Spirit of the Dragon Magazine (Summer 2020)

summer 2020

THE GRADUATION ISSUE

MISSION Glenelg Country School cultivates a COMMUNITY that stimulates our students to realize their highest potential. Outstanding academic and enrichment opportunities nurture a PASSION for lifelong learning, personal INTEGRITY , and RESPECT for others.

By embracing DIVERSITY of background, culture, and thought, our students are prepared to become RESPONSIBLE and CONTRIBUTING members of our GLOBAL society.

ACCREDITATION

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Glenelg Country School is accredited, age two through

Jennifer Auchmoody, Kevin Boland, Lindsay Frost-Bhasin,

twelfth grade, by the Association of Independent Maryland

Damian Garcia, Brandon Neblett, MaryEllen Prantl,

& DC Schools (AIMS) and by the Middle States Association

Denise Rosson, Aaron Tolentino, Paul Weir, and

of Schools and Colleges (MSA).

Anne Wooleyhand

The School is affiliated with the Association of Independent Maryland & DC Schools (AIMS), the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and the Educational Records Bureau (ERB).

HEAD OF SCHOOL Greg Ventre DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS Danielle Peterson COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Shay Kathuria

PHOTOGRAPHY Classic Photography, Memi Pluznik, Danielle Peterson, and GCS parents, faculty, and staff © 2020 Glenelg Country School Please direct questions and comments to communications@glenelg.org.

12793 Folly Quarter Road Ellicott City, Maryland 21042 glenelg.org 410.531.8600 CORRECTION

DESIGN

In the last issue of our magazine, we misspelled the

David Hodgson

name of Juliette Yoltay ’21 in the Athletics section.

We apologize for this error.

Icons provided by nounproject.com: Megan Chown

Cover: Tyler Yost ’20 raises his arms in triumph at the end of the commencement car parade. Above: A Class of 2020 banner welcomes visitors to campus.

SUMMER 2020

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VOLUME 4

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NUMBER 2

CONTENTS 2

FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

16

LOWER SCHOOL

4

THE CLASS OF 2020

18

MIDDLE SCHOOL

6

SENIOR COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES

20

UPPER SCHOOL

8

COLLEGE BOUND

22

UPPER SCHOOL AWARDS

10

PROFILE OF THE CLASS OF 2020

23 ATHLETICS

11

GRADUATION DAY

27 DEVELOPMENT

15

LEGACY GRADUATES

28 ALUMNI

Hail to the Class of 2020 Unplugged, Disrupted, but Never Defeated My summer message is usually a tribute to the recently graduated class. For the last 13 years, I have been able to easily write such a paeon to our seniors as they leave school and move on. This year, it is a daunting endeavor.

Daunting, not because they are not a fantastic class—they

2018–19 was a challenging year for our school, but

are a wonderful and unique group—but because they have

who knew what would lie ahead in 2020? Their senior

endured so much over the last two years and still, they

year irrevocably disrupted in March, as the rest of the

emerged triumphant and undiminished. They are, indeed,

world’s sense of normalcy and safety evaporated. Just

exalted.

as the Class of 2020 prepared for their senior spring

I clearly remember four years ago, on the day of their Freshman Expedition, I stood before them and tried to make some witty quip about “2020 vision” and how they would “clearly see” their way to the top. I did not get the sense that they were especially inspired, and I came to

activities, everything that made the last few months of school special—games, concerts, the All-School Relay, field placements, celebratory events, and more—was unplugged. Wrenched away was the core of our GCS experience, traditions that focused and centered us.

learn over the years that they were a group not easily

The Class of 2020 did not shirk, despite being forced

impressed. While they indeed exhibited the expected

to adapt to virtual communications, digital learning,

variety of academic, athletic, creative, and leadership

and online events. Collectively, they rose to the challenge,

talents we have come to depend on at GCS, they were

embraced change, exemplified flexibility, and led the way.

yet to display latent qualities that would distinguish

Along with our truly exceptional faculty and staff, the

them under the most challenging circumstances.

Class of 2020 helped make our Digital Dragons initiative notably successful. They had the highest rate of college

We know that there are far more critical challenges facing us and more significant disappointments experienced than the loss of proms, celebrations, and pomp and circumstance.

acceptances at GCS in a decade and managed to share a good sense of joy and determination, despite the challenges they faced.

We know that there are far more critical challenges facing us and more significant disappointments experienced than the loss of proms, celebrations, and pomp and circumstance. Once again, the outcry against systemic injustice, racism, and violence is heard, justly louder than ever. We have perspective. We are citizens of the world. But it is still important to thank the Class of 2020, recognize their singular qualities, and remind them that these memorable months are only a small part of their lives. Indeed, these are months that will remain etched in

Facing page, from top: Greg Ventre and Michael Leavy ’20; Deseree Chacha ’20

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

their memories. They were asked to handle extraordinary

circumstances and triumphed. In the end, their unity, creativity, and energy turned their mobile commencement into a unique graduation festival and parade that will always be remembered.

To the Class of 2020, maybe, in the long run, you had the clearest vision of all.

