Summit Magazine Winter 2011-12

Page 1

THE

SUMMIT Winter 2011 - 2012

State Champions


The Summit The magazine of The Summit Country Day School WINTER 2011-12 EDITOR Nancy Berlier ALUMNI EDITOR Susan Maxwell ART DIRECTOR/DESIGNER Kathy (Hilsinger) Penote ’93 PHOTOGRAPHY Robert A. Flischel, Alex Reed, Jolene Barton, Gavin K. Meyer, William Northern, Rick Norton, Nancy Berlier, Impact Action Sports Photography CONTRIBUTORS Kelly Cronin, Donna Paulin, Cindy Kranz, Emily Jolly, Nancy Snow, Terry Malone, Helen Clark, Kyle Fisk, Michele Duda PRINTING Arnold Printing ©

2011 The Summit Country Day School, Cincinnati, OH. The Summit magazine is published three times a year by the Communications Department of The Summit Country Day School, 2161 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208. Please direct address changes or other correspondence to the above address.

Summit News Phone: (513) 871-4700 ext. 291 E-mail: communications@summitcds.org Alumni News Phone: (513) 871-4700 ext. 245 E-mail: maxwell_s@summitcds.org Summit Online View an archive of The Summit magazine online. www2.summitcds.org/communications/Magazine.cfm

The Summit Country Day School serves students from age two through grade twelve 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.

2 Winter 2012

ON THE COVER Keeper Liz Arnold lifts the state girls’ soccer championship trophy above her head as she and other seniors celebrate their victory at Crew Stadium in Columbus. Photo: Impact Action Sports Photography. Story on page 20. ON THIS PAGE The serpentine curve of the Ohio River around downtown Cincinnati makes a majestic backdrop for this view of the landmark Summit Country Day School. Photo: Gavin K. Meyer



Head of School Message

THE PHYSICAL PILLAR

Athletics Renders Enduring Lessons, in Thinking, Caring, Being Responsible Winning the state Division III championship in girls’ soccer reminds us of the importance athletics plays in the development of children. No, it’s not about winning, and it’s not about school spirit. It’s really about how playing a sport and staying physically active accelerates the maturation process of children: • Athletics enhance a child’s physical development. The pull and tug of muscles during physical activity builds muscle and bone strength. Balance and coordination improve. • Thirty minutes of vigorous physical activity a day enhances brain function so that children perform better in the classroom. The part of the brain that processes movement also processes learning. These scientific facts are born out in research studies showing that athletes tend to have higher grade point averages, enroll in more Advanced Placement courses and do better on standardized tests than nonathletes. • Athletics teach children social skills: how to win and lose graciously, how to collaborate with others to achieve a goal, how to accept and respond to criticism, how to lead and how to follow. Athletics teaches life skills: having poise under pressure, creatively overcoming obstacles and analyzing results from a performance to figure out how to improve. • Being a member of a Summit team builds character. We hire coaches who are men and women of character and who want to transfer their knowledge and skills to help others succeed. We joke that we “build a lot of character” when our team loses, but sports help children learn key principles of character such as delayed gratification;

living responsibly; persistence; caring about your teammates; honesty; and showing respect to coaches, referees and opposing players. • When the activity is up-tempo and the endorphins are flowing, children experience the sheer joy of the game. The Sisters consistently encouraged their students to live life joyfully. Sports help children do that. All of these are reasons that physical development is one of the five pillars of a Summit education. Most people don’t think of Summit as an athletic power house. However, look at the record. This year both boys’ and girls’ soccer won in the sectionals, won in the districts and played in the regionals. Meanwhile, the football team had a winning season and went to the playoffs for the second straight year. Both boys’ and girls’ cross country teams won their conference title. Summit owns 66 league titles. Over the last 10 years, Summit’s overall winning percentage in all sports places us second in our conference. There’s a myth that an athlete has to go to a big high school to be noticed and recruited by colleges. In last year’s graduating Upper School class, 9% were recruited to play at the NCAA level this year. The national average for schools across the country is 6%. Our coaches know their sport and have contacts at colleges across the country for students who want to continue playing in college. Austin Berry ‘07 is on a soccer scholarship at the University of Louisville; he was a starter in the finals of NCAA Division I soccer championship last year. Gabby Steele ‘09 is on a tennis scholarship at Ohio State. Kevin Johnson, currently a junior on our basketball team, has scholarship offers from Toledo, Davidson and Cornell. Gabe Scott, a senior and Summit lifer, is signed to play baseball next year at Division I George Washington University. A child doesn’t have to go to a large high school to get noticed by colleges if he or she has the athletic ability to play at the Division I level. The final key success factor of Summit athletics is the no-cut policy. Unlike mass education schools, at Summit everyone gets a chance to play. We want Summit students to be players in life, not watchers. That’s The Summit Way.

Rich Wilson Head of School


Contents

6 10 14 19 20 27 42

Features After 15 years of reminding us to “Have a Terrific Day,” Dr. Pat White retired Dec. 31 as Upper School Director. Students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff bid her farewell.

Summit Online T MI E M SU LIN ON

The Montessori Program set a record this year for enrollment. Experts, parents and staff explain what makes The Summit’s pre-school experience distinctive.

Fulbright Scholar Kim Ashcraft brings ancient civilizations to the virtual world, modeling how technology can be combined with curriculum to enhance learning.

www.summitcds.org

Q&A : Sophomore Kyle Fisk explores The Summit experience through the eyes of his friend and brother, Brad, a senior.

The Girls’ Soccer Team won the state championship in a hard-fought battle against some of Ohio’s best teams. Head Coach Mike Fee says luck, attitude and talent won the trophy. Brittany Williams’ Cinderella story illustrates how a bright freshman had enough self-discipline and received enough personal attention here to execute one of the most successful college searches in her graduating class. An accomplished physician and scholar, Dr. Kathleen Fischer ’72 has traveled around the globe to bring health care to the poor. She has some advice for current students.

Exclusively on the Web: Educational Insights Teachers share wisdom and expertise gained from years of experience with parents. http://www2.summitcds.org/academics/news/203

Love Your School Auction

Exclusively Online February 14-28. Go to www2.summitcds.org/auction to register to view the catalog, bid and support The Summit! Photo Galleries View life at The Summit in new photo galleries. http://summitcds.smugmug.com

News & Events Keep up with what’s happening at the school. www2.summitcds.org/communications

Departments

9 13 16 20 32 34 44 48

New Directors

Connect with Summit grads by becoming a fan. www.facebook.com/SummitCDS

Early Childhood Education Symposium Newsmakers Athletics Memorial Scholarship Annual Fund Homecoming Class Notes

On e Th

W

eb

Look for The Summit online logo Look for the Summit Online throughout the magazine to direct you to additional information on our website. Summit Magazine 5


The Pat White Legacy

Dr. Pat White retired Dec. 31 as Upper School Director. She became the new Executive Director of Leadership Scholars, an organization she helped found, on January 1.

