McDonogh Magazine Winter 2021

c M DONOGH M AG A Z I N E WINTER 2021

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Head of School Message 2 Opportunities for Outside Learning Abound on McDonogh’s Campus 4-13 Circling the Hill 14-22 Student Voices 23 Arts 24-25 Athletics 26-27 Scholarship 28 Our Proud Past 29-31 Alumni News/Class Notes 32-48 Nina C. Sinnott, Editor nsinnott@mcdonogh.org 443.544.7035 Meredith F. Bower, Managing Editor Heather N. McPeters, Creative Director Beth Sauer Hopkins ’02, Alumni Editor Michele Little, Alumni Editor Danielle Schollaert, Alumni Editor Photography: Meredith Bower, Bill Denison ’71, Leslie Finkelstein, Sharon Hood, Jen Little, McDonogh Archives, Heather McPeters, Dave Radford, Danielle Schollaert, and Nina Sinnott Cover photo: Dave Radford Proofreaders: Laura Brown, Christine Krause, and Jen Little Design: Sherry McAllister, McAllister Design Printing: Ironmark

McDonogh Magazine is published twice a year for alumni, parents, and friends of the school, and is printed on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper. FSC certification ensures that the paper used in this magazine contains fiber from well-managed and responsibly harvested forests that meet strict environmental and socioeconomic standards. Correction: In the Summer 2020 issue of McDonogh Magazine, the term “Spanish Influenza” was mistakenly used to describe the flu epidemic of 1918. A correction was made to the story, and the caption beside an image of an article that appeared in a 1918 issue of The Week was edited to reflect our understanding that the term is both incorrect and obsolete. On the cover: Front to back: Second graders Kaylee X., Jack G., Meyer S., Zabeenah S., and Zakariyah Z.on an adventure with Lower School science teacher Craig Whiteford in Doyle’s Woods.

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McDonogh School is a time-tested institution of nearly 150 years that has and will continue to learn from and grow through difficulty.

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From the Board of Trustees 1

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES Today, our nation is facing unique threats that provoke passionate responses from us all. The health consequences of the coronavirus, economic instability, and social unrest affect us, and our families, deeply and personally. But when do passion and conviction become judgment and an unwillingness to listen to those unlike us? In Lincoln’s words, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” So, how do we, the McDonogh Family,

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Robert L. Young III ’86 President Michael W. Cummings Vice President

come together to do “the greatest possible amount of good” when our own health and well-being, means of income, and beliefs are threatened? While we are not immune to the global forces beyond our 800 acres, McDonogh School is a time-tested institution of nearly 150 years that has and will continue to learn from and grow through difficulty.

Stanley J. Kraska, Jr. ’78 Treasurer H. Stacey Boyer ’76 Secretary

Since we know history has a tendency to repeat itself, what can our past teach us as it relates to these challenges?

Edward S. Ahn, M.D. ’92 Robert A. Bavar ’90

In 1926, Louis “Doc” Lamborn took the helm of a financially strapped, working farm

Robert W. Black III ’80

school with an enrollment of 100 boys and seven faculty and staff. Under his steady and

Steven K. Breeden ’76

focused leadership, the School weathered a world war, the Great Depression, and a

Donald B. Christian

devastating fire. Upon his retirement in 1952, he was credited with growing the

Leigh Ann Curl, M.D.

enrollment to well over 700 students, increasing faculty and staff to more than 100,

Irvin DeAndrei Drummond ’92

creating the Lower School, admitting the first day students, and doubling the

Brandon M. Etheridge ’03

endowment. As a timely reference, before becoming a McDonogh luminary, Doc, as a

Michael S. Fader ’07

newly minted Captain in the Army, was selected to command a special detail of almost

Michael L. Falcone ’79

800 men to care for his camp’s sick during the height of the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Kristin F. Finkelstein ’03

This type of character, empathy, grit, and innovation reminds us of the capacity to “do

Ronnie Footlick

good” by being committed to others and causes greater than ourselves. Those lessons

Michael I. Greenebaum

and that spirit validate and inspire our LifeReady curriculum. Our students, steeped in

Janet M. Herbert ’83

the liberal arts, pursue transformative experiences where they can apply their

Brett Ingerman ’87

knowledge to create and innovate, collaborate with others to achieve understanding,

Josh Jones-Dilworth ’98

and build the kind of self-awareness and self-regulation to succeed and lead. In today’s

Hallie D. Label

terms, LifeReady learning creates the kind of people who can spot disruption, engage

John A. Luetkemeyer, Jr.

division, and think creatively for the good of our world.

Steven S. Oh ’86 Callie J. Rahman

Our predecessors were sometimes less fortunate, but no less capable. They were

Patricia B. Raksin, M.D. ’88

unafraid of the work required to change the course of their lives while facing the

Shawn W. Robinson, M.D. ’79

cultural, economic, or social obstacles of their day. That history continues to repeat

Henry A. Rosenberg, Jr. ’48

itself by creating opportunities for us to do meaningful work. And although it may be

David D. Rothschild ’82

difficult, I am optimistic that 100 years from now, history will judge us favorably for

Richard Silberstein ’77

learning and growing in ways that will distinguish McDonogh for generations to come.

Taymour Tamaddon Steven Wolchinsky, D.V.M. Samuel H. Wright ’64

Robert L. Young III ’86 President, Board of Trustees

Headmaster Emeritus Louis E. Lamborn* *deceased

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HEAD OF SCHOOL MESSAGE When I was a younger administrator working on McDonogh’s Becoming Our Best Campaign in the early 2000s, we used the phrase “There’s no place like McDonogh” as our tagline. I distinctly remember the campaign meeting when the phrase was one of many suggested. Everyone in the room immediately gravitated toward it because the words so authentically described our collective feelings about and our belief in McDonogh as a school community. I bet you feel the same way. I bet you also remember the first time you drove up the main drive, taking in the beautiful and majestic views of our campus. I know I do. It was an early Saturday morning in 1981, back when the School used to offer separate scholarship entrance tests for students in need of financial aid. I was 12 years old and grumpy about my parents forcing me to take a test on a weekend for a school I had never heard of. The drive up Shell Road shook me out of my funk and immediately broadened my outlook and sense of wonder and possibility. Since that fateful day, I’ve always instinctively known that there is no place like McDonogh. Our feature story in this edition of McDonogh Magazine (see page 4) highlights our spectacular campus, our “800 acres of opportunity.” While we have always woven the campus into our academic experience (I’m remembering my biology plot lab with fellow classmate Al Olson by the old duck pond as part of my Upper School biology class taught by Mr. Smoot ’77), we have been much more intentional about incorporating it into our LifeReady curriculum over the past 10 years. The pandemic has accelerated this trend and underscored the extraordinary value of our campus for deep and experiential learning. I’m proud of our teachers for leading and embracing outdoor learning in all three divisions; from Lower School science teacher Craig Whiteford’s use of Doyle’s Woods for our second grade study of healthy ecosystems, to the lesson led by Middle School science teacher Kirk Robertson ’98 on tapping campus maple trees for syrup, to Roots Farm Director Sharon Hood (aka Farmer Hood) and Chef Mallory Staley teaching all levels of students the essentials of the farm to fork process. My common refrain as I watch all of our teachers and students in action is “I wish I could be a McDonogh student all over again!” Of course, when the school goes quiet (a rare pre-COVID occurrence but one experienced more often during the pandemic) the campus transforms into 800 acres of peace and tranquility. As I walk the grounds and trails with my dogs, I slow down, breathe deeply, and like so many of you, I take in the beauty of the land and offer a silent prayer of gratitude for our school community. Truly, “there’s no place like McDonogh.”

David J. Farace ’87 Head of School

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTDOOR LEARNING

ON MCDONOGH’S CAMPUS BY MEREDITH BOWER

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n a warm November afternoon, a merry band of second graders can be seen skipping across Lamborn Road, rounding the stormwater pond, and disappearing into Doyle’s Woods—a world away from their classroom. The crunching of toasty brown leaves as they tromp along a trail marked by sticks and logs muffles the chatter of the curious group who loosely follow their leader, Lower School science teacher Craig Whiteford.

In a year when schools are challenged to find innovative ways for students to be outside as much as possible, utilizing McDonogh’s campus is second nature for a number of teachers. Pandemic or not, Whiteford believes there is no healthier place for children to be than outside. And as far as he is concerned, there is no better campus than McDonogh. “No other school has 800 acres. The opportunities we have here to teach in a creative way are endless if you are willing to go outside. It’s different, meaningful, simple, and accessible,”

“Stop and listen,” Whiteford quietly says

Whiteford says, adding, “We have the flexibility every

as he gathers the children around him.

day to completely pivot and take advantage of the

When the stragglers catch up, there is complete silence as they wait with anticipation to hear what he will tell them. But he just wants them to listen, to listen to the silence. And then they move on, scampering over, under, and across fallen trees and a homemade bridge along the meandering path adjacent to Doyle’s Creek, a Chesapeake Bay tributary. They toss small sticks into the gently moving stream and imagine how long it will take for them to pass by Ravens Stadium and reach the Inner Harbor. They huddle around a sticky quagmire which they learn is a crayfish habitat, and they turn over rocks and logs searching for the worms, beetles, and slugs that call it “home.” The woodland adventure is part of the second grade study of healthy ecosystems. During the semester they collected and analyzed water samples from the campus streams and ponds, studied plots of land in the meadows and woods, and reported that the McDonogh ecosystems, each with a variety of different critters, are in balance.

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800 ACRES OF OPPORTUNITY

things this campus offers.” He shares an example of an impromptu lesson that took place on a sunny autumn afternoon. His fourth grade students, while eating lunch outside, were bothered by some especially nasty bees attracted to their apples. The students wanted to know why. But rather than tell them, the following day Whiteford and his class trekked to Roots Farm where they discovered the flowers and the crops had died and were gone. Whiteford explains, “The kids quickly realized that the only way the bees could get nectar now was from their apples. If we hadn’t walked up there and seen it, they would have just been mad at the bees. Now they understand.” And although it wasn’t part of his lesson plan, it was one they will remember. At the end of the second grade unit on ecosystems, Whiteford and his class returned to Doyle’s Woods to a spot they visited before—the oldest structure on campus—a well. He explained that it once provided water for the school and the farm and told them that beneath the leaves and the sticks on the surface was

Whiteford, an avid outdoorsman, created the Doyle’s

fresh, clean water and a giant bullfrog, estimated to be

Woods trail several years ago so that children could

around 20 years old. Sitting on the edge of the well,

spend more time outdoors in nature, exploring and

Whiteford asked his students to consider whether the

getting muddy. Each year he works on the path a little

bullfrog may regret jumping into the well or if it was the

more, clearing it from hazards like prickers and poison

best decision of his life. Back in the classroom, he gave

ivy. As a result, teachers are out there all the time. “It’s

his students the assignment to create a storyboard

so close that they can feed it into any part of their

illustrating their answer and the reasons behind it. While

curriculum,” he says. “And it just becomes part of the

each student told a different story, Whiteford used the

kids’ world, part of their campus.”

exercise to assess their understanding of ecosystems. He

says, “It was way more fun than giving a final test, and

more sense to me,” he says, adding that it’s also more

it worked because we could sit there, on the side of the

interesting for the students to study samples they have

well, and talk about it.”

gathered rather than for him to prepare slides.

Being outside is also a priority for Upper School

Like Whiteford, Jones believes going outside should be

biology teachers Rob Smoot ’77, Stephanie Bonat, and

the norm and not an exception so, even on days when

Josh Jones whose classes can often be found in the

students are in virtual school, he sends his classes into

woods and across campus identifying trees and

their own backyards. “I give them labs to do outside

collecting bugs and organisms to examine under the

because I want them to be good observers of the

microscope. Jones says he prefers to teach through the

environment and nature,” he says, noting that it also

lens of the natural world. “I’m an ecologist, so it makes

gets them off their computer screens.