Congratulations, and remember, YOU ARE ALWAYS DRAGONS! Sincerely,

Greg Ventre HEAD OF SCHOOL

SUMMER 2020

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Congratulations

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

GRADUATION

class of 2020

GRADUATION

Kiran Saini SENIOR COMMENCEMENT SPEECH Good morning! The Class of 2020 would like to extend our

but in our thoughts, beliefs, and interests. Whether you

thanks to family, friends, teachers, staff, and administration.

have been a dragon for 14 years or two, you have made

Without your guidance and support, we would not be here

your individual mark on this community. From Robby’s

today. This moment is special for all of us, and we want

forum jokes to Maddy’s stellar defense on the lacrosse

you to know that we could not have done it without you.

field, we have been present on campus and beyond. We

Before the cross country championship race in my sophomore year, one of our former coaches, Coach Brian Dempsey, gave us some words of wisdom. He told us that our journey was a book, with each race being a different chapter. The ending was not set in stone, giving us the power to write our own ending. We had to embrace the run, and if we put in our all, we could accomplish anything.

We had the power to write the ending we wanted; and he was right. About two hours later we were standing at the finish line with the conference championship trophy.

For the class of 2020, our first book is coming to a close.

This chapter, this year, was unpredictable. We thought the future was clear. 20/20 vision, right? There was nothing that could stop the last lacrosse buzzer, the final school bell, or our last band concert of high school. Or so we thought. But in these past months of uncertainty, we embraced the situation and wrote our way around it. We did not let a pandemic define our ending. From a virtual Cappies Gala to senior sport recognition videos, we made sure that this spring was still a celebration of our past four years. And soon, you’ll pick up the pen and begin to write your next book as we forge new paths in college. Your story is yours alone, and no one else can write it for you.

On the subject of books, the GCS 2006 yearbook, which is the year we started Pre-Kindergarten, has a big question mark on the cover. It reads, “What is a dragon?” The truth is, there are thousands of answers, and 71 of them are sitting in front of you today. The basic definition of a “Dragon” is someone who exhibits kindness, character, and inclusiveness. However, that is merely the foundation— we all exhibit our own unique characteristics. The class of 2020 is so diverse, not only in our genetic makeup,

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

have won Cappies, championships, and scholarships. Most importantly, we accomplished these together. No show was put on alone, and no game was won single-handedly.

We all cringed as we wore the same, traffic cone orange shirts on class cup days and showed our school spirit together at basketball games. We always put on our game faces during Field Day and our classmates performing in the annual musical. And as we have grown over the past four years, we have become closer as a grade. A dragon learns to support his or her fellow dragons. I can proudly say that if I need help with something, I can ask anyone in our grade, and they would do whatever they could to support me. Dragons learn to be community-oriented and do not leave their peers behind. We care for the younger dragons and are willing to learn from the older ones. GCS has molded us to become selfless, caring people. We have learned how to support our community, during this quarantine, and on a global scale. Our school has prepared us to leave the nest and better the world. In times of ambiguity, I hope you remember that this nest is still your home. You can come back and ask for help, and your fellow dragons will jump in without hesitation.

Seniors, today is the celebration of everything we have worked towards. After countless hours put towards your integrative projects and papers, studying for APs, and anxiously waiting for college decisions, you can finally say that you graduated. This year will go down in history books, but your high school story is so much more than that. We have the power to write our own future, and I hope you look forward to what you can and will do with it. Just remember that once a dragon, always a dragon.

Congratulations to the class of 2020!

GRADUATION

Luka Madhok SENIOR COMMENCEMENT SPEECH My name is Luka Madhok, and congratulations to the Class

we took things that were difficult and turned them into

of 2020. We did it! We never have to participate in another

opportunities for growth. Because of our commitment

Integrative seminar again. I know this makes the people in

to be better, we emerged from Western Studies as better

my Integrative section happy because they never have to

writers and able to convey our ideas in an academic

hear the words, “Let me just play Devil’s advocate for

setting. Then we pushed even further and emerged from

a moment,” come out of my mouth again.

the Integrative seminars with an even more important

Sorry for your suffering. Honestly, I think it is just something in my DNA. Ever since I was young, a dark part of me has always felt for the bad guys, and I’ve always tried to understand their side of the story. The good guys were always too perfect and insufferable. I hated the good guys. This went on—you know classic cyclical hatred­—until my dad surprised me with a new comic book series called “The Adventures of Tintin.” For those who don’t know, these books are focused on a young reporter named Tintin and his dog, Snowy. Their supporting cast include: Captain Haddock, an alcoholic who is the epitome

skill. We learned how to communicate effectively, take initiative, and most importantly, listen to everyone’s ideas. We took these moments of adversity and turned them into pathways to express our collective excellence.

Even better, we have supported each other’s excellence.

Whether it was Schiller’s athleticism, Natalie’s leadership, Jeb’s energy, Jamie’s creativity, or the excellence each and every one of us has; we have supported it from day one. We’ve shown up at everything from Evening of the Arts to Championship games because we want to make a collective impact on our school.

of slapstick humor; Professor Calculus, a deaf genius who

Well, Class of 2020, I am proud to say that we have not

blows things up more often than he creates them; and

only made an impact; we’ve left an everlasting memory

the Thompson twins, twin cops who are utterly useless. In

of what it means to be a dragon. Leadership, honesty,

this cast of characters, I finally found heroes who weren’t

perseverance, initiative. We saw things that we wanted to

perfect. They were not perfect, and yet they saved the

change, like Field Day and attendance at basketball games,

day. They each had their fields of excellence: Tintin with his

and we went after them. Those qualities that I mentioned

curiosity, Captain Haddock with his loyalty, Calculus with

earlier don’t only encompass what it means to be a dragon;

his innovation, the Thompsons with their… Actually, I don’t

they are the qualities of heroes. Real-life heroes aren’t

really know what the Thompsons brought to the table. My

perfect. I’d like you to take a moment and think about

point is that they used their individual traits to overcome

the people who you consider to be your heroes. Your

all types of adversity thrown at them.

