Solebury School Magazine Summer/Fall 2015

Graduation 2015 On June 6, Solebury School graduated 52 exceptional seniors. pg. 6 >

S u m m e r / Fa l l 2 0 1 5

Global Education Trips Students explored Germany, upstate New York’s Adirondack Mountains and Arizona. pg. 16 >

Alumni Weekend A look back at a festive spring weekend and a chance for Solebury alumni to reconnect. pg. 22 >

Board of Trustees 2015-2016 Scott Bolenbaugh P’09 Chairman Tom Hunt ‘74 P’16 Vice Chairman Alan Sheriff P’08 ‘16 Secretary Joan Reinthaler ‘53 Treasurer Jay Abbe ‘59 Bette Jane (BJ) Booth P’11 Dan Cohen ‘63 Andrea Devereux P’14 Jonathan C. Downs ‘71 P’03 ‘08 ‘09 Andrée Newsome Falco ‘63 Dr. Ellen Faulkner P’06 ‘11 Jeremy Fergusson ‘63 Barbara Fordyce P’07 ‘13 Stan Jablonowski P’13 Josh Perlsweig ‘03 John Petito P’96 ‘03 Mike Sienkiewicz ‘56 Anne C. (Annsi) Stephano ’58 P’77 ’78 ’81 Derek Warden ‘79 Navarrow Wright ‘88 P’16 ‘19

HEAD OF SCHOOL Thomas G. Wilschutz

HONORARY TRUSTEES Bill Berkeley ‘49 Chris Chandor ‘60 P’86 Alan Donley ‘55 Betsy Bidelman Meredith ‘54 P’81 Richard Moss ‘48 Eric Shaw ‘55 Jean Tappan Shaw ‘53

On the Cover: Solebury School’s

Class of 2015 gathered for their official photo before the graduation ceremony.

Fall 2015

Contents

Solebury School SUMMER/FALL Magazine

Editor Jennifer K. Burns Director of Advancement and External Affairs

Associate Editor, Magazine Beverly Berkeley Director of Communications and Marketing

Associate Editor, Alma’s Update Renee LaPorte Director of Alumni Relations and Gift Planning

Contributing Writers Gail Acosta, Beverly Berkeley, Jennifer K. Burns, Hannah Dorph ’15, Lauren Eckstein, Jonathan Fleming ’16, Deb O’Reilly, Holly Victor ’89, Kate Voynow ’16, Tom Wilschutz

Design & Production Proof Design

Photography Beverly Berkeley, Steve Barth

Please send change of address to:

Solebury School

Features

6 Graduation 2015

6832 Phillips Mill Road New Hope, PA 18938 Phone: 215-862-5261 Fax: 215-862-3366 Email: alumni@solebury.org

16 Global Education Trips

With spring break comes the opportunity for students to

expand their horizons.

© Copyright 2015 Solebury School

Connect With Solebury School

On the morning of Saturday, June 6, friends, family, faculty and staff joined our 52 seniors in the Athletic Center gymnasium to celebrate graduation day.

Departments 2 A Note from the Head of School A message from Tom Wilschutz

Facebook facebook.com/Solebury-School-191183385937

3 Beyond the Books

Twitter twitter.com/SoleburySchool

14

youtube youtube.com/SoleburySchoolUWatch Instagram instagram.com/soleburyschool/ Pinterest pinterest.com/soleburys/

www.solebury.org

News and events from Solebury School

Athletic News

22

Alumni Weekend

30

Alma’s Update

Catch up on Alumni News

A N ote from T om W i l schut z

Head of School can critically reflect on the human condition in a world where machines may well outthink us, and perhaps replace most of us in the fields in which we toil. It is not necessarily a future we should fully fear nor necessarily fully embrace, but it is a future we should seek to intentionally shape.

For whatever reason, we humans tend to ascribe landmark status to those moments when quintiles and deciles are attained. So, it’s with a feeling of celebration and pride that we kick off our 90th year, offering our unique Solebury School brand of independent school education.

I sometimes wonder, what would the Solebury School freshman in 1925 have thought of smart phones, the Internet, Google, iPads or Netflix/Twitter/Facebook? Could they have imagined that their great-grandchildren would have the world at their fingertips, able to share thoughts and ideas far and wide in just a few keystrokes?

Create their own custom manufacturing plants via 3D printing?

Eradicate polio and other infectious diseases?

In his book, The Singularity Is Near, author Ray Kurzweil posits that the computing power of machines will surpass that of the human intelligence in approximately 2045 at which point those machines will then go on to build smarter and smarter machines, finally freed from the albatross of human intelligence. Whether Kurzweil has it right or not, time will tell. However, it’s clear that the pace of technology is not going to slow, let alone reverse itself.

As we as a society continue to produce engineers and scientists who continue to fuel this technological revolution, we must also educate social scientists, activists, philosophers and ethicists who

2

The Magazine

Therein lies the role for Solebury and like-minded institutions.

We continue to offer a balance to our students, believing that English and Painting and Dance are as important as Math and Physics and Biology. We believe that rote memorization and jamming content into young minds in service to standardized testing outcomes is, at its best, misplaced and misguided. At its worst, we educate generations of future policy makers whose definition of learning and knowledge is fatally flawed. We believe that curricular experiences like Teach2Serve, Ethics, Biomedical Ethics and The US and the Arab World are just as critical to the developing mind and character of adolescents as anything labeled Advanced Placement. These categories are not placed in opposition to each other, value judgments like good and bad are not applicable. Rather it is to highlight the choice of balance, of educating the whole human so she/he is able to understand the critical questions that must be explored: Why? Is this a good development? What is the moral/ethical dimension in this moment? It is more critical than ever that we educate our students to understand that the capacity to achieve some invention/advancement/development does not necessarily mean we should—we have the responsibility to critically examine whether we should pursue this new path.

And so, we celebrate 90 years of learning. We look back to the past to prepare us well for the future, and we embrace change, not merely for the sake of change, but when it enhances our progress in fulfilling our mission and better serving our various constituencies. For example, you may have noticed that this issue of the Solebury School magazine looks rather different than ones that have previously arrived in your mailbox. In this issue, you’ll read about our programs and what’s happening on campus and in the lives of Solebury School alum. And you’ll see that we’ve updated our look to reflect the Solebury School of today. We love to hear your thoughts – please send them our way at magazine@ solebury.org.

I hope you enjoy this issue of Solebury: The Magazine and celebrate with us the persistence of the idea our four founders had some 90 years ago, that education can be achieved in an environment that nurtures and respects the student, engendering in them a passion for learning in a joyful environment.

Summer / Fall 2015

Beyond the books

PAIS Report

Solebury School Reaccredited How often do you take a good, long, hard look in the mirror? For most of us, self-evaluation happens rarely.

But at Solebury School, and many other independent schools, it happens every 10 years, when the school undertakes a self-study to earn reaccreditation. The rigorous year-long process involves in-depth analysis, introspection and scrutiny. Yet, for Solebury School, going through reaccreditation during the 2014-2015 school year was viewed as both an obligation and an opportunity.

“Schools are busy, busy places,” said Tom Wilschutz, Solebury School’s Head of School. “We would never devote one-and-a-half years to a self-examination if it wasn’t important. If you’re a good, healthy school, you can take advantage of this. Solebury is a good, healthy school. The process itself is productive. It brings together a lot of keen minds. We got good input and good insights.”

Solebury School’s reaccreditation process was administered by the Pennsylvania Association of Independent Schools (PAIS), a not-for-profit organization offering support and services to more than 100 independent schools in Pennsylvania and Delaware. To earn reaccreditation, Solebury School spent months preparing documents, reports and data.

The process culminated in late October 2014 when Solebury hosted a team of educators from other PAIS independent schools who held meetings, visited classes, took tours of the campus and spent time evaluating, observing and dissecting nearly every aspect of the school.

