The Bridge Spring 2023

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN?

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ORATORICAL SOCIETY HELPS STUDENTS FIND THEIR VOICE

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WELL BY DESIGN

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CALLING ALL CAPTAINS

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. Inquiries can be sent to: 201 Water Street, Severna Park, MD 21146, or info@severnschool.com, or 410.647.7700.

ONLINE ACCESS: All issues of the The Bridge can be found on Severn’s website for easy online reading. To access this and other past issues, visit https://www.severnschool.com/alumni/the-bridge-magazine

© 2023 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

Shannon Howell, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Kelley Wallace and Jayme Alfano, EDITORS

Carolyn Campion, DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS AND ALUMNI GIVING

Jessica Popham McDermott ‘97, ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

DESIGNED, PRODUCED AND PRINTED BY MOSAIC

ON THE COVER:

Giselle Torain ‘24 (L) and Vivian Miller ‘24 (R) take their classwork outside on a beautiful spring day. (PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Ruark / ruarkphoto.com)

OUR VALUES: THE HEART AND SOUL OF SEVERN

The Spring 2023 issue of The Bridge is dedicated to demonstrating two of Severn’s core values — Discover What Matters and Be Well, Live Well. It wasn’t difficult to find stories that underscore the many ways these values are infused throughout

our campuses on a daily basis; quite the contrary, it was a challenge to select only the few you will read in the following pages. Our alignment with these values in both the day-to-day moments, as well as during the milestones and more monumental

celebrations is a testament to this community’s commitment to excellence and to each other.

In keeping with the theme of this issue, the ensuing excerpts from my remarks to the School community reflect these values.

EXCERPTED FROM REMARKS GIVEN AT GRADUATION, JUNE 3, 2022:

I went into the business of schooling because I have a fierce belief in tomorrow, and because I have trust in what caring adults can build together to support the growth of young people, because I have hope that grace will win out in the end, because I get to work with young people like the Class of 2022 who aspire to do good in the world and have the talent to do it.

Every August Severn conducts a leadership retreat for those in grades ten through twelve, and the main purpose of the two day event, attended by more than 100 students, is to decide on an adaptive challenge for the school year. An adaptive challenge seeks to have the community change for the better by inspiring positive action.

Certainly influenced by more than a year of remote and hybrid learning, but mostly because of who they are as individuals and as a group, the adaptive challenge for the ’21–’22 school year was — All In.

The Class of ’22 personified all in — all year. They weren’t bystanders to the life of the school and to their own lives. They paid attention, showed up with humility expecting to be changed and in doing so strengthened their bonds of faith and trust. All In is all about trust.

We are all rough drafts in constant need of editing and revision regardless of age or position in life, and it is, therefore, important to remain open to change. Rethinking your ideas

or changing your mind does not mean you’ve abandoned your principles. It means you have evolved as you are exposed to new experiences, ideas and points of views. It takes curiosity to learn. What we forget is that it takes courage and trust to unlearn. (Adam Grant, TED Radio Hour, 12.3.21)

Always remember, you are more than what you know. It is who you are and the promise you hold to impact the world that really matters. So as you go about editing and rewriting your current and future drafts, don’t just make “to do” lists, also make “to be” lists as well — a list of mindsets and values you want to embody that will have an impact on both the “me” and the “we.”

EXCERPTED FROM REMARKS GIVEN AT CONVOCATION, SEPTEMBER 2, 2022:

I often use the word community when referring to Severn, but community does not happen simply because I or someone else says the word. Creating and sustaining community requires attention and effort, and everyone in this gym has a personal and collective responsibility in establishing a community of irreplaceable value. In other words, you are responsible for yourself — your actions, your beliefs and

your behaviors — and we all have a shared responsibility to each other. We can’t live together successfully in this school, in Severna Park, or anywhere, unless we take responsibility for ourselves and for one another. Those responsibilities are spelled out quite clearly in our mission.

Our mission challenges you to personally pursue excellence in character, conduct and

scholarship and collectively work with your fellow students to lead this community such that we, together, create a culture of belonging.

To be clear, creating community is neither magical nor mysterious, but it does not happen by accident. It happens with focus and practice. Practice is simply how we use our time and energy. Whatever you practice — right or wrong — makes it more likely it will become permanent.

So you are practicing all the time, whether you are aware of it or not, and that practice makes it more likely that what you do often will become a lasting habit.

It is important, therefore, to remember we cannot be one person when here at Severn and another person when we are elsewhere — be it physically or online. We are Admirals everywhere. And the community expectations we have for you here must travel with you to all physical and virtual spaces. Also, I don’t need you to be perfect. I need you to be better, a bit better each day so that our community — the

Severn community — is a bit better today than it was yesterday.

So what is it that I want you to practice this year so that you become better at it — empathy, kindness and caring. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others and to wish to improve their experience. We can grow our empathy on purpose.

So as you go about this year making your list of personal goals and community goals don’t just make “to do” lists, also make “to be” lists as well; a list of attitudes and values you want to be — you want to embody — so that you will

have a positive impact on both yourself and this community.

We hope you enjoy and are inspired by the stories and highlights we have shared with you in this issue. As always, thank you for continuing your support of Severn School, our mission and our values.

Doug Lagarde, Head of School

LETTER FROM THE ALUMNI PRESIDENT

By Jessica Popham McDermott ‘97

Dear Severn Alumni Family,

For those of you who do not know me, a brief introduction may be in order. My name is Jessica Popham McDermott, and I am a graduate of Severn’s Class of 1997. I married a fellow ’97 Severn classmate, David McDermott Jr, and we live in Annapolis with our three children, Laine (’25), Emily (’28), and Mac. I accepted the role of Severn Alumni President five years ago after planning and attending my class’s 20th reunion party. I loved reconnecting with fellow classmates and was excited to help organize and plan events to continue to connect the Severn alumni community. COVID came along and placed a major hurdle on not just Severn, but the entire world. We all lost the ability to connect, at least in the way we were used to, for some time. After three years of facing and overcoming these hurdles, the world looks a little different, and I have spent time reflecting on how best to serve the Severn community as Alumni President.

Connection is what I believe to be the most important part of my role. I want to provide opportunities for our alumni to stay connected with each other, with the school, with Severn’s current students, and with the community. Thankfully, we are back to “in person” events, and the floodgates have opened to allow Alumni reunions, happy hours, and recognition ceremonies to happen! In the coming year, I encourage you to please attend Severn’s alumni events so we can once again connect in person.

Connecting with the current Severn population and local community is also of great importance to me, and I believe I have found a way for us to do both. Severn encourages its students to “contribute to the world around them” and provides several opportunities throughout the school year for students to give back to the community. I would love to see an alumni presence at these events! I believe them to be a great way for our alumni to connect with one another, current students and the community, all at once.

Two very special events that I plan to focus on this coming school year are the Special Olympics and the Red Cross Blood Drive. Both of these events happen on Severn’s campus in the Fall and Winter. I will be reaching out and rallying support when these events come up and strongly encourage those who can to come back to campus and volunteer alongside Severn students. Please stay tuned for more details in the year ahead!

In addition to the Special Olympics and Blood Drive, I would also like to highlight community service events/opportunities that our alumni are

involved with, and I would be willing to share with the Severn community. Together, we can rally behind these various causes and make a difference, giving back to the community and connecting with one another. If you have a cause or community project that we can help with, please reach out.

It is my sincere hope to increase the amount of connection our Severn Alumni family has this year. I hope to see and hear from you at the various events offered and welcome ideas and feedback for other ways to connect.

Hope you have a wonderful and relaxing summer.

Best,

Jessica Popham McDermott ‘97 jessiemcdermott@gmail.com

LEADERSHIP REIMAGINED: WHAT’S NEXT?

As a community, we recently invested time and energy into looking ahead and developing a new multi-year strategic plan. As it turns out, that is best done by first looking inward and more deeply understanding our brand and our community. Anyone who has engaged in the strategic planning process can tell you that it’s difficult work that requires asking tough questions, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Severn is proud to have done all of that and more.

As it should be when it’s done well, this work was often challenging, sometimes overwhelming, and ultimately, incredibly rewarding. And that’s because we dug in and seized on this opportunity to honestly reflect on our history, and then — informed by where we’ve been — to recalibrate Severn’s compass for the future and be intentional about where we want to go.

This thought-provoking and inspiring process resulted in the 2022 strategic plan: Leadership Reimagined, which was formally adopted by the Board of Trustees and introduced to the community a year ago. We strongly encourage our community to review it and revisit it often — you can find it here: www.severnschool.com/ about-us/strategic-plan.

STRATEGIC PLAN PILLARS

The core tenants of character, conduct, and scholarship remain at the heart of the Severn promise and always will. But in order to broaden Severn’s impact, Leadership Reimagined puts forth a forward-thinking vision statement that expresses our wish not just for the Severn community, but for educators and learners everywhere. To advance this message and hold our community accountable to actions that will direct us into the future that we imagine, we also developed a set of active,

intentional values or pillars. These pillars are the 2022–2025 Strategic Plan.

OUR VALUES IN ACTION

The release of a new strategic plan is a milestone all on its own, but it’s truly only the beginning. In order to have any meaning, the mission, vision and values must be talked about, celebrated, and held up as something we aspire to achieve. They must be represented not just in our words but in our actions. In order to be fully realized, these pillars must, in short, be lived out loud.

One of the ways we’ve done that is through the refresh of our visual brand, which you see represented on our website and in all of our school materials. This fresh, clean look for Severn keeps us true to our roots while also signaling the entrance of a new era.

Another way is through this magazine. As you’re about to read, this issue of The Bridge is dedicated to highlighting and celebrating two of those pillars: Discover What Matters and Be Well, Live Well. The handful of stories associated with each value are just a few of many examples that demonstrate Severn’s commitment to reframing leadership and preparing the next generation to contribute to the world around them.

We hope you enjoy those stories as well as all of the other Severn news included in this issue.

DISCOVER WHAT MATTERS

We prioritize intellectual engagement and a lifelong growth mindset as foundations to an excellent education. Here, education is contextualized for the real world so that every student can explore new ideas and make meaning of what they learn.

TAKE A STAND

Our students learn to take a stand by embracing honesty, integrity, and consideration for others in every interaction, big and small.

BUILD COMMUNITY

Keeping community at the center gives us the energy and enthusiasm to explore ideas and try new things.

BE WELL, LIVE WELL

A Severn education prioritizes the whole person — mind and body — to ensure each student has the fuel they need to grow inside and outside of the classroom.

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.

SEVERN’S NEW LOOK

Severn has a new look! Severn’s visual identity signals who we are, and the strategic planning process created the perfect opportunity to evaluate the brand and ensure that it was the most accurate representation of Severn and who we aspire to be. The refreshed brand is meant to:

• Reflect courage

• Evoke a sense of belonging

• Be visionary/bold

Still rooted in Severn tradition, the refreshed logo retains the compass and bold and confident color scheme. The fresher, cleaner design — accomplished by simplifying the color scheme — is warm and inviting, evoking a sense of belonging, and the dynamic triangular design creates energy.

The refresh also included the addition of two secondary colors — blue and green — as part of our visual identity. The blue hues signal security, stability and trust, while the

green hues add a sense of growth, innovation and harmony. Even the typeface got a facelift, moving to a strong and more modern font for headlines and retaining a classic feel for smaller sized text.

The logo must continue to be a natural reflection of the Severn brand, setting the stage for what the community can expect from the Severn experience. In this case, that means feeling inspired and prepared to step forward and lead.

SNAPSHOTS OF SEVERN

2022 ROLLAND M. TEEL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNA RANDI SILVERMAN STERN ‘83

Randi Silverman Stern ’83, the founder and former Executive Director of The Youth Mental Health Project, was named the 2022 Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alum by Severn School. In addition to her advocacy work around youth mental health, Stern is also an acclaimed screenwriter and producer, drawing from her real-life experiences in finding help for her own son to write and produce the feature-length film No Letting Go Released in 2016, the film has won over 20 awards at independent film festivals around the world and continues to be a powerful tool for schools and other organizations seeking to increase awareness around youth mental health.

In recognition of this award — the highest honor bestowed by Severn School — Stern delivered the keynote address at The Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony & Founder’s Day Celebration. She was also recognized at a formal reception hosted jointly by the co-sponsors of the award, the Alumni Association and the Board of Trustees. Named in honor of the School’s founder, The Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni Award honors Severn graduates who have demonstrated outstanding service to humanity, service to community, professional achievement, and/or service to their alma mater.

THE HONORABLE CHARLES UNTERMEYER SPEAKS TO SEVERN STUDENTS ON SERVICE

he spoke conversationally to the entire Upper School on service, sharing real stories and lessons from his wide-ranging government

career. Untermeyer spent a full day on campus, visiting the Century of Service memorial, hosting Q&A’s with Upper School History students, enjoying lunch with the student-led Community Service Committee & The Anchor representatives, and capping off his visit with a dinner with eight Severn seniors applying to service academies and four USNA students who are Severn alums.

Will Toomey ’23 had the honor of sitting next to Untermeyer at dinner. “He gave me a lot of good advice about how to be a good leader, and I learned about his experience in becoming the ambassador to Qatar,” said Toomey. “He was extremely charismatic, and I actually found that we had a lot in common.”

The Honorable Charles Graves Untermeyer, former US Ambassador to Qatar, made a special visit to Severn School in the fall, where

Randi Silverman Stern ’83 proudly displays her 2022 Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni Award while standing in front of the plaque honoring past recipients.

(L-R): Chris Fan ’23, Sophia Amplo ‘23, Aiden Gilroy ’23, Jack Giardina ‘23, Doug Lagarde, Chase Untermeyer, Kijana Lloyd ‘23, Will Toomey ’23 and Louis Lentz ‘23 gather for a photo after Untermeyer’s address to students.

HOMECOMING/ REUNION RECAP

Severn celebrated Homecoming/Reunions in true Admiral style in October. The student community enjoyed all of the traditional Spirit Week activities — Tug-of-War, Sing for Your Supper, and Class Color days. And Teel Campus was positively buzzing with energy and excitement as families, friends, faculty and alumni came out to cheer on our Admirals. Just as the sun set on this beautiful day, alumni gathered on Daiger House lawn for a mouthwatering BBQ and even better company.

It was great to see so many alumni on campus for a fun-filled weekend of Admiral spirit.

SNAPSHOTS

Alumni from the 50-year reunion gather for a photo. Pictured L-R: Doug Lagarde, Ron Engle ‘72, Robert Kesmodel ‘72, Jim Nolan ‘72, Bob Cushman ‘72, Jace Lieber ‘72, Bob Valliant ‘72, Frank Wilson ‘72, Paull Phillips ‘72, and the Admiral.

Lower School students Caroline ’33, Harper ‘33, Nadia ’33, and Lana ‘33 enjoy the 2022 Homecoming festivities.

Representing the 20-Year Reunion group are (L-R): Kristi Jobson ‘02, Jerry Ricciotti ‘02, Carrie Ponder ‘02, and Kris Almgren ’02. 5

Upper School History Teacher Sam Brickman enjoys the Homecoming festivities with her family.

School

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The 5-year reunion group pictured here receiving the letters they wrote to themselves their senior year. L-R: Priya Lakhanpal ’17, Haley Kerridge ‘17, Isabella Roccograndi ’17, Erik Duguay ’17, Jon Owen ‘17, and Lucca DeCicco ’17 .

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Severn’s 25-year reunion group got together for a photo. L-R: Dave McDermott ’97, Colleen (Cassidy) Bastian ‘97, Jess (Popham) McDermott ’97, Bess (Freelander) Langbein ’97, and Jeff Johnson ‘97.

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Members of the Class of 2012 returned to Water Street for their 10-year reunion. (L-R): Alex Mann ’12, Jack Cauley ’12, Jenny Sledge ’12, and Natalie Mardirossian ‘12.

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Jim Heathcote ’77, Slema Manizade-Olgun ’77, and Tracy (Stevenson) Postma ’77 (45th Reunion).

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Members of the Class of ’81 catch up with former faculty during the Homecoming events. Carole Coss (Former Faculty), Cathy (Hewitt) Carper ’81, Ann Hewitt (Former Faculty), Rick Coss ’81, and Beth Coss.

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Scott Kerridge ‘87, Whitney (Hopkins) Kerridge ‘88, John Bodley, and Claudia McLaughlin (Former Faculty) spend some time catching up during the alumni events.

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The 40-Year Reunion Group at Homecoming 2022. Back Row: Tom Norris ’82, Scott Bumgarner ’82, Gina DeStefano ’82,  Mary Ann (Roman) Moynihan ‘82, Rick Coss ’81, Beth Coss. Front Row seated: Jim Pomer, Scott Pitsley, Beth (Byrum) Pitsley ‘82, Lucy Osius ‘82, Kathy (Heller) Pomer ’82, and Steven Kim ‘82.

1 Severn students cheer on the Admirals during Homecoming. 2

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spirit on full display during the annual Tug of War, part of 2022 Spirit Week.

CONVOCATION

Convocation 2022 officially ushered in the new school year on September 2. All students from each division were in attendance for the traditional ceremony. Head of School Doug Lagarde delivered the keynote address, encouraging students to practice empathy, kindness and caring and to make “to be” lists that represented the attitudes and values they want to embody. Following Severn tradition, the youngest Admirals were seated with the graduating seniors. Afterwards, the seniors introduced the kindergarten class to the Zimmerman Library.

SNAPSHOTS OCTOBER 7, 2023 www.severnschool.com/alumni/ reunion-homecoming-weekend

ADMIRAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Congratulations to the following programs on their championship seasons:

Boys Varsity Soccer

MIAA B Conference Champions (repeat)

Boys Cross Country

MIAA B Conference Champions

Varsity Football

MIAA C Conference Champions

Boys JV Basketball

MIAA B Conference Champions

Congratulations to these two members of Severn’s Boys Soccer program for their outstanding individual awards:

Coach McCarthy

Baltimore Sun 2022 All-Metro

Boys’ Soccer Co-Coach of the Year

Davis Cawlfield ‘23

Capital Gazette Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year

SEVERN MATH TEAM TAKES AACC MATH CHAMPIONSHIP

The Severn Math Team concluded the competition season with four 1st place team wins and one 2nd place finish, cementing their overall championship within the annual Anne Arundel Community College High School Math Competition. Additionally, three Severn students earned individual honors, with Jeffrey Huang ’23 earning 5th place for the season, James Crabtree ‘23 coming in 3rd place, and Chris Fan ‘23 finishing 1st place overall amongst all individual competitors.

MEMORABLE HOMECOMING MOMENT:

Friends and family of David Astle ’92 gathered during Homecoming to remember David’s legacy 25 years after his passing, celebrate their 30th reunion (Class of 1992), and raise funds to support the continuation of the Astle Memorial Lecture Series into the future.

(L-R) Larry Hooper ’92, Jayne Astle, John Astle, and Adam Williams ’92 stop for a photo during the fundraiser for the David Astle Memorial Fund.