Now, Class of 2020, we have dealt with an absurd amount of adversity, both together, as a class, and individually, in our everyday lives. From being born in the ashes of 9/11 to being reborn in the solitude of Coronavirus quarantine, we have come out on the other side stronger and with a family bond that only comes from conquering that adversity together. My mom is very fond of the saying, “You can always turn adversity into opportunity.” We have seized that opportunity to show off our excellence every chance that we get. We joke that we always get the short end of the stick, whether it be with the difficulty of

parents, your teachers, or your role models. You don’t consider them heroes because they can’t fly like Superman or manipulate reality like Dr. Strange, but you call them heroes because they overcome their own adversity and go on to support others. That is exactly what we have done. We have turned our adversity into an opportunity to become heroes. So, wherever you go and whatever you do, remember that you are a hero in your own right. Own it, show it off, be the next generation of inspiration that our world sorely needs. I mean, we’ve gotten through high school. If we can conquer that, we can conquer anything.

Congratulations again, and I love you all.

Western Studies or increased seminars in Integrative. Still,

SUMMER 2020

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GRADUATION

ces

ptan e c c A e g 0 Colle 2 0 2 f o Class Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences American University Appalachian State University

8

Eckerd College Elon University Emmanuel College

Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences McDaniel College Mercer University

Arcadia University

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Art Center College of Design

Florida Gulf Coast University

Michigan State University

Auburn University

Florida Southern College

Middlebury College

Baylor University

Fordham University

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

Belmont University

Frostburg State University

Montana State University

Boston Architectural College

George Mason University

Mount St Mary’s University

Boston College

George Washington University

New York University

Boston University

Georgetown University

North Carolina State University

Brandeis University

Georgia Institute of Technology

Northeastern University

Bucknell University

Gettysburg College

Northumbria University

California College of the Arts

Goucher College

Northwestern University

California Polytechnic State University

Hampden-Sydney College

Nova Southeastern University

Carnegie Mellon University

Hampton University

Ohio University (Main Campus)

Catholic University of America

High Point University

Oregon State University

Cedar Crest College

Hofstra University

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Hood College

Parsons School of Design at The New School

Clarkson University

Indiana University Bloomington

Clemson University

Ithaca College

College for Creative Studies

Jacksonville University

Pennsylvania State University (Main Campus)

College of Charleston

James Madison University

Portland State University

Colorado State University

Kentucky State University

Pratt Institute (Main Campus)

Columbia University

Lafayette College

Purdue University (Main Campus)

Coppin State University

Lehigh University

Randolph-Macon College

CUNY Queens College

Loyola University Maryland

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

DePaul University

Lynn University

Ringling College of Art and Design

Dickinson College

Maryland Institute College of Art

Roanoke College

Drew University

Marymount University

Robert Morris University

Drexel University

Massachusetts College of Art and Design

Rochester Institute of Technology

SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

Miami University Ohio

Paul Smiths College of Arts and Science

GRADUATION

Rowan University

University of Tennessee

Rutgers University—New Brunswick

The University of Texas at Austin

Salisbury University

Towson University

Samford University

Tufts University

Savannah College of Art and Design

University of Alabama at Birmingham

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

University of Bedfordshire

School of Visual Arts

University of California Irvine

University of Pittsburgh University of Rhode Island

Seattle Pacific University

University of California Los Angeles

University of Richmond

Seton Hall University

University of California Merced

University of Rochester

Sewanee: The University of the South

University of California Riverside

University of South Carolina

Shenandoah University

University of California San Diego

Shepherd University

University of California Santa Barbara

University of South Florida University of the Sciences

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

University of California Santa Cruz

Southampton Solent University Southern California Institute of Architecture St John’s University St Mary’s College of Maryland St. Louis College of Pharmacy St. Olaf College Stetson University Stevenson University Stony Brook University SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry SUNY University at Buffalo Susquehanna University Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University The Ohio State University University of Tampa

University of Colorado Colorado Springs

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Florida University of Oregon

University of Valley Forge University of Vermont University of Virginia

University of Colorado Boulder

University of Washington

University of Connecticut

Vanderbilt University

University of Delaware

Villanova University

University of Florida

Virginia Commonwealth University

University of Kentucky

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

University of Lynchburg University of Maine at Presque Isle University of Mary Washington University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Wake Forest University Washington College West Virginia University Western Carolina University

University of Maryland, College Park

Widener University

University of Massachusetts Amherst

York College Pennsylvania

University of Miami University of Mississippi University of New Hampshire University of North Carolina at Asheville

