The Bridge Spring 2025 Issue

Bridge the

Purpose

PICTURED ON THE COVER: Emma Patrick ‘26

Photo Credit: James Kegley

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 call us at 410.647.7700

ONLINE ACCESS: All issues of The Bridge can be found on Severn’s website for easy online reading.

©2025 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

Jon Mahan, Board of Trustees Chair

Shannon Howell, Director of Development

Kelley Wallace, Editor

Carolyn Campion, Director of Alumni Relations and Alumni Giving

Caitlin (McCleary) Horn ‘04, Alumni Association President

Designed by Contrast & Company

Sam ‘33 (foreground) and James ‘34 (background)

ANCHORED IN PURPOSE

At Severn, purpose is more than just a guiding principle—it’s the foundation upon which every Admiral navigates their unique path.

The theme for our spring issue, “Anchored in Purpose,” captures the stories, journeys, and growth mindsets that define our close-knit community. From students exploring their “why,” to faculty members driven by their personal calling, to alumni reflecting on the enduring impact of their foundation at Severn—this magazine is a celebration of what it means to discover and live a life inspired by mission and meaning.

Purpose is deeply personal, yet unmistakably universal. For some, it’s about discovering passions for the first time. For others, it’s about building on a calling that was already deeply rooted. But regardless of where one stands on this continuum, we believe purpose thrives in a community that nurtures it. Cultivating and fueling that sense of direction is, in fact, Severn School’s own purpose.

And our “why” remains steadfast. Our anchor, our mission, and our ethos of excellence and discovery are touchpoints for every Admiral who walks our halls, and will be constants for generations to come. For students, that often begins with discovery and is fortified by opportunities to explore subjects both broadly and deeply. For faculty and staff, Severn’s mission provides a foundation—an anchor, if you will—for continued growth and the pursuit of excellence in teaching, mentoring, and coaching. For alumni, purpose is a thread woven into stories of success, service, and meaningful contributions to the world.

Throughout the pages of this magazine, we celebrate what it means to be anchored in purpose. We hope this theme resonates with all of you—students, parents, faculty, alumni, and friends—as it deeply reflects the spirit of Severn. Together, we are not only anchored in purpose but also propelled forward by it, generation after generation.

The Horn Family: Kendall ‘32, Cullen ‘37, Parker ‘34, Caitlin ‘04, and Ben

Dear Severn Alumni Family,

It is hard to believe that spring is already here!

I love the spring season at Severn, a time when our two campuses are bustling with students, faculty, and parents enjoying nicer weather, spring sports, and activities in full swing. Some of my favorite spring events include the Lower School Spring Sing, Evening with the Arts, Family Fun Day, graduations, promotions, and more.

The theme of this edition of The Bridge is “Anchored in Purpose,” which is a nod to one of our school pillars: Discover What Matters. When I think back to my days as a Severn student, I am reminded of the many ways in which I was supported as I homed in on my own “why,” or purpose.

It was in my ninth-grade English class, in what was formerly known as Woods Hall, where I had a light-bulb moment and realized I had a penchant for writing. My Severn teacher helped me and my fellow classmates develop these important skills in assignment after assignment, paper after paper. I was able to continue my desire to explore writing as a creative outlet during my senior year, thanks to Dr. Baugh’s Creative Writing class. I even used pieces of work from this class in my college application essays. While I had discovered a real knack for writing, math and science were admittedly not my strong suits. Thankfully, I had the patience of teachers such as Mr. Lenham (who is now my neighbor here in Annapolis) in those courses to guide me through.

Outside of the classroom, on the sports fields I enjoyed competing athletically as a member of our girls Varsity Field Hockey team. The ultimate full-circle moment? Carolyn (Abruzzo) Campion, whom I now work alongside in the Alumni Office, was my head coach at the time. Thanks to her mentorship and coaching, I discovered a love for not only playing field hockey but also coaching it. I went on to play club hockey at the College of Charleston, and I now coach

my daughter Parker’s (Class of 2034) team. It’s so special that alumni such as myself can confidently say that even 20-plus years ago, Severn was living up to its mission statement of the present day, which is to ensure that each student is both known and valued.

My advice to our current student body is this: Lean into your Severn family throughout the course of your time here. This includes not only your fellow classmates, but also your faculty and staff, teachers, coaches, and mentors. Their cups are filled by helping you realize what fills yours. Designed to keep a ship stable in uncertain waters, an anchor can symbolize a strong commitment toward providing direction and stability in life. What helps you feel anchored in purpose? How can you make the most of your time here at 201 Water Street? What will the skills and life lessons you take from your time at Severn look like five, ten, fifteen, twenty years from now?

The anchor as a symbol carries its own unique meaning for this active-duty Navy spouse. As a proud alum and now proud parent of three Admirals (Kendall ’32, Parker ’34, and Cullen ’37), I have never been more grateful to know that we are “anchored” here and are lucky enough to call Severn home.

Go Admirals!

Best, Caitlin

Caitlin (McCleary) Horn ’04  caitlinmhorn@gmail.com

Welcome back. The first weeks of school are inevitably filled with anticipation and excitement for what will be new—classes, friends, different opportunities—and likely some nervousness, which is natural.

My guess is that you also have set goals fueled by your inner desire to improve and stretch yourself: I want to make the soccer team; I want to earn a part in the play; I want to be elected to the student council; I want to improve my math grade from last year. All of this is reasonable, and it is what makes the beginning of the year so motivating.

But the school year is long, and there will without a doubt, be events that don’t go as you’d hoped, resulting in disappointment. Now, disappointment is not a bad thing, provided you respond to disappointment with perseverance, commit to working harder, grow from the setback, and not deflect responsibility for what happened and seek blame with the age-old excuse, “That’s not fair.”

I know I’ve expressed my frustration by saying, “That’s not fair”—and certainly did so many times when I was in school like you are. Let me see a show of hands as to how many of you have said the phrase “That’s not fair” in your life. Did it help improve the situation? My guess is no. Right? I know that seeking blame for my past misfortunes did nothing to make them better for me. But I also understand the impulse to deflect responsibility and blame someone else for our disappointments. It’s a natural response but also an unhelpful response.

Here’s the hard truth about life: it’s not always going to seem fair, and frankly, there are times when life is not fair. So it’s OK to be disappointed—especially if you feel you have tried your best. However, how you respond to that disappointment will influence your actions going forward and define you as you inevitably face hardships in life. You can seek blame and consequently not grow from the situation, or you can use the opportunity to practice resilience and persevere in the face of your next challenge.

and one is the ability to know each other so that we feel valued, heard, and understood—that we matter for who we are, not what we achieve.

To be clear, I am not against achievement—in fact, go for it. I want everyone here to achieve at the highest

HEAD OF SCHOOL DOUG LAGARDE’S

how you can matter to others is found in our mission:

CONVOCATION REMARKS

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.

Resilience and perseverance are related, but they are different and often mistakenly used interchangeably. Resilience refers to our ability to recover, bounce back, and adapt after experiencing difficult events. Perseverance refers to our ability to keep going even when encountering setbacks. Resilience, therefore, is cultivated by persevering and pushing through obstacles and not giving up or skipping over them as if they never happened. Perseverance builds in you the confidence to master difficult tasks in the future. Together, resilience and perseverance form a powerful combination that can help you achieve your goals and dreams. On the other hand, blaming others for your setbacks erodes resilience.

Persevering so that you fill your reservoir of resilience is hard, but you don’t have to do it alone. Everyone around you here this morning—the Severn community— is here to help. There are crucial aspects that lie at the heart of any healthy family, school, community, or society,

level of their ability, but achievement can become toxic when we tangle up our entire sense of self and value with our accomplishments. When you feel as if you have to achieve in order to matter, you give up control of your life to someone else’s opinion, and when you give up control it can erode your ability to persevere and be resilient. No achievement is more important than mattering for who you are as a person. (Harvard Gazette interview with Jennifer Betheny Wallace—“Never Enough.”)

Why does mattering matter? Mattering is like air. When air is present, nobody notices, but when it’s absent, it’s all anybody can think about. If you feel that you matter to another person or to a community, it’s like pumping oxygen into the relationship. So, all of us have a responsibility this, and every, year. Our job is to create the conditions under which resilience and perseverance flourish in all of us. We do this by attending to others in ways that show they matter to us, and not surprisingly, the way we attend to others determines the kind of person we become. If we see people kindly, we will become kind; if we view them cruelly, we will become cruel; if we treat people with respect, we will be respected. If you feel valued by others, you can add value to them— you will matter to them. The secret to

We are all works in progress that mistakenly think we are finished. It takes courage to admit this and to know and value both ourselves and those around us. Courage leaves room for improvement. So, as you go through this year and find yourself face to face with disappointment, and you think, “That’s not fair,” don’t seek to blame. Instead, take control and summon the courage to improve and persevere. Why? Because you matter here, and it’s not because you made a team, earned a part in the play, were elected to student council, did well or didn’t do well on a math test. Instead, you matter for how you respond to disappointment, for how you treat other people, and for who you are.

With that in mind, and with your promise to me that you will not say, “That’s not fair,” regardless of the situation, we will have a successful, exciting school year.

Doug Lagarde, Head of School

Snapsh ts of Severn

Bird Is the Word!

Severn’s fourth-graders received a special visit from The Oriole Bird during their celebration of Jackie Robinson Day, honoring the bravery it takes to be a trailblazer. To prepare, students read In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson, a touching novel about a young girl who moves from China to Brooklyn, NY, and develops a deep love for the Brooklyn Dodgers and a special admiration for Jackie Robinson, #42.

Hoops for Heart

Severn Middle School hit the hardwood for the annual Hoops for Heart event, held in partnership with the American Heart Association’s American Heart Month. The program encouraged students to learn about heart health, the importance of regular exercise, and making positive lifestyle choices. Pink and red spirit wear were highly encouraged and sixth-graders Natalie Maloney, Ryann Hanley, Molly Chisholm, Emily Steele, and Ashton Hermanstorfer clearly understood the assignment.

A Hole-in-One Experience

The Class of 2030 teed up a memorable tradition on the green, marking the start of the 2024–25 school year with their annual seventh-grade mini-golf social. It was another wildly successful “hole-in-one” experience! Pictured here: Seventh-graders Roarke Robinson, Benny Pessagno, Nolan Sarina, Bennett Cuniff, and Carter Clurman.

Last First Day

Severn’s seniors made the most of their “last first day” as Admirals, kicking off the school year in true Severn style. The morning was full of photo props, games, music, laughter, and maybe even a tear or two as they celebrated this bittersweet milestone. Pictured here: Seniors Riley Horrigan and Grace Frankl smile for the camera on their last first day.

Kings of the Court

Jacob Randall ’25 and Ben Hilburn ’25 had some fun during Media Day for the Boys Varsity Basketball team. While this snap was from preseason, the squad lived up to the hype. They were crowned champs once again after defeating St. Paul’s in the B-Conference Championship.

Hot Chocolate and Holiday Jams

The final day of school before Winter Break overflows with cheer. Arriving students and faculty are welcomed with a hot chocolate station and a lively holiday concert in the Rotunda. Naturally, holiday sweaters are the uniform of the day. Connor Gattie ’27 and Andrew Otero, US Math Teacher and Senior Grade Dean, were in the spirit, sharing a laugh during the morning festivities.

Little Admirals Bring Big Spirit

Students from the Lower School had a big role to fill when they were asked to form a cheer line for the Varsity Football team. The young Admirals met the moment with energetic high-fives, bright smiles, and enthusiastic applause. Pictured here: Liv ‘35 joins other LS students in the Cheer Line.

For the LOVE of Teaching

Severn’s foreign language educators, Kelly Turcik (MS) and Diana Doroteo (LS), proudly represented Severn at the ACTFL World Language Conference in Philadelphia this past fall. They attended engaging workshops, participated in discussions on leveraging AI software, and networked with other language teachers. They captured this moment to showcase their LOVE of teaching foreign languages and enthusiasm representing Severn and students across the divisions.

ADMIRAL ACHIEVEMENTS

Fall 2024 Highlights

It was good to be an Admiral this fall, with successful seasons for numerous teams translating to individual accolades for coaches and players alike. Most notably, Varsity Football Coach Demetrius Ballard was named MIAA Football Coach of the Year. Under Ballard’s leadership, the Admirals went 7-4 and earned a spot in the playoffs in their first season in the competitive MIAA B Conference.

Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach Mike McCarthy captured another milestone moment when he earned his 200th win with the Admirals this past fall.

On the student-athlete side, Will Cawlfield ’25 was named Athlete of the Year for B Conference Soccer. Also notable, cross country athlete Emma Patrick ’26 was named IAAM Athlete of the Week in late October, in recognition of her impressive back-to-back first-place wins in the IAAM Cross Country Championships. She was also named the 2024–25 Gatorade Player of the Year for Maryland Girls Cross Country.

Additionally, six teams earned playoff spots, where they collectively notched six postseason victories and one JV championship in Boys Soccer.

Congratulations to the fall student-athletes who earned individual honors.

Field Hockey

` Addison Lamb ’27 – IAAM All-Conference B / Honorable Mention Capital Gazette

` Annie Campion ’26 – IAAM All-Conference B / Honorable Mention Capital Gazette

` Josie Elion ’25 – IAAM All-Conference B

Football

` Jules Floyd ’26 – MIAA All-Conference B / 2nd Team All-County Capital Gazette

` Daniel Growney ’25 – MIAA All-Conference B / 2nd Team All-County Capital Gazette

` Talin Krashoc ’26 – MIAA All-Conference B

` Charlie Runco ’26 – MIAA All-Conference B / 2nd Team All-County Capital Gazette

` Lincoln Watkins ’27 – MIAA All-Conference B

Cross Country

` Emma Patrick ’26 – 2024–25 Gatorade Player of the Year for Maryland Girls Cross Country / 1st Team All-County Capital Gazette / All-Metro

Boys Soccer

` Will Cawlfield ’25 – MIAA Athlete of the Year – B Conference Soccer / MIAA All-Conference B / 1st Team All-County Capital Gazette

` Charlie Keuleman ’26 – MIAA AllConference B / 1st Team All-County Capital Gazette

` Sam Long ’26 – MIAA All-Conference B / 2nd Team All-County Capital Gazette

` Nick Melfi ’25 – MIAA All-Conference B

` Alex Tarallo ’25 – MIAA All-Conference B / Honorable Mention Capital Gazette

Girls Soccer

` Elliot Wienk ’25 – IAAM All-Conference B / 2nd Team All-County Capital Gazette

` Alaina Subong ’26 – IAAM All-Conference B / 2nd Team All-County Capital Gazette

` Madison Watson ’25 - 2nd Team All-County Capital Gazette

Emma Patrick ’26

Annie Campion ’26

Will Cawlfield ’25

Jules Floyd ’26

Winter 2024–25 Highlights

The Admirals had another fantastic winter season, notching two more conference championships, an individual championship, and setting new school records. Boys Swimming earned another MIAA B Conference Championship, making them back-to-back champs. They captured gold in six total relay races on their way to the top of the podium. Boys Varsity Basketball also defended its title, earning back-to-back B Conference Championships for the first time in program history. Jacob Randall ’25 was named MVP of the championship game. Head Coach Mike Glasby was once again named MIAA Basketball Coach of the Year.

In Girls Swimming, Kenzie Getz ’25 placed first in both of her individual events at the IAAM Championships. She broke her own school record in the 100 Free with a 53.95 finish.

Standout Severn wrestler Nick Melfi ’25 won the combined A and B Class MIAA Championship for the 144 lb weight class. Melfi is only the third Severn wrestler to ever do so. Melfi also took second place at the MIAA State Individual Tournament, again qualifying him to compete in the National Prep Championships, where he finished eighth. This impressive finish makes him a two-time All-American. In recognition, Melfi was again named MIAA B-Conference Wrestling Athlete of the Year

Dom Montgomery ’27 finished in sixth place in the 132 lb weight class and Talin Krashoc ’26 finished fifth in the 190 lb weight class. Severn Wrestling also won the William Phiel Sportsmanship Award.

Congratulations to the winter student-athletes who earned individual honors. (Due to deadlines, this list may not include all of the winter athlete honors.)

