Spring 2022 Bridge

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M AGAZ INE

Second grade students discover the wonder of matter and how it can exist in one of three main states: solid, liquid, or gas.

THE BRIDGE is published for alumni, parents and friends by Severn School’s communications office. We encourage all of our readers to respond with comments, questions and information. 201 Water Street, Severna Park, MD 21146 410.647.7700 or info@severnschool.com

ONLINE ACCESS: All issues of the Bridge can be found at Issuu.com for easy online reading https://bit.ly/spring2022bridge.

© 2022 Severn School. All Rights Reserved. Severn School does not discriminate against any person in admission, employment, or otherwise because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or age. Severn School is accredited by the Association of Independent Schools (AIMS), and is approved by the Maryland State Board of Education.

MISSION STATEMENT Severn School challenges its students to pursue excellence in character, conduct, and scholarship, to marshal the courage to lead, and to contribute to the world around them.

We believe this is best realized in a community where adults model these qualities, where a culture of belonging is fostered, and where each student is known and valued.

Douglas Lagarde, HEAD OF SCHOOL Jim Murphy, BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR Nicole Anderson and Jayme Alfano, EDITORS Carolyn Campion, DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS AND ALUMNI GIVING DESIGNED, PRODUCED AND PRINTED BY MOSAIC Jessica Popham McDermott ’97, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT Shannon Howell, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Please note that all photography included in this issue follows current CDC health and safety guidance.

ON THE COVER: Severn School is celebrating 50 years of women for the 2021–2022 school year.

SE VE RN NEWS FROM CA MPU S

EXCERPTED FROM CONVOCATION REMARKS ON 9.3.21 While COVID may still be with us in some form, it does not diminish, in any way, the incredible grit, patience, flexibility and character that you as students displayed last year. You inspired the adults who work with you, and I’m very proud of all of your efforts.

We are all living through history book stuff right now. I guarantee, your children and grandchildren will ask you what it was like going to school during the great Coronavirus pandemic of 2020. And, while you will likely embellish a bit, I hope that you will speak about how this difficult time set you up to succeed in life; that you will speak about the resilience you built in the face of difficulties, about how you learned to solve problems with creativity and agility, and about how you persisted and overcame the complex challenges the pandemic presented and then used these lessons to overcome other difficulties you faced in life. I hope you will speak about how, while trying, the pandemic set you up to thrive because you persevered.

A prolonged taxing environment can erode the culture of an organization and that of a school. It takes years of investment to build a healthy culture, yet it can erode quickly when having to endure an environment like this pandemic. So I’m going to ask all of you for your help this year. The help I’m seeking is that you become the stewards, the caretakers of our daily culture, and make sure it remains positive and supportive of everyone.

In his book Legacy, James Kerr chronicles why the New Zealand Rugby team, the All Blacks, has had decades of international success even as its roster changes through the years. The reason, each member of the team is dedicated to stewarding a culture that “leaves the jersey in a better place” than when he first

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put it on. Kerr writes, “You don’t own the jersey, you are just the body in it at this time.

It’s your job to continue the legacy and add to it when you get your opportunity.”

For 108 years, thousands of Severn graduates — all of their names etched in marble in the rotunda — have metaphorically worn the jersey that you wear today. Successful cultures are organic and adaptive, they change and flow, and those who are in position to contribute in the present will hopefully embrace the expectation to add to the legacy. I look forward to seeing how you wear the jersey and advance our culture this year.

At a broader school level, the Board of Trustees at Severn has similar stewardship duties. Their responsibility, as trustees, is to hold the School in trust not just now but for generations to come.

Their job is to project forward and consider Severn’s future and put it in position such that the school thrives today and in the future. One of the ways in which they do this is strategic planning. Last January, a Board Steering Committee composed of Trustees, administration, faculty and parents began the formal process of creating a strategic plan that will act as a compass in the coming years and bring our community together toward one common vision.

The focus of the work thus far has been to make sure we instill in our students broad competencies and mindsets that are agile, adaptable, and applicable across a range of novel situations so that you will be able to lead successfully and contribute to an everchanging world. As you move on from Severn and make your way in the world, you will need to possess intellectual agility for careers and lives in which uncertainty is the only

certainty and possess equal parts emotional intelligence and compassion. You will need to model balanced, personal wellness and follow a broadly shared moral compass with unwavering integrity. And you will need to instinctively include others and make space for the contribution of all voices.

Severn’s ability to create a culture of certainty in a world full of uncertainty, to instill skills and mindsets that foster individual control and to get you to trust in your own agency will provide a foundation on which to thrive. To quote James Kerr again, “A culture becomes great when [people] plant trees whose shade they will never see.” We all are living under the shade of those who came before us. Let us, too, plant trees this year under which future generations of Severn students will be able to thrive.

Again, it is great to see all of you together, and I look forward to working with you as we embark on what stands to be an exciting, fun and prosperous school year.

Doug Lagarde, Head of School

ST R AT EG IC PLAN : 2 0 2 2

LEADERSHIP REIMAGINED For over a century, Severn graduates have walked away with the drive to achieve success in college and the working world and to become leaders in their communities. But success and leadership today look much different than 100 or even 50 years ago. We recognize that our world, our country, our communities, and even our school need something different from leaders today. At this pivotal time in history, we must teach and model a reframed definition of leadership.

We are excited to present Leadership Reimagined, our new strategic plan, shaped by input from the entire Severn community. This plan will serve as our compass for the coming years, provide direction for our board, faculty, and staff, and bring our community together toward one common vision. Education at Severn reaches far beyond what you know; it’s about who you are and the impact you can make on the world. With this strategic plan, we commit to a program that empowers our graduates to take on the challenges previous generations have laid at their feet by practicing the many ways to lead.

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O U R C O R E VA L U E S Our values are the essence of our community, the code by which we live, and the principles upon which we make our decisions. The heart and soul of Severn School, these values reflect how we live our mission each day.

SCHOLARSHIP › DISCOVER WHAT MATTERS

HEALTH AND WELLNESS › BE WELL, LIVE WELL

There’s what we learn in school, and then there’s the impact that knowledge can have on ourselves and those around us. A Severn education is contextualized for the real world, so each student can explore new ideas and make meaning of what they learn. We prioritize intellectual engagement and a lifelong growth mindset as foundations of an excellent education.

Proper nutrition, consistent movement, and a balanced perspective are key ingredients to a driven yet sustainable lifestyle. A Severn education prioritizes the whole person, mind and body, to ensure each student has the fuel they need to grow in the classroom, on the field, and in life.

CHARACTER › TAKE A STAND We are proud to learn and work alongside many talented, caring, and unique individuals and show appreciation, support, and respect for each other, our belongings, our physical spaces, and our outside environment.

Integrity in these things has and always will be essential to who we are.

CONDUCT › BUILD COMMUNITY We are capable of extraordinary things as individuals, but together, we can reach even greater heights. Keeping community at the center gives us the energy and enthusiasm to explore ideas and try new things. This support allows us to make progress toward our collective vision.

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DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION › EVERYONE BELONGS We want every single member of our community - past, current, and future - to feel that Severn is a place where they belong. While diversifying our school is an outcome, ensuring that everyone is included and empowered is the real benefit.

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O U R S T R AT E G I C C O M M I T M E N T S To fulfill our mission, we make the following commitments to our community as we reimagine the way we think about, and prepare our students to be, the kind of leaders the world needs in the 21st century.

INTELLECTUAL AGILITY is the ability to engage in, and adapt to, wide-ranging situations by nimbly and thoughtfully accessing foundational knowledge, considering varying perspectives, and questioning our own understanding. Our students will discover what matters in their learning with the ability to process and evaluate information in reflective and transformational ways.

INSTINCTIVE INCLUSIVITY is the ability to include and engage other people, perspectives, and experiences without prompt, recognizing that such openness broadens knowledge and deepens community. Our students will create an environment where everyone belongs by developing a deep sense of appreciation for others, the desire to lift others up, and a commitment to anti-bias.

OUR PRIORITIES:

OUR PRIORITIES:

• Help every student develop a growth mindset with adaptable and relevant skills through a thoughtful and intentional curriculum.

• Use forward-thinking ways to measure learning and growth through a school-wide assessment and feedback philosophy.

• Support the growth of our teachers through a robust professional development program.

• Encourage collaboration and innovation with state-of-the-art learning spaces.

• Ensure that learning is equitable and that every voice is heard by continually examining all touchpoints of the Severn experience.

• Promote genuine understanding and acceptance of different cultures through curricula that elevate diverse perspectives, materials, and experiences.

• Reduce financial barriers that may stand between qualified students and a Severn education by strengthening our financial access program.

UNWAVERING INTEGRITY is the ability to understand the ethical and moral complexity inherent in today’s world, aligning our decisions and actions with honesty, character, and purpose. Our students will learn to take a stand by embracing honesty, respect, and consideration for others inside and outside of school.

OUR PRIORITIES: • Guide our students to be ethical and responsible citizens with strategies to develop a healthy and productive digital lifestyle and footprint.

• Inspire our students to be active and engaged members of the greater community through a school-wide service learning philosophy.

• Leverage the power of student-adult relationships to infuse our core values into our student leadership development program.

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EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE is the ability to understand the feelings, emotions, and experiences of others as well as our own, developing healthy connections and relationships through self-reflection, outreach, and empathy. Our students will build community through strong and healthy relationships by developing an understanding of themselves, their emotions, and the perspectives of others.

OUR PRIORITIES: • Ensure that all classes and activities at Severn include opportunities for students to prioritize their health through a comprehensive review of our curriculum.

• Enhance how we equitably meet the social and emotional needs of our students, faculty, and staff by evaluating the intention and impact of our support programs.

• Emphasize the importance of connection and relationships by creating new opportunities for community and togetherness.

• Reinforce the ongoing social-emotional development of our students by offering education and support for families.

PERSONAL WELLNESS is the ability to find physical and mental balance through life experiences, successes, and disappointments, developing sustainable habits that lead to fulfillment and joy. Our students will learn to be well and live well at Severn by making choices that lead to mental and physical well-being.

OUR PRIORITIES: • Integrate wellness education into all aspects of the Severn experience with lessons and activities that align with our wellness philosophy.

• Teach students to be self-sufficient with practices that encourage prioritization, organization, efficiency, and purpose.

• Reinforce the health and wellness of our students at home by offering education and support for families.

• Nurture the mental, social, and emotional health and well-being of our community through maximized use of physical space.

We are just at the beginning of this essential shift and are excited about what the future holds for Severn School and, most importantly, our students. At Severn, we envision a world where education is about more than what you know — it’s about who you are.

Please join our effort to reframe leadership for this generation and generations to come.

Read more online: https://bit.ly/ourstrategicplan2022

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UPDATES FROM THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

ADMIRAL ALUMNI — WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Please send all updates / exciting news to Carolyn Campion, Director of Alumni Relations and Alumni Giving at c.campion@severnschool.com NETWORK WITH US ON:

Severn Connect: severnconnect.com; LinkedIn: Severn School Alumni; Facebook: Severn School Alumni; Instagram: severnschoolalums YOU ALWAYS HAVE A HOME AT SEVERN SCHOOL!

2020–2021 ROLLAND M. TEEL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD Severn School is honored to recognize the 2020–2021 Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni Award recipient Kate Orff, Severn Class of 1989. This award, named for the founder of Severn School, is the highest honor the school bestows upon an alumnus/a. The award recognizes alumni who have demonstrated outstanding service to humanity, service to the community, professional achievement, or service to Severn School. Ms. Orff is the 40th individual member of the Severn community to be inducted.

After graduating from Severn in 1989, Kate attended the University of Virginia, where she majored in Political and Social Thought and played lacrosse for three years. As a student at UVA, Orff explored the intersection of women’s studies, environmental studies, and issues of social justice through a political lens and developed an independent thesis on ecofeminism. After graduating with distinction from UVA, Kate went on to receive a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

In 2007 Kate founded SCAPE, a landscape architecture and urban design studio based in New York and New Orleans. SCAPE believes landscape architecture can enable positive change in communities through the creation of regenerative living infrastructure and public landscapes. At SCAPE, Kate leads complex, creative, and collaborative work processes that advance broad environmental and social initiatives. Projects range from massive coastal adaptation infrastructure to the design of city pocket parks, as well as museum exhibitions at the Museum of Modern Art NY and the Venice Biennale. Through her work, Orff aims to reimagine public spaces in order to illuminate the hidden ecosystems within our built environments and inspire citizens to become engaged stewards of their natural surroundings. Her research and design practice focuses on the challenges posed by urbanization and climate change through in-depth collaborations with ecologists, engineers, educators, artists, and community members that aim to make urban habitats more adaptive and resilient.

