in his parents’ footsteps, Marvin found purpose in caring for others and successfully pursued a career as an ER doctor. When not in his scrubs, he was a true citizen of the world and explored it with wonder, from scuba diving in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to hiking the mountains in Patagonia. But his greatest legacy is the relationships he cultivated — a devoted son who celebrated his

parents’ love for him, a thoughtful Ninong (Godfather) and Tito (Uncle) to the next generations of his family and chosen family, and a friend who shared his love for life through karaoke sessions, escape rooms, and dance parties. He is survived by his parents, Drs. Manolo and Abbelane Mempin (Legaspi); paternal uncle Gerrie (Dot); maternal aunts Florinda (Rodrigo), Florminia (Rogelio), Purisima (Romeo), Gloria (Ernesto), Nenita (Jesus), and Elizabeth (Apolinario); maternal uncle Edwin (Rowena); dozens of cousins spread across the globe; and his Barkada.

Daniel (Dan) C. Suchenski writes, “The non-profit organization I started in 2024 celebrated its coming out party and first annual fundraising gala. KCX Foundation is devoted to revitalization and prosperity of the Delaware Valley region and used the recently raised funds from the gala to work with the City of Philadelphia’s Mural Arts Program to redo a mural in the Fair Hill neighborhood. The revitalization project is in conjunction with the Quakerrun Historic Fair Hill organization and arboretum across the street. The foundation is committed to educational partnerships including sustainability, STEM, greening, community engagement events, etc. Additionally, I am planning on hosting the 11th running of the Delaware STEM Educator Awards in November 2025.”

Ian T. Rhodewalt ’03 and his wife Courtney on a walk at a snow-covered Puffer’s Pond in Amherst MA.

Daniel (Dan) C. Suchenski ’04 and his organization created a mural “United we Stand, Divided we Fall” that is to be revitalized after 25 years.

2005

Oliver (Ollie) W. Fetter writes, “I’ve relocated from NYC to my hometown in Central Jersey with my wife, Erin, and two daughters, Nellie (6) and Ruby (3). I’m a volunteer firefighter and EMT. When I’m not volunteering or parenting, I teach both drums and dance, bartend, and play drums and soccer. Super excited to see ’05 at our 20th reunion!”

tinue to show up for each other for milestone moments. I look forward to seeing the rest of my classmates at our 20-year reunion!”

2009

Andrew J. Woodruff writes, “Since 2019 I have had the pleasure to work as the Director of Operations and Event Production for French Quarter Festival (FQF) in New Orleans, the largest free music festival in the Gulf South. In this time, I have focused on growing our sustainability, accessibility, and mentorship programs while also overseeing all logistics and production elements for the 22-stage festival. I am excited to embark on my next professional challenge this June when I will leave FQF and return to the freelance event production world. My time at GS, and working with Goldfish ’n Java, inspired this passion-turned-career all the way back in 2009. Best wishes to the George School community — and rock on!”

Qudsiyyah A. Shariyf ’15 speaks to the press on November 21, 2024 following the historic Cook County Board vote to allocate $2 million to reproductive healthcare.

2015

Tyler M. Winthrop writes, “Hello everyone! After graduating, I received my bachelor’s degree in acting and directing, with a minor in communications from Lycoming College, and then proceeded to receive my master’s degree in stage management from Rutgers University. I have been working as a freelance stage manager in theaters around NYC where I now live with my husband, Micky Roman. We were married in November 2024 in Doylestown PA surrounded by friends and family, as well as a number of GS alumni! Kristin Dunham Catena was my Matron of Honor, with Sean G. Bye, Sarah E. Moody, Marianna L. Bogucki, Sam Hunter and Meredith M. McKamey present, all from the Class of 2005. Margaret (Megan) A. Browndorf ’04 and Sue Clarke-Curry (fstaff) also joined the party! I cannot believe it’s been 20 years since we were in school together, but it just goes to show how deep the bonds are that you make at George School when you still con-

2014

Faith Karaffa Troiano writes, “I recently got married to my husband, Kyle, in October 2024, at the Stroudsmoor Inn. It was a beautiful autumn day filled with family and friends. I also just started a new job at Life Geisinger in Wilkes-Barre PA as a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist after spending three years dividing my time between two long term care facilities in upper PA as the head of their dietary programs.”