Girls Swimming

` Kenzie Getz ’25 – IAAM All-Conference B

Boys Swimming

` Court Barrett ’26 – MIAA All-Conference B

` Harlan Erskine ’25 – MIAA All-Conference B

` Rhett Walker ’27 – MIAA All-Conference B

` Nate Michalski ’28 – MIAA All-Conference B

` Callum Olenec ’26 – MIAA All-Conference B

` Gavin Monaldo ’28 – MIAA All-Conference B

` Cooper Hamilton ’25 – MIAA All-Conference B

Girls Basketball

` Amyah Heyliger ’27 – IAAM All-Conference B / 1st Team All County Capital Gazette

Boys Basketball

` Jacob Randall ’25 – MIAA All-Conference B / MIAA Championship Game MVP

` Daniel Growney ’25 – MIAA All-Conference B

` Sean Harvey ’26 – MIAA All-Conference B

Wrestling

` Nick Melfi ’25 - MIAA Wrestling Athlete of the Year / MIAA All-Conference B

` Talin Krashoc ‘26 - MIAA All-Conference B

Kenzie Getz ’25

Nick Melfi ’25

Jacob Randall ’25

Amyah Heyliger ’27

Boys Basketball

SPIRIT WEEK DELIVERS

BIG FUN

Spirit Week is one of the best weeks of the year in the Upper School, and the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity that students brought in 2024 did not disappoint.

The weeklong affair kicked off with food, fun, and games at the Fresh/Soph Picnic. That was followed immediately by the annual showdown between the junior and senior girls in flag football. From Music Monday to Teen Beach Tuesday, Wild West Wednesday, Throwback Thursday, and culminating in Class Colors Day on Friday, students went all out showcasing their school spirit day after day.

The freshman girls, cheered on by Freshman Class Dean Apryl Doyle, compete in the Tug of War contest against the sophomores.

L-R: Keagan Coker ‘28, Nick Handy ‘28, and Hunter Ball ‘28 on Teen Beach Tuesday

Friday is the exciting culmination of Spirit Week, starting with the hallway reveal by each class and carrying through to everyone’s favorites, Sing for Your Supper and Tug of War. The clever SFYS performances once again delivered, highlighting a wide variety of talents within each class. In the end though, it was the “Super Bowl Seniors” who stole the show with game-themed routines and matching tailgate-

Sophia English ‘26, Alaina Subong ‘26, The Admiral, and Jameila Pennant ‘25 enjoy the Homecoming Day festivities.

Senior Ben Hilburn leads his classmates in song at their final Sing for Your Supper (SFYS).

Giving Back

An equally important component of Spirit Week is the food drive benefiting SPAN. Severn students rallied to contribute multiple busloads of food to the local organization, helping to keep their shelves full for a significant portion of the year.

Sam Long ‘26 helps load the Severn bus with donations to SPAN.

Seniors Ryleigh Bradley, McKenna Keefer, and Sally Reed dressed for Wild West Wednesday.

ADMIRALS CELEBRATE RECORD-BREAKING HOMECOMING

Generations of Admirals enjoyed Homecoming and Reunion Festivities on Teel Campus on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

With a record number of alumni in attendance, campus buzzed with energy and excitement. All afternoon, families, friends, faculty, and alumni cheered on our Admiral athletes, shopped for Severn gear at the Admiral Collection, toured the campus with student ambassadors, and strolled down “memory lane” at our archives display. Our littlest Admirals had a blast, too—keeping busy with the bounce house, face painting, and lawn games.

After the last game, alumni walked across the street to the Daiger House Sunset BBQ for an evening of good food, good friends, and good ol’ Severn spirit.

Class of 1984: Mike Fidgeon, Vandy Howatt, Tony Girand, Susan Meredith, Susan (Rothman) Kolko, Allison Bisbey, Susan (Tyndall) Leonard, Chris Jay, Mary (Chambers) Smith, David Phipps, Liz (Slanker) Manning

Class of 2004: Dana (Rashidi) Schieffer, Sara Benton-Dembert, Alex Fitzgerald, Regan (Bosch) Checcio

Class of 1999: Kent Phillips, Kim (Treffer) Ely, Melissa (Holland) Phillips, Laura

The Class of 1974 celebrates 50 years during halftime of the Homecoming Day football game.

(Kessman) Iverson, Carrie (Staines) Tilley, Jin Woo, Michael Baugh

Class of 1994: Eric Alexander and his wife, Elizabeth

Class of 2019: Danielle Drury, Cam Levin, Flo Pribble, Abby Tindall

Class of 1989: Alicia Braun, Mick Arnold, Lyn (Bell) Riggins, Margaret Purcell, Ann (Paglee) Bozick, Matt Graves, Charlie Herrick, Grant Davis, Caroline (Shaeffer) Walker, Vicki Gorman, Michael Hill, Jason Wells, John Foard, Jen (Singleton) Wittlinger, Marc Axelbaum

At Severn, the arts are more than just a subject—they are a dynamic component, vital to every student’s growth and development. Across all divisions, our talented arts teams continue to ignite creativity and passion, inspiring students to explore, express, and excel. From powerful vocal performances to unique visual displays, the 2024–25 school year demonstrates Severn’s depth of creativity and talent.

LOWER SCHOOL

Evening with the Arts

Severn fourth- and fifth-grade students took part in the annual Evening with the Arts in December, the culmination of the Fall Renaissance Program. Gothic-style art and clay dragons, digital presentations combining digital design and photography, self-built and programmed Lego robots, and two “Imagine a Dragon” performances in a packed Sivy Theater made this Evening with the Arts a night to remember.

Holiday Sing

Every December, Lower School students participate in one of Severn’s most heartwarming holiday traditions: the Holiday Sing. Dressed in cozy pajamas, the whole school comes together to celebrate the holiday season. Students sing, dance, and perform in an orchestra. This year, they even showed off their Spanish skills with an interactive rendition of “Ponte Tus Zapatos”—complete with studentled sound effects!

MIDDLE SCHOOL

Drama Club Presents: Peter Pan

Sixth- and seventh-graders put on a rousing rendition of the classic tale of Peter Pan for their Drama Club fall play. The dedicated cast and crew did a fantastic job bringing the whimsical story of Peter, Wendy, Captain Hook, and Neverland to life on the Price Auditorium stage. Encore, Admirals!

Winter Arts Concert

Middle School students showcased a wide range of musical talents during the annual Winter Arts Concert. Every performance group had the opportunity to take center stage, and students from strings, chorus, band, dance, a cappella, and drama treated the audience to a memorable event. Highlights from the concert included an a cappella arrangement of Bruno Mars’s “Talking to the Moon,” a dance routine choreographed to “Footloose,” and a full-band performance of songs from the hit movie Moana

UPPER SCHOOL

Fall Production: Clue

Murder! Mystery! Madcap hijinks!

Dillon Moran Musicians in Residence: Midtown

The Water Street Players’ fall production of Clue brought audience members to the foreboding Body Manor. Based on the cult classic film released in 1985, Clue embraces the story and characters of the original Parker Brothers board game and translates them for the stage. This production, full of slapstick comedy, challenged actors to up their game with crash courses in stage combat, falls, strikes, and even spit takes.

Revels Concert: A Severn Tradition

It’s a tradition like no other. For nearly five decades, the Winter Revels Concert has featured the exceptional musical talents of Severn Upper School students. This year’s concert included show-stopping performances from Treble Choir, Vocal Ensemble, Instrumental Ensemble, Breakwater, and two different Jam Bands.

Winter Production: Urinetown: The Musical

Set in a drought-ridden, nearly deserted town fraught with danger, Urinetown: The Musical tells a tale of revolution and forbidden love. Part social and political commentary, the satirical production pokes fun at itself and the genre of musical theater as a whole. Congratulations to the Water Street Players for creating this gratifying and enormously fun experience for the audience.

Midtown, the award-winning Barbershop quartet based in NYC, was in residency at Severn School on January 16 and 17 as part of the annual Dillon Moran Musicians in Residence program.

Throughout their two-day residency, Midtown conducted impactful workshops and master classes with all of Severn’s musical performance groups. The group performed for the Upper and Middle schools, held open rehearsals, and hosted a characteristically high-energy performance that was open to the community.

Rob Redei, Chair of Upper School Arts and Choral Director, called the visit “transformative.”

“Ideally, when we bring musicians in to work with our students, those students have new goals to work towards by the end of the visit,” he said. “That happened in spades this year—the student artists look at how they create sound and approach performing differently than they did just a couple of days ago.”

About the Dillon Moran Musician in Residence Program

The Dillon Moran Musicians in Residence program was created in the fall of 2012 to commemorate the passion, exuberance, and solid musicianship exemplified by Dillon Moran, Severn School Class of 2013. Dillon’s life was tragically cut short in the fall of 2011 as the result of an accident at his home.

The program invites outside musicians to spend a defined period at Severn working with students, faculty, and the entire community to inspire, create, and perform great music. The visiting musicians will share their talents with Severn students and provide a fresh approach and new ways of bringing music to life in the Severn community.

At Severn, we believe that purpose is the anchor that steadies and guides us.

“Anchored in Purpose” celebrates the countless ways our students, faculty, alumni, and the greater community discover and live out their own personal “why.” Here, support, knowledge, and inspiration come together, fortifying every Admiral’s unique path, and laying the foundation for a meaningful and impactful life.

PURPOSE

Betsy ‘34 explores new mediums in art class.

PURPOSE ANCHORED IN

IN EVERY STUDENT AND POTENTIAL Curiosity UNLOCKING

At Severn’s Lower School, the Renaissance Program empowers fourth- and fifth-graders to explore their interests and uncover hidden talents. Whether experimenting in STEM, sketching their next masterpiece, rehearsing lines for a play, or designing the school yearbook, these young minds are encouraged to discover what truly excites them. Through choice and exploration, the program plants the seeds for growth, laying a foundation for students to pursue their passions and purpose throughout their Severn experience.

“Participating in Renaissance classes promotes student growth, no doubt about it,” said Sherri Hoyt, Lower School director of instructional programs. “In every one of these classes, students learn problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. But what’s even more powerful about it is allowing kids to choose something they’re interested in and then spend time exploring it in a supported environment.”

About Renaissance

Renaissance classes run in the fall and spring and include Funtography/ Yearbook, Advanced Art, Drama, and a Science or STEM class. Once classes begin, students meet twice a week for about an hour. Renaissance classes are not graded, allowing students to branch out and stretch into different subject areas without consequences.

Renaissance classes average about 15 students per class. They combine fourth- and fifth-grade students, which is unusual in the Lower School. “Combining grade levels is so valuable because the fifth-graders learn to appreciate input from younger students, and the fourth-graders look up to the older students and want to learn from them,” said Vanessa Cranford, Lower

Liam Walklett ’31 shares his Lego Robotics project at the LS Evening with the Arts.

School administrative assistant and yearbook adviser. “The older kids begin to see themselves as role models and leaders.”

Hoyt also noted the added benefit of breaking out of their familiar roles in the classroom. For instance, this year, the lead in the spring play is a fourth-grader. “Working together in these classes lets students see each other in a different light,” she said. “Adding a different grade level to the mix shakes things up.”

At the conclusion of the twelve-week program, students share their projects. The Lower School hosts Evening with the Arts in the fall, and in the spring, it’s the Renaissance Showcase. Students proudly display artwork, science projects, and yearbook pages at these culminating events. The Drama class puts on a full theater production in conjunction with these showcases, holding multiple shows, including one for the entire Lower School.

Exercising Choice

The popular program kicks off with a choice assembly where Renaissance teachers make their pitch to students, who then select their preferences, ranking their first-, second-, and third-choice classes.

Because the elementary school curriculum is mainly standardized, letting students self-select something they’re interested in is unique. With two semesters of Renaissance offered each year, students can try four different subject areas or stick with one or two areas of interest for two years. The choice is theirs.

“Without any added pressure of earning a grade, Renaissance classes are dedicated to trying new things,” said Hoyt. “Students have a really good time in these classes because they’re fun. But they’re also getting extra time to dig into a subject they are interested in. It allows for more creative opportunities.”

Outlook-Building Outcomes

Some students’ first surprise is not getting their first-choice class. While many do, it’s not uncommon for a student to end up in a different class from what they wanted and to feel disappointed. Once Renaissance assignments are made, changes are not permitted. Due to the potential for disappointment, teachers proactively talk with students about managing this emotion, encouraging them to stay open-minded even if they don’t get the class they want.

The kids also surprise themselves. “There are kids who try something new and realize, ‘Wow, I’m really good at this,’” said Hoyt. “There’s also the flip side, where students go into a class thinking, ‘I got this,’ and then find out it’s more challenging than they expected.”

Renaissance also opens the door for students who might typically be quiet in the classroom to shine in a new setting. Teachers frequently see new leaders emerge. When this happens, said Hoyt, “it’s a huge confidence boost.”

Another benefit of the Renaissance program is that it’s easy to extend. Programming in the STEM and Art classes can be leveled up by individual or by pairs. In Lego Robotics, for example, where they generally work in pairs, one pair might work at the basic level the whole time while another pair advances several times.

Fortunée ’32 shares the work she’s done on the LS Yearbook.

The cast of Annie, Jr. performs during the Renaissance Showcase

Quinn Park ’29 and Kaia Lunde ’29, both Renaissance alums, rehearse for the 8th Grade Play

All of the Renaissance classes also have a public speaking component. Even those not performing in the drama production gain valuable experience by presenting their work during the showcase. One former Renaissance student, Quinn Park ’29, agrees that what he learned in Renaissance boosted his public speaking abilities. The experience helped when it came time to deliver his eighth-grade speech this year, each year he’s given his speech as a Student Council candidate, and when he speaks during School Meeting. Park also noted that being in the play helps him become a better photographer, which is another strong interest for him. “To get the best pictures, you need to be able to talk to people you don’t know,” he said. “It’s all about your confidence and ability to communicate.”

Final Projects

While the Renaissance classes inspire impressive personal growth, they also result in meaningful final projects. For example, the annual Lower School yearbook is entirely student-produced through Renaissance. Operating what they call “Yearbook Headquarters,” Cranford, yearbook adviser, guides students in building the 50-page book. Not only are they taking photos, conducting interviews, writing captions, and designing page layouts, but they are also learning project management skills. Cranford creates a fun “unboxing” moment with the class when the final book is delivered, tapping into the students’ excitement and pride. “Opening that box of yearbooks with the students is like nothing else,” she said with a smile.

Students who choose Advanced Art have the opportunity to experiment with a wide variety of materials and mediums, well beyond what they normally have access to in regular art classes. Typically, their projects connect in some way to the theme of the Drama production. In Lego Robotics and the STEM class, students learn design thinking as they tackle engineering challenges or design and build working robots.

“There really is some magic to Renaissance,” said Cranford. “It’s such a unique program. It lets the kids explore. It creates experiences that are different from the normal classroom routines. I find it to be a very special part of our curriculum.”

Renaissance and Beyond

Many students introduced to the stage through Renaissance continue performing in Middle School and Upper School. Here are their reflections on the value of that experience in the Lower School and how they benefit from it now.

Ben was in Aesop’s Fables in the fall as a fifth-grader. He chose Drama to overcome his stage fright—and said, “It worked!” He also wanted to see how it felt to be on stage, which, according to him, was really fun. It was so fun that this year, he auditioned for and landed the lead role in Peter Pan, the sixth- and seventh-grade play. The best advice he got in the Lower School?

“Just breathe!”

Caroline was already a dancer and loved being on stage, but acting was new for her. She learned alot, including how to overcome nerves, how to adapt on stage if you forget a line or someone else does, and how to memorize lines using Quizlet.

Caroline played the role of Grace in Annie, Jr. and Wendy in Peter Pan earlier this year. “When you go on stage, you’re not Caroline, you’re somebody else,” she said. “It also teaches you to think on the spot.”

Drama wasn’t Henry’s first choice in fifth grade—Yearbook was. “I was kind of upset about it, but I got over it,” he said. “It wasn’t my first pick, and then I ended up playing the bad guy in Annie, Jr. But playing the villain was really fun, and I’m glad I tried something new.” Having also done Drama Tech (backstage crew) the year before, he said it felt “amazing” to be out front. So much so that in sixth grade, Henry auditioned for Peter Pan and played the role of the pirate Starky.

While Zoey’s first love is dance—she has been dancing since age three—she saw Drama in the Lower School as a way to overcome her shyness. “I was very quiet and being in the show in fifth grade helped me to be more social,” she said. Where the experience truly paid off was in the transition from the Lower School to the Middle School. “Because I had more experience interacting with new people, I just felt more comfortable and confident going into sixth grade,” she said. “I’’m glad I did Drama because it made me get out of my comfort zone.”

