The Summit Magazine Fall 2021

Fall 2021

In this issue: Leading the Way Successes Class of 2021 Outcomes Alumni Entrepreneurs

The magazine of The Summit Country Day School Fall Magazine 2021 COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Tami McMann MAGAZINE MANAGING EDITOR Nancy Berlier ASSOCIATE EDITOR Nick Robbe ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Kathy (Hilsinger) Penote ’93 PHOTOGRAPHY Jolene Barton, Robert A. Flischel, Ryan Glass ‘11, Tami McMann, Kathy (Hilsinger) Penote ’93, Nick Robbe, Joe Simon, Leigh Taylor.

CONTRIBUTORS Tanya Bricking Leach, Erica Miknius Special thanks: Sandy Champlin, Lauren Flowers-Neal, Ryan Glass ’11, Marci Miller, Mark Osborne, Laura Wulker, Tracy Law, Ph.D. ’85.

PRINTING Arnold Printing ©

2021 The Summit Country Day School, Cincinnati, OH.

The Summit magazine is published by the Communications Department of The Summit Country Day School.

Direct address changes to 2161 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208.

Summit News Phone: (513) 871-4700 ext. 291 Email: communications@summitcds.org

Alumni News Please submit news about degrees, jobs, marriages, births and other notable passages in your life.

Go to www.summitcds.org/submityournews

Summit Magazine Online Archive www.summitcds.org/magazine

The Summit Country Day School serves students from age 18 months through grade 12 in a coeducational setting.

The Summit combines the academic excellence and one-on-one guidance of a top-tier independent school with the servant leadership and character-building environment that are hallmarks of a Catholic education.

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ON THE COVER Jerry Hilton ’91 joins his mother, Joan, in the ranks of the Schilderink Family Faculty Chairs for Distinguished Teaching. See story on page 30.

Photo by Robert A. Flischel.

ON THIS PAGE Happy seniors show off their college sweatshirts in this snapshot on the front steps. L to R, front row: Iona Mason, Ben Perez, Melina Traiforos, Erin Devine, Mariah Mukasa, Sam Perez and Ellie Adam. Back row: Sean LaMacchia, Sophia Stanisic, Elizabeth Fahrmeier, Hailey Harrell, Lily Ritch, Grant Gerhardt and Avery McEachern. See story on page 8. Photo by Kathy (Hilsinger) Penote ’93.

Head of School Message

Developing Innovators developed their own original solution.

How do we best teach children to lead •

innovations which make a difference?

Hybrids studied what coders had previously

submitted, copied some of it, but often

A recent research study revealed some important

proposed major tweaks.

lessons. Mathworks Software sponsored contests

over a 14-year period to find optimal coding

Three-quarters of the submissions could be

solutions to computer science problems. Over

considered tweaks, minor or major, with one

that time period, 2,000 coders submitted more

quarter of the submissions representing a

than 45,000 entries. While there was no right

significant departure from the other entries.

answer to these challenges, judges reviewed the

code produced and graded them on simplicity

The highest grades in the competition went to

and workability.

the Hybrids. The tweaks were more successful

than the significant departures, though when

Interestingly, as entries arrived, they were posted,

a significant departure was successful, its

so that others could see them and perhaps build

originality spurred major advances through

on them. This process allowed the judges to see

subsequent tweaks. In fact, the researchers

how innovation developed in this community of

identified a pattern of progress: an original

coders.

solution followed by improvements followed by

an original solution, etc.

Analysis of the entries revealed that the coders

fell into three distinct

Nobel Prize in the sciences is often conferred on

buckets: •

We see this pattern play out in science. The

Imitators basically

several scientists, perhaps working in different

copied what earlier

countries, when the collective contributions

coders had done

resulted in a major advance in scientific

with perhaps a minor

knowledge.

tweak here and

In literature and arts, most writers, artists and

there.

• Loners did

performers readily admit their work was inspired

not seem

by other writers, artists and performers.

to build on

the code

The lessons from this research are being

of others;

incorporated in The Summit’s curriculum. The

rather,

creative problem-solvers the school seeks to

they

develop must be: •

Empathic. They need to be able to put themselves in the shoes of others – to see the

Contents world as others see it in order to appreciate

6 8 16 24 29 30

unmet needs that require attention.

•

Problem finders. They have intense curiosity about how the world works and see opportunities to make the world work better.

•

Risk takers. They put themselves and their ideas out there for public scrutiny and are not afraid of negative feedback.

•

Networkers and collaborators. They develop relationships and build on the contributions of others to advance their work.

•

Observant. They scan the horizon for what others are doing on an issue of concern, sometimes looking to reapply something that is working in a different context.

•

Creative. They demand originality of themselves and others. Motivation and drive are a must. No action; no solution.

•

Resilient. They never give up until they have delivered their best solution.

•

Reflective. They think critically, strategically and profoundly. They constantly ask themselves: “What is working, what isn’t working, and why?”

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These are the eight educational standards against which we are modifying or developing lessons to ensure that when students graduate from The Summit others seek them out because they observe them to be skilled, creative problem-solvers. A leader of character is not fully formed without these attributes.

Features The Summit’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator answers questions about his role at the school.

Members of the Class of 2021 received more than $10 million in scholarship offers.

One student alone received more than $1 million in offers. See what the outcomes of a Summit education are for these students.

The success of the Leading the Way Campaign will allow The Summit to meet the goals of the strategic plan, equipping our students with the skills, habits and experiences to lead and succeed in the years ahead.

Incoming freshmen received 31 endowed scholarships this year including some which were awarded for the first time.

Head of School Rich Wilson announced his upcoming retirement as Head of School.

The board appointed Kelley Schiess as his successor. Upper School Art Teacher Carrie Barnett was given the Ohio Art Educator of the Year Award, and Upper School Religion teacher Stephanie Duggan is being published by the Catholic Telegraph.

This year’s Schilderink Family Faculty Chair for Distinguished Teaching was awarded to Jerry Hilton ’91 in a ceremony attended by his mother, Joan Hilton, herself a previous recipient of the award. Handling of the COVID-19 crisis factored into the Leaders of Character Awards, given to school nurses Dipali Adams and Katie Wilmot and athletic trainer Amber Gerken as well as the Summit Way Award given to Dining Services Manager Josie (Walter) Funk ’80.

We celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 2011 girls’ soccer state championship in this look back at the season that began an era of powerhouse athletic teams at The Summit.

While the new Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is expected to launch new graduates into business careers, read about a group of alumni who say the education and experiences they received at The Summit helped them become entrepreneurs.

Departments Rich Wilson Head of School

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Student Newsmakers Retirements Athletics Alumni

Special Section The 2020-21 Leading the Way and Annual Impact Report on Philanthropy is included with printed copies of this magazine mailing.

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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Four Questions with Cliff Pope

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Just as it would be impossible to document every instance when math is included in a lesson or there’s an opportunity for students to give a presentation, it is difficult to record every example of how The Summit’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are integrated in the school day. The Summit has a demonstrated willingness to provide a school culture that values and honors diversity through DE&I efforts that involve a collaboration of faculty, administration, staff, trustees, parents, alumni and students across all four divisions. Cliff Pope, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Coordinator, talks to Communications Director Tami McMann about strides made in the 2020-21 school year.

Question: What were your goals when you accepted the role of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Coordinator in September 2020?

Answer: First, I needed a thorough understanding of The Summit’s position on DE&I. Being new to the position, my early goals involved researching our school to identify, explain and define our priorities in diversity, equity and inclusion.

Q: What professional development opportunities do you participate in to help you in your job?

A: I’m a charter member of the Consortium of Black Male Leaders in Independent Schools, a group that formed in December 2020 to focus on improving the experience of all African American students and black male educators in independent schools.

This fall, I also joined the faculty SEED group at The Summit where I’m learning to address my own biases and experiences that have impacted me. I have a network of other DE&I professionals who share resources and support.

Q: Is funding needed to adequately implement DE&I work at The Summit?

A: Yes, I’d love to see a donor step up to provide funding for faculty and staff to attend the annual People of Color Conference and for Upper School students to attend the Student Diversity Leadership Conference. Both are organized by the National Association of Independent Schools to provide a space for leadership and professional development and networking for people of color and allies of all backgrounds in independent schools.

Q: Where can someone learn more information about DE&I work at The Summit?

A: Our work is documented on the school website: summitcds.org/about/diversityequity-inclusion.

“By investing in this effort, we are investing in our future leaders.”

Jackie Parker, Trustee Summit Magazine 7

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Page 12: L-R, top row: Grace and Hailey Harrell; AJ Ferguson and his parents, Mary and Benjamin Ferguson; and Erin Devine. Bottom row: Kees Woodruff, Chris Whitney, Zack Watford and Andrew Wagner; Iona Mason and her father, Dave Mason This page: Clockwise from top left: Cecilia Wilhelmy and her parents Martin and Dagmar. Olivia Theders, Gabby Castellini, Katie Sumerel, Emma Swensson, Maggie Hudepohl and Riley Richard. Members of the Saba family, from left, Pete ’83, Gina ‘84, Margeaux ’21, Bella ‘19 and Monica ‘16. Graduation Day award winners, front row, Bry Woodard (St. Julie and Bud O’Connor), Avery McEachern (Archie Griffin), Erin Devine (St. Julie), Tommy DiPaola (Archie Griffin) back: Evan Lakhia (Bud O’Connor), Grant Gerhardt (Archbishop McNicholas) and Sam Vessel (Archbishop McNicholas). Avery McEachern with her brother Owen, a rising junior, mom Dr. Kirstin McEachern, Assistant Head of School for Academic Affairs, and father, Brendan McEachern, Middle School language arts teacher.

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Sophia Stanisic Named Summit Class of 2021 Valedictorian

By Nick Robbe Sophia Stanisic, a lover of biology, foreign languages, the arts and service to the community, is The Summit Country Day School’s valedictorian for the graduating class of 2021.

Drs. Steve and Catherine Perez with graduates, Ben, Emma and Sam Perez.

Sophia was part of a Modeling a Protein Story (MAPS) team and was a student in The Summit’s Schiff Family Science Research Institute. She investigated how the cytomegalovirus manipulates the host environment to its benefit. She was a member of the National Association of Biology Teachers Biology Club.

Sophia also displayed an acumen for Spanish, earning a silver and bronze medal on the National Spanish Exam as a freshman and sophomore, respectively. She also has the desire to learn more about the Serbo-Croatian language.

Mariah Mukasa is watched by Caitlyn Roma as Margeaux Saba and Sophia Stanisic follow them out of the Chapel.

“I actually learned parts of the Serbian Cyrillic alphabet before the English alphabet,” she says. “The language is very important to me as it is the only language my grandmother can speak. I can speak it proficiently, but I would love to improve my language skills and learn more about how the language relates to the Balkan peoples and their history.”