Qudsiyyah A. Shariyf writes, “In January 2025, I celebrated over five years of leadership at the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) where I currently serve as Deputy Director. I joined CAF in 2019 as a program coordinator, and my strategic vision was instrumental in expanding CAF’s capacity as Illinois’ statewide abortion fund to provide logistical, financial, and emotional support to people seeking abortion care across the Midwest. Today, I am a leading voice in the abortion access movement, dedicated to building a world where everyone has access to the resources, care, and support they need to thrive.”

2021

George School mourns the passing of Ruby Zemach-Lawler on February 20, 2025, whose light graced this world for 22 precious years and will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her. Born in Berkeley CA, Ruby was from the very start a singular force of creativity, originality, courageousness and love. Her sweetness and generosity of spirit was radiant. Her silly dance moves, her commitment to justice, and the way she could leap so bravely into the swimming pool — all made it clear as day that this tiny child was something to behold. Ruby blossomed into a wise and spiritual woman. Strong and brave, she channeled her creativity into everything she touched:

From left to right: Sarah E. Moody ’05, Sean Bye ’05, Margaret (Megan) A. Browndorf ’04, Tyler M. Winthrop ’05, Kristin Dunham Catena ’05, Sue Clarke-Curry (FSTAFF), Marianna L. Bogucki ’05 and Sam Hunter ’05 at Tyler’s wedding.

Faith Karaffa Troiano ’14 and her husband Kyle.

her style, her makeup, art, writing, music and curiosity about what lies beyond typical human perception. We remember her reverence for sunsets, redwood forests, road trips, sun on her face, ocean waters, fire and smoke, and Pennsylvania orchards and countrysides. Above all, Ruby loved and was loved. Her lifelong friends cherish her, and her life was spent surrounded by a big extended family, all of whom feel she is a part of our very souls. She leaves behind her most adoring parents, Dave and Becca, her beloved big brother, Julian T. Zemach-Lawler ’16 and her big sisters-in-spirit Twyla and Caroline.

Former Faculty and Staff George School mourns the passing of Britta Blum on August 24, 2024, at the remarkable age of 101. For nearly 65 years, Britta enriched the lives of those around her in the Princeton NJ area with her vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication to her community. Britta attended the Walnut Hill School in Natick MA and later followed in her mother’s footsteps at Smith College. During her freshman year at Smith, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, Britta decided to accelerate her education and graduated in August of 1944. Following college, Britta began her career at the Office of Cable Censorship in New York City where she worked to intercept wartime communications. After the war, her compassion led her to the American Red Cross in France and Germany. When she returned to the US, Britta became a staff writer at the Museum of Natural History in New York City. She then married Frederick E. Blum, a Naval Academy graduate, a pilot and a flight instructor, and a World War II veteran. Together, they lived in Honolulu HI, and Pensacola FL, before settling in Philadelphia PA and eventually Princeton NJ. Following her time in the Office of Continuing Education at Princeton University and earning her master’s in Guidance and Counseling from Rider University, she became the Director of College Counseling

at both the Hun School in Princeton (where she worked for a total of 11 years) and George School. Britta’s primary focus was always her family who, despite geographical distances, spent a good deal of time visiting her. Britta is survived by her son, Daniel Blum; her daughter Cynthia Carroll and her son-in-law David Carroll; and her daughter Lauren Blum and her son-in-law Victor Bushamuka. She also leaves behind her beloved six grandchildren.