Ben Ginsberg ’31

Caroline Cooke ’31

Zoey Oleru ’29

Henry Dietz ’31

How Severn Helped Alumni Tap Into Their

AWHY

t Severn, the journey to discovering one’s purpose can begin in unexpected ways—perhaps through a conversation with a faculty member, a transformative class or club, an inspirational classmate, or a guest speaker who leaves a lasting impression. We are excited to share a selection of stories from alumni who reflect on how Severn helped them discover their “why.” Whether it was a faculty member who sparked a passion; a class that nurtured a crucial skill; a club, team, or field trip that introduced a lifelong interest; or alumni who opened doors to new opportunities; these stories highlight how Severn’s legacy of fostering meaningful relationships and experiences continues to resonate in the work and lives of its graduates. Their stories are a testament to the impact Severn has in shaping fulfilling lives driven by purpose.

John Fisher ‘53

John Fisher’s life journey was impacted by two important aspects of his Severn life. English teacher and House Master Mr. Tom Peters had a significant role in shaping his work ethic. According to John, “Mr. Peters was not athletic nor considered ‘cool’ in the high school sense, but he was an inspiration as a teacher - completely unflappable, strong in his beliefs, and passionate about the subject he taught. Looking back on his military service and his career in management consulting, John credits Mr. Peters with teaching him to be principled and passionate about his work.

Coaches Paul Kesmodel and G.P. Lindsay played a key role in inspiring John’s deep love for lacrosse, a sport that has been important to him throughout his life. John played for four years at Severn and then went on to play for four years at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Throughout his life, he has continued to follow lacrosse at both the college and high school levels. Most notably, John coached the JV Lacrosse team at Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland, while teaching Upper School Math. “I remember Mr. Lindsay and Mr. Kesmodel fondly and thank them for introducing me to a game that became a lifelong passion.”

Ralph H. Stoll ‘65

During Ralph’s campus visit, the Head of School Paul Kesmodel walked him to the site of the new gymnasium under construction and told him, “You’ll be on the very first basketball team at Severn when the gym opens.” Ralph was sold! For the next three years Ralph was academically challenged by superb coaches and teachers. Coaches Buddy Beardmore, Lee Curry, Dick Webster, and Jim Dollar were instrumental in teaching Ralph the leadership, teamwork, physical stamina, and perseverance that would one day translate to competitive life at the Naval Academy. In the classroom, Ralph remembers Captain Frank Slaven (math), Commander Jack Seager (chemistry), Captain Marable (physics), and General Hommell (calculus), all retired from successful military careers, as demanding teachers who taught Ralph to be confident and self-reliant. Ralph explained, “By senior year, I was the class valedictorian and a National Merit Scholar, and my stellar education at Severn earned me an appointment to the Naval Academy.”

For Ralph, the decision to attend Severn as a boarding student set him on a course for a successful 27-year career in the Navy - a career that included command of three nuclear submarines and

assignment to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. This was followed by a second 27-year career as an entrepreneur that included the formation of several companies focused on international security and nuclear nonproliferation. In reflecting on his life journey, Ralph is deeply appreciative of Severn’s dual focus on service and excellence that ultimately shaped his professional life.

Eugene Macaraeg ‘94

As a new sixth-grader, Eugene had some trouble adjusting to Severn. It was Guidance Counselor Rob White, who was also the head coach of the boys’ varsity lacrosse team, who helped Eugene figure things out. Mr. White spent a lot of time mentoring Eugene in middle school, and the two became close. “One thing that had a huge impact on me was Mr. White’s deployment during Desert Storm / Desert Shield. I was in eighth grade at this point. I remember his varsity lacrosse team sewed yellow ribbons onto the left arm of their jerseys in his honor. That was the start of me understanding concepts like fidelity, brotherhood, and sacrifice - which are each at the center of the work I do today.” Although he wasn’t old enough to play on the Varsity team, Eugene admired the older players, particularly Milford Marchant ‘92 and Ryan Wade ‘90 - “guys who had the drive, did the work,

and strove for excellence.” These qualities drove Eugene throughout his time at Severn and beyond, ultimately guiding him to Denison University, where he also played lacrosse, and later, to the Army.

Today, as an aviation nurse, Eugene is constantly placed in situations where he is responsible for administering lifesaving care with minimal resources. “To do this job well, I have to be flexible yet rigid, disciplined yet spontaneous, curious, and creative. In this field, success is achieved by working hard, studying rigorously, collaborating with others, making sacrifices, and asking questions about ways to improve efficiency—all values I was introduced to at Severn at a very young age.” Eugene recognizes that aviation medicine is his calling, and he is grateful to Severn for helping him develop the tools he needed to be successful in his career.

Willis Wu ‘96

As one of the nation’s top interventional cardiologists and Head of the Structural and Valvular Heart Care team at UNC Health Rex Hospital, Willis Wu has found his calling. He specializes in structural heart interventional procedures, where he replaces heart valves by going through the blood vessels in the patient’s groin, as a minimally invasive alternative to open heart surgery. In addition, he also performs coronary artery angioplasty and stenting to treat atherosclerotic (cholesterol) blockages in the arteries. “I am on call for heart attacks - I go into the coronary arteries using the blood vessel in the wrist, find the blockage, open it with a balloon and stent, restore blood flow, and avert cardiac arrest. In 30 minutes, I can have an immediate and profound impact on a patient’s life. That’s what I love about this career.”

When Willis thinks back to the impact of Severn on his current journey, he immediately goes to specific memories of his teachers and coaches. “In the classroom and on the field, there was an expectation that we were going to work hard and succeed. Our teachers and coaches provided all the tools to do just

that - they cared about us, they quickly learned our individual skill sets and potentials, they worked hard to extract as much effort out of us as possible, and in doing all this, they inspired us to excel.” Willis named Science teacher and football coach John Beckman, French teacher Paula McFarland, English teacher Allen Kirby, History teachers Bob and Susan Gray, and speech coach Jackie Baugh as faculty members who made a lasting difference in his life beyond Severn. Outside of academics, Willis credits lacrosse coaches Drew Larkin and Michael Burnett for giving him advice about athletics, work ethic, and family life. He is so grateful for their continued friendship and mentorship over the last 30 years.

It is Severn’s focus on excellence and fostering relationships that Willis carries with him today into his practice. It comes as no surprise then that the UNC Structural and Valvular Heart Program Fund was recently named in Willis Wu’s honor by the Winston family, who donated a large financial gift to the program in appreciation of Willis’s exemplary care of their family member.

Alex McQuoid ‘98

Professionally, there are three things that Alex is incredibly passionate about: public service, education, and economic policy as it relates to long-run growth and improvement to living standards. Fortunately for him, he has found a career that allows him to focus on all three - Alex is an economics professor at the U. S. Naval Academy.

For Alex, Severn played a critical role in inspiring his future career. As a senior, Alex participated in an extracurricular activity called Fed Challenge, where he learned about monetary policy and the importance of the Federal Reserve in providing economic macro stability. With Mr. John Bodley as their club advisor and mentor, the team made it all the way to the national competition that year. And while they didn’t win, the team walked away with an incredible experience and a love of economics. Alex went on to major

in economics at Georgetown and then got his PhD in economics at Columbia. And he was not the only one on that team to do so — two others from that cohort went on to get PhDs in economics. Of that experience, Alex said, “Mr. Bodley was a deeply inspiring teacher whose lessons have stuck with me my entire life.” Alex also credits Severn’s proud military history and focus on service as major influences in his decision to pursue his passion for teaching economics at the Naval Academy.

Erin (McCord) Levitt ‘04

Erin currently works as a clinical nurse at the Healthcare for the Homeless clinic in Baltimore, a federally qualified health center that provides a variety of services to those who are vulnerable or experiencing homelessness.

Reflecting on her career, one she considers her calling, Erin recognizes the significant impact that her time at Severn had on her journey. Teachers like Head of School Mr. Connolly made Erin, a student of mixed Irish and Caribbean heritage, feel seen and heard. She recalls walking into his office one day and requesting that her Dominican heritage be represented on the “wall of international flags” in the cafeteria. He readily agreed, and from that day forward, the Dominican flag proudly hung over the microwave! Health and Anatomy teacher Mr. Carr’s classes sparked Erin’s interest in health sciences and gave her the confidence to pursue a career in this field. Spanish teacher Senora McLaughlin, who taught her about Latin American cultures and language, gave Erin the skills to better connect with her Latino patients in the clinic. Another key influence was Ms. Sotiropoulos, who taught American Culture and introduced her to Ronald Takaki’s A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Erin explains, “This was my favorite class at Severn. Without exposure to this course, I’m not sure I would have as firm a grasp on the intersection of immigration and healthcare access.”

Erin is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. With her advanced degree, she hopes to continue serving this same population, where she can use the tools she gained at Severn to connect with and give voice to individuals in need.

Katherine Riddle ‘09

From a young age, Katherine knew that she wanted a career in theater, and while Severn School may not have initially sparked her interest in the arts, it certainly supported and nurtured her passion.

Thinking back on her three independent studies, Katherine credits Severn with helping her hone the entrepreneurial skills, resourcefulness, confidence, and innovation required for success in today’s theater world. “My experience at Severn really gave me a leg up in the industry when it came to knowing how to take an idea and run with it.” One of the defining moments in Katherine’s stage experience came when she performed the role of Cosette in Severn’s musical production of Les Miserables. According to Katherine, “That performance was remarkable for many of us. It was an ensemble cast, and the sense of community and support we created for one another was very special.” Little did she know at the time, but Cosette would be her first professional role after college.

Today, Katherine calls herself a “theater artist,” a name that appropriately incorporates all the facets of her current career, namely musician, actor, entrepreneur, creative, and teacher. “Living an artful life” is Katherine’s calling, and she is grateful for Severn’s role in helping her pursue her passion as a career.

Huda Turabi ‘15

While Huda attended Severn, one of her passions was learning about Japanese language and culture. Although there were no Japanese classes available, Huda found her fulfillment in

the school library, where she immersed herself in books on origami, ikebana, and other cultural art forms. Both librarians, Mrs. Mary Coutts and Ms. Whitney Etchison, quickly recognized her interests and always had recommendations ready whenever she visited. They frequently asked her about her studies, offered a variety of books on Japan’s history and art that she might not have discovered on her own, and even invited her to suggest Japan-related materials to add to the library’s collection.

At one point, Huda won a library contest that allowed her to order any book she wanted, and she chose an introductory book on the Japanese language. She used this book to deepen her studies, which eventually led her to pursue a Japanese degree at the University of Maryland. “Without Mrs. Coutts’s and Ms. Etchison’s encouragement and enthusiasm for my personal interests, I may have never achieved my dream of living and teaching in Japan, and I would not be on my current journey of pursuing a Master’s of Library and Information Science degree with a focus on Japanese archival materials.” Huda will always be grateful to the librarians who supported her interests and nurtured her love for libraries.

Christen Morrell ‘17

Christen Morrell is an indie pop artist, songwriter, and music producer working in the music industry in Los Angeles. When she isn’t recording or performing for her own artist project, she’s sending in tracks to be pitched for TV/Film. (You can hear her single ‘Love to Love You’ in the Hallmark movie The Magic of Lemon Drops!) While Christen pursues her artistry, she also does marketing for Music Technology and teaches music production for adults. Reflecting on the success of her recent EP “Grow As You Go,” Christen explained: “My favorite thing is how music creates and brings together community. Two very different people can listen to the same song and love it for totally different reasons, but in that moment, they hold space together with the song at the center. I think that is really beautiful.”

Ever since she was a little girl, Christen loved to sing. She credits Severn music teachers Greg Bullen and Frank Donn for encouraging her to take her love of music beyond the “hobby” status to a more purposeful, career-driven path. Mr. Greg Bullen taught her music theory and helped her refine her songwriting skills. Christen remembers, “Mr. Bullen was very encouraging of my songwriting - he was always down to listen and give feedback.” Mr. Frank Donn provided Christen with the tools and knowledge necessary to record her first-ever album for her Innovative Senior Project. “Learning music tech and production skills from Mr. Donn in high school proved to be a real leg up in college, where the field was dominated by men. Turns out, I wound up majoring in music production at Berklee College of Music.” Looking back on her Severn experience, Christen said, “I felt extremely supported by Severn’s music department. They saw something in me, and they encouraged me to keep pushing forward.”

Jack Pumphrey ‘24

Jack’s journey to discovering his “why” began his senior year: “I developed an interest in economics/ finance while at Severn, thanks to Mr. Bodley’s teaching, and I wanted to build off of that for my Innovative Senior Project.” Jack was extremely grateful when he was given the opportunity to shadow Severn alumnus Chad Houser ‘03 at his office at Morgan Stanley, where he gained firsthand insight into the daily life of a financial advisor. It was through this experience that Jack discovered his “why” — he realized that he wanted to pursue a degree in finance and potentially work in the wealth/asset management field in the future.

MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHERS SHARE THEIR “WHY” AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY BONDS

At Severn, Middle School teachers are not just encouraging vulnerability but modeling it. Through a 2024-25 initiative called “My Why,” teachers during school meetings have been sharing their journeys and why they chose to become educators. This simple yet powerful practice has created deeper connections among teachers, students, and the entire Middle School community.

The premise is simple: Teachers take to the mic during a weekly all-school meeting and share their “why”—what inspired them to pursue a teaching career. The impact, however, is profound. Students can see their teachers as real people with stories, identities, and struggles of their own.

“The faculty has had a lot of fun with it,” said Middle School Head Dan Keller. “They’re talking about it together during free periods and lunch. It’s created a positive atmosphere across the Middle School.”

After introducing the project to teachers this fall, Keller kicked things off by sharing a moving story from his school days. “I had a teacher in fifth grade who made a meaningful connection at a difficult time in my life,” Keller said. “They tailored my learning experience to my interests, which inspired me to become the kind of teacher who meets students where they are.” That personal connection, a hallmark of what Keller calls the human power of teaching, shaped his career and now inspires others.

The Middle School teachers have fully embraced the “My Why” project, sharing openly about personal loss, important moments that came to define them, and what inspires them.

Dr. Jimmy Wolfe, Latin teacher, shared one of the more unusual “why” stories. A former professor at Princeton University, Wolfe took the extraordinary step of becoming a teacher in a maximumsecurity prison.

“I’ve taught at Ohio State, Princeton University, Raritan Valley Community College, and the University of Michigan,” said Wolfe. “But even after teaching for so many years, I wasn’t sure if this was what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.”

It was when Wolfe took a teaching job at Southwood State, a maximum-security prison in New Jersey, that he genuinely fell

in love with teaching. “The people I taught at Southwood were some of the best students I’ve had,” said Wolfe. “We couldn’t learn anything about each other, but they were still eager to learn new things, ask questions, and talk to someone like a human.

“It was then I realized how lucky we are to be able to spend our days in places where we can ask questions and learn from one another,” said Wolfe. “That is why I am a teacher.”

Kirk McAuliffe took a highly creative approach by singing his “why” for the audience. As the music teacher, this personal performance was both fitting and unforgettable, as his “why” created a beautiful and emotional moment for the entire Middle School.

“Essentially, it’s a song about how I was inspired in middle school to sing and perform on stage,” said McAuliffe. “The fact that I was inspired in middle school is why I decided to make the Middle School my home.”

I was once a boy about your age, when I found my love for the stage. My middle school music teacher

My middle school music teacher got me my first part, and that’s when I knew how the arts silled filled my heart

All through school, I sang and sang and sang, I sang in anything that they would let me in. But in my mind, I felt this can’t be my course, I must pick something more sensible of course.

GOT TO COLLEGE, something undecided GOT TO COLLEGE, undecided

Joined the chorus which provided provided Ample time to explore the classical world

And a whole new vantage point unfurled

Chorus (My why, my why)

Cut to five years from that day, I find self singing on the stage statge of Carnegie.

I’d seen the world with the power of my voice, something that would never have happened had I not made the choice

In middle school to truly pursue my dreams, which is why I find

Kirk McAuliffe Music Teacher

Rachel McMahon, math teacher, shares her personal “why” with students.