Hanna Howe, Solebury School’s librarian, served as the chairperson of the PAIS steering committee. While reaccreditation is truly a school-wide effort with faculty, staff and administrators all doing their part, Howe orchestrated the completion of the necessary documents and helped prepare the school for the PAIS visit. She said the process was demanding, but also a valuable experience for the school.

“I do think it’s good for the school to have outside eyes look at our practices and culture,” said Howe. “The visiting team takes care to listen to what we want to be doing and reports back on

Summer / Fall 2015

whether we are fulfilling our own mission. They try hard to help us be the best us, not try to force or expect us to be a school we don’t want to be. It’s an interesting and useful exercise to be asked, ‘Are you who you want to be?’”

This spring, the PAIS visiting committee granted reaccreditation to Solebury School and delivered a 48-page report that included both commendations and recommendations. Wilschutz said he thought the document was thorough and comprehensive. “I think they understood us,” he said.

PAIS praised Solebury School for many of its core values and philosophies. The visiting committee recognized how the school fosters a unique community where students can connect with faculty, and where each student feels understood and appreciated. The school’s success in integrating boarding, day and international students was also noted, along with the culture on campus that encourages students to think independently and explore their individual interests. PAIS also praised Solebury for developing faculty and staff members who are committed to the school and devoted to the students.

The PAIS report also included some suggestions and ideas for the school to consider. Wilschutz said that he, along with an administrative team, have already compiled many of the ideas into an itemized spreadsheet and are currently discussing action plans for some of the items. For example, a team is developing more comprehensive emergency drills for unique situations, such as evacuation drills and lockdown drills. Another team is considering creating a more uniform style guide for school documents and publications. Others are working to broaden the school’s community service program, offering more service learning opportunities for students.

These discussions that grew directly from the PAIS report are exactly how an obligation becomes an opportunity. Wilschutz said his goal is to use the report to “keep looking at best practices and keep seeking ways to improve Solebury School.”

“I’m really happy with how we organized ourselves and the progress we’ve made,” said Wilschutz. “There are clear roadways on what needs to happen and in what sequence. This has all been a good process.”

www.solebury.org

3

Beyond the books Faculty News

Jon Freer Earns John and Linda Brown Faculty Enrichment Award When Jon Freer, Solebury School educational technologist and science teacher, returned from his two-week trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands this summer, he said that his trip had no highlights. He quickly elaborated that it was impossible to pick favorite moments from his trip. Every single moment of those 14 days was a highlight.

Jon Freer at the center of the earth in Ecuador.

Freer’s trip was made possible by the John and Linda Brown Faculty Enrichment Award. The award, established by Solebury School’s Home and School Association, honors John D. Brown ’67, Solebury’s Head of School from 1989-2008, and Linda Brown, Director of Advancement from 1989-2008, for their years of service.

The endowment is designed to allow a Solebury faculty member to pursue a personal interest that sparks their enthusiasm for education.

For Freer, who teaches biology, environmental science and evolution, traveling to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands allowed him to tread on the lands where Charles Darwin developed his theories, explore the diverse biology of an area known for its flora and fauna, and view the effects of ecotourism on precious natural resources.

“It was a tremendous trip,” said Freer, as he scrolled through more than 1,000 photos and 100 videos from his travels.

“I always talk about Darwin in my classes, but to be there and understand what he was seeing was amazing,” said Freer. “Experiences like that will bring a lot to my classes.”

For part of his trip, Freer traveled with Global Exploration for Educators Organization (GEEO), a non-profit organization that runs travel programs designed for teachers. Following the GEEO tour, Freer traveled to Ecuador’s remote Sacha Lodge to explore the dense rainforest. Along the way, he saw sea lions, sea turtles, blue-footed boobies, marine iguanas, monkeys and penguins. He even swam with six-foot white-tipped reef sharks.

“I knew people did it,” he said. “But the first time, I was like, Oh, there’s a shark.

Then, all of a sudden, there were 30 sharks. I was filming underwater, and on the video, you can hear me. I’m thinking, ‘Stay calm, stay calm,’ but I’m saying, ‘Holy cow.’”

4

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2015

Beyond the books During his two-week trip, Freer not only swam with sharks, but came face-to-face with a Galapagos tortoise, visited the Darwin Research Center, kayaked, snorkeled, hiked through lava caves and learned enough Spanish to ask for directions when he got lost.

Freer said he overcame his nerves in his effort to maximize every moment of his trip.

“If we were snorkeling, I was the first in, the last out,” he said. “If there was an opportunity to do something, my answer was ‘yes.’ I sometimes lean toward shy and hesitant. I got over that. I was like, ‘There’s sharks there? Let’s go.’”

Freer dreams of developing a course at Solebury School that incorporates everything he learned on his trip. The course would teach geology, biology, evolution, the history of Ecuador, basic Spanish language and would culminate

Jon in the Galapagos, hanging with the turtles.

in a class trip to Ecuador. Yet for now, he is compiling his photos and videos into lessons that he hopes to share in his classroom and with the community.

Overall, Freer seems driven to share what he learned.

“I feel inspired by the love of places and seeing things,” he said. “That’s the passion I can share. It’s really exciting to bring the things that excite you as a teacher. It makes the classroom a more exciting place to be.”

Anthony Porter

of their position in ways that have enriched the community’s experience.

Receives the First Above and Beyond Award

This year, Anthony Porter was recognized as the first Above and Beyond Award recipient. Anthony has been a fixture on Solebury School’s dining hall staff for the last eight years.

Anyone who walks into the dining hall is met with a smile and kind word from Anthony. Need a helping hand? Anthony is the first to offer. In addition to his work in the dining hall, Anthony also assists with coaching and conditioning the school’s wrestling team. An accomplished musician and vocalist, Anthony is a frequent contributor to the school’s music program. “When we thought about the intent of the Home and School Association to recognize someone in our community who goes above and beyond, we all immediately thought of Anthony,” said Tom Wilschutz, Head of School. “He truly epitomizes this award in his approach to every task, every assignment, everything he does, every single day, at Solebury.

Anthony is the most amazing colleague I think I have ever worked with in my professional life.”

Solebury School’s Home and School Association has created an award to recognize the extraordinary dedication of Solebury School faculty and staff.

Anthony Porter and Tom Wilschutz

Summer / Fall 2015

The Home and School Above and Beyond Award for faculty and staff was created using a portion of the proceeds from the La Dolce Vita: The Sweet Life annual auction. Each year, a stipend will be awarded to an individual who has truly exceeded the expectations

The Home and School Above and Beyond Award is available for additional contributions. For more information or to make a gift, contact Jennifer K. Burns, Director of Advancement and External Affairs, at 215-862-5361 x183 or jburns@solebury.org.

www.solebury.org

5

6

The Magazine

Fall 2015

Graduation

2015

The Friday evening before graduation day begins the celebration of our seniors.

The school hosts a special Senior Dinner where faculty members highlight senior accomplishments with award presentations. Matt Angle ’15, Sasha Scudder ’15 and Keson Bullock-Brown ’15 shared their high school experiences. Susie Lenovitz ’15 and Josh Reinstein ’15 conveyed their personal feelings in original poems, with a special performance by Ilona Wilde ’15.

Senior Class officers Sara Bosak ’15, Hester Krog ’15 and Sasha Scudder ’15 presented the Class of 2015’s gift to the school, a contribution toward the refurbishment of the beverage station in the Herbert S. Boyd Dining Hall.

“Be open. Be open to an impromptu walk in the woods on a Wednesday. Be open to striking up a conversation with a stranger reading a book you love. Be

open to the things your teachers are exposing you to.