Sophia served as an arts team leader where she organized events that sought to promote the arts. She has often served as a cantor for masses at Summit, performs regularly with the May Festival Youth Chorus, has taken vocal lessons and competes in vocal competitions.

In addition to playing field hockey and tennis, Sophia was a member of Key Club. She often volunteered at St. Margaret Hall Assisted Living and Nursing Community.

A well-rounded individual and Summit lifer, Sophia is now a freshman at the University of Virginia.

1010 Fall Magazine 2021 Riley Simpson and Kate Bergeron.

Samuel Perez Named Summit Class of 2021 Salutatorian Samuel Perez, a National Hispanic Scholar, alumnus of the Schiff Family Science Research Institute (SRI) and captain on the 2021 boys’ lacrosse team, is The Summit Country Day School’s salutatorian for the graduating class of 2021.

From the moment he stepped on the campus of The Summit, the teachers in the science department realized his acumen and passion for the subject.

Valedictorian Sophia Stanisic and salutatorian Samuel Perez.

Top to bottom, Melina Traiforos, Ellie Adam, Caitlyn Roma and Mona Hajjar.

As a freshman, he was willing to challenge himself in Honors Biology. As a junior, he tackled Advanced Placement Biology and AP Physics while being a student in the SRI. In the SRI, he researched the diversity of bacteria in soil to discover new antibiotics. “I see Mr. Perez as a scientist pursuing his interests in STEM and medicine,” says Upper School Biology teacher Karen (Cruse) Suder. “He takes initiative, seeking out opportunities that will foster his passions and provide another avenue for him to continue falling in love with science.”

Whether it is in the laboratory where he is delegating tasks to help the group complete the objective at hand or on the lacrosse field, he is a leader. As a member of the lacrosse team, Sam was second-team all-Miami Valley Conference in 2019 and received honorable mention this season. Sam excelled in the classroom, earning his way into the National Honor Society and appearing on The Summit’s Director’s List with High Honors for being in the top 10% of the class.

“Sam will be a success in college,” Summit teacher Al Sagel says. “He has formed such good habits that any new challenge is taken in stride. He is an exceptional student.” Sam is a freshman at Northwestern University this fall and studying biological sciences – premedicine.

– Nick Robbe

Graduating boys’ soccer players, from left, Brendan Bissmeyer, Kendall Hamilton, Jack Gerdsen, Graham Nicholson, Josiah Campbell, Will Yagodich and Alex Waak.

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Girl graduates having fun.

Arthur Li.

Cole Mackey and parents.

Maggie McGrail and Naomi Purdie.

College Athletes DIVISION I Elizabeth Fahrmeier, tennis, Dartmouth College Grace Harrell, gymnastics, Penn State University Graham Nicholson, football, Miami University

DIVISION III Josiah Campbell, soccer, Capital University Elizabeth Dziech, cheerleading, Centre College Gates Flynn, basketball, Denison University Avery McEachern, cross country and swimming, Goucher College Bry Woodard, basketball, Oberlin College L-R, front row: Avery McEachern, Elizabeth Dziech, Bry Woodard, Grace Harrell, Rachael Montgomery. L-R, back row: Graham Nicholson, 1212 Fall Magazine 2021Gates Flynn, Elizabeth Fahrmeier, Josiah Campbell.

NAIA Rachael Montgomery, track and field, Loyola University - New Orleans

The Lifers The lifelong 2021 graduates were (Row 1, L to R): Erin Devine, Mary Anne Drew, Kate Bergeron, Margeaux Saba, Elizabeth Dziech, Lily Ritch, Tommy DiPaola, Declan McGrath, Matthew Casañas, Jack Stewart and Kendall Hamilton. Row 2: Mona Hajjar, Sophia Stanisic, Melina Traiforos, Aidan Lawler, Grant Gerhardt, AJ Ferguson, Humphrey Domville, Graham Nicholson, Hans Huelsman, Holden Barnhorst and Kees Woodruff. Not pictured: Elizabeth Fahrmeier and Jacob Locke.

National Recognition • • • • • • • • •

National Merit Semifinalist and Finalist: Grant Gerhardt National Merit Commended Scholar: Sean LaMacchia National African American Scholar: Sam Vessel National Hispanic Scholar: Sam Perez Perfect ACT: Mona Hajjar Le Grand Concours National French Contest: Iona Mason, Gold Medal Kentucky National Guard: Brendan Bissmeyer, Nicholas Pauly 2021 National 4-H Congress: Sam Vessel Eagle Scout: Colin Altmix, Humphrey Domville, Grant Gerhardt, Jacob Locke and Kees Woodruff

Matthew Brumfield shakes hands with Brendan Bissmeyer.

L to R: Sean LaMacchia, Adam Foley, Zach Davis, Riley Simpson, Breanne Grogan, 13 Matthew Brumfield, Evan Lakhia and Drew Reder.

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Class of 2021

When you reach for The Summit, you get results!

Students received their university’s top scholarships.

Our 96 graduates attracted millions in scholarship offers. One student alone received more than $1.17 million in scholarship awards.

95%

82%

Of the class took collegelevel classes through the College Board Advanced Placement Program.

Participated in at least one sport during their senior year.

9,295

Community service hours performed by seniors, averaging 96 hours per student. The requirement is 48.

9%

Will play sports at the collegiate level.

The national average is 6%.

51

Colleges and universities they attend are coast-to-coast in 26 states, Scotland and Spain. 62% will attend colleges out-of-state.

3

Offered full-tuition including room and board

Acceptances Our graduates received 479 acceptances from 146 institutions. The 51 colleges and universities they attend will be coast-to-coast in 26 states, Scotland and Spain.

Allegheny College American University Arizona State University Auburn University Bates College Baylor University Belmont University Bentley University Boston College Butler University California State University-Los Angeles Capital University Case Western Reserve University Catholic University of America Centre College Clemson University Coastal Carolina University Colby College Colgate University College of Charleston College of William and Mary Colorado College Connecticut College Cornell University Dartmouth College Denison University DePaul University DePauw University Duquesne University Elon University Emory University Fisk University Florida Atlantic University Florida Gulf Coast University Florida Southern College Florida State University 14 Fall Magazine 2021 Fordham University

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George Washington University Georgetown University Georgia Institute of Technology Goucher College Guilford College Hampton University Heriot-Watt University High Point University Hope College Howard University IE University - Segovia Indiana University James Madison University John Carroll University Johns Hopkins University Kent State University Kenyon College Lake Forest College Lehigh University Loyola Marymount University Loyola University Chicago Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans Miami University-Oxford Michigan State University Montana State University New York University North Carolina A & T State University Northeastern University Northern Kentucky University Northwestern University Oberlin College Occidental College Ohio State University Ohio University-Main Campus Ohio Wesleyan University Pennsylvania State University

Pepperdine University Purdue University Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Rhodes College Saint Louis University Saint Mary’s College Santa Clara University Skidmore College Southern Methodist University Spelman College Stevens Institute of Technology Syracuse University The College of Wooster The University of Alabama The University of Arizona The University of Tampa The University of Tennessee Thomas More College Trinity College Tulane University of Louisiana University of Akron University of California-Davis University of California-Irvine University of California-Los Angeles University of California-Santa Barbara University of Cincinnati University of Colorado Boulder University of Colorado Colorado Springs University of Colorado Denver University of Connecticut University of Dayton University of Florida University of Hawaii at Hilo University of Hawaii at Manoa University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign University of Iowa University of Kentucky

University of Louisville University of Maine University of Maryland University of Miami University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Mississippi University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina Wilmington University of North Florida University of Notre Dame University of Pittsburgh University of Rochester University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of South Carolina University of South Florida University of St Andrews University of Stirling University of Toledo University of Utah University of Virginia University of Washington University of Wisconsin Vanderbilt University Virginia Commonwealth University Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Wake Forest University Washington University in St Louis West Virginia University Western Washington University Wittenberg University Woodbury University Xavier University Xavier University of Louisiana

Class of 2021 Following tradition, members of the class of 2021 are represented with the formal names they chose for their diplomas.

L to R, Row 1: Benjamin Reese Perez, Devin Noble Nelson, Avery Finn McEachern, Virginia Juana McHugh, Erin Collett Devine, Elizabeth Virginia Dziech, Lindsay Caroline Vaughn, Grace Sanaa Harrell, Morgan Marie Nuss, Savannah Grace Lewis, Emma Catherine Perez, Hailey Olivia Harrell, Matthew Jude Taguba Casañas, Zachary Harris Watford.

Row 2: Kayla Anne Vaughn, Margot Celeste Lakes, Lauren Elaine Leesman, Mariah Namutumi Mukasa, Caitlyn Marie Roma, Margaret Catherine McGrail, Jordyn Marie Pez, Olivia Grace Theders, Sara Callahan Hopple.

Row 3: Tianqi Li, Declan Michael McGrath, Naomi Adia Purdie, Breanne Jean Grogan, Mengchen Li, Rachael Christiana Montgomery, Riley Madison Richard, Kathryn Paige Miller, Olivia Lynn Faucett, Mona Helen Hajjar, DuPree Phillips, Alfredo Johnathan Ferguson.

Row 4: Iona Mason, Cecilia Anne Wilhelmy, Gabriella Susan Castellini, Elizabeth True Ritch, Mary Anne Jean Drew, Mary Margeaux Baluyot Saba, Marcela Katia Palek, Riley Marie Simpson, Elizabeth Claire Fahrmeier Row 5: Johann Josef Huelsman, Grant Robert Yalen Gerhardt, Elizabeth Caroline Adam, Magdalena Rose Hudepohl, Katherine Sumerel, Eliza Wade Chatfield, Sophia Marie Stanisic, Bryana Rose Woodard, Melina Georgia Traiforos, Emma Haller Swensson, Katherine Anne Bergeron, Rachel Marie McDulin, Matthew Dean Brumfield, Evan Rajan Lakhia.

Row 6: Josiah Andrew Campbell, Thomas Giovanni DiPaola, Jacob Locke, Christopher Whitney, Samuel Gage Browner, Sean Robert LaMacchia, Nicholas James Mackey, Matthew Scott Dahling, Adam Christopher Foley, Samuel Burton Perez, Jackson Bryan Stewart, Aidan Flynn Lawler.

Row 7: Samuel Louis Vessel Jr., Andrew Holden Barnhorst, Colin Joseph Altmix, Nicholas Charles Pauly, Gates Patrick Flynn, Brendan Ryan Bissmeyer, Wanli Yang.

Row 8: William Michael Titus Yagodich, Kendall Jamaal Hamilton, Keene Patrick Kreider, William Kees Woodruff, Zachary William Davis, Brennan Riley, Andrew S. Reder, Owen Michael Rowitz, Graham Allan Nicholson, Andrew James Wagner.

Row 9: Alexander David Waak, James John Gerdsen, Oscar Tate March, Humphrey William Frederick Domville.