Davis Cawlfield ‘23

Coach Mike McCarthy

Upper School Students learn to make paper during the We Speak for the Trees Workshop at Unity Day.

DISCOVER WHAT MATTERS

There’s what we learn in school, and then there’s the impact that knowledge has on us. Discovery is at the heart of a Severn education. We know that each student’s journey will be different, and our role is to to foster curiosity, exploration of both self and the world beyond this campus, and a lifelong growth mindset.

On the following pages we share stories that underscore Severn’s commitment to meaningful, relevant intellectual engagement and how the students continue to demonstrate the value of discovery as they find new ways to lead.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMAN?

Severn 7th graders have been engaged in the usual rigorous learning in their core subjects this academic year, working on projects like research papers and self-portraits, reading and discussing novels, and understanding the impact of historical events. And thanks to an interdisciplinary initiative, there is a single unifying theme running through the coursework in four of those core classes, giving additional purpose and weight to what they are learning. In History, Art, Science, and English, 7th grade students are exploring the topic of what it means to be human, and more specifically, their journey to becoming the person they are today.

“The point of this cross-curricular unit is to have students ask, ‘How did I become the person I am today?’” said Carrie Ball, Middle School Science Teacher, who is one of the team members responsible for the design of the unit. “Middle school is already an essential time for student growth and understanding of who they are, so it made sense to ask them to think more deeply about how they got to this point in their lives.”

After initially landing on the idea of identity and what it means to be human as the unit’s theme, the team of teachers worked throughout the summer to finalize the details. One question that they kept front and center during the planning was this one: what does interdisciplinary learning look like when it’s done really well?

“The answer was that interdisciplinary learning is at its best and most authentic when it’s done in little bites throughout the year, instead of just one big lesson all at once,” said Mike Curran, Middle School History Teacher, also one of the team members.

That means that while it’s an integrated unit, the teachers had the flexibility to teach their specific piece of this on the timeline that made sense for them. As a result, the topic has been coming up at different times within the 7th grade core subjects. For Will Tweed ‘29, a current Severn 7th grader, this approach has indeed added value to the topic. “Sometimes we learn a topic, and then right away we jump into the next thing,” he said. “But this allows me to be introspective and more thoughtful and to understand what makes me me.”

7th Grade Students Get Introspective in Innovative Cross-Curricular Unit

During a Socratic Seminar in Mr. Walsh’s English class, Sadie Pessagno ’28 shares her reflections on the character development in The Wednesday Wars

The unit will be tied together with a final project, which is a magazine that each student will create titled “Becoming….” The magazine will be an exploration of their own life up to this point. Drawing inspiration from Time Magazine’s annual “Person of the Year” issue, the cover for each student’s magazine is a self-portrait. The inside pages will reflect on the experiences, events and relationships that have shaped their lives so far. The unit will conclude with an event where each student will showcase their final magazine.

Tweed has found the interdisciplinary unit to be both fun and meaningful. “A lot of times students will ask, ‘When am I ever going to use this?’ And it’s a fair question. This unit demonstrates how it all ties together, giving it a purpose. That’s important because if you don’t know why you’re doing something, you don’t always want to do it.”

APPRECIATING THE COMPLEXITY OF BEING HUMAN

The interdisciplinary unit kicked off in January with an all-class field trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to visit the human origins exhibit, which offers visitors an immersive, interactive journey through 6 million years of scientific evidence for human origins and the stories of survival and extinction in the human family tree. According to Ball, the field trip really helped to bring to life the question of how our early ancestors evolved to Homo sapiens

While there, students teamed up to complete a research packet for science class, which formed the background information for an eventual research paper. In this way, students were developing critical academic skills — research, writing, making connections with evidence, and presenting information in a clear and concise manner — while at the same time engaging with the broader concept of identity.

“Students were really engaged with the idea of where we come from and our journey through time,” said Ball. “7th graders always have questions about human evolution — it’s inherently interesting to them. Now we’re

challenging them to weave in new skills and new ways of approaching it.”

“It’s about valuing similarities and differences and appreciating the complexity of being human,” Ball added.

A CLASSIC ASSIGNMENT WITH A MODERN TWIST

In Mike Curran’s History class, the essential question is always, “Who are we to people?” In his class, students have tapped into this unit by identifying one topic or event or moment that is most meaningful to them and exploring how it has changed their outlook of the world around them. “Students come from all different backgrounds and who they are is inevitably shaped by their family history,” he said. “But every one of them can find a story or a historical figure they can connect with or draw inspiration from.”

Because the unit is so student-centered, they have the latitude to direct it. For example, they could choose an event in history that has family ties for them or an historical figure that they simply find inspiring.

“Becoming who you are is complex,” Curran said. “There are a lot of things at play beyond you and your individuality, and we want students to make those connections to understand what has shaped and influenced their families and them.”

“The magazine is a classic assignment with a modern twist,” he added. “It gives cultural relevancy to a project that could just feel like busy work. It’s a final product that I think they’ll stumble upon later in life and be glad they did because it will connect them back to this time, what was going on in this period of life, and who they were then.”

KNOW THYSELF, INSIDE AND OUT

In Madison Schoeberlein’s Art class, the featured assignment came easily. When the idea is to create a magazine with the student at the center, it is only logical that the student would be featured on the front cover. But instead of including a picture, Schoeberlein decided it should be a self-portrait. And instead of a self-portrait that portrays only what each student looks like on the outside, this one also represents who they are on the inside, revealing more about them as a whole.

For this assignment, she worked with the students on both learning the correct mathematical proportions of drawing a face and learning more about themselves using the Myers-Briggs personality test. While this is something she has done before, the integrated unit created a natural introduction of the idea of self-exploration in her classroom. The final self-portrait had to include not just their

7th grade students display the self-portraits that will become the cover of their self-titled magazines, the final project for the integrated unit on identity.Front Row (L-R): Ani Helms, Finley Olson, McKenna Bridgman, and Marin Saunders. Back Row (L-R): Henry MacDonald, Abby Cooke, Irelyn Beaulieu, Lily Habashi, Addison Gilmore

physical representation, but also the letter types from the personality test.

“The personality test really gets them thinking about themselves,” she said. “Even if they disagree with what the test showed, they think about it. We also talk a lot about how this test isn’t the be-all, end-all; it’s really just revealing tendencies that can be helpful to be aware of as you get to know yourself.”

Schoeberlein also likes the fact that this unit reinforces another important concept she likes to teach — the idea that art is the first form of written communication, older than the written word. So in addition to the self-portrait, students in her class also worked on a cave art project, which relates back to what they learned in science class about early humans as cave dwellers and how they communicated with symbols and drawings. “Art relates to absolutely everything we do all the time,” she said. “I hope that this type of collaboration helps students realize that, and to find something they can use in the real world.”

“A lot of this unit is about self-expression — getting them to think about who they are and how to portray that,” she said. “Art is an important form of self-expression. For some people, they find they can more easily express themselves this way.”

‘YOU HAVE TO BE A GOOD THINKER’

Like his colleagues, Middle School English Teacher Daryl Walsh enthusiastically endorsed identity as the unifying theme for this collaboration, as this tends to be the central theme in most of the literature they tackle in 7th grade. The Outsiders, The Wednesday Wars, and Animal Farm are all on the class reading list, and each one offers the opportunity to delve into the overall idea of identity in unique ways.

“It’s important to understand that you’ve been shaped by outside forces and what those are,” said Walsh. “What I want them to understand is that they weren’t just born the complex person they are right now.”

His lessons also explore the idea that while it’s important to think about who you are and why, it’s equally important to get outside of

yourself, which is where empathy is developed. “It’s the idea of looking inward and trying to see why, but also looking outward and asking, ‘How do my actions and words affect other people?’” said Walsh.

One sub-theme that he finds particularly compelling for 7th graders is the idea of fitting into expectations set by others. For example, in The Wednesday Wars, the students come to realize that the main character was shaped by society’s expectations of him and wasn’t really such a bad kid. This translated to an exercise where students explored the expectations placed on them, both good and bad. “It’s important that they understand the forces that are steering them, so they can decide if they’re okay with that,” he said.

For Tweed, that lesson really hit home. “I had never really thought about it before, but I realized that people are expecting me to do really well in life,” he said. “But thinking about this has also helped me to be less stressed out because I’ve realized I’m in a pretty good place and should enjoy it.”

Walsh also relates this back to the importance of education — the underlying message from Animal Farm — imploring students to recognize that they can really only take the helm of their lives by mastering reading and writing. As Walsh explains, this book deals with the power of language in determining identity, illustrating through the text that if someone does not have a command of the language, then their identity can be determined by those who do.

“You can be a follower, or you can call your own shots, but if you’re going to take control, what skills do you need? Well, you have to be a good thinker,” he said.

A UNIFIED PURPOSE

“The value of this unit is that it creates a synergy for the kids to know that more than one teacher is thinking about this topic,” said Walsh. “It becomes, ‘So wait, I’m getting this same lesson from four different directions? This must be a big deal.’ The concentrated effort lends significance and weight.”

Current 7th grader Claire Brown agrees. “I find it fun having the subject come up in four of my classes,” she said. “It makes it so you can learn the most about yourself in many different ways. It’s also helpful with our overall learning because we are able to connect and relate to things we learn in other classes.”

While Walsh would have taught some of this content even without this interdisciplinary unit, he feels that the collaboration has sharpened his lessons into a unified purpose. “The conversation around this in class is really great,” he said. “It helps the students to better analyze characters in the novels. They see them in a different light. They are now automatically giving a second look to the villains in the literature, questioning whether the experience with society’s expectations, assumptions, and even stereotypes influenced their development. They’re building empathy.”

And while they’re still learning the academic skills required to succeed, they are also discovering important information about themselves — where they came from, what or who has influenced them, and what they reveal to those around them.

“Knowing yourself is a critical component for emotional intelligence, which helps with every single subject and with relationships, careers and life in general,” said Schoeberlein. “I’m proud that we can work collaboratively to guide our students towards making these connections.”

Students Packy Cummings ‘28 (L) and Sophia Keefer ‘28 (R) checking out the exhibit at the human origins exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History during a field trip.

PERFORMANCE BACKED: ENTREPRENEURSHIP GROWN AT SEVERN

For many Severn students, the Van Eney ‘09 Fellows Program is a way to go beyond the traditional academic program and pursue and showcase a passion project, carefully cultivated over the course of the school year. For Daniel Berlin ‘22, it was the perfect way to springboard his budding business idea into a fully realized business model with the means and connections to fully launch after graduation.

Berlin, a freshman at Babson College (renowned for their focus on entrepreneurship) in Wellesley, MA, is now well into his 2nd year of growing his business, Performance Backed. Performance Backed is a sports nutrition company dedicated to empowering athletes of all levels to achieve their best by providing innovative and high-performing supplements. The idea for Performance Backed was carefully developed over time by Berlin, came to fruition during his senior year at Severn through the Fellows Program, and is growing at a rapid pace, setting Performance Backed up for future success.

BORN OUT OF NECESSITY

An athlete throughout his younger years — Berlin played basketball in middle school through his junior year at Severn — he stayed active at Severn by biking, running, and working out. While looking for a supplement that would help his muscles recover from exercise, he couldn’t find a product that fit exactly what he was looking for. “After reading the ingredients on some of these products, I realized I basically bought a bunch of worthless ingredients,” said Berlin. “There was no supplement made with effective ingredients that addressed all aspects of recovery for athletes.”

Interested in business from a young age and searching for something that he could start himself, the idea of starting a sports nutrition company appealed to Berlin. It also happened to coincide with applications for the Fellows Program, with fellows selected

through an application process in the spring of their junior year and work on their projects continuing throughout their senior year. “Although it was a project, I knew in my head that I would turn it into a real business after I graduated,” said Berlin. With his project approved, Berlin was ready to soak up as much knowledge and information as possible over the course of his senior year, while also doing copious amounts of research.

DRAWING FROM THE SEVERN RESOURCE WELL

Even while balancing a rigorous academic schedule his senior year, Berlin threw himself into his Fellows project, knowing that the work he put in would be helpful in the long run. He conducted market research to determine who would buy what he was selling and developed the ingredient formula for his first product, called Complete Recovery. He also worked on developing the overall branding, established financial goals and forecasting, and learned as much as he could about business through his Fellows mentors: Dr. Aegina Martin (Upper School Science Department Chair), Mr. Mike Fennell (Severn Accounting Manager), and alumni Jay Manickam ‘92 and Blake Nolan ‘95

Berlin credits his Fellows mentors and Severn faculty for their willingness to listen, discuss business strategy, and their encouragement of his project, knowing that for him, this project had life beyond Severn’s campus. One mentor who he felt helped him not only with his project, but gave sound advice about his college decision was Dr. Martin. “She really developed my passion for biology,” said Berlin. “She also offered me very strong advice when I was having trouble choosing between colleges.” Babson is where Berlin eventually decided on, drawn to their strong focus on entrepreneurship and the flexibility to take classes while working on his own business at the same time.

NOT YOUR TYPICAL COLLEGE STUDENT

There is a full plate, and then there are the multiple plates Berlin is spinning as a full-time college student who is also building his own business and launching his first product. Berlin attends classes that are business-focused, with the goal of learning as much as he can about the different aspects of owning, running, and growing his own business. “This year I’ve taken accounting, business law, and business analytics,” said Berlin. “They’ve been very interesting and extremely applicable to understand my business better.” He also lauded Babson not just for their course load, but for the different groups, clubs, and even housing situations that help students connect with other like-minded students, where they can learn from each other in an environment that fosters their passion for entrepreneurship.

Daniel Berlin ‘22 with his new product, Complete Recovery. Complete Recovery is the first product launched by his company, Performance Backed.

When he isn’t attending classes or completing coursework, Berlin is completely focused on Performance Backed. His first product, Complete Recovery, is an all-in-one exercise recovery, joint and sleep formula that supports muscle recovery, joint health and mobility, and relaxation and sleep quality. Complete Recovery launched in February of this year, an exciting time for Berlin. “The goal was to target every aspect of a full recovery,” said Berlin. “It’s made for everyday athletes, whether you run, walk, swim, do Crossfit, yoga, etc. There really is no other product like it out there.”

Berlin has always had the full support of the faculty and staff at Severn, including boys basketball Head Coach Mike Glasby. Even though Berlin did not play basketball

his senior year, he made an impression on Glasby from his time on the team. “Daniel was always a resourceful kid,” said Glasby. “He was able to take certain messaging from sports and translated that messaging to real life applications.” Glasby also mentioned Berlin’s ability to make connections with his teammates, something he knows will be valuable for his business going forward. “I think that from being a part of the basketball team he learned the importance of networking and teambuilding,” said Glasby, “and being able to maximize the opportunities that are in front of you.”

LOOKING AHEAD

While Berlin has more than enough to keep him busy at present — with the recent

launch of his first product and finishing up his first year at Babson — he is excited about what is to come for Performance Backed. Through it all, he still draws on the skills he learned while at Severn. Besides tangible skills such as math and science, he is grateful for the intangibles as well. “At Severn, I learned how to be a leader and active community member, which has helped me build strong professional relationships with my mentors, vendors, and partners,” said Berlin. “I imagine as I grow Performance Backed and grow a team around me those skills will be even more important.”

For more information about his product Complete Recovery and to learn more about Performance Backed, visit PerformanceBacked.com and on Instagram at @PerformanceBacked

Thank You, Admiral Auction Sponsors!

Supernova Sponsors

The Benz Family

Clearway Pain Solutions

Constellation Sponsors

Chesapeake Corporate Advisors

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A.R. Marani

The DeStefano-Tiller Family

Revival Home & Gifts

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Waugh Chapel Animal Hospital

Big Dipper Sponsors

The Benoit Family

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GTEC Talent

Ledo Pizza

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The Bauer Family

First Home Mortgage

Gate One Builders

The Ginsburg Family

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Underwriters

Galaxy Bar

Kagan Stern Marinello & Beard LLC Law Firm

The Lighthizer Family

Reinheimer Orthodontics

Star Dust Stage

Call Tracking Metrics

Hubble Bubbles

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Flying Saucer Signature Drink

Tuscan Prime Italian Chophouse & Dolce Bar

Neil & Buzz Beer Garden

Valley Lighting

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Heavenly Morsels

The South Family

Comet Cafe

Admiral Cleaners

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM PUTS PHILANTHROPY FRONT AND CENTER FOR SEVERN STUDENTS

Sometimes things line up so perfectly, that it’s as if they were meant to be.

At least that’s what it felt like in 2019, when two Severn School seniors — Brendan Murphy ‘20 and Colin Ervin ’20 — walked into the Development Office with a pitch for a student-led broadcasting club that would cover the Upper School’s athletics program’s home competitions. They called it Admiral TV, and while they had a great idea and a detailed plan to make it happen, what they needed was funding.

Fortunately for them — and all fans of Admiral TV — the Severn Partnership Program had just launched and was at the very same time looking for its first grant recipient. The basic needs for this new broadcast club were online services and the camera equipment that they needed for shooting and editing games. In what turned out to be the perfect pairing, Murphy and Ervin applied for and received the inaugural Partnership Program grant, sparing them from spending their time and energy raising funds and allowing them to focus instead on making their dream a reality. Admiral TV officially began broadcasting in 2019 as a small operation covering mostly basketball games.

Now, five years later, Admiral TV has grown in views and subscribers. The Admiral TV Channel on YouTube has thousands of viewers that range from not only alums, but also to parents who are traveling, grandparents or family members in different states, and even college coaches from around the country. They cover varsity home contests for boys and girls in lacrosse, basketball, wrestling, swimming, field hockey, soccer, football and baseball.

Since that first grant got Admiral TV up and running five years ago, the Partnership Program has distributed nearly $50,000 in funding to more than half of Severn’s 40+ student-led service initiatives and clubs. Other programs that have benefited include the Umbrella Club,

the Severn River Fishing Club, the Eco Club, the Intro to Medical Studies Club, the Robotics Club, the Common Knowledge Club and the Investment Club. The money has been used to support guest speakers, outreach and awareness activities, seed money to get started, conference attendance, medical supplies, and art supplies, among other initiatives.

WHAT IS THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM?

Founded in the fall of 2019, the Partnership Program offers financial support to participating Upper School clubs, reducing some of the barriers that stand in the way of club development and membership. The program is 100% donor-supported. With this support in place, students are empowered to explore service opportunities, seek new experiences, develop valuable skills, and strive to make a difference while making meaningful connections with teachers, administrators, and donors.

Specifically, the program has focused on the intent and work of Severn students. This model has been a game-changer for students because the funding challenge not only distracted students from the real purpose of the club, in too many cases it caused them to simply abandon the service project altogether.

Now, instead of, for example, running a bake sale, selling wrapping paper, or asking their parents for money, club leaders are empowered to go through the grant process to achieve their goals and reduce the most common barrier — lack of funding — to doing good work within the community.