F

or the past 15 years, Dr. Pat White has reminded us that every day has the potential of being terrific. Everyone who has encountered Dr. White during her 15 years at The Summit has noted her devotion to the students at the school. Her positive attitude is infectious and it is difficult to think of her with anything other than a smile on her face. No matter the day, no matter the job, her refrain was always the same: “How Good is the Good God!” In many ways she came full circle through four different jobs at the school, but in many ways her job never changed. She began as the Upper

6

Winter 2012

School Counselor responsible for the welfare of students, grades 9 through 12, in an office only a few feet from the office from which she is now retiring. Three years later, she moved into the College Counselor job and into a much larger office down the hall. Alumni and faculty remember an office always overflowing with students and fun. From students sprawled across the floor looking at college brochures to others bent over a table working hard on an essay, there was rarely a time with fewer than a dozen kids surrounding her. Weekends weren’t much different except that the venue changed from her office to her home. Every student knew they were welcome at any time.


Dr. White Legacy During her year as Interim Head of School not much changed as the Head of School office suddenly became a place for students. The only difference was that the students came from all divisions instead of just the Upper School. The following year she returned to the place she started, the Upper School Office. Now she had the “big office” and the “big title” – Upper School Director, but for her the job was still to ensure the welfare of the students.

And, of course, we will always have “The Summit Spirit Tunnel,” a completely Dr. White creation which has now become such a tradition that students spontaneously form the tunnel for teams after important victories. Throughout all of her time at The Summit, it has been clear that Dr. White embraces the Notre Dame tradition of serving others. We have been blessed that she served our community and as she begins the next part of her journey in life, we have no doubt that she will continue to serve others with the same bright smile we have all been accustomed to seeing.

“Our philosophy is that every child that comes to our school is a gift to us. It’s a privilege to have each person here.”

Her door has always been open to students, parents and faculty. She has worked daily to ensure that school spirit and the spirit of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur are ever present during each school day. Her morning prayer over the PA and her daily reminder to each of us to “Have a Terrific Day” are just the most obvious examples.

– Dr. Pat White

As the Upper School students said to her before she walked through the giant student Spirit Tunnel: “Dr. White – Have a Terrific Retirement!”

Sister Mary Ann Barnhorn, Development Director of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur’s Ohio Province, presented Dr. Pat White with a framed cross on Sunday, Jan. 8 during a celebratory Mass. Summit Magazine 11


Dr. White Legacy

10 Things I’ll Miss about Pat White By Rich Wilson, Head of School 1. That cheery sign-off on her voice mail: “Have a terrific day!” 2. Her deep understanding of adolescents: How they think, how they feel, what interests them, what motivates them. 3. Pat’s concern for those less fortunate and her belief that building empathy among teenagers is one of the most important things a school should do. 4. A “let’s head trouble off at the pass” approach to managing children; calling them into her office and finding ways to steer them from the wrong path to the right path. 5. Her innate sense of what’s appropriate and what isn’t. 6. Pat’s ability to see, appreciate and laugh at the ironies in life. 7. A willingness to pick up the phone and use her connections to help get students into the colleges of their choice. 8. Finding a practical solution to any problem. 9. Her recent embrace of mindfulness as a way to help children focus better. 10. Pat’s abiding belief that she was put on earth to help children successfully navigate adolescence.

On e Th

W

eb

View a photo gallery of the Mass and reception online at http://tinyurl.com/6oig3ww

Celebratory Mass and Reception: Friends, family and The Summit community said their farewells and paid tribute to Dr. White at the Jan. 8 celebratory Mass and reception.

Summit Chaplain Father Philip Seher

From left, Ashley Gayonski, Summit religion teacher; Harry Santen, board member of Leadership Scholars; Dr. White; Kelley Schiess, Summit Admission Director; Suzie White, Dr. White’s daughter; and Bill Herzog, Dr. White’s brother. 8 Winter 2012

Junior Meg Mathile, singing “Climb Every Mountain.”

Athletic Director Greg Dennis

Jim Evans, Summit parent and board member of Leadership Scholars

Kelly Cronin, Summit Dean of Students and Social Studies teacher


New Directors

Five Things You Need to Know about Dr. Terrence Malone By Helen Clark

Five Things You Need to Know about Helen Clark By Dr. Terrence Malone

1. Terry relocated his family, became director in a new school system and earned his doctorate -- in three years. He is willing to go the extra mile, as we have seen him do many times for Lower School students, parents and faculty. 2. You probably realize Terry is man of great intelligence, but you may not know that if they gave an AQ (Athletic Quotient) as they do IQs or EQs, he’d top the charts. Terry started playing soccer at age 4 and played with the same neighborhood soccer team until he was 18. He received a scholarship to play soccer at Holy Family University where he became team captain and was Conference Player of the Year and Philadelphia University Coaches’ Player of the Year. In one season, he scored an impressive 11 goals as a defender. Last year, Terry was nominated to have his number retired at Holy Family University. There is a picture in Terry’s office of a soccer team he played with, The United German Hungarians, who won the 1999 National Championship. This past season, he was assistant coach of Summit’s Varsity Boys’ Soccer team.

1. A Summit teacher for 25 years, Helen has an amazing ability to get children to think critically. With respect and caring for every child, she helps each one reach peak potential as a thinker. It is as if she sees the power in each person’s brain and can get in there to bring out the best. 2. Born in New York, Helen received a degree in Communications Arts from Marymount Manhattan College. She came to Summit as Karen ‘90 and Stephen ‘94 Clark’s mother but asked for a job here after earning a Master’s Degree in Education. Head of School Ed Tyrrell asked her why she wanted to teach here. She smiled, sat forward in her chair and said, “Mr. Tyrrell, I send my children to The Summit because I believe it is the best school in the city. Why would I want anything less for myself?” As Director, Helen wants for your children the same things she wanted for her own. 3. Being a grandmother touched her heart in ways she did not imagine possible. She and her husband, Keith, have four grandsons: Ryan and Josh Blake, and Noah and Brady Clark. When Noah was 3, he asked Helen which grandchild she loved most. She told him God gave grandmothers special hearts which can hold the same amount of love for each grandchild. Thinking that over, Noah asked her, “Are you really that good?” I can answer that one. Yes, Noah, your grandmother is really that good. 4. An avid reader and traveler, Helen brings a wealth of experience and reflection from these endeavors. Her recent reads include Daniel Pink’s “Drive” and “The Tiger’s Wife.” She and Keith have special memories of a 2010 vacation in Ireland, including a day spent in Dublin with Wolfgang Doring – grandfather of Summit students Filippo and Luca Tosolini. 5. Helen is quick to find solutions. When the faculty was struggling a few years ago with shortened marking periods, she was spot on suggesting trimesters and student-led conferences. So many families have talked to me over the past few months about Helen Clark, Helen. They all say, “We’re so happy new Lower for Helen. She will be a great Lower School Director School Director. We’re just sad our younger child won’t have her as a third grade teacher.”