It took me a while to figure it out, but all of those things are really great, and each has the potential to be incredibly important. They are

important because they are things in the world, just like you’re a person in the world. The facts, the ideas, the art you study throughout the course of your education are important because they exist, and because they are all for you.”

Susie Lenovitz ’15 recited an original

Dr. Helen Matthews,

poem during Senior Dinner

2015 Faculty Commencement Speaker

To view full story and speeches, visit www.solebury.org/student_life/graduation-2015/index.aspx

OPPOSITE PAGE, TOP: Shannon Foley ’15 and Milo Luciano ’15 BOTTOM LEFT: Hailey Tasch ’15 and her mother, Laina Tasch ’86 P’14 ’15 BOTTOM MIDDLE: Lucas Santiago ’15 and his father, Euclides Santiago P’15 BOTTOM RIGHT: Erynn Lynch ’15 (left) and Cassidy Patterson ’15

Summer / Fall 2015

www.solebury.org

7

Graduation 2015

On the morning of Saturday, June 6, many friends, family, faculty and staff joined our 52 seniors in the Athletic Center gymnasium to celebrate their graduation day.

Senior speakers included Zonia Rueda ’15, Hester Krog ’15 and Yuriy Dmitriyev ’15.

Dr. Helen Matthews, Head of World Languages, was selected by the class as this year’s faculty commencement speaker. With high school diplomas in hand, our newest alumni headed out into the world with dreams and expectations for the future.

“I have come a long way in these three short years, from a guy with a tough Russian accent on the edge of packing my suitcases and returning to the Ukraine to the person standing in front of you, giving a speech and heading in a few months to a competitive university. Solebury turned me into a better person, even though I never got rid of my amazing accent.”

– Yuriy Dmitriyev ’15

TOP RIGHT: Friends and family gather in the Athletic Center. BOTTOM RIGHT: Christina Sappington ’15 and her family TOP LEFT: Vikki Rueda-Juarez ’17 (left) and Zonia Rueda ’15 (right) with their mom, Zonia Juarez-Perez P’15 ’17 MIDDLE LEFT: The Todd siblings, Ryan ’09 (left), McKenna ’13 (middle) and Schuyler ’15 (right) BOTTOM LEFT: Hanna Dorph ’15 with her mother, Carolyn Dorph P’15

8

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2015

Senior Awards

Leaders for Today and the Future Faculty members presented five named awards and special prizes to outstanding seniors.

The Dorothy MacBrien Award Hester Krog ’15 Given in memory of Dottie MacBrien P’79 by her husband Hugh and son Chris `79, this award goes to a senior for his or her contributions to making Solebury School a better community and for demonstrating a willingness to help others. Hester is attending The California Institute of The Arts.

The Mike Mullen Award Anastasia Babicki ’15 This award is presented to the senior class member who has exemplified Mike’s characteristics of hard work, honesty, and love of the Solebury community and its natural surroundings. Stasia attends Eckerd College.

The Number One Ranked in the Class of 2015 Abigail Mott ’15

Abigail Mott earned the number one rank in the class of 2015 with the highest cumulative GPA. Abigail attends Brown University.

Hester Krog ‘15 with Ali Ludington and Shawn Rowley Wright

The William P. Orrick Award Milo Luciano ’15 The Orrick Prize honors William Pendleton Orrick, Headmaster of Solebury School from 1948-1968, and is the gift of the Dr. Marvin Solomon Family and John Lippman `75. It is awarded to a senior who has made the greatest academic improvement during his or her time at Solebury.

Abigail Mott ’15 with Steve Buteux

Summer / Fall 2015

Milo Luciano ’15 with Steve Buteux

Anastasia Babicki ‘15 with Diane Downs

Frank Ammirati Math & Science Prize Yuriy Dmitriyev ’15 This prize is given in honor of Frank Ammirati P’73 ’79 ’81 ’82, who taught math and science at Solebury for more than 30 years. The recipient of this award is a senior who excels in both of these disciplines. Yuriy Dmitriyev attends The George Washington University.

Yuriy Dmitriyev ’15 with Cari Nelson

www.solebury.org

9

Graduation 2015

Special Awards

Presented on Prize Day The Founders Award JR Madey ’16 The Founders Award, established by John A. Silver, III ’57 and Betsy Orth Hill ’57, is intended for a member of the junior class who exudes personal maturity, integrity, intellectual curiosity, a sense of responsibility to the school community as well as a society in general, sympathy for others and courage.

activities on campus and encouragement of understanding within the community.

Christina attends Manhattanville College.

The Bryn Mawr College President’s Book Award Kate Voynow ’16

The Home and School Community Service Prize Zonia Rueda ’15 This prize is given to the student who has made the most outstanding contributions to the Community Service Program at Solebury School.

Zonia attends Ursinus College.

This award goes to the member of the junior class who embodies the core characteristics of a Bryn Mawr woman: a driven and passionate learner with a clear sense of purpose who is inspired by and celebrates differences and who seeks to transform herself, her community and the world.

The Lucien Peebles ’65 Scholarship Prize JR Madey ’16 with Tom Wilschutz

Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16 Kim Willard-Mack ’16

The Commitment to Diversity Award Christina Sappington ’15 Established by the Class of 2014, this award is presented to students who have demonstrated enthusiasm for diversity through his or her willingness to cross social boundaries, respect of Solebury’s diverse population, participation in diversity

10

The Magazine

The Lucien Peebles Scholarship Prize is funded by Robert and Barbara Hillier and presented to a junior who embodies Lucien’s qualities of hard work and intellectual curiosity.

Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16 and Kim WillardMack ’16 with Scott Eckstein and Tom Wilschutz

Kate Voynow ’16 with Tim Gallen

Summer / Fall 2015

The Princeton Book Award Kim Willard-Mack ’16 This award goes to a member of the junior class for outstanding academic achievement and exemplary community service.

The Smith College Book Award Jenny Liang ’16 This award goes to the junior or sophomore who exemplifies the academic achievement, leadership qualities and the concern for others that characterize the thousands of woman who have graduated from Smith College.

The Director of Studies Award Matthew Angle ’15 Zonia Rueda ’15 The Director of Studies Award goes to a student or students in any grade whose actions in and outside the classroom demonstrate intellectual curiosity, love of learning for its own sake, and speculative habits of mind. Matthew attends The George Washington University and Zonia attends Ursinus College.

Kim Willard-Mack ’16 with Tim Gallen

The College of the Atlantic Book Award Neal Hafner ’16 This award is given to a community-minded junior who is curious and self-directed, possessing a genuine love of learning across multiple academic disciplines.

Jenny Liang ’16 with Tim Gallen Matthew Angle ’15 and Zonia Rueda ’15

The Rachel Carson Book Award of Chatham University Leah Hunt ’16 This award goes to the junior who has shown a passion for the environment and interest in writing or the sciences. It includes a scholarship to Chatham University and an invitation to a reception on campus.

Neal Hafner ’16 with Tim Gallen

Summer / Fall 2015

Leah Hunt ’16 with Tim Gallen

The Dean of Students Award Max Brewington ’16 The Dean’s Award is given to a student who participates in and gives to the community unselfishly. It is given to a person who sees a need in the community and helps without being asked.

Max Brewington ’16 with Annette Miller and Bill Christy

www.solebury.org

11

Graduation 2015

Solebury School Class of 2015

Where They’ve Been and Where They’re Going In June, Solebury graduated 52 exceptional students.

Their success demonstrates the ongoing drive and passion that Solebury students share.

The accomplishments of Solebury’s Class of 2015 are significant. Many of them are athletes, including a black belt in tae kwon do and a school record holder for the 800 meters in Track and Field. The Class of 2015 included one of the top pianists in China, a Bucks County Poet Laureate finalist and award-winning

12

The Magazine

filmmakers. Several were recognized for their academic achievements, including a gold medal winner in the National Spanish Exam and a National Merit Scholar honoree.