“The challenge with a lot of service initiatives in high school is that they lack true engagement,” said Steve Soden, Head of Upper School. “It’s not a lack of care; indeed, the students typically care deeply about the causes they are tied to. Rather, it is a function of not knowing what to do. And the simple answer — fundraising — is often the go-to for students.

“The Partnership Program is wonderful because it eliminates the simple answer from the list of options. By providing the funding they would otherwise focus their efforts on acquiring, this program propels students into the next phase, which is actual service. The result is a student body that is focused more on doing and is truly engaged in service learning.”

THE CYCLE OF GRATITUDE

The Severn Partnership Program is structured much like a traditional foundation or trust that issues funding. There is a formal

Iwinosa Ede-Osifo ’25 takes a turn at learning how to properly use a fire extinguisher during a demonstration organized by Severn’s Common Knowledge Club. The Partnership Program provided funding to the club, supporting this demonstration and other activities.

process for submitting a request for support and a reporting requirement at the end of the year. Applications to the Partnership Program must include an itemized budget and statement of need that explains what the funding will be used for and how it will benefit the community. There is also a stewardship component — student groups that receive funding agree to write letters thanking Admiral Fund donors. Those too must be completed by the end of the year.

In this way, the Partnership Program is going beyond providing funding and engaging students in the full non-profit model. It exemplifies the “cycle of gratitude,” ensuring that students put in the work to identify and document the programmatic need, are accountable to achieving meaningful results, and then give back through the stewardship component. That gratitude is key to demonstrating to donors

the value of their gift and generally motivates continued investment in the program.

Applications for funding are reviewed by the Student Development Committee, offering yet another level of involvement for students in this program. This committee is comprised of student representatives and advised by faculty and administrators. Students lead the evaluation of each support request and the full committee works together to make decisions around how to allocate the Partnership Program funds based on qualifying criteria.

“As treasurer, I saw first-hand how the Partnership Program has enabled Severn’s students and organizations to be infinitely more impactful in our community. It provides wide-reaching opportunities for our clubs to learn, serve, and achieve, and I feel lucky to have been a part of such a rewarding program,” said Daniel Berlin ’22.

SERVICE INITIATIVES AND CLUBS THAT HAVE BENEFITED FROM PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM FUNDING:

MODEL UNITED NATIONS:

Attended 3 virtual national conferences, the most in the club’s history.

LATIN CLUB:

Covered dues for national and state organization membership for all Latin students, and attendance at a national conference (virtual).

COMMUNITY SERVICE CLUB: Funding covered supplies needed to host two Children’s Fairs, at Centro de Ayuda (an educational community center for Hispanic immigrants) and at Sarah’s House (a housing program for homeless families).

UMBRELLA CLUB:

Supplied materials to promote awareness and education around mental health within the Severn community.

INTRO TO MEDICAL STUDIES CLUB: Purchased synthetic skin suture kits for all club members, and a CPR dummy.

SEVERN RIVER FISHING CLUB: Funding supported this new club’s start-up costs for basic equipment and supplies.

The SPP is integral to the ideas and work being accomplished by our incredible student body, but it’s also the learning through empowerment and thoughtfulness that translate to a lifelong mindset of service.

— Shannon Howell, Director of Development

Dr. Emily Clarke-Pearson assists Bronwyn Bolton ’25 and Caroline Brenia ‘25 with suturing during the Intro to Medical Studies club meeting. Club leaders purchased these suture kits for their members thanks to a grant from the Partnership Program.

Jack Stamato ’24 and Mason Ervin ‘23 prepare to cover a home game for the Admirals on Admiral TV, a live broadcast available on YouTube. Admiral TV received the inaugural Partnership Program grant in 2019.

ADMIRAL ALUMS HOST STUDENTS FOR A BIG DAY IN THE BIG APPLE

A group of Severn alums played host to 16 students in the Investment Club, as they enjoyed a full-day adventure in New York City, investigating careers in finance and getting valuable advice from alumni currently working in the field. The first stop on the trip was at the JPMorgan Chase Building on Park Avenue, home to one of the world’s leading financial institutions with over 300,000 employees. There they met Dolph Habeck ’94, who escorted them to SMBC Nikko Securities, Inc. where Habeck is a Managing Director. He shared a brief presentation that included what Nikko Securities does, his personal path to his current career as a banker, and what a typical day looks like for a banking professional. He also talked about the industry’s process of

recruiting recent college graduates, including the importance of internship opportunities and public speaking.

After the visit to Nikko, the group met up with Blake Nolan ’95, CFO of Adore Me (recently purchased by Victoria’s Secret) at nearby Urbanspace. Students had the opportunity to meet with Nolan in small groups over lunch and learn more about his career as an entrepreneur and CFO.

The final stop for the day was back at JPMorgan Chase for a group discussion with Jason Scott ’95, Keith Pettus ’95, and Stevie Kirkup ’09. The panelists shared information about each of their respective roles, which include CFO of Corporate Technology (Scott), Historic Tax Credit Equity Investor (Pettus),

and Vice President in Asset Backed Securities Trading (Kirkup). Students had the opportunity to ask questions, and the speakers provided life advice as well, encouraging them to be open to all experiences. All of the panelists talked about the myriad opportunities in finance and how diverse people with diverse skill sets can find a home in finance.

“It was incredibly inspiring to interact with Severn alumni who shared how Severn prepared them with skillsets that led them to attain the jobs that they have today,” said Grace Gunther ‘25. “It was so impactful to see real success from former Severn students, and it has motivated me to expose myself to different experiences at Severn that will help prepare me for my future career.”

Investment Club students took a full day field trip to NYC. They are pictured here at their first stop, the JP Morgan Chase building.

SEVERN ORATORICAL SOCIETY HELPS STUDENTS FIND THEIR VOICE

Public Speaking Skills Cultivated at Severn Set Students Up for Future Success

Severn has always encouraged students to discover their own voices, whether it is through their work in the classroom, on the athletic field, on the stage, or one of the many other creative outlets offered. Students who choose to participate in Severn’s Oratorical Society, led by Upper School English Teacher Dr. Jackie Baugh, are quite literally finding their own voices through public speaking. Students, past and current, have learned valuable skills through their public speaking experiences at Severn that continue to serve them even now, long after they have graduated.

GETTING INVOLVED

Most students are introduced to public speaking through Dr. Baugh’s American Public Address Course. From there, they can volunteer to participate in one of the many speaking opportunities she shares with students — though oftentimes they are encouraged by Dr. Baugh herself to participate. Students can participate in a wide variety of speech contests, including (but not limited to) American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Optimist International, Rotary International, Sons of the American Revolution, and various other local competitions. Public speaking opportunities at Severn include being chosen by Dr. Baugh to speak at the National Honor Society (NHS) induction ceremony during the fall semester, coffeehouses, or even introducing other speakers at assemblies. Dr. Baugh also worked with students in Mock Trial for several years, where students were coached by real lawyers. “Mock trial is thinking on your feet in a real-world scenario,” said Dr. Baugh. “It also teaches you persuasion and debate skills.”

While mock trial requires students to think on their feet, the majority of students who get involved with the Oratorical Society will spend

many months preparing, researching, and prepping with Dr. Baugh for a single speech. For those chosen to give a speech at the NHS Induction ceremony, prep work starts in the summer, many months before the ceremony. Students work with Dr. Baugh on their speech topics, writing, and practicing many times before the big day arrives. For senior Sophia Amplo ‘23, being chosen to speak about scholarship for the 22–23 NHS ceremony was an honor but also provided a challenge. “It was difficult because I had never written a speech before,” said Amplo. “The mentoring I received from Dr. Baugh leading up to the speech was incredibly valuable, and I was able to learn so much as a writer and performer from her guidance.” Amplo nailed her speech and enjoyed speaking to her fellow classmates about something that mattered to her personally.

MEMORABLE SPEECHES

Alumnus Gregory Field Price ‘02 still utilizes the preparation, advice, and skills learned while participating in public speaking contests throughout his time at Severn. Now an attorney, Price took 1st place nationally at the Sons of the American Revolution contest his senior year, after taking 3rd place the year before. When asked how he was able to secure top place in a national contest, he immediately recalls a piece of advice Dr. Baugh gave him while preparing. “It’s not just about writing a speech,” said Price. “What Dr. Baugh really taught me was how to understand the audience and how you can tap into the emotions of the people in the room.” September 11th happened just weeks into Price’s senior year, and for his speech topic, he chose to trace the journey of the Gadsden flag (more commonly known as the Don’t Tread on Me flag) from its origins in the American Revolution to present time. At a

time when American patriotism was at an alltime high, Price knew he had a winning speech. “I knew my audience,” said Price. “It was after September 11, 2001, and it resonated with the people who were judging.”

Senior Jamison Wildt ‘23 has participated in multiple public speaking opportunities at Severn, including competing in the Sons of the American Revolution contest at both the local and state levels. He was also chosen by Dr. Baugh to speak about service at this year’s NHS assembly. For those who were in the audience that day, his speech about service and his work with the Gold Star Mothers of Maryland was extremely memorable and left several audience members in tears. The Gold Star Mothers of Maryland is a non-profit organization of mothers who have lost sons or daughters in service of the American Armed Forces, and several of their members were in attendance for Wildt’s speech, which he considers his most memorable speech given during his time at Severn. “It was an incredible honor to share their mission, ‘honor through service,’ with my school,” said Wildt. “Having 6 Gold Star Mothers attend the assembly is something I will never forget, and hearing how much my speech meant to them was my proudest high school achievement.”

MORE THAN A SPEECH

Severn has a rich history of student successes in speech contests, with students often rising

Dr. Baugh with members of the Severn Oratorical Society in 1994

through local competitions and succeeding nationally. While those successes are celebrated, Severn also emphasizes the importance of discovering other victories that don’t come with a trophy. One of Dr. Baugh’s favorite stories doesn’t involve a first-place finish but instead someone who completely forgot one of their speeches altogether. After freezing on stage during a competition, alumnus Darren Smith ’05 told Dr. Baugh that he was done, not just with speech contests, but with public speaking in general. Dr. Baugh wasn’t sold. “I felt that his experience wouldn’t be complete until he saw that he could be successful,” said Dr. Baugh. “I told him, you have to get back in the saddle.”

Smith told his story while speaking to Dr. Baugh’s Short Stories Seminar and two Creative Writing Seminars:

“After much preparation and several successful earlier rounds, I made it to the state speech finals in Ocean City, MD. I got up on stage to give my memorized speech, fully confident, and halfway through, I forgot my words. I was so upset! I scored poorly and obviously did not win the competition. Upon my return to Severn, I told Dr. Baugh what happened and how devastated I was. She told me, “You cannot conclude this speech experience with such a bad memory. You need to do it again.” I pleaded with her to not make me do it again. She then said something that, during the moment, was so profound and greatly resonated. She said, “Darren, when you’re learning to ride a bike, after the first fall, you don’t quit and stop riding bikes forever. You get back on, and you keep trying until you learn how to do it.” Dr. Baugh didn’t take no for an answer;

instead, she reassured me and told me that I had to do the speech one more time — in front of the entire Upper School during a morning meeting assembly. I initially thought, “No way!” However, after some more encouragement from Dr. Baugh, I finally agreed to it… As it turns out, I nailed the speech and received a standing ovation from my peers and teachers. I learned a valuable lesson that day about perseverance and about not allowing your mistakes to define your ultimate outcome. I’ve always been grateful to Dr. Baugh for believing in me and for getting me back in front of a crowd to deliver a speech the way I knew I could.”

While research, writing, and public speaking are all important skills to learn and hone, intangible skills such as perseverance, never giving up, and belief in oneself are incredibly valuable,

Senior Jamison Wildt ‘23 with Gold Star Mothers of Maryland at the 22–23 NHS Induction ceremony.

and stick with Severn students well after they have graduated.

LONG TERM SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE

For most students, they have found that their public speaking skills have a positive effect on the arduous college admissions process. From interviews to being able to write a compelling admissions essay, skills they have learned from Dr. Baugh and from participating in speech contests have helped immensely with their college application process. Wildt, who will be attending the Coast Guard Academy after graduation, knows for a fact that his American Public Address class and experience speaking at the NHS ceremony have had a positive impact. “Without a doubt, this class has prepared me to be a more confident public speaker,” said Wildt. “I know that this will serve me well both in college and in my future career as a Coast Guard Officer.” Amplo, who has been accepted to the United States Naval Academy, felt prepared during the rigorous

Naval Academy application process. “I earned so much more confidence, especially when talking to new people,” said Amplo. “It helped me during my interviews with members of Congress to get a nomination to the Academy. Without Dr. Baugh, I don’t know that I would’ve received a nomination at all.”

Alumni who have been exactly where current Severn students are make a point to come back and share their knowledge, often mentoring students in Dr. Baugh’s American Public Address course. Students are paired with an alumni mentor in their career field of interest and interview them about the role of public speaking in their jobs. While some applications may be more obvious than others (lawyer, CEO, etc), students are often surprised to find out how much public speaking is utilized in other positions. During a recent field trip to New York City, Severn’s Investment Club and the Student Led Investment Portfolio (SLIP) met with Dolph Habeck ’94, who escorted them to SMBC Nikko Securities, Inc. where Habeck is a Managing Director.

He shared a brief presentation that included what Nikko Securities does, his personal path to his current career as a banker, and what a typical day looks like for a banking professional. In addition, he spoke to students about his time at Severn, specifically skills learned through public speaking with Dr. Baugh. “If there is one thing I leave you with, it is to spend time with Dr. Baugh,” said Habeck. “The [public speaking skills] I learned from her were invaluable.”

Price also encourages students to become involved with public speaking, even if they might be hesitant at first. “There is not a career you can name that does not have an aspect of human relations and communications,” said Price. “Those who are hesitant should embrace it; get comfortable being uncomfortable. It will make you a much stronger job candidate.”

Even though it may seem a long way off, when asked if he would ever come back to mentor Severn students, current senior Wildt was quick to agree. “Oh yea, absolutely,” he laughed. “That’s the dream.”

Severn students can participate in several speech contests through the Oratorical Society. Jack Shenk ‘23, Mason Ervin ‘23, and Jennifer Gomez-Gallardo ‘24 took all 3 top spots at the Optimist International Speech Contest held at Severn.

The Big Picture

Students using the iconic circular stairwell to make their way to and from classes in Creeden Hall, leaving backpacks and sports equipment at the base of the Foucault Pendulum.

ALUMNI SPEAKERS

We were honored to have a number of alumni share their expertise and experiences with us in a variety of meaningful ways throughout the fall and winter.

9/8:

MIA HENCINSKI STENDER ‘06

It was an honor to host Mia Hencinski Stender ‘06 as our keynote speaker for the Upper School Honor Code Assembly. As a Severn student, a USNA graduate (2010), an active-duty Marine (2010-2018), a Marine Reservist (2018-Present), and a current Business Development Lead at Palantir Technologies, Mia shared her thoughts on what it means to pledge to uphold the codes in our lives. In addition to speaking at the assembly, Mia shared stories of her team’s 2006 Fed Challenge Championship with Mr. Bodley’s Economics students and had lunch with students interested in military service. Going above and beyond, Mia reconnected with our English 10 World Literature students via Zoom a week later to talk about her experience in Afghanistan to help them better understand the Afghani culture in the novel they were reading.

10/17:

DARREN SMITH ‘05

Admiral alumnus Darren Smith ‘05 came into Dr. Baugh’s Junior / Senior Seminars to share his book 30 for 30: The Writings Behind the Wall The students were riveted as he shared messages about the power of positivity, taking responsibility, sharing one’s story, overcoming challenges, and appreciating life’s gifts. Darren also had the opportunity to have lunch with students in BSA (Black Student Alliance) while on campus.

10/20:

KATE MYERS TALAMO ‘04

Kate Myers Talamo ‘04, an author about to debut her first novel, regaled our junior / senior writing seminar students with funny and honest stories about writing, publishing, and her journey from Severn to her new career as a writer. Her book Excavations, to be published by HarperCollins, will be in bookstores in June 2023. Mark your calendars!

10/25:

CARRIE PONDER ‘02

Carrie Ponder ’02, Executive Vice President at BCW Global, hosted an incredible shadow opportunity for a Severn senior at the Bloomberg studios in NYC.

10/27:

GREG PRICE ‘02

Greg Price ‘02, a Senior Communications Executive at Walton Enterprises, hosted a dinner at the Annapolis Yacht Club for Severn seniors interested in applying to service academies, current Severn alums at the USNA, Adam Jones ‘02, and the guest of honor Ambassador Chase

--

Mia Hencinski Stender ‘06

(excerpted from her keynote address to Upper School students during the September Honor Code assembly)

Untermeyer for the purpose of helping our students make professional / education connections beyond our campus. At Greg’s invitation, Ambassador Chase Untermeyer also presented on the topic of service — military, foreign, civil, and community service — at an Upper School Assembly earlier that day and met with students in 5 different history classes and in the Community Service Club.

11/1:

ALEX MANN ‘12

Alex Mann ‘12, a reporter for the Baltimore Sun, took some time away from the breaking news beat to talk with our junior/senior writing seminar students, as well as members of The Anchor newspaper club, about his career in journalism. Students gained an appreciation for the fast-paced life of a reporter, as well as for the courage, perspective, and tenacity that this job requires.

11/10:

JACOB MANDISH ‘16

We were honored to have Ensign Jacob Mandish ‘16, United States Navy, deliver our keynote address at the Lower School Veterans Day Assembly. In a heartfelt and inspiring speech, he encouraged our students to serve their communities, spend themselves in a worthy cause, and pour into others.

11/10–11:

RANDI SILVERMAN STERN ‘83

In early November, we welcomed our 2022 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Randi (Goldman) Silverman Stern ‘83, the Founder and Former Executive Director of the Youth Mental Health Project, to campus to celebrate her outstanding service to humanity. While on

campus, she touched so many of us with her personal story and inspiring messages about youth mental health. Thank you, Randi, for the important work you do and for sharing it with your Severn family!

11/29:

CHRIS ACCINELLI ‘ 93

Students in Mr. Meyer’s Finance Class and the Severn Investment Club gained a valuable inside-look at the world of finance when Chris Accinelli ‘93, Senior VP / Wealth Advisor at Morgan Stanley, came to campus in late November. In addition to addressing current issues in the investment arena, Chris gave students a detailed historical perspective of market trends as well.

I think of the codes that bind me to those institutions as guiding forces — they inform which way I should turn when I’m really at a crossroad.

Most importantly, they anchor me to the common commitments that my fellow members have also made.

Alex Mann ’12 speaks with students during a campus visit.

ALUMS PARTNER WITH AMERICAN PUBLIC ADDRESS STUDENTS, TALK VALUE OF PUBLIC SPEAKING SKILLS

Students in Dr. Baugh’s American Public Address class had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a Severn alum who works in their field of interest. Alumni mentors shared the ways in which public speaking has factored into their careers, underscoring the importance of this skillset and how it can benefit students with diverse career interests. Special thanks to all of our alumni mentors for their participation.