Kate was awarded the prestigious MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in 2017, the first given in the field of landscape architecture. In 2019, she accepted a National Design Award from the Cooper Hewitt, National Design Museum, on behalf of SCAPE, and was named a Hero of the Harbor by the Waterfront Alliance. She was a 2012 United States Artist Fellow, dubbed an Elle Magazine “Planet Fixer,” and has been profiled and interviewed extensively for publications including The New York Times, The Economist, National Geographic, and more. In 2019, Kate was elevated to the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) Council of Fellows. She is also Director of the Urban Design Program and Professor at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation.

“For me the best part about Severn was that students were encouraged to be well-rounded. Academics were just part of my total experience. I was working after school in the drawing studio with artist Charlotte Berry, practicing plays on the lacrosse field with Coach Cathy Hewitt Carper ’81 and our team, defending the goal in soccer with Coach Wagner, and just interacting with an amazing group of peers and teachers without any pressure to succeed. Severn was a rigorous but flexible environment that set me on a path of discovery and sparked a desire to connect the dots between things rather than specializing or fearing the unknown. I’m really grateful for that.”

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Ms. Doroteo introducing Hispanic culture to her classes.

SEVERN UNIDA EN CELEBRACIÓN Jumpstarting the year with a celebration of Hispanic culture in every grade, Ms. Diana Doroteo invites our Lower School Admirals to explore and appreciate the Spanish-speaking community.

Learning a language at the elementary school level is more than vocabulary, sentence structure, and inflection. In addition to boosting problem-solving, critical thinking, and listening skills, the study of language can be a powerful tool for discovery.

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AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE Ms. Doroteo joined Severn this fall and her passion for teaching language makes for a welcoming and energetic classroom. In developmentally appropriate stages for each grade, she uses the full immersion model to help students learn through context.

• Our preschool-1st grade curriculum is rooted in the Teaching Proficiency through Reading and Storytelling (TPRS) approach. Through music, stories, and cultural lessons that include the repetition of high frequency words and expressions, our littlest Admirals develop foundational skills for interpretation and fluency.

• In 2nd-3rd grade, students learn to speak and write in the first person to build their self-identities in Spanish.

They explore the lives of children their age in Spanish-speaking countries and learn vocabulary to express personality traits, hobbies, family life, and community.

• The 4th-5th grade curriculum also includes storytelling but with a grammatical shift to the third person. Students continue to build their vocabulary, speaking, and writing skills through stories that help them understand Spanish as a global language.

CELEBRATING CULTURE THROUGH LEARNING In each of her classes, Ms. Doroteo incorporates the history, notable figures, and current customs that make Hispanic culture an essential part of our society. During Hispanic Heritage Month, falling just as the school year began, Ms. Doroteo’s students dove into these lessons right from the start. Lesson examples include: • In preschool-1st grade, students read the story, Silly Billy

by Anthony Browne about a Guatemalan boy kept up at night by his worries. When he stays at his abuela’s (grandmother) house, she gives him worry dolls and says, “Just tell each of them one of your worries and put them under your pillow. They’ll do all the worrying for you while you sleep.” The classes made a worry doll craft and received an authentic Guatemalan worry doll to take home.

• 2nd and 3rd graders read and participated in a retelling of “The Legend of the Worry Dolls.” Retelling helps students analyze a story and build oral language as they acquire vocabulary. They also received a handmade Guatemalan worry doll to take home.

• 4th and 5th graders studied the Spanish singer Álvaro Soler and his 2019 song, “La Libertad.” At first listen, it is a light-hearted song about friends on an adventure together. But after reading an interview with the singer, students discover that Soler was inspired to write the song after meeting a refugee who struggled to flee from Cuba.

MAKING LANGUAGE LEARNING FUN In every lesson, Ms. Doroteo uses stories, videos, enthusiastic facial expressions, movement, and exaggerated tone of voice to support her students’ comprehension while encouraging them to get silly and have fun. With this joyful combination of Spanish cultural experiences, storytelling, and grammar, our Admirals are gaining a better understanding of themselves, the language, and the world.

Severn Girls Lacrosse team with Ms. Sandy Barbour and the Admiral

Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Penn State University Sandy began her lifelong dedication to and passion for athletics as a skilled competitor on the field hockey, basketball, tennis, and softball teams at Severn. Today, she is recognized as one of the nation’s top executives in sports, and she has received multiple awards and accolades for her work at the collegiate, national, and Olympic levels.

Through the love and support of her parents and family, as well as the guidance of caring coaches and loyal teammates, Sandy has cultivated a selfless leadership style, one that passionately focuses on others and their successes. Sandy was the recipient of the 2007 Rolland M. Teel Severn School School Distinguished Distinguished Alumni Alumni Award, Award, and and she she is is the the first first alumna alumna in in our our Commodore’s Commodore’s Circle of philanthropy.

Ms. Barbour joins an esteemed group of Admirals in the Commodore’s Circle that includes Dr. Robert Graw, Mr. Gary Koch ’71, Mr. Christopher McCleary, Mr. and Mrs. Timothy Price, and Mr. Edward St. John.

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MIDDLE SCHOOLERS LOOK BOTH WAYS FOR THE 2021 ALL MIDDLE SCHOOL READ Award-winning author Jason Reynolds, appointed National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress, has an unmistakable writer’s voice. He speaks to young adults through the triumphs and struggles of his characters, capturing the attention of even the most reluctant readers. For our second annual All Middle School Read, our teachers and students read his 2019 novel Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks. To bring this experience even closer to home for our students, Mr. Reynolds visited Severn to talk about his life, his writing process, and of course, his books.

DIFFERENT LIVES, COMMON GROUND National Book Award finalist Look Both Ways is a series of loosely related short stories that offer different perspectives on what happens when the school day ends and students make their way home. Although the characters from each chapter attend the same school and make cameo appearances throughout, they have vastly different life experiences.

Through those experiences, the book explores some intensely emotional topics like bullying, homophobia, the death of a sibling, terminal illness, and more.

“We started by thinking about our dream author visit and Jason Reynolds was at the top of the list; he’s a superstar in young people’s literature. After hearing him speak

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at a couple of virtual conferences last year, reading his books, and watching some videos of presentations, we knew he would be able to connect with our kids and be an inspiring voice for them. We chose Look Both Ways because we felt all of our kids could see themselves or their friends somewhere in the book, since it is formatted as ten different short stories with a large cast of characters. The book also provides great fodder for discussion about empathy, friendship, and standing up for what’s right.” — Library Director Ms. Whitney Etchison EVERYONE HAS A STORY Beginning the school year with the All Middle School Read creates an early touch point for the whole community to come together through a shared experience. With Ms. Etchison and Advisory Coordinator Ms. Laura Steppe leading the way, our middle schoolers

met several times to talk about the book after reading it over the summer. The goal of this year’s program was to highlight the value of empathy and encourage students to consider the many unique experiences they and their peers bring to school. During the first meetings with their advisory groups, they discussed questions like: • What effect does giving or receiving empathy have on various characters?

• Have you made incorrect assumptions about other people based on their appearance? Why is it important to try to fully understand an entire story before forming opinions or making decisions?

• Consider something in the Severn community that you think needs changing.

Why does it need to be changed? How would you make it different? How will your changes improve the community?

Ms. Diana Ford, Mr. Jason Reynolds, Ms. Whitney Etchison, Ms. Kristen Kwisnek

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EVERY STORY CONNECTS US The initial discussions were important for students to make meaningful connections between the characters and themes from the book and their own lives. The next set of activities deepened those connections as students prepared for the author’s visit, explored each other’s stories, and further developed their ideas to improve the Severn community. Ms. Etchison and Ms. Steppe organized these activities among mixed grade-level groups to help students develop a sense of belonging and understanding of others outside of their more familiar circles, particularly for students new to Teel Campus. Activities included: • A brainstorm activity to prepare questions for the author during his visit • One-on-one interviews with questions designed to encourage students to share their stories • A discussion of what a “Town Hall” is along with a brainstorm of questions students might like to explore in a “Town Hall” setting at Severn LEANING INTO THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE Finally, the day of the author visit arrived, and after digging into Look Both Ways, our middle schoolers were eager to hear Mr. Reynolds speak in person.

He related to the kids with the same mix of comedy, emotion, and down-toearth humanity readers can find in the pages of his books. During the Q&A portion of his presentation, Mr. Reynolds shared his inspiration for the chapter “Call of Duty,” which explores homophobia, bullying, and allyship.

“I think that there are certain conversations that we all tiptoe around, but every time I’ve had these conversations with people your age, it goes so well. So I won-

der if there’s a way for us to broach these complicated topics that honestly really shouldn’t be all that complicated; lean into them and figure out how to build some sort of human experience.

We write stories about people in the LGBTQ+ community but we never talk about what it means to be an ally to that community — which is part of our community. I wanted to figure out how to write about the young person who stands up and says, ‘No, I’m not going to be afraid. I’m going to stand up for the person I claim to be a friend of and deal with whatever comes.’

Whether it’s about the LGBTQ community, or it’s about race or about gender, at some point all of us need to figure out, are you a coward or are you not? Are you a mountain or are you a mouse? I wanted to show what that looks like, and it may come with consequences, but that’s a consequence that I’m willing to take. And I hope you are too.” — Jason Reynolds This author visit was made possible by a generous donation to the Middle School Author Series Fund. Our community is grateful for such a unique and engaging experience and we hope to support more author visits in the future. For more information about the fund and how to support student programs at Severn, please email Director of Major Gifts Maryetta Lynch.

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THIS IS OUR TIME TO GO ALL IN

What does it mean to be a leader at Severn? To speak at the podium, shine bright on the stage, or score the winning point on the field? Those accomplishments are extraordinary, but leadership in our community has evolved to include so much more. It’s also the student who demonstrates emotional intelligence and amplifies the work of their peers. Another who embraces a growth mindset and is intellectually curious.

And those who see problems in the world and seek to make change for the better. These are the qualities the world needs from leaders today.

After working together during the summer Leadership Lab Retreat, our upper schoolers are up to the challenge; they are ready to go All In. 12

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“All In is about giving 100% of what you can give. All in for yourself, all in for your friends, your family, your community, your sports teams, and your clubs. All in for game day, all in for class, all in for spirit week. To the freshmen, going all in for your first year. To the seniors, being all in for their final year. This year is about going all in, because we are all in this together.”

— Fionn Kinsella ’23

WHAT IS THE LEADERSHIP LAB RETREAT? The retreat involves a series of workshops to develop leadership skills, talk about issues at school, and praise the positives while brainstorming ways to improve. It’s also an opportunity for students to mix outside of their typical circles and build a stronger sense of community. The retreat begins with a shared meal on Thursday evening, a simple but important ritual to foster togetherness among the large group. From there, the participants spend the next two and a half days learning strategies to make the Upper School the best it can be.

At the end, they choose an adaptive challenge, or openended goal, to work toward throughout the year.

EXPLORING SELF IDENTITY This ice breaker activity, adapted from a lesson in the Health and Wellness curriculum, involved exploring individual and group identities while making connections to how they shape and inform lives. After thinking about which identities they hold in personal, cultural, and social contexts, students considered questions like: • Which of your identities do you think about most often?

• Which of your identities do you think about least often?

• Which of your identities would you like to learn more about?

• Which of your identities have the strongest effect on how you perceive yourself ?

• What identities have the greatest effect on how others perceive you?

PROBLEM SOLVING During this workshop, held indoors rather than in the Stine Environmental Center due to rain, students worked together to solve several physical and intellectual challenges. The goal of this seminar was to put students in positions where they needed to: • Manage their emotions • Read the emotions of others • Communicate effectively by knowing when to talk and when to listen • Seek and employ the collective wisdom of the group

CULTIVATING BELONGING THROUGH LEADERSHIP: A LISTENING FRAMEWORK During this seminar, students practiced conversation techniques using questions from The Coaching Habit by author Michael Bungay Stanier.

Using this framework increases feelings of belonging, improves connections between the listener and the speaker, and provides deeper insights for the speaker. The goal is to slow down and listen in a way that affirms others. The framework includes prompts like: • What’s on your mind? And what else?

• What’s the real challenge here for you?

• What do you want? (said with genuine curiosity) • How can I help?

• If you’re saying yes to this, what are you saying no to?

• What was most useful for you?

THRIVING CLUBS, THRIVING COMMUNITY As posited by author Daniel Coyle in The Culture Code: The Secret of Highly Effective Groups, our Summer Faculty Read this year, a thriving community has three critical components: safety, vulnerability, and purpose. During this seminar, students used thinking routines, like “Think, Pair, Share” and “Visible Thinking,” to explore these concepts in relation to leading clubs. Questions included: • What can we do better to ensure that everyone feels heard and included? How can we demonstrate interest in others’ thoughts?

• You or someone you were working with didn’t feel heard. How did it affect your/their willingness to participate in the activities?

Are there things you wish you or the person this affected had done differently?