Summit Magazine 15 Not pictured: Maalik Devon Cody, Jiangbo Shen, Peini Penny Song, Yunbo Wang, Chenhao Zhan.

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Campaign for The Summit

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By Tami McMann

Summit community, you delivered.

Earlier this year, we introduced our community to the Leading the Way Campaign for The Summit. This comprehensive, five-year fundraising effort was designed to align with The Summit’s strategic plan to ensure a sustainable advantage for the school and its graduates. The goal was to raise $16.4 million by the end of June 2021.

With more than $15 million in support during the “quiet” phase, we carried great momentum into the “public” phase of the fundraising effort. Beginning mid-March, all members of the school community – parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, alumni and friends – were challenged to “lead the way” by investing their own gift of any size toward realization of our strategic vision. At our virtual kickoff on March 11,

Fall Magazine 2021

LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY Head of School Rich Wilson was joined by the campaign co-chairs to articulate the need and give a call inviting every community member to action – “Involved and invested – It’s The Summit Way!” While the public launch phase event unfolded virtually, the community enthusiastically responded by gifting or pledging on the spot. Many seized the chance to designate their funds to support their own philanthropic passions such as diversity initiatives or technology improvements. Others gave gifts in honor of loved ones. The night of the kickoff, the Development Office recorded more than $259,000 in gifts. More donations poured in over the following days.

We are, in a word, grateful.

The financial resources invested by Leading the Way donors allow The Summit to meet the goals in its strategic plan – objectives which help prepare and equip our students with the skills, habits of mind and experiences they need to lead and succeed in the fast-changing years ahead.

There are four planks to the plan.

1. Develop Leaders of Character for the 21st Century: To fully prepare our graduates for their future challenges and provide opportunities students cannot get elsewhere, our job is to provide them with knowledge, skills and experiences in the following areas: • Creative Problem-Solving • Character-Based Leadership • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 2. Enhance our Value Proposition: Families like yours value The Summit for its academic rigor, opportunities, faith formation and enriching community. In attracting new families, we communicate the outcomes of the unique and distinctive advantages of a Summit educational experience.

3. Strengthen the school’s Financial Model: Sustaining The Summit long term requires growing our enrollment

and endowment and ensuring costs are contained without sacrificing quality.

Raising funds to support educational innovations means we can offer exceptional programs, experiences, opportunities and facilities.

4. Build a Culture of Philanthropy: Philanthropy is more than just raising money. It is caring for, developing and enhancing lives. Investing in children is the best long-term investment you can ever make, whether you give dollars or volunteer your time to provide an exceptional experience.

The Leading the Way campaign has allowed us to impact The Summit across the four strategic planks through a focus on both involvement and investment. On behalf of current and future students, the faculty and staff and all who enjoy a strong school community, thank you for leading the way to a better tomorrow.

Tami McMann is the Communications Director of The Summit.

Read more about the generosity of the Summit community in the Leading the Way Campaign and Annual Impact Report on Philanthropy where gifts are recognized. The report is an insert in the printed version of The Summit magazine.

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LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY

Dr. Jessica Replogle, head of the Schiff Family Science Research Institute, looks at models for insulin with Sam Vessel ’21.

New Endowments Ensure Longevity for Centers of Excellence

By Nancy Berlier Thanks to leadership gifts in the Leading the Way campaign, The Summit now has endowed funds to support the future of two Centers of Excellence – the new Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and the Schiff Family Science Research Institute.

The Homan Center is a new signature program starting this year. Led by Robert Jablonski, it offers motivated students an advantage as they pursue a passion for business in college and beyond.

The Science Research Institute, led by biochemist Jessica Sakash Replogle, Ph.D., is starting its 10th year and has enrolled 105 students. The institute has helped students get into competitive science research programs and many alumni have 18

Fall Magazine 2021

begun science careers of their own. The Centers of Excellence provide Summit students opportunities they can’t find at other schools in Cincinnati.

The centers allow talented students to dive deeply into an area of passion.

Targeted coursework enables them to fully understand what is expected of them and develop skills they need for a real-world internship. They become intensely involved in a summer practicum where they absorb the culture of the workplace, interact with adults and have access to the information and materials in real world experiences.

“Summit is well-known in Cincinnati for its rigorous academics and faith formation program,” says Head of School Rich Wilson. “As the world becomes more complex and competitive,

• LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WA

it’s important that we prepare our students to excel in that environment. Parents send their children to The Summit because they want to give them an advantage in life.

These Centers of Excellence are designed to do just that.”

The success of the Science Research Institute led the way for the Homan Center.

The institute has proven that our graduates are sought after by top-tier universities and have a competitive advantage in college when seeking research. In the institute, students take three sequentially tiered classes, work in research labs and write about their experiences just as they would if they were conducting research in college. The Homan Center will offer an in-depth understanding of business fundamentals, strategies and case studies as students explore the entrepreneurial mindset.

The program includes a one-semester introductory course called the Griffin Business and Leadership Course, a fullyear Entrepreneurship Course and a business-related summer internship. The experience will give entrepreneurialminded Summit students a headstart in college and careers by helping them zero in early on their passions and interests and expanding the skills they need to become effective entrepreneurs and business leaders.

Endowed funds provide ongoing permanent support for designated programs through interest earned on endowments, rather than at the expense of the funds themselves. Endowed funds ensure long-term financial stability of programs. Endowments contribute to The Summit’s tradition of excellence and tell a story about the donors who created them.

The Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership was endowed by the Homan Foundation through Chip Homan SBS ’66, and the Schiff Family Science Research Institute was endowed by the Robert C. and Adele Schiff Family Foundation

Reagan Sutton ’22 loads an agarose gel to analyze her PCR products in a Summit laboratory. Reagan and Cecilia Hasan ’22 are investigating if local, periodical cicadas are infected with the bacterial symbiont, Wolbachia, under the direction of Dr. Jessica Replogle and with the support of Vanderbilt University’s Discover the Microbe Within outreach.

through Dawn and Dr. Robert C. Schiff Jr. While the centers are endowed, additional philanthropic investment opportunities are available for a minimum investment of $250,000 which can fund courses, materials and experiences. In the Leading the Way campaign, the Griffin family provided an endowment for the Griffin Family Business and Leadership Course.

“Summit graduates leaders of character and models of excellence who we hope will become the changemakers and peacemakers Christ calls all of us to be,” says Mr. Wilson. “The Summit’s Centers of Excellence provide an opportunity for students to develop that leadership and excel.”

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LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY •

About Robert Jablonski

Robert Jablonski became the Head of the Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership on July 1. Mr. Jablonski has a well-rounded background that includes product development, manufacturing, payment processing, information technology, e-commerce and marketing in high-tech and leading-edge business technology. His career has taken him across the country and as far away as England and Japan. His 14 years teaching at Xavier University included undergraduate, graduate courses and the executive MBA program. In this program, he worked with high-caliber professionals from across industries on real-world, client-facing marketing strategy projects.

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• LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY

Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership Becomes New Summit Signature In this Q&A with Magazine Managing Editor Nancy Berlier, Robert Jablonski talks about plans for Summit’s new Center of Excellence.

Question: What is the Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership?

Answer: The Homan Center is a unique program in Cincinnati offering mature and motivated Summit students an overview of what business is and how to have an entrepreneurial mindset. The program includes a one-semester introductory course called the Griffin Business and Leadership Course, a full-year entrepreneurship course and a businessrelated summer internship.

The experience will give entrepreneurialminded Summit students a headstart in college and careers by helping them zero in early on their passions and interests and expand the skills they need to become effective entrepreneurs.

The whole idea of the center is to help students understand business and engage more with the world around them. They’ve been engaging slowly as they mature.

Now, they will be asked to internalize these questions: “If I am going out into the business world, what skills do I have to have? If I want to start my own business, what skills do I need?”

So, we are focusing on life skills. Summit’s writing program is already exemplary, but these students will need to apply that skill to business writing so people quickly understand the value of the products and services being offered. Through coursework and the internship, students will receive real-world experience in teamwork, leadership, creativity and problem solving.

Q: Why does the world need entrepreneurs?

A: Economies are stable and grow when there is a flow of new products and services which better satisfy the needs and wants of the consumers. These new products and services and their enabling technologies from entrepreneurs build new markets which leads to new wealth being created.

This provides the foundation for a higher quality of community living. Consider the innovations from entrepreneurs for clean water: solar powered filtration systems, fog catchers and filters that make dirty water safe to drink.

Q: Why this program and why now?

A: Twelve years ago, there were no YouTube content creators, but there were Blockbuster video stores on every corner.

Technology and innovation dramatically affect what jobs will be available in the future. Therefore, students need to understand innovation and how to embrace entrepreneurial thinking.

According to the World Economic Forum’s 2018 report, The Future of Jobs, “New categories of jobs will emerge, partly or wholly displacing others. The skill sets required in both old and new occupations will change in most industries and transform how and where people work.”

This program will expose and challenge students to advance their critical thinking and cognitive development. To prepare Summit students for their future, we need to nurture and teach them the critical skills and behaviors of entrepreneurs such as creativity, opportunity recognition, selfmotivation and adaptability.

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LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY

Q: How are you changing the way students think about business?

A: There are three things the successful entrepreneurial mindset needs – resilience, creativity and problem-solving.

Resilience involves being able to look at what you have and being able to recover from failure quickly. Creativity comes from seeing what goes wrong and salvaging what you can. Problem-solving grows from analyzing what the customer wants and needs.

The Griffin course will help students understand the nature of business with its many facets. We will explore marketing, accounting, economics, management, international trade, competition, etc. We will get students thinking about whether they would prefer to be in business-to-business or businessto-customer. We will learn about financial reports and how decisions are made based on them.

What’s it going to take to innovate? And if you fail a couple of times, that’s okay. I want them to be able to learn from failure.

Q: Why is The Summit well positioned to do a top rate job of this?

A: Summit’s mission is to prepare students to build successful lives and effectively interact with the world around them. A wide range of possibilities will be available to our students, many of which do not exist yet. We will build in our students the skills they will need to realize the possibilities ahead. Summit already is preparing students with many foundational skills, such as math, science, history, writing, etc. The relevance of this education is brought to life with the addition of the Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership. The center will build skills in problem solving, leadership, effective team building and adapting to changing environments.

The summer internship is where the rubber meets the road. We will consider a student’s maturity and commitment for this experience. They will be interacting with real people in real businesses so we can help them understand how to respond. Hopefully, they will learn what aspects of business they like and what they don’t like so they don’t waste time in college or life.

The Entrepreneurial Course will review case studies and walk through the innovation process with a focus on the skills needed to innovate and practice innovative thinking. In business, you must be able to work with a team, so we’ll work a lot on teamwork and leadership capabilities.