3. Terry is one of 14 children. That is even more impressive when you realize there were no multiple births, or stepbrothers or stepsisters in the Malone clan. When Terry talks of a Malone family dinner in Philadelphia, 80 Malones -- 55 of them grandchildren -- sit down together. 4. Terry loves the outdoors. In the summer, he and his wife, Jen, take their sons, Aiden and Brendan, to the family beach home in Mystic Island, N.J., where they enjoy crabbing, fishing and hiking. Terry and Jen take the boys to hike in Ault Park or bike ride at Lunken Field. 5. Terry is well-trained in educational pedagogy, knows best practices and is well-connected in the educational community. At a conference, Terry and I attended a workshop with Bena Kallick, author of “Habits of Mind.” When Ms. Kallick saw Terry walk in, she welcomed him excitedly. After they caught up on each other’s news, Bena came over to me, took my hand and told me how lucky I was to work with Terry. Upper School, now you are the lucky ones.

Dr. Terry Malone, new Upper School Director.

Summit Magazine 9


Teacher Brooke Byam works with Kali Smith, Lili Dwyer, Megan Todd and Benny Penote with “45 Math Montessori Materials.” This hands-on approach to learning math shows children how numbers grow from 1 to 9,000 in a fun way that helps them see and learn the numbers.

Montessori Program Sets Record Enrollment By Nancy Berlier Three- and four-year-olds sit in a circle on the floor in a Montessori classroom singing about their bones. “We’re going to rub, rub, rub our radius,” they sing. “Rub, rub, rub our radius. Rub, rub, rub our radius. Learning our bones today.” Chorus after chorus they sing that they are going to “hug, hug, hug our humerus,” “tap, tap, tap our tibia” and “flex, flex, flex our phalanges.” Radius, humerus, tibia and phalanges aren’t words one would typically expect in the vocabulary of a three-year-old, but they’re 10 Winter 2012

learning them in Kathy Scott’s enrichment class. As Summit’s Montessori Program approaches its 50th anniversary in 2012-13, enrollment set a record this year reaching 250 students. The morning academic classes and enrichment programs for 3- and 4-year-olds are at capacity. Why the bubble in enrollment this year? Experts, parents and staff say several aspects of Summit’s Montessori experience make it distinctive. Summit has one of only four Montessori programs in Greater Cincinnati which offers an academic program for two-year-olds. Opening a five-day toddler session this year gave parents more


options: they can enroll children in half-day toddler program for two, three or five days a week. Enrichment, World Language and the Orff Schulwerk method of early childhood music education are unique to this school. The retention rate among well-educated, Montessori-trained, experienced teachers is high. The outcome of Summit’s Montessori academic program is measurable: Summit kindergarteners typically score above 90% on national standardized testing. “I think parents today are looking for established programs where they can be assured of several things,” says Crystal Dahlmeier, Program Director of the Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education. “One would be high quality education for their children. Certainly, The Summit’s Montessori Program has been around for a long time and it has a very stable Pre-schoolers Michael McColgan, staff. That’s important Brenden Hamilton and Carlo Quintero are anxious to ask and for parents.” answer questions about a physics experiment on air and matter.

Dr. Mary Boat, whose son, Tommy, is a kindergartener who is sometimes hesitant to try new things, agrees. “When you have teachers who understand the importance of what children bring to the table, they are able to capitalize on children’s strengths to guide them through new experiences,” says Dr. Mary Boat, associate professor of Early Childhood Education and Director of Graduate Studies at the University of Cincinnati’s School of Education. When Tommy recently expressed anxiety about his role in a performance, his teacher saw the connection between his worry and how to challenge him so he would become more confident. “Identifying the importance of certain types of experiences for individual children and then capitalizing on opportunities as they arise is very difficult to do,” says Dr. Boat. “It takes commitment and excellence, and we consistently have observed

such expertise throughout our six years in The Summit Montessori program.” In addition to a high quality program with a stable and experienced staff, Ms. Kindergarteners Gracey Kelly and put the countries on Dahlmeier says parents Alek Stanisic a map of South America. also want to see consistency of approach and continuity of care from morning to afternoon and year to year. “You can start your child as a toddler and move the child within the program. You don’t have to move to another program, so there is consistency for the child. The wrap-around care with enrichment opportunities for children who stay longer in the day lets parents know they are going to be well cared for.” Summit seems to be meeting the needs of parents who want quality care, and that certainly is an attraction for Drs. Charles Cavallo and Meg Grulee ‘92. Their second grader, Drew, is a Montessori graduate and daughter, Mia, a kindergartener. “We have both our kids enrolled in piano at Summit,” says Dr. Cavallo. “It is really unique to have your child’s music lessons at the school. They really love that. It decompresses our day. We don’t have to do piano lessons after school or on weekends. That frees us up to do homework and other activities after school and on weekends.”

Kali Smith, Caroline Hagerman and Finn Kropp work on a moveable alphabet in an academic classroom for three- to six-year-olds. Summit Magazine 11


Three- and four-year-olds in Amy Berger’s early enrichment class sit in a circle for a physics lesson that demonstrates how air takes up space. Enrichment classes like this one are at capacity as the Montessori program enjoys record enrollment.

As a pediatrician, Dr. Cavallo says he understands why the early years are so critical in the foundation of social skills, motor skills and academics. “I like the way the Montessori approach allows the child to sample all the different facets of learning – the multi-modality that they have -- the math, the reading, the practical life and the sensorial. I like that it’s selfpaced, because the skill range at those young years – the two-to-five range -- is so variable. You have kids that walk early, that talk early, that develop later, that excel at one thing. I like that there’s direction, but it’s also self-directed. The young kids gravitate toward the sensorial and practical life, and as they get comfortable in the classroom, they move on to the more academic areas.”

And the Orff-Schulwerk music classes, he notes, “taps into that other side of the brain.” Dr. Cavallo also notes there are bonus resources for Summit parents – a regularly scheduled lecture series on parenting topics and the annual Early Childhood Education Symposium. In addition to the resources, parent Jen McGrath says the Montessori has an organized program for parent volunteers which allows them to be more active in their childrens’ educations and creates a valuable social network. Mrs. McGrath investigated what she considered to be top schools in the area before enrolling all three of her children in Summit’s Montessori. “There’s a positive energy here that surrounds the child to help them be the best they can be,” she says. “It meets them where they are. I don’t think other schools are behind. I think Summit is ahead.”