>>> Lower School science teacher Craig Whiteford explains the history of the well in Doyle’s Woods to his class.

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>>> Fifth grade science teacher Kirk Robertson ’98 agrees

While his students may think the lesson is all about the

that the best way for kids to “connect the dots’’ is

end product, Robertson reveals, “It really has less to do

through hands-on learning, and the campus provides

with maple syrup and is more about gaining an

countless opportunities. A favorite lesson for his Middle

appreciation for trees, nature, and building an

School students is the tapping of maple trees—and not

environmental ethic. When you get kids out in the

just because they get to sample the sweet syrup.

woods and let them experience this sort of thing, they

The study begins in the fall when they venture into the woods near the duck pond and to a spot beyond Roots Farm to identify maple trees and choose the ones to eventually tap. When late winter arrives and the sap begins to flow, they return to the trees, drill a hole for the spigot on which they hang a collection bucket, and wait. Tapping the trees and collecting the sap is only part of the process. They also meticulously gather data on the conditions in which the trees are growing to determine if factors such as sunlight, water, and air temperature impact both the taste and the amount of sap produced. “We can track the amount of sap coming

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Upper School biology teacher Josh Jones shows his class the telltale redness in a clump of wetland that indicates the soil is iron-rich.

make a connection and it gives them a reason to care.”

CAMPUS AS A CLASSROOM It’s not just the science teachers who view the campus as an extension of their classrooms. Upper School Spanish language teacher Jim Ventosa, who this year held many of his in-person classes in the tents erected across campus, often gives lessons on the Rosenberg Campus Green. It’s not unusual to see his students learning vocabulary and writing the Spanish words in sidewalk chalk on the crisscrossing paths rather than at their desks in Allan Building.

out of the trees and clearly see a direct correlation to

Ventosa appreciates that even before the pandemic,

the temperature,” Robertson says, noting that the best

faculty were encouraged to venture beyond the walls of

results come from freezing nights and warm days. “It’s

their buildings. He believes that being outside, without

pretty neat!” After the sap is collected and boiled to

the distraction of computers, actually enhances the

become syrup, it’s ready to be enjoyed.

perspectives and experiences of his upper-level and

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Fifth grade science teacher Kirk Robertson and his students search for maple trees in the McDonogh woods.

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conversational Spanish students. “I want them to be

just staring at the chickens and wondering why they do

present and concentrate on the person they are talking

what they do, being here allows kids to step back, to

to,” he says. “Going outside helps them focus on the

breathe, and to discover.”

interactive piece of the language.”

Hood believes that the growing trend in farming and

Roots Farm, with its ever-changing landscape, airy

cooking was accelerated by the pandemic, and she is

barn, and personable chickens and turkeys, is another

happy that Roots can accommodate the interest of

popular learning space for faculty in each division, and

teachers and students alike. This year, in addition to

in all subject areas. While the farm has always been an

giving tours, lessons, and managing the day-to-day

attractive alternative to the traditional classroom,

operations of the farm, she and Chef Mallory Staley are

Director Sharon Hood says this year there has been a

teaching an eighth grade elective called Farm to Fork.

surge in the number of teachers bringing their students

The popular class covers the essentials of farming and

to Roots—and they come more frequently.

cooking from the ground up.

“Having classes come out is ‘business as usual’ for us,”

In October, when the farm was bursting with flowers,

says Hood, who welcomes any opportunity to teach

pumpkins, tomatoes, and other crops, the 18 Farm to Fork

about what happens in her corner of campus. “The only

students discovered the important role of bees in food

thing that has really changed is all the safety protocols

production from Roots’ beekeeper Emilie Gannon. They

that we put in place.”

learned about the culinary term mise en place (everything

That being said, there is one difference that she has observed this school year—students seem more interested and inquisitive. “It’s a cool feeling to see them questioning, collaborating, and having a new appreciation for things,” she says. “Whether it’s the discovery of what’s in the dirt and what grows there or

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Roots Beekeeper Emilie Gannon teaches the Farm to Fork students about the importance of bees.

in its place) and how Roots applies the practice to the farm by being efficient and reducing waste. They ventured into the fields and explored the connection between the environment, health, society, and food. And they applied their newfound chopping and dicing skills to a harvest of tomatoes, onions, and peppers to create a fresh, spicy salsa.

>>> From left: Eighth grade Farm to Fork students Kaitlyn D., Aliza B., and Muyiwa O. prepare the Apple Bacon Butter Sauce for their homemade ravioli.

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>>> Chef Staley explains the best way for kindergartner Max T. to scrape the roasted pumpkin flesh from the rind.

The eighth graders aren’t the only ones cooking in the

cook. Shortly after they began preparing the sauce, the

spacious barn, which sometimes looks like the set of a

barn filled with sweet and savory smells of apples and

cooking show with carefully spaced tables outfitted with

bacon, giving the young chefs an appetite they didn’t

the tools and ingredients needed to bake or prepare a

realize they had. As class came to an end and the

dish. As is tradition, on one of their visits to Roots,

ravioli and sauce were combined, the chefs sampled

kindergartners made muffins with the sugar pumpkins

the entree. And speaking like the experts they are

that grew from the seeds they planted in June and

becoming, they discussed how the different flavors of

harvested in October.

the ingredients complement each other.

Pumpkins were also the star of the show on a rainy

Farmer Hood and Chef Staley are pleased the meal was

November afternoon when the Farm to Fork class rolled

a hit. But for them, the most important lesson is that the

up their sleeves and put on their aprons for a step-by-step

students are learning the full circle of farm to fork.

lesson from Chef Staley on how to make Sugar Pumpkin Ravioli with Apple Bacon Butter Sauce (recipe on page 11). This wasn’t their first experience cooking with Roots’ pumpkins. Just a few weeks earlier, they discovered that 95 percent of the pumpkin is edible—from the blossoms, leaves, and seeds to the skin and the pulp—and, that all of it is really tasty. Besides expanding their taste buds, each cooking lesson teaches kitchen safety and a variety of culinary techniques. During the pumpkin ravioli lesson, the young chefs quickly became proficient in rolling the dough, filling it with fresh pumpkin puree (and a few breadcrumbs for plumpness), sealing the stuffed squares, and popping them into the boiling water to

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AN OUTDOOR PERCH FOR PREFIRSTERS

Mary-Catherine Irving’s prefirsters finish up their day in their circle of stumps.

At the beginning and end of most days (when it’s not

cookie sheets that become desks or a place to

chime on the quarter-hour, Irving gives the group

raining), prefirst students perch on tree stumps

practice spelling with magnetic letters, slate and

free time to run around or dig in the dirt before

carefully spaced in a circle outside of Elderkin Hall.

erasers for phonics, books, and other materials.

heading to the bus or carpool. Watching the

The stools are not just left-over logs, but an idea for

“We usually spend our whole first period here,”

unscripted activity, Irving notes that being outside

an outdoor classroom that teacher Mary Catherine

Irving says, adding that even when it’s cold the

more has allowed her students to slow down, use

Irving had during the summer when a neighbor cut

six-year-olds are resilient and never complain.

their imaginations, and to explore. She marvels,

down a tree. She loaded her car with hunks of the trunk and hauled them to campus where her students sanded, primed, painted, and personalized the wood.

Each afternoon, just before the close of the school day, her students burst from the building and head directly to their stumps. They discuss their

In the mornings, they bring their own bags of

day and usually agree, “It wasn’t a good day...it

supplies to the grove of stumps, including mini

was a ‘fantabulous’ day!” As the Chapel bells

“They love to dig in the dirt. They come out with magnifying glasses and study nature. They love the world around them.”

TENNIS COURTS BECOME DANCE STUDIO When it comes to finding the perfect outdoor

worry of healthy airflow and the COVID protocol of

space, McDonogh teachers have no problem

deep cleaning the dance studio after each class.

coming up with creative ideas. Upper School Dance teacher Nina Pongratz is one such example. Where most people see tennis courts, Pongratz sees an outdoor dance studio with unlimited space that allows students to follow safety guidelines and practice their strenuous moves unmasked. This fall, dancing on the courts alleviated the

Pongratz says the courts are ideal because they are more forgiving on a dancer’s body than solid concrete or grass would be. She explains, “The courts are designed to give your knees and hips some love and support so it is a great alternative to the studio.”

>>> Upper School dancers run through a routine on the tennis court under the guidance of teacher Nina Pongratz.

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CIRCLING THE HILL

COPING DURING THE PANDEMIC BY NINA SINNOTT

Dan Wagner

Marie Allee

Michael Green

Supporting and nurturing the emotional well-being of

classes, checking in with students new to McDonogh,

students is an institutional priority at McDonogh, and the

and being around at lunchtime and in the hallways when

anchors of that care system are exceptionally talented

on-campus students are changing classes. Wagner

counselors in each division: Dan Wagner, Psy.D. (Lower

and Allee also take full advantage of Lower and Middle

School); Marie Allee, Ph.D. (Middle School); Michael

School recess to spend time with students, virtually and

Green, LCSW-C (Upper School); and Caitlin Cork, LCSW-C

in-person. “It is an ideal time to observe and offer extra

(Upper School). This fabulous foursome of dedicated

support,” says Wagner.

professionals has been especially valuable in keeping the McDonogh community anchored through the ebbs and flows of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to supporting students, the counselors have been offering parents and employees regular reassurance, useful tips, and mindfulness activities via

Everyone copes with disruptions, uncertainty, and stress

fliers and newsletters. They also presented at McDonogh

differently, and during unexpected events such as a

Parents Association (MPA) and faculty meetings and, in

pandemic, emotions can escalate. Wagner explains,

conjunction with the Parenting Education Committee

“At times like this, it is not unusual for someone who

of the MPA, hosted virtual “Parenting Through the

does not normally experience anxiety to feel unsettled

Pandemic” sessions.

and for those who tend to be anxious to be more so. Feelings are magnified.”

“These connections and the sharing of information are so important,” says Green. “We are all in this

Since the start of the pandemic, the counselors have

together, and the well-being of our kiddos relies on

gone above and beyond to be there for students, parents,

parents, teachers, and counselors working together as

faculty, and staff, providing resources and coping tools

a support team.”

for managing feelings and building reliance. Green says, “The goal is to help our community learn how to bend but not break.”

Throughout, a common message to all members of the McDonogh Family has been the importance of self-care and remembering to take a mental health temperature

For the counselors, first and foremost, this means being

check. Allee shares, “When talking with students and

present. “Being with the students allows us to be attuned

adults, I often refer to David Rock and Dr. Dan Siegel’s

to their emotions, and our regular presence, whether in-

Healthy Mind Platter, which reminds us to balance play

person or online, helps to normalize and destigmatize the

time, focus time, connecting time, physical time, time in

idea of talking with a counselor, which is a top priority,”

(or internal reflection), down time, and sleep time. All of

says Cork.

these ingredients, in healthy proportions, are important,

The counselors have made it a point of greeting students during carpool drop-off and pick-up, popping into virtual

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Caitlin Cork

especially right now.”