My goal is not to get them to launch their first and most successful endeavor ever while they are in high school. Okay, it would be great if they did, and I would be very proud of it. But what I really want them to understand is the process.

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Betsy (Fraser) Leonidas, ’00 operates Elizabeth In Kind, an online paper and gift shop.

While the Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership is new this year, Summit entrepreneurs are not.

Read the inspiring stories of some of our alumni on Page 50.

• LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WAY • LEADING THE WA

SPA, Boosters Enhance Livestreaming Experience

By Nancy Berlier

livestreaming home sporting events so Booster members could see the Silver Knights When the coronavirus struck in action even when in-person in 2020, the move to online learning, wearing masks and attendance was limited. safety protocols saw the The SPA Reserve Fund retreat of humanity into the helped fund the new audiovisual equipment in the chapel safe haven of isolation. Perhaps to improve the quality of live the need for community was never felt as keenly as video so parents can watch gatherings of celebration and their children receive awards tradition were abandoned due and participate in events even if their work prevents them to COVID-19 safety protocols. from being there in person.

The addition of video Both parent organizations streaming equipment in the help address critical needs on Immaculate Heart of Mary campus every year through Chapel, Flannery Gym and volunteerism and provide Williams Field improved the an avenue for parents to quality of the livestream become active participants experience on campus. That Cameras in the chapel and gym in the school community. If happened thanks to the allow livestreaming of events. you would like to become Summit Parents Association more active in Summit’s community and Summit Boosters Association. groups, volunteer at www.summitcds.org/ volunteer.

The Boosters worked with Athletics Director Greg Dennis to arrange for

Livestreaming the Sacrament of First Communion allowed 23 Summit Magazine families to view the ceremony from home during the pandemic.

Summit’s Newest Scholars Expand our Legacy

By Nick Robbe Altogether, The Summit awarded 31 endowed scholarships and 48 merit scholarships to 79 freshmen in the Class of 2025. Each merit scholar was selected based on high academic achievement, testing, character references, teacher recommendation, an individual interview and an essay. Notably, three members of the freshman class received scholarships that were awarded for the first time.

Caleb Moore ’25 has a fondness for creating things with his hands. During his years at Immaculate Heart of Mary, his former school, he was a member of the robotics program. He participated in several musicals and sang in the choir. He possesses a healthy interest in athletics and sees himself joining the football and lacrosse programs at Summit. He also is weighing his options on wrestling or running indoor track during the winter months. Caleb is an excellent student and is eager to follow his brother, Mason ‘15 and his sister, Abby ’22 to The Summit. He is the first incoming freshman to receive the Burns Family Scholarship.

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Garret Rahe ’25 enjoys exercising the right side of his brain by playing guitar and sketching or drawing. He also participated in theater at St. Margaret of York (SMOY). He is committed to serving his community. Garret played basketball, volleyball and ran cross country at SMOY, and he is interested in joining the running programs and the basketball team here at The Summit. He is the first to receive the Tosolini Family Scholarship.

Josie Weaver ’25 displays the attributes of a leader of character. As a member of the National Junior Honor Society, she pushes herself to achieve academically. Josie sees herself joining the powerhouse running programs here at Summit and diving for the swimming and diving team here in the winter. Away from school, she enjoys painting, studying French and volunteering with several organizations in the community. Josie is the first to receive the new St. Julie Billiart Scholarship.

Creativity and curiosity are just a couple of the qualities The Summit hopes to find in students applying for the Upper School.

“We are looking for students who are eager for the academic rigor of The Summit, but we want students with potential to become the changemakers and peacemakers that our world needs,” says Rich Wilson, Head of School. “We believe these students have tremendous potential to become leaders of character.”

Students who were selected for endowed scholarships meet criteria established by parents, grandparents, alumni and friends of The Summit who believe in the mission of the school and want to help future generations of students benefit from The Summit advantage.

These endowed scholarships were awarded to incoming freshmen: Farrell Ackley Memorial Scholarship Fund: Emma Bailey, New Richmond.

Alumni Scholarship Fund: Maggie Bissmeyer, The Summit; Esmé Gonyo, The Summit; Annette LaLonde, The Summit.

St. Julie Billiart Scholarship: Josie Weaver, Milford Junior High School.

Amelia Hamberg Foss ’24 Scholarship: Brea McGinnis, Walnut Hills.

Griffin Family Scholarship: Nia Neal, The Summit.

Margo S. Homan Scholarship: Audrey Shisler, St. Margaret of York.

Mary Lois Jung Scholarship: Sophie Gray, St. Andrew St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.

J. Patrick Kelly Endowed Scholarship: Maeve Lindy, Nagel Middle School.

PNC Bank Scholarship Fund: Mari Gerton, Walnut Hills.

The Summit Family Fund Scholarship: Bryce McNair, St. Susanna; Natasha Bredle, The Summit; Caitlyn Frodge, St. Ursula Villa.

Arthur and Irma Theobald Scholarship: Kwadwo Karikari, The Summit; Cayleb Walters, Our Lady of Lourdes.

Tosolini Family Scholarship: Garret Rahe, St. Margaret of York.

Burns Family Scholarship: Caleb Moore, Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The William J. Williams SBS ’29 Scholarship: Maria Belesi, St. Columban; Rylee Drees, St. James White Oak.

Constance (Alf) Castleberry ’20 Memorial Scholarship Fund: Claire Lavelle, St. Michael.

Carol Ann and Rich Wilson Family Scholarship: Elizabeth Pilon, St. Columban; Abby Bachman, St. Margaret of York.

The Chavez Family Scholarship: Kedan Tinner, Pleasant Run; Kylie West, The Summit.

Patricia and Joseph H. Clasgens II SBS ’37 Scholarship: Alina Butcher, St. Ursula Villa; Maryn Mahoney, Mother Teresa.

Nancy Wurzelbacher ’76 Scholarship Fund: Lilly Sievering, The Summit.

A.J. Cohen Memorial Scholarship Fund: Keller Minton, St. Columban.

Kim and Scott David Family Scholarship: Charlie Rahner, Good Shepherd.

James E. Evans Scholarship Fund: Kamerion Irby, Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Additional new scholarships In addition to the freshmen scholarships, the following endowed scholarships were awarded for the first time to students in other grades: Madeline and Patrick Gilligan Family Fund Amy and Ben Russert Family Fund Mary Frances Kane Sumila Scholarship Florence Koetters ’58 scholarships (2) St. Julie Billiart Scholarships (3) Summit Magazine 25

NEWSMAKERS Five Latin students earned a perfect score on the 45th annual National Latin Exam.

They are Emily Bolan ’26, Callie Fox ’26, Aaron Fraley ’26, Kate McLane ’25 and Mia Rahner ’23. Overall, 50% of Summit students earned awards with 14% of students earning Gold Medals.

Several Latin students took the Classical Etymology Exam online.

Irene Calderon ’22, Callie Fox ’26, Aaron Fraley ’26, Sophia Nery ’25 and Harper Wood ’26 earned gold medals. Katie Buckius ’26, Benedict Domville ’25, Drew Fletcher ’24, Jimmy Fraley ’22, Kate McLane ’25, Benny Penote ’24, Mia Rahner ’23 and Grace Tounge ’25 earned silver medals. Emily Bolan ’26, Jackson Curt ’26, Allison Ebken ’26, Zaina Kamran ’26, Ethan Lam ’24, Claire Lamarre ’25, William McLane ’23 and Kira Njegovan ’25 earned bronze medals.

Irene Calderon ’22 earned a gold key at the Regional Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for her written piece entitled “Towards Understanding Covid-19.” Altogether, 11 Summit students won 14 awards.

Jimmy Fraley ’ 22 advanced to the national phase of the George S. & Stella M. Knight Essay Contest presented by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). He won the local chapter’s contest and then the state contest. His essay “Censorship and the First Amendment” was judged against about 30 state-level winners from around the country.

Angela Good ’23 was awarded the top prize in the 2020 Great Lakes Chinese Consortium Chinese Speech and Talent Video Competition.

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Instrumental students delivered stellar performances at the Ohio Music Education Association Solo and Ensemble event. Colin Koran ’25, Meghana Curran ’26 and Rosie Gieseke ’26 received “Superior” ratings. In addition, the Summit’s flute ensemble, Haley Baker ’26, Hana Conte ’26 and Callie Fox ’26 earned a “Superior”

rating. Shannon Dennemann ’23 earned an “Excellent” rating.

Caroline Reynolds ’29, Macey Adams ’31, Ruby Hayes ’31 and Alicia PalacioVega ’32 submitted winning essays in the Ohio Art Education Association’s Jerry Tollifson Art Criticism Open.

Ana Benavides Orta ’23, Angela Good ’23 and Rimel Kamran ’23 won awards in a writing contest sponsored by the School of Arts and Humanities at Mount St. Joseph University.

Some of the TAP MD students. Not all were present when photo was taken.

Irene Calderon ’22, Aubrey Jones ’22, Mimi McNabb ’22, Lulu Murphy ’22 and Morgan Riley ’22 were accepted into the TAP MD track.

Lauren Foley ’22 and Reagan Sutton ’22 will learn about a broad cross-section of healthcare careers in the TAP HC program. Aidan Jambor ’22 joined a pilot program that will allow him a structured opportunity to explore his interests.

Student Newsmakers Rimel Kamran ’23 has been selected for the 2022 Regional Youth Leadership (RYL) class by The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Artwork by Jade Hays ’22 was among the 100 pieces of artwork that were on display for the 2021 Teen Art Expo at the Cincinnati Art Museum’s Great Hall.

Kiersten Diaz ’28 earned the Procter & Gamble STEM Diversity Award for the science fair project she presented at the Southwest Ohio District Science Fair. The award carries a cash prize of $300 as well.

Michael Overbeck ’22 attended a summer leadership training program with HOBY, the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Institute.

Kyle Lauckner ’24, above, earned the rank of Eagle Scout in February 2021. For his Eagle Scout project, Kyle designed and constructed a 10 x 12 concrete pad to house a 25-foot flagpole and bench at the entrance of Johnson Hills Park, in Anderson Township. He is a member of IHM Troop #694 in Anderson Township.

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Athletic Newsmakers Grace Harrell ’21 qualified to compete in the USA Gymnastics national championship. She was one of only seven gymnasts in the region eligible to compete at this level.

Gymnastics have been a central part of Grace’s life since she began training in the sport at age 3. She signed as an athlete with Penn State, a Division I school, for this fall. Her best events are the bar and vault.

“The Summit has been incredibly supportive of my training, providing me with an academic schedule that allows me to put in 20 to 25 hours of practice each week,” says Grace, who trained at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy in Fairfield.

Elizabeth Fahrmeier ’21 qualified for the 2021 Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II Boys’ State Tennis Tournament. While girls have played boys’ tennis in the past, often due to playing other sports in the fall, the OHSAA had no record of a girl not only playing but advancing to state.