Two-year-old Millie Castellini Summit is accepting applications for As a parent, Dr. Cavallo says he traces the letter “B” in shaving the 2012-13 school year, but space is cream on a mirrored tray. has been impressed with how much limited. Half-day programs for two-yearhis own children retained at an early age olds are available on two, three or five days and the advanced concepts they are exposed a week. Three-, four- and five-year olds are to in Summit’s enrichment classes. “Mia was exposed to a multi-age academic environment reading at age four,” he says. “She was reading focusing on language, math, practical life, little 5 - or 10- or 15-page books, but she was sensorial development and geography/science. reading and writing. They learn and retain so Enrichment programs offer a deeper study of the much. In the enrichment classes, they learn about arts, sciences, world cultures and exposure to weather, biology, insects, space and artists.” Mia world languages. Before and after school care is knows how to read and write and is learning available. Tours and interviews can be scheduled basic math and Spanish. “The younger you can by calling 871-4700 ext. 209. start a child in a foreign language the more they will retain it,” he says. “They are little sponges.” Watch a video of Kathy Scott students singing the On e Th

“Bones Song.” www.vimeo.com/32974505 12 Winter 2012

W

eb


Early Childhood Education Symposium

How to Build a Kid with a Conscience By Krista Ramsey Nationally known parenting expert Michele Borba believes that goodness can be cultivated, sort of like a crop of tomatoes. She spoke (Oct. 15, 2011) on the topic of “Raising Goodness” at an early childhood symposium at The Summit Country Day School in Hyde Park.

plugged in don’t develop empathy, Borba says. A University of Michigan study backs her up. After studying 14,000 college students over 30 years, it found today’s college freshmen have 40% less empathy than freshmen 20 years ago.

The ease of disconnecting from “friends” online might make it easier for young people to tune each other in person. And the competitive, achievement-oriented If you want a kind, fair kid, you have to grow your culture youth are raised in may lower their sense of own, she says.“This isn’t temperament,” she says. loyalty - or sympathy - for their peers. That’s why, “This is teachable.” Borba, who regularly appears on Borba says, sometimes it’s good for kids to hurt a little, NBC’s “Today” show, has a reassuring to struggle a little. Even to not get message for parents, but one loaded with the lead in the play, job at the mall, or responsibility. an A in calc class. She points out that traits like perseverance and self-control It doesn’t matter if you’re busy, broke, may have fallen out of popular favor, young, successful or just not very good at but they’re still the building blocks of it. You still have to set the expectations, accomplishment. The 40-year Stanford create the conditions, reinforce the University marshmallow study - in behaviors and set the example for the which impulsive preschoolers got one values you want to instill in your child. marshmallow, and those who could Just be careful what you wish for. wait got two - showed that later the The socially sought-after teen you secretly “delayers” had higher SAT scores and desire may end up being a prisoner to his fewer behavioral problems than did the or her own status. early indulgers. Author and parenting expert Dr. “Popularity is a myth,” she says. “Research Michele Borba speaks to a recordbreaking crowd at the Fourth Annual Borba thinks parents know this sort of shows that the most popular kids are Early Childhood Education Symposium. thing in their gut but they get swept into often not the happiest.” Nor is academic over-indulgence and college-acceptancegiftedness the ticket to success. “Good boasting and bad calls in a time crunch. “They know old grit is really important,” she says. “The kids who can they’re getting further and further from what they know just hang in there have higher grade-point averages and is right,” she says.The answer is to love their kids for higher achievement than those who just have a high who they are, and guide them gently but steadily to all IQ.” What you’re looking for - for the best chances for they can be. well-being and fulfillment - is a sturdy kid who depends on himself, has a keen sense of the world around him In the meantime, she says, show a little love to your and cares about others. “Too often we get into antikids’ friends as well. “Get to know those kids, and don’t bullying programs when we need to do the opposite,” shortchange them. Don’t worry about if their parents Borba says. “Let’s build a caring kid from the start.” don’t cut the grass,” she says. “Your child doesn’t need

a whole bunch of friends, but a couple who are loyal.” “What you’re looking for,” she says, “is the kind-hearted kid who has a conscience.”

That means separating them from their electronic devices, at least some of the time. Those who stay Summit Online

Editor’s Note: Reprinted with permission of The Cincinnati Enquirer.

On e Th

W

Resources for parents and event highlights http://www2.summitcds.org/resource-guide/Early-Childhood-Education.cfm

eb

Summit Magazine 13


Fulbright Scholar Puts High-Tech Edge on Classic Classroom By Nancy Berlier Not much remains of the Roman landmark Circus Maximus, judging by the photograph that Kim Ashcraft has on a screen in the front of her Middle School classroom. Students see an outline of the racetrack. The speedway in the middle is apparent. There is a general sense of the topography. But high-tech magic happens when Ms. Ashcraft, a Latin teacher and Fulbright Scholar, takes her pen and drags it across the screen. The modern image peels back inch-byinch to reveal a reconstruction of the scene as it would have appeared in the 1st Century AD when ancient Romans raced their chariots for a screaming crowd of up to 250,000 spectators.

In a multi-year study of the use of Promethean ActiveClassroom on student achievement, Colorado educational researcher Dr. Robert Marzano determined student achievement was 16% higher when teachers used interactive instructional tools. Commenting on the study in an Education Week article, Dr. Gene V. Glass, senior researcher at Colorado’s National Education Policy Center, said: “One way of phrasing their findings is that a class employing the technology would gain 12 months’ achievement in a ninemonth school year.” Ms. Ashcraft spent hundreds of hours training on the Promethean ActivBoards after one was installed in her classroom at the beginning of last year. She achieved Level II certification and revamped all of her lesson plans to utilize every available function of the technology. After creating her own lesson plans, Ms. Ashcraft held in-house training sessions to share her step-bystep procedures with other teachers.

When students first see the reveal, Ms. Ashcraft says, they are wowed. As The Summit continues to invest in technology, 95% of classrooms in the Lower, Middle and Upper Schools have either access to Adding another dimension to what an ActivBoard, whiteboard or projection she can do with the ActiveBoard, equipment. This year, 40 iPad2s were added. Ms. Ashcraft added thousands of “To stay ahead of the curve, we must keep images and resources to her personal A Promethean experimenting with new ways to harness the library through her experience last summer ActivExpression device. power of technology to enhance learning,” says studying reclamation archeology in Italy as a Ken Uckotter, Director of Curriculum and Technology. Fulbright Scholar. “Kim Ashcraft’s work is a model of how technology can be combined with curriculum to enhance how “I think the greatest benefit of my Fulbright Scholarship quickly and how well our students grasp their lessons.” studies, for the kids, is that I can visualize myself at a monument, show them a picture of it and describe my 14 Winter 2012

Pictured above: Latin teacher Kim Ashcraft uses an electronic pen to manipulate the image of Circus Maximus on the screen of her ActivBoard.


journey so that they can visualize it as well,” she says. “I can describe the sites clearly -- having been there and having experienced them. They are not abstract for me, so they are not abstract for them.” “Using this technology to engage the students in the lesson helps them understand ancient culture better. It helps them conceptualize what life was like then. Being able to show them the caves that the ancients thought might be the entrance to the Underworld, letting them see the walk down to water that is so evocative of the River Styx they are reading about, all this really brings the ancient world to life for them. ActivClassroom technology allows Ms. Ashcraft to tailor her visuals to her curriculum. Students interact with the ActivBoard using handheld digital devices – either a digital pen applied directly to the screen or a digital device called ActivExpression which allows students to respond to multiple-choice questions or text words or sentences in English or in Latin. Some lessons look something like a match game, where students match words in one column with ideas in another column. When they answer correctly, their response may prompt the answer to be revealed visually. Through audio and video technology, students can hear themselves and others enunciating Latin. Live virtual reviews of material give both the teacher and students immediate feedback on how well the lesson is understood. “It lets you know what they didn’t understand so you can review immediately or improve the next time,” she says. “The kids like seeing their names pop up and they like to see who can answer most quickly. The real benefit is that it enables all students to answer questions and then see their answers on the screen.” “The ActivBoard takes everything you do and makes it visual and visceral,” says Ms. Ashcraft. “It’s just much easier to remember a fact if a picture goes along with it. The kids like technology so that’s a bonus to draw them in. It interests them.” Seventh grader Carter Fee interacts with the ActivBoard using a hand-held device called an ActivExpression.