A New Perspective for Students

The “My Why” series had the intended positive effect on the students. Seeing their teachers in this new light has sparked a greater sense of understanding and connection. As a result, students feel more inclined to participate in class, listen to what their teachers say, and follow through on their school commitments.

“It helps us to get to know our teachers,” said James Sturgeon ’31 “Especially as a new sixth-grader, it helped me create a bond with teachers I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”

“I think it’s cool to see how our teachers have grown up and changed over the years,” added Bennett Hilgartner ’30. “It makes me think I should work harder toward my goals.”

Perhaps most importantly, the “My Why” series reminds students that life doesn’t always follow a straight path—and that’s OK. “I enjoy listening to the backstories of our teachers,” said Charlie Fifer ’30. “I’ve learned that even if you don’t know what you’re going to be after you graduate, you’ll always find the right thing for you.”

Through this innovative and personal community-building initiative, Severn’s Middle School teachers are doing more than just sharing stories—they’re leading by example, demonstrating that being vulnerable and authentic deepens relationships and builds trust. In doing so, they are helping to foster an environment where students feel confident discovering their own personal “why”.

Science Teacher Carrie Ball instructs students Colin Schwab’29 and Elise Parker ‘29 during a shark dissection lab.

My Why

“ I wished I’d known about mental health earlier. Because what I really needed at your age was an advocate: someone who not only recognized my struggles, but asked the right questions, and knew how to talk to my parents. And that became my goal: I’m going to work with young people to teach them about mental health and recognize the signs that someone is struggling—know what questions to ask— and do a good job of explaining it to parents.”

Mary Foard

Middle School Counselor

“Everyone should be able to see themselves as scientists. Studies showed that girls were just as capable as boys in the classroom and, in some cases, even outperformed boys in their science classes. So why weren’t girls growing up to be scientists? I was perplexed, and I wanted things to change. This is when I really began to think that maybe there IS a job out there where I can actually do the things I love AND get others excited about it too.”

Carrie Ball Science Teacher

“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to be an adult in my students’ lives who holds a high standard for all of you, who helps guide you and teach you, who highfives you when you do the great things, and even holds you after class when a discussion is needed to remind you that you can do better.”

Shannon Stacy

Math Teacher

JOURNEYS CRAFTING

College Counseling Team Opens Hearts and Minds to All Possibilities

It’s no accident that the team members responsible for shepherding students through the college search process have “counseling” in their titles. At Severn, the goal of the college search journey isn’t simply to find a “good school.” It’s to counsel each student to uncover who they are, what they value, and how those answers can unlock a future of purpose and possibility.

No Right Answers

“When we start working with students, we find that they know what they want, but not necessarily who they are,” said Associate Director of College Counseling David Brunk. For example, a student might show up with a clear desire to attend a specific school—such as Notre Dame—but when asked why, their answers might lack depth. “There’s no question that Notre Dame is a great school, but that only matters if it’s the right school for that particular student,” said Brunk.

This, then, is where the College Counseling team’s real work begins. Through reflective conversations, students learn to focus on factors like values, interests, and preferences rather than rankings or name recognition. By understanding who they are and what they want, they gain clarity and confidence in their choices.

“We emphasize to students that there are no ‘right’ answers—only your answers,” said Kim Coughlin, director of college counseling. “It’s an important message because it’s not unusual for students early on to be looking at

us for confirmation that they gave a ‘right’ answer.”

This alternate mindset establishes the tone for students to focus on finding their school—not just any school. As a result, students are better equipped to recognize what aligns with their values instead of simply chasing big-name schools.

Prepare to Explore

Just as the college search process isn’t narrowly focused on making lists of schools, conversations around life beyond Severn are not confined to junior year. While all four years in the Upper School connect with this topic to some degree, sophomore year is when the preparation formally begins.

As sophomores, all Severn students participate in a series of college counseling seminars run by the College Counseling team. “We put on a seminar about college that doesn’t actually talk about college,” said Brunk with a laugh. “It’s all about self-discovery—getting to know themselves.” The counselors get students to discuss career interests and work with them to build resumes. These discussions are geared toward big-picture questions about who they want to become, not what schools they hope to get into.

College Search Loading …

Junior year, the college search begins in earnest. But even then, that first official meeting with students and their families is designed not to name schools but to ask reflective questions. “As a general rule, we still don’t talk about specific schools at the start of junior year,” said

Coughlin. “That first meeting is all about reflecting and planning.”

Counselors begin by talking with students about what really matters to them—things like location, class size, and campus culture. Even then, they skip the “where” and instead focus on the “why.” This intentional approach helps students identify core priorities, from academic fit to extracurricular options and intangibles like a campus’s “vibe.”

“We might ask, ‘Do you feel strongly about receiving one-on-one attention from professors, or would you thrive in a large lecture hall in a space like Price with hundreds of students?’” explained Coughlin. These questions often reveal surprising preferences that students themselves may not have considered yet.

They will also contact a student’s advisor, teachers, and coaches to get more information and round out the

“ SO MUCH OF WHAT WE DO IS ASK QUESTIONS, AS OPPOSED TO TELLING STUDENTS WHAT WE THINK,”

— David Brunk

profile. For students who wish to pursue their sport in college, counselors partner with Severn coaches. They also get a survey from every student’s parents, which can help provide additional contextual information or add to their understanding of that kid, including identifying other factors, such as financial fit, that might come into play.

Building the List

The best lists are collaborative. “We’re not here to dictate a list of schools,” said Coughlin. “We’re building this list together. If a student crosses off a suggestion, that’s OK. But sometimes, those schools end up staying on the list because they bring something valuable to the table.” Each student’s final college list is unique—a balanced mix of “likely,” “possible,” and “reach” schools that align with the kind of college experience sought by that student. Counselors often combine familiar choices with less obvious suggestions meant to broaden students’

why we spend time getting to know students and continue to probe. If I ask how a visit went and the answer is ‘great,’ I’m asking, ‘OK, what does great mean? Were the people nice? Did you observe a class?’ The better we understand a student and the more we encourage them to articulate what they really want, the better we can advise them.”

Navigating the Emotional Journey

Of course, the college decision process is rarely linear. Students start the process in one place and often end up somewhere completely different. But

thinking. They know the optimal size for a list and will work to cut lists that are too long and spread a student too thin, or to expand a list that is too narrowly focused.

For instance, a student who has zeroed in on southern schools might find a school in the Midwest on their list, offering all the qualities they’re looking for but located in an unexpected place. Or perhaps a student is enamored with Boston College; the counselor will look for schools with similar offerings that aren’t as well known and add them for consideration. “We’ll try to stretch their perspective a bit,” noted Coughlin.

“Sometimes a student will go down a completely different path just a few months into the process,” she said. “It’s

Brunk made it clear that while the college counselors advise and probe along the way, the students make the choices that ultimately propel them to a decision.

“One of the most empowering things a student can do is cross a great school off their list,” he said, referring to a highly ranked school that just isn’t a good fit for that student. “That first one is always the hardest, but they get themselves there and feel really good about it.”

Another point the team stresses: There are no bad schools on your list. And yet, the emotional weight of making this first significant life decision—one that feels high-stakes to both students and their families—can

be daunting. “This is never a choice between good and bad; their options are just different,” said Brunk.

The team is intentional about shifting the focus back to the student. “We remind them that this is their college experience—no one else’s,” said Coughlin.

Another important message the team delivers is that a college decision doesn’t define a person. “We stress this to students,” said Brunk. “Whether you get into your dream school or you don’t, you’re the same person today as you were yesterday and will be tomorrow.”

Lessons Learned

Endgame with Severn’s process isn’t the acceptance letters or accolades— it’s the development of introspection, confidence, and decision-making skills.

“When the process is done well, it’s about so much more than where you end up,” said Brunk. “It’s about knowing yourself and making decisions that feel right for you.”

“We’re here to open up their hearts and minds to all possibilities and to send them off fully confident in their decision,” added Coughlin.

Doug Lagarde began his tenure with Severn School in 2006 and is still going strong today. As he closes in on the 20-year mark as Head of School, we sat down with him for a candid conversation about what brought him to Severn, what keeps him energized, and the importance of rituals – including how he starts nearly every school day.

Q: How did you approach the first year?

A: You want to come into an organization and make sure that there are enough nutrients in the soil to allow things to grow. Sometimes you have to weed the garden a little bit and treat the soil to improve its health and sustainability before new ideas are introduced, and that can be hard and even emotional. When I got to Severn, I could see that it had significant potential but there was some real work to be done, and it wasn’t going to happen overnight. It was going to take time –probably more time than some would have wanted – to allow initiatives to take root and grow, and, in turn, allow the culture to mature and to blossom into what it needed to be.

Q: Why have you stayed at Severn all this time?

A: The simple answer is that Severn feels like home. And I do check myself on this, because there will come a day when I either feel like I’m no longer effective or when the work starts to feel more cumbersome than exciting. But for now, the challenges remain compelling, and I enjoy what I do. I like the rhythm and the rituals of the school year. I’ve spent the last four decades in education, and it still feels right.

I also feel strongly that if the tenure of a head of school is just a few years, the school’s potential remains unrealized.

The school will just tread water because inevitably a new head will come in and have different ideas. And then when the school is just on the verge of those ideas beginning to take hold, there’s another leadership change which, again, does not allow the school to thrive in the way that it could. To me, that’s simply unfair to the community.

Bringing a community along to a common vision takes years and if you don’t have those years to really allow everything to take root and grow – let’s use the whole bush analogy again – and then prune it to let it strengthen, then I think you’re doing a disservice to the kids and the parents.

Q: Do you have a favorite time of year or event here?

A: It’s Convocation, because there’s the feeling of possibilities and newness. There’s something exciting about a new school year. There’s a willingness to look at how you did things in years past and then embrace fresh ideas. That’s part of the beauty of the rhythm of a school – you have opportunities to reinvent and recommit yourself.

I’ll bookend that with the last academic assembly for the Upper School. I felt we had this weird little denouement of an ending to our year. It was like, great, that’s the last event for seniors before graduation, now move on. And there really wasn’t an opportunity

for this community – for teachers, coaches, staff, and underclassmen – to say goodbye in a meaningful way. Of course, there’s Commencement but it’s more for parents and grandparents.

The school from which I came had a tradition of welcoming new community members at the beginning of the year and saying goodbye to those leaving at the end of the year by shaking hands with everyone else in the community. And I thought, let’s bring that idea here. And what happened is that it took on the flavor of Severn, because it wasn’t handshakes. It was hugs. And what was cool about that is it became what this school is.

Q: You talk often about rituals. What value do they bring to the school community?

A: Rituals are deeply important to institutions. The year-end rituals in particular, like the hug line and promotion ceremonies, are so important. Someone said to me years ago that they’re cleansing rituals. What he meant by that is that with students, you’re talking about unformed people. Kids will pick up baggage throughout the years, but at these critical junctures – moving from fifth to sixth grade and eighth to ninth grade – they can drop some of it. As adults, we have to give them the opportunity to do that. Maybe a kid was a knucklehead at 12,

but now at 16, they’ve matured. It’s our responsibility to look at them for who they are now. Rituals allow for that. These year-end ceremonies allow everyone to celebrate and move on, leaving the baggage behind. If you do them well, rituals allow the community to come back fresh the following year with a renewed perspective.

Q: Greeting students in the morning is one of your rituals – how did that come about?

A: The real story is that on the first day of school in 2006 I didn’t really know what to do, so I went outside and started saying hi to people. And it stuck.

I wondered, do I sit in my office? Do I go to the lobby? At that time, the way the building was structured, nobody really went through the lobby. Standing outside was simply a logical place to go. It also gave me an opportunity to practice remembering students’ names, which matters. It’s hard to stand on the notion of “known and valued” as a core value if you don’t actually know anyone’s name.

It seemed like a good routine, so I kept doing it and now it’s become my own ritual.

Q:What are you most proud of from your 19 years?

A: Two things come to mind immediately. One is the mission. When I got here, the mission wasn’t really being lived. It was words on a paper. So we put together a committee and said, okay, how do we craft something that reflects who we are and also that challenges us – and by that I mean the full us. It’s why I talk about the mission all the time. It’s about the adults in the life of the child, and not just the child. I think

Doug Lagarde, at his morning post outside of Teel, greets arriving students.

our mission is incredibly unique and we work hard to make sure it’s relevant because it establishes the foundation for our shared values. It’s the soil from which everything else grows.

The other is fortifying and strengthening the business side of Severn. It’s easy to forget that we are a business with a $29 million operating budget and 200 employees. You never lead with that because our focus is on the students, but we’ve managed to put the school on a footing that allows the faculty to do their good work and be supported with competitive salaries and professional development opportunities.

Q: What energizes you?

A: I’m not an ivory tower type. I gain energy by being around the kids.

My wife asks me every Saturday, how many dinners are you going to be home for this week? Because I go to everything, and I want to go to everything. It’s not out of chore or duty. It’s to get to know the kids better. Because in order to help a kid grow in the areas where they have challenges, you have to understand and meet them where they have success. For some kids, maybe the classroom isn’t where success comes easily or immediately. Maybe for them, that’s happening on the athletic field or on the stage. If you can meet them where they have success, then you have an opening to get them to understand how those skills and attitudes they bring to these endeavors can be applied to the classroom. But if you’re not out there where they’re succeeding, then that conversation about growth isn’t authentic.

I’m not an ivory I gain energy by

Q: What is one word you would use to describe Severn?

A: I think it would be unfair to distill any school or individual down to a single word, but I’m going to say it’s the last three words of the mission: known and valued. It’s the heart of who we are as a community.

HOW COACH BALLARD POLISHED UP THE ADMIRALS

The Phone Call That Changed It All

A former Division I basketball player turned football player, an Army veteran, and president of the Old Mill Youth Association, Ballard has never been one to take the easy path. And while the Admirals had a long history of success and a loyal fan base, the program had been losing ground in recent years. Fewer players were turning out, which only amplified the challenge for Severn, whose student population is already smaller than the competition.

Still, he was intrigued enough by the opportunity that he ultimately decided

to throw his hat into the ring. During a sit-down with Severn’s leadership team, they laid out their vision for the future. Severn’s plan included widening the community outreach network and strengthening ties with youth programs and coaches. Ballard was impressed by leadership’s commitment to advancing the program, but even after that meeting, it was still a no. Leaving his current post was too big an ask.

And then one phone call changed his mind. Ballard’s head coach at Spalding called him and matter-offactly said, “Nobody believes you can succeed there.”

But once he learned more about the strong foundation that existed at Severn, the opportunity to step in and architect a refresh on Water Street was too good to pass up, leading Ballard to a change of heart and the ushering in of a new era for the Admirals.

There was a beat of silence, followed by Ballard’s response: “You know this means I’m leaving, right?”

“When someone tells me I can’t do something, that means I’m going to do it,” Ballard said with a grin. The next day, he called Severn’s Athletic Director, Julian Domenech, and declared, “I’m in.”

“With Good Resources, You Can Do Anything”

Taking the job was one thing; reversing the program’s fortunes was another. When Ballard first reviewed Severn’s football roster, the numbers were When it was first suggested to Coach Demetrius Ballard that he take over Severn’s football team, it was a hard pass. A seasoned and respected coach with eight years at Archbishop Spalding under his belt, Ballard had worked tirelessly to elevate their football program and had no intention of walking away just as his efforts were beginning to net results.

admittedly discouraging. With only 13 or 14 returning players and a list of eighth-graders who might enroll at Severn the following year, the program needed reinforcement. “Here I am, the new head coach, and I’m looking at the board and who we had, and realizing I have my work cut out for me.”

What he saw as he dug in, however, increased his confidence and his gut feeling that he had bet on the right team. Because while others were concerned about the squad’s win-loss record, Ballard recognized his most valuable asset at Severn: good people. “With good resources, you can do anything, and the best resources are good people,” he said. And between the players and his coaching staff, Ballard had that in spades.

“What I uncovered was a solid program that was in need of a fresh start,” said Ballard, who started by meeting with current players and confirming incoming ninth-graders. “Severn always had good players and plenty of support. All we had to do was hit the reset button.”

Three students in particular became cornerstones of that reset and the positive energy that has followed since: Lawrence Jacobs ’25, then a rising sophomore, and two rising seniors, Nick Sotiropoulos ’23 and Jacob Todd ’23. These leaders rallied their peers, energizing the current roster of players and persuading athletes from other sports like lacrosse to join the team.