SHOP TALK: 2020 LIFEREADY’S TEST BY KEVIN J. COSTA, PH.D., DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION & LEARNING

“ When students do things with what

they learn, they not

If LifeReady ever needed to prove itself, 2020 gave us our chance. When the LifeReady academic strategic plan was written and published in 2014, this vision of school in the 21st century acknowledged a future where volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity—VUCA, for short—would be a normal part of our students’ world. Are we in a VUCA world right now? Um, did the Beatles write No. 1 hits?

only remember their

Indeed, as copious futurist research from organizations like the World Economic Forum and the

learning better,

In the 1970s, college graduates could likely predict the careers they would have for the next 30

but they also are far more engaged

Institute for the Future have forecasted, so much about life in the future remains unpredictable. years—this was life in what Louis Hyman ’95 describes in a National Public Radio interview as “the industrial economy.” But artificial intelligence, rapid innovation, and a truly global economy in our day are changing how we think about careers, professional life, and personal behaviors—this is life in the “gig economy.”

and increasingly

One certainty we can count on is this: if there are jobs that require routine and predictable

comfortable with

“Dancing with Robots” by Frank Levy and Richard Murnane, they write, “Today, work that

the messiness of problem solving, of

know-how, artificial intelligence can do it faster and more accurately. In a research paper titled consists of following clearly specified directions is increasingly being carried out by computers.” This will only become more ordinary, and our graduates looking to lead in the future will face what Levy and Murnane describe:

[I]t is a safe bet that the human labor market will center on three kinds of work: solving

collaborating, and

unstructured problems, working with new information, and carrying out non-routine manual

of —in a word—

tasks. . . . It is also a safe bet that most Americans will need to acquire new knowledge and

skills over their work lives in order to earn a good living in a changing work world.

“

living.

Unstructured problems—what most of us faced in 2020 and continue to face—require more than students remembering facts, figures, and procedures only. That’s not enough given the demands of our world and what we know about learning and the brain. In short, students must have routine opportunities to apply and create with new knowledge, to tackle problems that don’t have clear answers from memorized facts and procedures, and to leverage the riches diverse communities offer when collaborating. When students do things with what they learn, they not only remember their learning better, but they also are far more engaged and increasingly comfortable with the messiness of problem solving, of collaborating, and of—in a word—living. To give students these critical opportunities, a school needs time and flexibility—both for students to learn and also for their teachers to create vibrant learning opportunities. McDonogh’s vision of school beyond the constraints of the Advanced Placement (AP) program, for instance, promises a transformational education for the future. While the AP program has value for certain schools still, its somewhat narrow, time-constraining curriculum threatens to curb the depth of expertise and inventiveness of McDonogh’s faculty. It was, quite simply, built for another time. With the assurances from the most selective colleges and universities that McDonogh’s growth poses no risk to students, our school is confident that LifeReady, its world-class faculty, and unrivaled resources will succeed in creating future generations ready for anything at all. The tests to prepare for are the challenges of the unknown—not timed bubble exams—and for those we need a generation of leaders who can create solutions in the face of complexity. The year 2020 is behind us, but there are other 2020s that will come our way in one form or another. Our VUCA year, tough as it’s been, has assured McDonogh that we have faced a test worth preparing for.

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CIRCLING THE HILL >>>

16

VIRTUAL FACULTY CHAIR AWARDS JUST The global pandemic may have required the opening

which challenges students to decide what they value

faculty and staff meeting of the 2020-2021 school year

most and how to advocate for it.

and subsequent professional development days to be virtual, but it did not prevent Head of School Dave Farace ’87 from announcing the deserving recipients of three faculty chairs. The carefully orchestrated surprise announcements that took place over Zoom had all of the elements of the traditional ceremony—from the narratives written to keep people guessing who the recipient was, to the outpouring of support from colleagues and family members (the only ones in on the closely held secret). This year, as in the past, the deserving teachers were humbled and overwhelmed by the honor.

“He is the most well-rounded and firmly grounded human being I know,” Farace said. “He totally trusts and respects his students, and in some ways he thinks of them as equals. I have heard him say, ’Sometimes I’m going to teach you; sometimes you’re going to teach me. I am going to give you all the tools you need, and you take it from there.’” That is a deserving teacher.

NANCY MCFADDEN The recipient of the Class of 1952 Charles C. Kinard, Sr. Master Teaching Chair was aptly described

GEORGE WEBB Before it was revealed that George Webb was the recipient of the Thomas R. Harper ’63 Teaching Chair, he was described as a “kid magnet” and a “rock star.” Farace spoke about the way students vie for his attention adding, “He exudes warmth and good humor, absorbing the positive energy around him and reflecting it back.” But it wasn’t just Webb’s personality that earned him the honor, it was his deep passion for

by Farace as “the absolute embodiment of the McDonogh spirit and our Character Compass values.” But he didn’t stop there. “She is immeasurably kind, a beacon of warmth and joy, creative, full of hope, generous, wicked smart, and she is an advocate, mentor, and champion of students.” And then, for good measure, he added, “She is also known as a stalwart friend, performer, lover of learning, and lover of life.”

educating young people about social justice issues

Although her name was not yet revealed, when he

through projects such as the Lower School’s division-

began sharing highlights of Nancy McFadden’s 30

wide Rights Week; his training and certification in

years in the Middle School, her belief in the power

Kingian Nonviolence; his 15 years of teaching fourth

of mnemonics, and her exuberance as she becomes

graders about the power of peaceful protest and fair

the characters with whom she wants her students to

conflict resolution; and his deep desire to teach others

identify by donning costumes and assuming accents,

how to recognize a wrong and peacefully make it right.

the picture became clearer. Finally, if her colleagues

Webb also piloted the fourth grade Passion Project,

on Zoom still had not recognized that the recipient

AS MEANINGFUL

KEEPING OUR

TRADITIONS ALIVE

of the master teaching chair was McFadden, Farace’s

Celebrating milestones is an important part

mention of her work with the Negro League and the

of the McDonogh School culture, beginning

thoughtful cards she writes on behalf of the entire Middle

each year with Convocation and ending with

School community would surely have given it away.

Commencement. This fall, the School made every effort to continue the traditions and celebrations

CRAIG WHITEFORD

that connect the community with each other—if

In announcing the recipient of the Howard C. “Dutch”

just virtually.

Eyth Teaching Chair, Farace teased, “This teacher

While most occasions were pre-recorded and

distinguished himself immediately just by joining the

viewed simultaneously from classrooms, family

Lower School faculty. Not only was he a ‘Mr.’ but he

rooms, and even bedrooms, the October Junior Pin

was kind, encouraging, and funny. He smiled easily and

Ceremony was one tradition that was able to take

listened carefully to everything the children had to say.

place in person and on campus, with every safety

They were smitten.”

protocol in place including a livestream feed for

As he continued, the secret to Craig Whiteford’s identity

parents. While the Class of 2022 was physically

was revealed almost immediately when Farace shared

distanced on the Rosenberg Campus Green,

that the honoree was a male science teacher. He went

receiving their McD pins, symbolizing their status as

on to describe Whiteford’s dedication, hard work,

upperclass students, brought them closer together.

curriculum development, leadership, enthusiasm, and passion for environmental science. Quoting a Lower School colleague, Farace said, “What he [Whiteford] wants more than anything is for kids to be in direct contact with nature and experience all it can give them. He immerses them in the natural world, and they all take away from it what they can.” Farace ended the presentation sharing Whiteford’s philosophy, “Go outside, take chances, make mistakes, get messy.”

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From left: Fourth grade teacher George Webb, Middle School language arts teacher Nancy McFadden, and Lower School science teacher Craig Whiteford were joyfully surprised to learn that they were the recipients of endowed teaching chairs.

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CIRCLING THE HILL

DEDICATION DAY

COMMUNITY PAUSES TO OFFER GRATITUDE AND LOVE BY MEREDITH BOWER

There have been a number of times in McDonogh’s

The inaugural ceremony was thoughtfully planned

history when, as an institution, the School has broken

by Collins with valuable insight from Board President

with tradition as a way to become a better version of

Rob Young ’86, Director of Equity and Inclusion Lana

itself. In the 1920s, when facing the prospect of closing,

Bates, and a diverse group of alumni, faculty, staff, and

the school accepted tuition for the first time; in 1959,

students. The name was derived from the “Dedication

due in part to developing national concepts of social

Hymn,” a beloved school hymn sung since the 1930s

justice and the individual concerns of many people

that emphasizes gratitude for “all of those who’ve gone

within the community, the administration began the

before us.” The location, Childs Memorial Terrace, was

process of integration; in the early 1970s, after much

chosen because it is where each student begins and

debate and discussion, the military was dropped

ends their McDonogh journey.

allowing the school to become more academically rigorous; then, several years later, after more than a century as a school for boys, McDonogh opened its doors to girls.

In her Dedication Day address to students, who viewed the prerecorded ceremony with their classmates on Zoom, Collins explained the significance of the location. “It is the place where we gather for Convocation and

In October 2020, the School evolved again with the

the ringing of the school bell. It is the place where

celebration of Dedication Day. The ceremony, an

beloved faculty and staff members say goodbye when

offspring of Founder’s Day, which itself had changed in

we celebrate their retirement on Head of School Day.

format a handful of times, included many of the same

It is the place where you will one day walk across this

elements, most notably the tradition of remembering

stage, receive your McDonogh diploma, and hear the

those whose contributions allowed the school to grow

Dedication Hymn one last time as a student,” she said.

and flourish.

“Someday when our time in this world comes to an

“The tradition at the heart of Dedication Day is one of expressing our love and gratitude for the founding of this school and the people who make this community extraordinary,” explains Bridget Collins ’90, the Charles W. Britton Director of Character and Service. “While change may be difficult, it makes us a stronger and more diverse community,” she adds.

end, our McDonogh Family will pause here and speak our name, ring the Chapel bell, and remember our dedication to this place and to this world. They will sing the Dedication Hymn for us one final time. Because we are a community that remembers...we are a community that pauses to offer our gratitude and love.” Following Collins’s remarks, memorial wreaths were placed in honor of and with gratitude to the individuals

>>> Bridget Collins ’90, The Charles W. Britton Director of Character and Service, conducts the inaugural Dedication Day Ceremony which was shared virtually.

and groups whose stewardship, labor, philanthropy, dedication, and sacrifice helped to establish, create, and enrich McDonogh School. They included the Piscataway Conoy and Nanticoke People, who hunted and stewarded the land for many generations before the School was founded; the enslaved people of John McDonogh whose labor at the McDonoghville Plantation in Louisiana helped build a significant portion of his wealth; John McDonogh’s gift of philanthropy that established the public school system in New Orleans and a school farm in Baltimore for poor boys, which

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18

>>> Alumni Board President Josh Thomas ’06 reads the names of members of the McDonogh Family who passed away in the last year.

became McDonogh School; generations of devoted faculty and staff who held students to the highest standards while offering the highest level of support; and McDonogh alumni who gave their lives in military service to our nation in WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. The Dedication Day ceremony continued with the Alumni Memorial Service led by Alumni Board President Josh Thomas ’06 who acknowledged, “The most sacred and solemn responsibility of the Alumni Board President

will live on in our hearts.” Then, as each name was read, a flower was placed in an urn on the steps of Tagart Memorial Chapel and a bell in the tower above chimed.

is to recognize those in our McDonogh family who have

While the focus of Dedication Day 2020 was the

left us this past year.” Speaking to the families of the

ceremony, in future years, it will also be a day committed

deceased alumni, faculty, staff, and trustees who were

to the history of McDonogh School and a more authentic

also watching virtually, he added, “There is an African

look at John McDonogh’s complex life. Additionally,

proverb that states that memories of those who have

the day will also include working with students on how

gone before us will live on when we call their names.

to have honest, civil dialogue and what it means to be

Today, we call their names, ensuring that their memory

compassionate listeners and critical thinkers.

>>> Alyssa McCarthy ’21 places a wreath in memory of the enslaved people of John McDonogh.