Shown L-R: Asst. Coach Kurtis Smith, Asst. Coach Mason T. Moore ’15, Kennedi Dukes ’23, Khamia Brooks ’22, Hailey Harrell ’21, Devin Nelson ’21, Maya Wood ’23, Asst. Coach Mike Fee, Vanessa Carrington ’24, Head Coach Kim Horning.

The girls’ 4x100m relay team of Vanessa Carrington ’24, Maya Wood ’23, Khamia Brooks ’22 and Hailey Harrell ’21 finished 12th at the state track and field meet. On the boys’ side, Devin Nelson ’21 had a 10th place finish at state in the 3200m.

– Nick Robbe and Erica Miknius 28

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Faculty/Staff Newsmakers

After more than 12 years leading The Summit Country Day School community, Head of School Rich Wilson will retire in June 2022. Mr. Wilson was a trustee from 2004-2010 until he was selected as the interim head of school. He was appointed head in 2011 after a nationwide search.

The board of trustees has named Kelley Schiess, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management and Community Engagement, to succeed Mr. Wilson as head of school. Mrs. Schiess has led admission efforts at The Summit for the past 19 years. She will begin her term as head on July 1, 2022.

We will celebrate the leadership transition in the months to come. To help us honor Mr. Wilson’s impact on The Summit, please send tribute photos, notes and cards in care of the Communications Office or to communications@summitcds.org by Jan. 5, 2022.

Religious studies teacher Stephanie Duggan was published in the August issue of the Catholic Telegraph.

For the back-toschool theme, she described how being educated in Catholic schools her whole life shaped her character and strengthened her faith.

Upper School art teacher Carrie Barnett was awarded 2021 Ohio Art Educator of the Year by the Ohio Art Education Association. This is OAEA’s highest honor, and Mrs. Barnett was selected from a pool of more than 2,000 art teachers in Ohio in recognition of her distinguished and long-term commitment to supporting the visual arts and art education in extraordinary ways.

After arriving at The Summit in 2019, Mrs. Barnett revamped the Upper School’s art department. Her students are known for producing high-quality, creative pieces that regularly win local art awards.

Interest in art among high schoolers at The Summit has ballooned, and classes that were once extinct are returning to the course catalog thanks to her leadership and reputation on campus. Kelly Cronin, Upper School Director, says that Mrs. Barnett’s art program is of such caliber that it now attracts students to enroll in The Summit. “Carrie has accomplished all that we wanted and more, and she has done it faster than I ever thought possible,” says Ms. Cronin.

With almost 30 years of experience in art education, Mrs. Barnett was president of the OAEA in 2019 and previously received the organization’s Southwest Ohio Outstanding Art Teacher Award (2009) and Ohio Outstanding Secondary Teacher Award (2014).

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2021 Schilderink Family Faculty Chair for Distinguished Teaching

Jerry Hilton ’91

By Tami McMann It’s not all that uncommon for children to follow in a parent’s footsteps and choose the same career. For example, many teachers’ kids become teachers, like Jerry Hilton.

But among such teacher legacies, Mr. Hilton is in a league of his own. He not only became a teacher at The Summit, like his mother, he has been awarded the school’s highest-level recognition -- just like mom.

Mr. Hilton is this year’s recipient of the Schilderink Chair Award and Joan Hilton was the 1999 recipient.

The youngest of four Hilton siblings, all Summit graduates, Mr. Hilton is widely admired for epitomizing Summit ideals of collaboration, humility, teamwork, integrity, respect, selflessness and intellect. He had an excellent role model.

“What my mom taught me about teaching is to be flexible and constantly learning,” Mr. Hilton, a social studies teacher, says.

“I remember when she was assigned to teach third grade math. She hated math.

But she jumped in and embraced the challenge. She was always focused on her students. Her stories around the dinner table weren’t about the great successes, they were about seeing her students overcome their obstacles.”

Mr. Hilton discovered his career destiny after graduating from the University of Notre Dame with a business degree in information systems. Rather than working day in and day out with computers, he knew his dream was to interact with people and to give back to his community.

A year of teaching a high school writing program in New York City sealed the deal.

“It was a completely different environment than what I was used to – and I loved it,” 30

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he remembers. “I enjoyed the classroom discussions about current issues and hearing the students share their perspectives. I loved teaching them to use evidence and facts to back up their opinions. It was a lot of fun, and after that there was no question about what I wanted to do.”

attended the 2021 Schilderink Award presentation in May.

Although he was literally born into The Summit community, it took 12 years for Mr. Hilton to find his way home in 2007.

He gained experience at two local schools before having the confidence to teach alongside his former teachers, such as legends Farrell Ackley, Carole Fultz, Bob Gorey and Pat Kelly.

Mrs. Hilton goes on to reflect on her 39year career at The Summit: “You’re allowed to innovate when you teach at Summit; as long as the children are learning you have freedom there that you don’t always get at other schools. It was interesting every day because every student was different, and I had to adapt my approach. Teaching is a rewarding profession and also a lot of work. It was worth it though. I’m not sorry I was a teacher.”

His colleagues today don’t hesitate to express their admiration for Mr. Hilton: “When I think about excellence in teaching, three aspects are most important: knowledge and passion for one’s subject, genuine concern for student learning and high intellectual standards. Jerry excels in all three areas. He has a contagious enthusiasm for the subject.”

One of his most memorable experiences in the classroom was as a young teacher on September 11, 2001. As he guided his students through the tragic events of 9/11, he used an approach that still serves him well. “I’m very straight forward and honest about events in the world,” he says. “We don’t hide from truths; we talk about them.

Students have a safe space to speak their thoughts, explore their emotions and ask questions. I let them have a voice.”

“I was elated,” says Mrs. Hilton. “Jerry really cares about his students, and he’s able to show his students that what they’re studying is worthwhile. Being at the awards event was a gift to me.”

And that’s another thing mother and son have in common.

The Schilderink Chair Award for Excellence in Teaching is given annually to a teacher who demonstrates the highest-level performance minute by minute, hour by hour, year in and year out. Selected by the Educational Team, each honoree represents the high ideals of The Summit and inspires student growth, learning and achievement.

His methods mean students in his social studies classes are inspired to engage in learning about the world around them. One said: “In class, he consistently connects what we are learning to current events and situations relevant to the lives of students. After having him for two years, I have come to see how he inspires all his students, myself included, to pursue knowledge outside of the classroom.”

It’s no surprise that the one who is most proud of Mr. Hilton is his mother, who

Jerry as a Middle School student at The Summit.

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Leaders of Character and Summit Way Awards Recognize Grace Under Fire

L-R: Dipali Adams, Amber Gerken and Katie Wilmot.

By Nancy Berlier Ten years ago, Head of School Rich Wilson established the Leaders of Character and Summit Way Awards to recognize efforts of faculty and staff advancing the mission of the school with a gracefulness of spirit and work-hard attitude. In ordinary times, that is a tall order in an exemplary school like The Summit.

But these aren’t ordinary times. This is a year that will go down in history. This was the year of the coronavirus pandemic.

While the pandemic tested our spirit and perseverance, the grace under fire exemplified by four women at The Summit stands out. In an end-of-year recognition ceremony for faculty and staff, Mr. Wilson awarded the Leader of Character Award to school nurses Dipali Adams and Katie Wilmot and athletic trainer Amber Gerken.

He gave The Summit Way Award to Dining Services Manager Josie (Walter) Funk ’80.

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“The worst of times often brings out the best in leaders of character,” says Mr. Wilson. “They immediately understand what is at stake, and they start to assemble a plan to address the challenge.

They have a sense of urgency to get going. They are calm, focused, analytical and decisive. As the fear in others grows, they have compassion for them, care for them, are kind to them and get to work to resolve the challenge.”

When teams were organized last summer with the aim of opening school amid an ongoing pandemic, the first order of business was to develop protocols to keep students, faculty and staff safe. Dipali, Amber and Katie researched Centers for Disease Control recommendations, talked with local department of health administrators and devoured medical updates to make sure their advice was in line with best practice. Because the advice changed frequently, they stayed on top of those changes and modified the school’s practices.

They helped create protocols on how to handle exposure to COVID-19 and confirmed cases. School had not even started when the protocols were first put to the test with the quarantine of the field hockey team. That was followed by a quarantine of athletes who attended a fall sports celebration, the junior varsity boys’ basketball team and girls’ lacrosse team.

For two weeks, the entire Upper School went into remote learning to stem the spread.

In every exposure or confirmed case, Dipali, Katie and Amber became contact trace investigators. A key to the school’s success was to quickly isolate those who were sick or exposed and discover who else had been exposed. Dipali, Amber and Katie worked days, nights and weekends to conduct their investigations and notify parents while also keeping the administration informed and the faculty and staff safe. And, at the same time they continued to do their usual jobs, dispensing first aid in school and at athletic events.

They were on the front line as surely as if they worked in a hospital. The contact tracing work was painstaking and their calls to students and fearful families to investigate exposures were sometimes difficult. But these women provided leadership through the worst of times.

School remained open for the entire year without any spread of the disease through in-the-building exposure.

“We hold them up as true leaders of character,” says Mr. Wilson.

Likewise, Josie Funk’s hard work and cando spirit was a model for everyone. Josie had years of experience helping to run the dining halls, but this was her first year as Food Services Manager. Even in a “normal” year, providing lunch for 1,100 people daily is a big deal. The pandemic made it bigger.

The recommended best practice in coping with COVID-19 was to have students eat

Josie (Walter) Funk ’80.

lunch in their classrooms. But how would the food get to the classrooms? How would hot food be kept hot and cold food be kept cold? What about food allergies and food preferences? How would classrooms be cleaned up after lunch? The questions multiplied. There was no single authority on feeding children at school during a pandemic.

Calmly and methodically, Josie tackled each challenge and formed a vision of how various scenarios in each division could work. She trained her new assistant manager and new food services workers.

Volunteers were recruited and trained to help deliver food. Food options had to be simplified. As additional challenges emerged, she dealt with them. Week by week, she delivered.

“Never once did she complain about all the demands on her,” Mr. Wilson says. “Can do spirit. Hard work. Pitching in. I cannot think of a more worthy recipient of the Summit Way Award this year than Josie Funk.”

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Summit Pays Tribute to Retirees

By Ryan Glass ’11 Head of School Rich Wilson paid tribute to retiring members of the faculty and staff at an event in May. These retires cumulatively represent 109 years of service to The Summit: Stacy Remke, third grade teacher, retired after 33 years. In 1988, former Lower School Director Clare King and Head of School Ed Tyrrell hired Mrs. Remke to teach the third grade. Little did they know that for the next 33 years, many parents would request that she be the teacher of their third-grade child. Parents knew their child was in capable, loving hands with Mrs. Remke. Her concern for others, her professionalism and her dedication made her a solid partner in a child’s growth.