“One day, Nick came bursting into my office and said, ‘I’m playing football. And I’m going to make sure all the lacrosse kids play too,’” Ballard recalled. “He circled the wagons, and damned if those players didn’t show up.” Backed by the enthusiasm of those

Coach Ballard high-fives Lower School students as he leads the Admirals onto the field before a home game.

upperclassmen, the roster grew to 40–50 players. “I got lucky with them,” said Ballard. “They are amazing leaders and players, and they’re also why we are where we are.”

A New Era

The change in the program under Ballard is as impressive as it is undeniable. During the 2022 season, Severn went 7-3 and captured the C conference championship. In 2023, they successfully defended their title. In 2024, they moved to the more competitive B conference, where they notched another winning season (7-4) and earned a spot in the MIAA playoffs. The squad also scored a huge win over rival St. Mary’s, an A conference team that the Admirals hadn’t beaten in nearly a decade. Ballard’s fresh approach to Severn football has reinvigorated the program in ways that go well beyond X’s and O’s. He reinstated summer football camps, invited youth programs to campus, and worked hard to build a bridge between Severn and families unfamiliar with what the school had to offer. “Once I get people to campus, it sells itself,” said Ballard, who sees in this role the fulfillment of a larger purpose: bringing communities together.

“There are so many kids out there who are great students from great families who don’t think to apply to a school like Severn,” he said. “I’m proud to facilitate those conversations and bring them together.”

“Exactly Where I Want to Be”

Despite his initial reluctance to make a change, Ballard is now exactly where he wants to be. So much so that in addition to football, he also coaches Middle School basketball—simply because he enjoys being around the students. “I fell in love with this place,

and I’m part of the family now,” he said. “Severn is stuck with me!”

Just as Severn Football has grown stronger over the past two years, so too has Coach Ballard. He has come to understand that players will follow his energy, both on and off the field. “Everything you say and do matters, and they’re so smart they can smell BS a mile away,” he said. “You’re not going to get the best out of your players unless they’re getting your best all the time.”

Championship or Bust

What’s next for Coach Ballard and the Severn Admirals? “It’s championship or bust,” he said, flashing his signature smile. “We fell short in the semifinals this fall, and we’re ready to rectify that.”

With 19 starters returning, he likes his odds. But to prepare, he’s also taking the team out of its comfort zone with some big-time early-season matchups meant to test them. “Those are the types of games you’ve got to get into early if you want to win this thing, and we have the players to do it,” he said.

Whatever the 2025 season brings, there is no doubt that what was once a struggling program has been transformed into a source of Admiral pride. “Those kids who championed this team my first season made it okay to play football at Severn,” Ballard said. “It has just snowballed from there.”

COM I N G ELCRICLLUF

Growing Up at Severn

Julian Domenech’s Journey Home

For Julian Domenech ’84, Severn School is more than his alma mater. It’s home.

His lifelong connection to the school began in childhood as the son of an Upper School teacher and was solidified when he himself became an Admiral in the seventh grade. But Julian’s graduation in 1984 turned out not to be the end of his Severn story but rather the beginning. Because 24 years later, he returned to his roots—and eventually to his former family home—not as a gesture to the past, but to forge a meaningful path forward doing work that feels right within a community that never stopped feeling like home.

Julian Domenech, Sr., joined Severn in 1967, teaching Latin in his first year, before becoming chair of the Foreign Language department. His Severn career spanned 27 years, and, in that time, he ran summer camps and after-school programs, he coached, and he held leadership roles, including Upper School head and assistant head of school. And he always taught. “I am proud to say that during my time at Severn School, no matter how many jobs I had, I was always in the classroom teaching,” he said.

It was at the elder Domenech’s insistence that the family moved onto campus early in his career. “I literally grew up here on this campus since I was three years old,” said Julian, who, upon getting the offer from Severn, followed his father’s example and requested campus housing.

“This job is so all-encompassing, and you have to know what’s going on,” he said. “It’s how I remember growing up. My dad, who was very involved, would leave for an hour on a Sunday because there was something going on. Being able to walk there and back makes a big difference.”

After his high school graduation in 1984, Julian ventured away from Severn, settling into coaching and administration roles after obtaining his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Pfeiffer University. At age 23, he became the youngest

college coach in the country, leading the mens soccer team at Pfeiffer. After stepping away to pursue other interests for several years, Julian returned to the university, this time as the head women’s lacrosse coach and eventually as an athletics administrator. He got married and started a family of his own. With three growing boys, a fulfilling career, and a welcoming community, he was happy.

But life is full of surprises.

An Unexpected Development

Julian wasn’t expecting the phone call he received in March 2008. Severn needed a new athletic director. Two Severn alumni on the board, both friends of Julian’s, reached out to gauge his interest. While the opportunity was intriguing, he didn’t rush to pursue it.

“I loved where I was,” he said simply. But a subsequent conversation with Head of School Doug Lagarde convinced him to consider the post. He hopped on a plane to Maryland for a tour and interview. “I wasn’t sure if I even wanted the job, but the chance to go back to my alma mater, get dinner with friends, and spend a whole day seeing what my old high school is like was too good to pass up,” he said with a laugh.

But what he thought might be just a trip down memory lane instead planted a seed. He found himself getting excited about both a new job and returning to the place that was so

impactful during his formative years. “What stuck out during my tour was that it was just how I remembered it,” he said. “I don’t know that I would call myself a big mission guy, but I know what it means to be known and valued as a student. And I got that feeling halfway through the day, that Severn was still that place.”

After going home and talking it over with Erin, his wife, who is now a physical education teacher in the Lower School and the coach of the swimming team, the decision was made. The second generation of Domenechs was Severn-bound.

Making the Right Changes

Under his leadership, the Athletic Department now manages about 650 contests a year, between Middle School and Upper School sports. About five years into his tenure, Severn added a wrestling program, and most recently, girls volleyball was added to the lineup. Middle School now competes in baseball. Severn also has strong JV teams supporting nearly every varsity sport.

“What I’ve tried to do is listen to others and as times have changed, we change with them, while always asking ‘What fits Severn?’” he said. Whether that’s the sports offered, practice times, finding better competition and training venues, or prioritizing mental health, what’s most important to Julian is the ability to adapt and meet the needs of today’s student athletes.

That includes making the right moves for Severn to remain competitive. “I want us to be able to compete,” said Julian. “Being competitive doesn’t always mean you win the championship. It means we add a little of this or that so we can play at a high level and then when we do have that run, we’re in a position to compete for the title.”

That strategy and focus have paid dividends in recent years, with championship titles in boys basketball and soccer, sailing, and swimming, and numerous teams making playoff runs. For that, he is quick to credit Severn’s dedicated coaches. “We continue to be in the mix in many different sports because we have great coaches who ‘get’ Severn,” he said.

Known and Valued

Even after 17 years, Julian remains energized. “My favorite part of the day is from 2:30 to 6:30 because that’s when I’m around the kids and really get to know them,” he said. “That’s when you have these moments of connection.”

For Julian, creating those moments is simple. It all goes back to one core idea: known and valued. And putting in the time early on makes the inevitable tough conversations

a little easier. “Students need to know that you have their best interest at heart, so it’s important that I’m not just being an administrator all the time,” he said. “Then when something needs to be addressed, they know that it’s done with love.”

Getting there requires going beyond the obvious—something he encourages all coaches to do. “Take a really good soccer player—we know that’s his thing. But what else do we know about him and where he comes from? What excites him outside of soccer?”

Understanding that and then showing up for students off the playing field makes a difference—something Julian experienced firsthand. “I was very appreciative of adults at Severn knowing me outside of soccer, which was my calling card as a student,” he said. “People knew other things about me and that meant a lot to me. We also want to see all aspects of the kids, not just what happens on game day,” said Julian.

“I Don’t Want It to End”

Despite leading Severn through more than 50 seasons, Julian still feels he’s capable of going 100 mph. “It’s been a great experience, and I don’t want it to end,” he said.

Julian returned to Severn unexpectedly, but in doing so, he’s regained a community that has fully embraced his entire family. It doesn’t hurt that he wakes up in his former home and walks across the street to start his day. Or that two of his sons, Zach ’14 and Kain ’19, are Severn alums, and the third, Colin, is perhaps the Admirals’ biggest fan.

As for his legacy, he remains humble. “I hope that Severn athletics is in a better place than when I walked in.”

My favorite part of the

day

is

from 2:30 to 6:30

because that’s when I’m around the kids and really get to know them.

FLETCHER WARNER TAKES CENTER FIELD AND CENTER STAGE

Fletcher Warner ’26 had always felt most at home on the baseball field. With a natural talent for the sport, Warner’s future in athletics seemed crystal clear from the moment he joined Severn as a freshman. But things don’t always go as planned, and for Warner, getting placed in a third-choice elective opened a door he never expected—one that would lead him to discover that he also had a natural talent for music and ultimately to thrive in both.

When Warner began his Severn experience as a freshman, baseball formed the core of his identity. His shadow day as an eighth-grader solidified that foundation. Paired with a fellow player, Warner bonded instantly with the Severn baseball team. Conversations with the head coach and warm encouragement from teammates made his decision easy. The strong academics—always a top priority for Warner—and Severn’s tight-knit athletic community sealed the deal. He was ready to be an Admiral, both on and off the diamond.

The Accidental Elective

As it turns out, Warner wasn’t meant to be confined to the field. During the summer before freshman year, a surprising twist led him down an entirely uncharted path. Freshman schedules at Severn are mostly set, but students get to select an elective. While reviewing options, Warner surprisingly marked “Vocal Ensemble” as his third choice.

To finalize placement, Vocal Ensemble required an audition with Rob Redei, Upper School Arts Chair. Warner walked into his summer audition, however, without knowing he was auditioning.

“I had to come to school over the summer, and I admit, at the time, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing,” said Warner with a laugh. “I actually thought I was coming to take a test!”

Instead, he found his way to Mr. Redei’s basement classroom, where he spent time doing vocal exercises and dusting off piano skills from childhood lessons.

While he thought it was a cool experience, Warner didn’t think there was any way he’d get placed in Vocal Ensemble. Aside from the elementary school chorus, his only singing experience was in the shower. “I think maybe I enjoyed singing a little more than the average person, but I never really thought much about it,” he said.

Much to Warner’s surprise, he did earn a spot in the class. But instead of just being a fun elective, this last-place choice marked the beginning of an exciting musical journey that has empowered Warner to become a prominent voice within Severn’s Arts program. Even better, he’s been able to pursue both baseball and music with equal vigor.

Baseball by Day, Singer by Night

Realizing that he didn’t have to limit himself to any one specialty area was pivotal for Warner, who has managed to achieve a healthy balance, thanks to the support he’s received.

“Something Severn does well is accommodate students involved in multiple activities,” said Warner. “You can do a lot here. You can be a competitive athlete and be a performer. You don’t have to choose between the play and your sport. I can’t emphasize enough the support and how that makes it possible to do and be more than just one thing.”

Discovering his gift for singing through Vocal Ensemble was important, but the real turning point for Warner came when his baseball teammates encouraged him to audition for Breakwater, Severn’s award-winning a cappella group. Turns out, he wasn’t the only singing baseball player on campus.

“I wouldn’t have pursued that opportunity without those upperclassmen encouraging me to go for it,” said Warner. “It’s amazing to think about how much of a difference that made.” One teammate in particular— Sean Ward ’24—became a mentor to him. Ward, too, navigated the worlds of athletic excellence and music mastery, showing Warner that it was possible to succeed in both.

L: Warner slides into home for the Admirals / R: Warner performs with Jam Band at the 2024 Revels Concert.

productions. Warner also starred in Severn’s 2024 holiday video, singing a “Winter Wonderland” duet with fellow Breakwater member Annie Campion ’26. Amidst all his arts activities, he still plays Varsity baseball and aspires to continue his athletic career in college.

For Warner, the two pursuits—sports and music—are more alike than different. The baseball team and Breakwater have “pregame” routines, and whether he’s wearing a jersey or a costume, his favorite part of any game or performance is putting on a good show. The adrenaline rush is similar. So, too, is the commitment to excellence. “Whether the goal is coming up with a hit in baseball or learning your lines for the play, there’s a similar amount of time that gets invested in preparing,” he said.

Everyone at Severn is so supportive and encouraging, and the result is that you’re more inclined to take risks, step out of your comfort zone, and

Those encouraging teammates have become some of Warner’s closest friends. “I have the most fun when the small group of us who play baseball and are also in Breakwater are together,” said Warner, who shared that those dual-practice days have been dubbed “Basewater” by his friends. “It’s part of the community feel I appreciate about Severn.”

More Alike Than Different

Fast-forward two years and Warner hasn’t stopped exploring his artistic side. He’s a member of Breakwater, sings with Jam Band, is a founding member of The Gentlemen of Severn—an all-male a cappella club—and is a regular in Severn’s stage

While this isn’t the path his eighth-grade self expected to be on, it feels exactly right to Warner. “Everyone at Severn is so supportive and encouraging,” he said, “and the result is that you’re more inclined to take risks, step out of your comfort zone, and try new things.” Warner is especially grateful that Zak Starr, Head Baseball Coach, Redei, and Frank Donn, Jam Band Director, have backed him as he pursues multiple interests.

Paying It Forward

The influence of past upperclassmen hasn’t been lost on him either. “Mr. Buckley [Assistant US Head] often talks about how we’re standing on the shoulders of the Admirals who came before us, and there’s so much truth in it,” he said.

“When I think about what Sean did for me, and how he told me that when he was a freshman, there were two juniors who encouraged him to join Breakwater … that’s what it’s about,” he continued. “They supported him and let him know he could succeed in both, and he did that same thing for me. So it’s a nice ladder or a chain reaction of sorts that I intend to carry forward.”

Though he never imagined that taking center stage—in addition to center field—would be part of his Severn experience, Warner’s story exemplifies how every Admiral’s journey is centered on discovery and anchored in purpose.

HITTING HER STRIDE

HOW

EMMA PATRICK RACED PAST HER OWN EXPECTATIONS

The person who is perhaps most surprised about Emma Patrick’s success in competitive running over the past two years is Patrick herself. And that’s because, until recently, the talented athlete who holds two school records in track events and back-to-back IAAM cross-country titles didn’t really think of herself as a runner at all.

“My realization about running happened gradually,” said Patrick, who is as humble as she is hardworking. But after setting school records in track & field events as a freshman, running a sub-18-minute 5K in the Nike Cross Country Regionals at the end of 2023, and being named 2024 Gatorade Cross-Country Player of the Year in Maryland, Patrick has accumulated enough success to prove to herself that running is, in fact, her thing.

“What’s the Plan?”

Emma’s first real taste of competitive running came during her eighth-grade year at Severn. Before that, her experience with the sport was limited to running a one-mile loop in her neighborhood—something she occasionally did for fun.

Emma races for the finish line at the 2024 IAAM Cross Country Girls Championship meet.

Once Patrick started to run, her talent spoke for itself. Word of a “really fast” middle-schooler soon reached Upper School Track & Field Head Coach Andrew Otero. His curiosity piqued, Otero stopped by a Middle School meet, where he had the chance to meet Emma. “After that, I’d speak to her a bit if I saw her in the halls,” said Otero. But he intentionally kept it light, not wanting to impose any expectations on the young athlete. “I didn’t want Emma coming into the Upper School and thinking, ‘OK, I need to perform at some high level because everyone’s expecting that.’”

At the end of eighth grade, though, Otero did have one question for Patrick: “What’s the plan for next year?” Fortunately, it was a yes for the track & field team.

When Patrick entered Severn’s Upper School and got her first taste of higher-level competition, her talents again shone through. As a freshman, she shattered long-standing school records in the 1600m and 3200m events, setting times of 5:11 and 11:26, respectively. And this spring she did it again, besting her times to 10:49.27 in the 3200m race and 5:10.70 in the 1600m event.

Just as Otero had heard rumblings the year before, the speedy freshman’s talents caught the attention of another set of Upper

School coaches. Cross Country coaches Richard Zmuda (now retired) and Skip Sensbach also heard rumors about a star in the making.

Recognizing Patrick’s potential to excel at longer distances, they set about convincing her to make the switch from soccer to cross-country in the fall of her sophomore year. Otero also joined in this effort, knowing that if Patrick wanted to pursue running in college, cross-country training would be critical in her development.