• Think of a time when you or someone you know led a project and they did not entertain suggestions from members or make people feel heard. Do you think the product might have been better had others been allowed to collaborate? Did people lose enthusiasm for the project or leave the group?

ALL IN THIS TOGETHER With the seminars fresh in their minds, Leadership Lab attendees deliberated on the final day to reach a consensus for this year’s adaptive challenge. In a Zoom meeting, representatives from the Leadership Lab, Cherop Soi ’22, Rachel Weinberg ’22, Barbara Isper ’22, Rohan Lakhanpal ’23, Anna D’Amore ’22, and Fionn Kinsella ’23, gave a presentation about the entire process and urged their peers to embrace the challenge to go All In.

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2022 DILLON MORAN MUSICIANS IN RESIDENCE: SUPER CITY Severn School welcomed pop band Super City to campus as the 2022 Dillon Moran Musicians in Residence. During the first week of February, students learned new music, techniques, and choreography in special class sessions with Super City. Many of Severn’s musical groups, including the Severn Jam Band, Vocal Ensemble, Breakwater A-Capella, and Treble Choir, were able to have one-on-one rehearsals and mentoring with members of Super City. The Severn community rocked out for the final concert that Friday evening with all members of Severn’s musical groups performing with Super City! Thank you to everyone who participated, and to Super City for an incredible few days. Super City is composed of Dan Ryan (lead vocal, guitar), Greg Wellham (lead vocals, guitar), Brian Brunsman (bass, vocals), Jon Birkholz (guitar, keys, vocals) and Ian Viera (drums, vocals).

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FOR MORE SEVERN NEWS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM PAGES OR VISIT WWW.SEVERNSCHOOL.COM/NEWS-ARCHIVE.

Farewell to Carrie Grimes After 5 years of serving as Severn’s Alumni Director, Carrie Grimes ’91 stepped down in October to accept an exciting new position at Vanderbilt University as the Director of Independent School Leadership graduate programs and as a professor in the Peabody College of Education. Under her leadership, the Severn Alumni Program flourished with hundreds of alumni engaging in podcasts, coffee chats, mentoring opportunities, guest lectures and panels, spotlights, art shows, reunions, and more! We will miss her enthusiasm for all things Severn, and we wish her the very best in her new role!

Welcome to Carolyn Campion

SEVERN FALL/WINTER ATHLETIC CHAMPIONSHIPS Several of our Admiral athletic teams raised a trophy this year! We’re proud of all our student-athletes, coaches, and training staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the year. Congratulations to the following teams on their respective championships: • • • • • •

Girls Cross Country — IAAM B Conference Champs Boys Cross Country — MIAA B Conference Champs Girls Soccer — IAAM B Conference Champs Boys Soccer — MIAA B Conference Champs Girls Swimming — IAAM B Conference Champs Wrestling — MIAA B Conference Champs

We welcome Carolyn Campion as the new Director of Alumni Relations and Alumni Giving Carolyn has been associated with Severn School in a variety of capacities since 1998 and is a familiar face to many of our alumni from the last 2 decades.

From 1998 to 2004, she taught English in the Upper School and served as a Coach for the Varsity Field Hockey and Girls Lacrosse teams. (You may better remember her as Ms. Abruzzo / Coach A!) Since 2016, Carolyn has been working with the Communications Department to interview Severn alumni and produce and edit articles for the Severn School Bridge magazine. She has also been a part of the team rebuilding and organizing the Archives in the Alumni House. In addition to her broad knowledge of the Severn School culture, Carolyn brings extensive experience with alumni fundraising from her ongoing work with her alma mater, Dartmouth College. Carolyn is also a current Severn parent - her son Ben is a sophomore, and her daughter Annie will be a freshman next year.

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Mr. Bodley with students and alumni during Homecoming.

Severn students packing up donations from the Spirit Week Food Drive.

The Severn community enjoyed an amazing Homecoming week and weekend in October. Highlights included our annual Spirit Week competitions with class color

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days and tug-o-war, as well as cheering on our boys and girls teams during their Homecoming games. Students and families made several generous contributions to our annual Spirit Week Food Drive, making this one of our most successful years ever! We also welcomed many alumni back on campus for reunion activities, including our Homecoming Sunset BBQ Bash. Homecoming weekend was kicked off with our Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Reception, honoring Nicholas Elsmo ‘07, Joseph Morris ‘08, and Frederick Weiss ’61.

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S E VERN STORIES

Class of ’22 celebrates during tug-o-war.

Class of ’24 gives it their all during tug-o-war.

Severn Athletic Hall of Fame inductees: Joseph Morris ‘08 (award received by his father Dr. Joseph Morris), Frederick Weiss ’61, Nicholas Elsmo ‘07

Ken Miller, Anne Ruchman Miller ‘00, Tom Simmons ‘01, Charlie Bauer ‘00, Charlie and Lindsey’s son Charles, and Lindsey Bowers Bauer ‘01.

Class of ’24 cheers on their team during Spirit Week festivities Class of ’22 banner

Mr. Doug Lagarde, Dr. Lynald Silsbee, Mr. John Bodley, Senora Claudia McLaughlin, Mr. Julian Domenech Sr., Dr. Jackie Baugh

Class of ’24 banner

Mrs. Carole Coss, Dr. Lynald Silsbee, Mr. Julian Domenech Sr., Mr. John Bodley

Class of ’25 banner

Class of ’23 banner

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EXPANDING

TRADITION B Y C A R O LY N C A M P I O N

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Y E A R S O F WO M E N AT S EV E RN

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Founded in 1914 as a preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy entrance exam, Severn School has a proud military tradition.

For 61 years, that tradition included only men. Eola Lewis Scott ’75 was the first woman to graduate from Severn and dedicate her 25-year career to military service. Since then, an impressive number of alumnae have exemplified Severn’s mission to the highest degree with the courage to lead and contribute to the world through military service. Twelve women, each with uniquely powerful perspectives, shared their stories with us.

• Eola Lewis ’75 Captain (Retired) United States Navy, 1980-2005 • Mary Ann Davidson ’76. Lieutenant US Navy Civil Engineer Corps, Active Duty: 1979-1982; Reserves 1982-1987 • Cheryl Herrick Lauer ’87, United States Naval Academy ’92, Captain (Retired) United States Navy, 1992-2018 • Sara Smith Root ’91 Norwich University Corps of Cadets, Army ROTC ’97, Colonel (Retired) U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps, 1997–2021 • Karen Pyle Perry ’96, University of South Carolina ROTC ‘00, First Lieutenant Marine Corps, 2000-2008 • Jacquelyn (Jackie) Cline ’97, Georgetown University Army ROTC ‘01, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) US Army Nurse Corps, 2001–2021 • Lauren Faust Hanzel ‘00, Commander, Judge Advocate General’s Corps, United States Navy, Active Duty: 2007-2017; Reserves: 2017–present • Lindsay Mathwick ‘00, Pennsylvania State University ROTC ‘04, Lieutenant Colonel US Marine Corps, 2004–present • Maggie Morton Jackson ‘06,United States Naval Academy ’10, Lieutenant United States Navy, Active Duty: 2010-2016; Reserves: 2016–2018 • Mia Hencinski Stender ‘06, United States Naval Academy ’10, Major United States Marine Corps, Active Duty: 2010 - 2018; Reserves: 2018–Present • McKenna Lee O’Neill ’15, Loyola/Towson Army ROTC ’22, SMP CDT Maryland Army National Guard • Julia B. Christie ’20, United States Naval Academy ’24 WHAT LED YOU TO THE MILITARY? Mary Ann Davidson ’76 It was an easy choice. While attending Severn School, my dad was the academic dean at the U.S. Naval Academy, and we lived on the Academy grounds. My dad was also a 2-star general in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and a WWII and Korean War veteran. I grew up listening to stories about the military from people like a retired rear admiral who was the berthing officer at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Cheryl Herrick Lauer ’87 I remember being driven to a life of service, and by the time I started Severn School in 7th grade, I had decided I wanted to fly helicopters. I became aware of Severn’s history as a preparatory school for the U.S.

Naval Academy and committed myself to attend and graduate for the chance to serve our country. I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to live out my dreams.

Jacquelyn (Jackie) Cline ’97 After graduating from Severn in 1997, I was awarded a four-year Army ROTC nursing scholarship and was commissioned in May 2001 from the Georgetown University Army ROTC program. I joined the military because I strongly wanted to serve my country and take care of soldiers and their family members.

Lindsay Mathwick ’00 There’s a part of me that has always been drawn to military service.

Both of my parents served, along with three out of my four grandparents, including my maternal grandmother. I started as a Navy-option ROTC student at Penn State, and after 9/11 it was clear that the Marine Corps was the branch of service that would be in the thick of things. I changed my designation that winter and was commissioned into the Marine Corps in 2004.

Lauren Faust Hanzel ‘00 I was interested in the Naval Academy while at Severn, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play water polo at Stanford. It wasn’t until I was in Tulane Law School years later that the idea of joining the Navy crept back into my life. I wound up spending time with a friend from Stanford, who was stationed nearby in Gulfport, and learned a lot about what she did as a Navy JAG. I thought it would be a great fit, and I started the process of applying. I was commissioned right after graduation.

Mia Hencinski Stender ‘06 The easy answer is that my parents were sponsors for the USNA Class of 2005. We officially sponsored one female midshipman, but as these things go, we became close with her and several of her classmates. They had a pretty clear agenda for me to at least apply to the USNA. Curious but not certain, I went to the Naval Academy Summer Seminar and that was the light switch for me. I came home with high conviction that I wanted to go to the Naval Academy.

McKenna Lee O’Neill ’15 In the spring of 2020, I was preparing to start at Loyola University as a transfer student. I found myself in this transitional phase of life, looking for some structure and purpose. Having grown up with a grandfather who was a 3-star general in the Air Force, as well as two uncles who were Air Force pilots, I decided to go to a recruiter and get some information. Within weeks of that conversation, I registered to start the ROTC Army program at Loyola.

Karen Pyle Perry ’96 According to my Severn yearbook, I was attending the University of Tampa for marine biology after graduation. What folks may not have realized was

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JULIA B. CHRISTIE

JACQUELYN (JACKIE) CLINE

that I had been talking to an ROTC recruiter about possible scholarships as well. Fast forward to Severn’s Senior Academic Awards Assembly. At that point, I had received an ROTC scholarship for the Marines at the University of South Carolina but planned to turn it down. To my surprise and terror, a Marine Corps captain came to the event to present me with my Marine Corps scholarship. This captain, in full dress blues, with no microphone, announced to my classmates that he was awarding me this prestigious scholarship, and I got chills. He was so impressive. I thought, “Nope, this is what I’m doing now.” And that’s how I found myself at SC in the ROTC program.

Julia B. Christie ’20 I’ve always been one for community service and helping others, but I didn’t consider the military as a way to continue that kind of service until I met some pretty incredible people who happened to be USNA graduates. Between having them as role models, the support of my parents, and the influence of my middle school and high school communities, the military continued to grow as the best path forward for me.

WHAT ARE SOME MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY?

MARY ANN DAVIDSON

LAUREN FAUST HANZEL

Eola Lewis ’75 I consider my time in the Navy as “the best ride of my life.” I served during the Cold War dealing with Soviet intel, anti-submarine warfare, training and education, and long-range manpower planning. I served in lots of leadership roles, including executive officer Naval Station Annapolis, commanding officer NOPF Dam Neck, deputy director Naval Leader Training Unit, and officer in charge Naval support activity Northwest Annex, to name a few. I was often the only female officer in the room.

Cheryl Herrick Lauer ’87 Throughout my career, I have been blessed to serve with incredibly character-driven and dedicated people, all of whom made our shared experiences memorable. Starting the Navy women’s lacrosse team, flying helicopters out of Guam and Pensacola, working on the Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) in Djibouti, Africa, and in the Pentagon, and getting consensus at NATO, are all memorable

experiences that required a collaborative effort.

In all aspects, a deliberate, supportive community enabled mission success. I cherish these relationships most from my time in the military.

Sara Smith Root ’91 As far as military assignments go, one of my favorites was my first, being a platoon leader. I was a collection and jamming platoon leader in the 101st Airborne Division, a position that had only recently opened for females. I was responsible for ensuring over 50 Soldiers and about 25 military vehicles and tactical systems were ready to deploy within 24 hours anywhere in the world. It really was the best first job to start my career.

Jacquelyn (Jackie) Cline ’97 I was deployed to Iraq in March 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and supported the infantry soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) out of Fort Campbell, KY as we moved from Kuwait and up through Northern Iraq. As the nurse corps officer in charge of the patient hold, I provided direct care for soldiers wounded on the battlefield. Our medical team stabilized the wounded Soldiers and ensured their safe movement to a higher level of care, or their return to duty as medically appropriate. It was an honor to work with such an outstanding team of diverse soldiers from all walks of life.