GLENELG COUNTRY SCHOOL

366

TOTAL COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES

71

51

STUDENTS

COLLEGES RECEIVING DRAGONS

22

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY MEMBERS

11

CUM LAUDE SOCIETY INDUCTEES

9

FUTURE NCAA STUDENT-ATHLETES

14 LIFERS

4

SCHOLARS

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

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LEGACY GRADUATES

Clockwise from top left, all students listed are Class of 2020: Jasmine Yoltay; Luka Madhok and family; Upper School Chinese teacher Hong Ding; Jordan Brathwaite and Greg Ventre; Neal Fyock Page 12, clockwise from top left: Alexandra Rusyniak; Samantha Wollman; Leah Hinners and family; Noah Charles; Mrs. Dolan, Ms. Edwards, and Mrs. Brody; Melissa Jacob Page 13: The GCS Dragon with faculty and staff; Ariana Boyd and family Page 14, clockwise from top left: Kaleb Graham; Sydney St. Cyr; Bagpiper Frances Wallace; Kennedy Williamson and Samantha Wollman; Grace Pacylowski Page 15, from top: Lindsey Bartlett; Ariel Edinbugh; Yiwen Wu

SUMMER 2020

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SUMMER 2020

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

GRADUATION

Legacy Graduates This year, Glenelg Country School recognized its first two legacy graduates. Kiran Saini ’20 is the daughter of Shelley and Ty Saini ’89. Her father Ty is a former Board of Trustees chair and a member of the first Upper School graduating class in 1989. That class consisted of just ten seniors, a far cry from this year’s class of 71 graduates. Kiran will attend the University of Richmond. Thomas Demers ’20 is also a legacy graduate. His mother, Laura Rushe Demers ’85, attended GCS through Grade 8. Thomas will attend Loyola University Maryland. Congrats to all!

“As a Glenelg Country School alumna, I beam with pride when I reflect back on Thomas’ years at such an amazing school.

My greatest memories were watching him participate in many of the same traditions I participated in during my years at GCS. Being able to share those same memories of playing on the teardrop, Colonial Day, the eighth grade Williamsburg trip, and even having some of the same wonderful teachers as I did is a bond that will forever connect us.” —Laura Rushe Demers ’85

Ty Saini ’89 and Kiran Saini ’20

Laura Rushe Demers ’85 and Thomas Demers ’20

SUMMER 2020

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LOWER SCHOOL

IN THE LOWER SCHOOL

By Anne Wooleyhand HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

In February, news of COVID-19 started to become a reality at GCS. Consideration of whether to cancel special events was the main topic of discussion. Never in our wildest dreams did anyone anticipate a quarantine sending the world of education into unchartered territory.

The week before spring break, faculty learned that they

While there is no way to replicate live teaching on the

would be taking their craft online. An intense training took

beautiful GCS campus, Lower School faculty and staff did a

place the day before spring break, and many teachers

great job providing students with a meaningful educational

worked through the break to start classes upon their

experience, and connections between students that are

return. Not a day of school was missed. Faculty did a

the foundation of lifelong relationships. The Lower School

fantastic job getting lessons up and running for the

community is strong and resilient.

students. They maintained a meaningful program for all students for the entire spring.

WE ARE ALL DRAGONS!

In the beginning, Lower School students learned a regular curriculum online and learned different technology tools and platforms. As the days went on, everyone learned to navigate Zoom, Microsoft Teams, the GCS portal, and various apps. Teachers made videos, created classroom tools in their homes, and connected with students in ways they never imagined. Students saw their teachers in a completely different light, as they met teachers’ pets and children.

The best thing about Digital Dragons is that children saw their teachers as learners as well. Establishing appropriate expectations and etiquette for online learning while providing engaging and entertaining lessons was the goal of all teachers. Sustaining our treasured community was a top priority. Lunch bunches, dance parties, trivia, Earth Day, art shows, international week, field day, and so many other events we hold dear have all been part of our Digital Dragons program.

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

Below: Camilla Evering ’29 Facing page, clockwise from top left: Calvin George ’29; Emily Kang ’31; Cydney To ’28

LOWER SCHOOL

SUMMER 2020

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL

By Kevin Boland HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

This spring, the Middle School was presented with unexpected challenges due to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. In the weeks leading up to the closure, we saw what was happening on the West Coast and began planning for a potential shutdown.

This meant meeting with the leaders at the other schools, conducting research, meeting with faculty, and reaching out to other educators. When Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced state-wide school closures, our virtual learning plan was already in place, and students had taken all their belongings for spring break. We used the day before our break for faculty training and reviewed our extended closure protocol with the faculty. At the time, we anticipated a closure of between two weeks to a month. Our objectives for that time was to maintain a sense of normalcy for students and mitigate academic backsliding. Faculty worked through spring break to overhaul course pages and prepare for launch.

We soon realized that our distance learning might go longer than initially anticipated. We learned much about how students dealt with the loss of routine, normalcy, seeing friends, sports, and school activities. Teachers navigated that loss and made small changes from week to week as we became familiar with our students’ needs. While live instruction is vital for teacher/student engagement, we saw the benefits of a balance between synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Having unique, teacher-created content needed to be a priority.

This page: Nikhil Krishna ‘27 Facing page, clockwise from left: Riley Easter-Kenner ’27; Bryce Fox ’25; Ella Madhok ’26

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

In the summer, teachers will receive additional professional development in distance learning techniques.

Our Academic Technology Integration committee continues to meet weekly to identify the best practices to streamline content delivery and identify further professional development opportunities.

our Specials classes into the program.

