Over 25 Years of Lytle Scholars By Laura Lombardo Yusick ’96 Nichols School is extremely fortunate to have many named endowment funds, known as Named Scholarship Funds, established by alumni and friends of the School to support our financial aid program. One fund in particular draws the attention of the young enthusiastic student. Established to honor Almon “Judgy” Wheeler Lytle II ’64, who died during his freshman year at Cornell University. At a young age, Judgy had the spirit, personality and magnetism that undoubtedly touched the lives of many. Judgy’s French teacher, Jim Herlan, remembered: “Judgy Lytle was a very special sort of young man, the sort whom teachers learn to cherish. Although his academic record was always strong, Judgy was far more than merely a good classroom performer. He brought to the school – his friends and his teachers – a particular quality of humanity and warmth which now, unhappily for all of us, can be appreciated only in retrospect. In his eyes was always a lively twinkle, with a touch of boyish mischief, challenging us, his teachers, not play the phony, not to rest easy on our academic dignity. And we welcomed his challenge, for he reminded us that we are teaching fellow human beings. Perhaps his example of warmth-giving will help us all to share more freely our own humanity with those around us.” His brother, Mark Lytle ’62, writes in the accompanying article, “…I like to think that all of us play our roles in life better for having known him. Certainly, he changed me.” Close friends, Mike Keiser ’63* and Bill Mathias ’63 conceived and organized the annual scholarship to keep his memory alive and ever present. Mr. Keiser describes Judgy as “a good friend, exceedingly popular with people of all ages. He had a magnetic personality, was smart and athletic… To know Judgy was to like him…I thought that if we started a scholarship in his name, we would continue to remember him as he should be recalled.” The scholarship is awarded to a rising ninth grade student who best fits the characteristics that made Judgy a special 42
Nichols School
From left to right: Bill Mathias ‘63, Kylie Smith ‘16, Valerie McNamara ‘14, Edward Halady ‘16, Hannah Elsinghorst ‘12, Liam Ryam ‘13, Mike Keiser ‘63, Patricia Daly ‘13, Madison Sansone ‘14, Griffin Lunn ‘16, Thomas Nuttle ‘14, Pearl Guerin ‘13, Warren Gelman ‘63
member of the Nichols Community: an able student whose qualities of mind are evidenced not so much in achievement as in curiosity, questioning and a capacity for excellence when inspired; a student whose success in extracurricular activities stems not just from physical attributes or artistic talents, but also from enthusiasm for the challenges these activities offer and the camaraderie they engender; a student who is able to place loyalty to
Are you a former Lytle Scholar? We want to hear from you to learn more about your Nichols’ experience and life after Commencement. Email Laura Lombardo Yusick ’96 at lyusick@nicholsschool.org.
friends above personal goals; a student of democratic sensibility whose choice of friends is inclusive rather than exclusive; a student who sympathizes with the underdog; a student who accepts and enjoys the challenges of life and the unlimited experiences it has to offer. Since 1987, 61 students have been recognized and named Judgy Lytle Scholars. Once selected as a recipient, named scholars carry this award through graduation. At the moment, we have 12 Lytle Scholars who represent Nichols and demonstrate the Lytle spirit in many capacities: Troy Dobbs ’14, Valerie McNamara ’14, Tom Nuttle ’14, Madison Sansone ’14, Stephen Glinski ’15, Griffin Lunn ’16, Nicholas Passafiume ’15, Olivia Zafuto ’15, Edward Halady ’16, Kylie Smith ’16, and most recently, freshmen, Damone Millar ’17 and Steven Senese ’17. Several of our Lytle Scholars met with Mr. Keiser last spring at a private gathering prior to Commencement. On meeting this group