Lauren Faust Hanzel ‘00 My deployment to Iraq has definitely generated the most memorable moments of my career so far. I was the legal advisor in a theater internment facility and did everything from addressing complaints to liaising with the Iraqi High Tribunal where the most senior Ba’athists were being prosecuted. I’ve been able to advise commanders on high profile issues and have represented clients in cases in the news — the work is always exciting!

Lindsay Mathwick ‘00 I was fortunate to spend a year in the U.K. at their Joint Services Command and Staff College. I balanced my studies with travel and was able to see most corners of the U.K. and Europe while passing all my classes. One of the final evolutions of the course included a battlefield study of Normandy, France. I

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was part of a group that biked from the college in central England down to the channel and then through the battlefields for a couple of days in between our studies. Even the most seasoned cyclists noted that it was one of the most impactful bike trips they had ever experienced.

Maggie Morton Jackson ‘06 I served in Japan as the electrical officer on board USS Mustin from 2010-2013, which was an honor because Mustin is named after my relatives. In March 2011, Japan was devastated by the Great East Japanese earthquake and a subsequent tsunami and nuclear disaster.

Stationed on the USS Mustin, my ship was a big part of “Operation Tomodachi,” where we served alongside the Japanese to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Helping the Japanese in Operation Tomodachi was a pivotal time in my personal and professional career.

Mia Hencinski Stender ‘06 There is no replacement experience in my life for my deployment to Afghanistan. As a young lieutenant, I had the privilege of being company commander, responsible for 146 marines and sailors. We were there in the Helmand province in 2014 . . . and it was dicey. That experience really stands alone.

McKenna Lee O’Neill ’15 The thing I proudest of in my military career to date is spearheading a program in my battalion called RAPID. This program is designed to raise awareness about sexual harassment, sexual assault, rape, and suicide prevention and work to end this culture in the military. I am the first cadet ever to be a part of this program. The military empowered me to have a voice, and I am very happy to be using it to promote this important issue.

ARE THERE ANY WAYS IN WHICH YOUR SEVERN EXPERIENCE CONNECTS TO YOUR MILITARY SERVICE? Mary Ann Davidson ’76 At the time I was at Severn, a lot of the staff were former military, some officers, but some

enlisted. I learned algebra from BGEN Robert Hommel, who I found out years later was a defender of Midway in that famous battle that turned the tide of the Pacific War. I also found out that my 8th grade English teacher COL Norman Stanford had been the recipient of the Navy Cross for action on Peleliu, a horrific battle if ever there was one. And the headmaster Admiral Alfred G. Ward was responsible for setting up the Cuban missile blockade. So, in addition to growing up at USNA, I interacted with a lot of veterans on staff at Severn.

Sara Smith Root ’91 Severn taught and valued service and good character. It was important to be a good, caring person and you were expected to do the right thing, be helpful, and participate whenever possible. It is the same in the military. We are evaluated on our character in our annual evaluations. This includes loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honesty, integrity, and personal courage.

We are expected to treat everyone we serve with respect and dignity.

MAGGIE MORTON JACKSON

CHERYL HERRICK LAUER

Karen Pyle Perry ’96 The small community at Severn — 64 in my graduating class — is similar to the community feel of the Marine Corps, the smallest of all four military branches. What I learned at Severn, and then brought with me to the Marine Corps, is that you don’t have to be some huge entity to have an impact and make a difference.

Jacquelyn (Jackie) Cline ’97 Severn instilled in me the importance of working hard for your goals and never giving up.

There will be setbacks, but with hard work and determination, one can overcome these setbacks and excel.

Mia Hencinski Stender ‘06 I can connect leadership opportunities at Severn to the military. I always gravitated to leadership types of positions. I co-founded the Model UN; I was the captain of our soccer team; and more.

I was always trying to surround myself with a team of smart people. That lends itself well

LINDSAY MATHWICK

MCKENNA LEE O’NEILL

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to the military. You can’t accomplish anything by yourself, so you are always trying to form the most perfect team for the mission at hand.

KAREN PYLE PERRY

SARA SMITH ROOT

Maggie Morton Jackson ‘06 The value of service. For my senior project, I led a group of seniors to serve in New Orleans with Habitat for Humanity in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. We cleaned out a family’s home that was destroyed in the disaster. I remember digging through the mud to save their personal belongings.

It was a really good feeling to be able to help in some small way, and it’s the same feeling I had in Japan when our ship helped people recover from the earthquake and tsunami.

Julia B. Christie ’20 The concepts of unwavering honor and leadership are reiterated daily at USNA, but I first learned to incorporate them into my life at Severn. Severn also supported my desire to serve my community and lead through opportunities like joining clubs, captaining the basketball team, and being a prefect my senior year.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT BEING A PART OF THIS GROWING LEGACY OF SEVERN ALUMNAE IN THE MILITARY?

EOLA LEWIS SCOTT

MIA HENCINSKI STENDER

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Eola Lewis Scott ’75 As a captain, I remember teaching a leadership course to a group of younger women. I had five female F-18 pilots in the class, all newly minted lieutenant commanders, and I was in awe of them. Many years their senior, I said, “You are so lucky you get to fly a jet. It is an opportunity I never had in the Navy as a woman.” They said, “Thank you.” I answered, “Why are you thanking me?” They replied, “Because you opened the door for us.” That was one of the most rewarding things ever said to me. Even though I was one of the original 57 girls at Severn in that first year of coeducation, and even though I was often the only female officer in the room in the Navy, I don’t consider myself a trailblazer. I just happened to be a part of something amazing.

Mary Ann Davidson ’76 My sister and I were two of the very first women in our branch of the Navy and the first two female

officers in the Seabees (Naval Mobile Construction Battalions). We helped pave the way for others. Now they have had women command those units and even a female chief of civil engineers, the highest position in our branch of the Navy. As I was in the first group of women at Severn, I guess I was already used to being a pioneer.

Cheryl Herrick Lauer ’87 As the first co-ed graduate to go to the USNA, I am honored to be a part of the legacy of Severn alumnae to graduate from USNA and to live a life of service. I am deeply thankful to see the tradition continue.

Sara Smith Root ’91 I am proud to be a part of that legacy! I served for almost 25 years and only just recently retired in September 2021. I believe serving in the military, if you are physically able to, is one of the most important and meaningful ways you can serve your country.

Karen Pyle Perry ’96 I am proud to have been one of seven female officers in my division of over 100,000. It’s something I never thought I would do.

Lauren Faust Hanzel ‘00 It means a lot to me to be part of the legacy. There are so many honorable and distinguished Severn alumni who have served and continue to serve. I am thankful that they were willing to make that sacrifice despite the safer, easier, and more lucrative options.

Lindsay Mathwick ‘00 I’m proud to continue that tradition of service. I think even more than that, I’m grateful to have found something that I continue to be passionate about. Whether it’s service in the military or some other profession, finding that thing that makes you come alive is what’s important.

Maggie Morton Jackson ‘06 Being a part of this legacy is very important to me.

Any success I’ve been able to achieve in my career is thanks to the fact that I have had amazing women pulling me along, reaching out to me, telling me about opportunities, and mentoring me. To the extent that

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we can help each other and set an example for other women, we have a significant role to play.

one special. I’m just a regular person. If I can do it, everyone can.

five female USNA graduates/students, including myself. I hope to see that trend continue.

McKenna Lee O’Neill ’15 I feel really honored and privileged to be one of these women. The Army, and the military in general, is a male-dominated field. I am one of two women in my company of 45-50 men. I hope that girls look at me and see that a career for women in the military is possible. I am no

Julia B. Christie ’20 It’s an honor to be part of the long list of servicemembers to come from Severn. And though Severn has a rich history of its male alumni attending the USNA, female graduates of Severn have created the foundation of an incredible legacy, but there are not a lot of us yet — only

To these alumnae and the many others who have served and continue to serve, the Severn School community is proud and honored to have played a part in your incredible journeys. Thank you for your service to our country and for leading the way for future generations of Admirals.

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BEYOND THE X’S AND O’S:

DEI Initiatives Continue to Grow Mike Glasby, Director of DEI, provides initiative updates

Head Basketball Coach and DEI Director Mike Glasby always has a game plan. On the court, you can find him drawing up plays and encouraging his players to give it their all, whether it’s in practice or during a crucial playoff game. Off the court is no different. Mr. Glasby knew he wanted to go into the 21–22 school year with a game plan to not only grow Severn’s DEI initiatives, but lay the groundwork for years to come. Taking lessons and feedback from the previous year, he worked with the DEI Task Force to come up with a full-court press for the current school year, with a focus on generating engagement and involvement for ongoing initiatives and creating more resources and communications within the Severn community.

Severn kicked off the school year with a Board of Trustees retreat, with a focus on “Equity Considerations” and a presentation by Mr. Glasby on his DEI Task Force recommendations from the previous year. He addressed the preliminary work being done on those recommendations, and how they served to help grow initiatives for the current year. Following that retreat, there have been ongoing conversations and regular DEI meetings to address initiatives, events, and involvement throughout the Severn community. “The retreat really set the tone for the rest of the year,” said Glasby.

“We showed our progress from the previous year, and generated a lot of excitement for the upcoming year.”

One of the new initiatives for the 21–22 school year was the introduction of the Community Code, created and written by the Upper School Student Council the previous year. The Community Code was signed by all Severn Upper School Students, stating “We, the members of the Severn community, value respect, 24

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empathy, and trust. To uphold these virtues we strive to regard others with civility, foster an environment of belonging, and exhibit character of unquestionable integrity.” The signing of the Community Code will be a tradition that continues at the start of every school year.

Students from the Upper School also participated in the Baltimore Student Diversity Leadership Conference in November. Select students and faculty members took part in sessions throughout the day, such as “It Takes a Village: Uplifting Allyship and Community” and “Revolution not Evolution: Understanding and Dismantling Structural Racism.” Severn held its own Student Diversity Leadership Conference shortly after, with students sharing what they learned from the conference in Baltimore and planned for upcoming events. The Upper School started 2022 off with Unity Day in January, a day set aside for fostering understanding around issues of diversity and inclusion.

Student-led workshops and invited speakers participated in several sessions with topics ranging from climate justice, to gun violence, to tackling stereotypes and microaggressions.

Middle School students were able to participate in their own workshop series this year, an “Empathy and Belonging Workshop” for 7th graders. They focused on understanding elements of identity and respecting personal identity, as well as building on feelings of empathy and belonging; they also engaged in exercises focused on creating a culture of belonging. The series culminated in a town hall attended by all middle school students, with a spotlight on learning about and understanding others. With positive feedback from students and faculty, this will serve as a pilot program for all middle school workshops starting in the 22-23 school year.

Initiatives at the Lower School have been focused on growing the resources available to students at the Pat Troy Library. The Conversational Books section utilizes books and resources to introduce and spark purposeful conversations with children on many different topics, including families, race, gender, immigrants and refugees, and ability. These resources are also available online for students and families on the Severn website, and are updated throughout the year.

Several different clubs provided even more opportunities for Severn students and faculty to get involved with DEI initiatives throughout the year. These clubs include, and are not limited to: Multicultural Student Alliance, Black Student Alliance, Umbrella Club, Responsibility Education and Allyship Group (REAG), United Spectrum, SWAG, Community Life, and the Open Doors program. Stay tuned in our next edition for a roundup of all club updates from this school year!

While the basketball season may be over, the work for the rest of the current year and planning for next year has only picked up for Mr. Glasby. “Unlike basketball, DEI work within our school’s community doesn’t have an offseason,” says Mr. Glasby. “We’re looking forward to hearing feedback from this year, and introducing some new projects for next year.”

DEI resources are available for students, families, and faculty online on the Severn website, including near-term actions, long-term actions, a DEI events calendar, library resources, and faculty training opportunities.

Learn more about Severn’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives at https://www. severnschool.com/about-us/diversity-equityand-inclusion-at-severn.

Thank You, Sponsors!

Thank you to our incredible sponsors for their continued support of Severn School and our 2022 Admiral Auction.

We Are Family Sponsors Antwerpen Automotive The Benz Family Chesapeake Corporate Advisors Philbin & Reinheimer Orthodontics Little Admirals Sponsor Revival Home & Gifts Studio 54 Sponsors Squisito Pizza and Pasta The Jacobs Family The Knipe Family The Lighthizer Family The Pikus Family The Veiel Family Tuscan Prime Italian Chophouse Waugh Chapel Animal Hospital

Funky Town Sponsors The Ambro Family The Cahouet Family Clearway Pain Solutions The DeStefano-Tiller Family The Gibbons-Neff Family The Hiller Family Ledo Pizza The Stamato Family Disco Inferno Sponsors The Fisher Family The Kintgen Family The Sakellariou Family The South Family The Urban Family Watermark Wealthspire Advisors The Wellner Family The Wilson Family S PR I N G 2 0 2 2

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Standing L-R: Renie Sotiropoulos, Jackie Baugh, Susan Jackson; Seated L-R: Wanda Ned, Cathy Hewitt Carper, Rodica Townshend

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STEPPING FORWARD AND SHAPING SEVERN SCHOOL

by Carolyn Campion

These six women have collectively dedicated over 160 years to Severn School, demonstrating compassionate leadership and selfless service through every interaction with their students and the larger community. They consistently model the many ways to lead as trusted mentors, coaches, advisors, colleagues, and friends. Their tenure is marked by steadfast dedication, innovative thinking, and the drive to take action, forever changing the shape of Severn School.