DO YOU REMEMBER THE SEVERN MENTOR WHO MADE THE BIGGEST IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE?

Whether it was a teacher, coach, or advisor, they helped you become who you are today. Alumni House is always in search of professionals to work with students and young alumni so that today’s students can also benefit from meaningful mentorship. We offer an array of opportunities, in-person and virtual, for you to become a Severn mentor and keep the tradition strong. To get involved, email alumni@severnschool.com.

Gabe Corder ‘09

Kate Graw Lamond ‘96

Brian Bieman ‘12

Hamilton Tyler ‘81

Meredith Balenske ‘02

Adam Williams ‘93

Greg Price ‘02

Matt Nicholson ‘01

Adam Jones ‘02

Graham Shafer ‘90

Joe Taussig ’62

Lyon Ellison ‘03

ADMIRALS GOT TALENT

Severn’s Art and Theater Departments had another successful year, putting on several performances and showcasing student work throughout both campuses. Read below to see what our students were up to this year.

LOWER SCHOOL:

The Renaissance Program’s fall semester culminated in Evening With the Arts, where 4th and 5th grade students’ work was showcased throughout the Lower School. Student photography, self-portraits, science projects, and working robotics were just a few of the incredible projects featured. Family and friends were invited to see all of the students’ hard work and catch a performance of Humpty-Dumpty Is Missing! or The Mysterious Case of the Fallen Egg. At Grandfriends Day, a favorite Severn tradition that was held in person for the first time in 3 years in April, all Lower School students performed a song for their grandfriends. For the Renaissance Program’s spring drama show, students performed Adventures of A Comic Book Artist

MIDDLE SCHOOL:

Middle school students showed their acting skills with two exciting performances this year. 6th and 7th graders put on a great show of A Simpler Time, a series of short comic stories that feature characters traveling in a time machine in search of a “simpler time.” This spring, students performed a variety of acts at the Middle School Talent Show, and 8th graders are performing the classic musical, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Jr 7th grade students, in an innovative cross-curricular unit, created self portraits that were not just a simple drawing of their faces, but representations of their personalities as a whole. Read more about this initiative on page 16.

UPPER SCHOOL:

Incredible musical and theater performances hit a high note for the Upper School this year. The Water Street Players put on two marquee shows: a fall drama production of Almost, Maine and the winter musical performance of Little Shop of Horrors Before winter break, Severn once again hosted its annual winter Revels concert, featuring performances from all of Severn’s musical groups, including both vocal and instrumental ensembles, choir, Jam Band, and Breakwater a cappella. In addition, Breakwater took first place at the SingStrong! International A Cappella Festival at Adelphi University in early February, and senior Sophia Amplo ‘23 was honored as Best Soloist in the competition. The Upper School also welcomed pianist and composer Julian Gargiulo as the 2023 Dillon Moran Musician in Residence in January. See more on next page.

Upper School students perform the fall drama production of Almost, Maine

Lower School students perform Humpty-Dumpty Is Missing! or The Mysterious Case of the Fallen Egg.

Brett Paquin ‘27 sings and plays the piano during the Middle School Talent Show

SEVERN HOSTS THEATER ALUMNI

FOR CLOSING NIGHT OF LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

We enjoyed hosting our Theater Alumni for a small reception in February before the Upper School production of Little Shop of Horrors. The Teel Lobby showcases were filled with memorabilia from “Severn Theater Through The Years,” and alumni were able to take a stroll down memory lane, looking at pictures, programs and props from the productions they had done. This event was especially memorable as Severn students previously performed in a production of Little Shop of Horrors in 1991 and other former cast members were in attendance for the show’s closing night, over three decades after they took the stage. In a nostalgic touch, the 1991 cast’s Audrey (Sarah Franey ’92) congratulated and gave flowers to the 2023 cast’s Audrey (Sophia Amplo ’23). Thank you to all the alumni who joined us!

PIANIST AND COMPOSER JULIAN GARGIULO — THE PIANIST WITH THE HAIR — WAS SEVERN SCHOOL’S 2023 DILLON MORAN MUSICIAN IN RESIDENCE .

As the musician in residence, Gargiulo spent two full days with Severn students, where he performed for both the Upper School and Middle School, taking questions from the audience afterwards. He also held a small-group composer discussion with AP Music Theory students, a composing discussion with Music Tech students, and a piano recording session with the Recording Studio class. In addition, he hosted coaching sessions with two of Severn’s performance groups - Instrument Ensemble and Treble Choir.

Additionally, Gargiulo held an Open Masterclass where students performed and received feedback from him. During his time, he also had lunch each day with students interested in music. His residency concluded with an evening concert that was open to the public.

(back row) Jonathan Dean ’11, Becky (Price) Gilmor ’06, Jon Herting, Carrie Ponder ’02, Carol Duncan (former faculty), Connor Merryman ’14, Kelsey Carper ’09, Kathy Fegan (former faculty), Ron Giddings ’99, Greg Price ’02 // (front row) Sarah Franey ’92, Cathy Carper ’81, Emma Agro ’20, Jen (Scott) Gatewood ’99, Kristi Jobson ’02.

Dillon Moran Musician in Residence Julian Gargiulo

Pictured above are (L-R) Will Dickinson ‘23, Fionn Kinsella ‘23 and Gunner Foote ‘23

Be Well, Live Well

At Severn, we focus on the whole person, providing opportunities to develop and grow physically, socially and emotionally. Prioritizing WHO students become in the process of learning means recognizing that mental health is just important as physical health. That an hour dedicated to mindfulness or time management is just as valuable as spending time learning math facts. It’s about balance and making choices that lead to mental and physical wellness.

The following stories demonstrate key examples of Severn’s commitment to personal wellness and exploring how each student can find their joy.

WELL BY DESIGN

At Severn, wellness isn’t confined to the teachings of a single class or the subject of a stand-alone seminar. It isn’t defined by a feel-good poster on the wall in the cafeteria or an email that goes out at the beginning of the school year.

Wellness at Severn isn’t limited to just one thing; instead, it’s the framework for nearly everything. It’s in the design of the daily schedule, the curriculum, the extracurriculars and the selection of guest speakers. It’s a mindset, and with that mindset comes an intentionality around wellness that is realized in the classrooms, the hallways, the playing fields, and the study spaces. It is conveyed through reminders from the Counseling Team to their colleagues about helping to manage high-stress times for students, such as the end of a semester; through awareness activities organized by the Umbrella Club; through Health & Wellness classes; and through the mindfulness lessons being taught in the Lower School, among other initiatives.

“As a school, Severn is talking about mental health,” said Sam Straub, Chair, Upper School Counseling and Wellness.

FINDING BALANCE IN THE SCHOOL DAY

The Health & Wellness core value calls for a balanced perspective as one of the key ingredients. The student schedule — the center of the daily experience — was intentionally designed with that balance in mind. In the Middle School, students have two classes, and then they take a break outdoors for movement, fresh air and social connection. They end every day with either PE or a sport. In the Upper School, the Admiral Hour allows busy high school students time during the school day for club meetings so that they can get involved in extracurricular, leadership and enrichment activities without feeling overburdened. Likewise, there are free periods built in, giving students valuable time for homework and studies during the day — recognition that a large percentage of students are

also going directly from school to a team practice or rehearsal every day. In the Lower School, the Heartstring program (see story on Page 38) teaches students in preK through 5th grade the social-emotional skills that develop a strong foundation for overall wellness.

But wellness isn’t always the backdrop; there are also times when the subject is at the forefront. While the Lower School has Heartstrings programming, wellness as a component of the curriculum also appears in the Middle School and then again in the Upper School.

Mary Foard, Middle School Counselor, teaches Health & Wellness to all 6th, 7th and 8th grade classes. Every student rotates through the required Health & Wellness class, which includes 12 lessons that occur over a 4-week period. The programming she uses for Health & Wellness classes are brain based and tailored toward each grade level. They include topics such as emotional regulation, digital citizenship, healthy relationships, and mental health awareness. “There is a large voice given to mental health care here,” said Foard. “Just like our physical health, we need to keep an eye on it — to be in tune with ourselves and our friends.”

Once students enter the 9th grade, Health & Wellness is again a required class that spans the entire school year. In the Upper School, it’s a team-taught experience covering a whole host of topics including facts and myths about mental health, stress management, nutrition, substance abuse, recognizing bias, peer intervention, injury prevention, and use of technology. Counselors, teachers and other school leaders contribute to these lessons, ensuring that the course is well-rounded and meaningful. Students also complete a strengths

survey that leads into the Leadership Class in the 10th grade.

“This 9th grade course has continued to evolve, but what’s really important is that it’s a scheduled part of the freshman experience and not a one-off unit,” said Straub. Another benefit of the Upper School Health & Wellness class is that it allows the counselors — Straub and Lillian Kane — to interact with every 9th grader in a non-problem-based setting. “We get to know them as students, and they get to know us; then, if there is a need, we aren’t strangers,” she added.

In addition to getting to know each other during the required class, Straub and Kane also make it a priority to meet with every freshman one-on-one for about 15–20 minutes at the beginning of the school year.

Following the year-long Health & Wellness class in the 9th grade year, the theme is continued through the Upper School Seminars Program. The themes for these leadership seminars are getting to know myself (sophomores), connecting with others (juniors) and leading and leaving (seniors). These seminars are taught by grade-level deans, school counselors and other administrators, creating connections between school leaders and the students.

UMBRELLA CLUB PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING, OPEN DIALOGUE

Severn students have also taken on a leadership role in promoting wellness. The Umbrella Club is a very active student-led club whose mission is to promote wellness, reduce the stigma around mental health and to encourage open dialogue on this important topic. Created about 8 years ago, the club’s name is a reference to seeking protection from a storm.

Lower School Guidance Counselor Karin Mitchell leads students in breathing exercises as part of a mindfulness lesson.

The club meets weekly and is responsible for numerous schoolwide campaigns, including a mindful art initiative, participation in the Out of The Darkness Walk — an event that raises funds and awareness for suicide prevention, and most recently, a “Let’s Talk” lunch, where they invited students to share their own personal story while others listened and supported.

“The dialogue in this club is student-driven and counselor-supported,” said Straub, who is one of the the Umbrella Club mentors. She is joined in that effort by faculty members Zak Starr and Kristen Brandler. “Students have the ideas and are carrying them out. We simply pave the way so that their vision can come to fruition.”

Megan Murphy ‘23, co-leader of the Umbrella Club, has been involved since her freshman year and has enjoyed it immensely.

“It’s great when people say, ‘Wow, I didn’t know that was happening, I’m glad I’m more aware now.’ I like that we’ve raised awareness within the Severn community.”

The Umbrella Club also facilitated two workshops during Unity Day, one called “Mental Health at Severn: Stories from the Community” where participants took turns reading aloud stories that Severn students had shared anonymously in the weeks leading up to this schoolwide event. Students then talked about how they might support a friend in that situation. Student feedback on this interactive workshop was high, with one survey respondent sharing that “although it was sad, it really opened my eyes to the community and made me more aware of what those around me may be experiencing.” In general, most respondents commented on realizing that it’s impossible to

know what those around you are carrying, and that it’s important to be kind.

The Umbrella Club’s other Unity Day workshop was designed for a specific audience — male students. Titled “Breaking the Stigma: MENtal Health Matters,” this well-attended session focused on the mental health challenges and pressures specific to young men. For this, the student facilitators began by sharing the workshop norms, which included: throw shine, not shade; be fully present; honor confidentiality; and listen to understand, not convince. They also watched a short clip of the 2015 documentary The Mask You Live In and ran through some ice-breakers that ranked Starbucks vs. Dunkin and other preferences, before getting into the heart of the session, which included discussion on how boys are expected to behave, the stigmas associated with masculinity, and how this is reflected culturally.

Post-workshop survey results revealed that MENtal Health Matters attendees appreciated the opportunity to speak out on something that isn’t talked about as much, felt it was educational, and enjoyed the productive dialogue. “I think our conversations got very deep, and we all connected to each other in a meaningful way,” said one respondent. “I most enjoyed men’s mental health because it felt very inclusive, and it was a safe space to discuss topics that are usually uncomfortable to talk about,” said another survey respondent. Another student shared that the men’s mental health session was important “because it’s something I really relate to, being a guy…who is dealing with the pressures of sports.” And another student felt that the session “really showed me how I can seek out help if I need it.”

These are just some of the examples of how student wellness — mind and body — is at the center of everything and achieving the right balance for a driven yet sustainable lifestyle is the goal. And that goal will continue to be a driving force and a key factor in how the student experience evolves and how the students themselves are supported. Because at Severn, “be well, live well” isn’t just a catchphrase; it’s the culture, and it’s here to stay.

Students gathered in a classroom for one of the “Stories from the Community” workshops facilitated by the Umbrella Club during 2023 Unity Day.

Middle School students Jules Hess-Goldstein ’28, Eleanor Beard ’28, Eva Epps ’28, Emily McDermott ’28, Kendall Austin ’28 and Sofia Keefer ‘28 head outside for a break and some fresh air after their first two classes of the day.

Gemma Becker ’26 shares an anonymous story during the Umbrella Club’s Unity Day workshop. Also pictured are Annabel Williams ’26 (L) and Eliza Grace Beard ’26 (R).

EDUCATION AT SEVERN IS ABOUT THE WHO: LEARNING BEYOND THE THREE R’S

At Severn, we prioritize who our students become in the process of learning.

At Severn’s Lower School, character education is infused into the learning environment in a variety of significant ways. One such program — Heartstrings — is devoted to character development and wellness, helping students develop strategies to deal with academic and emotional challenges, manage their own learning, and help their peers.

Taught year-round by Karin Mitchell, School Counselor and Character Education Coordinator, Heartstrings is a series of classes designed to teach students strategies within three key areas: empathy, problem-solving and impulse control, and emotion management.

“These social skills are just as important for this age group — I’d argue possibly even more important — than reading, writing and arithmetic,” said Mitchell. “The ability to get along with other people is connected to our overall happiness, and that’s a big part of what they’re learning. These are skills they will use for the rest of their lives.”

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT IN THE CLASSROOM

During the entire academic year, Mitchell spends about 30–45 minutes every other week with students in all classes, from prekindergarten through 5th grade. The lessons are tailored by age group but grounded in the same

principles and always with the goal of developing the non-academic skills that children need to thrive and grow as happy, well-rounded individuals. For example, a recent lesson for 5th graders was designed around resisting revenge, while another lesson in 2nd grade was on managing anger. And in the 1st grade classes, Mitchell used puppets and video clips to talk about what it means to be worried and strategies for dealing with this type of strong feeling.

To introduce the lesson on worrying in Grade 1, puppets Puppy and Snail made an appearance at the start of class and had a conversation about how Snail had been asked to take a paper down to the 4th grade hall and was worried. What if she got lost or ran into some big kids?

Mitchell then asked the class, “Is this a strong feeling that Snail is having?” They solemnly agreed that yes, it was. Snail’s friend

Karin Mitchell teaches a lesson on mindful eating with Mrs. Gore’s 3rd grade class, part of an innovative mindfulness curriculum for students in grades 3-5.

Puppy then reminded her to do some belly breaths and some positive self-talk to help make herself feel better.

With the topic introduced by the puppets, Mitchell then told the class that today they’d be talking about worry and how to deal with that feeling. Over the next 15–20 minutes, the class talked about what it meant to worry — they thought it meant to be scared, comparing it to a feeling you feel about seeing

someone new — and watched a video about a boy named Shane whose father was late to pick him up.

They talked through the verbal and visual cues that revealed Shane’s emotion — for example, his forehead was wrinkled up and his mouth was in a straight line — followed by ideas about what Shane could do next to help calm down. Mitchell used a few avenues to reinforce the three strategies for calming down

a strong feeling, which include counting, deep breathing and positive self-talk.

She gave examples, referred to the poster that hangs in the classroom, had students do a Think, Turn & Tell exercise, and finally, introduced a role-play exercise where students came to the front of the class, were given a scenario, and had to show first what it would look like to feel worried and second what they could do to calm down. “They love to do role plays, so

as much as I can, I incorporate that into the lessons,” said Mitchell. The students did in fact enjoy it, with most of the volunteers having a hard time pretending to be worried because they were smiling and laughing too much.

This particular lesson also touched on whom they can go to for help, including teachers, older siblings, other family members and Mrs. Mitchell. “Remember that I’m always here to help too!” she told them.

Mitchell wrapped up the class by encouraging students to find ways to practice positive self-talk in their real lives because that strategy can be harder to master than the other options but is ultimately very helpful.

“I love to teach them how to solve problems, and I believe all problems can be solved if you find different ways to look at them,” said Mitchell. Sometimes solving it means asking for help, so I am trying to teach them that they don’t have to do it all alone.”

LESSONS IN MINDFULNESS

In addition to the regular social-emotional curriculum, Mitchell also wrote and is now teaching a dedicated Mindfulness class to grades 3–5. Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where they are and their actions and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around them.

“The value of this type of learning is it helps students understand their mind and how thoughts effect their emotions and subsequent actions or behaviors. By practicing being more mindful, students are learning how to bring their minds to the present moment — essentially how to tame all the inner chatter,” says Mitchell.

“We talk deeply in mindfulness classes about happiness and connection,” she added. “The kids get it too, which is awesome. I talk with them about how connected we are to everything and how what we say and what we do has an impact beyond us. When I started teaching this curriculum six years ago, I wasn’t sure if children this age would comprehend some of the material. But not only do they understand it, they also add their own insight and ask very

good questions that demonstrate deeper levels of thinking.”

This was evident in a recent lesson with one of the 3rd grade classes, where Mitchell reviewed three questions around mindfulness with them: What is it? Why should they be more mindful? How can they improve their mindfulness?

Students were eager to volunteer their thoughts on all of these, shooting up their hands and bouncing around in their seats in hopes of getting called on to share. And their answers were both earnest and articulate, shouting out that mindfulness is talking about your feelings and working on your emotions.

After getting a sampling of spirited input from around the room on what mindfulness is, Mitchell helped to reinforce the meaning by repeating it back in a new way. “So, what we’re saying is that mindfulness is being in the present moment without judgment, so that even if you’re angry or sad, you just accept it as how you are feeling?” she asked the class. The students enthusiastically agreed.

She repeated the process with the other two questions, this time hearing from students that the reason they should be more mindful is so that they don’t say mean things to their friends, and to have deeper bonds and improve their relationships, as well as being calmer. A student who was sitting close to Mitchell spoke softly and told her that it means being grounded and not wandering into our thoughts. “That’s right,” said Mitchell, smiling and nodding with encouragement. “So, what does being grounded mean?” she asked the whole class. On this topic, she answered

for them, adding, “It’s to sit in the present moment, keeping our thoughts right here. We aren’t worrying about tomorrow. How does this help us? Does it maybe help us to improve our focus and pay attention to what’s happening?” Again, the class agreed.