If health department guidelines allow us to return to school in person, and we feel it is safe for our students, we will move in that direction. Discussions are underway as to how and when this would take place, but again, we want to make sure it is the right decision. If for some reason

Moving into the fall, our plan for Digital Dragons will

a student could not return they would have access to

improve upon the approaches that worked for our students

our distance learning program and return at a time they

this spring. We will have a set schedule to enable teachers

felt appropriate.

to see students more frequently with a clear schedule.

Upon return to our pre-pandemic school routine, many of the methods that benefitted our students will continue.

We will look for opportunities to meaningfully incorporate advisory meetings, full middle school meetings, and enrichment into our weekly schedule while incorporating

We are proud of our students, faculty, staff, and families in making the best of a never-before-seen situation this past spring. We are confident that every Dragon will put their best foot forward come fall.

WE ARE LUCKY TO BE DRAGONS!

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UPPER SCHOOL

IN THE UPPER SCHOOL

By Brandon Neblett HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

This spring launched one of the biggest challenges any of us will face in our career: teaching students confined at home during a pandemic.

It was a daunting experience filled with unanticipated obstacles, yet it was also a revealing opportunity. And in classic GCS spirit, our faculty adapted quickly and

CREATING THE DIGITAL DRAGONS EXPERIENCE

impressively, constructing a digital framework to deliver

In preparing for Digital Dragons—a process coalesced

a GCS education almost overnight.

the week before Spring Break—we had to strike a delicate

The Digital Dragon experience demonstrated our agility, creativity, and holistic awareness of adolescent needs in the Upper School. Learning in our virtual classrooms provided a sense of normalcy. Latin students deciphered verbs, and algebra students solved equations. Biology students prepared for the AP exam as all students continued sharing quirky anecdotes about family and friends in advisory.

Other things were very different. Art students staged interpretive representations of iconic masterpieces in their own homes, while advisory groups watched a video of Athletic Trainer, Joey Sierzega, pumping iron in his living room. Engineering students explained their work to a panel of local experts, and seniors defended their Integrative papers digitally.

For Upper School students, the pandemic was something of a “Twilight Zone” experience: very recognizable in some ways, yet quite bizarre in others. Tellingly, the most frustrating part was the inability to interact with students in person. While our students completed the academic year, the lack of daily face-to-face contact left us with a lingering lack of dissatisfaction, though we know we

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adapted well. We are eager to see our students again!

SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

balance between structure and flexibility. We knew the most essential element of success in shifting to remote learning would be student engagement. We had to keep our students mentally and emotionally present every day. An academic experience lacking person-to-person contact in hallways, classrooms, and Forum meant ensuring students had a sense of control and empowerment in their education.

Student engagement was even more difficult given that we knew every family would face distinct physical, emotional, and logistical challenges in the months ahead.

Students had to have the freedom to attend to family needs and work within constraints while attending to their academic work. With these factors in mind, we landed on three key determinants of our weekly schedule.

First, we required advisor check-ins each Monday morning and focused the rest of the day on setting expectations and getting an overview of the week’s work in each class.

Next, we created a rotation of classes Tuesdays through Fridays. We emphasized a constructive balance between asynchronous work (completed by the student on their own) and synchronous meetings (connecting with others directly via Microsoft Teams or Zoom). Finally, and perhaps

UPPER SCHOOL

most importantly, we capped the total number of weekly

welcome and effective transition into the community is

academic time teachers required for each class and

critical for their success and sense of belonging. How will

allowed all students to submit the week’s assignments

we accomplish these things virtually?

by Friday afternoon without a late penalty.

First and foremost, we have built mechanisms to

The results were reliable. We avoided shifting to a new

preserve the smiles, laughter, and mentorship that forge

schedule many schools made after either duplicating

relationships at the core of the Upper School experience.

their on-campus program, placing too much emphasis on

We have crafted a new schedule that builds on the spring

synchronous meetings, or both. At the end of the school

schedule’s success while incorporating more opportunities

year, almost everyone—students, teachers, and parents—

to connect students to each other and their teachers

were ready for summer. At the same time, the vast majority

outside of class.

of our students consistently attended class and advisory, completed their academic work, and finished the year with solid results. The plan worked.

FORECASTING THE FALL Looking ahead to September, there is much to do. We will launch our Digital Dragons program with a plan to safely

We must also effectively recreate some of the essential Upper School traditions, such as Forum and Enrichment.

Finally, we continue to examine new models for assignments, assessments, and evaluations and develop new professional development opportunities to enhance the digital academic experience. For our faculty

welcome students back to campus. The initial weeks of

Spring presented an opportunity for extraordinary growth.

the school year are especially powerful time culturally.

I look forward to implementing what we have learned

We set the expectations, priorities, and tone that will

and incorporating it into our future GCS experiences with

determine the success of much of the year ahead. It is

students, whether remote or on campus. Whatever lies

also an essential part of the year for new students, whose

ahead of us, we will be ready.