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F O R WA R D

Jackie Baugh 32 Years at Severn Upper School English Advisor to Severn Oratorical Society By the time Dr. Jackie Baugh arrived at Severn in 1990, she had 20 years of college teaching experience, and a bachelors, masters, and doctorate from three different universities. Even so, teaching high school English was by far her most difficult assignment. Laughing at the memory, Jackie explained, “Teaching certain concepts to high school students requires additional scaffolding.” Early on, she asked her freshmen literature students to reflect on a time when their hearts had been broken. “I looked out at them and saw blank faces! It dawned on me that some of them had never even dated!”

Reflecting on the many colleagues who have contributed to her experience at Severn, Jackie recognizes Susan Gray (history), Pat Huntermark (history), and Betsy English (science). “These women were ‘teacher’s teachers’ and magnificent in their advanced preparation for each class session, as well as their attention to lesson construction, clarity, and pacing.” Jackie explained that these women set a standard that she tried to emulate.

Jackie has embraced a true passion for helping her students achieve oratorical excellence, teaching a public address course each semester of her 32 years, advising the Severn Oratorical Society, and encouraging students to participate in speech competitions through organizations like The American Legion, Optimist International, and Rotary International.

Under her expert guidance, countless Severn students have competed and won at the state, regional and national level.

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Jackie’s impact at Severn reaches far beyond the classroom. She has founded and supported extracurricular programs and clubs to help students develop their communication skills, including the Black Cat Coffee House series and Mock Trial. She designed and initiated the Veterans Day Assembly in 1990, which has occurred biannually since. She also coaches student speakers for the annual National Honor Society induction ceremony, who present compelling speeches on character, leadership, scholarship, and service.

Above all, Jackie values her relationships with students. She fondly remembers Hugo Van Der Houwen, an international student from Holland who was enrolled in her freshman English class. One day in the fall of 1992, she and Hugo shared a laugh about the fact that even though he spoke English as a second language, he earned the highest grammar grade in the class. That afternoon, Hugo suddenly died on campus from an undiagnosed heart defect. His death devastated the Severn community, Jackie included. Having interacted with him only minutes before, Jackie explains, “His death reminds me that each interface with a student is important. Teachers must always consider the lasting impact of their words.” To this day, the program from Hugo’s memorial service hangs on the bulletin board in Jackie’s classroom, along with a letter from his parents, thanking Dr. Baugh for teaching Hugo English, his lifelong dream.

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Cathy Hewitt Carper ’81 36 Years at Severn Department Chair Middle School Arts Middle School History & Geography For Cathy Hewitt Carper ’81, Severn has been home for 40 years.

Her Severn story began in 1977, when her father, Fred Hewitt, accepted a job as athletic director at Severn. That fall, Cathy started as a ninth grader, Class of 1981.

After college, Cathy returned to live in Annapolis and Middle School Head Louise Williams asked if she would consider taking a part-time position leading a dance and drama program at Severn. By her second year, Cathy accepted a full-time position teaching geography, in addition to coaching field hockey and lacrosse.

Cathy recalls with disbelief the early days when grades six through 12 operated on the same schedule. Knowing that middle school students need a different level of support, Cathy helped develop a separate schedule that addresses the academic, social, and emotional needs of 6th, 7th, and 8th-grade students. She remembers that some faculty were resistant to the idea of moving classrooms, holding separate lunches, and incorporating middle school recesses. With determination and creative problem solving, her team convinced the holdouts to embrace the idea.

“Today, it’s hard to imagine Severn with one schedule and one program for grades six through 12.”

The arts have remained a passion for Cathy throughout her career and she was instrumental in developing a strong arts program in the Middle School. “I consider the arts a ‘hidden gem’ here at Severn. The arts program has come a long way since I have been here, and I like to think I was a part of that process.” She was part of a pioneer team who brought dance, drama, band, strings, and 2D & 3D art to the Middle School.

One of her favorite places to be is backstage with her young actors in the moments before they are about to perform. “My performers are in position and ready to go. They are super excited. All their hard work is about to pay off. It is so rewarding to sit behind that curtain and watch the magic happen!”

According to Cathy, “Working in education means you’re never truly working alone.” She is so grateful for the many mentors at Severn that helped her through the various stages of her career. She credits her parents, Fred Hewitt and Ann Hewitt (former assistant to the Middle School head), for showing her that hard work pays off. She also recognizes Louise Williams and Laura Kang, division heads from her early years of teaching, for showing her how to teach the middle school age.

Cathy recognizes the importance of being a lifelong learner with the vision to adapt and adjust. “Being an educator is about keeping your finger on the pulse of who your students are and recognizing all the trends, standards, and new research that can help you continually improve.”

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S T E P P I N G

F O R WA R D

Susan Jackson 21 Years at Severn Director of the Hoehn-Saric Family Center for Academic Excellence (LRC) Upper School English Susan Jackson has devoted the past 21 years to teaching and supporting Severn students. She first stepped on campus as a tutor in the mid 90s. She remembers walking through thick mud to get to the main building and tutoring in a basement room where the paint was peeling and the desks were falling apart. Yet she saw something special in Severn. “All of the kids were so happy, chatting and laughing with each other. From the moment I stepped on campus, I could feel the energy here and the relationships that had been built.” Even with the mud on her shoes, she thought, “This is a great place, and I’d like to work here one day.”

The opportunity came in 2001 when she was hired to teach Upper School English and support students with learning differences through the study skills program. After several years in this role, Susan wanted to expand the program to support any student at Severn, not only those assigned to study skills. She talked with Upper School Learning Specialist Margaret Foster and Head of School Doug Lagarde about creating a center for academics. Susan explained, “I envisioned a place where all students could come for extra support with organization, planning, writing, or math; where students could come to work with and learn from their peers; where students could study, take tests, or read without distraction.” In August 2008, the Learning Resource Center (or “LRC”) opened its doors.

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Renamed the Hoehn-Saric Family Center for Academic Excellence in 2009, the LRC is a thriving presence in Severn’s community of learners. Supporting the academic pursuits of all students, the center is the realization of Susan’s original dream. “We have been able to create an environment where all students can pursue academic success and feel like their journey is worthwhile.”

Whether in her classroom or the LRC, Susan loves watching students help other students find success. She reflected on the peer tutoring program she developed in partnership with students from NHS, “What is especially exciting about this program is that both students — the tutor and the tutee — gain so much from the interaction. Working in this space is not just about helping kids who struggle but about bringing kids together to share successes and find common ground.”

In reflecting on her 21 years at Severn, Susan is grateful that she is in an environment where she never stops growing. “What I’ve learned over the years is that there is no one single moment. Instead, there are a series of wonderful moments in the life of a teacher. Teaching has always been about offering my students challenges and patience, and knowing that every day I will probably learn something new.”

S T E P P I N G

F O R WA R D

Wanda Ned 26 Years at Severn Teel Campus Admissions Assistant For many families, the first person they meet on Severn’s Teel Campus is Wanda Ned. She has welcomed students to Severn for 26 years. “I don’t really think about the number of years I’ve been here. I’m just always thinking about the kids: how do we get the best kids into Severn, how do we keep the kids we have, and how do we make it a good experience when they come through our doors.”

She met the students, all students of color, and their families and spent hours answering questions about student life at Severn. In the end, all of them decided to come. That fall, the incoming class of 2015 had the highest number of students of color in Severn’s admissions history. “That was an ‘aha’ moment for me. What I had to say was so convincing that they all came. And the fact that I was the one saying it made a difference.”

Wanda accepted a part-time job on the admissions team in 1995, which has grown into an essential full-time position involving marketing, administrative work, and relationship-building with parents and students. It’s in that last role that Wanda truly shines, keeping the best interests of every student at the heart of her work.

As the proud mom of Joey Ned ’99 and Brionna Ned ‘04, Wanda loves seeing her “Severn kids” go on to be successful adults. One family calls her regularly to thank her for persuading their daughter to look at Severn. They were hesitant because of financial circumstances, but Wanda saw the daughter’s academic promise and urged her to apply.

“That child got in, came for four years, graduated at the top of her class, got a full ride scholarship to a fabulous college, and is doing really well!”

As a Black female at Severn, she recognizes the opportunity to mentor families and students of color. “It’s natural for parents to call me with questions and use me as their go-to resource. And I’m happy to serve in that role. In fact, one parent asked me the other day, if I could promise to stay for the four years that her child was here at Severn to check in on him!”

Perhaps the first time Wanda fully recognized the impact of her role was in 2011, when an educator from Prince George’s County contacted her about several students who had been admitted to Severn. She asked if Wanda could come talk to the families about the school before they made their decision to accept or deny the invitation.

Wanda explains, “For me, it is not the kid at Severn who would have done fine anywhere else. It is those kids right on the cusp who might be the ‘chance’ students — no matter what color they are — who come, do outstanding work, and just fly. To me, that is the power of a Severn School education.”

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S T E P P I N G

F O R WA R D

Renie Sotiropoulos 27 Years at Severn Department Chair Upper School History Upper School History Renie’s Severn story began with a print ad in the back of the USA Lacrosse Magazine. Severn School needed a girls lacrosse coach. Athletic Director Fred Hewitt offered Renie the coaching job immediately after her interview, and Middle School Head Laura Kang offered her a teaching position in the English department. And so began a lifelong career at Severn.

Renie’s passion for teaching political science, history, and current events led to her current position in the Upper School, where she keeps students at the center of her work. Her enthusiasm in the classroom is matched only by her drive on the field, where she coached Severn’s field hockey and lacrosse teams to record-breaking success. “Whether teaching or coaching, I have always felt and still do that my responsibility is to honor the kids and their work.”

When students walk into her class, Renie tells them, “This is going to be the best class ever. Do you know why? Because you are going to learn something awesome. It’s going to separate you from average Americans who know nothing about this.” Renie creates relevant and engaging lessons that inspire her students to take pride in what they are learning. She has been named the recipient of the Julian A. Domenech Outstanding Faculty Member in 2004 and 2013 and the Faculty Appreciation Award in 2016 and 2020.

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As a coach, Renie feels strongly about honoring her athletes as well.

When she arrived in 1995, she walked into a field hockey and lacrosse program without a consistent coach. The girls had to make jerseys out of polo shirts they bought themselves and wear their school uniforms on the field. And they were not invited to play night games under the lights. She saw the potential of these great athletes and thought, “I need to honor them by taking the coaching of these girls as seriously as I can.”

And she did. Renie coached the varsity girls lacrosse team from 19952015. She is the winningest female coach in Severn’s history, recording 229 wins over 20 seasons. Under her leadership, her players competed in two A division championship games (in 2005 and 2007). Her talent as a coach was recognized outside of Severn as well. She was named the 2007 Baltimore All Met Coach of the Year and the 2007 Capital Coach of the Year.

Renie is grateful that her world as a Severn teacher, coach, and parent is ever-growing. “There are always another 100 kids who graduate, and there’s always another 50 kids that I teach every year whom I get to know. There is a constant introduction of new humans into my world.

And every year, I’m always starting something new.”

S T E P P I N G

F O R WA R D

Rodica Townshend 21 Years at Severn Department Chair Upper School Foreign Language Upper School French It was an advertisement in the Pennysaver that brought French teacher extraordinaire Rodica Townshend to Severn School 21 years ago. Her husband, Russ Townshend ’64, saw the listing for a part-time French teacher at his alma mater and suggested she apply.

Transitioning from a career as an attorney in juvenile criminal law, Rodica was excited to work with young people in an entirely new setting.

As a native French speaker, the language came naturally, but teaching high school students was a brand new experience. She credits Spanish teachers Jean Berard and Carolyn Cosentino for being excellent mentors. “They were the ones who taught me the most about teaching in a classroom!”

After teaching for several years, Rodica recognized a missing element from Severn’s foreign language program — there were no travel abroad opportunities for language students. She knew that when students travel abroad, they become more invested in learning the language and embrace other cultures in ways not possible from the classroom. She began planning a one-week exchange trip to Brittany, France for the 2004-2005 school year. Rodica remembers the planning of that first trip as a big leap of faith. She made all of the group’s arrangements for travel, food, excursions, and accommodations on her own. “I had never been to the exchange school or met any of the teachers or families in person. I held my breath and crossed my fingers that it would all work out!”