“From the start, it was clear she had an incredible track season, and by the latter part of it, I believe Emma realized she had found her true passion,” said Sensbach, current Head Coach. “Convincing her to join cross-country in the fall wasn’t difficult.” To be safe, though, he did enlist some of the current team’s runners to text Patrick and encourage her to come out in the fall.

As it turns out, Sensbach was right—it didn’t take much convincing. “I had enough success in track to realize that this could really be something,” said Patrick, who nonetheless appreciated the warm welcome by her future teammates.

A Rising Star

Patrick didn’t take long to make her mark in cross-country. Despite her limited experience with the sport, she embraced the unique challenges and quickly adapted. Her first season was a resounding success—she won every league race and claimed victory at the IAAM Championship, outpacing seasoned runners from both the A and C conferences.

“Going into my first cross-country season, I didn’t know what to expect because I’d never raced over two miles,” said Patrick. “Winning my first cross-country championship was surprising but also eye-opening. It showed me I had a natural ability for longer distances.” That season culminated in an impressive sub-18minute performance at the Nike Cross Country Regionals, cementing her place as a top runner.

“It’s easy to overlook the immense work and dedication Emma puts into her sport because she makes it look so effortless,” said Sensbach, who has seen firsthand how her strong work ethic has made her a better runner. “I often hear spectators marvel at how easy she makes it look.”

Despite that smooth appearance, Patrick admits to experiencing nervousness before each race and counts the end of any race as her favorite part. “Winning the big events is definitely exciting,” she said. “It feels good knowing the work I put in leading up to the race has paid off.” The consummate teammate, Patrick’s other favorite part of crosscountry is the closeness of the team and the ease they enjoy as a unit that works together to win events.

While Emma’s natural talent and hard work have brought her numerous accolades, her young running career hasn’t been without challenges. An injury sidelined her for much of the 2024 season, but true to her determined nature, Patrick bounced back just in time to win her second IAAM crosscountry title. This impressive feat earned her another IAAM Athlete of the Week nod and All-Metro

and 1st Team All-County Capital Gazette honors.

In the meantime, she’s been doing indoor racing outside of Severn and even qualified for Indoor Nationals. She also hopes to race again at the Northeast Regionals with a goal of securing a top ten finish. Looking ahead to college, Patrick is intrigued by the prospect of competing in 10K races at the next level.

More Than a Runner

What makes Patrick’s story compelling is that, despite her extraordinary achievements on the track and crosscountry course, she remains grounded and well-rounded.

“What truly sets Emma apart is that her exceptional skill and talent are matched by her humility and supportive nature,” said Sensbach. “She has a deep appreciation for the team aspect of cross-country. She is an invaluable asset to our sport and a cherished team member.”

Otero echoed this sentiment. “She’s a runner—it’s what she loves—but what I like about Emma even more is that she knows there’s a lot more to her identity than running,” he said. “She’s involved with numerous clubs and is a junior class rep. She has an insane academic schedule and maintains great grades. She loves the sport, loves her team, and embodies integrity and character.”

With her running career still in its early stages, the future certainly looks bright. With the support of her coaches, teammates, and the Severn community, Patrick will continue to set new goals and chase new dreams. Far from being the finish line, this is undoubtedly the starting point for even greater things to come for the remarkable Emma Patrick.

JOHN R. QUINN

John R. Quinn Named Severn School’s 2024 Distinguished Alum

In recognition of his outstanding service to the community, John R. Quinn ’87 is the recipient of the 2024 Rolland M. Teel Distinguished Alumni Award.

Quinn attended Severn School for five years, where he lettered nine times in soccer, basketball, and lacrosse. He was also the recipient of several awards for accomplishments in science and math and the valedictorian of the Class of 1987. In 1999, he was inducted into Severn’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Upon graduating from Severn, Quinn matriculated to the United States Naval Academy, where he continued his athletic success as an all-American midfielder and, in his senior year, earned the rank of First Regimental commander. This position put him in command of more than half the Academy’s 4,500-member brigade of midshipmen.

After graduating from the Naval Academy with a mechanical engineering degree, Quinn fulfilled his military service by becoming a Nuclear Submariner. After completing his five years of service, he went on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School.

In his most recent corporate role, Quinn was managing partner in the Lucas Military Transition Division, where he connected client companies to the US military’s elite performers. Before joining Lucas Group, he served in several planning, finance,

marketing, and corporate development roles, including vice president of client development for Raptor Networks and finance business manager for the Walt Disney Company.

Quinn currently serves as president and managing director of Fountain 33.

Quinn currently serves as both president and managing director of Fountain 33, a foundation whose mission is to empower individuals and their families to effectively identify and treat mental health issues. He and his wife, Amy, the executive director of Fountain 33, currently live in Naples, Florida, with their three young children.

ABOUT THE ROLLAND M. TEEL DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD

Named in honor of Severn 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 Severn School. Jointly sponsored by the Board of Trustees and the Severn School Alumni Association, this is the highest honor the school can bestow.

ROLLAND M. TEEL DISTINGUISHED ALUM

FROM THE ARCHIVES:

THE STORY OF THE ANCHOR

An anchor is more than just a tool used to secure a ship in place; it’s a powerful symbol of stability, strength, and purpose. It represents grounding, even in the most uncertain waters. For Head of School Doug Lagarde, this symbol took on a special meaning as he searched for the perfect anchor to serve as the centerpiece for the Century of Service Memorial.

For three years before its unveiling in 2014, Lagarde searched the east coast for an intact anchor. Time after time, a promising lead turned up nothing, as most of the anchors he found were corroded due to their location in saltwater. His quest eventually led him to Craigslist, where he found a unique piece with a fascinating backstory.

This particular anchor had been pulled from the St. Clair River, a freshwater river connecting Lake Huron and Lake Erie, located about an hour north of Detroit. A crucial shipping route, the river had seen its fair share of maritime traffic over the years. While the exact origins of the ship that carried this anchor remain unknown, the anchor itself was estimated to be around 150 years old at the time of its discovery.

Today, this anchor stands as the centerpiece of the Century of Service Memorial. It is a symbol of unwavering purpose, sacrifice, and stability. Just as an anchor holds a ship steady amid the fiercest storms, this memorial—marked by the anchor—reminds us of the strength, dedication, and unwavering purpose of the Severn alums who have dedicated their lives to military service.

ONCE AN ADMIRAL

MENTORS

Big shout-out to these 15 alums for agreeing to participate as mentors in Dr. Baugh’s American Public Address project.

2025 SPEAKERS

It was an honor to host CDR Lawrence Heyworth IV, USN (Severn Class of 2001) as our keynote speaker for the Upper School Academic and Community Code Assembly. A career Surface Warfare Officer, Lawrie has served on five ships and deployed around the world. Ashore, he has served as a Navy Liaison to Congress and on the Chief of Naval Operations staff at the Pentagon. In his speech, he talked about the importance of building a community of trust, whether it be on a naval destroyer deployed in the Mediterranean Sea or on a Severn Varsity soccer team, and he challenged each of our students to CHOOSE to grow their character every day. After his presentation, Commander Heyworth had lunch with students interested in pursuing military service and/or engineering, and talked to students in Dr. Baugh’s American Public Address seminar about how he crafted his speech.

Thanks to Baltimore Fox45 Sports Anchor A.J. Gersh ’15 for coming to campus to share his expertise with our students. Mr. Gersh spent the lunch hour with the Admiral TV Club talking about his career path to his current “dream job.” Based on his experiences, Gersh advised students, “If you want something, do whatever it takes to make it happen, and always go above and beyond.” Mr. Gersh was introduced by his Severn soccer coach, Mike McCarthy, who called A.J. “a natural

leader who continues to inspire others off the field just as he did on it years ago.” Mr. Gersh also spent an hour with Dr. Baugh’s American Public Address students, sharing what he’s learned about public speaking as a news/ sports anchor and emphasizing the critical importance of making positive connections with everyone you meet.

Shout-out to Cole Smith ’14, an attorney at Michael D. Gallo & Associates in Chicago, for zooming in on Dr. Baugh’s American Public Address Seminar to discuss the role of public speaking in his career as a trial lawyer. He spoke specifically about the importance of audience analysis as he prepares for different speaking engagements, be they in front of a judge, a 12-person jury, or his client.

We are so grateful to Meg Gesner Shernisky ’13 and David Seidl ’19 for hosting our Investment and Finance students at JP Morgan Private Bank in Baltimore. Our students were treated to a “lunch and learn,” followed by a “market update” and finally a “case study.”

A big thank-you to Matt Baker ’91 for coming to campus to speak to the Upper School students and faculty about “The Past, Present, and Future of Artificial Intelligence.” Matt has spent over 30 years in the tech world, most recently as Senior VP of Dell Technologies, and has become a leading voice in the industry. Matt talked to the group about the significance of statistics in AI, the uses of AI in business and medicine, the inherent risks of AI, and how AI will continue to shape how we live, work, and innovate.

Thank you to Coley Chacos ’04 for coming to talk to Admiral TV and the Statistics & Production class about their experience in the sports broadcasting industry. Chacos, a freelance V1/V2 video operator, is assigned to the CBS

A big thank-you to Eric Crabtree ’99, who zoomed in from Bolivia to talk to Dr. Baugh’s American Public Address students about the role of public speaking in his career as an educator at international schools across the globe. In his current role as an elementary school principal in La Paz, Mr. Crabtree does quite a bit of presenting to various audiences—namely, parents, teachers, and students. He says he tries to start each speech with gratitude and end with a call to action, and he reminded students that in the world of public speaking (and teaching!), “threequarters is preparedness and onequarter is theatrics!” 9/6 10/18 10/31 11/13 11/19 10/21 9/23

ALWAYS AN ADMIRAL

2025 SPEAKERS

NFL broadcasts, has won an Emmy for their work with last year’s Super Bowl broadcast, and has worked four different Olympic Games, including last summer’s in Paris.

Shout-out to Midshipman Jacob Darrow ’21, who came to campus to share his experiences at the Naval Academy with interested students. Upon graduation, Jacob will be a surface warfare officer.

Thank you to Anna Erskine ’23, who came to campus to talk with students interested in MIT and/or Air Force ROTC about her experiences with both.

Thank you to John Royen ’73, a New Orleans jazz pianist, who came to campus to share his talent and expertise with our Upper School students and faculty. While he was here, he played at the Upper School Morning Meeting and workshopped with the instrumental music students. We were all so lucky to witness the magic of his music!

We were so fortunate to host alumna author Kate Myers ’04 as a guest speaker in Dr. Baugh’s Creative Writing Seminar this spring. Kate shared a book’s journey from loose idea to published work. Kate’s first novel, Excavations, published by HarperCollins in July 2023, received rave reviews and was named to USA Today’s bestseller list. Her second novel, Salty, will be on bookshelves June 24 of this year.

12/20 1/24 2/252/26 3/3 1/301/31 2/6

A big shout-out to poet Jeff Smith ’74, who conducted a two-day workshop with Dr. Baugh’s Creative Writing students. On day one, Mr. Smith led an open dialogue about his poetry with the students, and the next day he offered individual feedback on their original work, while also workshopping the creation of new poetry as a class.

We were honored to host R.W. “Bob” Alley ’74, an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, as a guest speaker for the entire Lower School, as well as a combined Drawing & Creative Writing section in Upper School. Mr. Alley spoke to each group about his writing and drawing process and then used a large sketch pad to show the students how he draws some of his most notable characters, including the famous Paddington Bear! At the end of the session, Bob signed his artwork and donated it to the school.

Thank You, APA Admiral Auction Sponsors!

The South Family Forest Foundation

The Howard Family

Sponsors

The Maddox Family Sandel Duggal Center for Plastic Surgery

Triten Real Estate Partners

Underwriters

Branching Dreams

Clearway Pain Solutions

Glowing Grove

Colossal

The Fern & Flask

Chesapeake Corporate Advisors

Forest Fizz Lounge

Reinheimer Orthodontics

Starlit Spinner

Current Dermatology and Cosmetic Center

Mossy Mule

First Home Mortgage The Paquin Team

The Canopy Harvest

Adam Smallow Injury Lawyers

Firefly Quartet

Kappel Associates

S'more For Severn

Fusion Veterinary Orthopedics

The Heartlands

Antwerpen Automotive

Definitive Title

The Maskell Family

Trees of Growth

The Ambro Family

Dockside Dermatology

InstantCard

Kiernan Trebach

The Lambrou Family

The Urban Family

The Growth Rings

Annapolis Psychiatry

The Hogan Family

The Michalski Family

The Todorova and Nakov Family

OCTOBER 23, 2025 @ 7 pm Chesapeake Campus Open House

OCTOBER 1, 2025 @ 9 am

Middle School Information Sessions

SEPTEMBER 23, 2025 @ 9:30 am

Event registration opens July 1. Severn offers an Early Admission option to siblings, faculty children, and alumni children entering grades 6 and 9.

The Early Admission application deadline is November 3.

To register for a Fall Admission event, visit

Socials ALUMNI

Rivers ’86, Staci (Katcef) Foster ’86, Sara (Tabasi) Toomey ’86, Sallie Luck ’86, Sam Bradshaw ’86, Kristin (Quirk) Clevenger ’86, Liz (Domenech) Miller ’86, Nan (Gay) Beck ’86.

New York City, NY

FEBRUARY

11, 2025

For the second year in a row, we hosted our NYC Alumni Social at the Harvard Club of New York, thanks to sponsor Adam Jones ’02. We loved hearing about all the ways our Admirals are making an impact in their career fields and their communities.

Annapolis, MD NOVEMBER 27, 2024

We hosted our third annual Thanksgiving Eve Alumni Social in Eastport at Forward Brewing, a brewery owned by our very own Cam Bowdren ’00. With over 70 attendees, this Annapolis social was our most well attended. The energy was electric!

John

Teddy Cromwell ’20, Cooper Emmons ’18, Jaden Queen ’20, Will Kennedy ’20

Elizabeth Adam ’06 and Nick Elsmo ’07

Torey Cole ’11, Allie Lank ’11, Casey Cronin ’09, Aly Hupp ’11, Leanne Hug ’09

Quinn Roes ’19 and Joe Ned ’99

Laura (Lutkefedder) Rupprecht ’03, Kristi Jobson ’02, Greg Price ’02, Carrie Ponder ’02

Katie (Weaver) Haley ’06, Sean Songer ’97, J.P. Kokkinos ’06

Darren Smith ’05 and Jamal Jones ’05

ROTUNDA ROUNDUP

1950 Reunion

75th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

1953

1962

John Fisher and his wife, Cathy, with their seven great-granddaughters.

John Fisher shared this update: “Cathy and I are enjoying our greatgrandchildren—seven so far, with two more expected shortly. Interestingly, the first seven are girls! That goes along with our five daughters. We are in good shape and continue enjoying life in Palo Alto with its great weather and many activities. We live in a small cottage in a compound with two of our daughters and their families. I have nothing but fond memories of Severn and enjoy seeing how the school has grown and prospered. Go Admirals!

1955 Reunion

70th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

1960 Reunion

65th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

On April 3, 2025, Severn welcomed Dr. Charlie Pellerin back to campus as our 2025 David Astle Memorial Lecture speaker. With a nearly 30-year career at NASA, including 10 years as the director of astrophysics, Dr. Pellerin shared his insights on the development, successes, and challenges of several multibillion-dollar programs and initiatives at NASA, including the Hubble Space Telescope and its stunning repair mission, as well as the impact of decisions, small and large, along the way. Stay tuned for more details and pictures from this event in our next issue of The Bridge.

1965 Reunion

60th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

While in Seattle for a federal appeals court case, Judge Dick Bennett surprised Ralph Stoll (left) with a Severn basketball warm-up jersey given to him by Severn’s Athletics Director Julian Domenech ’84. As a three-year boarding student, Ralph played on Severn’s very first basketball team and shot the first basket in the brand new gymnasium.

(L–R): Dick Bennett, Sandy Clark, and Steve Clagett

Sandy Clark wrote to say, “Back in December, Dick Bennett, Steve Clagett, and I had a nice lunch at the Severn Inn in Annapolis. [We had a] spirited conversation about our classmates,world affairs, and all our various maladies! Most of all, however, we enjoyed reliving the milestone moment of Severn’s first-ever Maryland Scholastic Association Championship game against Boys’ Latin in May of 1965. Unable to be with us at the Severn Inn was classmate Ralph Stoll, who generously bought lunch. Thank you, Ralph!” Sandy added that he remains grateful for the strong underpinnings of the broad education that Severn provided—from academics to sports, leadership, and citizenship—all of which propelled him and his classmates to the successes they’ve enjoyed. Sandy looks forward to seeing many classmates at their 60th Reunion this fall.