From left: Jamie Jobson ’20; Nicole Diaz-Mackey ’20; Elizabeth “Ellie” Oyebode ’22

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UPPER SCHOOL

Upper School Awards ALWAYS A DRAGON AWARD (ALUMNI AWARD)

CHAPMAN DISTINCTION IN HISTORY AWARD

FACULTY PRIZE

Michaela McAleer

Maosen Tang

Natalie Good

SPECIAL COMMENDATION FOR DISTINCTION BIOLOGY (CAROLYN BUSINESS & CRADLER AWARD) ECONOMICS CHEMISTRY

CHINESE

Julianna Dibert

Tyler Yost

Tyler Yost

Faythe Cooper

HUMANITARIAN SERVICE AWARD

THE JANI FAMILY SERVICE AWARD

FRENCH

HUMANITIES

HUMANITIES

LATIN

Faythe Cooper

Richard Seipel

Nikki Diaz-Mackey Kaitlyn Bartlett

Kenai BurtonHeckman

Melissa Jacob

Kiran Saini

Imroze Singh

LAURIE AGUERA-ARCAS AESTHETIC APPRECIATION

NATIONAL MERIT FINALIST & RECIPIENT OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

MATH

PHYSICS

SPANISH

TECHNOLOGY

Isabelle DeBonis

Natalie Good

Kaitlyn Bartlett

Kenai BurtonHeckman

Michael Leavy

Arthur (Robby) Robinson

MARYLAND STATE MERIT SCHOLASTIC AWARD

SPECIAL COMMENDATION FOR DISTINCTION IN THE PERFORMING ARTS MARGARET WESLEY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC MUSIC AWARD THEATER

Ariana Boyd

Julianna Dibert

Michael Leavy

MOXLEY SCHOLAR ATHLETE

Neal Fyock

Ariana Boyd

Isabelle DeBonis

THEATER TECHNICAL DESIGN

VOCAL MUSIC

Alexandra Rusyniak

Luka Madhok

Sophia Sowell

Natalie Good

NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP LETTER OF COMMENDATION

SPECIAL COMMENDATION FOR DISTINCTION IN THE VISUAL ART PHOTOGRAPHY SCULPTURE STUDIO ART Kenai Burton-Heckman

Leah Hinners

Tyler Yost

SEAL OF BILITERACY

Kennedy Williamson

Cian Hennessy

TIMOTHY C. CALLARD INTEGRAL AWARENESS Kaitlyn Bartlett

Ariana Boyd

Kenai Burton-Heckman

Faythe Cooper

Marina Costa

Nikki Diaz-Mackey

Kenai Burton-Heckman

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

Holden Parker

ATHLETICS

STUDENT ATHLETES Class of 2020 student-athletes who have committed

Matt Palmisano

to play college athletics next year.

FLORIDA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

The Athletic department recognizes the following

DIVISION II MEN’S LACROSSE

Noah Charles

Jarod Robinson

CHESTNUT HILL COLLEGE

SHEPHERD UNIVERSITY

DIVISION II MEN’S BASKETBALL

DIVISION II MEN’S BASKETBALL

Thomas Demers

Jacob Schiller

LOYOLA UNIVERSITY MARYLAND

HOOD COLLEGE

DIVISION I MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

DIVISION III MEN’S SOCCER

Brayden Franey

Madison Sesay

ELIZABETHTOWN COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

DIVISION III MEN’S LACROSSE

DIVISION I WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Ben Fuhrman

Kennedy Williamson

RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK

DIVISION III MEN’S LACROSSE

DIVISION I WOMEN’S LACROSSE

SUMMER 2020

23

ATHLETICS

Winter Sports Review VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL The girls’ basketball season saw five new newcomers to the team. What the new freshmen lacked in experience, they made up for with grit, determination, and energy. With a tough out-of-conference schedule, the team rallied around its junior captains, Caroline Haynes ’21 and Ashlyn Bender ’21, for a winning season. The Dragons finished 12-11 overall. After winter break, the team went on a tear of impressive wins to enter the playoffs. The team finished 7-4 in the conference with a first-round playoff bye but suffered a heartbreaking loss in the quarterfinals to Maryvale Prep. Bender was voted onto the IAAM All-Conference team. With no graduating seniors, the Dragons look to return their full roster and make a championship run in the 20–21 season.

Cydney Lisk ’22

JV GIRLS BASKETBALL The beginning of the 2019 season posed many questions. Will there be a JV? Do we have enough players? How long can we play with eight players? The Dragons began with seven players on the roster and gained another who returned from injury in December. The small team played with heart, energy, and grit. Sophomore captains Josie Pell ’22 and Stephanie Marszal ’22 led the team by example. Everyone played a significant role on gameday, trying different positions, and committing to doing what is best for the team. The team’s leading scorers were Ashley Dyer ’23 (103 points), Cate O’Ferrall ’23 (112 points), and Anna Regan ’23 (120 points). Regan led the team in points and rebounds and was promoted to the Varsity team in January. The JV team ended an incredible and memorable season with a record of 11-4.

Cate O’Ferrall ’23

ICE HOCKEY The ice hockey season started with a big blow when the team lost its only goalie. If not for Drew Roth ’23 —who had never before played hockey—stepping up to the challenge of playing in net, the season might have been canceled. Roth stepped in and did a great job! Thomas Demers ’20 led the team along with Jackson Pacylowski ’23, brothers Austin Ridgely ’23 and Peyton Ridgely ’22, and Brian Teske ’21. The team was able to secure its first-ever varsity playoff appearance, but we fell short in the semifinals against eventual champions Gilman. Named to the MIAA All-Conference team were Teske and the Ridgely Ryan Fagan ’22

brothers. The team looks forward to building on this season’s success.

WRESTLING The Dragons fought hard all year through a season of adversity and peaked at the right moment to find success in the post-season. The team entered the season laser-focused on qualifying for nationals. Team members knew that to accomplish this, they had to train harder than anyone.