After some more discussion about how to improve their mindfulness — through meditation, breathing and being alone and relaxed — Mitchell introduced the lesson of the day, which was on mindful eating. This involved pretending to be an alien from Mars who was visiting Earth and had never seen or eaten a raisin. They then used all 5 senses to evaluate the raisin. The meaning behind this exercise was to look at a known object in a new way, to bring a ‘beginner’s mind’ to it. The energetic lesson that followed included descriptions like “mushy,” some strong opinions about raisins, and a homework assignment from Mitchell, who asked them to eat one part of their lunch mindfully every day for the next two weeks.

Within the school community, there is a strong sense that children are integrating and using these skills, tools, and knowledge to help them in their daily interactions with peers and family members. Mitchell often hears from both parents and teachers that they observe the changes in their kids and their use of these strategies.

“My generation didn’t have classes like this,” said Mitchell. “For some people, these skills come naturally, but for others they need to be learned. The notion that ‘this stuff can’t be taught’ or ‘you either know it or you don’t,’ doesn’t apply here, because this stuff can be taught, learned, and integrated into one’s life. I know because I teach it every day!”

First-grade student Jackson raises his hand to contribute to a Heartstrings lesson what it means to worry and ways to calm down from that strong feeling.

CALLING ALL CAPTAINS

A look at Severn’s alumni athletes who became captains of their college teams

Today, Severn graduates between 100–120 students each year. A remarkable number of those students go on to play college sports. Just last year, out of 97 Seniors, 17 of them continued their athletic careers at the collegiate level. That number is impressive, especially coming from a small, co-educational independent school.

Perhaps even more compelling is the high percentage of Severn athletes chosen for an even more prestigious distinction — those named CAPTAINS of their college teams. In the last 20 years, 49 Severn athletes have been chosen as a captain of their college team. Among the Class of 2017 alone, 6 Severn graduates earned this leadership role at the collegiate level.

Given this continuing trend, we wondered, what it is about Severn athletes that they seem to rise so readily to the position of college team captain? Does their status as college captain reflect on the culture of leadership at Severn?

We interviewed 23 alumni athletes, representing 9 different sports, to find out answers. Each of them played sports at both Severn and their respective college; each of them served their college team as a captain for at least 1 year.

First, we wanted to understand what unique traits these individuals collectively possessed to equip them for the role of college captain. To that end, the first question we asked was, “Why do you think you were chosen to be the captain of your college team?”

COMMITMENT & COMPETITIVE SPIRIT

Jess Adam ‘04 felt like she was chosen to captain the Duke Women’s Lacrosse team because of her demonstrated commitment to the program: “I lived on the field. I was dedicated to doing whatever I could to help the team achieve our goals, and I was invested in wanting the team to succeed.” Burt Gesner ‘18, golf captain at Babson College, thought he was selected for his competitive spirit: “I brought a level of intensity and competition in everything we did, whether that was at tournaments or playing pickup basketball before a team lift.”

ROLE MODELS

Others posited that they were chosen as captains because of their example as role models. Mo Terry ‘19, captain of the Lycoming Basketball team, explained, “Whether it was showing up early to every practice or attending every class, I tried to exemplify the athlete

Coach wanted us to be.” Similarly, Beau Wood ‘10, Men’s Lacrosse Captain at Tufts University, wrote: “I did my best to be an example for younger players on our team by pushing myself in the classroom, getting my work done both academically and athletically, making good decisions, and when it came to lacrosse, putting in the extra work outside of our planned practices and training sessions.” Emily Gibbons ‘14, Gettysburg Women’s Basketball Captain, also shared this philosophy: “I led by example. I would run extra sprints or put extra shots up with my teammates who needed support.”

WORK ETHIC

For Kevin Rainey ‘17, the road to captain took a slightly different path. He was chosen as a senior captain of the Susquehanna Men’s Lacrosse team after spending his junior year on the bench with a shoulder injury. He attributes his selection as captain to hard work: “Despite the injury, I brought energy and a strong work ethic to practice. I think my teammates respected how hard I was trying to both rehab my shoulder and improve the players who needed to take on my role in my absence.”

Charlie Olmert ‘17

Alayah Hightower ‘16 (left, green uniform)

COMMUNICATION

A final reason many of our athletes felt they were chosen as captains was their ability to communicate well. Rachel Sindler ‘17, Women’s Lacrosse captain at Furman University, wrote: “I believe my ability to reach all the different personalities on the team was a big reason I came into this leadership role. I was the teammate my peers would approach with any issues/worries to help with conflict resolution.” As captain of both the Soccer and Lacrosse teams at Howard University, Alayah Hightower ‘16 also named communications skills as a reason for her leadership role. She said, “I was always ready to guide my teammates to making a better pass or a better run. I’d say, ‘You got this, or I know you can do it!’” Charlie Olmert ‘17, captain of the Harvard Men’s Lacrosse team, explained, “In the four years prior to being voted captain, I spent hours on the field with my teammates after practice, working on the little things and pushing each other to get better. I also spent time with them in the training room nursing injuries, in the

weight room getting bigger, and on the couch in our dorms, just hanging out. I invested in spending time with my teammates . . . I was not the best player on the team, but they believed in me to be captain.”

Knowing the top 5 reasons our athletes felt they were chosen as college captains, we next wanted to see if there was any connection between their demonstrated leadership traits in college and their Severn experience. To that end, the second question we asked them was, “Looking back on your time at Severn, were there any specific experiences on the field that shaped / influenced / contributed to developing the skills / traits you needed to be captain of your college team?”

LESSONS FROM COACHES

Many of our athletes cited specific coaches as the main influence in shaping their college leadership style. Mo Terry ‘19 remembers his Severn Basketball Coach Mike Glasby reminding him countless times that “it wasn’t

just about scoring the most points every night . . . but instead about how I could make my teammates better, whether it was in practice or in the game.” In his 3 years as a college captain, Mo modeled this philosophy for his teammates and believes, “This philosophy got my team to three conference championships, winning two of them.”

Nick Manis ‘12 named his Severn Football Coach Chris Kirchenheiter as an inspiration for shaping his leadership skills. He explained, “I will never forget the passion that he brought to coaching and how it had a direct impact on how I played all sports.” Whenever Nick thinks about the commitment and competitive spirit he brought to the field as a captain, “it always comes back to my early days of playing football and specifically how Chris coached.”

John Fisher ‘53, captain of RPI’s Men’s Lacrosse team, credits two of his Severn coaches, G. Parker Lindsay and Paul J. Kesmodel, for “instilling in me the love of the game and providing the expert coaching needed to hone individual skills,” both of which helped

Maddie McDaniel ‘16

Madi Decker ‘16

Mo Terry ‘19

Emily Gibbons ‘14

Brian Phipps ‘06

Michele (Manis) McGovern ‘08

him develop the traits needed to be a good team captain. He added affectionately, “I can still remember Mr. Lindsay running backwards on the sideline as he encouraged us in our practices.”

LESSONS FROM TEAMMATES

While many of our athletes named coaches, others named their teammates as the main influence in developing their leadership style. Hayden Lamb ‘20, captain of the University of Maryland Sailing team, explained: “On the first day of practice my freshman year, having never stepped foot on a sailboat, Coach Sitzmann had us run 2.7 miles around the neighborhood, timing each sailor. I had never run more than a mile before, so at around 2 miles, I started slowing down. I heard someone tell me to keep going — it was Connor Bayless ‘17, our team captain and one of the best high school sailors in America. We finished the run together.” Hayden never forgot Connor’s kind gesture and tries to offer that level of support for his college teammates.

Zack Kinsella ‘19 credits the Severn boy’s lacrosse motto “EO,” an acronym for “Each Other,” for influencing his leadership style. He explained: “When I was a sophomore, the JV and Varsity teams came together on the field to practice before the St. Mary’s game because we weren’t Severn JV and Severn Varsity, but the Severn Lacrosse program.” That act left a lasting impression on Zack, who tries to incorporate this “team-centered” philosophy as the current captain of Gettysburg Men’s Lacrosse. Brian Phipps ‘06’s leadership style was also influenced by Severn’s focus on “team.” He explained: “Severn athletics taught me to see the big picture . . . to see how each team member is valued on the team. The ultimate goal was always for team success and not individual accolades.” He brought this philosophy to the University of Maryland as captain of their Men’s Lacrosse team.

For Courtney Rainey ‘14, captain of the Washington College Field Hockey team, the “family culture” on Severn sports teams most significantly shaped her leadership style. She

wrote, “I think the biggest thing I took with me from Severn sports was treating everyone on the field with respect no matter what. Treating teammates like that makes them feel supported on and off the field.” She carried that idea with her to Washington College and thought about it often when communicating with her teammates as captain.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMPETITIVE PLAY

In addition to coaches and teammates, a third main influence in shaping our athletes’ leadership skills was the opportunity for competitive play in Severn sports. Maddie McDaniel ‘16, captain of the James Madison Women’s Lacrosse team, was able to play on Severn’s Varsity basketball and lacrosse teams as a freshman, an opportunity probably not as readily available at bigger schools. Maddie shared, “Although it was intimidating at first, it taught me that most people don’t care what grade you’re in as long as your common goal is the success of the team. By the time I was in college, I recognized that leadership comes from what you do for the team and that heavily guided my leadership strategies.”

For Danielle Thompson ‘11, captain of Johns Hopkins Field Hockey, it was the level of competition in Severn sports that shaped her leadership style. The ability to play under pressure “during the exciting games between Severn and Saint Mary’s or Severna Park High School” contributed to her desire to compete on an even bigger stage and lead by example. Darren Burns ‘82, captain of the Hampden-Sydney Men’s Lacrosse team, echoed Danielle, when he wrote: “Playing for two championship football teams and two championship lacrosse teams at Severn drove me to want my college teams to compete for championships. Being challenged to earn playing time on highly competitive teams motivated me to work hard to ‘prove I belonged.’” This competitiveness and work ethic were defining traits of his role as a college captain.

After connecting our athletes’ leadership traits in college and their Severn experience, we

Beau Wood ’10 (Jersey #18)

Danielle Thompson ‘11

Darren Burns ‘82 (left, white uniform)

Kevin Rainey ‘17 (front left, white uniform)

finally wanted to understand what our athletes’ status as a college captain might say about the culture of leadership at Severn. To that end, the last question we asked them was, “What qualities developed at Severn may have contributed to so many athletes being chosen as captains for their college teams?”

SCHOOL MISSION

Many of our athletes credited the high number of alumni captains to a philosophy espoused in Severn’s mission statement and intentionally taught to students. According to Kevin Rainey ‘17, “The reason so many Severn athletes go on to be collegiate captains stems from the mission of the school, which

encourages students to ‘marshal the courage to lead and contribute to the world around them.’ The faculty and coaches require that students venture out of their comfort zones, set their goals for new heights, and serve as role models for others. This instills leadership characteristics such as accountability, integrity, confidence, teamwork, and a strong work ethic. These qualities are highly valued in college sports.”

Madi Decker ‘16, captain of Merrimack College Swimming, believes that Severn teaches its students “courage to be a self-advocate, a willingness to work hard despite adversity, and trust in themselves, their abilities, and the abilities of their coaches / teachers to

make them better.” She believes these are leadership traits that readily carry over to both college sports and any other leadership endeavor.

According to Alexa (Kunowsky) Hayslett ‘12, captain of Vanderbilt’s Women’s Lacrosse team, “At Severn, you’re encouraged to push the boundaries and really lean hard into challenges, strive for personal excellence, and learn to lead.” Taylor Burns ‘08, captain of the University of Delaware’s Men’s Lacrosse team, felt similarly about how Severn prepares its leaders: “When you accept admission to Severn, you understand you are not taking the easy way out. That develops grit, the ability to see the big picture, and problem solving skills, all of which are necessary to be a leader.”

Zack Kinsella ’19 (Jersey #25)

Jessica (Popham) McDermott ‘97 (right, white uniform)

John Fisher ’53 (Jersey #10)

Jess Adam ‘04 (left)Burt Gesner ‘18

Courtney Rainey ’14 (left, black uniform)

Rachel Sindler ‘17 explained, “Collaborative leadership is what I learned and practiced at Severn. We were taught to bring all voices to the table; we were taught when it was best to listen and when it was best to raise a hand. Effective, efficient collaboration as a means to success—both on and off the field—is what has been instilled in all of us and what helps set Severn graduates apart as leaders.”

Michele (Manis) McGovern ‘08, captain of the University of Georgia’s Women’s Lacrosse team, wrote: “Severn taught time management, leadership, and accountability, all of which were instilled into our work ethic. These qualities led us to have confidence not boastfulness, collaboration not selfishness, and perseverance not impatience. Whether or not you chose an athletic career after graduating, those same characteristics carry through to adulthood and the workforce.”

STUDENT VERSATILITY

While some credited Severn’s mission for producing so many alumni leaders, others credited Severn’s encouragement of versatility among its student body.

According to Jessica (Popham) McDermott ‘97, captain of the Richmond Women’s Lacrosse team: “Severn does a great job of

encouraging its students to take on leadership positions, not just on the sports field, but in every arena. The faculty at Severn give students the extra nudge to step up and take charge, whether it be in sports, on the stage, in the art studio, in politics, or in the classroom.” Hayden Lamb ‘20 would agree: “What I always liked about going to Severn was the fact that it was never ‘uncool’ to be great at something. When Collin Ervin ‘20 scored 3 goals in a varsity lacrosse game his sophomore year, we celebrated it. When Matthew Beagan ‘20 gave an incredible performance as Georges Seurat, we celebrated it. A collection of dedicated people and a community that encourages excellence make it no surprise Severn has so many people in leadership positions now and surely for years to come.”

For Danielle Thompson ‘11, it was the fact that “Severn fostered a sense of community where it was ‘cool’ to be involved in a lot of different clubs, sports, and activities” that accounts for why so many athletes were chosen to be college captains. While she knew she wanted to play field hockey in college, she appreciated that Severn supported her efforts to explore other paths like swimming, lacrosse, and track and field, outside of field hockey season. She wrote, “This constantly renewed

my love of sport and allowed me to learn leadership skills from various coaches, mentors, and teammates.”

FOCUS ON DEVELOPING COMMUNITY

According to our interviewees, a final reason for the high number of college captains among our alumni athletes is Severn’s focus on developing community. According to Courtney Rainey ‘14: “The focus on being a good person and contributing to the community you are in, making it a better place for everyone, becomes your natural setting by the time you leave Severn. I think this makes Severn students stand out as leaders when they get to college and beyond.”

And for anyone who thinks Severn’s focus on developing community is a new trend, John Fisher ‘53, our oldest alumni interviewee, says otherwise: “Severn was much different in the 50’s than it is now. However, the ideals espoused by Mr. Teel were as valid then as they are now, even at a much larger and diverse school. Severn instilled the importance of integrity, honesty, hard work, teamwork, and respect for others. Those attributes are so important in the lives that we each live. And certainly, they form a basis for choosing a college team captain.”

Rachel Sindler ‘17

Nick Manis ‘12

Taylor Burns ‘08

Hayden Lamb ‘20

Alexa (Kunowsky) Hayslett ‘12

CONFIRMED COLLEGE CAPTAINS

Elizabeth Adam 2009

Stanford University — LACROSSE

Anastasia Adam 2006

Vanderbilt University — LACROSSE

*Jessica Adam 2004

Duke — LACROSSE

Max Bailey 2015

Stevens Institute of Technology — LACROSSE

Cole Bailey 2011

Tufts University — LACROSSE

Ben Bedard 2017

University of Pennsylvania — LACROSSE

Jessica Burke 1996

Randolph-Macon College — LACROSSE

Avery Burns 2010

Brown University — FIELD HOCKEY

*Taylor Burns 2008

University of Delaware — LACROSSE

*Darren Burns 1982

Hampden-Sydney — LACROSSE

Hanna Butler 2017

Dickinson College — TENNIS

Mackenzie Carroll 2010

Highpoint University — LACROSSE

Caroline Code 2011

Harvard — FIELD HOCKEY

Russell Cramer 2007

University of Maryland — SAILING

Graham Davis 2014 MIT — LACROSSE

*Madi Decker 2016

Merrimack College — SWIMMING

Julian Domenech 1984

Pfeiffer University — LACROSSE & SOCCER

Stephen Duncan 2016

MIT — SAILING

Terry Duncan 2011

Middlebury College — SAILING

*John Fisher 1953

RPI — LACROSSE

Allie Foard 2012

High Point University — LACROSSE

Dylan Gergar 2018

University of Pennsylvania — LACROSSE

*Burt Gesner 2018

Babson College — GOLF

*Emily Gibbons 2014

Gettysburg College — BASKETBALL

Kate Graw 1996

Dartmouth — LACROSSE

Ally Hall 2017

University of Louisville — LACROSSE

Blair “Buzz” Hall 1947

University of Maryland — LACROSSE

*Alexa (Kunowsky) Hayslett 2012

Vanderbilt University — LACROSSE

David Henry 2008

College of the Holy Cross — LACROSSE

*Alayah Hightower 2016

Howard University — SOCCER / LACROSSE

Jamal Jones 2005

St. Johns U. — LACROSSE

John “Jack” Jones 1949

USNA — LACROSSE

Zander King 2021

Tulane University — SAILING

*Zack Kinsella 2019

Gettysburg College — LACROSSE

Sydney Kirchenheiter 2019

University of Louisville — LACROSSE

*Hayden Lamb 2020

University of Maryland — SAILING

Hannah Maisano 2016

Wellesley College — LACROSSE & FIELD HOCKEY

*Nick Manis 2012

University of Maryland, College Park — LACROSSE

Will McCollum 2019

University of Maryland — SAILING

*Maddie McDaniel 2016

James Madison University — LACROSSE

*Jessica (Popham) McDermott 1997

Richmond — LACROSSE

*Michele (Manis) McGovern 2008

Univeristy of Georgia — LACROSSE

Sarah Meisenberg 2005

Franklin and Marshall — BASKETBALL & LACROSSE

Reilly Miller 2018

University of Mary Washington — LACROSSE

Ian Morgan 2015

Tufts University — SAILING

Joe Morris 2008

Yale — SAILING

Grant Murray 2014

Harvey Mudd College — SWIMMING

*Charlie Olmert 2017

Harvard University — LACROSSE

Josie Owen 2008

University of Virginia — LACROSSE

*Brian Phipps 2006

Maryland — LACROSSE

*Kevin Rainey 2017

Susquehanna University — LACROSSE

*Courtney Rainey 2014

Washington College — FIELD HOCKEY

*Rachel Sindler 2017

Furman University — LACROSSE

Mark Staines 2008

University of North Carolina — LACROSSE

*Mo Terry 2019

Lycoming College — BASKETBALL

*Danielle Thompson 2011

Johns Hopkins — FIELD HOCKEY

*Beau Wood 2010

Tufts University — LACROSSE

Severn School made every attempt to identify all college captains for recognition in this story; however, we acknowledge that this list is incomplete. We would also like to continue to recognize those alums who serve as captains in college. If you are aware of additions to this list, please send a note to Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com. This list will be posted on the Severn School website and will be updated regularly.