She took eight students, including her sophomore son and four year old daughter. Each student stayed with a French family, attended class at La Croix Rouge, and took field trips to explore the local region. Two weeks later, the French students with whom her students stayed traveled to the U.S to attend Severn and live a week with their new American friends.

The trip was a huge success!

The program has continued to thrive since, excepting the past few years during COVID restrictions. “There is this ‘aha’ moment when the kids arrive in a foreign airport and no one is speaking English. For some, it is the first time they realize that people really do speak this language outside of a classroom!” According to Rodica, once her students experience this immersion, they are much more interested in learning the language and travelling. “One of my students went to France with me three times as a Severn student. He even asked if he could come with me as a college student chaperone!” Rodica also shared the story of an alumnus who worked as a nanny for a family who traveled the world. “She told me that she really benefited from having the travel experience on my French trips!”

In reflecting on her 21 years of teaching and traveling with students, Rodica acknowledges, “The students are truly the reason for my being here. No matter the day, they are always the highlight of my work.”

Rodica explained that as the sole French teacher at Severn, she teaches every French student every year. “We become a family. I treat them like they are my own kids. They are amazing students, and I love spending time with them.”

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The Admiral on field for the Sandy Barbour field dedication festivities

THE BIG PICTURE P H OTO C R E D I T: JA M E S K E G L E Y @ K E G L E YJ A M E S

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HOMECOMING

10.08

2022

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ROTUNDA ROUNDUP

1 9 7 3 Kent Holtgrewe recently teamed up with Head of School Doug Lagarde, John Quinn ’87, and current parent Jim Lighthizer for some golf.

1 9 9 1 Dr. Carrie Grimes moved on this fall from her 5-year post as Severn’s Director of Alumni Relations to begin a position at Vanderbilt University as an Assistant Professor of Education, and the Director of the Master’s program in Independent 1 9 6 5 John Miller and Sandy Clark met in Portland Maine for lunch in August. John lives in Eliot, Maine and remains hard at work as President of his New England-based company, Peake Resources Inc., which specializes in robotics and robotic repair. Those of us who remember John’s intellect and inclination to tinker with mechanical things are proud of and unsurprised by John’s continued accomplishments.

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School Leadership at Peabody College.

Luckily, Carrie and her family (husband Mark and Campbell ’22, Whitney ’24, Kate ’26) have been able to stay in Annapolis; she is splitting her time between remote work and Nashville. Carrie also launched her creative business as a painter in 2020, www.spacreekstudio.com.

R OT U N D A

R O U N D U P

1 9 9 4 Emily Franey Flanagan’s 1997 Women’s Lacrosse Team was recently inducted into the Loyola University Athletic Hall of Fame.

Hers was the first women’s team to be inducted!

1 9 9 6 Kara Long Roche, a gynecologic oncology surgeon at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in NYC, ran her 3rd NYC marathon with the Sloan Kettering team named “Team Ovary.” Her team raised over 7 million dollars for cancer research at MSK this year. When asked about the countless hours of training that go into preparing for a marathon, Kara said, “I am inspired every day by my patients, and of course my mom, a 17+ year ovarian cancer survivor. The cause is near and dear to me for so many reasons. I [run] for my patients, my survivors, my mom, and everyone who can imagine a world without cancer.”

2 0 0 0 Congratulations to Cam Bowdren and wife Claire on the birth of their son Christopher “Ruigh” Bowdren on January 29, 2022.

2 0 0 2

Ruigh joins Big Sister Halsey in the Bowdren family. As the owner of

Meredith Balenske relocated from Washington, DC to Hong Kong

Forward Brewing, Cam so aptly announced Ruigh’s arrival with the

in April 2019 for a job at GLP, one of the largest global investors in

tagline, “The latest batch is here!”

logistics real estate, data centers, renewable energy, and related tech-

Congratulations to Jane Friend Gill and her husband Nathan on the birth of their son Garrett Robert Gill on July 27, 2021!

Shout out to fan favorite Go Melvo Snoballs, owned and operated by Jeff McMahon, for employing over 35 Admiral Alumni over the years!

nologies. In other news, Meredith recently got engaged to a man from the United Kingdom who also lives in Hong Kong. (See picture above.) In her free time, Meredith enjoys hiking, rail running, camping, visiting beaches, playing with her French bulldog Dooley, and of course, taking advantage of the fine dining, jazz clubs, and shopping in Hong Kong.

Sarah Jane Dunaway and her husband Jesse Silverman are living in Amman, Jordan with their two children Mae (7) and Cary (11 months).

(See two pictures below.) While there, Sarah has been continuing to serve as Creative Director and a freelance copywriter/ graphic designer for her firm Sarah Jane & Co. She and her family are loving their time in the Middle East, but joke that their son has missed it all. He’s slept through a camel ride in Wadi Rum, napped beachside at the Red Sea, and dozed

Cam Bowdren and family

off during a slightly questionable donkey ride along a cliffside in Petra.

Garrett Robert Gill

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R OT U N D A

R O U N D U P

Dr. Courtney Hattan is an Assistant Pro-

2 0 0 3

fessor of Elementary Literacy Education at

Laura Boyd, an interior designer in Charles-

Illinois State University, where she teaches

ton, SC, was recently nominated for HGTV’s

courses for pre- and in-service teachers on

Designer of the Year Award 2021 for the

literacy methods and assessment. She earned

“Living Large in Small Spaces” category.

her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the

Laura was honored to receive second place

Department of Human Development and

for a coastal pool house she designed this past

Quantitative Methodology at the University

summer. Laura currently owns her own design

of Maryland and earned her M.S.Ed. with a

firm, Laura Boyd Design, based in downtown

focus in reading from Johns Hopkins Univer-

Charleston. She specializes in timeless, neo-

sity. Courtney was the recipient of the 2019

traditional design and works all over the low

International Literacy Association Timothy

country and East Coast.

& Cynthia Shanahan Outstanding Dissertation Award, was named a Reading Hall of

Julia Deckman opened a studio, bottle shop,

Fame Emerging Scholars Fellow, and has been

and collaborative retail and exhibition space

published in several top-tier literacy and edu-

within her community in Charleston, SC.

cational psychology journals.

Since then, Julia Deckman Studio has hosted over 10 guest artist exhibitions and the gallery is booked for the entire 2022 calendar year.

Deckman sources her retail salon through 100% small and local businesses. Her goal is to serve as a support and resource to fellow artists and make fine art and creativity more accessible to her community. Deckman is also actively pursuing her own contemporary fine art career. She is currently represented by

Greg Price and Adam Jones recently had

The Miller Gallery in downtown Charleston,

lunch near Zurich, Switzerland with Joe

The Liza Pruitt online art collective, and

Taussig ’62. Greg and Adam were in town

Revival Home and Gifts in West Annapolis.

Jim Newell married Tierney Sneed, both DC

for events connected with the American Swiss

Her recent contemporary color studies were

reporters, on Nov. 7 in Key West. (See picture

Foundation, its Young Leaders Program and

featured in the Art Edit editions of House &

above.) Jim’s brother Adam Wexler ’93 offici-

75th Anniversary Gala, respectively. Joe has

Garden UK, and she has a line of fabric designs

ated the ceremony, while his other brother Rob

lived in Switzerland for the past 18 years. They

available through 3L Collective. Learn more

Newell ‘01 stood by him at the altar. Rob

had fun connecting over Swiss delicacies and

about Julia, her art, and studio space at juli-

Pressly read during the ceremony, and Tim

sharing stories about Severn over the years.

adeckmanstudio.com.

Shenk gave the toast at the reception.

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R OT U N D A

Mike Phipps and his wife Maggie have two girls now — Finley (4) and Emmy (2) — who keep them pretty busy! (See picture below.) Within the coaching world, he sees Kip Turner often, and he also keeps up with Ben Staines, Zack Goldman, and Evan Washburn.

R O U N D U P

2 0 0 5 In the summer of 2021, Jobi Manson participated in a 3-week Artist Residency program on the island of Hydra (Greece), where she studied ancient stones. She is continuing her work with stones in Chiapas, Mexico, where she is currently traveling to the Arch of Time, a natural stone arch 180 meters high, in the La Venta River Canyon. According to Jobi, “I

Darren Smith

am learning to listen to the stones, exploring the nature of deep time, through a sense of touch. . . It’s the most interesting thing I’ve

of diverse backgrounds with the education,

ever done.” (See picture below.)

resources, and networks necessary to become successful, proactive leaders. One of the many highlights of his program included meeting with various state and county legislators at Maryland Hall and listening to their stories of what led them into careers of community service.

Another personal highlight included a walking tour of Annapolis’s Old Fourth Ward neighborhood, having its rich history explained by Annapolis historian and fellow LAA grad Janice Hayes-Williams. About his experience, Darren said, “As a Leadership Anne Arundel alum, I

Travis Bernard and baby Scarlett Avery.

am proud and humbled to now be a part of

Kip Turner’s daughter and Mike Phipps’s daughter play on the beach.

a lineage of some of the most accomplished individuals this county has produced. LAA is an

2 0 0 4

incredible program that I highly recommend for

Travis Bernard and his wife Alexandra

anyone looking to make a lasting impact on our

welcomed their baby girl Scarlett Avery on

area through leadership and service.”

January 20, 2022. They are currently living in Los Angeles, California, where Travis has

2 0 0 6

fully adopted the California spirit! He’s been

In July 2021, Elizabeth Henry Fisher and

regularly practicing yoga, surfing, and trying

her daughter Ellie got together with Kirsten

to perfect healthy cooking.

Ryan Brassel currently serves as the Senior VP of Rosso Commercial Real Estate, which opened its doors in 2016. Rosso Commercial is a Full Service Commercial Real Estate Brokerage that handles sales, investments, leasing, and consulting of office, retail, medical, industrial, and land. His firm is based in Annapolis, serving the Greater Washington-Baltimore Corridors. Ryan currently resides in Annapolis with his wife Kelly and two daughters, Savannah (7) and Pippa (4).

Kelly Huson and her daughter Sloane and Ryan Brassel and family

During the first half of 2021, Darren Smith

Rebecca Price Gilmor and daughters Miller and Cahill to celebrate “new babies, new houses, and old friends.” (See picture below.)

had the honor of participating in Leadership Anne Arundel’s (LAA) Neighborhood Leadership Academy (NLA) Class. Leadership Anne Arundel is a non-profit organization that builds, connects, and celebrates leaders through education and training, information, events, and networking. LAA strives to provide people

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R O U N D U P

Brett Bathras Packard and her husband Dustin welcomed their third, a baby girl, on October 29, 2021. Mason Eloise joins big sister Hudson (4) and big brother Banks (2 1/2).

Zone defense is no joke, but the Packards are adjusting and loving life in Boise, Idaho as a family of five. Brett is hoping to introduce Mason Eloise Packard

Mason to MD in the spring!

Brian Phipps and wife Caitlyn welcomed their beautiful daughter — Mackenzie Clare Phipps — on July 25, 2021. (Pictured at the left.)

In other news, Brian Phipps and Nick Manis ’12 played in the Professional Lacrosse League for the Whipsnakes in the summer of 2021. Their team made it to the PLL Championship game, but unfortunately lost

Brett Bathras Packard and family

in the finals.

Chase Sutton married Kellie in September 2021 at the Kent Manor Inn. (See picture above.) Over half of his groomsmen were Severn Admirals: Garrett Nicholson, Brendan Lane, Tommy Pitts, Roddy Jabin, Robert Weitzman, and Jack Bisciotti. Chase and Kellie enjoyed a honeymoon in Dubai. (See pictured diagonal right.) The highlight of their trip was the Dubai Desert Safari Tour, where they drove dune buggies around camels in the Red Desert and sandboarded down the desert mounds. The couple currently lives in downtown Annapolis, where Chase works as a sales professional for Bluewater Yacht Sales. He is an active member at the Annapolis Yacht Club and enjoys sailing, fishing, travel, and spending time with his family.

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THE BRIDGE

Severn Alumnae from the Class of 2006!

R OT U N D A

R O U N D U P

Samantha Goldman Lax and her husband Daniel welcomed baby girl Scottie Liat on April 6, 2021. Their family of three lives in Westport CT with golden doodle Archie.

Samantha has moved her interior design business, Handin Homes, from NYC to Westport as well. (See picture at left.)

Meghan Nock married her longtime partner Courtney Teed in October 2021. They had a beautiful ceremony and reception in Palm Springs, CA with friends and family, including Meghan’s sister Rachael Nock ’11, the Maid of Honor, and her brother Sam Nock ’19. Meg and Court reside in San Diego, CA.

2 0 0 7 Pete Dunigan married Dr. Kristen Peach in Charlottesville Virginia in September 2021. It was a great celebration with family and friends!