The Class of 2015 have been no strangers to giving back. Locally, students helped restore areas in New Jersey and New York after the wreckage

created by Hurricane Sandy. They have been leaders, mentors, tutors, teachers and supporters, working with programs such as Alex’s Lemonade Stand, Girls on the Run and Project Eye-to-Eye. Additionally, students have taken their efforts overseas, working in places like Nicaragua, Guatemala, Tanzania, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and South Africa.

They have also utilized Solebury’s house system to create friendly competition in fundraising efforts like Penny Wars or food drives.

Fall 2015

Members of Solebury School’s Class of 2015 were accepted to more than 100 selective colleges and universities in the United States and beyond.

Albright College

Florida Institute of Technology

Marist College

American University

Florida Southern College

University of Mary Washington

Savannah College of Art and Design

Auburn University

Fordham University – Lincoln Center Campus/Rose Hill Campus

Marymount California University

Scripps College

Marymount Manhattan College

Seton Hall University Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania

Babson College Bard College University of Bath

Franklin and Marshall College

Mercer County Community College

Bennington College

Franklin Pierce University

Miami University, Oxford

Spelman College

Bentley University

The George Washington University

University of Miami

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

The George Washington University (College of Arts & Sciences)

Michigan State University

Stetson University

Montclair State University

Stonehill College

Moravian College

Suffolk University

Mount Saint Mary’s University

Susquehanna University

Muhlenberg College

Temple University

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Boston University Brooklyn College of the CUNY Brown University Burlington College Butler University California Institute of the Arts

The University of Georgia Goucher College Hamilton College – NY Hampshire College Hampton University

University of New Hampshire New York University (Steinhardt School)

The New School – Eugene Lang College Tyler Junior College

University of Hartford

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Harvard University

Northeastern University

University of Vermont

California State University, Northridge

University of Hawaii at Manoa

New York University Abu Dhabi

Hawaii Pacific University

University of California, Merced

Oregon State University

High Point University

University of California, Santa Cruz

University of Oregon

University of Vermont (College of Agriculture & Life Sciences)

Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Pace University, New York City

Cedar Crest College

Hofstra University

Chapman University

Howard University

Colgate University

Humboldt State University

University of Colorado at Boulder

Indiana University at Bloomington

Columbia College Chicago

Indiana University at Bloomington (Kelley School of Business)

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

University of Dallas Delaware State University University of Delaware University of Denver DePaul University DePauw University Dickinson College Drew University Drexel University East Carolina University Eckerd College University of Edinburgh Elmira College Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Daytona Beach Emerson College Emory University (Emory College) Fairfield University Farleigh Dickinson University – Florham Campus Farleigh Dickinson University – Metropolitan Campus

Summer / Fall 2015

Indiana University of Pennsylvania Iona College

University of the Pacific Pennsylvania State University, Abington

Wagner College Warren Wilson College

Pennsylvania State University, University Park (Smeal College of Business)

University of Washington, Bothell

University of Pennsylvania University of Pittsburgh Point Park University

Ithaca College (School of Humanities & Sciences)

Purdue University

Kean University

Virginia Wesleyan College

University of Warwick

Purchase College State University of New York

Juniata College

Virginia Tech

Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Ithaca College

Johnson & Wales University

Ursinus College

Washington College Wells College Wesleyan University West Virginia University Wheaton College (MA) Widener University The College of Wooster Yale-NUS College

Quinnipiac University Randolph-Macon College University of Redlands

We wish the Solebury School

University of Rhode Island

Class of 2015 the best in all

Richmond, The American International College in London

of their future endeavors

Rider University

and look forward to seeing

Lafayette College

Rochester Institute of Technology

them, and other recent

University College London

Roger Williams University

grads, back here on campus

Loyola University New Orleans Lycoming College

Rutgers University – New Brunswick

on January 5, 2016 for

Lynchburg College

Saint Joseph’s University

Young Alumni Day!

University of Maine

Santa Monica College

Manhattanville College

Sarah Lawrence College

Kutztown University of Pennsylvania La Salle University University of La Verne

www.solebury.org

13

AthLetics NEWS

Solebury Athletes

Honored at Awards Banquet Frank Ammirati Most Valuable Senior Athlete Award Anastasia Babicki ’15 Darvin Johnson ’15 Anastasia Babicki ’15 has been a valuable teammate and supporter of Solebury athletics since her first year as a seventh grader. In total, she has played 15 of the 18 seasons she has been at Solebury, playing for the field hockey, basketball and lacrosse teams. Rob Eichem, the Director of Athletics, noted that she would ask for more games to be added to the schedule. She was a true standout in every sport she played, acting as a leader during games and practices. Through her dedication and enthusiastic spirit, she not only earned three varsity letters during her senior year, but also most improved in girls basketball and MVP in field hockey and lacrosse.

Anastasia Babicki ’15 and Darvin Johnson ’15

Since arriving in the ninth grade, Darvin Johnson ’15 has been unstoppable. Hitting the ground running, literally, he has been a Spartan since his first trimester on campus. Despite his calm and collected attitude, he shows fierce competition on the field; as a result, Darvin has earned an impressive collection of accolades.

14

The Magazine

A four-year letter winner in basketball and two-year in Track and Field, Darvin finished first in the 110m hurdles, 300m hurdles, 200m dash, and was a member of the winning 4x400m relay team all at the league championships. He also scored the most points for a male athlete in Track and Field this season. His dedication and hard-work especially showed when he won 6th place in the 300m hurdles at the state meet—all while on a bum leg!

Coach of the Year Tonya Grant Brown The Coach of the Year is selected by the Director of Athletics.

The criteria for the award include team success during the season, taking into account the level of competition and difficulty of the schedule; demonstrated ability to improve the athletic performance of the team and/or the individual; and demonstrated respect for officials and opponents, and a consistent philosophy of fair play.

Tonya Grant Brown is the coach of the Varsity Girls Basketball team.

Although she has only been coaching at Solebury for two years, her success has not gone unnoticed. This past season, her team set a season record of 13-6.

Solebury won overall in Tonya Grant-Brown, Coach of the Year the Penn-Jersey League with AD Rob Eichem Playoffs, capturing their first title since 2006. The win marked a perfect 10-0 in league play. Additionally, two of her players, Denia Campbell ‘17 and Qiana Vigo ’18, who both scored 22 and 14 points respectively in the championship, were selected to play an all-star game at Girard College. In these two years alone, Brown has made a name for Solebury and proven herself an outstanding coach.

Summer / Fall 2015

Athletic Award Recipients Fall Awards

Coaches’ Award: Noah Sadoff ’16

Boys Tennis

Girls Soccer

Most Improved Award (2):

Most Valuable Player:

Most Valuable Player: Max Brewington ’16

Boys Basketball

Coaches’ Award:

Most Valuable Player:

Ryuta Utsumi ’17, Gianluca Sturla ’20

Chen Yan ’15

Coaches’ Award (2): Michael Francesco ’15, Haolun Liu ’16

Most Improved Award:

Carol Wright ’16

Curtis Thompson ’16

Samuel Alter ’15

Most Improved Award:

Coaches’ Award (2): Milo Luciano ’15, Darvin Johnson ’15

Baseball

Most Improved Award (2):

Most Valuable Player:

Vikki Rueda-Juarez ’17

Boys Soccer

Gabe Kass ’15, Devin Matchett ’16

Dylan Foley ’16

Coaches’ Award (2):

Most Valuable Player:

Keson Brown ’15, Wei-Han Tang ’15

Matthew Ludak ’15

Most Improved Award:

Coaches’ Award:

Benjamin Roxey ’18

Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16

Most Improved Award (2): Benjamin Roxey ’18, Joshua Zolkewitz ’18

Cross Country Most Valuable Player (2): Ilona Wilde ’15, Nick Lavery ’16

Coaches’ Award (3): J.R. Madey ’16, Emma Black ’16, Lina Freudenberg ’16

Spring Awards

Most Improved Award (2): Jessie Forest ’15, Andrei Benoliel ’18

Field Hockey Most Valuable Player:

Golf Most Valuable Player: Matthew Clobes ’15

Anastasia Babicki ’15

Coaches’ Award (2):

Coaches’ Award (2):

Matthew Angle ’15, Ryan Davis ’15

Sara Bosak ’15, Hailey Tasch ’15

Most Improved Award:

Most Improved Award:

Gabe Kass ’15

Afrah Boateng ’16

Girls Lacrosse

Winter Awards

Most Valuable Player (2): Coaches’ Award (2):

Most Valuable Player:

Most Improved:

Coaches’ Award: Most Improved:

Most Valuable Player:

Ian Berwick ’15, Carlos Lewis-Miller ’16, Jessie Forest ’15, Lina Freudenberg ’16

Most Improved Award (4): Daniel Sheriff ’16, Carol Wright ’16, Andrei Benoliel ’18, Ariel Bonneau ’16

Julia McDonald ’16

Wrestling

Coaches’ Award:

Most Valuable Player:

Most Improved Award:

Summer / Fall 2015

Coaches’ Award (4):

Olivia Lutz ’18

Softball

Thomas McKinnon ’17

Darvin Johnson ’15, Lucas Santiago ’15, Vikki Rueda-Juarez ’17, Ilona Wilde ’15

Claire Maloney ’15, Shannon Foley ’15

Qiana Vigo ’18 Anastasia Babicki ’15

Most Valuable Player (4):

Anastasia Babicki ’15, Cassidy Patterson ’15

Girls Basketball Denia Campbell ’17

Track & Field

Sara Bosak ’15 Chloe Wang ’16

www.solebury.org

15

16

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2015

Global Education

Trips With spring break comes the opportunity for students to expand their horizons.

Some students traveled overseas for a cultural immersion experience in Hamburg, Germany, while some opted to flex their muscles on the icy Adirondack slopes of upstate New York. Others traveled to the warmer climate of Arizona to learn the customs and traditions of the Hopi and Navajo tribes, complete with a community service project and sightseeing at some stunning U.S. landmarks, including the Grand Canyon.

Here’s a glimpse into Solebury School’s Global Education Program.

Fall 2015

www.solebury.org

17

German Student Exchange Our Global Education Program was highlighted by a student exchange with the Helmuth Hubener School (Stadtteilschule Helmuth Hubener) in Hamburg, Germany. A group of Solebury students with chaperones traveled to Hamburg during spring break in March, and in April, Solebury hosted a group of German students here in the United States. While in Germany, Solebury students explored Hamburg on foot and by boat, took an excursion to the Baltic Sea and visited the cities of Berlin and Lübeck.

TOP RIGHT: Erik Daughterman ’18 and Claire Maloney ’15 visited the historic Holstentor building (the Holsten Gate) in Lübeck.

RIGHT: While in the States, the German exchange students visited Philadelphia, stopping for a photo op at the famous LOVE sign.

BOTTOM: Solebury students with their German counterparts at an ice skating rink in Hamburg.

Adirondack Mountain Adventure Students interested in a winter sports adventure took part in an exciting trip to the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. The group stayed in a private lodge on the grounds of Adirondack Rock & River, a lodging and guide service center that is popular with the Adirondack climbing community. Students tested their comfort zones while on snowshoes, ice climbing an 80-foot wall with licensed guides and cross-country skiing. “There is no greater feeling than seeing someone try new things and succeed,” said Stacie Anastasio, Solebury’s Athletic Trainer and trip chaperone.

TOP LEFT: Students stop to take in the view while snowshoeing on the first day of the trip.

TOP RIGHT: Students gather at the base of the ice wall, preparing to climb.

MIDDLE RIGHT: Neal Hafner ’16 and Aaron Schurman ’20 try their hand at ice climbing.

LEFT: The group ranged from seventh graders to seniors.

Summer / Fall 2015

www.solebury.org

19

During their trip, students documented their experiences in their journals.

Here’s a sampling.

Day 1

Arizona, the American Southwest Fifteen students and three chaperones traveled to Arizona to learn the culture and traditions of the Native American tribes of the Hopi and Navajo Nations and participate in a community service project. Students had time to hike among the stunning red rocks and cactus plants of Sedona, AZ. A visit to the Grand Canyon served as a magical grand finale to their experience.

20

The Magazine

We started the day at the Heard Museum’s Native American Indian Market and Fair in Phoenix. Watched the Hopi and Navajo ceremonial dances like the Kachina, hoop and snake dance – the dance for rain to grow the corn, dance for the harvest, dance to celebrate life and rite of passage… Learned about the clothing they wear for different dances and how they made them and what they represented. Ended our first day in Sedona just in time for a sunset hike to the top of a vortex.

It’s so surreal here – the cactus, the red rocks, like being on a different planet. My soul is content. I love learning about Native American culture through the experience and not from a book. Tired, time to sleep. Hiking in the morning then off to the Hopi. Must remember to THANK Mom and Dad for letting me go.

Day 2 –

(Hopi Nation) No internet access here so tonight I decided to sit outside and write. It’s so quiet here. The only thing I hear is the howl of coyotes in the distance. The night air is cool and dry and the sky is so clear. I’ve never seen so many stars in my life. I feel very awake right now and connected to the universe. I am so thankful for this experience.

Summer / Fall 2015

Day 3 Our Hopi guide, Ed, took us to the First Mesa today, a village on top of a plateau. You can see for hundreds of miles in all directions. Ed says that the Hopi people are known for longdistance running, as it’s about 30 miles away to the next village.

Ed got special permission from the Tribal elders to take us to the Kachina house, a very sacred place where the Kachina spirits live during the ceremonies. I feel honored to have a glimpse into their world.

Day 4 Some of the Hopi women taught us how to make fry bread with them for tonight’s dinner. We prepared and cooked the flat bread outside. We took dough the size of ping pong balls and pinched it into discs and then slapped it quickly between the palms of our hands to flatten it. I accidently dropped one in the dirt, oops! I threw it over the fence for the rez dogs to eat, they are so thin. In Hopi tradition, the woman serve the men first. It’s their way to thank the men for their work the fields all day. Fred, Jared and Jack are really liking this as they get to eat first.

Day 5 Arrived at the Grand Canyon! I’ve always dreamed of coming here and now I am HERE. We watched the sunset at the south rim. It’s incredible! Every moment the sun drops in the western sky, the canyon changes colors. I am humbled by this place – so magical, so big. It makes me feel so small and all the things I worry about irrelevant. Someday when I have children I will bring them here and share this with them.

Summer / Fall 2015

OPPOSITE PAGE: Students hiked a trail while experiencing the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon.

TOP LEFT: While hiking through the Navajo Reservation near Flagstaff, AZ, students paused in the Canyon de Chelly to photograph the ancient White House Ruin cliff dwellings, as famous photographer Ansel Adams once did in the 1940s.

TOP RIGHT: Ilona Wilde ’15 participates in one of the Hopi and Navajo community circle dances in Phoenix.

MIDDLE: Students gather at the First Mesa Youth Center, where they cleaned a neglected basketball court before an upcoming tournament as part of their community service project.

www.solebury.org

21

20 15 Alumni

Solebury School

Weekend

Spring was in full bloom for Alumni Weekend, a time when all classes are invited back to campus to reconnect with each other and Solebury School. The weekend kicked off at the home of Brett Webber ’85, who celebrated his 30th Reunion by graciously opening his Bucks County home to his fellow alumni for a Friday evening reception, complete with delicious food and beverage and a live bluegrass band.