* Indicates athletes who were interviewed for this article.

FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS

Sailing Team Enjoys Success Under Head Coach Tom Sitzmann

A good sailor knows where the wind is coming from and how to harness it. Nearly 20 years ago, lifelong sailor Tom Sitzmann used his wind awareness — well-honed after two decades as a professional sailor and coach, did the proper forward checks and trimmed the sails just right, setting Severn School’s Sailing Team on a course to become one of the school’s most successful athletic programs.

Sitzmann first began coaching and teaching at Severn School in 2005, after serving as an assistant offshore and dinghy coach at the United States Naval Academy and then head coach for Bowdoin College’s sailing team. What he discovered upon his arrival to Severn was that the sailing program was nothing more than a small group that sailed out of a private club along with sailors from 3 or 4 other high school teams. “It was kind of like going to the

gym for these students,” recalled Sitzmann, as he reflected on those early days and the group training environment. Furthermore, the club’s management informed him he couldn’t actually coach the Severn team while at the club, citing insurance reasons. His only role was to drive them to and from the facility.

In response, Sitzmann spent the next several months researching and crafting a proposal for Severn to fund a proper sailing program — one with its own venue, boats, and perhaps most importantly, its own team culture. “Long story short, it worked!” he said, crediting the administration’s decision to invest in building a proper program with kickstarting their success.

Since 2006, the team has called the nearby Magothy Marina home, practicing and competing in both the fall and spring seasons. In

that time, they have racked up four national championships, plus 10 additional 2nd and 3rd place finishes at nationals, three Atlantic Coast Championships, and over a dozen each of the MASSA District Fleet Racing Championships and the MASSA District Team Racing Championships. Severn is the first and only Chesapeake Bay school to win the prestigious Mallory Trophy (2008). Current starter Thomas Sitzmann ’23 is the 2021 International 420 World Champion, the first American since 1977 to win this title.

Just as impressively, Severn sailors have gone on to sail with some of the best collegiate programs in the nation, getting recruited to Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Tulane, Georgetown, Boston College and the USNA, to name a few. Since 2005, five alums have gone on to win national championships in college and nearly a dozen are All-Americans.

Joe Morris ’08 is among the most high-profile sailing team alums. Morris was a four-time All-American at Yale, where he was also named the 2012 NEISA Sailor of the Year. He went on to earn a spot on Team USA and competed at the 2016 Olympics Games in Rio.

That trend continues with the Class of 2023, with the team’s current seniors headed to Stanford (Thomas Sitzmann), Harvard (Robby Meek), Dartmouth (Lilly Baker), Roger Williams (Jed Lory) and USNA (Kyle Reinecke) where they will continue to compete.

H2O IS THE WINNING FORMULA

The formula for their success is articulated through their team motto — H2O. It’s emblazoned on their jackets and stands for Humility, Harmony, Openness. “Every member of the team genuinely subscribes to that motto,” said Sitzmann, noting that the life lessons that come from sailing are largely the same ones that can

Once an Admiral, always an Admiral! Severn alums reunited at a collegiate regatta at Brown University in Rhode Island. L-R: Stephanie Houck ’17 (Stanford), Addi Harris ’20 (Georgetown), Andrea Riefkohl-Gonzalez ’20 (Tulane), Maddie Hawkins ’20 (Dartmouth), Caroline Bayless ’19 (Brown), Abigail Tindall ’19 (Stanford)

be generalized to all sports and include discipline, hard work, togetherness, and selflessness. But on that last point, he is emphatic. “Youth sailing is generally about the sailor — it’s me in a boat, by myself. Sailing doesn’t necessarily have a team focus, so sailors may come with technical experience, but not yet understand the value of being part of a team.”

Sitzman says that’s one thing that they will shake out of any Severn sailor. “If they don’t embrace that concept, they don’t last with us,” he said. “I think it’s why so many of our students are successful as college recruits. Here, they learn that there’s something far more important than just them in a boat.

“You may have talent, but it’s more than that,” he added. “Severn sailors are sought after by top programs in the country because they’re

good people. Results alone are meaningless if you’re just out for yourself.”

SENIOR SAILORS LEADING THE WAY

Senior sailors Robby Meek and Elizabeth (Lilly) Baker have both been with the Severn team for four years and are co-captains. They are also race partners, and both are headed to Ivy League schools come fall, after being recruited by the sailing coaches from Dartmouth (Baker) and Harvard (Meek). Meek has won the ISSA Singlehanded (Cressy) National Championship for the past two years.

Having learned the ropes from the seniors, the Annapolis natives found themselves in a leadership role early on. “When we started as freshmen, there were a lot of really good seniors on the team,” said Meek. “When that group

For Sitzmann, coaching this team goes well beyond wins and losses. The best stories for him are the ones where a player may not win a national championship or be an All-American but develops a lifelong love of the sport.

The Severn sailing team were the silver medalists at the 2022 ISSA Mallory Doublehanded National Championships. Appearing from L-R: Coach Tom Sitzmann, Thomas Sitzmann ‘23, Robby Meek ‘23, Lilly Baker ‘23, Ava Cornell ‘24, Scarlett Harris ‘24, Raam Fox ‘22, Ella May Corckran ‘22, Kyle Reinecke ‘23

graduated, we were left with a pretty young team, and we recognized the opportunity for us to re-establish the culture.”

“That group of seniors did a great job of creating a close team and also a focused one,” added Baker, “and we’ve tried to model them and do the same thing. I learned the value of hard work from those who came before us on this team, and we’ve tried to install the same value in the current team.”

Thomas (Tommy) Sitzmann ’23 is another senior leader and a key team member. He will continue his sailing career at Stanford come fall. In addition to his contributions to the Severn program, he is also a World Champion, having captured gold in 2021 sailing an International 420 along with crew member Luke Woodworth. He is also considered an Olympic hopeful, as he continues to set his sights on competing against the best in the world.

Novices are welcome at Severn, and the team — which usually carries 25–30 sailors total — has a mix of experienced sailors and those who have very little experience but are interested in learning. Coach Sitzmann intentionally mixes the team up during training early on, which helps newer members to learn from the veterans. Because there are limited spots for races, there are team members who just come out to practice because they love to sail. Others serve as alternates or support team members.

MORE THAN JUST HIGH-FLY SAILORS

For Sitzmann, coaching this team goes well beyond wins and losses. The best stories for him are the ones where a player may not win a national championship or be an All-American but develops a lifelong love of the sport. “We certainly have our share of top-level regatta wins and talented sailors, but the greatest story our team can tell is about our players that don’t get the headlines — the ones who nevertheless have fulfilling collegiate sailing careers and go on to have great lives.”

One recent example is Xander King ‘21, a good sailor who largely flew under the radar during his time at Severn. King is now

sailing with Tulane, where as a sophomore he was named captain and helped them win a national championship.

For Baker, who didn’t start racing boats until high school, the why of being a part of the sailing team is simple — it’s the people you meet. “It goes beyond just a high school sport because it’s something you can continue,” she said. “The relationships that come out of this sport can last a lifetime.”

“It takes a lot of hard work and grit to be a great sailor,” she added. “We sail in every condition and weather, so it’s important to bring your A game when it’s sunny and consistent wind but also on days that are super windy, raining and when you’re really tired. On days like that, it’s easy to get unfocused and give up, but having the grit to keep working hard and find the joy in being on the water is what makes an unbeatable sailor.”

“Sailing checks a lot of boxes for me,” Meek said, explaining why he sails. “You get to be on the water, there’s a physical component, and there’s also strategy and a level of complication that make it fun.” His description of team racing included picturing 3 runners versus 3

runners, but instead of being on a track, they’re on a chess board.

“I think sailing also helps with learning to do things for yourself,” said Baker. “We don’t practice or compete on campus, so we aren’t the most visible team. We’re more behind-the-scenes, but we are showing up and working hard every day for ourselves and our teammates.”

As true Severn sailors with H2O running through them, both Meek and Baker repeatedly return to the importance of team. They never mention victories or personal accolades, but instead cite simple things like traveling as a team to go to breakfast and dinner, bus rides, and being together as a team at a race venue as the memories they will most cherish. “I love this team so much, and I’m really going to miss this,” said Baker.

Severn competes against 18 other high schools in Maryland. State competition is followed by district championships and then if they are successful, nationals. They practice 5 days a week for about 3 hours each day and compete in ten regattas during the spring season.

Co-Captains Lilly Baker ’23 (L) and Robby Meek ‘23 (R) out on the water. Baker will continue her sailing career at Dartmouth in the Fall, while Meek is headed to Harvard to compete.

ROTUNDA ROUNDUP

1953

70th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

Congratulations to John Fisher and his wife Catharine (Cathy), who celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on April 7, 2023. From then to now, they have always been a happy couple!

a love of sound systems, photography, and Italy, where he lived for many years while in the Air Force. After losing his first wife, OC remarried Mae Jean, who is an accomplished oil portrait artist. Between them, they have 27 grandchildren! Honk if you ever see a Florida license plate frame that reads: “Make it Red...Life is a Cabernet” — That’s OC Gregg!

1958

65th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

1959

1955

Holly Carroll, our Associate Development Director, had a great lunch with OC Gregg in Jacksonville Beach, Florida in February. OC enjoys staying active by playing racquetball and poker once a week! OC fondly remembers his days as a bench warmer for Severn’s football team and was always impressed by the fact that Coach Lindsay could run faster backwards than any of the players running forward! OC has

Dave Thornhill is staying active and busy in Ponte Vedra, Florida! Dave was a one-year PG student at Severn before heading to the USNA and eventually serving on aircraft carriers. He is a humble Vietnam Veteran, a Purple Heart Recipient in fact, and he gets together frequently with Severn veteran groups in his area. After retiring from the military, he and wife settled in Colorado, where he worked as a commercial pilot. They currently live in Florida, where he has become an expert in fruit trees — lime, lemon, orange, and mango! Dave stays busy attending his granddaughter’s track and swim meets.

1962

Robert Kesmodel heard from John Hudson recently that he and his wife Lida have moved to a retirement community in Norfolk, VA and that Monroe Kelley is in the same community. The big surprise was that Gail Frey’s sister, Prissy, and her husband Admiral Wick Parcels are also there. What a small world!

Severn offers an Early Admission option to siblings and alumni children entering grades 6 and 9. The application deadline for Early Admission is November 1.

Severn offers an Early Admission option to siblings and alumni children entering grades 6 and 9. The application deadline for Early Admission is November 1.

Severn offers an Early Admission option to siblings and alumni children entering grades 6 and 9. The application deadline for Early Admission is November 1.

Robert also wrote in about the Class of 1962 Reunion this past October: “We actually had a decent turnout for our reunion!! Bob and Donna Cushman came all the way from Arizona, Jace Lieber came from Kansas City, and Skip and Linda Wilson came up from Virginia. Paull Phillips, Jim Nolan, and I came up from Florida, and we had a nice contingent from the Eastern Shore including Ron Engle and Susie, Marc Ebersberger, and Bob and Robin Valliant. Bill and Maureen Torgerson kindly hosted our Friday evening carb feast with nice fresh Chesapeake Bay crabs caught that morning and cooked that afternoon by Scott Jay and I. Saturday morning we had a small gathering for brunch at Sullivan’s Cove in Severna Park and then on to Severn for a guided tour of all the new buildings (there aren’t any old ones left!). At halftime we were invited on the football field with our new Severn caps! Severn won the game after which we headed to the Head of School’s house for a BBQ. Thanks to all who made it, and to those who did not, you were missed. Unfortunately at the last minute because of the hurricane, [Don] Trumpy was unable to attend and George Long bowed out at the 11th hour. It was great to see everyone! Randy Albury, you are always missed!”

1963

60th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

Jock Hopkins and his wife Penny enjoy an active and busy life in Gainesville, Florida, near two of their daughters and many grandchildren. Jock and Penny are still close with former Head of School Bill Creeden and his wife, former faculty member Debbie Creeden. They are looking forward to a visit from Bill and Debbie in Florida this spring. Jock, one of the first 7th graders at Severn when it was still a boarding school, has many funny stories about his Severn days. The Hopkins are a 3-generation Severn family.

1965

Sandy Clark wrote in from Vero Beach, FL: “I wanted to share a photo of 4 septuagenarians from the Class of ‘65 who met in Annapolis for lunch on September 16, 2022. Seated from left to right (see photo below) we are Steve Clagett, Sandy Clark, Dick Bennett, and Charlie Goodell. As we were all on the 1965 MSA Championship Lacrosse team, one might speculate that we were discussing the finer moments of our crushing victory against Boys Latin, 57 years ago. It’s possible that the subject may have come up for a fleeting moment, but mostly we talked about our families, what we do in retirement, and the ever-present discussion about our collective health — which happily we report is A-OK, considering our aging baby boomer status and the 300 years among us! As a Class, the 65’ers report that Zoom enables us all to visit with each other from all corners of the country, but not as frequently as we’d like.”

1968

55th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

1972

John Norton spent the past 12 years living on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, in St. Michaels and on a farm in Trappe. He

(L–R) Doug Lagarde, Ron Engle, Robert Kesmodel, Jim Nolan, Bob Cushman, Jace Lieber, Bob Valliant, Frank Wilson Paull Phillips, Admiral

(L–R) Penny Hopkins, Jock Hopkins, and Holly Carroll

recently retired from running the Tred Avon Players, a theater company in Oxford, and now the desert is calling him. He lived in the Mojave until he was nine years-old while his father was the director of the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base. He’s looking forward to returning to the California desert soon to live in a home up in the hills among the boulders with a view of Joshua Tree National Park.

1973

50th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to join Woody Wooddell ‘73 on the Reunion Committee for your Class!

1978

45th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to join Randy Heller ‘78 on the Reunion Committee for your Class!

Randy Heller stopped by the Alumni House in February, and we had a lovely opportunity to reconnect with him! Randy spent 15 years working as an Executive for Ecolab and another 10 years as the owner

of a successful car service company in New England. He has seen the entire USA, having moved 32 times, and he’s even spent time living abroad in Italy. Semi-retired, Randy currently lives in Burke, VA and is enjoying his time as a blackjack dealer at the MGM casino. While Randy’s initial visit to Severn was for the purpose of buying a sweatshirt, he left with a little more — a new title: Class of 1978 Reunion Chair! Randy is excited to connect with his classmates for their 45th Severn Reunion on October 7, 2023. If anyone else from the Class of 1978 would like to serve as a Co-Chair with Randy for the upcoming reunion, send him an email at randy@thehellers.us. He would love to hear from you!

1982

Gina DeStefano wrote in to say: “Hi Class of ’82! I am still living in the Annapolis area with my husband, Steve Tiller, and our three children. Our oldest, Aaron Tiller ‘22, graduated from Severn School this past May and is now a fellow alum. Our twins, Milo Tiller and Vivienne Tiller, are currently in 8th grade at Severn. They are moving onto the high school this fall and will be part of the Severn’s Class of ’27. It is crazy to think about that, 2027! It would be amazing to hear from more of our class. So many were missed this past fall for the

40th Reunion. Please send some ‘notes’ to alumni@severnschool.com and let your classmates know how and where you are.”

In January 2022, five women from the Class of 1987 — Kathy (Heller) Pomer, Tracy Tischer, Mary (Sweeney) Koger, Alice (Dorsey) O’Donnell, and Lucy Osius — reconnected at the home of former Severn English teacher and trustee, Nancy Osius Zimmerman, for a luncheon filled with many laughs, fascinating conversations, powerful and personal updates.

1983

40th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

In November 2022, Severn celebrated Randi (Goldman) Silverman Stern as the 2022 Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alum for her important work in the world of youth mental health. Joining her at the Distinguished Alumni Reception at Head of School Doug Lagarde’s home were her husband Irv Stern ‘82 and many of her

(L–R) Kathy (Heller) Pomer, Nancy Osius Zimmerman, Tracy Tischer, Mary (Sweeney) Koger, Alice (Dorsey) O’Donnell, and Lucy Osius, seated in front center.

John Norton

Randy Heller

classmates, former teachers, and other Distinguished Alumni, including Dick Bennett ‘65, Bill Zimmerman ‘67, Gina DeStefano ‘82, Suzy Kennerly, Mark Carroll, Randi (Goldman) Silverman Stern, Irv Stern ‘82, Mary Anne (Koubek) Smith, Mark Goodman, Amy Zimmerman ‘82, Julian Domenech ‘84, Don Wood (former faculty), and John Bodley (current faculty). See picture above.

1987

Cathy Merrill, Caroline Morton, and Robyn Formica took a 5-day trip to Paris last fall to bike, eat, and celebrate 42 years of friendship.

In July 2022, a bunch of folks from the Class of 1987 got together to celebrate the 35 years since they graduated! Attendees included Amy Tate, Michele (Hurt) Para, Chery (Herrick) Lauer, Danny Flynn, Melissa (Weinberg) Paige, Eliza (Schmidt) Dunn, Penny (Leatherwood) Kennedy, Shannon Hodges ‘88, Pam Roberts, Carl Zimkeit, Caroline Morton, Raleigh Watson, Cathy Merrill, Jamie McNealey, and Drew Burns ‘88. See picture below.

1988

35th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

1991

Matt Baker wrote in from Austin, Texas: “It has been a busy 2022–23 helping my daughter Liberty explore colleges. Sadly, schools in the Maryland area are not in the running with the majority of the candidate schools in New England. I celebrated my 18 th year at Dell Technologies this January, and 18 months ago was placed in charge of Corporate Strategy overall after leading strategy for the Datacenter side of Dell’s business for many years. We enjoyed a week sailing in the BVIs along with my cousin Dan and his family over Christmas and celebrated Liberty’s 18 th birthday on Christmas Day.

We will be visiting NYC in early March where Liberty and her choral group will be performing at Carnegie Hall.”

On April 6, 2023, Severn welcomed Andy Dehart back to campus as our 2023 David Astle Memorial Lecture Speaker. Andy’s lecture was titled: “Live Every Week Like It’s Shark Week.” Stay tuned for more details and pictures from this event in our next issue of the Bridge.

Lecture Series into the future. The event was well attended by numerous classmates and faculty members, including: Marc Morlock ‘91, Zach Wade, Emily (Franey) Flanagan ‘94, Chris Hopkinson, Jimmy Dodson, Adam Williams, Duncan Slidell, Larry Hooper, Beth (Snow) Macmullan, Tim Donegan ‘91, Kelly Burrows ‘90, Christy Wade ‘93, Graydon Ripley, Randy Morse, and Doug Lagarde. See picture above.

On January 26, 2023, Zach Wade was inducted into the Chesapeake Chapter of USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame. He and his brother Ryan Wade ‘90 were featured in a Capital Gazette newspaper article titled: “Zach Wade joins older brother in Chesapeake Chapter of USA Lacrosse Hall of Fame.” Congrats to Zach and Ryan on their athletic achievements!