Rosie Alway Receives International Award The Jewish Foundation for the Righteous (JFR) in New York City awarded Middle School Teacher Rosemarie Sansalone Alway the Robert I. Goldman Award for Excellence in Holocaust Education in a ceremony at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. She was selected from more than 400 of JFR’s Lerner Fellows across the United States, Canada, Poland, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, and South Africa. Only one educator receives the award each year. “Mrs. Alway was selected because she is truly a talented and gifted teacher,” says Stanlee Stahl, JFR Executive Vice President. “Teaching is her passion and she cares deeply about her students and her school. She understands the need to teach about the Holocaust and has invested the time to learn the subject.” Karen Suder Named State Finalist in Presidential Awards Upper School Science Teacher Karen Cruse Suder was named a state finalist in the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The award recognizes outstanding contributions in science education in Ohio. Mrs. Suder has taught Biology, Human Osteology, Honors Biology, Anatomy and Physiology and Chemistry. She coordinates an annual Marine Biology Seminar for students in Hawaii. An Advanced Placement reader for the College Board, she has a B.S. in Biology and M.A. in Biological Anthropology. Ultimately, the White House will recognize one teacher from each state for the award. Yngrid Thurston’s Book is Published Spanish teacher Yngrid Thurston’s new book, “The Chilling Adventures of a Piano Student,” has been published by Babel Books. Mrs. Thurston drew inspiration from her own childrens’ piano lessons and her Dominican Republic heritage to write the Spanish-language children’s book. The story chronicles the humorous adventures of a young girl and her mother as they search for a piano teacher.

Summit Magazine 15


NEWSMAKERS National Merit Scholarship Corporation Recognizes 18 Outstanding Seniors

First row (L to R): National Merit and National Achiever semifinalists include Maria Temming, Maya Marlette, Caroline McKee, Madeline Chandra and Anna Delamerced. Second row: Max Williams, Charlie Michel, Mark Samaan and Brian Rouillard.

Mason Mechler, John Patterson and Nick Toebben

From left: Emmalee Greiner, Jenna Joseph, Lissie Russert, Tori Mahon and Lauren Meister

16 Winter 2012

Seven seniors have been named National Merit Scholarship Corporation semifinalists and two others National Achiever semifinalists. Among the top 1% of all juniors who took the PSAT, National Merit semifinalists are Madeline Chandra, Anna Delamerced, Caroline McKee, Charlie Michel, Brian Rouillard, Mark Samaan and Maria Temming. Among 1,600 academically promising African-American high school seniors, the National Achiever semifinalists are Max Williams and Maya Marlette. Seven seniors were named Commended Students and one was recognized by the National Hispanic Recognition Program – bringing the total number of Summit students recognized this year by the National Merit Scholarship Group to 18. Commended students are Liz Arnold, Carolyn Boyce, Jenny Chen, Brad Fisk, Nate Hertlein, Tori Mahon and Ty Wahlbrink. Recognized as an outstanding Hispanic student is John Burrington. Jenny Chen was nominated for the corporately-sponsored Special Scholarship Competition. Three Students Named National AP Scholars Three 2011 graduates – Mason Mechler, John Patterson and Nick Toebben – earned distinction as National Advanced Placement (AP) Scholars. One of the highest awards made through the College Board, AP Scholar Awards are given to students in the U.S. who receive an average score of at least four on all AP exams taken, and who score four or higher on five or more of these exams. Mason now attends Arizona State University; John, Tufts University; and Nick, Wake Forest University. The College Board also recognized 18 Summit students as AP Scholars with Distinction, 16 as AP Scholars with Honor and 25 as AP Scholars.

Five Students Named Lacrosse Academic All-Americans Five members of the 2010 -11 Girls’ Lacrosse team – graduates Lissie Russert, Emmalee Greiner, Jenna Joseph and Lauren Meister, as well as senior Tori Mahon – were named Academic All-Americans by the U.S. Lacrosse Association. The award is given to student-athletes who have exhibited exemplary lacrosse skills, good sportsmanship on the field and high academic standards, while also having a record of contributions to school and community. Lissie now attends the College of the Holy Cross; Emmalee, Georgetown University; Jenna, University of Dayton; and Lauren, Miami University.


Newsmakers Seventh Grader Competes at National Wakeboard Contest Seventh grader Joseph Delworth competed in the National Points Chase Wakeboard Competition at McCormick’s Ski and Wakeboard Park in Tampa, Fla. – the largest cable wakeboard event ever held in the U.S. Joseph entered competitions last summer to earn enough points to qualify for the finals and was among more than 200 riders from Canada, Germany, Australia and the U.S. who competed. Joseph said he had an “amazing time” and hopes to compete again next year. Photo: John Lipscomb

Debaters Take Top Award Four Years in a Row The Summit sent two teams to the 2011 Great Youth Debate and brought home both the first- and second-place awards. The firstplace team – composed of seniors Jay McLean, Tommy Kreyenhagen and Max Williams – won first place for the fourth consecutive year. This was the second year the school fielded a second debate team. The team – composed of junior Destiny Williams, senior Jesse Hughes and junior Nakia Woodard – won the second-place award.

Front row, from left, Destiny Williams, Jesse Hughes and Nakia Woodard. Back row, Max Williams, Tommy Kreyenhagen and Jay McLean.

Gus Hartmann is YMCA Honor Camper Fifth grader Gus Hartmann was named Honor Camper at YMCA Camp Ernst – the highest accolade given by Camp Ernst. The award was created in 1928 to recognize youth who display outstanding character traits of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. Only 2% of the nearly 3,000 campers who attend Camp Ernst are chosen for the award.

Walkathon Recognized Summit was recognized by P&G and was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) after students raised $11,183 for P&G’s Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program. P&G credited the Middle School Service Club’s second annual Hands Across the Water Walkathon for inspiring its own Global Carry Each Other 6K Walk for Water. Funds raised by the school will provide three million liters of safe drinking water for people in need. Freshman Michael Van Dorselaer appeared with his parents, Tom and Traci, on OWN to talk about the school’s response to the global water crisis. Latin Students Win National Awards Latin students won four firstplace awards in the 2011 National Junior Classical League (NJCL) Convention at Eastern Kentucky University. First place awards in individual categories went to Carolyn Boyce, Tino Delamerced, Christian Lipa and Nathan Whitsett. In addition, Paul Slater, who is attending Boston University this fall, was awarded the renewable NJCL Renata Motiu Scholarship for $1,200.