Visit www.solebury.org/alumni/alumniweekend-2015-highlights/index.aspx for more photos

THIS PAGE: Alumni from the 60s through the aughts enjoyed reconnecting.

22

The Magazine

On Saturday morning, alumni joined Tom Wilschutz, Head of School,

Later, Tom Wilschutz updated interested

in the Memorial Garden to celebrate the lives of Solebury Family

alumni on the current State of the School.

members who are no longer with us. The Memorial Garden was

Families gathered for class photos at the dining

established in 2005 by family and friends to honor the memory of

hall while waiting for a delicious buffet lunch.

Stephen Mueller ’55 and Philip Guthrie ’69.

Saturday afternoon brought a celebration of some of Solebury School’s finest alumni athletes who were inducted into the 2015 Athletic Hall of Fame (see page 26).

John Petito ’96 and Lana Whitehead ’96 once again hosted the Alumni Barbeque, where dozens of alums enjoyed burgers, ribs, beverages and catching up with each other and their favorite teachers. Saturday culminated with the school’s annual dinner action, La Dolce Vita: The Sweet Life (see page 24). On Sunday, friends said goodbye at brunch in the Herbert S. Boyd Dining Hall.

The Group Gathered to Remember: Holmquist School: Ann Janeway ’39, Carol Prange Drake ’42

Solebury School: Judith Goldstein Joseph ’60, Jeff Hamilton ’74, Barbara Montagu Johnstone ’55, Judy Lippa ’66, Marci MacNeur ’68, James Peavey ’60. Fred Pickett, Jr. ’72, Frederick Riley ’58, John A. Silver, III ’57, James Woolsey ’62

Current and Former Faculty: Ralph Smith, Betty Blackburn Tjossem

Summer / Fall 2015

Save the Date

for next year’s Alumni Weekend, April 29 – May 1, 2016.

TOP: Alumni from the 50s and 60s. Left: Head of School Tom Wilschutz (right) leads the Memorial Service.

www.solebury.org

23

Alumni Weekend 2015

La Dolce Vita:

The Sweet Life Solebury’s annual dinner auction, La Dolce Vita: The Sweet Life, was a tremendous success thanks to a supportive community of Solebury parents, alumni, students, faculty and friends. Together, we raised over $120,000, including the special appeal for the Sycamore Patio.

The funds raised will allow us to make significant progress for the future including educational programming, student activities, faculty and staff development (see page 5) and facility improvements. So many members of our community made this night special and its impact will be felt by our students, faculty and friends for years to come. Special

thanks to our fabulous auction co-chairs, Donna Cosgrove P’16 and Carolyn Dorph P’15, who invested countless hours to make this event such a success.

Creating the Sycamore Patio This year’s Special Appeal enabled Solebury families and friends to impact one of the most used outdoor spaces

Bob Dahl and his wife, board member Barbara Fordyce P’07 ‘13 place a bid.

on Solebury’s campus and with the generous support of many, we raised over $77,000 for this project. Over the next year, the picnic area between the Herbert S. Boyd Dining Hall and the Main Office/ Farmhouse will be transformed into a thoughtfully designed gathering space for dining, socializing and learning: the Sycamore Patio.

Native and woodland plantings will complement the installation of a patio that reflects the beautiful natural vistas that surround it. The majestic beauty of the mature Sycamores will be retained, providing a natural canopy for students and faculty to dine outdoors or discuss literature and other topics in this outdoor classroom on sturdy, weather-resistant seating. Subtle lighting and easily accessible power sources will provide additional evening space options for student-centered performances like CribNotes or poetry readings. An open fireplace will be the highlight of the patio, providing warmth for gatherings on chilly autumn nights as well as a place for our campers to roast marshmallows for s’mores during the summer sleepover.

This summer, Solebury staff worked with arborists and landscape architects in carefully evaluating the existing site and creating a thoughtful plan for the space. Look for the new patio in summer 2016.

Save the Date for next year’s auction and plan to join us on April 30, 2016!

24

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2015

Many thanks to our auction sponsors Platinum Princeton Brain and Spinal Care, LLC The First National Bank of Newtown

Gold Pegasus Emergency Group Grigoriy and Tatyana Khvan P’16 Xiping Wang and Ning Li P’16 Yunqun Fang and Xiaoyan Liang P’15 Jeff Benoliel and Amy Branch P’18

Silver Andrea Devereux P’14 Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller Signs & Wonders Store, LLC

Bronze Ruth and Hans Cahnmann Memorial Fund Anne C. (Annsi) Stephano ’58 P’77 ’78 ’81

ABOVE: Susan Wald, wife of Eric Wald ’77, placed several bids during the silent auction.

TOP RIGHT: Deborah and Mark Daughterman P’18 MIDDLE RIGHT: Audi and Michelle Peal P’18 BOTTOM RIGHT: Sandra Dillon (left), David Christiansen P’96 ’99 (middle) and Brett Webber ’85

Summer / Fall 2015

www.solebury.org

25

Alumni Weekend 2015

Solebury School

2015 Athletic Hall of Fame

The Solebury School Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes and honors studentathletes, exceptional teams, coaches, and other members of the Solebury community who have made outstanding contributions to its athletic program.

During Alumni Weekend in May, the following were inducted: George DeSilver ’65† Melissa Hamilton ’78 Patrick Hernandez ’95 Terrane S. “Terry” Polnitz ’80

Many thanks go to the individuals who nominated this year’s recipients and to the Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee.

2016 Nominations Nominations may be made by either completing the online nomination form at www.solebury.org/halloffame or by sending one by mail to Robert Eichem, Director of Athletics, 6832 Phillips Mill Road, New Hope, PA 18938.

The deadline for submitting nominations is November 1, 2015.

TOP LEFT: Olivia Hagerty ’10 and her mother, Melissa Hamilton ’78 P’10 ’14. TOP RIGHT: Bryant Mitchell ’65 accepts the award in memory of George DeSilver ’65.

MIDDLE LEFT: Patrick Hernandez ’95 with his wife, Jennifer Choy. MIDDLE RIGHT: David Leshan P’81 with Melissa Hamilton. BOTTOM: Terrane S. Polnitz ’80 P’10 with Terrane Polnitz II ’10 and family.

† in memoriam

Summer / Fall 2015

www.solebury.org

27

Leadership

Solebury Welcomes

Five Board Members Jeremy L. Fergusson ’63 “Solebury did a lot of things for me, so it’s kind of give back time.”

Jeremy L. Fergusson ’63 calls

himself a Solebury School “lifer.” He attended Solebury from 7th through 12th grade and has many fond memories, like the time the renowned author Robert Frost gave a poetry reading at the school or the magical day each year called Russian Holiday, when the headmaster announced a surprise, all-school trip to New York City. “It was such a formative time in my life,” said Fergusson. “I got all sorts of grounding from it.”

story in a compelling way,” he said. “Hopefully I can help do that.”

Joan Reinthaler ’53 “I’ve taught all my life, and I like seeing it from the other side.”

Fergusson joined Solebury School’s Board of Trustees in May and said he is eager to contribute to the school that gave him so much.

“I had a scholarship to attend Solebury,” he said. “Solebury did a lot of things for me, so it’s kind of give back time.”

Fergusson brings his expertise in marketing and communications to the board. He founded his own advertising agency and has broad experience in business management and public relations. He and his wife currently live in Wayne, PA, and also spend time at a family farmhouse in Buckingham, PA. He has two grown daughters.

Fergusson said he is eager to help Solebury School and offer his communications expertise. “It’s a matter of telling the Solebury

“I’m really interested in schools,” said Joan Reinthaler ’53 explaining the simple reason why she is rejoining Solebury School’s Board of Trustees to begin her 13th year of service. Reinthaler was a math and music teacher for decades and continues to work with Math for America, a collaboration between American University and The Carnegie Institution, to train the next generation of math teachers. “I’ve taught all my life, and I like seeing it from the other side,” she said. “I’m very interested in how schools work.” Reinthaler said that she enjoyed being a student at Solebury.