George School mourns the passing of Thomas (Tom) Griffith II on January 17, 2025, following a courageous three-year battle with a rare and incurable form of cancer. He was 85 years old. Tom is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Marion Griffith; his son, Bob Griffith; his daughter, Katie Griffith, and sonin-law, Ben Francis; and his two cherished grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Louise (Chamberlain) Griffith; his brothers, Doug and infant Morrow; and his infant daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Born and raised in Tennessee, Tom was a proud graduate of Woodberry Forest School, the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, and Indiana University. Following graduate school, Tom dedicated over 50 years of his life to coaching soccer, impacting countless players. His coaching career included positions at the University of the South, the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, Princeton Day School and George School. He served as the first soccer coach at the University of the South and the second coach for both the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay men’s team and Princeton University’s women’s team. Tom was proud to have been part of the Olympic Development Program and a coach for the inaugural United States Under 19 Women’s National Team. He also coached mens and boys lacrosse for over 30 years and received coaching honors in both sports. His achievements include multiple “Coach of the Year” awards

at the collegiate level, along with commendations from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Beyond coaching, Tom found joy in all types of sports and music and was a lifelong, devoted supporter of Liverpool Football Club. An advocate for animal welfare, he volunteered extensively with animal transportation efforts, completing nearly 100 rescue transports to help give dogs a chance at better lives. Tom’s legacy is one of kindness, mentorship, and unwavering love for his family, friends, players and the causes he championed.

George School mourns the passing of Robert (Bob) S. Mandel on Sunday, July 7, 2024. The beloved husband of Mallie Mandel (Mattison) for forty-four years, he was born in Brooklyn NY in 1943. Bob lived an incredibly rich life, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he touched. As a teacher, author, poet, and spiritual guide, Bob inspired us all to be better humans, working to be our best selves. Bob lived by his principles including participation in the Civil Rights Movement in his youth, joining Dr. King at the March on Washington, registering voters with SNCC, and teaching what he believed as the founder of the International Self Esteem Project and the International Seminars Leadership Program. Bob cherished spending time with family, offering guidance and fostering authentic relationships. His last words included a wish that “everyone be happy.” In addition to his wife Mallie, Bob is survived by his children Kimberly Mandl and Suzie Chapman, his grandchildren, his great-grandchildren, and his brotherin-law.

George School mourns the passing of Barbara Obarski Zanolini on October 11, 2024. Loving wife of Leonardo and mother of the late Kenneth and Richard (Patricia). Barbara was born in Philadelphia and worked as a secretary in many offices in her younger years. She was a longtime resident of Levittown, where she

was active in the Boy Scouts as a den mother for both her boys. Barbara was involved in many charitable organizations including Friends of Levittown Library, the Boy Scouts of America, and her church Queen of the Universe. Barbara worked at George School for twenty-five years where she had numerous responsibilities. In her later years, she acted in many capacities at the Piazza Nova Lodge of the Italian Society, including financial secretary. She met her beloved husband there, and they were married in October of 2003 and lived happily in Levittown. Always active, her hobbies included playing the piano, reading about history, and knitting.

Class notes for this issue were received as of May 9, 2025.

The “Class Notes” and “In Memoriam” sections of the “Georgian” are shared online. If you do not want your name to be included in notes from others, contact us at alumni@georgeschool.org or 215-579-6570.

The views and opinions expressed in class notes do not necessarily represent those of the school. Notes submitted for publication might be edited due to space limitations and “Georgian” style guidelines.

The Class of 2020 [finally] got their moment.

It’s been five years since the Class of 2020 had their senior year cut short by the global pandemic and missed their moment on stage in the William Penn Outdoor Auditorium. So it seemed fitting that their five-year reunion gathering be held in that special place. Despite the unavoidable disruption to their George School experience, it was clear that the bonds they formed still remain strong.

In Memoriam

1938

Agnes Warne Blackstone

March 30, 2025

1940

Ruth Gannett Kahn

June 11, 2024

1942

Shane E. Riorden

January 22, 2025

Eleanor Jessup Stevenson

February 2, 2025

1944

John Fisher-Smith

August 8, 2024

1945

Robert (Chip) D. Miller

October 1, 2024

1946

Constance Suplee Ball

August 1, 2023

1948

Jane Andrew Dunham February 14, 2025

Betty Jane (B.J.) Jammer Lee

February 7, 2025

Barbara (Barb) Brown McClenahan

January 18, 2025

Richard (Dick) D. Stephenson

October 18, 2024

Marian Musgrave Stewart

February 8, 2025

1949

Carole Johnson Brown

February 2, 2025

John S. Carpenter Jr.