Gus Hartmann

Summit Magazine 17


Newsmakers Freshman Competes at USA Gymnastics National Championship Freshman Stewart Spanbauer competed at the 2011 Men’s Junior Olympics USA Gymnastics National Championship in Long Beach, CA. One of four Cincinnatians who qualified for nationals at Level 9, Stewart scored a 70.5 in his all-around after competing in parallel bars, rings, vault, floor, high bar and pommel horse. Left: Stewart Spanbauer takes his turn on the pommel horse at the 2011 Men’s Junior Olympics USA Gymnastics National Championship.

Students Win Five Top Awards at Art Show Summit students won five of eight first-place awards in the Children’s Division of the 45th Annual Hyde Park Square Art Show. A photograph by Hannah Hart ’11, now a freshman at the Savannah College of Art and Design, was used for the show poster. Award-winners included: Carl Meeks, first place, grade 1; James Stahl, first place, grade 2; Jacob Locke, second place, grade 3; Ryan Burns, first place, grade 4; Sara Jon Bissantz, first place, grades 7-8; Kara McSwain, third place, grades 7-8; Clare Taylor, first place, grades 9-12; Meg Mathile, second place, grades 9-12; Natalie Whitsett, third place and honorable mention, grades 9-12; Cameron Koch, honorable mention, grades 9-12. Right: First row (L to R): Carl Meeks, Ryan Burns, Jacob Locke and James Stahl. Second row: Claire Taylor, Meg Mathile, Cameron Koch, Natalie Whitsett, Kara McSwain and Sara Jon Bissantz.

Nearly 200 students lineup outside the Middle School to cheer for Joseph Delamerced before his trip to the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee. Photo: The Cincinnati Enquirer.

Nicole Weyer

18 Winter 2012

Sixth Grader Represents City at National Spelling Bee Sixth grader Joseph Delamerced represented Southwest Ohio at the 2011 Scripps National Spelling Bee just outside Washington, D.C. After winning the regional championship, Joseph was invited to join 275 other top-notch spellers at the national contest. Joseph correctly spelled both of his words – “cybernetics” and “oligotrophic” – during oral rounds but bowed out before the semifinal round. People to People Ambassador Seventh grader Nicole Weyer spent two weeks touring parts of England and France as a Student Ambassador with People to People. She was among 43 students who represented Greater Cincinnati on the trip. Students met with government experts, toured historic landmarks and museums and participated in leadership skills and teambuilding activities.

Student’s Work Appears in National Chemistry Journal An experiment in quantum numbers conducted by 10th grader Junior Emily Nunlist was featured in an article in Chem 13 News, an educational journal published by the American Chemical Society. Emily’s experiment in quantum numbers was to determine if a postcard addressed with only the name of a Summit teacher and the school’s zip code – 45208 – 3300 – would be delivered. She succeeded, proving a practical application of quantum numbers for her Honors Chemistry class.


Student Q & A

Experiencing Life on Campus with Brad Fisk Summit has the kind of culture where friendships feel like family. With many siblings sharing life on campus, the school also is a place where family turns into friendship. In this Q&A, sophomore Kyle Fisk explores The Summit experience through the eyes of his friend and brother, Brad, a senior who is a member of the Student Senate and Leadership Scholars, a National Merit commended student and a varsity baseball player. By Kyle Fisk Q. How have you managed your time with all your AP classes, your sports and your leisure time? A. Staying ahead on homework and upcoming things is huge. Time management has probably helped me the most. Sports activities keep me busy for many hours, and sometimes it is 7:30 p.m. before I am able to finish dinner and start on my homework. However, having a lot of things going on also helps keep me focused. Q. How has The Summit prepared you for college? A. Teachers have helped me become a better writer, improve my time management skills and gotten me accustomed to rigorous classes. All of these things are provided because of Summit’s make-up and small classes. Q. How has your Summit experience changed now that your “little” brother goes to The Summit as well? A. I am much more in tune to the lower grades in the Upper School. Now, I am naturally more aware of what else is going on in the entire school, because I know it could affect or involve my brother. One point many people do comment on is the fact that my little brother is taller than I am. However, this doesn’t change the fact that he’s still younger than I am. Q. How has your advisement with Mrs. Cramer helped shape you as a person and helped you make friends? A. It has given me a core group of friends that I will

have forever. I love my advisement, and feeling comfortable with them has helped me grow into a more confident, caring and outgoing person. They helped a ton with making friends, because I knew no one as a freshman. Always having my advisement to fall back on was extremely important. Q. What is one moment you will be remembered for at athletic events? A. Probably being one of the few people ever willing to take off my shirt and paint my chest. I love doing it, and people always come to me if they have paint. One major event where I paint my chest is the Homecoming football games. I will have somebody paint my chest in Summit blue in order to pump up the crowd and allow me to have a fun time. Q. What is your favorite moment with your brother in high school? A. Since we live in Mason, it’s nice to have him with me in our ’06 Chevy Equinox rather than driving the 40-mile round trip by myself. We’ve been able to use these car rides to talk and get to know each other better. Our friendship has increased as a result. Q. What is the hardest assignment you’ve ever completed? A. Last year for Senate, I was one of the few people in charge of a school-wide “Amazing Race.” Organizing all the students and all of the prep-work was extremely hard and stressful, but it was worth it. Other than that, definitely my sophomore year research paper in Honors Modern World with Ms. Cronin about World War II. Q. What is one thing about yourself you’ve learned while in high school?

Kyle Fisk Brad Fisk

A. It is important for me to be myself. I am not naturally outgoing, I kind of force myself to be. Through high school, I forced myself to branch out through sports, make new friends and not act a certain way to fit in. I have found a place where I am very happy. I have learned that there is nothing wrong with being myself. Q. What are some fun facts that people might not know about you? A. Favorite music artist: Drake. Favorite TV show: Hawaii Five-O. Favorite food: Popcorn. Favorite movie: The Lion King. Summit Magazine 19


A Conversation with Head Coach Mike Fee on Making Memories with the

Ohio Girls’ Soccer Champions The Summit Girls’ Soccer Team became state champions Nov. 12 in a game against Laurel School at Crew Stadium in Columbus. In a conversation during the week that followed the victory, Head Coach Mike Fee talks about how luck, attitude and talent won the trophy. By Nancy Berlier Coach Mike Fee talked to his girls this year about making memories. In his 11th year as head coach, the girls made memories for him too. One was when the team was preparing to leave on their bus for Columbus. They stood behind the double entrance doors of the school waiting to walk down the long driveway past more than 1,100 cheering students, faculty, staff and family members. “I’ll be honest with you,” he says. “I was more nervous waiting to open these doors, to walk out to the crowd, than I was before the game.” Another memory was when he and Assistant Coach Lindsey Tyberg-Steuer flanked their six seniors on Crew Stadium’s field so Ohio Soccer Commissioner Jerry Snodgrass could present them with the championship trophy. “Those six seniors were standing arm-in-arm with Lindsey