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CIRCLING THE HILL

WORKING TOWARD A

GREENER FUTURE BY MEREDITH BOWER

Environmental sustainability is among the priorities that Head of School Dave Farace ’87 considers essential for the future of McDonogh School. As such, he recently appointed Upper School science teacher Josh Jones to the role of Environmental Sustainability School Liaison. Jones came to McDonogh three years ago with an extensive background in environmental science, a Ph.D. in biology with a focus on wetland ecology, and hands-on experience as a member of the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal Wetlands Research Group. “I love science. I really love science. This job lets me pass on my passion,” he says. Jones hit the ground running at McDonogh. At the end of his first year, he held a symposium in which students in his AP Environmental Science classes pitched ideas they developed to improve the sustainability of campus to an audience including members of the administration. Farace was impressed with the proposals and the thinking that Jones inspired in his students; and after watching the 2020 Environmental Science Symposium over Zoom, he knew he had the right person to help move the school forward. Jones believes the School is serious about creating a greener future on many levels from education, awareness, and advocacy to land-use, energy, and foodservice. He credits the work of student organizations such as McDonogh Goes Green and Just Add Water as well as the efforts of long-time environmental advocates on the faculty and staff for planting the seeds. Moving forward, Jones hopes to connect the efforts of the different campus groups and individuals and to serve as a sounding board for ideas and opinions. This year, he is concentrating his efforts on reforestation of the land between the corporate campus and Roots Farm—an idea he says came out of a student proposal shared at the 2020 symposium. In the meantime, students in his AP and Honors environmental studies classes are serving as idea generators as they look into various aspects of environmental sustainability, including ways to improve the composting in the dining hall, school-wide recycling, water usage at Roots Farm, and hydroponics. Students are already seeing how their ideas are becoming a reality thanks to Jones’s role as the school liaison. “Two years ago, one of my students proposed putting water-bottle filling stations all over campus. Now we have water-bottle filling stations in each building,” he says. “When the administration knows students are thinking about something, they tend to move forward.” Jones knows that major changes can’t happen overnight, but he is confident that the small steps will lead the school in the right direction.

>>> Environmental Sustainability School Liaison Josh Jones uses the Allan Building water bottle filling station that was first proposed by one of his students.

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>>>

21

CIRCLING THE HILL

PARENTS ENGAGE IN TIMELY CONVERSATION Navigating life these days is not easy and multitasking helps

have included The Impact of the Election on Diversity,

many parents stay on course. It’s for this reason that the

Equity, and Campus Climates and Facing Whiteness—an

Equity and Inclusion Committee of the McDonogh Parents

opportunity to reflect on their cultural background,

Association came up with a way for busy parents to gain

interpret how their experiences impact their practice,

valuable insight on important and timely issues, all while

and inquire into opportunities for growth.

having a meal. No one in the virtual gatherings, called Chat & Chews, will bat an eye if participants bite into a burger or sip some soup. And while the series seems informal, the guest speakers and moderators are experts in their fields.

the topics at hand. “Chat & Chews are an opportunity to engage with other parents about these topics and how they impact our children’s education and the

McDonogh parent and Equity and Inclusion Committee

society in which we are raising them,” she shares,

Vice Chair Kanika Jackson, who has helped coordinate

adding, “Chat & Chews are for everyone! Whether you

the Chat & Chews for the past year, says she is pleased

are a parent, teacher, or administrator, the topics and

with the caliber of the facilitators and the positive

discussions are beneficial to all of us as advocates,

response of the participants. Kanika led the first

allies, parents, and neighbors.”

session on Getting Proximal. Other conversation topics

MARLENE AND STEWART GREENEBAUM MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE

While McDonogh’s campus has been relatively quiet over

Librarian Stasha Gibbs adds that she is looking forward

the past 11 months, the sound of construction on the Marlene

to the library being at the “heart and center,” while

and Stewart Greenebaum Middle School never stopped. With

science teacher Eileen Heady notes that the new building

COVID safety measures in place, crews have been working

opens up opportunities for students to have “the most

diligently, inside and out, to bring the new building to life.

interactive experiences possible.”

The School community, especially our middle schoolers, have been tracking the progress in real-time through cameras facing the front and rear of the building and a series of video tours with Chesapeake Contracting and McDonogh’s Chief Operating Officer Pete Welch. Everyone is eagerly anticipating the opening, and faculty are especially looking forward to the entire Middle School community learning together. “Having all that energy in one space is going to be powerful,” says Seventh Grade Dean and language arts teacher Josh Waller ’02.

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22

Jackson says the virtual gatherings go deeper than

Like their teachers, students are looking forward to being together, but they are also excited about the amenities such as a sound-proof band room, a bright art room, a dance studio, and, of course, air conditioning. Barring any weather-related delays, students and teachers will begin using the new building this spring. The McDonogh community continues to be grateful to the generous donors for making the new Middle School a reality.

S T U D E N T VO I C E S Reprinted from the 2020-2021 Guide to Independent Schools published by Baltimore Fishbowl.

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23

ARTS

ZOOMICALS THE MUSICALS IS A HIT! BY MEREDITH BOWER

As they say in theater, “The show

albeit virtually. “We weren’t trying to

reported to a Zoom room for a

must go on,” and thanks to the

recreate the fall musical,” she explains,

two-hour performance of one act of

dedicated members of the

“We were trying to do something

the four Zoomical musicals—

McDonogh Theatre Department this

totally different.” The result?

Hairspray, West Side Story, Wicked,

fall, it did...but in a whole new way.

Zoomicals the Musicals, an ingenious

and Ragtime. In each show, the actors

idea that allowed cast members to

were assigned to roles based on the

have a safe, fun, and meaningful

type of character they were

musical theatre experience. For the

comfortable playing. A student with a

25 members of the troupe and the

leading role in one show may have a

Theatre Department staff, it was a hit!

supporting role in another. In the

After the 2020 spring musical was canceled on the cusp of opening night and it became apparent that the Horn Theatre would still be dark in the fall, dance and theatre teacher

The untested concept of Zoomicals

idea to give upper schoolers an

was relatively simple. Each week

opportunity to act and sing together,

throughout the semester, students

>>>

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24

Nina Pongratz came up with a unique

The cast of Zoomicals clapping in American Sign Language at the end of “Good Morning, Baltimore” from the musical, Hairspray.

>>> Costume board for the Hairspray character Penny Pingleton created by Ashley White ’21 with Janie Bonat ’24 dressed as Penny.

smaller role, the actors were

PUTTING ON THE SHOW

encouraged to learn about some other

Each Thursday when the students

element of the theatre such as

gathered in front of their screens,

costume design.

Pongratz and her Theatre

productions in which they had a

Pongratz was intentional in the shows she chose for Zoomicals—each illustrated a social injustice ranging from racism and homophobia to the misuse of political power and gender inequality. Throughout the season, the cast discussed the themes and learned how musical theatre is often used as a tool to bring attention to these struggles. “It is a great time in history to demonstrate how musical theatre is a very unique way of telling a story,”

Department team followed a routine that mimicked what they may have done in person. As the Stage Manager, Nick Rego made sure all the roles were filled, Music Coordinator Beth Rausch warmed up their vocal cords, and Assistant Director Tyler Groton read the stage notes to set the scene. Then, the students worked their way through the dialogue unmuting themselves to deliver their character’s lines.

Pongratz says. “Theatre provokes

Pongratz describes the performance

emotion from the audience and the

of the first Zoomical, Hairspray, as

content of these stories, which is so

“magical.” The show opened with the

rich and so thoughtful, goes beyond

lively musical number, “Good

just the words.”

Morning, Baltimore,” a familiar

Emma Ryan ’21, who has been part of McDonogh’s theatre community since sixth grade, joined the cast as a way to learn more about Broadway musical theatre. “I was curious about the difference between the scripts and the style of songs,” she says, but it is apparent that she learned a whole lot more. “The dialogue brought up some really intense themes in American history, such as racism, classism, and sexism, which sparked discussion after we read them. Musical theatre allows you to see issues through different perspectives, which is what allowed our discussions to be so varied and complex. Sometimes we even

anthem that Rausch shared over Zoom. Each member of the cast, with their own sound muted, simultaneously burst into song. Pongratz recalls watching the sea of faces on her screen sing their hearts out to the music coming through their headphones and speakers in the safety and comfort of their homes. She says, “There was the element of performance without the pressure of having others hear them sing.” At the end of the song, they paused to applaud themselves by waving and shaking their hands, the way it is done in American Sign Language. It was music to her soul.

disagreed on a couple of matters, and that’s okay! The significance is that it allows these conversations to happen in the first place.”

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AT H L E T I C S >>>

26

SWIM TEAM LENDS HELPING HANDS BY LAURA LEWIS BROWN

Swimmers know the value of hard work, waking up

For Coach Ward, community service is an annual effort

before most of the world to log miles in the pool year-

for the team, but working at Roots Farm is a special

round. This year they took that strong work ethic to

opportunity to step outside their daily lives while giving

Roots Farm to help with the final harvest and prepare

back. “This year was really hard work. We literally

the farm for winter.

put the farm to bed,” he says. “It’s important for the

On a Saturday in late October, after a morning practice and breakfast provided by a swim team parent, 47 students and Coaches Scott Ward and Danny Russell headed to Roots Farm ready to get their hands dirty. Over three hours, they harvested the remaining

swimmers to realize that farming is not easy work.” Ward says that many of the students surprised him with how willing they were to dig right in and get dirty, working together to pull stubborn vines and load the trucks with heavy materials.

thousands of pounds of pumpkins and butternut squash

As junior Olivia Sheridan explains, “Volunteering at

for the Maryland Food Bank and cleaned up the entire

Roots opened my eyes to the impact a small amount of

pumpkin patch, squash field, and tomato field, including

work can have. My team only worked on the farm for a

picking up irrigation and putting down weed control.

few hours, yet the hundreds of pounds of food donated

“It was like having an army of ants show up at the farm,

to local food banks will benefit the lives of many.”

and with a blink of an eye all the end-of-the-season farm

Performing community service is not unique to the swim

jobs were done!” said Director of Roots Farm Sharon

team; McDonogh student-athletes have made a practice

Hood, who is grateful to have the team help each year.

of giving back. “Doing service projects helps a team to

ON DRY LAND cement their bond at the beginning of a season,” says Co-

GIRLS AND BOYS SOCCER COACHES BOTH NAMED

COACH OF THE DECADE Harry Canellakis

Brandon Quaranta

Athletic Director Mickey Deegan. “Teammates and coaches can use that time to remind each other of the important team goals of being unselfish, thinking of others’ needs, and working collaboratively during the regular season.” With the help of Bridget Collins ’90, The Charles W. Britton Director of Character and Service, teams are able to find opportunities to help those in need. Over the years, teams like wrestling have sponsored a family in need for the Holiday Project, the girls basketball team adopted a special needs child as an honorary team member, and last year, the fall captains spent hours filling 400 new backpacks with school supplies for students at Woodholme Elementary School.

In a season without competition, it’s impossible to name Athletes of the Week or Coaches of the Year, but that didn’t stop Varsity Sports Network (VSN) from honoring both the McDonogh’s girls and boys soccer coaches as Coach of the Decade. While the well-deserved titles for Harry Canellakis and Brandon Quaranta were largely based on their winning record over the past 10 years, as both coaches

As Deegan explains, “Part of McDonogh’s moral compass

note, much success is due to the culture inherent to the players, the

is service to others. We truly believe that we give ‘more

teams, and the School.

than we take’ and need to take the lead in helping those less fortunate.”