Pete’s brother Zach Dunigan ‘05 was the Best Man, and Nick Elsmo was one of his Groomsmen. Other alumni in attendance were: Mattie Greenwell Dunigan ‘05, Dennis Rosson, and Zach Pfinsgraff. (See picture below.)

Severn was thrilled to host Reunion Homecoming events in person this year. The festivities began with the Athletic Hall of Fame Reception to celebrate Joseph Morris ’08 (award received by his father Dr. Joseph Morris), Frederick Weiss ’61, and Nicholas Elsmo ’07. (See picture above.)

Nick Elsmo married Christina Waldbauer on December 4, 2020 in Hobe Sound, FL. (See picture at right.) Nick, Christina, and their golden retriever Chessie will be moving to Darien, CT in February.

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R OT U N D A

R O U N D U P

Congratulations to Zach Pfinsgraff and his wife Mali on the birth of their son Edwin Boone Pfinsgraff, or “Boone” for short, on June 16, 2021 at the University of Utah hospital in Salt Lake. (See pictures at right.) Zach and Mali have been living in Salt Lake since June of 2020, where he is an operating executive for private equity backed businesses. Zach just started a new opportunity at a manufacturer and distributor of industrial cranes and hoists.

Hayley Bosch Torpy and her husband John welcomed baby John “Jack” Henry on March 8, 2021. (See picture at right.) They live in New Canaan, CT nearby Mackenzie Carroll Kirkup ’10 and Stevie Kirkup ‘09, Nick Elsmo, and Samantha Goldman Lax! 2 0 0 8 On October 9, 2021 Dr. Brittany Schuh delivered her friend and fellow classmate’s Monica D’Ambrogi Hartman’s beautiful baby girl Riley Rose Hartman at Anne Arundel Medical Center! (See picture below.)

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R OT U N D A

R O U N D U P

2 0 0 9 Josephine Blair Cipriano is making a name for herself in the poetry world. She was recently named the winner of Brooklyn Poets’ 2021 “Poem of the Year” competition, and she was a 2021 finalist for both Frontier Magazine’s New Voices Contest and its Industry Prize. She lives in Tucson, Arizona.

Alumni brothers Adam Cohen & Mark Cohen ’12 founded Always Ice Cream Company two years ago with the goal of bringing amazing homemade ice cream to Maryland.

They currently have four locations: Main Street Annapolis, West Annapolis, Pasadena, and Edgewater. You can also look for their food truck around town! In true Admiral spirit, they employed almost a dozen Severn students last summer and are looking forward to having more students coming through their shops!

In September 2021, Dan Jones married fellow Annapolitan Amity Smith at the Clifton in Charlottesville, VA. Other Severn alums in attendance were: Stevie Kirkup, Eric Heinsohn ‘08, and Kyle McGovern ’10.

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R OT U N D A

R O U N D U P

Molly Laufman married Gavin O’Donnell

office is right around the corner from Severn’s

2 0 1 0

at the Beach Club of Cape May on Septem-

Teel campus!) In other news, Dominique and

Chris Edgar and his fiancée Olivia got

ber 25, 2021. (See pictures above and above right.)

her husband are celebrating the 1-year birth-

engaged Labor Day Weekend 2021 in Santa

Severn alumnae in attendance were: Molly

day of their son Abner “JJ” Mann III in April,

Barbara. Their wedding is set for November

Manson Quinn, Toi Garcia, Caroline

and their family of three are enjoying their

2022 in Palm Springs, California. They are

Burns, Samantha Wooten Burnham,

new home in the Gambrills area.

currently in San Francisco, but will likely

Lindsay Higham Priest, Shannon Lane Kufta, and Elizabeth Adam.

Molly Manson married Sean Quinn on

As a clinical social worker and yoga teacher,

August 14, 2021 at the

Dominique Thompson Mann (See picture

Wychmere Beach Club

below.) recently joined the team at Baltimore

in Cape Cod, MA.

Annapolis Center for Integrative Healing as

(See picture at left.) Lots

a clinical therapist. (As a side note, her new

of Severn alumnae

be moving to southern California next year.

(See picture below.)

joined her to celebrate, including Elizabeth Adam, Addie Jabin, Shannon Lane Kufta, Caroline Burns, Molly Laufman O’Donnell, Lindsay Higham Priest, and Samantha Wooten Burnham. (See picture below.)

2 0 1 1 Katie Carroll is busy in Encinitas, CA working for OSEA, a marine based skincare line and planning her upcoming wedding to Fiance Philip Lyon. The two will tie the knot back home in Annapolis in April 2022.

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R OT U N D A

R O U N D U P

Jamie Mullady Harvey and her hus-

Congratulations to Caroline Robertazzi

band Tommy just welcomed their first baby.

who was named the 2021 “Lifeguard of the

Daughter Madden Grace was born on August

Year” for the Fenwick Island Beach Patrol

13, 2021. They are happily living in the

(FIBP). The award is a blind vote of the 29

Chicago area.

members of the Patrol who select a lifeguard that best exemplifies the mission and objec-

2 0 1 2 Congrats to Joe Podoley, who is getting married to his fiancee Chrissy in Nashville on September 10, 2022. Chrissy and Joe met while they were both attending Syracuse University. Joe has been in Nashville for about 2 years, and he currently works for Amazon as a

Severn community saw AJ as our Admiral Auction host again this year on March 4! Congratulations AJ! (See picture above.)

2 0 1 7 Congratulations to three Severn lacrosse

tives of the patrol. She is the first female to be awarded the highly coveted title since its inception in 1984. Caroline is a 5-year veteran of the FIBP and is a senior at Elon University, where she is pursuing a double major in Finance and Data Analytics.

Supply Chain Program Manager.

alumni for being voted Captains of their 2022

Rebecca Stamato is beginning her last year

Men’s Lacrosse teams: Ben Bedard and

at Northeastern University and preparing to

2 0 1 4

Dylan Gergar ’18 (University of Pennsylva-

Elizabeth Carroll has moved to the West

nia) and Charlie Olmert (Harvard).

Coast. She is living in the Pacific Beach area

graduate in the Fall of 2022 with a major in neuroscience, a minor in business, and a plan to pursue a career in medicine. She has had the opportunity to have two amazing co-ops at

of San Diego and enjoying the sunshine with

Northeastern, working as an EMT in Boston

her puppy Reese.

(yes, she drove the ambulance!) during the sum-

Congrats to the following four alumni who

mer and fall of 2020 amidst the COVID-19

graduated law school and just passed their bar

pandemic. This fall she is completing her sec-

exams: Dave Jaklitsch and Cole Smith

ond co-op at Boston Children’s Hospital in the

in Maryland, Anthony Roccograndi in

Intensive Care Unit. She can hardly believe she

South Carolina, and Kasia Jarosz in Massachusetts. Dave and Cole are now clerking

Many past Severn lacrosse players came together for a scrimmage in the fall.

is in her 4th year already and cannot express her gratitude enough for the incredible opportunities she has had in Boston!

for judges in Maryland, Anthony is getting his LLM (Master of Laws) at Georgetown, and

2 0 1 8

Kasia is working as an attorney at Kates &

Tori Cronin graduated from Swansea Uni-

Barlow, PC in Boston, MA.

versity in 2021 with a BA in International Relations. She remained in Swansea, Wales to

2 0 1 5

pursue an 18-month Masters Degree program

AJ Gersh moved from Abilene, Texas to

in International Security and Development.

Springfield, Illinois, where he is the new

Despite the COVID restrictions, she was still

morning news anchor on Newschannel 20

able to do a little bit of traveling this summer

Sunrise. Tune in every weekday from 5 – 7

in Italy. She had an amazing experience visit-

a.m. and then 7 – 8 a.m. on Fox Illinois. The

ing Rome, Procida, Naples, and Sorrento.

Lauren Gibbons-Neff and Kennedy Smith took Europe by storm this fall as study abroad students of Elon University. Lauren studied in Copenhagen while Kennedy ventured out to Florence, with both alums taking full advantage of classes, culture, and other European travel and experiences before returning to Elon for junior year of their winter term.

SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES: We miss our alumni and want to hear all about your life after Severn. Recent trips,

internships, research projects, stories with classmates, new job or address, babies, weddings, graduations — we want to know! Email Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com or drop us a note on Facebook (Severn School Alumni), LinkedIn (Severn School Alumni), or Instagram (severnschoolalums)!

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IN MEMORIAM

1945 Salvatore Vizzini 1946 Ernest “Ernie” Florestano 1947 Blair “Buzz” Hall Harley William Richard Lake, Jr. 1948 Robert Waid Jr. 1949 Leon Ezzell 1950 Edward “Ted” Walker 1952 Jack Monroe Jr. 1958 Wilfred T. “Fred” Azar Jr. 1960 Joseph R. Tubman, Jr. 1976 Donald “Deke” Forbes 1992 Michael “Mike” Fisher Trustees Patricia “Patty” McManus Janet Wallace

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All Class Notes included in this issue of the Bridge can also be read online at www.severnschool.com/rotundaroundup

IN MEMORIAM

Commander (ret.) Salvatore Vizzini ’45, United States Navy, died Friday, April 9, 2021 in Calabash, NC. Born in Maryland, Salvatore attended Mount Saint Joseph High School for two years and then transferred to Severn. Upon graduation from Severn, he went on to the University of Maryland, where he played lacrosse and graduated with a Civil Engineering degree. After college, he attended Kingspoint Officer Candidate School and then entered the Navy as an officer. Salvatore served his country with honor and distinction, and he retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander, served in the Naval Reserve, as well as a Commander in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. After his honorable discharge from the Navy, he joined his father in the family business of Philip Vizzini & Son Contractors, and years later, built his own business, S.F. Vizzini, Civil Engineer. Salvatore loved spending time with his family and friends on his boat. He got his Captain’s license and owned and operated his beloved “Sea Chanty” for over 50 years. He also taught navigation at the USNA, became a licensed appraiser and taught an appraisal course at Anne Arundel Community College, became a licensed small aircraft pilot, and served on the Board of Westview Savings and Loan.

After his retirement, Salvatore began learning how to paint seascapes with watercolors and oils.

Ernest “Ernie” Florestano ’46 passed away on May 18, 2020. Ernie was born and raised in Annapolis, Maryland.

After graduating from Severn, he went on to the United States Naval Academy and then the US Marine Corps, determined to serve his country. Taking advantage of the GI Bill, Ernie eventually went back to the College of William and Mary for his Master’s Degree. In 1970, Ernie founded Decal-A-Matic, a business that was way ahead of its time in environmental consciousness. Ernie was passionate about his business, and he was still involved with it until the day of his passing at age 92.

Ernie was lucky enough to have spent 59 years married to the love of his life Mary.

Former Severn Trustee, Blair “Buzz” Hall ’47 died on November 1, 2021. As a Severn student, Buzz excelled at football, tennis, and lacrosse, and he was later inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He then played lacrosse for the University of Maryland and was the school’s first four-time All-American lacrosse player. Following his graduation from Maryland, Buzz served in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed in Korea during the war. He returned to Maryland and began his career with the National Security Agency. He married his college sweetheart, Mary Jo Henneberger, in 1954, and they settled in Sherwood Forest, where his family had summered since 1929. He studied law at the George Washington University in the evenings, earning his law degree just a few months before the fourth of his five children was born. Instead of practicing law, Buzz continued working full-time as a cryptologist for NSA. He was an advisor to Rep. Judd Gregg (R-NH) as a 1985-86 fellow in the Commerce Department’s Science & Technology Fellowship Program and was appointed to NSA’s Senior Cryptologic Executive Service in 1986. He retired in 1993. During his career, Buzz was fortunate to have served on assignments in Japan, Taiwan, and England. After retirement, he continued to travel into his late 80s, revisiting England

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IN MEMORIAM

when he was 85 and Taiwan when he was 88, as well as visiting his children who lived overseas as adults in Asia, South Asia, and Europe. In 2009, at the age of 81, he was the oldest person to ride India’s first zip line, at the 15th-Century Neemrana Fort-Palace in Rajasthan.

Lieutenant (ret.) Harley William Richard Lake, Jr. ’47, United States Air Force, died on January 25, 2022, surrounded by his three children - Sherie, Eric, and Kathryn. Born in Evanston, Illinois, Harley was raised primarily in Montclair, New Jersey, where he ultimately met his bride of 64 years, Suzanne DeHart Lake. After a year at Severn and subsequent studies at Davis & Elkins College, Harley completed training with the United States Air Force and began flying jets out of Dover AFB during the Korean War. Repeatedly, Harley distinguished himself by “meritorious achievement” as the pilot of an unarmed, single engine RF-80 aircraft, 15th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron Photo Jet, Fifth Air Force. As a civilian, Harley spent over 30 years with General Electric, as an R&D Project Development Manager and eventually as a consultant in Washington, DC. Harley enjoyed sailing on Lake George every summer with his wife and children, and then, in his retirement years, the Chesapeake Bay. Lieutenant Lake, accompanied by his wife, will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

Robert Waid Jr. ’48 of Fresno, California passed away on Sunday, October 18, 2020. Robert was born in Akron, Ohio.