1970 Reunion

55th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

1973

After 36 years leading a hospitality industry executive search firm, Court Williams will be retiring as CEO of HVS Executive Search at the end of the year and assuming a chairman / senior advisor role to support his successor. Looking toward the future, Court and his wife, Stacey, plan to travel to see as much of the world as they can.

After 46 years of psychiatry in Annapolis, Richard Templeton sold his practice a year ago and retired. These days, he keeps busy sailing, reading, doing art projects, researching family history, and traveling. Most recently, he spent three weeks in Scotland, where he can date his Templeton ancestors back to the 1300s. His son Alec ’99, a Pittsburgh architect with three kids, and daughter Ashley ’05, the art and cultural district manager of Anacostia, D.C., are well.

1969

We were honored to host jazz pianist John Royen here on campus in January to share his talents with our students. (See page 44 for more details.) In addition to performing and conducting several classroom workshops, John enjoyed some time in our Archives, filling in his wife Kay on all the antics of Severn students in the ’70s. Did you know that while John works as a musician by night (he plays most evenings at the Windsor Court in New Orleans), by day he is a highly recommended Swamp Boat Captain with Pearl River Eco-Tours? Look him up next time you are in New Orleans. www. pearlriverswamptours.com

(L–R): Walter Bader, Frank Corasaniti, Jim Huggins Reunion Chair Walter Bader had fun catching up with classmates Frank Corasaniti and Jim Huggins at the Alumni BBQ on the Saturday night of Reunion Weekend.

Kay and John Royen

ROTUNDA ROUNDUP

1974

Under the leadership of Reunion Chair Howdy Knipp, the Class of 1974 celebrated their 50th Reunion with all the bells and whistles. Their weekend kicked off Friday night with a very well-attended cocktail hour and dinner at the Severn Inn, overlooking the Severn River. The next day, the group came to campus to participate in all the festivities, including a special 50th Reunion Class halftime celebration at the football game and a gathering at the Alumni Walkway over the newly installed bricks in memory of their deceased classmates. After the daytime festivities, the group walked over to the Alumni Sunset BBQ at the Daiger House, where they had a chance to hang out with one of their favorite former teachers, Don Wood. By all accounts, the weekend was a memorable one for the Class of 1974.

And, on behalf of the Alumni Office, we want to express our gratitude to the Class of 1974 on their recordbreaking Milestone Reunion Gift of almost $20,000 to the Admiral Fund!

On March 3, Severn hosted Bob Alley as a guest speaker in the Lower and Upper schools. Known professionally as R.W. Alley, Bob is an acclaimed author and illustrator of children’s literature, perhaps best known for his illustrations of

the beloved Paddington Bear series (and the Severn Admiral). (See page 44 for more details about his visit.) Classmate Howdy Knipp came to campus to have lunch with Bob and his wife, Zoë, and sit in on Bob’s afternoon workshop.

While you may know Jeff Smith as a military veteran, you may not know he is also an accomplished writer. He has published two volumes of poetry—Angled, Plain and Chiseled Pieces and A Fence Removed—and he is the editor of A Soldier in the Pacific, the World War II memoirs of Warren B. Smith. This past winter, Severn students were lucky to learn from his expertise in their Creative Writing seminar, where Mr. Smith shared his insights on the writing process and gave feedback on their original poetry. (See page 44 for more details on his visit.)

1975 Reunion

50th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

1978

Paul Owen sent us an update last winter: “By the time these class notes come out, I will have retired in Lorton, Virginia, from 36 years in aerospace government contracting. I will be spending my time designing board games, playing the piano, and staying out of my wife Kathy’s way as she continues to write historical mystery fiction. Our three adult sons are exploring their respective paths in these uncertain times, but I am confident they will land on their feet—probably in unexpected ways.”

Class of 1974 poses for a picture on the Alumni Walkway

Don Wood and Peter Tsou

Bob Alley’s drawings of Paddington Bear and The Admiral

Zoë Alley, Bob Alley, Howdy Knipp

1979

1980 Reunion

Reunion Chair Stu Kiehne was joined by Kim Aviles, Matte Anderson, and Wayne Hilmer at the Alumni BBQ for some good ol’ Admiral reminiscing.

45th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

Forty-five years ago both the varsity and junior varsity Severn football teams were undefeated! The varsity went 9-0; the JV went 7-0. To celebrate that double feat, Coach Peter Dewald is planning a reunion for the football teams of that era (1978–81). More details are forthcoming, but save the date of the weekend of October 18, 2025. He is excited to see everyone. Please reach out to Coach Dewald with any questions at peter.dewald@ raymondjarmes.com.

1982

Randi Goldman Stern ’83 and Irv Stern celebrated their milestone birthdays in Antarctica recently, proudly wearing their Severn ski hats. When they’re not traveling, they enjoy time on the beach at their home in Milford, Connecticut, hosting their six grown children and three granddaughters throughout the year.

1984

Led by Reunion Chairs Susan (Rothman) Kolko and Susan Meredith, the Class of 1984 rocked their 40th Reunion. To kick off their weekend, over 30 classmates gathered at the Annapolis Harbor South Marina for dinner and drinks and Severn spirit. The celebration continued on campus the next day at the Alumni BBQ, where even more classmates joined in the fun.

Carrie Duvall Davis, a fulltime business broker, sent this update about her superfun side gig: “Over the last two years, husband Carl and I embarked on yet another full-home renovation—one that also included a two-bedroom backyard apartment. The project was documented on the A&E show Zombie House Flipping (Series 6, Episode 4). While the show suggests we sold the house to the hosts, we made the design decisions, managed the contractors, paid all the bills, and now live in the home. After 30+ years in Orlando, we are planning a relocation to Jacksonville, Florida, to be closer to beaches and the river. We are focused on the 120-year-old-plus homes in the historic district downtown. Yes, we are insane to take on our eighth whole-home project in 20 years, but renovating is our favorite (expensive) hobby.”

1985 Reunion

40th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

Kim Aviles, Stu Kiehne, and Matte Anderson

1980 Varsity Football Team

Susan (Tyndall) Leonard, Chris Jay, and Beth (Richard) Hutcheson at the Alumni BBQ

ROTUNDA ROUNDUP

1986

Cathie Herrick had a full-circle moment when her daughter Josie Elion ’25 was awarded the prestigious Hodges MVP award for field hockey at the fall athletic awards assembly—nearly four decades after she won that same award in 1985. Reflecting on what it was like to watch her daughter accept the MVP award that she herself had received, Cathy said, “It was nice to see her hard work pay off. She puts her heart and soul into everything she does, so it was a proud moment.” Herrick earned the MVP award in just her second season and then went on to be named the first All-American field hockey player at Kenyon College, where she also played lacrosse. Following her mother’s lead, Josie is committed to continuing her field hockey career at Hobart and William Smith Colleges beginning in the fall of 2025.

A few classmates recently gathered at 49 West in Annapolis to listen to Jeff Muller and his band perform. His songs tell the story of rhythm & blues and the roots of rock ’n’ roll. It was a wonderful evening catching up with old friends.

1989

Led by Reunion Chair Grant Davis, twenty-five members of the Class of 1989 came back for their 35th Reunion. They kicked off the weekend with the on-campus events on Saturday and then continued their celebration at the Severna Park Taphouse that night. A highlight was meeting up with their former teachers at the Alumni BBQ.

Vicki Gorman sent us this update: “I am currently in Salt Lake City and have been here for almost 20 years. I resigned from coaching water polo at Arizona State University back in 2005. I just recently retired from teaching second grade for 17 years.”

Ryan (Rose) Roth and Alison (Richmond) Gross had the opportunity to catch up this past December over brunch in Palm Beach, Florida. Disappointed to miss the ’89 reunion last October, they decided to start an annual reunion in Florida. If any Florida Admirals want to engage, please reach out. To the current Admirals, they have this advice: “Enjoy every minute—it is the best and most wonderful school, with administrators, teachers, and leaders who are setting the stage for excellent futures!”

1990 Reunion

35th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

Aimee (Sauter) Delaney wrote to say, “My husband and I are still living in Baltimore, where we have lived for over 20 years. We have three dogs and a beautiful 100-year-old house. I taught prekindergarten in Annapolis at Heritage Learning Center for over 20 years, and most recently I taught for Catholic Charities of Baltimore City Head Start in the Pigtown area of Baltimore City. In 2017, I was diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 rectal cancer. With the support of excellent doctors and good friends—

(L–R) Kristin (Quirk) Clevenger, Tom Bodor, Bart Swan, John Rivers, Jeff Muller, Sam Bradshaw, Sara (Tabasi) Toomey, Staci (Katcef) Foster, Sallie Luck.

Retired Spanish Teacher Senora McLaughlin and Matt Graves catch up at the Alumni BBQ.

Marie (Henein) Bell-Henry, Tanya (Kujawa) Brogan, and others from Severn and all around—I have been able to adjust to my illness, which now includes an inoperable tumor in my lungs. In my spare time, I volunteer at Hopewell Cancer Care, a free cancer support center in Baltimore County. I also frequently visit my family in Annapolis. If you see me around, say hello.”

We are excited to share Ingrid Egeli’s most recent painting, a large 40” x 60” commission created for the grandmother of the five beautiful children in the portrait. Of her experience, Ingrid wrote: “Painting these children was a delight. Their innocent laughter and occasional naughtiness are infectious, so I aimed to capture that spirit of each child on this linen canvas. The vibrant colors and expressions reflect not just their personalities but also the aura of love and protection that surrounds them. Art has a unique way of connecting us, transcending time. When this painting was presented to the grandmother [on her 70th birthday], she cried—this is the ultimate compliment. So remember, whether you’re an artist or simply someone who appreciates art, never underestimate the power of joy. It can transform not just a canvas but also the hearts of those who experience it.” You can see more of Ingrid’s work on her website at www.ingridegeliportraits.com.

1994

With Eric Alexander and Dabney (Boye) Keith leading the charge, the Class of 1984 came together to celebrate in style. They started things off on Saturday on campus, enjoying the football game and the Alumni BBQ, and then headed to the Severn Inn to wrap up the night.

It was great to see Eugene Macaraeg on campus in February. After graduating from Denison University, Eugene became a combat medic in the Army, and he is currently a UPMC-STAT MedEvac Flight Nurse. He’s been flying with the teams now for 16 years, and he has been practicing medicine for a total of 26 years. Eugene came to meet senior Casey Gattie, who will be shadowing Eugene in May for his Innovative Senior Project, as well as to catch up with some faculty members, including his former history teacher, John Bodley. (See page 23 for more about Eugene.)

John Bodley and Eugene Macaraeg

1995 Reunion

30th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

(L–R) Tanya (Kujawa) Brogan, Marie (Henein) Bell-Henry, Aimee (Delaney) Sauter.

(L–R) Eric Alexander, Brian Nagy, Amy (Hackman) Hilliard, Becky (Paul) Kinard, Sara (Quinn) Pugh, Bridget (Berger) Jakovics, Mike Calabrese, Dabney (Boye) Keith, Emily (Franey) Flanagan.

ROTUNDA ROUNDUP

1996

1998

We are beyond excited to share that Chef Zack Mills ’98 has been named the 2025 Maryland Chef of the Year by the Restaurant Association of Maryland. Congrats, Zack!

1999

Congratulations to Dr. Willis Wu on his success as one of the nation’s top cardiologists. Willie has lived in Raleigh the last 12 years with his wife, Dr. Christine Wu, and his three children, Evelyn (15), Wesley (14), and James (11). Recently the UNC Wu Structural and Valvular Heart Program Fund was named in his honor by the Winston family, who donated a large financial gift to the program in appreciation of Willis’s exemplary care of their family member. What an amazing testament to the quality of the work that Willie does in his community! (Read more about Willis Wu on page 24.)

1997

(L–R) Bess (Freelander) Langbein, Amy (Galebach) Crone, friend Lida Barnea, Jess (Popham) McDermott, Colleen (Cassidy) Bastian, Ann Pailthorp, Jenny (Hartman) Songer ’98.

It’s always great to see Admiral alumni sharing a meal. Three cheers for these six alumnae who met up at the Bygone in Baltimore for a girls’ night back in February.

Welcome home to Severn, Amanda (Kellaher) Walker! In addition to being a Severn parent to son Rhett ’27, Amanda is also a Severn faculty member, serving as the Lower School Nurse.

Class of 1999 at Copper Creek Pub & Alehouse

Heading the charge for the ’99s’ 25th Reunion Celebration were Jen (Scott) Gatewood, Marshall Feldman, and Carrie (Staines) Tilley. Folks traveled from far and wide to attend—most notably, Jay Cline flew in from Atlanta, Erin (Hanley) Panchal from LA, Colleen (Knapp) Gillen from Florida, Colin Wyatt from Portland, Maine, and Melissa (Holland) Phillips from Melbourne, Australia. The ’99s kicked off their reunion with a gathering at Copper Creek Pub & Alehouse. According to Carrie, “The food was delicious—and the stories were endless.” The ’99s invited a number of former faculty members to join them for their festivities, and many came, including Gerry Connolly, Kathy Fegan, Carol Duncan, and Highley Thompson. The crew continued their celebration on campus on Saturday, this time bringing their young families along. A good time was had by all.

2000 Reunion

25th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

The Winston and Wu Families at the dedication of the Willis Wu, M.D. and Family Hybrid Cardiac Catheterization Lab.

2001

2002

Shout-out to Ryan Gorman ’01 on the success of his highly recommended luxury resort, Gitana del Mar Beach Retreat, in Colombia, South America. When we asked him about his current living situation, he wrote: “Yes, my family and I get to wake up here every day! We are very, very lucky and blessed to be living our dream life and running our dream business!”

Congratulations to Adam Jones, managing director at Redesign Health, whose company, one of the global leaders in healthcare venture building, successfully partnered with Sanabil Investments in February to accelerate healthcare innovation in Saudi Arabia. Their mission is to positively impact the lives of patients both locally and globally while creating thousands of new jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Congratulations to Meredith Balenske who married Adam Blackmore on October 12, 2024, at Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk, England. Meredith currently lives in Hong Kong and is the managing director at GLP Capital Partners.

We love to see our Admiral sailors back on the water again. Back in January, the Annapolis Yacht Club competed against the Tred Avon Yacht Club in the first annual “War Across the Shore” regatta—a 2v2 team race organized by our very own Ginny (Holt) Mininger—in the Annapolis Harbor. Sailing with AYC were Matt Offutt ’01, Caroline Bayless ’19, and Sarah (Holt) Russell ’00. Sailing for TAYC were Sara Morgan Watters ’06, Mike Baugh ’99, and Robin (Borchardt) Cooper ’94. Kudos to all involved, and a special shout-out to Team AYC for the win!

(L–R): Sara Morgan Watters ’06, Matt Offutt ’01, Ginny (Holt) Mininger ’02, Caroline Bayless ’19, Sarah (Holt) Russell ’00, Robin (Borchardt) Cooper ’94, Mike Baugh ’99

2003

Sam Bennett ’03 and Schuyler (Sutton) Gavula ’03 celebrated SNL’s 50th anniversary together in New York City, having both worked for the iconic show. Schuyler worked as Lorne Michaels’s assistant, while Sam is going on year 10 as the head costume designer for the show.

2004

(L–R) Drew Turner, Marc DeLeonibus, Dana (Rashidi) Schieffer, Mike Heslin, Regan (Bosch) Checcio, Melissa (Wilson) Strocko, Caitlin (McCleary) Horn, Mark Parker, Mark Mason, Ryan Brassel

Rallied by Reunion Chairs Ryan Brassel, Caitin (McCleary) Horn, and Jennifer Presswood, the Class of 2004 had an amazing turnout for their 20th. They started their weekend at alum-owned Forward Brewing (Cam Bowdren ’00) with about 15 of their classmates and a few former faculty members. On Saturday, they enjoyed the on-campus festivities, which included plenty of activities— face painting, bounce houses, snoballs, etc.—for their little ones.

Nina and Ryan Gorman

ROTUNDA ROUNDUP

2005 Reunion

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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.