Canellakis, who has led the girls team since 2009, has taken them to 10 IAAM A Conference championships and brought them home with eight crowns. In a VSN story, former player Kia Rankin ’16 said that although Canellakis is all about the tactics, which he relentlessly ingrains in them, his ability to relate to his players as people is what makes the difference. Julia Dorsey ’19 added, “Harry cares for every player as a person. Not just as a soccer player.” With the agility of a soccer player, Canellakis, whose style has contributed to McDonogh’s special team culture and makes the sport fun, changes direction and gives credit to his teams saying, “We have a great tradition, with great team leaders who have bought into core beliefs.” Similarly, in a November 2020 VSN story, Quaranta credited his players and the School saying, “You can be the best coach, but you have to get the guys to buy in. Our whole organization, from administrators to faculty to student-athletes, blends together to create what we believe is one of the best cultures in the country.” Quaranta has been a part of that culture for 15 years—six as the Head Coach and nine as an Assistant Head Coach. In his time at the helm, he has guided McDonogh to five MIAA A conference final appearances and earned four championship titles. With the 2019 victory, the Eagles became the first program to win three consecutive titles in what is considered one of the nation’s premier high school conferences.

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SEEING THE OPPORTUNITIES BY MEREDITH BOWER

If you know Jerry Bias, it should come as no surprise that as an eighth grader at Middle River Junior High, without his mother knowing, he took the initiative to apply to McDonogh for high school. That act (fully supported by his mother when she found out) changed the course of his life. And while he readily admits, “McDonogh taught

The value of diversity in all its forms was not lost

me how to think,” his drive comes from within. “There is

on Bias. Chosen by his classmates to be the 1986

no dream bigger than me,” he says.

Commencement speaker, he addressed his appreciation

Bias arrived at McDonogh for orientation in the fall of 1982 wearing a black suit and a white leather tie. One of the first people he met was Rob Young who was dressed in yellow corduroy pants with whales on them. “I’d never seen anything like it. And he’d never seen anything like me,” Bias laughs at the memory. To this day, the two are best friends. Bias tells the story to illustrate one of the

for the diversity of their class in his speech. He recalls, “If you looked at our class, we had sprinkles of color, but we also had socio-economic diversity and diversity of mind-set. We had a really rich class. We had all this diversity and we put it together to do some really interesting things. It wasn’t just on the sports field. We had intellectual diversity.”

most important lessons he learned at McDonogh—to see

After McDonogh, Bias went to the University of Virginia

the opportunities, go beyond the boundaries you set for

where he studied business and continued to take on

yourself, and understand that you can be whatever you

leadership roles in student organizations. He then had

want to be in life.

a successful career on Wall Street and later founded

Over the next four years, Bias took advantage of every opportunity McDonogh had to offer. “McDonogh showed me a lot of life that I was unaware of and allowed me to participate,” he says. “I realized that if you put in the work, you are going to get the reward.” In the classroom, he worked hard to get up to speed and accepted the challenges from his teachers to do better. He played tuba in the jazz band, ran track, played basketball and a little soccer, was the head of the Black Awareness Club, and served as vice president of the student body. Bias says he enjoyed being involved in the McDonogh community

Wisdom Oak Winery in Virginia. All the while, he kept in touch with his alma mater. He says McDonogh instilled in everyone, not just scholarship students, the idea that “we stand on other people’s shoulders.” He took that to mean, “When you go out into the world and create successes, bring them back and share them with other students.” In 2004, he established the Jerry Bias Scholarship. He says it was important for him to give when he had the means to do so. “I want people to have as good of or even better experience than I had at McDonogh.”

and that he used his leadership skills not just to help but

Bias adds that his support of scholarship is meaningful

to learn. “Leadership is not just to show what you know,

because it feels like his journey keeps going. “There was

but to be able to listen and receive so that everybody gets

someone in front of me. Someone who said ‘we want

better,” he says.

diversity on this campus.’ For me to be in the position to

As a full-time boarder, Bias quickly made friends with people from many different backgrounds—an eye-opening experience for a student still connected to his West

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Lifelong friends Jerry Bias ’86 and Rob Young ’86 catch up at the 2017 McDonogh vs. Gilman football game.

>>>

SCHOLARSHIP

JERRY BIAS ’86:

perpetuate that is great. We want to constantly enrich the McDonogh community. That’s the true meaning of the McDonogh Family.”

Baltimore roots. “When you live with people, friendship is

Today, Bias lives in Charleston, SC, with his wife and

automatic,” he says, noting, “The boarding community at

children. His most recent endeavor is Port Royal Coffee,

the time was the source of diversity at McDonogh.”

a roasting and distribution business.

Since its founding in 1873 as a school for poor boys, McDonogh has had a long history of charity for others. In the aftermath of World War I, during which the French suffered nearly 1,700,000 casualties, leaving many women and children orphaned* and destitute, the School stepped up and “adopted” a little French boy—Jean Baptiste Engel. Jean had just celebrated his second birthday in 1915, when his father, a shipyard foreman, was killed. As the war came to an end, a number of relief efforts were established to care for widows and orphans, wounded soldiers, and refugees. One effort, the American Ouvroir Fund, appealed to donors with

O U R P R O U D PA S T

BY MEREDITH BOWER

>>>

MCDONOGH ADOPTS AN ORPHANED FRENCH BOY

Jean was a regular correspondent with his student benefactors sending both letters and postcards to let them know how he was faring and to express his gratitude.

a promise to match them with a specific individual in need. The Fund’s advertisements featured a drawing of an American soldier saluting the grave of a French soldier while comforting the orphaned children; and proclaimed, “French comrade, your children shall be as our children.” Upon learning of the opportunity to support an orphaned child, McDonogh School Principal Morgan Bowman asked the student body if they would be willing to “adopt” a French orphan. “Mr. Bowman passed six pictures of French orphans around for us to select from. When every one had seen

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29

O U R P R O U D PA S T

the pictures and decided which one he thought best,

suit; a chinchilla overcoat and

the vote was taken. Nearly the

hat to match; a yellow and

whole school decided in favor

black sweater, McDonogh’s

of a little fellow named Jean

colors (Mr. Bowman wasn’t able

Baptiste Engel,” recounted

to get the orange and black)

an article in the September

with the letters McD in Yellow;

22, 1917, issue of The Week.

one pair of tan shoes; four pairs

The story continued, “It

of stockings, two black and two

costs fifty dollars a year to

brown; two suits of heavy woolen

support and educate this

underwear; a pair of fur-lined

little fellow. The money

gloves; a mechanical engine, cars

will be taken from our

and track; a new model of the Ford

Sunday collections.”

car; and a paint book and crayons. At the same time the ladies at

Six weeks later, The

McDonogh sent his mother, Mrs.

Week announced the “adoption” and in a rare move for the time, published a photograph in the paper—that of Jean. The article also included

Engel, a few things: two suits of heavy underwear, a sweater, stockings and so on.”

a letter from the coordinators in Paris at the Société

Although the gifts arrived well after the Christmas

La Bretagne. It read in part, “You have just filled a

holiday, they were nonetheless appreciated. Madame

saddened widow, as well as a little child in tears, with

Engel’s thank you note explained that the clothes were

joy. Both have been disconsolate since the sad news

a bit too big since Jean had been ill for several years,

came to them that their only support had died in the

but that he could grow into them. She added, “Now, I

war, in defending his country. What a disaster for

hope that he will keep well, for beautiful weather has

them! Your great charity has come to this hearth as an

taken the place of the bad season, and he plays in a

answer from Heaven, to be confident. They shall not be

little corner of the garden with his letters and the little

abandoned. I thank you for them.”

auto which you had the goodness to send him.”

The account in The Week also included a note from

She also enclosed a note from Jean that said, “Dear

Jean’s mother. Overwhelmed with gratitude, she

Benefactors, dear little God-parents,—It is your little

explained that both she and Jean were in poor

Jean who loves you well, who thanks you for all the

health. ”My little Jean is weakly also, but now, thanks

pretty things which you have sent him. And I am

to you, Dear Protectors, I shall be able to give him

going to grow tall so that I can do the things that will

strengthening food and we shall be able to live when I

please you. Thanks, dear benefactors and good little

am out of work. Accept, Dear Benefactors, the grateful

godparents!”

thanks of a poor widow and of a child who will know later all that for which he is indebted to you.”

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30

outfit: one brown corduroy

Over the next nine years, the correspondence continued regularly. The McDonogh boys learned about

Aware of the impact they were having, the boys took

the bad times from Madame Engel—“at night when

up a collection for Christmas gifts. The November 24,

retiring we do not know alas, whether on the morrow

1917, issue of The Week reported, “The fellows were

we shall be alive, because the terrible German aeros

all delighted with the idea of giving Jean a Christmas

at night pay us visits which are frightful,” as well as

present and gave their money with a smile. The

the good from Jean—“I have been at the country fair

following day Mr. Bowman took the money that had

and enjoyed myself very much.” Each letter overflowed

been raised for the purpose and bought the following

with fervent gratitude.

Support for Jean went well beyond the $50 annual commitment. At one point, there was talk of bringing Jean to McDonogh to be educated and, over the years, the students regularly collected funds which were deposited directly to the Engels’ account in France for Christmas gifts. Additionally, in each newsy letter mailed abroad, both Bowman and later Principal William Childs often slipped in a few extra dollars along with the latest copy of The Week. Sadly, in the winter of 1925, McDonogh School learned that Madame Engel, like many Europeans, was suffering from tuberculosis. After spending a year in a sanitorium she succumbed to the disease leaving Jean parentless and penniless. Before her death, she wrote to the American Ouvroir Fund saying she was worried because she “had not been able to do for the boy what his father planned.” She mentioned that she didn’t want Jean to go to Paris when she died because “he was too young for the temptations of a big city.” Despite her worry, upon her death, Jean moved to Paris to live with an uncle who became his guardian, and he entered a trade school to learn cabinetmaking. A letter from the American Ouvroir Fund asked McDonogh to continue to support Jean with an annual contribution of $25 for expenses. “He is not yet 14 years old and it seems a pity to abandon him if it can be helped,” the Fund wrote. In September 1926, the School, which itself was experiencing financial hardship, made the difficult decision to withdraw support of Jean Baptiste. A final letter to the American Ouvroir Fund from McDonogh provided insight into the School’s financial situation. It read in part, “We are having an extremely hard time to make ends meet. Just this year we have had to reduce the number of free students because our expenditures were more than our income.” With that, the relationship between McDonogh School and Jean Baptiste Engel came to an end. For as long as it was feasible, the McDonogh boys upheld their sense of duty to help those in need—the foundation on which the School was built. *At the time, the term orphan was used to describe a family in which the sole or main provider was deceased, leaving the survivors with no way to support themselves.

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31

ALUMNI NEWS

VIRTUAL REUNION WEEKEND 2021 COMBINING TRADITION WITH TECHNOLOGY, VIRTUAL REUNION WEEKEND 2021 OFFERS AMPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO RECONNECT WITH CLASSMATES IN FUN AND CREATIVE WAYS!

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

On Thursday evening, the festivities kick off with

Saturday’s schedule includes a webinar honoring

a welcome event featuring a performance by

McDonogh’s 50th anniversary of integration as

McDonogh’s talented improv class and remarks

well as opportunities for arts alumni to connect.

from a keynote speaker. VISIT MCDONOGH.ORG/REUNION FOR MORE

FRIDAY Friday highlights include the State of the School address, the Alumni Memorial Service, the Flag Retreat Ceremony, the Young Alumni Award Ceremony, and Virtual Class Parties for Milestone Reunion Classes ending in 1s and 6s (with special appearances from some of McDonogh’s current and former faculty members). Young Alumni Award Recipients: Nimrita Sidhu Bhatia ’07 Joshua A. Thomas ’06 Courtney P. Vaughn ’11 Terrell J. A. Winder ’07

INTRODUCING THE MCDONOGH CONNECT ALUMNI BUSINESS DIRECTORY! Alumni who have activated their McDonogh Connect account can now promote their business to fellow alumni in the Business Directory. Simply sign in (or create an account), select “Business Directory” from the menu, enter your business information, and get the word out! CONNECT.MCDONOGH.ORG

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32

INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER TODAY! Please note: The Athletic Hall of Fame and the Distinguished Service Award events are moving to the fall. Stay tuned for more details. Please contact alumni@mcdonogh.org with questions.