20 Winter 2012

and me on either end of them. The girls were gripping each other’s hands as if thinking, ‘Can you believe this is happening?’ It was their moment. As soon as he handed them the trophy, Lindsey and I stepped back.” A third was taking a championship walk back up the driveway, trophy held high, in front of the school’s young students. “I think our girls saw the bigger picture. It was not just about their journey and winning this championship,” he says. “It was about what they were doing for all the girls who had come through this program and didn’t have the chance to do this, and all the girls that are coming up.” But the pivotal moment in the entire year, Coach Fee says, happened in the locker room after the girls suffered a crushing 1-0 defeat to rival Cincinnati Country Day (CCD) on the last game of regular season play on Senior Night. The Sophie Adams, Amauria Campbell, Sam Meder, Mary Bathon, Sarah Oltman, Liz Arnold – carrying the state trophy -- and Katie Voytek walk with their team up the driveway as the student body, staff and parents celebrate their victorious return to campus.


locker room talk would change the attitude of the team from that day forward. The girls had been so confident of winning the game that they had planned to have T-shirts made declaring themselves Miami Valley Conference (MVC) champions for the third year in a row. “Losing a league title on senior night, losing the last game of the season to a rival -- that left a really sour taste in our mouths,” says Coach Fee. The team captains, the two seniors in particular, were angry and upset. He recalls: “In the locker room at that critical moment they said, ‘We will not allow this to happen again.”

including Division II State Champion Madeira, Regional Champion Indian Hill, District Champions Wyoming and McNicholas, as well as Mariemont and Norwood. The Knights were competing in their league against Cincinnati Christian, CCD, Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy, Clark Montessori, St. Bernard and Seven Hills. They faced new opponents in Wellington Academy in Columbus, Miami Valley, Loveland and Madison. The bar was set high and the goal was to play long into the post-season.

The team was undefeated through mid-September when they lost a close battle with Loveland 1-2. They defeated Clark Montessori 6-0 at home on Sept. 15, but Getting to this moment sophomore Bryce Hueber, the Coach Fee had leadership Assistant Coach Keith Harring envelopes Assistant Coach leading scorer, went down with among his six seniors, but Lindsey Tyberg-Steuer and Head Coach Mike Fee in a hug on the Crew Stadium field after the game. an ACL injury that would keep her the bulk of the talent on the out of play for the rest of the year. championship team was the sophomore and junior players. Because the team was not “There was some doubt about whether we fully mature, parents and fans kept saying “next could do this without Bryce, and we played that year” would be their winning season. Coming way a bit for a few games,” Coach Fee says. “It back from winning the MVC two consecutive wasn’t until the 14th game of the season against years, Coach Fee put together a competitive Mariemont when we finally settled on schedule to prepare for post-season play – the formation of playing the game we were Summit Magazine 21


capable of playing.” The key was moving Meredith Schertzinger from center back to forward. Mary Meyer moved to the attacking mid-spot, Bryce’s spot. Ellie Cooney slid off the bench into center back, Meredith’s spot. It complemented the other girls. They started clicking. They started scoring goals. The team got their confidence back in the Mariemont game, hitting the crossbar five times before they scored. “The girls were playing so confidently we knew we had struck on the formation that we needed, and the girls figured out we could do this without Bryce,” Coach Fee says. “Then we built on that success.” With the leadership of his co-captains, Coach Fee turned the loss to CCD into an advantage. “We often discussed what happened in those matches,” he says. “We talked about not having that onesecond mistake, which we were able to avoid fairly well through the tournament.” Winning the state title

Junior Melissa Saele wins yet another header against a Laurel defender.

In a year of “firsts,” it was also the first year Ohio had a Division III state soccer tournament. Coach Keith Harring, who won three state titles at Hamilton-Badin, was in his second season with Summit. He told the team, to win a state title, you have to – first of all – be good, and you also have to be lucky. Coach Fee was worried his girls would think they were too good and become complacent. “We wanted them to say one more game, let’s win one more game. Let’s be greedy. Let’s take one more step,” he says. “I said, OK let’s not settle now. We were in the regional tournament for the first time in school history. Let’s not just be happy with being in the title game. Let’s win it…Let’s train today like we want to win…We trained better for the last four weeks of the tournament than we did during the season. The girls were so focused.”

Junior Amauria Campbell, who assisted in the first goal, dribbles up the field. Winter 2012

In the tournament, the team immediately won three shutouts – 6-0 against Roger Bacon, 5-0 against Reading and 4-0 against Clermont Northeastern. Then things got tougher with four straight one-goal games. First came the 1-0 win against Hamilton Badin. They defeated Mariemont 2-1. And then came a sweet 1-0 victory over Madeira, to whom they had lost in regular season play. That set them up for a tough competition


Tradition brings the team together for prayer circle before each match.

Memories of the Co-captains Varsity Girls’ Soccer co-captains Liz Arnold, Sarah Oltman and Izzie Englehart share three special memories from the season. Liz Arnold: “During the Fenwick game, I had the best game of my life. It was in the second half. The wind was blowing towards us. I had to make several really athletic saves that I really don’t know how I did. Somehow I got to them. There was a tip over my left. It was in the upper 90 and hit the post. I had a couple other tip saves. I don’t know how I was able to do that. I was so inspired that I think it helped me make those game saves.” Sarah Oltman: The moment was when Elizabeth Williams scored the last goal against Fenwick in the state semifinal game. “We had been told that state semifinal was going to be the hardest in the tournament. The wind was blowing towards us the second half and in overtime. We were thinking in overtime all we’d be able to do was defend, defend, defend, that we were not going to be able to score with the wind against us. When Willie scored, it was: ‘Oh my gosh, we actually won.’ And then we were going to state.” Izzie Englehart: The memory was her goal against Fenwick from 40-yards out in the last 19 seconds of the first half. Mary Meyer went to take a free kick after a foul but, feeling confident, Izzie asked Mary to let her take it because it seemed so much like a kick she had taken in the Mariemont game. “I kind of remember looking back at the time thinking, ‘I better kick it now so people have time to get the rebound.’ And I thought, ‘Wait, I’m just going to make it.’ I shot it and I watched the goalie. It started going over her head and she was watching it, tilting her head back. All of a sudden it was in the goal.”