2006

2009

Congratulations to Sara Morgan Watters, who married Jack Turner on September 28, 2024, in her parents’ backyard in Oxford, Maryland. The newlyweds enjoyed a reception at the Tred Avon Yacht Club, where Sara grew up sailing.

Led by Reunion Chair Gabe Corder, the Class of 2009 had fun reminiscing at the Alumni BBQ.

After 10 years living in NYC, Leanne Hug has recently relocated back to the Annapolis area with her dog, Simon. Leanne is the director of US marketing for Covergirl cosmetics. She looks forward to spending more time on the water and golf course and reconnecting with Severn friends in the area now that she is back home.

2010 Reunion

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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.

2011

On April 11, 2025, World Parkinson’s Day, two Admiral alums, LJ Urie and Nick Manis ’12, ran 100 miles across Maryland to raise funds for the Michael J. Fox Foundation and, in doing so, honored Severn parent and big-time Admiral fan Brian Adam, who passed away in December. Special shout out to fellow Admiral Blake Wood ‘12, who jumped in at mile 63 and ran with his friends to the end.

2012

Sarah (Treanor) Cahalane and her husband, Ryan Cahalane, welcomed their daughter, Bridget Claire Cahalane, on July 2, 2024.

Welcome home! Blake Wood and his wife just moved back to Maryland and bought a fixer-upper house off of West Street. Do you know who did all the renovations? Fellow 2012 Severn grad John Aliff! Blake wrote, “John did an amazing job, and we couldn’t be more grateful to be living in the house now! It was cool to reunite with John on such a special project and milestone of our life.” Be sure to check out John’s fast-growing construction and remodeling business, Bayrise Builders.

Gabe Corder, Max Babcock, Adam Cohen, Kathleen (Dowd) Hartman, Leanne Hug, Katie Dickerson Mayes, Christie (Djordjevic) Hannon

Nick Manis, Jeff Begin, and LJ Urie at the finish line of their 100-mile run

2013

Welcome home to Severn, Tori (Graw) McKeever! Tori is wrapping up her first year as a Severn faculty member, teaching Middle School science.

2014

With Reunion Chairs Meredith Brown and Andrea (Forrester) Coyne leading the charge, the Class of 2014 celebrated their 10th Reunion in style. They kicked off the weekend at alumowned Forward Brewing on Friday night, and then wrapped up the weekend at the Annapolis Market House after the Alumni BBQ, where they opened the letters they wrote to themselves as seniors and caught up with their former teachers.

2015 Reunion

10th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

You’ve probably seen him on TV by now, but in case you missed it, A.J. Gersh is back home in Maryland, working his “dream job” as a Baltimore Fox45 Sports Anchor. Congrats, A.J.! (Read more about A.J.’s visit to Severn School on page 43.)

2019

Thanks to the rallying cries of Reunion Chairs Abby Tindall and Zack Kinsella, there were over 30 classmates in attendance at the Reunion Weekend Alumni BBQ.

Sierra Hicks caught up with Dr. Baugh at the Alumni BBQ

(L–R) Ty Benz, Brett Sweeney, Jack Wellschlager, Nick Angelino, and Jacob Lavine at the Alumni BBQ

ROTUNDA ROUNDUP

2020 Reunion

5th Reunion 2025 - Save the Date 10.18.25

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.

A special thanks goes out to Congressional Intern Maddi Meyer for setting up a Q & A for Ms. Sotiropoulos’s and Mr. Kohl’s AP government students with Rep. Sarah Elfreth and Sen. Chris Van Hollen on the steps of the Capitol last January.

2022

Congrats to Daniel Berlin on the launch of his new product, Dirty Gut Chocolate Bites, a delicious combination of 70% dark chocolate with gut-friendly rebiotics, probiotics, and ostbiotics. For more information and to order your Filthy Good™ Chocolate, check out dirtygut.com.

SevernConnect Networking Platform

2024

After graduating from Severn, Peter Baldwin decided to totally switch course from his original plan of attending the University of Maryland and joined the Army instead. He has been serving in the Army as a Ranger (75th Ranger Regiment, United States Army Special Operations Command) for about 4 years now. As his time in service comes to a close, he has decided to attend Harvard University for the fall 2025 semester.

Congratulations to Aidan Shenck, who was accepted to the U.S. Naval Academy for the Class of 2029. Aidan, currently a student at the University of Wisconsin, is excited to come home to Annapolis and begin plebe summer in June.

Are you looking for a professional connection to start a business or make a career shift? Would you like to reconnect with friends or build new relationships with classmates who share similar interests or live in the same area? From online professional networking tools to social event calendars and registrations, Severn Connect can help you get the most out of your connection with Severn School. Register today at www.severnconnect.com

Submit Your Class Notes

We love to hear from our alumni about their lives after Severn. Keep us up-to-date on recent trips, internships, research projects, stories with classmates, graduations, new jobs, new homes, weddings, and babies. Email Alumni Director Carolyn Campion at c.campion@severnschool.com or drop us a note through our alumni social media pages.

Severn School Alumni

Severn School Alumni SevernSchoolAlums

Aidan with his parents, Kristin and Nate Shenck.

Severn School is more than our campuses. It’s one school, one community, filled with voices of families, alumni, faculty, and friends – each with a unique Severn story to tell. Our 2024-25 Admiral Fund Chairs – the Smallow Family, the Wilby Family, and the Ismael Family –each have their own Severn stories and reasons they give to the Admiral Fund. Join them and give back to your Severn community by making a gift to the 24-25 Admiral Fund today.

ool.com/support Call Meredith Garfield at 410.647.7701 x2357

IN MEMORIAM

1947 John W. Greenslade

1951 Marvin O. Morris

1951 CDR Carl H. Sanders, Jr., USN (Ret.)

1952 Albert L. Granger

1952 ADM James R. Hogg, USN (Ret.)

1954 LDCR Brent W. Taylor, USN (Ret.)

1957 CAPT James Allen “Al” Marshall

1959 John D. McCoy

1959 Gray R. Riddick

1961 Lt Col Alexander E. Schultes, USMC (Ret.)

1962 William “Bill” S. Shields, Jr.

1968 Kevin R. Rohrbach

1971 John S. Houck ‘71

1974 Charles C. Davies

Former Trustee David R. Cahouet

1947 John W. Greenslade

John W. Greenslade passed away on April 30, 2023. After Severn, John attended Georgetown University. He went on to serve in the U.S. Navy and earned a master’s degree in education from Fordham University. In 1954 he married Margaret Ann Inglesby in Washington, D.C., and moved to New York, where they lived for over 50 years. John taught science and social studies at Power Memorial Academy in New York City for 12 years before joining Educational Materials & Equipment Company and later the College Entrance Book Company, where he worked until his retirement. John was an active member of the Secular Franciscan Order since 1960 and a Eucharistic minister for his church for many years.

1951 Marvin O. Morris

Marvin O. Morris passed away on September 26, 2024. Marvin attended Annapolis Senior High School, Severn School, the U.S. Naval Academy, and D.C. Teachers College. He taught in public schools in Washington, D.C., and Anne Arundel County and later worked for a home improvement store in Annapolis. He was a member of the Catholic Church of Saints Peter and Paul and St. Mary Refuge of Sinners Catholic Church, as well as a lifetime member of the Regina Coeli Chapter of the Knights of Columbus. Marvin was known for his unique sense of humor, along with his love for his family, the Orioles, and the indoor soccer team he coached.

1951 CDR Carl H. Sanders, Jr., USN (Ret.)

Commander Carl H. “Savvy” Sanders, Jr., passed away on September 9, 2024. After graduating from Severn and the U.S. Naval Academy, Carl found his home on the high seas, serving on destroyers and submarines in Vietnam. He retired from the Navy as Commander in 1975. For the next 10 years, Carl was the general manager for the Pacific Coast Division of the Keystone Shipping Company, operating oil and chemical tankers worldwide. Carl loved playing tennis, backpacking, and sailing around the world with friends and family. Other passions in his life included opera, jazz, reading, and fast cars. His outstanding military career notwithstanding, it’s Carl’s dedication and contributions to the Orcas Island community for which he will be most remembered. He was instrumental in developing the Healing Arts Center; he chaired the Orcas Library Board of Directors; and he served on the boards of the Friends of the San Juans, the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and the Sailing Foundation.

1952 Albert L. Granger

Albert “Al” L. Granger passed away in Longwood, Florida, on June 22, 2024. Al attended the Naval Academy after his time at Severn. He graduated with the Class of 1956, 22nd Company, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. From 1956 to 1960, he served as a Force Recon platoon leader. After completing his military service, Al advanced in corporate management

positions, primarily in glass manufacturing. From 1976 to 1985, he was the owner/manager of Coachworks, an automotive repair franchise and car rental operation in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In 1985, Granger and his wife, Beth, transformed an abandoned 16-acre farm into a worldclass luxury resort and spa, which they named the Glasbern Inn. This country inn is registered as a Historic Hotel of America, and USA Today named it one of the nation’s 10 best boutique hotels.

1952 ADM James R. Hogg, USN (Ret.)

Admiral James R. Hogg, USN (Ret.), passed away on January 2, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island, after a career of service to his country. A 1956 graduate of the Naval Academy, he served for 35 years and attained the rank of 4-star admiral in 1988. His sea commands included a guided-missile cruiser, two destroyer squadrons, and a cruiser-destroyer flotilla. He commanded the U.S. Seventh Fleet from May 1983 to March 1985, and he was the U.S. Military representative to the NATO Military Committee for three years. Jim retired from the Navy in 1991 and served four years as the president of the National Security Industrial Association. In 1995, Jimmy was selected to serve as director of the Strategic Studies Group (SSG) at the Naval War College, which he did for the next 18 years. Jim was recognized with many awards for his active duty and civilian service; he was most proud of his Distinguished Graduate Award from the U.S. Naval Academy.

1954 LCDR Brent W. Taylor, USN (Ret.)

Lieutenant Commander Brent W. Taylor, USN (Ret.), passed away in West Chester, Pennsylvania, on October 3, 2024. At Severn, Brent was a lacrosse and football athlete, as well as an editor for both the Anchor newspaper and the Navigator yearbook. After Severn, Brent went on to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1958, and then the U.S. Naval Submarine School, graduating in 1960. He served in various capacities with the U.S. Submarine Force from 1960 to 1978, with deployments on the USS Darter, the USS Stonewall Jackson, and the USS Chivo. As a submarine advisor for NATO, Brent enjoyed his final assignment in London, England, as did his family. He retired from the Navy in 1978.

Following his naval career, Brent had a 20-year career with Raytheon and then Raytheon General Electric as manager for the Fleet and Site Engineering Group, specializing in electronic submarine weapons systems. Brent’s civicminded nature was reflected in his active participation in his community. The Veterans Council of the Golden Isles awarded Brent its 2016 American Patriot of the Year Award. His legacy of service, both in his professional and personal life, will continue to inspire those who knew him.

1957 CAPT James Allen “Al” Marshall, USN (Ret.)

Captain James Allen “Al” Marshall, USN (Ret.), passed away on February 7, 2024. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1962, he entered the Submarine Force, serving on six nuclear submarines, two of which he commanded. He had a tour of duty at BUPERS and was on the 7th Fleet Staff Yokosuka, Japan. He was CO of Submarine Base Pearl Harbor and finished his 30-year career as Chief of Staff at COMOPTEVFOR in Norfolk, Virginia. While there, he received a master of science degree in education from Old Dominion University. After retirement, he worked at Savannah River Site for several years. He was also involved with tennis officiating and was a past president of USTA-SC.

1958 John D. McCoy

John D. McCoy passed away on January 28, 2025, in Raleigh, North Carolina. A proud graduate of the Severn School Class of 1959, John went on to attend Washington & Lee University, graduating in 1964. His deep sense of duty led him to serve in the U.S. Army, where he became a Special Forces Green Beret and led the 536th Ordnance Company Direct Support in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1966. After his military service, John embarked on a career in finance. He worked for several brokerage firms before moving to Washington, D.C., and spending a decade with the National Association of Securities Dealers, which developed the NASDAQ marketplace, in the 1970s. For the next 25 years he dedicated his career to public service as portfolio manager for the North Carolina department of state treasurer, investing pension funds for state employees and retirees. Beyond his professional life, John had a lifelong love for sports and adventure, be it

lacrosse, football, basketball, hang gliding, hiking, or sailing. John’s legacy of love, service, and integrity will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

1959 Gray R. Riddick

Gray R. Riddick passed away on July 28, 2024. He attended the Severn School and then the University of Maryland. Gray began his professional career with DuPont in 1964 (four days after graduating); he retired from Dupont in 1996. Gray’s “second half” involved serving his community through volunteer positions; he served for many years as executive director of his town’s Habitat for Humanity. A man of strong faith, he was a very active member of his church, serving as an elder and a deacon. He loved adventure, sailing, chasing fire trucks, and going for drives just to explore.

1961 Lt Col Alexander E. Schultes, USMC (Ret.)

Lieutenant Colonel Alexander E. Schultes, USMC (Ret.), passed away on January 7, 2023. Schultes, a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, was a proud alumnus of Severn School and the Virginia Military Institute. Upon graduation from VMI, Alex studied Vietnamese at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, and served several tours of duty in Vietnam. He later attended the Canadian Land Force Command Staff College in Kingston, Ontario, and served at the U.S. Naval Academy. In the private sector, Alex spent 30 years as an entrepreneur, leading mergers, acquisitions, and startup ventures in the mortgage banking and consulting industries. Schultes was an avid supporter of youth athletics, and as a soccer and lacrosse coach, he was passionate about empowering young people to pursue their academic and athletic dreams.

1962 William “Bill” S. Shields, Jr.

William “Bill” S. Shields, Jr., passed away on August 23, 2023, in Clearwater, Florida.

1968 Kevin Rohrbach

Kevin R. Rohrbach passed away on February 19, 2025, in Milton, New York. Kevin worked for 20 years in the public works division of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he used his architectural skills to design and restore buildings on campus in Annapolis. Outside of work, Kevin had many interests, including reading, watching Perry Mason episodes, cheering

on University of Maryland football and the Baltimore Orioles, playing ukulele, bird-watching, and, due to his disability, traveling the world via the internet. He will be forever loved and missed by all who knew him.

1971 John S. Houck

John S. Houck passed away on November 27, 2022, in Riva, Maryland. John graduated from Severn School in 1971 and went on to study history at the University of Maryland, where he participated in volunteer work for youth programs. After graduating in 1976, John worked as a settlement officer for 25 years at Houck and McCarron, the law firm founded by his father, F. LeRoy Houck. A beloved husband, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, and friend, John will be greatly missed by many. He was known for his generosity, sense of humor, and pursuit of fun. He enjoyed golf, playing guitar, waterskiing on the South River, sailing, and the Washington Commanders.

1974 Charles C. Davies

Charles C. Davies passed away October 20, 2024, in Rutherfordton, North Carolina. His classmates remember him as “one of the good guys.” At Severn, he was a multisport athlete—wrestling, football, and lacrosse—and a member of a Christian youth group called Young Life. Charles will be remembered for choosing to be a friend to all who knew him.

Former Trustee David R. Cahouet

David R. Cahouet passed away on August 24, 2024, at the age of 52. David earned his undergraduate degree at Villanova University. He went on to earn an MBA from Duquesne University and a Master of Science degree from the John M. Katz Graduate School of Business at the University of Pittsburgh. Dave pursued a career in banking, and his colleagues and customers remember him as a pleasure to work with and as the ultimate team player. Family and friends knew Dave as a fiercely devoted husband and father and a loving son and brother. Dave was also a loyal friend, a careful listener, and a talented storyteller. It would not be possible to describe David without acknowledging the inspiring courage, resilience, grace, and hope with which he faced his final battles.

SEVERN IS THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE RETURN OF THE

ALUMNI WALKWAY BRICK PROGRAM.

This special program offers a lasting way to commemorate a student’s time at Severn, recognize a favorite faculty member, celebrate an alum’s milestone reunion, or honor the memory of a loved one. Bricks are prominently displayed on the Alumni Walkway, which serves as a tangible reminder of the incredible community of students, alumni, teachers, and friends who have made Severn the special place it is.

For more information or to buy a brick, scan the QR code below:

201

www.severnschool.com

Change Service Requested

Kody Ford ‘29 (far right) and the cast of the 8th Grade Play rehearse in Price.