AP 2 2 RIL -24

DISTANCE COUNTS AT

1

ANNUAL GOLF OUTING One of the few alumni events not canceled this year was the 45th annual McDonogh Classic. Held in late September, the golf outing was smaller by design but just as fun. With safety measures in place, 50 lucky alumni, parents, alumni parents, faculty, grandparents, and friends enjoyed a beautiful afternoon on the links at the Green Spring Valley Hunt Club while supporting McDonogh’s Alumni Association. CONGRATULATIONS TO THIS YEAR’S WINNERS EAGLE CUP FIRST PLACE TEAM

Christian Mester P ’20 ’26 and Justin Cashman P ’20 ’23 ’27 FIRST PLACE (NET)

Aaron Finkelstein ’75, Brian Finkelstein ’02, Cathi Finkelstein P ’13 ’15, and Scott Finkelstein P ’13 ’15 FIRST PLACE (GROSS)

Parker Bratton ’09, Jay Sapperstein ’10, Matt Tuneski, and Sean Bannantine ’09

1. Brian Finkelstein ’02 and Scott Finkelstein P ’13 ’15 2. Lauren Edlow Caplan ’98 drives from the tee. 3. Sean Bannantine ’09 heads to the pin. 2

3

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33

ALUMNI NEWS

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS More than 55 guests logged on for the first-ever virtual

parents, grandparents, or retired faculty and staff

Distinguished Service Award (DSA) ceremony

members) who have devoted their time and effort most

recognizing the outstanding contributions of four

generously on behalf of McDonogh students, the

members of the McDonogh Family—trustee Stacey

school, and/or the Alumni or Parents Association.

Boyer ’76, former Headmaster Bo Dixon, retired

Particular emphasis is placed on individuals who have

employee LaVerne Holtz, and devoted volunteer Allan

made a significant and positive impact on the School,

Spencer ’49. The annual event, which was postponed due

demonstrated exceptional dedication, and have

to COVID-19, took place on the evening of October 13.

consistently gone above and beyond the call of duty

Read about each recipient in the Summer 2020 issue of

for the good of the School. First presented in 1960,

McDonogh Magazine at mcdonogh.org/magazine.

today, 150 individuals have received the honor for

Presented annually by the Board of Trustees, the DSA recognizes members of the McDonogh Family (alumni,

STACEY BOYER ’76

LAVERNE HOLTZ

>>>

34

remaining true to our founder’s mission of doing “the greatest possible amount of good.”

BO DIXON

ALLAN SPENCER ’49

showing their school spirit. In the week leading up to what would have

>>>

It takes more than a global pandemic to stop McDonogh alumni from

YOUNG ALUMNI AWARDS were

>>>

VIRTUAL SPIRIT WEEK EVENTS

A LOOK INSIDE MCDONOGH

been the 105th football game against Gilman, the Alumni Association hosted McDonogh’s first-ever Virtual Spirit Week. Designed exclusively for alumni, the five days were filled with daily social media challenges such as Trivia Tuesday, Spirit Wear Wednesday, and Throwback Thursday, raffles, and four engaging online events.

presented by the Alumni Association to Alison Barzyk ’14, Darrius Heyward-Bey ’05, Hannah Johnstone Mathis ’09, Kyle Vaughan ’12, and Kenneth Wayman ’12 on October 28. To see the full summary for each recipient, view the Summer 2020 issue of McDonogh Magazine at mcdonogh.org/magazine.

ATHLETICS featuring Bridget Collins ’90,

Mickey Deegan, Beth Sauer Hopkins ’02 (moderator), Matt MacMullan, and Hakeem Sule ’05.

>>>

SPIRIT THROUGH THE DECADES

featuring Jon Aaron ’72, Andy Beath ’64, and Jim Dawson ’64.

>>>

35

The McDonogh Alumni Association Black Alumni Committee has hosted a variety of (virtual) events designed for alumni to build relationships with current Black students and their families and to cement friendships with each other.

BLACK FAMILIES WELCOMED TO MCDONOGH Prior to the start of the school year, families of Black students new to McDonogh received a warm

>>>

ALUMNI NEWS

BLACK ALUMNI COMMITTEE EVENTS

From left: Panelists Kanika Jackson P ’30, Vice Chair, MPA Equity and Inclusion Committee; Kellee Parrott Gonzalez ’96 P ’33, Co-Chair, McDonogh Black Alumni Committee; David Holland ’90, Co-Chair, McDonogh Black Alumni Committee; and Sankofa Club leaders Delaney Yarborough ’22 and Octavia Haysbert ’22 provided valuable insight during the Zoom event.

welcome at a virtual gathering hosted by the Black Alumni Committee in partnership with the McDonogh Parents Association (MPA) Equity and Inclusion Committee and the student-led Sankofa Club (formerly the Black Awareness Club). The second annual welcome event attracted more than 130 McDonogh parents, students, and staff members and was an opportunity to share the School’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

LUNCHES AND HAPPY HOURS KEEP CONNECTIONS GOING Throughout the fall, members of the committee continued to spend time with the leaders of the Sankofa Club at regular online lunches. The meetings were an opportunity for members of the Black Alumni Committee to build relationships with the current

A highlight of the evening was a panel discussion

students, offer support and suggestions on how to

moderated by Director of Equity and Inclusion Dr.

effectively engage more Black students, and to help

Lana Bates. The panelists fielded questions on topics

them understand the importance of Black unity in the

ranging from the Black experience at McDonogh and

current climate. They look forward to continuing these

available student resources to the purpose and work

valuable conversations throughout the school year.

of the Black Alumni Committee and the importance of parent involvement in the school community. Bates concluded the event with sound advice for students, saying, “We are a better community because of our diversity and because of all the unique experiences we have. Focus on being who you are, loving who you are,

The Black Alumni Committee also hosted two virtual happy hours where old friends and new—from North Carolina to California—gathered to reminiscence, catch up, and share a few laughs. Attendees represented class years ranging from 1985 to 2015.

standing in your identity, and McDonogh will be better

To learn more about the Black Alumni Committee,

because of it.”

please email black-alumni@mcdonogh.org.

ALUMNI VIRTUAL FITNESS FUNDRAISER During the holiday season, the McDonogh Alumni Association

The series kicked off with a pre-Thanksgiving group Peloton Ride

Outreach Committee hosted a series of virtual fitness events that

using the #TeamMcDonoghAlumni tag. In December, Niela

allowed attendees to get fit while benefiting the Baltimore

Magwood-Phoenix ’96 offered a yoga class, Sheri McKenzie and

community. Alumni from across the country participated, raising

Katye McNulty Jorgensen ’07 of Pure Barre Pikesville taught a

over $200 for the Maryland Food Bank and Community Crisis

barre class, and Sophie Alecce ’15 led a full-body HIIT (high

Center to help combat increased food insecurity during the

intensity interval training) workout.

COVID-19 pandemic.

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36

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CONVERSATIONS WITH..

‘ ‘

In the fall, the McDonogh Alumni Association Outreach Committee launched a new webinar series called “A Conversation With...” The informal conversations feature a variety of alumni guests speaking with an alumni host about their time at McDonogh and their career path as well as imparting some sound advice. The series is engaging, enlightening, and a lot of fun. Visit mcdonogh.org/alumnievents to learn about upcoming conversations.

>>> From left: Brandon Etheridge ’03 is interviewed by Jason Schwartzberg ’99.

‘ ‘

General Counsel for the Baltimore Ravens Brandon Etheridge ’03 was the first guest in the “A Conversation With...” series. Hosted by Jason Schwartzberg ‘99, the lively discussion covered Etheridge’s days at McDonogh, his time at Yale University and Harvard Law School, and his career in sports law, including his current position with the Ravens. Etheridge described McDonogh’s impact on his life sharing that his educational experiences instilled confidence, built character, ignited a desire to do good, and made him well-rounded. Most importantly, he said his teachers and coaches taught him to always bring his best—a lesson that prepared him well for life beyond McDonogh. Along those same lines, he offered words of advice saying, “While mentors may help you hone your craft and think strategically about how you want to approach your goals, you must seize opportunities and take accountability for your own success.”

>>> From left: Stephen Garten ’04 is interviewed by Zack Garber ’06.

In early December, viewers tuned in for the second “A Conversation With...” interview featuring Stephen Garten ’04. Zack Garber ’06, a seasoned podcast host (Charm City Dreamers), led the discussion. After reflecting on his favorite McDonogh memories and impactful moments, Garten described his journey from studying at Washington University in St. Louis to his passion for social innovation—the inspiration behind his Austin, TX start-up, Charity Charge. Garten says he was motivated to find a solution for nonprofits facing inequity in financial accessibility. The answer was Charity Charge, a “business” credit card designed specifically for their needs. Today, the company, whose goal is to drive systemic change for nonprofits, works with national organizations with up to $100 million in revenue, including chapters of the United Way and YMCA. During the conversation, Garten credited the McDonogh community with helping him get started and acknowledged that he wouldn’t have been able to succeed without the valuable network. He also shared his advice with attendees saying, “Follow your passion and put your time and energy into activities you really enjoy. If you are starting a company, make sure you are solving some sort of problem. Once you determine the need and have an idea, get feedback and see how it sticks.”

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37

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38

M I L E S TO N E S

WEDDINGS

IN MEMORIAM

’01 Christina A. Cheng and Alex Williams, 8/8/20

’38 Frederick W. Sargent

’05 J. J. Garrett Lamborn and Kara McKeag, 7/27/20

’48 Lawrence B. Fink, Jr.

’06 Stephanie L. Kunkel and Nick Jenkins, 10/10/20

’50 Albert F. Heck

’06 Natalie K. Pappas and Joshua Magarick, 9/5/20

’53 William A. Adams, Sr.

’08 Hilary T. Jacobs and Nicholas Bolash, 9/14/19

’54 John P. Haws

’08 Tara C. Messing and Rodrigo Rengifo, 1/20/20

’57 James E. Greenwood

’09 Victoria M. Klein and Trevor Hoffberger, 10/10/20

’57 Paul J. Marshner, Jr.

