Young Scholars Program Brochure

2 0 2 6 A Nation at Play: Athletics and the American Story July 12th - 26th 2026 Hudson, Ohio

MEET the

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COUNSELORS

THE COUNSELORS

Lillian Kercher ‘26 YSP ‘21 | Counselor, Long House | Garrettsville, OH

Entering her first summer as a counselor at YSP, and fresh out of graduating from WRA, Lillian is looking forward to this summer. Her academic interests include world history, environmental science, and languages. Some of her favorite things to do are reading, hanging out with her dog, and watching what she considers “weird” movies. She is excited to welcome everyone to Long House over the next two weeks of YSP!

THE COUNSELORS

Caroline West ‘27

Dee Miller

YSP ‘23 | Counselor, Long House | Kent, OH

YSP ‘24 | Counselor, Long House | Garrettsville, OH

Caroline West attended YSP in 2023 and absolutely loves reading, writing, and all things history. She is the captain of the girls' crosscountry team, runs winter and spring track, and participates in WRA’s dance program, musicals, and plays. She also loves commentating on different games at Reserve through broadcasting, where she's proud to say she’s learned all the rules of field hockey, witnessed an Anthony Thompson dunk, and almost broke a sound system from getting too excited after a goal!

A 2024 attendee of the Young Scholars Program, Dee is excited to join the program staff for the first time this summer! She loves writing and science, especially marine biology! She intends to go to West Point or the Naval Academy and major in Foreign Area Studies with a minor in French. She loves reading, crocheting, and lifting!

She throws shot put in track and is a part of the marching band at her school. She intends to graduate from high school early, making her a junior! She is super excited to work with everyone and have a great time!

THE COUNSELORS

Finn Frato-Sweeney ‘26

Kendel Barber ‘28

YSP ‘21 | Counselor, Cutler House | Hiram, OH

YSP ‘23, ‘24 | Counselor, Cutler House | Negley, OH

A recent graduate of Reserve, Finn is looking forward to his second summer as a counselor for YSP. He is a skilled photographer and videographer.

Throughout his journey, he has worked for multiple professional sports organizations, including the Cleveland Monsters and Charge, and has also photographed household names such as Shaq and Machine Gun Kelly. He will be attending the University of Miami, where he will study communications to pursue his interest in media and journalism in the sports world. He is a huge sports fan and is looking forward to making this year unforgettable and worthwhile for all!

A rising junior at WRA, Kendel will be in his fourth year at YSP and his second as a counselor. Academically, he is very involved in the performing arts and enjoys editing for The Reserve Record and Viewpoints, WRA’s nonfiction magazine. He is interested in politics, acting, and singing on stage. In his two years at Reserve, he has played six different sports, one of the great aspects of WRA’s athletic program. He is looking forward to welcoming everyone into Cutler House this summer!

MEET the

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ORGANIZATIONAL & CLASSROOM

FACULTY

ORGANIZATIONAL Diccon Ong ‘81 Director | Social Science Faculty | ongd@wra.net

In his twelfth summer with YSP and tenth as Director, Mr. Ong is thrilled to welcome campers to Reserve’s beautiful campus for YSP 2026. He is looking forward to discussing the intersection of athletics and American culture. Mr. Ong is an alum of WRA, a longtime Hudson resident, and teaches College Level Economics at WRA. Mr. ONG IS THE LONGTIME HEAD RIFLE COACH AT WRA

Landon Allis ‘23 Assistant Director | WRA Fellow, Social Science | allisl@wra.net

Mr. Allis is now in his sixth summer with YSP, including two summers as a student. He is looking forward to providing support to the program as Assistant Director. He is a WRA alum, will be student teaching at Reserve this year, and serves as dorm faculty on campus. Sports are a key part of who he is; an apt love for this summer’s theme!

Mr. ALLIS STARTED WRA’S SPORTS MEDIA PROGRAM

IN THE CLASSROOM Sarah Horgan

Matt Gerber

Lead Classroom Teacher | Social Science Faculty | horgans@wra.net

WIC Instructor | Chief Innovation Officer | gerberm@wra.net

With the program since its inception in 2012, Ms. Horgan is looking forward to welcome everyone to Seymour Hall daily to provide a detailed and intentional discussion regarding athletics in America. She is a parent of four WRA grads, and is a teacher in the Social Sciences Department at WRA with over 40 years of experience.

With YSP since its inaugural year, Mr. Gerber looks forward to helping campers learn how to make anything in the Wang Innovation Center (WIC). He plans to use laser cutters, design software, and so much more. He teaches a wide variety of courses in design, making, and business. He is WRA’s Chief Innovation Officer.

MS. HoRGAN HAS RUN BOTH THE CLEVELAND AND AKRON MARATHONS

Mr. DAVIES, WHILE NOT “PARTICULARLY ATHLETIC,” LOVES WATCHING FOOTBALL WITH HIS SON

Mr. GERBER PLAYED FOOTBALL IN COLLEGE

Brandon Davies

Jeff Namiotka

Theatrical Instructor | Technical Theatre Dir. | daviesb@wra.net

Philosophy Instructor | Classical Languages Faculty | namiotkaj@wra.net

Now in his sixth summer with YSP, Mr. Davies is eager to welcome students to the Knight Fine Arts Center Theater to help with their final presentation. He is a parent of three, is a self-described “huge movie buff,” and teaches courses at WRA in technical theatre and introlevel classes in the Wang Innovation Center.

A YSP classroom regular, Mr. Namiotka is excited to discuss philosophical ideas in relation to the history of American athletics. He has three children, two of whom are WRA grads and one a YSP alum. At Reserve, Mr. Namiotka teaches various levels of Latin, as well as a student favorite - College Level Philosophy.

Mr. Namiotka has coached boys track, and assists with the bOYS XC TEAM.

IN THE CLASSROOM Nora Namiotka ‘23

Rithi Hegde ‘29

Theatrical Instructor

Coding Instructor

Now in her second summer working with YSP, Nora is happy to join the team to assist with our theatrical presentation. She is a 2023 grad of WRA, where she starred in various theatrical productions. She currently attends Connecticut College. Nora is excited to welcome campers to the stage of the Knight Fine Arts Center!

A first-year instructor at YSP, Rithi is excited to carry on the legacy that her sister began of teaching coding to the program’s students. She is a sophomore at WRA, and is looking forward to teaching this year’s group!

NoRA WAS A THREE-SPORT VARSITY ATHLETE IN HER TIME AT WRA

RiTHI IS A MEMBER OF WRA’S VARSITY TENNIS TEAM

Coaching Panel Thomas Adams-Wall Hannah Barry ‘10 Matt Garvey Carmen Ptacek Dylan Sheridan ‘02

Matt Garvey

Pat Sweeney

Landon Allis

External Programs Dept.

CAMPUS MAP

CONTACTS Below is a list of numbers & contacts that you or your student may need.

Diccon Ong - 330.715.2350, ongd@wra.net Landon Allis - 330.650.9777, allisl@wra.net WRA Security - 330.903.0095

ABOUT WRA Western Reserve Academy (WRA) is a private, coeducational, boarding and day school, serving grades 9-12 with a postgraduate option.

Students come from 33 states and 41 countries from around the world. WRA celebrates 200 years of excellence in education in 2026, and we are honored that you get to be a part of our Bicentennial story.

115 College Street, Hudson, OH 44236