1993

30th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

1997

This year is Molly Arey’s 21st year as a Certified Athletic Trainer, 22nd as a teacher, and 17th at Holly Springs High School in North Carolina. She does a lot of work as an Athletic Trainer for USA Baseball and the Wake FC and NCFC soccer clubs. If you ever come her way for a tournament, please let her

1992

On October 7, 2022, Severn hosted a David Astle Memorial Endowment Fundraiser, a special celebration to remember David’s legacy 25 years after his passing, to celebrate the Class of 1992’s 30th Reunion, and to raise funds to support the continuation of the Astle

know! She lives with her two dogs in Fuquay Varina, North Carolina. When not working or hanging out with her pups, she loves to travel and visit local breweries and wineries. Her most recent trip was to Alaska, where she walked on a glacier, went dog sledding,

(L–R) Lari, Liberty, and Matt Baker

Zach Wade playing lacrosse for UNC Chapel Hill. (Photo credit to Capital Gazette newspaper.)

Andy Dehart

walked with reindeer, and was successful in seeing the aurora borealis! See pictures opposite page, bottom right.

Dr. Colleen (Cassidy) Bastian, her husband Bruce, and their two kids Gracie (13) and Brendan (9) are excited to move back to Annapolis, MD this summer. Colleen is the principal of Invoke Leadership where she partners with business leaders and teams as an executive coach/leadership consultant. Feel free to drop Colleen a line at colleen@invokeleadership.com.

Court Creeden, his wife Natalie, and their 2 year old twins Hazel and Cove, live in Charleston, South Carolina. He is a Partner with The Melvin Group, where he specializes in life insurance planning for high net worth families.

1998

25th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

2000

There is a new alumni-written book on the market! Under 40: An Identity Journey Still Being Written chronicles the life narrative of Nathan Irving and demonstrates the value and power of faith amidst adversity and uncertainty. This autobiography is just the first of many more books to come from

newly ordained minister (as of March 4, 2023), Reverend Nathan J. Irving!

Jeff McMahon and Autumn welcomed their 3rd daughter Mickie on October 15, 2022. Mickey joins older sisters Cynthia (2) & Alice (4).

(L–R) Brendan, Colleen, Bruce, and Gracie Bastian

(L–R) Natalie, Hazel, Cove, and Court Creeden

Jeff McMahon and Family

Nathan Irving

2001

Kudos to Tara (Bourdelaise) Hantske on her new business venture! Tara has been health coaching on the side for nearly 12 years, and in the spring of 2021, she rebranded and launched her new website www.tarahantske.com. Her one-on-one coaching is highly individualized, identity-based, and grounded in a holistic approach to helping women create a sustainable, healthy lifestyle they love.

Tom Simmons was recently named to the Rising Stars list of the state’s top attorneys, as reported in the Severna Park Voice in January 2023. Rising Stars candidates are lawyers who are 40 years old or younger or have practiced law for 10 years or less. Congratulations on this professional achievement, Tom!

2002

Congratulations to Hannah Freymeyer on the birth of her third son! Born in September 2022, Zachary Daniel Miller completed Hannah’s family! See picture at right.

Congratulations to Adam Jones and his wife Angela on the arrival of their first child, Winston Rowan Jones, on April 27, 2022. Adam writes, “It’s been incredible watching him grow up and learn new things every day.” As proof that Admirals are everywhere, Adam told us that the very last person he saw before jumping on the subway to get to the hospital for Winston’s

birth was Brian Tichenor ‘03, whom he serendipitously ran into on the street near his office. Turns out, he also ran into classmates Ryan Blaszczak and Kate Fitzgerald after running the Annapolis 10 Miler last August 2022!

2003

20th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

Sam Bennett, Laura Boyd, and Julia Deckman had a South Carolina mini-reunion last summer, when Sam took a road trip and put a stop in Charleston on his journey! The three of them met up for dinner and again at Julia’s studio to catch up and reminisce on their banner painting days at Severn!

(L–R) Laura Boyd, Julia Deckman, Sam Bennett

Adam Jones, Ryan Blaszczak, and Kate Fitzgerald

Schuyler Sutton and husband Danny welcomed Ivy Dale Gavula on July 6, 2022. She joined big brother Oliver Gavula ‘35, sister Lola Gavula ‘37, and brother Richie. Schuyler hopes Ivy will be a little Admiral one day like her big brother and sister!

2004

Congratulations to Ryan Brassel for starting a new position as Principal at Rosso Commercial Real Estate Services.

Emily Mason and Mattie Larkin ‘01 were married on October 7, 2022 at King Family Vineyards in Crozet, Virgina. They had a Friday evening wedding, with a night of dinner and dancing, and then a whole day event Saturday at a cider brewery in Charlottesville. They had so much fun celebrating with their Severn friends and family, including Dave Roahen ‘01, Ben Pfinsgraff ‘02, Drew Habeck ‘01, Brittney Bjornerud ‘03, Keri (Houser) Bourdelaise ‘06, Chase Bourdelaise, Dana

Three cheers for another alumni author! Kate Myers’s debut novel, Excavations, is coming out on July 4, 2023 with HarperCollins. In this laugh out loud hilarious novel set over a summer in sun-drenched Greece, four incompatible women digging into the past may just find the answers to their futures! You can pre-order now so you have Excavations in time for your summer beach read!

Congratulations to Dana (Rashidi) Schieffer and husband Greg, who welcomed Baby Margo in May 2022. Margo joins older sister Clare (4.5)! See picture above.

(Hock) Houser ‘76, Mike Houser ‘73, Clayton & Lisa McCarl, Jon Brassel, and — of course — all the Larkins (Andrew ‘99, Nick ‘03, Tyler ‘03, and Abby ‘06).

(L–R) Oliver, Lola, Schuyler, Ivy, Richie in front

Mattie Larkin ’01 and Emily Mason

Congratulations to Davis Yake and his wife, who welcomed Theodore Lincoln Yake on December 20, 2022. Theodore weighed in at 9 lb 0 oz and measured 22.5” long. Big sisters Charlie (5) and Maddie (5) are head over heels!

2005

Jamal Jones, his fiancee Shannon Crowner, and their dog Kobe made a cross-country road trip to Oregon last summer with stops to Yellowstone, the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and more! Jamal started with Nike in May 2022 and moved to Portland in July 2022 to work at the Nike World Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon. His role is in Communications for the North America Consumer and Marketplace team.

2006

Congratulations to Mia Hencinski and her husband Sam Stender who welcomed Baby Stephen Eugene Stender on November 14, 2022. Baby Stephen joins big sister Irene Rosemary Ruth Stender (2) and the family’s two corgis, Corgnelia “Neely” and Corgaline “Cora”! Sam and Mia met in the Marine Corps. He’s now a corporate attorney at Gibson Dunn LLP in Manhattan, and Mia is in Business Development at Palantir Technologies, while also serving as a Marine Reservist and getting her MBA at Columbia.

Congratulations to Kelly (Hays) Kuethe and Sam Kuethe on the arrival of their second child Benjamin in June 2022. Benjamin joins big sister Lily (4)!

Stephen Eugene Stender

In March 2022, several ‘06 friends and parents celebrated with Kate McLain at her wedding to Brian Johnson at the Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota, Florida. Kate and Brian are excited to move to Portland, Oregon in the spring of 2023!

In 2020, Eddie Weber reignited his passion for fishing and the Severn River and created his brand the Severn River Angler. He has grown the brand to help promote the Severn River and bring pride to living and fishing on the Severn. He hopes the brand helps develop the fishing community around the Severn River. Check out his Instagram page @Severn.River.Angler and @SRA_Apparel.

Jamie Woodell joined his father Dr. James “Woody” Wooddell ‘73 at the Wooddell and Passaro Dental Group as a practicing dentist. He graduated from UMD Dental School in 2020.

2008

15th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

Zachary Lank is living in New York City with his wife Victoria, whom he married in April of 2022. In June of that year, he had his first solo show “The New Doctrine” at Hawk and Hive Gallery. He has been awarded the Chubb Fellowship position at the New York Academy of Art for 2022–23 and a grant from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, all of which are helping him to pursue his career in painting. Currently he is working on a new body of work for shows scheduled in Hong Kong, Seoul, and New York in the coming year, as well as a large scale mural for the restoration of the Andes Hotel in Andes, New York. He and Victoria both work for LVMH and enjoy unwinding after a long day in the city watching old episodes of the X-Files

Michele Manis married John McGovern III in October 2017 and live locally in Rugby Hall. They have two children, Gia (3) and John IV (1.5). Michele is the Head of IT Service for North America at Flywheel Digital, an e-commerce company based out of Baltimore. She hails from a family full of Admirals including her mom Stacey (Hendricks) Manis ‘81, her brother George Nicholas Manis ‘12, her brother-in-Law

Kyle McGovern ‘10, and her cousins Jessica Adam ‘04, Anastasia (Adam) Begin ‘06, and Elizabeth Adam ‘09. Go Admirals!

2009

Gabe Corder and Leah Cranmer Corder ‘10 reside in Towson, Maryland with their two boys, Finley (3) and Cooper (7 months). Gabe made a career change from sports physical therapist into medical device sales, and Leah is an orthopedic Physician Assistant.

(L–R) Dr. Woody Wooddell Sr, Dr. Jamie Wooddell and Dr. Joe Passaro.

Gia and John IV Manis

Toi Garcia lives in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently working in sales at Warner Brothers Discovery. She also broadcasts for the SEC Network — her niche is gymnastics.

to our seniors about life after Severn. Stay tuned for more details on her visit in our next issue of the Bridge magazine!

Alli Lank is living in New York working at a film/tv production company called Watch This Ready where she helps oversee the development and production side of filmmaking. Looking ahead, she is working on 20+ different projects of various genres and scope. She recently produced a short film that will premiere in festivals this spring. In October, she is getting married to a classmate from the University of Virginia.

2010

Congratulations to Lexi (Schaeffer) Prevoznik and her husband Chris on the arrival of their first child, a little boy named George, on November 10, 2022. George was born at Luminis Health right here in Annapolis!

Ben Stringfellow has been living in the Los Angeles area since graduating from Elon University in 2015. At Elon, he met his future wife Jenny. They decided to move to LA together to pursue working in the entertainment industry, and they got married in 2017. Jenny works in casting for reality TV shows; Ben is an Assistant Editor in feature films. He worked on the new movie Avatar: The Way of Water, which was released in December 2022, and he has two more films coming out soon!

2012

In 2022, Kathryn (Wilbur) Brothers and her husband Ryan celebrated 5 years of marriage and welcomed a baby girl, Ava! They are enjoying their new life as parents in Tampa, Florida!

2011

Torey Cole is a stand up comedian and writer in New York City. She performs weekly at comedy clubs in the city and is on tour with fellow comedian Troy Bond. She came to Severn on April 12, 2022 to talk

Ben Stringfellow and Jenny

Congratulations to Sarah (Treanor) Cahalane and her husband Ryan who got married last July 2022 in Woodstock, Vermont. They recently moved from New York City to Norwalk, Connecticut.

In July 2022, Kaitlin Creamer successfully defended her doctoral dissertation and earned a Ph.D. from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego. While Kaitlin’s dissertation focused on efforts to culture new marine bacteria, sequence their genomes, and study the evolution of the natural product chemicals that they produce (i.e. drug discovery from the sea!), her Ph.D. journey included other adventures including collecting sediment, animal, and rock samples on a deep-sea research cruise. Kaitlin is now a postdoctoral scholar at the University of California Berkeley & the Innovative Genomics Institute using metagenomics to study microbes important for carbon sequestration processes.

Congratulations to Allie Foard, who married Nathan Lewnes at the Chesapeake Bay Beach Club on September 10, 2022. Their wedding party consisted of various Severn alumni, including Drew Foard ‘10, Nick Manis, Beth Willertz, and Mackenzie (Carroll) Kirkup ‘10. Allie and Nate Lewnes reside in Dallas, Texas, where they work and coach high school / club lacrosse teams.

Kaya Gordon is in the process of developing the Flatform brand, which includes a Studio School and the Flatform Agency, a full-service creative agency whose mission is to curate spaces for minority creators. For the Studio School, Kaya is excited to be working with artists to develop semester-long virtual and in-person courses, and for the Agency, Kaya is currently working with artist Derrick Adams, who was awarded a $1.25 million grant to bring creative initiatives to Baltimore. The future is bright for Kaya and Flatform — she sees amazing opportunities ahead!

Maggie Johnson and Sander Beck ‘08 are engaged! They met in 2018 in Baltimore and found they had Severn in common!! On their first date, they discovered that their brothers Robert Beck ‘07 and Woody

Johnson ‘07 were classmates! They are planning to get married on September 23, 2023 and are very excited! They live in Baltimore and have a black lab named Callie.

Grace (Rudder) Marland and her husband Danny welcomed a baby boy, Liam, on October 1, 2022. They live in Federal Hill, Baltimore and are loving the new parent life!

Sander Beck and Maggie Johnson

2013

10th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

2015

Ally Veit is excited to begin classes at Belmont University in Nashville this summer as a candidate in their Professional MBA program. She is looking forward to beginning this new journey as she continues her current one with Oracle’s Consulting Business.

2016

Right after Alayah Hightower graduated with her Chemical Engineering Degree from Howard University, she went right into the MBA program there! She finished her MBA with a concentration in Supply

Chain Management. Alayah told us that getting her MBA right after she finished her undergraduate degree was the best decision she could have made for her education and career. She will be starting as a Consultant at Deloitte in the Fall of 2023.

Cece Lasley recently completed her Masters in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Cultural Heritage Informatics at Simmons University. She is now working as an Instruction and Student Success Librarian at Washington & Jefferson College outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

2017

Sarah Cumm is in her second year as a Master of Urban Planning student at Texas A&M University, focusing on increasing sustainability and building resilience in rural and disadvantaged communities. Her goal is to help these communities overcome social, environmental, and economic stressors that they are not currently equipped to handle.

Gabby Donato is in her 4th semester of a 5-semester Masters of Nursing program at Johns Hopkins. She has had 7 clinical rotations at different hospitals around

Ally Veit

Baltimore, each on a different type of unit within the hospital. She has gained a ton of hands-on patient care experience and knowledge during her time on these various units. Her favorite clinical rotation has been her psychology rotation, and she is really hoping to work on a neuro unit after she graduates!

Haley Kerridge is currently working in sustainability and clean energy communications in Washington, DC.

After playing Division 1 rugby for West Point, winning the national championship last May, being named MVP and a first team All American, KoiKoi (Darby) Nelligan was grateful that the US Army allowed him to delay his service to continue to pursue his rugby career. He played on the US Falcons national team in the Netherlands and Uruguay last summer and fall and is thrilled to be playing professionally this spring with DC Old Glory.

After graduation from Severn, Isabella Roccograndi completed her Masters in Marketing and Data Analytics from the University of Maryland in 2022 and was busy working for the Baltimore Ravens in Events Marketing and Tours of M&T Bank Stadium. Isabella recently moved to Nashville, TN and is interested in connecting with other Admirals locally.

2018

5th Reunion — Save the Date: 10.07.23

Please contact Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com if you’d like to be part of the Reunion Committee for your Class!

Congratulations to Sophie Oliver, who ran the Boston Marathon in the spring of 2022. She writes: “On the day of the race, my parents and my boyfriend Sam Williams came to watch me at miles 6, 10, and the end! Once I got to mile 21, where Boston

College is located, I saw all of my friends and immediately started to cry! I was overcome by emotions and have never felt such overwhelming support. At the end of the race, I felt so accomplished and was excited to receive my medal. It was truly one of the most incredible days!”

2022

Fiona Griesser went on a travel abroad program called Art History Abroad for 6 weeks, where she studied art, history, and architecture in multiple cities throughout Italy.

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 jobs or addresses, 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)!

Fiona Griesser at San Miniato al Monte overlooking Florence.

(L–R) Sophie Oliver and Sam Williams

IN MEMORIAM

1943 | Francis McKee Adams, Jr.

1947 | Willits Dyer Ansel

1947 | Arnold Lanni

1947 | Paul Percy “Pablo” Moore

1947 | MAJ Philip Harold Ross, Jr.

1947 | Weldon Warren Ward Jr.

1949 | John Melbourne “Jack” Jones, Jr.

1950 | CAPT Frederick Joseph Kollmorgen, USN (Ret)

1952 | CAPT George G. Clark, USNR (Ret)

1953 | James Douglas “Doug” Ripple

1953 | Dr. James Thomas “Jay” Taylor

1954 | Edward Joseph O’Neill, Jr.

1954 | William F. Omberg

1955 | Peter T. Glading

1956 | Richard Allen “Dick” Couch

1957 | James Jeffries Chapman III

1958 | James Frederick Beck

1958 | Frank Ritchie More, Jr.

1958 | Charles Ronald Nitsch

1959 | William Douglas “Doug” Davidson

1959 | Thomas Roszelle Dawson

1959 | John Wilson Leimkuhler

1960 | Claude “Chuck” Farmer

1960 | Julian Bryant White

1961 | Frederick Burch Weiss

1963 | Charles B. “Mike” Mann

1963 | Edward Brosnan Rapson, Jr.

1968 | Jay Douglas Benson

1973 | Kent Holtgrewe, Trustee

1977 | Peter Alexis Stephen Pfeiffer

1983 | Allan James “Butch” Suing, Jr.

2006 | Hans William Lutkefedder

Francis McKee Adams, Jr. ‘43

Francis McKee Adams passed away on July 23rd, 2021. After Severn, he went on to the US Naval Academy, where he graduated in the Class of 1949 and became a Naval Aviator. He started out flying F4U Corsairs and hopped through several different planes before finishing his career flying A-6 Intruders out of NAS Whidbey. After serving 20 years in the Navy, including service in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Francis retired and returned to school where he earned a master’s degree in physics. From there he went on to open the first Naval Junior ROTC program at Issaquah High School, where he also taught Math and Physics. Francis successfully established a model ROTC program that graduated students into the Naval Academy and other collegiate ROTC programs. Francis was a loving husband to his wife Ann and a loving father to his 4 children. He loved coaching, hiking, camping, skiing, playing golf, and cards, especially bridge.