’09 Brooke S. Pachino and Charlie Anderson, 8/7/20

’58 Edward W. Pierce

’1 1 Alice D. Jiranek and John E. Sartory ’11, 10/24/20

’61 Gary C. Grace

’13 William A. Hood and Colleen Bassett, 11/7/20

’66 John H. Stone

>>>

’70 Joseph P. Bright III

BIRTHS

’70 Sherman H. Deveas III ’76 William H. Neveker

’92 Taylor L. McAfee DeFelice and Gregory DeFelice: Lily Alessandra Victoria, 6/11/20

’77 Spencer R. Cooke

’94 Dayton L. Miller and Maria Camacho: Josephine Louise, 8/20/20

’77 George A. Hayes III

’98 Jonathan C. Bondroff and Emily Bondroff: Layla James, 10/7/20 ’99 Lesley S. Reider and Brian Rane: Dylan Reider, 4/7/20 ’00 Julie A. McCartney Mainelli and Matt Mainelli: Caroline Margaret, 8/15/20

Former Trustee

’00 Wendy L. Wallace and Finn Maigaard: Henry Wallace, 4/20

Robert G. Sabelhaus

’02 James A. Kaiser and Mary Kaiser: Emma Anne, 8/3/20 ’02 Mariel Wilner Moakley and Eric Moakley: Jayden Sierra, 6/25/20

Former Faculty

’03 Katie R. Bray White and Mark White: Samuel Locher, 8/3/20

Anne M. Burgess

’06 William C. Geist III and Miller Geist: Anna Lena, 9/10/20 ’06 Andrew O. Mace and Jessica Mace: Lucy Christine, 4/5/20 ’06 John W. Wood IV and Anastasia Agafonava: Jacob Victor, 12/21/19 ’07 Katye M. McNulty Jorgensen and Jared M. Jorgensen ’07: Jacobson Aaron, 6/26/19

As of January 19, 2021

’07 David S. Reed, Jr. and Claire Rosenberg: Naomi Rose, 10/20/20 ’09 Morgan Koopman Silcott and Blake Silcott: Camden Navy, 10/4/20 ’09 Robert A. Owen II and Katelyn Miller Owen ’10: Patrick Miller, 9/4/20 ’10 Zulqarnain ‘Sono’ Khan and Ishmal Malik: Zydan, 7/21/20 ’10 Katelyn Miller Owen and Robert A. Owen II ’09: Patrick Miller, 9/4/20 ’10 William B. Wood and My Ha Thuy Tran: Mila Cai Lam, 11/13/20

>>> Despite their schools’ storied rivalry, Tori Klein ’09 married Trevor Hoffberger (a Gilman alumnus) on October 10.

>>>

39

>>> These members of the McDonogh Family (pictured in July) have kept up their monthly lunch tradition throughout the pandemic. Top row, from left: Rod Baker ’65, Leslie Zuga, Al Heck ’50 (now deceased); second row, from left: John Beever ’50, Jeff MacHamer ’70, Larry Levine ’50; bottom row, from left: Fred ’50 and Ginny Mitchell, Jay ’50 and Diane Weiss, and Kingsley Moore.

1955

>>>

C L A S S N OT E S

>>>

“Blackhall Valve” 2018 Acrylic on canvas, 32” x 38” by David Knapp ’55

1956

DAVID J. KNAPP led a long and

F. DARNALL DALEY, JR. and his wife,

successful career in the manufacturing industry, and he has recently been spending his time as an industrial artist. David started painting manufacturing foundries while running a large steel foundry in the 1970s. He has been combining his passion for foundry history and large industrial paintings for years, and in July, he fulfilled his lifelong goal to exhibit in an accredited museum. David’s collection of paintings, Beneath the Smokestacks, is featured in Halley & Klein Galleries in his home state of Ohio.

Ernie, are living in Orlando, FL. Darnall has published five books this year, including My Name is Frank (pictured below), which is a biography of his father, The Rev. Francis D. Daley. The book also includes several of his much-loved sermons.

>>>

1957

>>>

40

Members of the Class of 1957 have been gathering for virtual lunches. Top row, from left: Scon Boccuti, George Bryant, and Jeff Clayten; bottom row, from left: Rick Ricketts and Norris Price.

Before JAMES E. GREENWOOD passed away in October, he spoke to ASCANIO S. BOCCUTI about encouraging classmates to support their late friend’s scholarship fund, the John E. “Ted” Savage ’57 Scholarship. To honor Jimmy’s wishes, Scon pitched the idea during the monthly Class of 1957 Zoom meeting. A goal was set, classmate ROBERT J. COLONNA offered a match, and over the course of seven weeks, 18 friends from the Classes of 1957 and 1958 made donations in Jimmy’s memory. Gifts totaling $24,000 increased the value of the scholarship fund to over $100,000.

>>> Peggy and Brad Lewis ’67, Chester Jennings ’67, and Jo Jennings enjoy dinner at Ruth’s Chris in St. Petersburg, FL.

1960 living with his wife of 42 years, Julie Metzger, in a cabin in the Colorado mountains just west of the continental divide. He has retired twice: first after serving as a federal judge for 25 years and then as a law and philosophy professor at Harvard, Penn State, Ohio State, and other universities. In addition to teaching seminars for commercial court judges in 25 countries around the world, Sam lived in France for a year and Romania for six months. He credits McDonogh for setting him on this path.

1965 VICTOR I. REUS , a psychiatrist

specializing in bipolar disorder and treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, has been consulting with patients online from Sonoma Valley. He plans to retire this year with emeritus status from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine and transition to follow-up appointments only. This will allow him to continue work on several large-scale National Institute of Mental Health studies investigating the genetics of serious mental illness in Colombia, South America. The California wildfires have caused him to evacuate several times, but he is happy to report that there was no damage in his local area. Victor laments not being able to travel

during this time, but he is grateful for trips to Antarctica and near the North Pole over the last few years. He is happy to have rekindled an email friendship with GILBERT H. LUDWIG , a McDonogh classmate from middle school who is now a retired lawyer in Pittsburgh, PA. The two enjoy reminiscing about classmates, teachers, and events from over 60 years ago.

1966 DAVID S. MEACHAM , a certified

mediator and a licensed Maryland Real Estate Broker since 1977, was recently named the Administrator of the Christ Church Harbor Apartments in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. He lives with his wife, Jana, in Laurel, MD, and he is proud to report that his son, Toby, is a professional golfer and his daughter, Kari, is an aerobics instructor.

KATRINA SMOOT SWARTZ (pictured

above) is retired and living on the North Carolina coast. She fills her days with lots of outdoor activities, including hiking, going to the beach, and visiting farmers markets. In August, Kathy enjoyed a visit with her daughters, Ealer Swartz Payne (left) and Caitlin Swartz (right).

1976 GARY L. BULL retired from the

Baltimore County Fire Department in October after 32 years. He was certified as a paramedic and Hazardous Materials Technician, and he held positions as an EMT and Fire Specialist. Officially assigned to the Texas, Middle River, and Brooklandville stations, Gary worked at all of the county stations during his career.

Gary Bull ’76, pictured with daughter Elisabeth Seitzinger, a Baltimore County 911 call-taker and fire dispatcher, who read her father’s retirement announcement over the main dispatch channel.

>>>

SAMUEL L. BUFFORD is retired and

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41

C L A S S N OT E S

>>>

Jonathan Holljes’s ’76 family visited Skyline Drive during their vacation in Shenandoah Valley, VA. year at the School of Pharmacy at University or Florida. Her daughter, Rachel, is a freshman at Elon University studying public health and marketing.

1976

1978

JONATHAN L. HOLLJES and his wife,

CHRISTOPHER A. CHAMBERS , an

Jeni, experienced some joyful events amidst an otherwise challenging year. On January 9, 2020, they welcomed their first grandchild, Seth Phillip Holljes, who has been a true blessing to them and parents Phillip (Jonathan and Jeni’s son) and Miranda. Their daughter, Sarah, also announced her engagement to boyfriend Wilber and they wed in December with a bigger celebration planned for 2021. Jonathan says it was a wonderful year of watching their family grow.

acclaimed author living in Washington, D.C., released his latest crime novel, Scavenger (Three Rooms Press) in 2020. Chris recently left the classroom as a Professor of Media Studies at Georgetown University for a visiting fellowship with the International Conflict Resolution Center, and he remains General Counsel at Soteryx, a start-up company specializing in Internet of Things cybersecurity.

1985

1977

LYNNE C. STERN ELKES is in her 27th

J. THOMAS HOOD III earned the

i

number two spot for the second year in a row in Accounting Today’s list of top public accountants. Tom was also tapped to serve on Governor Hogan’s COVID-19 task force.

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTOS & CLASS NOTES The deadline for the next issue is May 15, 2021. Upload class notes and photos to mcdonogh.org/classnotes. Photos will be published based on quality and available space. Please be sure to identify everyone. Digital images are preferred and should be at least 2 megapixels [1600 x 1200 pixels]. Prints should be mailed to: Office of Alumni Engagement McDonogh School 8600 McDonogh Road Owings Mills, MD 21117

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42

>>> Christopher Chambers ’78 released his latest crime novel, Scavenger, in October.

year of teaching college-level economics and finance. She has been at Loyola University Maryland in the Economics Department since 2007. Her son, Daniel, graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in chemistry and is now in his second

1986 MARJORIE J. RODGERS CHESHIRE

was recently appointed to Exelon’s Board of Directors. Marjorie is currently President and Chief Operating Officer of A&R Development Corp., a diversified real estate investment firm that owns large-scale multifamily, commercial, and mixed-use properties in the greater BaltimoreWashington region.

1987 JOHN J. STROUSE , a hematologist

and pediatric hematologyoncology specialist in North Carolina, joined Duke Health in July 2016 to direct the Adult Sickle Cell Program and focus on the care of children and adults with hemoglobin disorders. He reports that COVID-19 has had less impact on the Duke Health system than other providers, but his team remained busy modifying care

>>> Navid Lotfi ’89, Chris Emens ’89, and David Robinson ’89 celebrated Navid’s 50th birthday by playing a few rounds at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon.

>>>

Lauren Lipscomb ’93, Maria Ruiz Zaneski ’93, Courtney Odum-Duncan ’93, and Noreen Qureshi ’93 stay in touch with an annual get-together, but this year’s gathering looked quite different! In October, their annual reunion took place on Zoom, and while not ideal, they were happy to connect.

delivery from in-person visits to 80 percent telemedicine in a two-week period. Since sickle cell disease patients have an increased risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, his team also educates patients on how to stay safe.

1988 MATTHEW H. ALEXANDER , an

experienced teacher, principal, and community organizer, was elected to the San Francisco Board of Education after earning the votes of nearly 150,000 citizens who share his commitment to the school system’s teachers, paraeducators, staff, families, and students.

1996 ALI TABATABAI is the Medical

Director of the Shock Trauma Biocontainment Unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center. In this

>>>

Jamie Ingerman Parks ’90 and Cori Horn ’90 celebrated decades of friendship in New York, NY, in October.

vital role, Ali sees some of the state’s sickest patients and has led the charge to provide care for severe COVID-19 cases.

1999 EMILY L. LEVENSON recently left

Brown, Goldstein & Levy after seven years of litigation to assume the role of General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer at Agile Six Applications, Inc., a full-spectrum digital services company and government contractor. MONA MAISAMI MARIMOW lives in

Boston, MA, with her husband and three children. She enjoys running and supporting the Good Sports organization, helping to provide sports equipment and resources to communities in need. Mona recently celebrated the five-year anniversary of her marketing agency, MOCO Global, and is happy to speak to students and

alumni who might be interested in the field. Look her up on McDonogh Connect at connect.mcdonogh.org.

2000 LAUREL J. DAMASHEK had fun

reuniting virtually with classmates ELIZABETH F. GELBER and CAROLINE A. MEYER OMOLESKY and members of the Class of 1999 PRIYA P. GOWDABOYLAN, TIFFANY E. ABRAHAM, DANIEL A. BIRENBAUM , and JUSTIN H. MCCUBBIN at the August 8 wedding

of CHRISTINA A. CHENG from the Class of 2001. Laurel works in integrated risk management, compliance, and ethics at SAI Global in Massachusetts. She also recently joined the board of directors of NephCure Kidney International, a non-profit tackling rare kidney diseases, and she has been supporting their efforts to keep kidney patients informed and safe during the pandemic.

>>>

43

2002 AMRITA K. DANG is a multidisciplinary

artist and ambient musician who performs experimental sitar, vocals, and electronics. She was recently featured in The New York Times for her collaborative musical project, Galdre Visions, which was remotely created to reflect the uncertainty of 2020. During November, Ami shared her musical talents with McDonogh students in the Honors Dance Company, Upper School Strings Ensemble, and Honors Photography class. JAMES A. KAISER and wife, Mary,

welcomed their second child, Emma Anne, on August 3. While the pandemic has been challenging in innumerable ways, they are grateful for the amount of time they have been able to spend with Emma and her big brother, Henry.