Her nurturing was never limited to just third grade. She emphasizes that all students are each teacher’s students no matter their grade level or division. Whatever a student needs and whenever they need it, she was always there to supply it. In 2004, she was named a Schilderink Chair, The Summit’s highest recognition of an outstanding faculty member. Her sense of fun created a classroom environment where children felt known, safe, challenged and loved. Mr. Wilson says it is the little things, like morning carline, that set her apart: “When she opens the door and greets the students with that wide smile, her positivity almost seems to transfer to the students as they skip and run into the building.” Her bright and infectious energy will be missed as we say goodbye to this Summit legend.

Ioana Moneta retired after 27 years as a French teacher. As the 3434 Fall Magazine 2021

matriarch of the French program, Ms. Moneta without a doubt left her mark on The Summit.

She spent 27 years cultivating a French program which thrives and produces students who love the language. Many of her students succeed on the AP and National French Exam and go on to study French at the University level. She was masterful in the classroom.

Her interactive lessons and strong rapport with students made her classes engaging and fun. Mike Johnson, the Lower and Middle School Director, conducted an observation of her classroom one day and says: “Out of a 70-minute period, she spoke English for just 37 seconds.” Talk about immersive!

Anne Chambers retired after 23 years as a Montessori teacher.

Throughout her years, Mrs. Chambers taught with eternal patience, kindness, grace and love.

Her knowledge of the Montessori philosophy has provided a solid foundation for the hundreds of children she has taught. Her commitment to educating the whole child has fueled countless students to reach their full potential. She consistently stepped up to support not only her students, but her colleagues and volunteers who needed help too. Her unique ability to connect with people is one of her greatest gifts. “There is a reason her nickname in the division is St. Anne,” says Mr. Wilson. “She goes above and beyond to acknowledge both faculty and children through gifts and words of gratitude. She was truly a blessing and gift to The Summit community.”

Sandy Champlin retired as Advancement Services Manager after 10 years in the Development Office.

Her valiant behind-the-scenes efforts in fundraising were never overlooked. Whether it be preparing information for an ask or following up with donors, Ms. Champlin took the extra step to make sure donors knew their gift was appreciated. She was valued as a great organizer who took The Summit back-office advancement services to the next level. She consistently worked late hours, and even weekends, to ensure the database was accurate and updated. A donor recently commented about her: “She is patient, understanding, positive and a very easy individual with whom to partner. It’s been said that in film, the audience does not see the painstaking work that goes on behind the scenes to make the end product look good.

The same is true in fundraising. Ms. Champlin is one of the many unsung heroes of The Summit community,” Mr. Wilson says.

communications operation, she did that very well indeed.”

Nancy Berlier retired from her role as Communications Director and was succeeded by Tami McMann. Mr. Wilson gave Mrs. Berlier credit for professionalizing all aspects of the school’s communications in the past decade. The Summit Magazine, which she edited, is nationally recognized as one of the best independent school magazines in the country. She improved the quality of Summit’s photography across all media platforms. She garnered newspaper and magazine attention for the school. The school’s new website, a development project she led, received an international award for its excellence. Her emphasis on video in the more recent years has helped expand Summit’s story. The school’s social media presence also expanded. She is an award-winning editor and writer, having served in these roles at The Cincinnati Enquirer and Cincinnati Post during the course of her 25-year journalism career.

“All I ask of every employee is that you make your area and responsibility better than when you arrived here,” Mr. Wilson says. “In our

Nancy Palm retired after six years as Purchasing Clerk for The Summit. Thanks to her dedication and reliability, the school is always stocked with ample supplies to teach, read, write, compute and copy.

Nancy personified perseverance during her time at The Summit – nothing would prevent her from getting the mail in and sorted and getting it stamped and sent out. Her attention to detail and meticulous work ethic created a streamlined efficiency for the school that will surely be missed by the Summit community. Mr. Wilson shares this appreciation, saying “When I hear the aphorism, ‘the greatest ability is dependability,’ Nancy Palm comes to mind. She has a willingness to do what it takes to get the job done.”

Reflecting on her decade at The Summit, Mrs. Berlier says: “When I came to The Summit, I wasn’t intending to go back to work full-time, but I absolutely fell in love with the school from the moment I walked through the door.

The Summit is stunningly beautiful. Like a lot of people, when I walked through the front door and saw the magnificent architecture, I was dumbstruck.”

Her admiration for The Summit is evident in her reflection. “I have been continuously awed by the caliber of teachers, the higher-level conversations on curricular matters and the devotion that faculty and staff have to The Summit. I couldn’t think of a better place to work.”

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SUMM IT SILVER KNIGHTS YEAR IN REVIEW

By Erica Miknius The Silver Knights sports teams excelled locally and regionally. Here’s a look at the year.

National Team Academic Awards: Girls’ Soccer.

Academic All-American: Avery McEachern ’21, Swimming.

All-American: Kathryn Shaffer ’22, Soccer.

State Tournament Appearances: Boys’ Cross Country, Swimming and Diving (200 Yard Medley Relay, 200 Yard IM and Diving), Boys’ Tennis (Elizabeth Fahrmeier ’21), Girls’ Track and Field (4x100 relay) and Boys’ Track and Field (3200m).

State Team Academic Awards: Boys’ Soccer, Girls’ Soccer.

Academic All State Awards: Matthew Brumfield ’21, Boys’ Cross Country; Matthew Casañas ’21, Boys’ Soccer; Adam Foley ’21, Boys’ Soccer; Kendall Hamilton ’21, Boys’ Soccer; Jacob Locke ’21, Boys’ Soccer; Evan Lakhia ’21, Boys’ Cross Country; Sean LaMacchia ’21, Boys’ Cross Country; Graham Nicholson ’21, Boys’ Soccer; Jordyn Pez ’21, Girls’ Soccer; Olivia Theders ’21, Girls’ Soccer; Alex Waak ’21, Boys’ Soccer; Andrew Wagner ’21, Boys’ Cross Country; Larkin Woodward ’23, Boys’ Cross Country; Will Yagodich ’21, Boys’ Soccer.

United States Lacrosse: Ohio South Chapter AllAcademic Team: Ben Perez ’21, Sam Perez ’21.

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SPORTS District Champs: Boys’ Cross Country, Boys’ Soccer.

Miami Valley Conference Champs (MVC): Boys’ Soccer, Boys’ Cross Country, Boys’ Basketball, Girls’ Track & Field.

Southwest Ohio Golf Coaches Association Player of the Year: Riley Simpson ’21.

City Player of the Year: Matthew Brumfield ’21, Kathryn Shaffer ’22, Riley Simpson ’21.

City Coach of the Year: Emily Betz (Southwest Ohio Field Hockey League), Mike Fee, Girls’ Soccer; Cathy Flesch (Southwest Ohio Girls Golf Association); Scott Sievering, Boys’ Soccer.

MVC Player of the Year: Kendall Hamilton ’21, Boys’ Soccer; Riley Simpson ’21, Girls’ Golf; Gates Flynn ’21, Boys’ Basketball; Bry Woodard ’21, Girls’ Basketball; Mason Perkins ’22, Baseball.

MVC Coach of the Year: Scott Sievering, Boys’ Soccer; Kurtis Smith, Boys’ Cross Country; Ed Escudero, Bowling; Susan Miller, Swimming and Diving; Ryan Fleming, Boys’ Basketball; Scott McIntosh, Boys’ Tennis; Kim Horning, Girls’ Track & Field.

United Soccer Coaches High School Coach of Significance: Mike Fee. National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association of America, Inc. Scholar Team Award: Swimming and Diving.

TOP: The boys’ cross country team finished as the runner-up in the Division III state race, capping a three-year span of finishing as one of the best two teams in the state. L to R: Coach Kim Horning, William McLane, Grant Gerhardt, Hudson Ritch, Holden Barnhorst, Larkin Woodward, Sean LaMacchia, Devin Nelson, Matthew Brumfield, Evan Lakhia, Andrew Wagner, Coach Kurtis Smith, Tommy DiPaola, Coach Mason T. Moore ’15. Members of Summit’s swimming and diving team qualified for the Division II state meet. Front row, L to R: Abby Replogle, Lily Mitchell. Back row, L to R: Elizabeth Fager, John Penote, Kathryn Shaffer. MIDDLE: The boys’ soccer team won a district championship this season. Kathryn Shaffer was tabbed as a girls’ soccer all-American this year. Kathryn is the fourth all-American for Head Coach Michael Fee. Bottom: Shown here is the record-breaking girls’ bowling team. L to R: Coach Ed Escudero, Lavinia Ward, Kennedi Dukes, Kiarah Tappler, Erin Johnson, Angela Good, Mia Rahner, Sunny Tan, Shannon Dennemann. Following her senior swim season, Avery McEachern was selected as an academic AllAmerican.

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By Tami McMann Athletic competition during a pandemic was daunting for all the Silver Knights coaches in the 2020-21 school year. Keeping players safe is always the top priority, but the looming threat of contagion added a new level of challenge for our teams. Leading with compassion, six coaches distinguished themselves with top rankings in the Miami Valley Conference (MVC) and other accolades.

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Escudero is most proud of the girls on his team for breaking, in one season, six of the nine bowling records at The Summit. “And all the girls are coming back next year,” he says proudly.

Coach doesn’t only instruct and mentor bowlers, he takes part in the sport on a competitive level. He recently won second place in the Greater Cincinnati Bowling Congress in the “Super Senior” division for ages 75 and older when he bowled an average score of 253 per game. “I walked in with my Summit shirt and almost turned around and left,” he says. “All the other bowlers had on professional shirts with their names on the back. It was intimidating but I already paid the fee, so I stayed.”

In 2021-22, Coach Escudero will serve on the United States Bowling Congress as an elected junior member of the board of directors. He is tasked with developing the sport of bowling on the junior and senior high school levels.

Ryan Fleming, in his second season as varsity boys’ basketball coach at Summit, was recognized as Coach of the Year in both the MVC and District 16. After a rocky start to the year and the Upper School two-week quarantine, his team delivered an 18-6 record that ended at the regional playoffs.

Ed Escudero

Ed Escudero, retired Upper School science teacher, has stayed active with the bowling team he has coached since 2007. His longevity and success were recognized in the winter season when he was named MVC Coach of the Year for girls’ bowling. Coach 38

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Coach Fleming, who is also the resources and intervention specialist in the Upper School, says his proudest moment was watching players grow into a team that believed in themselves and worked together for all they achieved. “I try to teach them that every day is important,” says Coach Fleming. “Every day is a chance to get better and to make a

positive impression. That’s a lesson that will help them as players and in life.”

He also held athletes to a high standard that accepted no excuses for being late to practice, for not being prepared for a game, even for their conduct off the court. It’s a standard that he modeled as well. “I learned this season that I didn’t know as much as I thought,” he says.