Now, more than 60 years after she graduated, she feels that Solebury’s character has remained intact. Reinthaler, who also writes for the The Washington Post as a freelance music reviewer, sings in a choir and is a crew leader for Habitat for Humanity in Washington, D.C., said she is looking forward to serving on the board again. Reinthaler will bring her experience and educational expertise to her role as board member. She also serves on Solebury’s Strategic Planning Committee.

Solebury School is incredibly grateful for the time and talent of our volunteer Board members.

David Christiansen P’96 ’99, Liz Tallet Wavle P’11 and Brett Webber ’85 completed their terms of service in May 2015 and we thank them for their leadership and support!

28

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2015

Leadership

Andrea Devereux P’14

“There is an expectation that you will participate.”

When Andrea Devereux P’14 was asked to join the Board of Trustees, she was moved. “I felt very honored,” she said and then paused. “I’m even getting teary now.” While Devereux initially felt grateful, her next reaction was to feel doubtful. “I was thinking, ‘Are you sure you know who I am?” But the very modest Devereux brings vast experience to the board.

Devereux and her husband were one of three couples who founded PeproTech, a biotechnology company that focuses on manufacturing cytokine products for the medical research market. After her husband died in a plane crash more than a decade ago, Devereux retained her one-third ownership of the company. Now the 27-year-old company that started “literally out of a garage” has international reach with sales offices in the Middle East, Asia and Europe. Along the way, Devereux jokes that she’s done everything – from cleaning the company bathrooms to working as a lab technician. She currently serves as Peprotech’s Director of Personnel.

Devereux says she’s happy to join the board of Solebury School where her daughter, Michaela Finley ’14, thrived. “I think it’s the school’s culture of engagement,” she said. “There is an expectation that you will participate. It’s not a place for spectators.” Devereux, who has a history of diving elbow deep into everything she does, should fit right in.

Anne C. (Annsi) Stephano ’58 P’77 ’78 ’81 “I am more and more impressed with the accomplishments, ingenuity and individuality of students.”

Anne C. (Annsi) Stephano ’58 P’77 ’78 ’81 will continue her longstanding

relationship with Solebury School this year as she rejoins the Board of Trustees to begin her 19th year as a member.

Stephano attended Solebury School for five years and always appreciated its

Summer / Fall 2015

unique community. “I just loved the feeling that still exists – the closeness between faculty and students, and the sense of developing people’s individual talents,” she said.

Stephano, who owned a flower shop for 12 years, is active with many charities including Planned Parenthood and the national Southern Poverty Law Center. She lives just minutes from Solebury School which keeps her in close proximity. “I love the camaraderie and the opportunity to be over here, seeing what has changed, and meeting new students and faculty,” she said. “It’s nice to be able to continue to take the pulse.”

After years of being a student, parent and board member, Stephano said she still enjoys being part of the school. “As I’ve stayed on the board, I am more and more impressed with the accomplishments, ingenuity and individuality of students I’ve met,” she said. “I really think Solebury has a special niche in the educational world.”

Derek Warden ’79

“It’s a great school and I’m looking forward to being back.”

Derek Warden ’79 said he’s happy

to be able to give back to the school that sparked his interest in education and emphasized the art of critical thinking.

“Solebury instilled a love of learning in me,” he said. “I enjoyed the small classes and the back and forth with teachers. It was a great experience.”

Warden served on the Board of Trustees previously, bringing with him his broad experience in the field of finance. Warden is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer at Penn Community Bank. Prior to that, he worked for 31 years at various banks, including Conestoga Bank, PNC and Meridian Bank. He lives in Wyncote, PA, with his wife and three children.

Warden, who attended Solebury School for four years and has four brothers who also attended Solebury School, said he has many fond memories of his time here. He recalled a school with dedicated faculty members and unusual classes. “I took Ancient Greek, Latin, French – I took every class I could,” he said.

Warden said that he looks forward to rejoining the board.

“It’s a great school and I’m looking forward to being back,” he said.

www.solebury.org

29

A l umni N ews a nd C l a ss N otes

Alma’s Update Submit a Class note

Class of 1956

of Crime, Media, and Popular Culture, to be published by Oxford Research.

Andrew Alpern’s

Mail:

latest book The

Solebury School Attn: Alumni Office 6832 Phillips Mill Road New Hope, PA 18938-9682

Dakota: A History of the World’s

Class of 1958

Bob Stockton’s recently released sixth

Best-Known

novel, Stories from the U.S. Navy: II. Friendly

Apartment

Fire, is available on Amazon. Bob is also

E-Mail:

Building details

converting his more recent books to audio

alumni@solebury.org

what New

format and hopes to have them out soon.

York’s Upper West Side was

Class of 1963

Class Notes

like in the early 1880s. Andrew tells the to be and how Singer sewing magnate

downsizing her family’s vacation home of

Class of 1938

Edward Clark dared to build an apartment

106 years. Her husband, Joel, is retiring

building luxurious enough to coax the city’s

at the end of the year, and they are eagerly

wealthy from their mansions downtown for

looking forward to their next life chapter.

Everett Morse attended Solebury from 1932 to 1938 and has very fond memories of the school and all the masters. Everett volunteers at the local history center, attends Rotary meetings and enjoys spending time with his family. He wishes all Solebury alumni the very best.

Class of 1953

Jean Tappan Shaw had a wonderful reunion, first with Eric Shaw ’55 and relatives for an Arlington Cemetery service,

fascinating story of how the Dakota came

Margery Collins is in the process of

ultra-modern living on what was then the swamplands of the Upper West Side.

Andrew is an architectural historian, architect

Class of 1965

and attorney who has known the Dakota since

After many years of working on national

his childhood in the neighborhood. He is an

health policy (prevention and women’s

expert on historic apartment houses in New

health), Sonia Muchnick Baku finally has

York, with nine prior books, five of which tell

time to write. She recently published An

stories of New York’s architectural assets and

International Man. Sonia is also working on a

the people behind them. The Dakota will be

story about pop icon Lou Christie, and hopes

available in October 2015.

to finish a full draft of her book, Last Letter from Iran, (a story of love, culture and politics)

Class of 1957

by December. Sonia serves on the Board of a

Last winter, Nicole Fischer Rafter and

students graduate from high school. She also

Vietnam Memorial.

her husband traveled to Cambodia and Laos

is an Honorary Fellow at the Department of

This fall, Jean is planning a trip to China.

partly to do research on genocide. Recently

Comparative Literature at the University of

She will see Tiananmen Square, the

they traveled to Civil War battlefields to do

Wisconsin-Madison.

Forbidden City, Olympic Park and The Great

research for a book. Nicole has finished two

Sonia has thus far avoided LinkedIn and

Wall, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer

books, one on genocide and the other a second

Facebook, but would love to hear from

Palace. She concludes her trip on a Yangtze

edition of an earlier history of biological

classmates and others, especially Yoav

River cruise ship for three days, ending in

theories of crime. She has been appointed

Peck ’64, whose activities she admires and

Shanghai.

editor-in-chief of a forthcoming Encyclopedia

supports, and Peter Kostmayer ’65.

then a day with Joan Reinthaler ’53, where they toured Washington, DC, stopping at the

30

The Magazine

non-profit school which helps non-traditional

Summer / Fall 2015

Alma’s Update Rashad Shabazz and his wife Sabriya are teaching English as a Second Language in Beijing, China at an international boarding

New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Maberry’s Experimental Writing for Teens class and Novels for Young Writers program.

school.