Jylah Bah ’21 and Micah Gonzalez ’20 qualified nationally, but it took a team effort to get them there. With two national qualifiers, the Dragons tied with Severn for most national qualifiers in the B-Conference. Bah was also named to the MIAA All-Conference team. The wrestling team

Thomas Demers ’20

has a strong foundation for success in years to come.

Justin Bell ’22

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

ATHLETICS

BOYS INDOOR TRACK The boys’ indoor track and field team had a banner season. The team set eight school records this season. At the MIAA A-Conference championship meet, the 4x800 relay team of Rohit Saha ’21, Jack Roth ’22, Jimmie Ward III ’22, and Thomas Demers ’20 placed third, earning a spot on the podium or the first time in school history and setting a school record in the process. Other school records set this season included Roth in the 500-meter run; Demers in the 1600-meter and 3200-meter races; Saha in the 800-meter run; Dyllon Ravenell ’21 in the shot put; Roth, Ward, Emile Ntiege ’22, and Alex Farquhar ’22 in the 4x200-meter relay; and Roth, Saha, Demers, and Farquhar in the 4x400-meter relay.

Rohit Saha ’21

GIRLS INDOOR TRACK The varsity girls’ indoor track and field team competed in the A-Conference for the first time in school history. The team took on the challenge with a great attitude and reached many individual and team goals throughout the season. Erin Jacobs ’21 earned individual points at the championship meet, with an eighth-place finish in the 1600-meter relay.

Congratulations to the whole team on a great season!

Joan Morningstar ’22

VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL For the second year in a row, the team qualified for the playoffs and tied the school record in A-Conference league wins. The team finished the season with a 14-14 overall record, going 10-8 in the conference.

The Dragons finished 9-2 at home in front of a boisterous GCS student section. An impressive road win against the WCAC’s Bishop O’Connell and buzzer-beater wins against Seton Hall Prep (NJ), and Spalding brought a great deal of excitement to campus. Routinely suiting up only seven players due to injuries, the team ran out of gas at the end. All-Conference team selections included senior Jordan Brathwaite ’20 and sophomore Noah Batchelor ’22. Sadly, the Dragons must say goodbye to a wonderful group of seniors, including two-year starters Brathwaite and Igor Yoka-Bratasz ’20, along with three-year starters Noah Charles ’20 and Jarod Robinson ’20. The Dragons will have a young squad next year as Batchelor, Cole Paar ’21, and Garvin Sween ’22 return. Key additions from the JV team include Jaden French ’23, Kamal Francis ’23, and Riley Reese ’22.

Noah Charles ’20

JV BOYS BASKETBALL The JV basketball team played their first MIAA A conference schedule in three years.

The team finished with an overall record of 10-13 and a conference record of 10-9. The 10-9 record earned the team second place in the Black Division and qualifying for their first-ever playoff appearance in the MIAA A-Conference. Although the team lost to Mount St. Joseph in the playoffs by 11 points, the season was one to make every Dragon proud. Sophomore captain Riley Reese ’22, who was the spirit of the team, led the team in every practice and game. Freshmen Kamal Francis ’23 and Jaden French ’23 led the team in scoring and will be a dynamic duo for the Dragons for years to come.

Every player on the 18-member roster was instrumental in the team’s success.

Lawrence Lewis III ’23

SUMMER 2020

25

ATHLETICS

2020 Athletic Awards The Athletic department’s GOLD DRAGON AWARD is awarded to any senior that plays on a varsity team for three seasons per year for four years. Congratulations to the student-athletes below recognized as Gold Dragons.

Thomas Demers Micah Gonzalez Jonathan Meitzler

The DRAGON AWARD is voted by the team and is the player that most exemplifies: Leadership through example and consistently demonstrates good sportsmanship.

Positive influence on his or her teammates throughout the season.

DRAGON AWARD FALL SPORT RECIPIENTS Robbie Robinson ’20 VARSITY GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY: Erin Jacobs ’21 VARSITY FIELD HOCKEY: Samantha Wollman ’20 VARSITY BOYS SOCCER: Jacob Schiller ’20 VARSITY GIRLS SOCCER: Grace Pacylowski ’20 VARSITY GIRLS TENNIS: Jasmine Yoltay ’20 VARSITY VOLLEYBALL: Sydni Williams ’20

VARSITY BOYS CROSS COUNTRY:

DRAGON AWARD WINTER SPORT RECIPIENTS Jarod Robinson ’20 VARSITY GIRLS BASKETBALL: Ashlyn Bender ’21 VARSITY ICE HOCKEY: Ryan Fagan ’22 VARSITY BOYS INDOOR TRACK: Thomas Demers ’20 VARSITY GIRLS INDOOR TRACK: Erin Jacobs ’21 VARSITY WRESTLING: Micah Gonzalez ’20 VARSITY BOYS BASKETBALL:

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

Annual Fund The 2020–21 Annual Fund began on July 1.

Give today at glenelg.org/donate.

THE RETURN OF

DragonLove FEBRUARY CHALLENGE

Over $42,000 raised in 29 days! #DragonLove returned to GCS in February with our second annual February Challenge for the Annual Fund. This year, a group of parents who are also alumni, joined forces to provide $15,000 in matching funds. With those funds, the Dragon community raised over $42,000 in 29 days!