2003 BRANDON J. GOLUEKE won the

White Marlin Open this summer by catching the third-largest white marlin in tournament history, weighing in at 97 pounds. He is pictured above with current faculty member Andy Motsko who is also one of the directors of the White Marlin Open. BRYANT M. MCGEE was named Chief

Marketing Officer at CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, after spending three years in a similar marketing role with the accounting and consulting firm SC&H Group. In his new position, Mack will oversee the company’s communications, public and media relations, and customer experience and insights. KATIE R. BRAY WHITE and her

>>>

Vikas Jayadeva ’04 (pictured on left) joined the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Trials at Kaiser as a member of the clinical trial staff.

>>>

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husband, Mark, live in Raleigh, NC, where Katie is an editor for a test development company and Mark works in the nonpartisan budget

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Brandon Golueke ’03 and faculty member Andy Motsko catch up at the White Marlin Open.

Garrett Lamborn ’05 and Kara McKeag were married last summer.

office of the North Carolina General Assembly. The couple welcomed their second child last summer; Samuel Locher joined big brother William on August 3.

2004 VIKAS K. JAYADEVA completed a

residency in family medicine at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center in June and joined the Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Trials at Kaiser as a member of the clinical trial staff.

2005 J. J. GARRETT LAMBORN and Kara

McKeag, who met as Assistant Baseball Coach and Assistant Athletic

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Natalie Pappas ’06 married Joshua Magarick in Clearwater Beach, FL, on September 5.

Hilary Jacobs ’08 married Nicholas Bolash in Annapolis, MD, on September 14, 2019. They currently reside in Washington, D.C.

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Trainer at Hamilton College, got married on July 27 with a small group of immediate family. Garrett and his new wife plan to celebrate with grandparents, extended family, and friends on their one-year anniversary at the Pennsylvania home of Pearl S. Buck, a location with sentimental family connections.

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Stephanie Kunkel ’06 married Nick Jenkins on October 10 at their farmette in Parkton, MD. Their dogs, Nacho and Hank, joined in the festivities!

Kramer Whitelaw ’08 and his team proudly display their 384-pound blue marlin.

BRITTANY L. TEGELER was recognized

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by the Baltimore Business Journal in their “Class of 2020 40 Under 40.” Brittany has spent her career in the commercial real estate and construction industries, and she is currently the CEO of Tegeler Construction and Supply in Baltimore, MD.

Rashida Holmes ’06

2006 RASHIDA A. HOLMES was featured in

The New York Times for her small food business, Bridgetown Roti, located in Los Angeles, CA. Roti stands are ubiquitous in Trinidad and Barbados, and Rashida is excited to offer this hard-to-find West Indian street food to the pop-up restaurant scene. ANDREW O. MACE and his wife, Jessica,

welcomed daughter Lucy Christine on April 5. Andrew and Jessica live in Richmond, VA, where Andrew is a software engineer and Jessica is a second-year pediatric resident.

2008 KRAMER J. WHITELAW and his team

caught the largest blue marlin (384 pounds!) in the seventh annual HUK Big Fish Classic tournament in Ocean City, MD, in July. The competition attracted a record 105 boats.

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Brooke Pachino ’09 and Charlie Anderson were married on August 7 in Annapolis, MD. While it was not the wedding they had initially planned, they are grateful to have held a small celebration with their families.

2010 NORMAN E. PARKER III has been living in

the Los Angeles, CA, area for more than five years working in entertainmentrelated roles for notable shows and networks. He was promoted in October to Staff Writer for Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers television show.

Will Hood ’13 married Colleen Bassett on November 7 at Castle Farm in Snow Hill, MD.

2012 GARRETT M. CUSACK graduated from the

University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2019 and has been working as an attorney for Muchmore & Associates PLLC, a Brooklyn, NY, law firm focused on commercial litigation, arbitration, and appeals. CHARLES R. MCDONALD , a varsity

football player at McDonogh and a defensive lineman at Gettysburg College, discovered an unexpected passion for writing and is currently a popular NFL reporter. Charles started blogging about football after a back

injury took him off the field during college. His contributions to popular sites such as NFL Mocks, Football Outsiders, Falcoholic, and Bleacher Report led him to his first full-time position as senior NFL writer at SB Nation in 2018. Today he is a Senior NFL Writer for the New York Daily News.

software engineer for Instagram TV (IGTV). In June, Ethan authored a post for Better Marketing detailing how to drive social impact through an Instagram augmented reality filter after he successfully implemented this strategy to educate and encourage people to donate to the Black Lives Matter movement.

2015

SAMANTHA V. CALLARI graduated from

ETHAN S. BROWN , a graduate of

Stanford University, is living in San Francisco, CA, and working as a

the University of Tennessee and accepted a position as a registered nurse at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC) in Towson, MD.

Tara Messing ’09 married Rodrigo Rengifo in Medellin, Colombia, on January 20, 2020.

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Garrett Cusack ’12 with his grandfather and fellow alum, Bill Schaefer ’47.

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Jack Sartory ’11 and Alice Jiranek ’11 were finally able to salvage their twice-postponed large wedding with a small ceremony and reception on Casey Key, FL, on October 24. A majority of the 33 guests were McDonogh alums. From left: Frannie Jiranek ’14, Jay Jiranek ’16, Conor Sartory ’06, Casey Pepperman ’11, Alice, Jack, Patrick Sartory ’08, Arriana Sajad ’11, Susan Sartory, Ally Lipman ’11, and Chris Bell ’11.

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From left: Dutch and Archer Senft ’17 show the canvas that they created together.

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2016 BRIDGETTE A. ANDRZEJEWSKI , a

recognized soccer player and four-year forward at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, fulfilled her childhood dream of becoming a professional soccer player. She was a second-round pick for the Houston Dash at the 2020 National Women’s Soccer League College Draft in Baltimore, MD, last January. Bridgette was instrumental in leading McDonogh to three straight IAAM championships and helped the Tar Heels reach the NCAA title game in her final two seasons. MARIE S. M. CATANESÉ, (below) a

recent Bucknell University graduate, was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for 2021-2022. She plans to work and study in Malaysia.

SOPHIA V. STAVISKY (below) joined

Northrop Realty as a real estate agent in the Baltimore area. She has a passion for helping other people and feels lucky that she gets to do this every day working for the number one team in the company.

2017 ARCHER H. SENFT is taking a fifth

year as an engineering and computer science major at the University of Pennsylvania and opted to complete his final year online due to COVID-19. While studying at home, Archer and his younger brother, Dutch, have been creating art at Studio 17 in Hampden. They have completed a four-month collaboration of Archer’s digital free-hand projected onto a 4x5-foot canvas that Dutch painted acting as his brother’s arms and hands, and the work was featured in an art show in October. Archer is selling his poster art and t-shirts online at slimeyard.com. Archer’s mother, Louise Phipps Senft, recently launched a podcast called Blink of an Eye that tells the story of the swimming accident that left Archer paralyzed and his recovery. The podcast, which can be found at blinkofaneyepodcast.com, explores the true nature of relationships, and demonstrates how to advocate for possibilities in the face of life-changing traumatic events.

2018

Angeles, CA! She says she misses McDonogh and wishes good health and safety for everyone. SIERRA M. FENTRESS designed a

billboard that helps to discourage distracted driving. As part of her final project for an advertising class at Syracuse University, Sierra partnered with the Project Yellow Light contest to create a public service announcement. Her simple concept, ‘About to drive, ttyl,’ won the national competition, earning Sierra a $2,000 scholarship.

2020 EMILY C. ARMERO , JACKSON T. BONITZ , and DANE E. SWANSON are

freshmen at the United States Naval Academy, and they all endured the traditional plebe summer. Jackson was also profiled in US Lacrosse magazine for his membership in the U.S. U19 men’s national lacrosse team. The team was set to participate in the world championships in Ireland but will now compete in the U20 championships in 2021.

MARGARET A. AKEY has been working

as an EMT at UCLA while finishing up her B.S. in Neuroscience. The job has been intense but extremely rewarding, and she never imagined that after McDonogh she would be driving ambulances and responding to 911 calls during a global pandemic in Los

Emily Armero ’20

Jackson Bonitz ’20

Dane Swanson ’20

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C L A S S N OT E S B A B I E S

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1. Taylor McAfee DeFelice ’92 and Gregory DeFelice welcomed Lily Alessandra Victoria on June 11. Big brothers James and Charles are thrilled to have a sister. 2. Josephine Louise was born to Dayton Miller ’94 and Maria Camacho on August 20, and everyone is happy and healthy, including big brother Landon. 3. Lesley Reider ’99 and her husband, Brian Rane, are pleased to announce the birth of their baby boy, Dylan Reider, born on April 7. 4. Julie McCartney Mainelli ’00, husband Matt, and proud big sister Kate welcomed baby Caroline Margaret on August 15. 5. Wendy Wallace ’00 and her husband, Finn Maigaard, welcomed Henry Wallace in April. Henry is pictured with his two-and-a-half-year-old brother, Christian. 6. Mariel Wilner Moakley ’02 and her husband, Eric Moakley, welcomed their first child, Jayden Sierra, on June 25. 7. Morgan Koopman Silcott ’09 and her husband, Blake, welcomed Camden Navy on October 4. 8. Katie Bray White ’03 and her husband, Mark, welcomed son Samuel Locher on August 3, joining big brother William. 9. Andrew Mace ’06 and his wife, Jessica, welcomed daughter Lucy Christine on April 5. 10. Billy Wood ’10 and his wife, My Thuy Ha Tran, welcomed their daughter, Mila Khai Lam Wood, on November 13. 11. David Reed, Jr. ’07, his wife, Claire Rosenberg, and son, Graham, welcomed Naomi Rose on October 20. 12. Jared Jorgensen ’07, Katye McNulty Jorgensen ’07, and big brothers Jackson ’33 and Jameson welcomed Jacobson Aaron on June 26, 2019. 13. Sono Khan ’10 and his wife, Ishmal Malik, welcomed son Zydan on July 21. 14. Katelyn Miller Owen ’10 and Rob Owen ’09 welcomed their first child, Patrick Miller, on September 4. 15. John Wood ’06 and Anastasia Agafonava with their son, Jacob Victor Wood, who was born in Guam on December 21, 2019.

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Above&Beyond THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MORE IMPORTANT TIME TO SUPPORT MCDONOGH

Support the School’s ongoing efforts to offer a safe, healthy, and positive learning environment for students on campus and online.

Respond to the continued demand for financial aid by providing assistance to deserving students with demonstrated need.

Ensure that curriculum, instruction, classroom culture, and school climate are inclusive and reflect the diversity of our community.

Give administrators the flexibility to allocate resources where they are needed as McDonogh navigates uncharted territory this year. WAYS TO GIVE @mcdonoghfund

443.544.7051

mcdonogh.org/give

Monthly Payments 443.544.7051

Stock Transfers 443.544.7044 McDonogh School Office of Philanthropy 8600 McDonogh Road Owings Mills, MD 21117

8600 McDonogh Road Owings Mills, Maryland 21117-0380 www.mcdonogh.org

PARTING SHOT To give teachers extra support during the pandemic, McDonogh’s administration and staff have been helping students off the buses and out of cars in the morning, chaperoning recess and lunch periods, and quietly sitting with the prekindergartners during rest time. The latter has become a favorite for Head of School Dave Farace ’87. Here he tucks in prekindergartner Daniel T. for a nap.