Class of 2005

Class of 2013

Michael Hall helped to produce Solebury School’s StarCatchers Summer Theater Camp.

This year’s production, Shrek: The Musical, was performed at the Bucks County Playhouse.

Noah Lyons expects to complete his Master’s degree this fall in Art and Religion at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA, and will be seeking enrollment as a doctoral candidate for a Ph.D. in English Literature, hopefully in New York or Philadelphia.

Ju Sung Yoon is heading back to the United States from Korea to study cooking and the restaurant business in New York City.

Class of 2007

Paige Stewart is the Logistics Specialist for Stertil-Koni. Paige previously served as their Marketing Associate and recently

Class of 2011

Evan Asoudegan’s restaurant, Moo, is up and running on Main Street in New Hope, PA. James P. Lewis graduated from Rowan University and is now starting his career in the theatrical and entertainment lighting industry, thanks in large part to Chris Langhart and Solebury School.

moved to the operations department, where she will leverage her educational and training background. Stewart began her career in the vehicle-lifting industry with Stertil-Koni in 2011, following her graduation from McDaniel College. Recently, she has also focused on advancing the company’s social media and web presence. In addition, while working in her marketing role, Stewart earned her Master’s Degree in Supply Chain Management from Towson University.

Class of 2009

Alexis Davis Thom and her husband Toby are halfway through their Peace Corps duties in Taounate, Morocco, teaching English classes at the youth center.

Class of 2010

Rachel Tafoya participated in a book panel discussion at the Doylestown Bookshop last spring. The Night House is her first book.

Rachel studied creative writing while at Solebury School and at Hampshire College.

She attended a writing program for teens at

Class of 2012

Camille LeBlanc spent the summer interning at the Lincoln Center and WBAI

Class of 2014 Lily Mae Oppenheim has been performing since she was four and recently released her debut album Early Days. Since then, her music has garnered airplay internationally.

She was first introduced to WXPN as their Pick of the Day, and most recently was a live guest on Gene Shay’s Folk Show. Lily has

radio in New York City. This fall she is

opened for Livingston Tyler, Ben Taylor, Dry

attending New York University in Buenos

The River, Jenny Owen Youngs, The Marshall

Aires for her junior year of college.

Tucker Band, and Joan Osborne.

Adrienne Edmonds is a senior at Pratt in Brooklyn. In her spare time, she bakes cupcakes, DJs and sells T-shirts for a non-profit called A Love for a Life that raises money for pancreatic research. She came back to Solebury School with alumni Brandon Schneider ’12, Kat Holmquist ’12, Sam Nissenfeld ’13, and Jake Jemas ’12 to raise funds in Mike’s Café for Solebury’s theater department.

Class of 2015 Hannah Dorph assisted with Solebury School’s StarCatchers Summer Theater Camp.

This year’s production, Shrek: The Musical, was performed at the Bucks County Playhouse.

Hannah also volunteered in Solebury School’s Advancement Department – her work is featured in this edition of the magazine!

CURRENT FACULTY Solebury’s photography teacher Kevin Cook was recently published on Cause Beautiful, a not-for-profit organization that empowers photography as a catalyst for social change.

both Susquehanna University and Denison

They spotlight visual storytellers who hold

University. Rachel also recently graduated from

society accountable through their images.

32

The Magazine

Summer / Fall 2015

Alma’s Update

BIRTHS

Carol Prange Drake H’42

Sierra Katz Rix ’96 and her husband, Edward, welcomed their 6th child in March.

Peter James Rix evens out the family—three girls and three boys. They are enjoying days and sleepless nights in the western suburbs of Philadelphia.

Carol was educated at the Holmquist

6/11/1923 – 3/15/2015 School, New Hope, PA, and attended Colorado College and Bennington College.

A wonderfully warm and caring mother, grandmother and friend, Carol is survived by her children and her five grandchildren.

Carol was a 50-year resident of Short Hills, NJ, where she was a member of the Congregational Church, Junior League, served on the First Aid squad and volunteered at Overlook Hospital in Summit, NJ. After more than 60 years as a summer resident, Carol moved full-time to Cape Cod

Celebrity photographer and author Jeff Vespa ’88 and his wife, Emily Yomtobian, welcomed Genevieve Vespa Meyer on May 15th, 2015.

8/25/1950 - 4/23/2015

Ho Country Club, tennis at the Dennis Yacht

Solebury IT technician, citizen of New Hope, PA, and the world, musician, dog lover and eternal teenage hippie, died unexpectedly.

He passed on peacefully with his wife, Lisa Tice, his beloved stepdaughter and her fiancée by his side.

Ralph adored music—playing, singing, and teaching young teens at Solebury School.

Although he traveled the world as a roadie with rock and roll bands from Aerosmith to Paul Simon, he always came back to New Hope, which was the town of his heart, and the Delaware River, which was “his” river, and John and Peter’s Bar, which was “his” bar. He had an extraordinary love of life and brought enormous enjoyment to the people

Club and hosting family and friends at her beach cottage in East Dennis, MA.

Susanne Elsaesser Lassen H’33 6/8/1915 – 5/18/2015 equestrian and an artist, and former captain of Holmquist School for Girls’ equestrian team and its field hockey team.

She later graduated from Sarah Lawrence College, where she pursued her interests in painting and sculpture. A member of the Mill Creek Riding Club and the Mahoning Saddle and Bridle Association, she was active in the 1920s and 1930s on the horse show circuit and is especially remembered for exhibiting with her father, where they won many pair class championships

John H. Bauhan ’49

showing their saddle horses. She was also well-known for her oil paintings that were displayed at many local museums and galleries.

1/22/1932 - 6/22/2014 John was the son of noted architect Rolf

Perot Nevin ’39

William Bauhan and Elizabeth Lathrop

11/17/1920 – 10/17/2012

Bauhan and the grandson of William Langson Lathrop, a Pennsylvania Impressionist landscape painter. John grew up on his family’s farm in Bucks County, PA. He graduated from the Darrow School in New Lebanon, NY, and Princeton University in 1955. For two years, he served in the Army artillery at Fort Sill, OK, Fort Carson, CO, and in Germany. Utilizing his degree in Geology, he enjoyed a long career in mining and quarrying enterprises.

Summer / Fall 2015

Ralph Smith

in 1992 where she enjoyed golf at Eastward

Susanne Elsaesser Lassen was an

DEATHS

country as a proud member of the 101st Airborne Division Screaming Eagles, instructing soldiers in hand to hand combat.

Bud enrolled in college after his discharge from military service, and received his college degree in physical education from the University of Redlands. After a career in school administration, he retired to Hughes Springs, TX, as founder and CEO of Executive Fitness of America. The group pioneered exercise programs for astronauts in space and athletes such as the Minnesota Vikings.

“Bud” Nevin grew up in Philadelphia and New Hope, PA, graduated from Solebury School and attended the University of Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the United States Armed Forces at the outbreak of WWII and served his

who loved him.

Selma Waxman Widem H’47 Beloved wife, mother and grandmother died June 4th, 2015. Born in Hartford, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Hilda (Marmer) Waxman. She graduated from the Holmquist School in Pennsylvania and received a Bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University in 1951. She was a school teacher in East Hartford and then went on to become a social worker for the Connecticut Department of Welfare with handling adoptions of abused and neglected children. In 1951, she married the love of her life, the late I. Milton Widem, a prominent Hartford attorney. She was a member of the Beth El Sisterhood and co-chair of the Art Show Committee.

www.solebury.org

33

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Bellmawr, NJ Permit No. 280

6832 Phillips Mill Road New Hope, PA 18938-9682 Address service requested

Save The Date

Admissions Open House......................................... October 18 Fall Drama Production of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream............................. November 5-8 Young Alumni Day..................................................... January 5

For more events and updates, please visit www.solebury.org.