After his graduation from Severn, Robert attended the United States Naval Academy.

Leon Ezzell ’49 passed away April 1, 2020 at his home in Santa Rosa, California. Leon grew up in Stamford, CT. After graduating early from Stamford High School, he went to Severn School for one year. From there, Leon was appointed to the Naval Academy, Class of 1953. During his years in the Navy, Leon

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served on several ships at sea and flew sea and patrol planes. When he left the Navy in 1961, Leon worked for Pratt and Whitney and then PG&E in the Mechanical Engineering Department. After an early retirement from PG&E, Leon went on to become a vice president at Cal Energy, based in San Francisco, building their geothermal power plants near Ridgecrest, CA. Leon enjoyed sailing on weekends, as well as bareboating in places such as the British Virgin Islands, Honduras, and two times in Tonga. He also enjoyed fostering greyhounds and delving into local history - he was a member of the Sonoma Valley Historical Society and a docent at a local museum.

Rear Admiral (ret.) Edward “Ted” Walker, Jr. ’50, United States Navy, passed away on December 11, 2021. Rear Admiral Walker was born in Annapolis, Maryland. As the son of a Naval Officer, he grew up in a variety of locales worldwide. After his graduation from Severn, he went on to the U.S. Naval Academy. He graduated in 1954 and was commissioned an ensign in the Supply Corps. From 1957 until 1964, he served at naval stations in Virginia, the former Panama Canal Zone, and at the Naval Supply Depot in Rhode Island. For the next 17 years, he rotated through submarine and stateside tours. He was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in July 1981, and on March 28, 1984, he became Commander, Naval Supply Systems Command and the 35th Chief of Supply Corps. During his career, Admiral

Walker was awarded numerous personal decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal, was a qualified submariner, and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration and Financial Management from George Washington University. Retiring from active duty in September 1988, Rear Admiral Walker became the Vice President for Administration and Director of Corporate Strategy for Resource Consultants, Inc. (RCI), a worldwide government services contractor.

He retired from this position in September 2000. Admiral Walker remained active and continued to serve in a wide variety of endeavors. He was a life member of the Naval Academy Alumni Association, the Submarine League, the Military Officers Association, the Navy League, and the Surface Warfare Association. Rear Admiral Walker was named the recipient of the Rolland M. Teel Severn School Distinguished Alumni Award in 2009.

Colonel (ret.) Jack Monroe Jr. ’52, United State Marine Corps, passed away on May 12, 2021 in Fredericksburg, Maryland. Jack was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, the son of a career Naval Officer. Jack enlisted in the Navy in 1951 and was a tailgunner in patrol planes. Four years later, he was accepted to the Naval Aviation Cadet Program, and in 1956 he was commissioned a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant and designated a Naval Aviator at Naval

Air Station Pensacola, Florida. His 26 year Marine Corps career included in excess of 6000 flight hours in more than 30 types of airplanes and helicopters. Jack retired from the Marine Corps in 1983 where he said: “I had 26 wonderful years of flying, fighting, and drinking whiskey with some of the best men on earth!” His retirement consisted of working for DCS Corporation followed

by McDonnell Aircraft Company and then McDonnell Aircraft Corporation from 1985 - 1993. His best retirement “tour” was becoming the Executive Director of the Marine Corps Aviation Association where he was able to stay connected to so many of the Marines he knew on active duty and strengthen the bonds between the Association, the Marine Corps, and Aviation Industry.

Wilfred T. “Fred” Azar Jr. ’58 passed away at George Washington Hospital on August 18, 2021. He was born on June 25, 1940 in Annapolis. After graduating Severn, Fred attended Florida State University. He enjoyed a long-life career in the business of real estate development. Fred had a passion for life, and he especially enjoyed spending time on the water, gardening, golfing, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Joseph R. Tubman, Jr. ’60 passed away on August 22, 2019.

Joseph was born in Baltimore. After his 6 years at Severn, Joseph went on to serve in the US Air Force. He later became a Financial Manager with the MD State Highway Administration. He was active in the Fellowship Baptist Church Choir. He enjoyed woodworking, reading, especially the Bible, and tinkering with his computer.

Commander (ret.) Donald “Deke” Forbes ’76, United States Navy, died on July 7, 2021. The son of a naval aviator, Deke grew up in numerous towns all over the country. After graduating from Severn, he went on to the USNA Preparatory School in Newport, RI and then the U.S. Naval Academy as a member of the 21st Company. Following his graduation, he

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IN MEMORIAM

entered flight training in Pensacola, FL, earning his Wings in 1982. He trained as an E2-C Hawkeye naval flight officer and served in several E2 squadrons, among them VAW-123 (Bear Aces) and VAW-126 (Seahawks). He attended the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun) in 1984 and was a member of Operations Desert Storm and Provide Comfort. Deke retired from the Navy in 2007, after 26 years of service, and then worked until his death as a senior systems analyst for the Camber Corporation (now Huntington Ingalls Industries-Technical Solutions). Living in Virginia Beach with his wife Erin, Deke was an avid boater, golfer, flight simulator designer, and traveler.

Michael “Mike” Fisher ’92 passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021 in Annapolis, Maryland, where he was born and raised. He graduated from Severn School in 1992 and East Carolina University in 1997. Michael married the love of his life Beth on September 10, 2005. Michael was devoted to their son, Ryan.

The most important thing to Michael was spending time with his wife and son. They loved being together, whether it was at the beach, family vacations, and particularly Ryan’s soccer practices and games. Michael was a sports enthusiast, who especially loved playing golf, and a fan of cookouts with family and friends.

Former Severn Trustee, Patricia “Patty” McManus passed away on August 19, 2021. Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Patty built much of her adult life and her career in Annapolis, Maryland. Patty was a caring and supportive mother and could be seen on the sidelines of many high school football games proudly holding the down marker for the Severn Admirals. Patty spent more than 25 years in the securities industry, working for RBC Wealth Management and with the former Baltimore-based investment firm of Alex Brown. In addition to her professional accolades, Patty also served on the Boards of Directors of the Severn School, Anne Arundel Medical Center Foundation, YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County,

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and Annapolis Life Care. And while proud of her career as a successful business woman, Patty was also known for her endless and tireless philanthropic work. She helped to establish the first and only Domestic Violence Safe House in the area. Patty was honored by the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County as the Philanthropist of the Year in 2011.

Former Severn Trustee, Janet Wallace passed away on April 8, 2021. Janet grew up in Baltimore and graduated from Eastern High School in 1951. She worked at the Eutaw Savings Bank until her marriage of 29 years to A. Thomas Wallace in 1957. In her early years she was a devoted mother and homemaker in Severna Park and later in Annapolis. She volunteered her time as a member of various Garden Clubs and community associations in Severna Forest, West Severna Park, and Amberly, was a Girl Scout Leader, and served on the Board of Trustees at Severn School and several other committees. She was an active member of Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church throughout her adult life and dearly loved the community she found there. She later established and owned Whitehall Custom Framing and Gallery located on West Street in Annapolis. Janet was a true creative and her many interests and talents included interior decorating, art, woodworking, and picture framing. She also loved sailing on the Chesapeake and believed that there was nothing better than sharing a bushel of steamed crabs with friends and family.

GIVING

BACK

ALUMNI

Do you remember the Severn mentor who made the biggest impact in your life? Whether it was a teacher, coach, or advisor, they helped you become who you are today. We offer an array of opportunities, in person and virtual, for you to become a Severn mentor and keep the tradition strong. Email Carolyn Campion at c.campion@ severnschool.com to get involved.

16 American Public Address Alumni Mentors: February 2022 A huge thank you to these 16 Admiral Alumni for mentoring Dr. Baugh's American Public Address students last month! Each of these men and women agreed to be interviewed about the role of public speaking in his/her profession. (Left to right, top to bottom): Bradley Graw '95 (orthopedics), Kay (Gingell) Pessagno '00 (pediatrics), Ed Paglee '86, Archer Willauer '16 (architecture), Gusty Taler '74 (public policy), Mike Anderson '11 (orthopedics), Whitney (Gratrix) Ifcher '02 (private real estate/ investment), Sean Murphy '02 (biomedical engineering), Doug Green '92 (web development), Mia (Hencinski) Stender '06 (military), Jason Werner '02 (sports management), Chris Accinelli '93 (finance), Alicia Braun '89 (dermatology), Brandon Powell '12 (aerospace engineering), Zach Schneider '00 (pediatrics), and Chris Edgar '10 (finance).

Evan Crowther-Washburn ‘03: 2/16 Students and faculty spent an incredible day on campus with Evan Crowther-Washburn ‘03! Evan spoke to 3 classes (each taught by his former teachers!) and 2 student clubs (including Severn’s Admiral TV broadcasting club) about his career as a CBS Sports NFL reporter and the lessons he’s learned along the way to his dream job. Thank you, Evan, for all you do to connect with and mentor our students!

Dr. Joseph DiRenzo III ’77: 2/11 Severn is so fortunate to have such distinguished alumni mentors! Thank you to Dr. Joseph DiRenzo III ’77, retired US Coast Guard officer and one of the most published authors in Coast Guard history, for talking to Dr. Baugh’s students about his career, public speaking, and his life as a Severn student. Dr. DiRenzo is currently the Director of Research Partnerships at the Coast Guard Research and Development Center in New London, Connecticut.

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1914 SOCIETY AD As an estate planning attorney, it may seem second nature to be thinking about the people, foundations and charitable organizations that you might include in your own personal Will. But for Tara Frame ’87, estate planning and elder law attorney at Frame & Frame Attorneys at Law, including Severn School in her estate plan goes well beyond her legal background. As a member of the 1914 Society, a program by which individuals can designate Severn School as a named benefactor for a percentage of a Will or Trust, the decision is far greater reaching.

“As a graduate of Severn and a parent of two current students (Gavin ’22 and Reese ’26), I know first-hand that the lessons learned and the development of character and confidence from outstanding teachers at Severn is second-to-none,” says Frame, who also has two siblings that are Severn graduates. “I appreciate how close-knit the Severn community is and I love being a part of it, whether it is helping younger alumni or networking with other graduates. As a parent, the education at Severn is so fantastic, it was non-negotiable when it came time to decide on where to send my kids. So when I think about my legacy, I am thankful for the opportunity to return that support through the 1914 Society.”

While estate planning can sometimes be a touchy subject, Frame describes it as the greatest gift you can give to yourself and your family and in this case, to Severn School. “People often think about things they are going to leave to their kids when planning, but for me, the legacy that I leave not only to my kids but to my community is important,” she explains. “I care about the organizations such as Severn that have positively influenced my life, and I want my legacy to influence what is significant to me. It gives me great peace of mind to support a school that continues to impact my family every day.”

While the 1914 Society supports Severn School’s mission as a whole, Frame hopes that her contributions will be used to uphold the high level of teaching sheMake continues see on a dailythrough level with her children. “I would love to see my a todifference the contributions as a 1914 Society member be used as an investment in the staff of giving.

Gift canenough to have and see today,” andact high-quality teachers thatplanning I was fortunate she adds. “I hope that it helps the school to grow and stay competitive for my help you reach your charitable goals, kids and my future grandchildren. It would be an honor to be remembered in alsoI am help fulfill mission. thisand way and gladSevern to show my supportits in my estate planning.”

For more information on the 1914 Society, please contact Holly Carroll at 410-647-7700, ext. 2259 or email her at h.carroll@severnschool.com. For more information on estate planning with Frame and Frame Attorneys at Ask us about the Law, please visit frameandframelaw.com or contact Tara at 410-255-0373.

severn 1914 society Contact Holly Carroll at Need h.carroll@severnschool.com or 410.647.7700 ext 2259

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TTHHEE BBRRI D I DGGEE

design reference/context

TWO CAMPUSES, ONE COMMUNITY. Severn School is more than our campuses. It's one school, one community, filled with the voices of families, alumni, faculty, and friends each with a unique Severn Story to tell.

Our 21-22 Admiral Fund Chairs — the Maskells, the Clarks, and the Leavys — have their own Severn stories and reasons they made a gift to the Admiral Fund.

Join them and give back to your Severn Community with a gift to the 21-22 Admiral Fund today!

HOW DO I MAKE A GIFT? Visit www.severnschool.com/support Call Nicolle Teixeira at 410.647.7701 ext 2357

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Severn School enjoyed a journey to the past with our winter musical: Anastasia! Thank you and congratulations to the Water Street Players on another excellent performance.

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