Willits Dyer Ansel ‘47

Willits Dyer Ansel passed away in Brunswick, Maine on April 13, 2019. After Severn, he went on to Stanford University and graduated with a degree in political science. Will served onboard a U.S. Navy destroyer during the Korean War, later in the submarine service, and finally in the foreign service. After his years of service, Will attained a Master of Science degree and taught high school history at the Sidwell Friends School in Washington

DC. In 1970, Will transitioned from teacher to boatbuilder, settling with his family in Mystic, Connecticut, and working at Mystic Seaport Museum. During his second career, Will built approximately 50 historic small craft, wrote and illustrated five books and numerous articles, and taught boatbuilding to adults and school kids. Two of his noteworthy books are The Whaleboat: A Study of Design, Construction and Use From 1850–1970 and A Kids Book of Boatbuilding. In his free time, Will enjoyed cruising in boats he had built, oil painting, reading classical history, hiking, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Arnold Lanni ‘47

Arnold Lanni passed away peacefully at his home in Massachusetts on January 30, 2019. Arnold enlisted in the United States Coast Guard to serve his country during World War II. He was honorably discharged in May of 1946 and returned home to his family. For the next several years, Arnold moved to Maryland to continue his education at Severn School and then Hagerstown Junior College. In 1951, Arnold entered the United States Navy to serve his country during the Korean War. He served aboard the USS Tarawa and at the US Naval Receiving Station in Brooklyn, NY. Following four years of active duty, Arnold was honorably discharged in 1954. After leaving the Navy, Arnold went on to attend Boston University, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree with honors. In 1964, he earned a Master’s Degree in Education from the State College at Boston. Following college, Arnold began a long and rewarding career as a public school teacher and administrator, while always continuing his own education and commitment to serving others. Throughout his work life, he put his heart and soul into everything he did, with the goal of making this world a better place for future generations. In addition to his commitment and service to the public education, country, and community, Arnold’s other “passions” included his family, gardening, and sports.

Paul Percy “Pablo” Moore ‘47

Paul Percy “Pablo” Moore passed away peacefully at his home on January 4, 2021. Upon graduation from Severn, he attended The

Wharton School of Business at The University of Pennsylvania, where he played lacrosse and was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. After business school, Pablo became a First Lieutenant in the US Air Force and was stationed at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. After his discharge, Pablo and his wife Jane settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he started his own business, Moore Industrial Hardware, a full service distributor of industrial hardware. Work was Pablo’s hobby - he loved every day so much that he never retired, working until 3 weeks prior to his death. Pablo also loved body surfing, deep sea fishing, the Bengals, golf, car shows, spending time at his second home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and spending time with his grandson JD.

MAJ Philip Harold Ross, Jr. ‘47

Major Philip Harold Ross Jr. passed away quietly at his home in Key West, Florida, on Saturday, May 8, 2021. Phil was born in Annapolis, Maryland to Helen and Rear Admiral Philip Harold Ross Sr. Following his father’s lead into military service, Phil served his country as a Major in the Army National Guard. In his free time, Phil enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, being on the water either boating, fishing, snorkeling, or lobstering, and playing card games. Phil was a loving husband and father, as well as a mentor and friend to everyone he met.

Weldon Warren Ward Jr. ‘47

Weldon Warren Ward, Jr. passed away on August 31, 2021. Weldon received his B.S. in Engineering from the University of Maryland and was employed as an engineer and manager at Baltimore Gas and Electric for 40 years. He was an active member of Glen Burnie United Methodist Church, Arundel Vocal Arts Society, Arundel House of Hope, and the Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers. Weldon was an avid sports fan, and he enjoyed photography and hunting as well. His true passion, however, was for music, from classical to church to blue grass.

John Melbourne “Jack” Jones, Jr. ‘49

John Melbourne “Jack” Jones, Jr passed away peacefully on March 1, 2022. While a student at Severn, Jack was on the football, wrestling, and lacrosse teams. Among his accomplishments were two years as Maryland State Wrestling Champion and All State Honorable Mention in lacrosse. Upon graduation, Jack was awarded the “Athletic Award of the Class of 1923.” Jack was involved in many other school activities, taking leadership roles as Vice President of the Varsity Club and President of the Student Council. After Severn, Jack went on to the United States Naval Academy, where he excelled in lacrosse, becoming an Honorable Mention All American (1953) and First Team All American (1954) at the position of goaltender. Jack also captained Navy’s 1954 undefeated National Championship team and was awarded the “Ensign C. Markland Kelly Jr. Award” as the nation’s top collegiate goaltender. Jack graduated from the USNA in 1955 and was commissioned as Ensign in the United States Navy. During his service in the Navy, Jack served on several ships including the USS Salisbury Sound and the Ice Breaker USS Atka, attended the Naval PostGraduate School in Monterey, California, and served a tour of duty at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. Jack achieved the rank of LtCmdr. before electing to leave the service in 1965. After leaving the Navy, Jack accepted a teaching position at Severn School, where he also coached lacrosse, before becoming the Director of Data Processing at the U.S. Naval

Academy where he would work until retirement. While working at the Naval Academy, Jack was an assistant coach on Navy’s lacrosse team from 1966 until 1982. In retirement, Jack was involved in coaching youth lacrosse and spent several years as President of the Severn School Alumni Association. In 1987, Jack was inducted into Severn’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

CAPT Frederick Joseph Kollmorgen ‘50, USN (Ret)

CAPT Frederick Joseph Kollmorgen, USN (Ret) died on May 24, 2022. After Severn, Frederick went on to the US Naval Academy, where he graduated in 1954. Frederick served on 1 destroyer and 5 submarines, had shore duty tours in Hawaii, Virginia, and Washington, DC, and finished his naval career as Planning Officer at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. His service awards include the Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal. Following his retirement from the Navy, he worked for the Essex Corporation and then General Dynamics at their Portsmouth office. Frederick was active in the Exeter Rotary Club, was a communicant of Christ Episcopal Church, and a member of the choir for 25 years. He was a long time member of the Exeter Historic District Commission, the Society for the Protection of the New Hampshire Forests, and as a volunteer tax return preparer for the AARP Tax Aide program. Fred and his family enjoyed many summers at their cottage on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, NH. He particularly liked racing his Pearson Ensign sloop on the lake.

Severn was always near and dear to his heart, and according to his wife Diane, he reminisced about his days at Severn School often.

CAPT George G. Clark ‘52, USNR (Ret)

CAPT George G. Clark, USNR (Ret) passed away on Sunday, October 2nd, 2022. Upon graduation from Severn, George entered the Naval Academy and graduated in 1956. He went on to Pensacola for a flight training program and received his wings in 1957. George deployed to Vietnam aboard the USS Enterprise and flew 72 missions over North Vietnam. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and three air medals. In 1968, he deployed to the Mediterranean aboard the Independence. In 1969, he resigned from active duty and entered the Navy Reserves. He was assigned to Millington, Tennessee to fly the A4D aircraft. This tour ended in 1972. George continued in the reserves at a unit in Louisville, Kentucky, was promoted to the rank of Captain, and retired in 1982. As a civilian, George became a program consultant for the Department of Education, Division of Pupil Transportation in the state of Kentucky, where he was responsible for school bus design and training school bus drivers. He retired in 1995 and spent his free time building and flying aircraft models.

Dr. James Thomas “Jay” Taylor ‘53

Dr. James Thomas “Jay” Taylor passed away April 14, 2022. After Severn, Jay went on to the US Naval Academy and then the University of Texas, where he earned both his Masters and PhD degrees. Jay served in the U.S. Navy for 13 years. He was also employed by the V. A. in Washington, DC and Newport News Shipbuilding as an Instructor.

Edward Joseph O’Neill, Jr. ‘54

Edward Joseph O’Neill, Jr. passed away in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 1, 2022. After Edward graduated from Severn, he went on to the United States Naval Academy, where he graduated with the 18th Company of the Class of 1959. After 10 years of active duty and reaching the rank of lieutenant, he left the Navy to work for the

federal government. Ed was a respected leader in the US Army Corps of Engineers, where he helped oversee the nation’s waterway projects, submitted annual testimony for the US Congress, and was known for his unrelenting command of details and wry, sarcastic wit. When he retired as Chief of the Western Division, he had received numerous prestigious honors and awards, including presidential accolades. Ed, his wife Marina Joy Blount, and their 4 children made their home in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC and the San Francisco Bay Area. They enjoyed vacations along the North Carolina shoreline and trips into the Blue Ridge Mountains. He loved history, reading, gemology, cribbage, and spending time with his grandchildren.

William F. Omberg ‘54

William F. Omberg passed away on January 18, 2023, in Richmond VA, surrounded by his wife of 62 years and his 6 children. After graduating from Severn, William attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School and then the US Naval Academy, graduating in 1958. His first tour was on a destroyer in San Diego, where he obtained OOD and EOOW qualifications, and met his wife PAtricia Holmes. He then proceeded to Submarine School and eventually the Submarine Squadron in Key West, Florida. Willam served 20 years in the Navy and retired in 1978 as a Lieutenant Commander. After Naval Retirement he was a program manager with a contractor involved in military security systems. Two of his children followed in William’s footsteps, serving in the military in the 1980s.

Peter T. Glading ‘55

Peter T. Glading passed away on March 28, 2022. Peter always had fond memories of his years at Severn. He played Varsity Football for Mr. Lindsay, Varsity Lacrosse for Mr. Kesmodel, and took Geometry from Mr. Halstead, all of whom made lasting life impressions! Peter also felt deep gratitude for the fine education he got at Severn, recalling Mr. Teel “as my image of a wonderful and intelligent person, who made a huge difference in my life.”

James Jeffries Chapman III ‘57

James Jeffries Chapman III passed away May 17, 2017. Jay attended Severn for one year as a postgraduate student. He received his Masters Degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia. Jay accepted a teaching job at MSU in the 1970s. Natural beauty, open space, and close friends kept him in Montana for the remainder of his life. As an architect, he worked on many projects in the Bozeman area. Jay was a talented artist and draftsman. In addition, he enjoyed photographing landscapes and architecture throughout Montana. He had a great appreciation for classical music and all things beautiful.

James Frederick Beck ‘58

James Frederick Beck passed away on Monday, September 21, 2020. After Severn, James went on to the University of Maryland, where he graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering. He began his professional career with DuPont in Belle, West Virginia. He later went into sales of Industrial Instrumentation and retired from McJunkin Corporation. Jay was a past member of Parkersburg Rotary Club, Paul Harris Fellows, and 69rs Investment Club. After retiring, Jim volunteered with Habitat of Humanity and donated his time, talent, and sense of humor to renovate and built projects for many area nonprofits with the “Wood Peckers” group led by Jim Crews.

Frank Ritchie More, Jr. ‘58

Frank Ritchie More, Jr. died November 7, 2021. Jay attended Severn for one year as a postgraduate student. He received his undergraduate degree from Elon College (now Elon University) and his Master’s Degree in Education from UNC-Chapel Hill. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, where he served as a Hospital Corpsman at Great Lakes Naval Hospital in Great Lakes, Illinois. As a resident of High Point, North Carolina most of his life, Dick was active in many areas of the community. He was a realtor for 30 years and “Realtor of the Year” in 1982, Youth Director of the YMCA, and Supervisor of Physical Education for the High Point City Schools. He was also a member of the High Point Board of Realtors, the High Point Y’s Men’s Club, and the Colonial Country Club and served on the board of directors for the High Point Board of Realtors, High Point Multiple Listing Services, and High Point Girls Athletic Association.

William Douglas “Doug” Davidson ‘59

William Douglas “Doug” Davidson died on Monday, April 25, 2022 at his Spring Island, South Carolina home. After Severn, Doug attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduated in 1963, and served in the U.S. Marine Corps until 1968. Included among his numerous service awards are the Bronze Star Medal and his posting as a social aide to President Lyndon B. Johnson. Following his Marine Corps service, Doug joined Morgan Stanley

(then Reynolds Securities) as a financial advisor. His service to Morgan Stanley spanned 53 years; he was a Senior Vice President and Chairman of the Morgan Stanley Political Action Committee before his retirement. Doug loved surfing and fly fishing, but without a doubt his greatest passion was sailing - and later in life, motoring - around the Chesapeake Bay with friends, family, and his loyal dog Bravo. Doug was involved in numerous charities in the greater Washington area and donated his services to USNA, Blessed Sacrament, Mater Dei School, Gonzaga High School, and UVA. Doug was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, Sons of the American Revolution, Columbia Country Club, Annapolis Yacht Club, and the Spring Island Club.

Thomas Roszelle Dawson ‘59

Thomas Roszelle Dawson passed away on September 6, 2020.While a student at Severn, Thomas played football and was editor of the Anchor newspaper. In his adult life, he was a fine art dealer (Dawson Gallery), lawyer, Peace Corps volunteer, Russian prisoner, Mitchell Gallery volunteer, and local TV host of Capital Profiles

John Wilson Leimkuhler ‘59

John Wilson Leimkuhler passed away on March 14, 2022. John, or “Limey,” was very active in his five years at Severn. He played football and lacrosse, as well as worked on the Navigator and the Anchor. After Severn, he went on to Cornell University. One of his classmates wrote that John was “the glue that kept the local Severn guys up to date on what each of us was doing.” John was instrumental in organizing the Class of 1959 Reunion Gift - a beautiful teak bench in honor of their believed teacher, coach, and mentor G. Parker Lindsay.

Claude “Chuck” Farmer ‘60

Claude “Chuck” Farmer passed away on Aug 22, 2022. He was a oneyear boarding student at Severn in 1959–1960. Upon graduation, he went on to the University of South Carolina and then the Navy after college graduation. Chuck was a Vietnam Veteran. He and his wife

Laura lived in Fernandina Beach, Florida, and given good weather, they could see shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral from their house.

Frederick Burch Weiss ‘61

Frederick Burch Weiss passed away on July 16, 2022. As a Severn boarding student, Fred spent his afternoons playing on the football and lacrosse teams. He continued his love of sports at Washington College, where he played lacrosse and soccer. Fred was inducted into the Athletic Halls of Fame at both Severn School and Washington College. Fred and his wife Alta lived in Ocean Pines, Maryland for most of their adult lives. Fred was a charter member of the Ocean Pines Volunteer Fire Department, and he enjoyed water skiing, fishing, boating, and riding his motorcycle. Fred retired from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (DLLR) in 1993 so he could spend more time being a “snow ski bum” and summer boater. He and Alta were initial members of the Salisbury Ski Club of Delmarva and were trip leaders for New England ski trips for over 20 years. They skied all over the northeast, the west, and even in Europe.

Charles B. “Mike” Mann ‘63

Charles B. “Mike” Mann passed away on January 11, 2022 in his home on Kent Island, Maryland. After Severn, Mike received his bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Maryland. Among his interests were his much-loved dogs & cats, Sci-Fi movies, Formula One Racing, the stock market, and the history & mechanics of firearms. He was considered by many as a firearms expert, both when he worked in that field and for years afterwards.

Edward Brosnan Rapson, Jr. ‘63

Edward Brosnan Rapson passed away peacefully on November 21, 2022. Ed was a postgraduate student at Severn who had very fond memories of his one year on campus, writing in to say, “How lucky I was to have received my preparatory education at Severn. It wasn’t a lengthy period, but a memorable one in so many ways.” After Severn,

Ed went on to St. Gregory’s College in Oklahoma and Oklahoma University. He worked as a computer operator at Niagara Mohawk for 35 years. He enjoyed attending Indy car races, driving his Corvette, traveling, and spending winters in Florida.

Jay Douglas Benson ‘68

Jay Douglas Benson ‘68 passed away on June 5, 2020. Jay made his career working in the Photo Department at the Lincoln Journal Star for 40 years. Jay enjoyed spending time with his wife Norma and his two daughters, traveling, camping, coaching his daughters’ soccer teams, working in his yard, and tinkering around the house. He had a knack for winning contests which varied from baseball tickets to a trip to the Bahamas. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was quick with cheesy dad jokes.

Kent Holtgrewe ‘73, Trustee

Kent Logan Holtgrewe passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2022. Among his many Severn awards and accomplishments, Kent was valedictorian of his class, the best overall scholar-athlete his senior year, and the 2018 Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alum. After Severn, Kent graduated with honors from the University of Virginia and earned his MBA at the University of Chicago. He then joined Arthur Anderson/Anderson Consulting and, as a partner, was instrumental in spinning off the consulting practice into Accenture PLC

and subsequently taking Accenture public. After retiring from Accenture, Kent worked in the Department of Justice under John Ashcroft and three other Attorneys General. Here he overcame a formidable set of obstacles to improve communication among major agencies involved with crime, drug enforcement, and terrorism. He donated the compensation he received and, even after formally retiring, continued for a number of years as an unpaid consultant. He loved playing golf, and he was elected as the Congressional Club’s Treasurer at the time of his passing. Although he accomplished so very much, Kent retained his own special brand of humanity. He preferred a smile to a frown, was quick with a joke, treated caddies with the same respect as he did captains of industry, and didn’t believe that anger solved anything. The term “one of a kind” simply does not do him justice.

Peter Alexis Stephen Pfeiffer ‘77

Peter Alexis Stephen Pfeiffer passed away on November 25th, 2022. He served as a Lieutenant in the 82nd Airborne Division. When he left active duty, he joined an Army Reserve unit and became Special Forces qualified. Peter worked as the Northeast Managing Business Development Director at RSM US LLP and volunteered many hours promoting Folds of Honor to help children of veterans. In addition, Peter was a dedicated coach for his daughter and son’s sports teams where the term “Lean Forward,” one of his favorite phrases, was born.

Peter enjoyed reading book after book, journaling, spending nights playing games and watching movies with his family, and spending time outdoors. Peter impacted the lives of so many. His character, integrity and genuine caring were a light to those who knew him.

Allan James “Butch” Suing, Jr. ‘83

Allan James “Butch” Suing passed away peacefully on May 3, 2022. After Severn, Butch attended the University of Denver and the University of Maryland. A genius mind, he was most interested in how things were built, and his career spanned from building computer networks and companies to homes, including the Suing family home where he lived his final years. Butch was first and foremost a family man; his world revolved around his wife, children, and grandchildren. Butch was an avid reader and loved to cook, fish, and attend NASCAR races and Maryland football and basketball games.

Hans William Lutkefedder ‘06

Hans William Lutkefedder, a lifelong resident of Annapolis, passed away on November 21, 2022. At Severn, Hans was a member of the Sailing Team and the Swim Team. He participated in various sailing competitions on the Chesapeake Bay and an international sailing competition in England. After Severn, he went on to Dickinson College, where he received a BS in Biology. He also received a Certificate in Business from Harvard Business School. In 2010 Hans joined Vend Natural in its beginnings in Annapolis, and after several successful years there, he became the Vice President of Operations. He, along with the teams he helped build, was instrumental in expanding their customer base in the Baltimore-Washington region and from Philadelphia to Los Angeles and Milwaukee to Dallas. Until his passing, Hans served on NAMA’s (National Automatic Merchandising Association) Millennial Advisory Board and was Chairman of NAMA’s Emerging Leaders Network. Hans enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing, sailing, and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. He also had a soft spot for animals, especially his beloved family dogs.

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 22-23 Admiral Fund Chairs — the Wilsons, the Crumps, and the Kagans — 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 22-23 Admiral Fund today!

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

Sally, Isabelle '30, Penelope '32 and Jeff Wilson

Marie, Will, Emilie '28 and Anna Crump '30

Jonathan, Skylar '23, Marni and Matt Kagan '23

Upper School students take the stage for Sing For Your Supper during 2022 Spirit Week.