“Coaching is about adapting and changing when needed. I learned to listen more and to take the advice of veteran coaches.”

Ryan Fleming

Kim Horning has been named Coach of the Year for MVC girls track and field. The 202021 season highlight for her was the league championship. It was a meet she says her girls’ team “on paper,” was not supposed to win.

“They showed up and gave tremendous team effort and won the league by 19 points.” To cap the season, our girls 4x100m relay team had a 12th place finish at the state meet.

Coach Horning believes, with every success, that a track dynasty is in the making at The Summit. She sees incoming freshmen, mentored by the older athletes on the team, training and competing at a higher level each year. With indoor track offered as a winter sport, the Silver Knights have the chance to maintain a training mindset throughout the colder months that lead up to the spring season.

“I enjoy this sport because there’s an event for everyone and the improvements are so measurable,” she says. “The athletes can see their hard work pay off.”

Coach Horning competed on the collegiate level as a runner and long jumper. She was named head coach for our girls’ team in 2014.

Kim Horning

Scott McIntosh, varsity boys’ tennis coach, was voted MVC Coach of the Year after a second-place finish by his team. Coach McIntosh saw a record number of seniors – 16 – join the team, and he enjoyed an energetic season managing both new and experienced players. Unique this year, he coached a senior girl as part of the boys’ team.

Elizabeth Fahrmeier ’21 competed in the state championship against boys herSummit age. Magazine

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A lifelong tennis player, he competed at the high school level but found his passion in guiding young players to improve their game.

“I honestly enjoy coaching all levels,” he says, “From the player who has never touched a racket to the high-level players who qualify for state competition.”

He says tennis challenges student-athletes to maintain composure on the court, and his players know that their behavior is a direct reflection on their parents and their coach.

“There are hard losses in life,” he says. “You have to fight through them. It’s a cliché, but adversity does make you stronger. You have to know how to lose to know how to win.”

In school year 2021-22, he expects a “young” team that will be part of a rebuilding cycle for the tennis program, and he is looking forward to mentoring athletes as they develop their athletic skills. Coach McIntosh has been at The Summit since 2014.

Scott McIntosh

Susan Miller, MVC Girls’ Swimming Coach of the Year and College Counseling Assistant Director, is quick to deflect attention from herself and to credit her swimmers and her co-coach, husband Bret Miller, Upper School biology teacher, for the team’s success.

Summit girls finished second overall in the MVC. “We had incredible leadership from our veteran swimmers and a few outstanding freshmen whose combined talent and dedicated effort gave us a highly successful season,” she says.

Coach since 2013-14, she shares her lifelong love of water with her athletes and guides them to develop critical skills like resilience, teamwork and endurance. “I tell the girls, ‘Life is full of opportunities. Make one decision a day that scares you. That’s how you grow.’ I believe in them, and I push them to challenge themselves in the water.”

Scott Sievering, Varsity Boys’ Soccer Coach, was awarded the A-Youth licensure from the US Soccer Federation. The achievement, years in the making, demanded the highest level of

40 Fall Magazine 2021 40 Susan Miller

Kurtis Smith, in his 15th year of coaching Summit cross country, was named Enquirer Coach of the Year and MVC Coach of the Year.

Smith, who teaches religion and leadership, is the Cotton Family Varsity Cross Country Head

Scott Sievering

perseverance and dedication. To qualify, he worked his way through D, C and B levels of licensure and accumulated the required years of coaching experience. A-Youth coursework included training, assignments and mentoring and, due to COVID, took over two years to complete. Now at the top level of youth soccer coach certification, Coach Sievering is thoroughly knowledgeable about scientific aspects of athletic training, game analysis and player development. In particular, the advanced training taught him to build lesson plans that focus on developing the future professional soccer player.

“I look at the game differently now,” says Coach. “After passing the course I’m better able to coach positionally and to identify and exploit our opponent’s weaknesses.”

Coach Sievering got his rookie start in 2000 at his younger sister’s middle school when no one else stepped up to lead the team. He loved it and began his US Soccer licensure journey while coaching at the high school level. He is now in his seventh season with The Summit.

Kurtis Smith

Coach. Highlights of the season include the boys’ team winning the district championship and runner up for regional and state and the girls’ team winning district runner up.

The senior boys on his team were the most accomplished runners in Summit history, bringing home three of the four state trophies encased at the school. The Enquirer said: “Smith’s team dominated its district before runner-up spots at regionals and then the state meet where three racers finished in the top 50. Just five points separated Summit Country Day from state champion East Canton.”

“Running teaches perseverance,” says Coach Smith. “It teaches life lessons that will help make kids into better adults – better parents, better spouses, better employees. It’s more Summit Magazine than running.”

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Mike Fee

Player Leadership Sets Standard for Program Success

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Members of the victorious girls’ soccer team return home with the 2011 Division III state championship trophy.

By Nick Robbe For three seasons, midfielder Sarah Oltman ’12 had started every game of her Summit girls’ soccer career. Her senior season continued in similar fashion until Head Coach Michael Fee asked her to give up her starting spot. She did so without complaint, adopting a team-first attitude.

Summit’s 2011 girls’ soccer season is full of stories akin to this one. It was a team comprised of players who played for one another. As a result, Fee and his coaches knew the team would have a good season, but they had no idea they would be holding the Division III state championship trophy on the pitch at Columbus Crew Stadium to end the season.

“We didn’t think they were going to do it,” assistant coach Keith Harring says. “They played outstanding in the state tournament. You could not ask for anything more from them. They had some tough games, but somebody would step up and make a play. That’s the type of team you like to see win state.”

A decade ago, the 2011 state championship became a bellwether for The Summit’s athletics program. The school had won only three team state championships prior to that year. After the 2011 win, the school has gone on to win 10 additional state team championships, including subsequent titles for the girls’ soccer team in 2015 and 2017. Those team wins, plus six individual state titles,

has given Summit a reputation as a powerhouse in Ohio high school athletics.

The murky outlook, which hung over the team to start the season, evaporated quickly but it would not stay that way for too long.

The Silver Knights won eight of their first nine games and had only surrendered four goals. However, during that same span, the team lost Bryce Hueber ’14, its leading scorer.

“She scored eight goals in eight games,” Coach Fee says. “We depended a lot on her and became a different team after her injury.”

Coach Fee’s adjustments worked. Four Summit players finished the season among the top five in scoring.

The next few games tested the Silver Knights. In the final seven games, Summit finished with a 3-3-1 record, including a loss to archrival Cincinnati Country Day on senior night.

Back in the locker room after the 1-0 loss, the team was angry and hosted a players-only meeting.

“I was livid and hurt,” Liz Arnold ’12 says.

“I remember telling everyone how much this team and this season meant to me, and the others echoed my sentiment.

Even though I was slated to play in college, the other seniors were not. It felt Summit Magazine 43

even more important to play for them. That loss, in my opinion, catapulted us through the tournament.”

The play of Liz Arnold and her teammates backed up that opinion. Through the first four games, they outscored opponents, 160. They beat Hamilton Badin during that stretch, something the team had not been able to accomplish until then.

Including the Badin win, Summit had a string of four one-goal victories.

“I’m going to be honest, after every game, I just remember thinking ‘Oh my gosh – we won again,’” Coach Fee says. “Those four games – district final, regional semifinal, regional final and state semifinal – were unbelievable. Each game had a moment that defined it. The girls did the little things that helped us win the tournament.”

Against Mariemont, Coach Fee impressed on his team the need to start fast.

Nine seconds into the game, Meredith Schertzinger ’14 got the ball deep in the corner, sent a pass into the box that the keeper misjudged. Ellie Adams ’14 took the pass and put the ball in the back of the net.

The Warriors would eventually get the equalizer, however. That set the stage for a

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freshman Summit player to step up for her teammates.

At a few points during the game, Emily Wiser ‘15 was consistently beating her defender. However, instead of opting to take a shot on net, she would pass.

“I pulled her off the field and told her that if she kept doing that, she wouldn’t stay on the field much longer,” Coach Fee says.

“After reentering the game, she beat her defender, took the shot and scored the game-winning goal.”

Another game he vividly recalls is the state semifinal match against Fenwick.

He called it his favorite game he has ever been associated with.

Sensing the importance of the match, Dr. Pat White, the Upper School Director at the time, made the push to get as many students at the game as possible.

Coach Fee estimates that more than 200 students packed into five school buses for the game.

With under a minute left in the first half, Izzie Englehart ‘13 stepped up to take a free kick about 45 yards from the goal.

The ensuing kick, with the wind, seemed

to stay in the air forever until it reached the back of the net for a 1-0 Summit lead.

In the second half, following a Meredith Schertzinger goal, Coach Fee remembers allowing himself to think they had a pretty good chance to win. Fenwick scored 35 seconds later and then 10 minutes later to tie the game.

In overtime, Addie Englehart ’14 advanced from a scrum and made a deep run from Summit territory into the attacking portion of the field. She beat two opposing players and took her shot. The goalkeeper blocked the shot right to Elizabeth Williams ’13 who tapped it in.

“Students were going over the grandstands like lemmings (after the win),” Coach Fee says. “They picked up the coaching staff and put them on their shoulders.”

The Silver Knights made the state final academic, scoring the first five goals before winning the game, 5-2.

“He is a really good motivator. You can tell he’s a school counselor,” coach Harring says of Fee. “He works with individuals and gets them to play well together.”

The togetherness factor is something that Coach Fee really emphasizes. He puts each senior in charge of some aspect of the program be it spirit wear or designing summer practices.

“I want the older players to lead by example, set the tone. I want our younger ones to emulate, watch and imagine how the program will look when they are in leadership roles,” Coach Fee says. “This is not my program. It is our program.”

Opposite page, bottom: Summit’s 2011 girls’ soccer team was comprised of players who played for one another. As a result, Coach Fee and his staff knew the team would have a good season, but they had no idea they would be holding the Division III state championship trophy to end the season. Front row, L to R: Melissa Saele and Izzie Englehart. Middle row, L to R: Caroline O’Connell, Ellie Adams, Katie Voytek, Meredith Schertzinger, Sarah Oltman, Liz Arnold, Addie Englehart, Emily Wiser, Abby Anderson, Sara Kate Wiser and Sofia Ordonez. Back row, L to R: Athletic Trainer Amber Gerken, Asst. Coach Keith Harring, McKenzie Eagan, Ellie Cooney, Sam Meder, Sheila Eustace, Natalie Colak, Elizabeth Williams, Mary Meyer, Mary Bathon, Brenna Biggs, Amauria Campbell, Sophie Adams, Bryce Hueber, Asst. Coach Lindsey Tyberg-Steuer, Head Coach Michael Fee. This page, top: Amauria Campbell settles the ball.

Middle: Asst. Coach Keith Harring (middle) hugs Asst. Coach Lindsey Tyberg-Steuer (left) and Head Coach Michael Fee (right). Bottom: Mary Meyer (right) embraces Meredith Schertzinger.