PHONATHON For the third year, college-age Dragon alumni heard from current Upper School students during the annual phonathon. Michaela McAleer ’20 and a group of students called, texted, and emailed alumni from the Classes of 2016-2019 to remind them to make their Annual Fund gifts. This year, the February Challenge was an additional enticement. McAleer organized the phonation as part of her Global Scholars project focusing on entrepreneurship, with the support from Chris Shematek ’98, chair of the business and economics department.

IT WAS A FANTASTIC SHOW OF DRAGONLOVE!

2020

From left: Greg Ventre; Past and present dragon mascots

The third annual Dragons Give Green day Wednesday,

The entire Dragon community was invited to give to the

May 20, was a bit different. Still, the Dragon community

Annual Fund in support of their team. The Glens ruled

came together beautifully in support of GCS. We weren’t

the day with $4,182 raised to the Elgs’ $2,995. Way to

able to hold the traditional All-School Relay. Still, the

go, Glens! Thanks to the generosity of the GCS Board of

school’s Facebook page was active throughout the day

Trustees, every gift was matched dollar for dollar with

with virtual Field Day videos, Zoom interviews with alumni

25% of each donation directed to a special Dragons Care

and faculty members, the return of the Green Dragon,

Fund for Dragons directly affected by the COVID-19

and a Glens versus Elgs competition based on giving!

pandemic and in need of material support.

THANK YOU TO EVERY DRAGON WHO MADE A GIFT. WITH MATCHING FUNDS, WE RAISED OVER $17,000. GO DRAGONS!

SUMMER 2020

27

ALUMNI

Aaron Tolentino ’03 Alumni Coordinator

Year in Review Dear Alumni, I remember when I was a GCS student, the fall was always

entire GCS community. The education that we were all

an exciting time because I knew that the next year was

accustomed to and benefitted from was forced to continue

always going to be bigger and better. Entering my second

online, and our beloved faculty members rose to the

year as your Alumni Coordinator, I still felt the same way.

occasion. They spent the final three months of the year

Even though the second half of the year did not go as

navigating through uncertainty to ensure that our current

planned, I am coming into the summer extremely proud

Dragons continued to receive an education that will

to be a Dragon.

prepare them for the future.

The year started with our second annual Legacy Breakfast,

We had the opportunity to witness how many of our

which thanked alumni for allowing their children to learn

Dragon alumni have chosen to put the well-being of others

and grow in the same environment as their parents. The

before their own as they went to work each day as first

excitement around campus continued with the first ever

responders, nurses, and in other fields that were deemed

Homecoming Festival to celebrate the 65th Anniversary

essential. The inability to gather in person did not stop our

of GCS. This day consisted of a pancake breakfast and

community from supporting GCS on Dragons Give Green

an incredible and thrilling homecoming soccer game,

Day, where we virtually raised money for the Annual Fund

followed by live music, carnival games, and food trucks

and a new Dragons Care Fund that will allow us to help

enjoyed by all. Thanks to the hard work of our faculty,

people in our community who are facing difficult times

alumni, and current dragons, we created a tradition that

due to the pandemic.

we will enjoy every year.

The next few months were filled our traditional events:

The final months of the year were anything but normal.

However,it still brings me great joy to welcome the

Alumni Holiday Cheer, Cracker Barrel, Alumni Hockey,

class of 2020 to the Dragon alumni family. The entire

and Alumni Basketball Night. GCS then took to the road

alumni community is saddened that you were not able to

to Washington D.C. to Rock the Red and cheer on the

experience the same traditions as previous classes, but

Washington Capitals.

your resilience and ability to adapt to the unknown will

Even though I know we would have all loved for the excitement to continue for our spring events, the COVID-19

ensure that you will find nothing but success in your future.

ALWAYS A DRAGON!

pandemic allowed us to see the true strength of the

GCS Alumni Cheer on the Washington Capitals GCS took to the road on February 25 to Rock the Red and cheer on the Washington Capitals as they faced the Winnipeg Jets. Over 30 alumni and faculty gathered in the Capital Center for great tasting Rockland BBQ and refreshments. The group mingled and enjoyed a 3-2 Capitals shootout win. Be on the lookout for the next stop!

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SPIRIT OF THE DRAGON

SUMMER 2020

30

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID MVPrint

12793 Folly Quarter Road Ellicott City, MD 21042

Welcome RECENT GRADUATE! YOU ARE NOW A MEMBER OF THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION. Rey Robinson ’19, Stephen Robinson ’23, Arthur Robinson ’20, and family.

Help us

STAY CONNECTED. Become a class representative.

For more information, contact Aaron Tolentino at atolentino@glenelg.org or 410.531.8609.

Class of 2020 Legacy Gift Effort Although the Class of 2020 wasn’t able to have the traditional GCS senior experience, they continued the tradition of raising funds for a class Legacy Gift. Along with their parents and grandparents, seniors chose to continue improving the Dragon Commons patio outside the Upper School Forum, raising over $20,000 for the next phase of the project. Work on the space will continue during the coming school year, and the class and their efforts will be recognized with a plaque displayed on the brick seating wall. Thank you to Parent Committee members Patty and Jim Arnold; Tom and Laura Rushe Demers ’89; Holly and Jason Graham; Luzi and Tiger Robinson; and Shelly and Ty Saini ’89 for their efforts, as well as all of the seniors, parents, and families who participated.

glenelg.org/alumnievents