May 11, 2019

1951

William (Bill) Ayars

February 11, 2025

Cornelia (Neal) Washburn

Frey

November 11, 2024

Theodore (Ted) D. Frey

July 26, 2024

1952

Barron S. Lavine

November 15, 2017

Richard (Dick) R. Packer

November 15, 2024

Lois Wilson Pancoast

August 23, 2022

David Rosen

Frederick Schiller

September 4, 2019

Philip E. Stanley

January 26, 2023

Deborah Blodget Tait

February 8, 2019

Rodman (Rod) Ward Jr.

March 18, 2023

1953

Fanny Custer Clark

Mary (Polly) Griscom

September 17, 2024

David E. Steward

October 15, 2024

1954

Peggy Polsky Pennell

Sylvia Kelsey Spotts

December 22, 2020

Anthony (Tony) Weir

May 31, 2024

1955

Frances Jacobs Frawley

August 30, 2024

Norman A. Pancoast March 25, 2020

1956

Cecil E. Cook Jr. October 19, 2024

1957

A. Monroe Church

May 6, 2024

Ann Elizabeth (Betsy) Dawson Moore February 9, 2025

1959

William A. Wilson July 12, 2023

1960

Henry S. Taylor October 13, 2024

1964

George W. Cobb May 6, 2020

Jeremie Gardiner Tucker October 31, 2024

1965

Steven D. Hancock October 14, 2024

Philip G. Rhoads October 15, 2023

1966

Willliam H. Stone September 14, 2021

1973

Jonathan L. Dworkin April 12, 2021

1975

Lawrence (Larry) Klatzkin July 3, 2024

Richard B. Waddington December 21, 2021

1980

Steven (Steve) R. Cordell

June 18, 2024

1993

Daniel (Dan) C. Poten

December 2, 2023

2004

Marion Vincent (Marvin)

L. Mempin

December 23, 2024

2021

Ruby Zemach-Lawler

February 20, 2025

Former Faculty and Staff

Britta Blum

August 24, 2024

Thomas (Tom) Griffith II

January 17, 2025

Robert (Bob) S. Mandel

July 7, 2024

Barbara Obarski Zanolini

October 11, 2024

Former Trustees

David Hensler

November 27, 2019

Notification of deaths was recorded as of May 9, 2025.

We edit and publish information provided by families of deceased alumni, faculty, staff, and trustees.

Notes submitted for publication might be edited due to space limitations and “Georgian” style guidelines.

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One of the School’s most vital sources of support, planned gifts offer alumni, parents, and friends a means to establish a lasting legacy by incorporating George School into their estate plans. These gifts provide funding for scholarships, as well as contribute to programs that enrich the George School experience.

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HOLD THE DATES

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17-18, 2025 Family Weekend

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14-15, 2025 Fall Theater Performance

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 2026 Young Alumni Day

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2026 Community Chorus Performance

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 13-14, 2026 Winter Theater Performance

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2026 Great Green Give

FRIDAY, MARCH 6, 2026

Grandparents & Special Friends Day

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MARCH 6-7, 2026 “Dance Eclectic”

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, MAY 1-2, 2026 Spring Theater Performance

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 1-3, 2026 Alumni Weekend

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026 Cougar Classic Golf Tournament

FRIDAY, MAY 15, 2026 Film Festival

SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2026 Music Concert

SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026 Commencement

Student-thespians shined in a rollicking production of "Clue on Stage" this spring.

GEORGIAN

SPRING 2025 | VOL. 95 | NO. 01

GEORGIAN EDITOR

Katharine Sipio georgian@georgeschool.org

GEORGIAN CONTRIBUTORS

Chelsea Colatriano

Sydney Sobkowiak

Christine Davidyock

Marisa Procopio

Caroline Sipio

Meredith Baldi ’01

Tricia O’Neill Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications

© 2025 George School Georgian designed by Rutka Weadock Design

Note: If you have received multiple copies of this issue at your address, please contact us with updated address information at advancement@georgeschool.org or at 215-579-6570.

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Alumni Weekend 2026: Reunite with your George School family and celebrate community connections during Alumni Weekend on May 1–3, 2026.