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Alumni Entrepreneurs Show Leadership, Grit and Perseverance

By Tanya Bricking Leach

Some Summit alumni began their entrepreneurial careers like other great leaders – in their garages. Some were side hustles and startups. Some alumni refused to take “no” for an answer. Some leaned on a little help from their friends.

One made her way to the stage of “Shark Tank.” But each one learned that “making it” takes a lot of grit.

What their stories have in common is that they all started at The Summit, where the signature Character Education program fostered traits that these leaders still consider part of the core of who they are.

Nabeel Kaukab BMS ’90 Founder of Jaan Health

Nabeel Kaukab’s career has taken him from computer science to bioengineering to Wall Street. His love of technology helped him develop an artificialintelligence-driven patient communication technology that could help transform healthcare.

Success, he says, comes down to what he learned in his formative years.

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“The Summit played a huge part,” he says.

“Even in the earliest days, the Montessori environment was free-form learning and working at your own pace. One of the best things growing up and going to The Summit was this idea that education was not just teaching to some standardized test. But it was developing those feelings underneath and that passion not only for learning but going beyond the subject matter in a textbook.”

He still thinks of three teachers who had an impact on not only his education but his life.

“It was Jane Durkee, my first grade teacher. She kind of instilled my passion for learning and science. I wrote book reports just for fun about rocket ships,” he says. “My third grade teacher Cathy Burik, was one of the most incredible women I’ve ever met. She brought my love for not just science and math but humanities. And Barbara Sander, who just recently retired, was my middle school teacher for English and reading. She took a kid who liked to learn and pushed me to do more.”

Nabeel never forgot how they made him feel.

“At my worst, I could be a know-it-all,” he says. “But at my best, I was somebody who was passionate about learning beyond what was on the curriculum. The last day of the year, I remember, twice, Mrs. Sander let me teach class with my own lesson plan. What was great about that was it gave me the confidence to speak in front of my peers and just feel like I could talk with authority and be an expert.”

Shelby (Busemeyer) McKee ’90 Founder of Keysocks

Maybe you’ve seen her Facebook photo from her appearance on “Good Morning America.” Or maybe you watched her on the entrepreneurial-themed reality show “Shark Tank.”

Lately, Shelby McKee’s feet are getting a lot of attention.

It all started in 2009, when she was getting ready to go to a Bengals game on a brisk fall Sunday. She wanted to wear a cute pair of ballet flats, but she didn’t want her socks to show. So she got out a pair of scissors and cut knee-high socks into what would become a genius invention: Keysocks.

“My last name is McKee. My friend looked at me and said, ‘That is not a MacGyver sock, that is a McKeever sock,” she says. “We took McKeever and opted for Keysocks. Every key has a hole.”

She recruited her family, including her sister Christy (Busemeyer) Parry ’92, into helping her launch her business.

When she thinks back to The Summit, she thinks of all the people who helped her along the way.

“The small community and caring teachers were a plus, but most importantly, I received extra help for my learning disability,” she says. “I owe this to my tutor, Alane (Schloemer) Shoemaker ’68. She made all the difference in the world. The Summit made it very seamless; I never felt belittled or that I couldn’t do the work like the other students without learning disabilities.”

McKee’s strong suit in school was her athleticism. She was a diver who made it to the state championships. She says that helped build her character. It’s also kept her humble. People at The Summit helped her believe in herself, McKee says. “It is extremely important, and I can’t stress it enough,” she says, “that when you need help, ASK!” Chef Renee Schuler ’91 Eat Well Celebrations and Feasts

Chef Renee Schuler had been working in the food industry for about 10 years after she graduated from college and went on to cooking school. That was when one of her sisters, visual artist Michelle (Schuler) Summit Magazine 47

that taught me is: ‘Be true to yourself and who you are’ and to not live in the shadow; to really let yourself be seen and heard.”

And in her business, taste has something to do with it all, too.

Chef Renee Schuler ’91

Heimann ’92, asked her to cater her art gallery opening.

“So I said, ‘yes,’ and then she looked at me a couple of days prior to the opening, and she said, ‘I think you might want to get business cards made because people are going to want to call you.’ And so I made some business cards, and we put them on the table, and, sure enough, everything happened very organically.”

That’s how, in 2005, she started Eat Well Celebrations and Feasts, an off-site catering business based in Newport. She serves clients ranging from The Cincinnati Ballet to The Summit’s boxed lunches for teachers.

“One of the things I took away from Summit was that I had teachers who were amazing role models, and they were excellent examples of people of character,” she says. “I think that what 48

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Kate (Johnson) Binger ’93 Owner and Lead Designer, Dwelling

Kate Binger says her Summit days taught her to find courage and strength in her own path. She says launching a business with blind optimism has served her well.

She launched her own design firm out of a tiny condo after moving to Jackson Hole, Wyo. in 2006. “It was not glamorous,” she says. “My kitchen was filled with floor plans, a drafting board and the elemental beginnings of a design library. We are now a small firm focusing on new construction, remodels and all finish work.” Looking back, she credits her English teachers for creating an environment for criticalthinking and self-expression that serves her to this day. “I am grateful to Mr. Bob Gorey for his extreme patience; Mrs. Carole Fultz for her sharpness; Mr. David Monaco for his well-crafted verbiage and

even temperament; and Mr. Pat Kelly for making me dig into the words of every story.”

Erica (Groen) Shadoin ’98 Owner/Operator of Archway McDonald’s

Erica Shadoin is of the legendary Cincinnati family that invented the iconic Filet-O-Fish. That was her grandfather’s big idea. She is a third-generation McDonald’s owner/operator and has been behind the register for as long as she can remember. Her family owns 23 McDonald’s restaurants. At The Summit, Shadoin says she learned the value of honesty, integrity and hard work.

“Mr. Farrell Ackley also had a profound effect on me as a student,” she says. “To this day, I think back to my social studies classes with him and how he influenced me to think critically, act respectfully and be accountable. The leadership qualities Summit teachers helped me develop are skills I rely on in my personal and professional life daily.”

After high school, she studied hospitality management and later moved to Los Angeles to work for Aramark. In California,

she got her MBA and joined Deloitte Consulting for two years before returning to Cincinnati and McDonald’s in 2010.

“It was a great learning opportunity, and I loved the excitement,” she says. “But my favorite job has always been working at McDonald’s. The people, the fast-paced nature and working for one of America’s most loved brands has been my passion, and I am so happy to have found my way back to my roots.”

Betsy (Fraser) Leonidas ’00 Founder of Elizabeth In Kind

As a teenager, Betsy Leonidas always imagined what was ahead of her.

“I knew I wanted to be in advertising since the seventh grade,” she says. “I was reading a teen magazine and there was a full-page Secret deodorant ad in the center spread.

I understood why it was there, the value of its placement and why it was relevant. I moved to New York after I graduated and then eventually back to Cincinnati and have been fortunate enough to work at some amazing ad agencies and consulting companies: McCann, Grey, dunnhumby, 84.51°, Possible and Deloitte.”

As she climbed the corporate ladder, she realized the ladder became less fun to climb. She started thinking about what her dream job would really be. She’d always been obsessed with all things paper.

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So, she started Elizabeth In Kind, an online paper and gift shop that encourages women to be kinder to one another.

“I think my biggest takeaway from Summit, and really from Cincinnati as a whole, has been the value of community,” she says, “Cincinnatians and Summit grads love to help. I always feel surrounded by support, which gives me the confidence to keep going.”

Tyler Borek SMS ’02 CEO of Literably

Education has always been something Tyler Borek has held dear.

He is a lifelong reader who went on to develop Literably, an online elementary reading assessment tool that listens to students read and generates a full-running record with data on fluency, accuracy and comprehension. It has become popular during COVID. He attended The Summit from kindergarten through eighth grade and remembers fundamentals such as problem-solving that still influence him today.

“Aside from a few high-margin lemonade stands, I can’t say that I was particularly entrepreneurial at ages 4-13,” he says. “I can say that Summit taught me to think and to write clearly, and that has been critical to the success I’ve had so far.”

He says some of the best leaders follow 50

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some of the simplest ideas: Read a lot, be nice, focus and get experience.

And another tip? “Consider learning to code,” he says. “Software engineering is a very high-leverage skillset.”

Meredith (Schiff) Borchers ’02 Ossie Boutique

Meredith Borchers began developing her sense of style as a near-lifer at The Summit.

“I think it’s safe to say that The Summit helped form me into the person I am today,” she says. “I learned key organizational and problem-solving skills, how to form and maintain social relationships, accept and utilize constructive criticism and actively pursue my goals.”

One of those goals was starting a boutique in Hyde Park. She runs Ossie, inspired by the legendary designer Ossie Clark. It offers a meticulously curated collection of contemporary and designer ready-to-wear apparel, shoes and accessories.

“My advice to any young person who wants to start their own business is to

stay motivated, patient and persistent,” she says. “A business doesn’t just appear or profit overnight, and I think it’s really important to keep that in mind throughout the process.”

Meredith knows that owning a business is a constant experience of ups and downs.

She’s learned to get through obstacles and keep a level head.

“The Summit community has been incredibly supportive,” she says. “Both friends I made while in attendance and families I met while teaching there shop here all the time.”

That friend encouraged him to apply.

Amann was looking for a way to get off his parents’ health insurance and make his own way in the world. And the whole idea of making and selling craft beer appealed to him.

By May 2018, he was ready to start his own distribution company. He quit his job, set up a warehouse and obtained a business license. It was a time of big changes. He also got married and returned from his honeymoon to launch his own small business.

“I didn’t really view myself as a future entrepreneur for most of my life,” he says.

“For me, the jump to entrepreneur was that the need for this business was so obvious it was staring me in the face.”

Leading the Way To help the next generation of entrepreneurs, The Summit launched the Homan Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership this year. Read more about it on Page 20.

Michael Amann ’05 Adena Distributing

When Michael Amann was a senior at The Summit, he remembers visiting a small video production company as part of his “Senior Search.” It’s when he remembers feeling the spark that someday, he could run his own business, too.

But his path to opening a beer distribution company was not so straightforward.

“I graduated college in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State in English,” he says, “There weren’t exactly a ton of opportunities beating down my door. I was doing freelance writing.

I was substitute teaching. I was working at FedEx straight out of college. And then there was a friend of mine from The Summit who was working for a beer distributor.”

Save the Date: Athletic Hall of Fame, Saturday, February 5 Watch for details about our newest inductees in the winter edition of the alumni newsletter.

Where are Class Notes?

Class Notes are now entirely online! Go to the Alumni section of The Summit website and click on Alumni News for all the latest updates on your classmates. Submit your news online or scan the code to keep us informed of address changes, weddings, births, professional achievements and other significant events. We look forward to celebrating with you!

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