Summit Magazine 23


“I coach because I want this experience for the girls. I want them to feel a sense of accomplishment. We, as an institution, believe in the five pillars of our mission. Winning the title really encapsulates that physical development pillar, that social piece and there was a spiritual piece that related to our journey.” - Coach Fee

Winter 2012

Summit Girls’ Soccer – 2011 Division III State Champions

against favored Bishop Fenwick on a blustery evening when they played against the wind. Summit prevailed 3-2 in overtime. “We scored late goals in some of those games,” Coach Fee says. “We had a goal with under 30 seconds left against both Badin and against Fenwick. There was skill and luck involved with those goals, but we did preach to the girls all during the tournament that one second can change an entire game. They believed it and they played the entire time as if any second could change the game.” Part of the luck also was in who Summit played. “We played a Laurel team that deserved to be there, but there are some other teams that were knocked off on their way there that could have


been a little more of a challenge to us in the state finals.” By the time the girls reached Columbus, they were performing at a high level. When the score reached 5-0, Coach Fee began subbing out the starters. He says he wouldn’t have done that if the team hadn’t been so far ahead, and he deliberately kept his starting keeper on the field for the defensive advantage. “The ultimate goal at that point was to win a state title,” he says. “It was a coach’s dream that I got to play every kid except for my backup keeper.” The move cost him a shut-out, but not the title. Summit history was made with a 5-2 final score. Looking forward Coach Fee looks back at how the team succeeded and looks forward to a talented, more mature team. He credits each of his assistant coaches with bringing complementary skills to the table. He considers Coach Tyberg-Steuer his co-coach and notes she is tenacious. “She’s a lot tougher on the girls than I am. She is more demanding of the girls. We balance each other out.” Coach Harring is a mentor to the coaching staff and a motivator to the girls. He sang to the girls before every game, wearing silly wigs and costumes. He substituted his own lyrics in songs by Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Boston and Tina Turner to get the girls to loosen up. “He always talks about how you’ve got to love life,” Coach Fee says. “His mantra is there are no bad days. There are either good days or great days.”

Sophomore Meredith Schertzinger receives a giant bear hug from her teammate, junior Mary Meyer. Schertzinger had two goals and an assist in the championship match.

Every game Summit plays next year will be as defending state champions. “Every team is going to be targeting us,” he says. “We felt that way when we played Madeira. They were the state champs. We wanted to beat the best. And every single team is going to be saying that next year. But having said that, we have a lot of talent coming back next year, and the majority of our talent will be in our junior and senior classes.” Donna Paulin contributed to this report.

Coach Ron Emery scouted every team Summit played in the season and in the tournament. He assessed each team’s strengths and weaknesses, who their top players were and what their tendencies were. “It was so important,” Coach Fee says. “We had never done that before, and I think that was one of the keys to our success this year.” Next year the team will face unfair expectations and may, in fact, put more pressure on themselves to repeat their success than anybody else will. Coach Mike Fee and Assistant Coach Lindsey Tyber-Steuer stand on either side of their seniors, (L to R) Katie Voytek, Sarah Oltman, Liz Arnold, SK Summit Magazine 25 Wiser, Sam Meder and Mary Bathon as they wait for the presentation of their state trophy.


Loyal Summit fans cheer their state championship team. Leading from the front row are seniors (L to R) Peter Hoffman, Drew Von Handorf, Gabe Scott, Matthew Schiess, Matt Slager and Jake Rawlings.

For the Record: Here’s what the 2011 Ohio State Championship Girls’ Soccer Team accomplished this year: School records: • First team to win a State Championship • 19 wins, previous record was 16 • 24 games played in a season, besting 20 games played in 1996 • 85 goals scored in a season, topping 81 goals scored in 1996 • 79 assists in a season, breaking the 1996 record of 71 Career records: • Sarah Oltman played 80 career games, breaking the record of 78 games set by Sarah Petrie in 1999 • Liz Arnold broke the record for career goals against average (the number of goals the keeper allowed divided by the number of games played). Her average is .66 goals per game, which beat the record of .88 set by Lauren Hoeck ‘01 who played 1997-2000 Accomplishments: • With a 19-4-1 record, the team was sectional, district, regional and state champions. Second place in the MVC • Ohio Team Academic Award for a team GPA of 3.69 • National Team Academic Award Individual honors: • MVC First Team: Meredith Schertzinger, Elizabeth Williams and Izzie Englehart. Second Team: Liz Arnold and Melissa Saele. Honorable Mention: Sophie Adams, Addie Englehart and Mary Meyer • All Southwest First Team: Liz Arnold, Melissa Saele, Meredith Schertzinger and Elizabeth Williams • All State Second Team: Elizabeth Williams • All City All Star Game: Liz Arnold • All Southwest Academic Awards: Sophie Adams, Liz Arnold, Mary Bathon, Ellie Cooney, Izzie Englehart, Sheila Eustace, Mary Meyer, Sarah Oltman, Melissa Saele, Meredith Schertzinger, Elizabeth Williams, Katie Voytek and SK Wiser • All Ohio Academic honors: Liz Arnold, Mary Bathon, Sara Oltman, Katie Voytek and SK Wiser 26 Winter 2012


Brittany Williams’ Cinderella Story By Nancy Berlier During her senior year, 29 universities showed interest in Brittany Williams as a basketball player. Not every college she tried on was a good fit. Some didn’t have the pre-dental medical program she wanted. Some were not looking for a 5-foot-11 power forward or they had used up their scholarship money on other players. Ultimately, Brittany applied and was accepted to 15 colleges across the country which offered scholarships totaling $548,632. She signed an athletic scholarship with Division II West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) – a full ride that includes tuition, fees, room, board and books. That is the fairy tale ending in a Cinderella story for a girl who grew up in Lincoln Heights, the oldest of seven children. But Brittany’s college search was not easy. Nor was it quick. Brittany was the last of the 98 seniors in the Class of 2011 to commit to a college – not signing until August. Brittany’s story illustrates how a bright freshman, who got off to a slow start academically, had enough selfdiscipline and received enough personal attention from Summit faculty and coaches to execute one of the most successful college searches in her graduating class. Now midway through her freshman year at WVWC, Brittany says things are going well but collegiate life is no slam dunk. “College sports are tough and it is a struggle trying to balance academics and basketball while attempting to have a social life all at the same time,” she says. Brittany worked hard enough in practice to earn a starting position as a power forward, even though she was the only freshman on her team. “She’s a good student. That’s what we look for first,” says WVWC Women’s Basketball Coach Jackie DeVane. “If you’re not a good student, we’re not going to be able to help you because you won’t be on the floor.” Coaches and recruiters recognized how mature Brittany was, says Summit Girls’ Basketball Coach Beth Simmons, who personally drove Brittany around the country to visit college campuses. “She had it together. She asked good questions. She had good concerns. People were very impressed with her.” College representatives look for indicators that a student will be able to manage a rigorous schedule with a busy lifestyle, says Maureen Ferrell, Director of College Counseling. They want a well-balanced student who gets good grades while being engaged in athletics or other school and community activities. Brittany came to The Summit as a promising, bright student, but she’s the first to admit she got off to a “rocky” start in her freshman year. Thankfully, The Summit’s advisement program makes sure students do not fall through the cracks. Groups of 10 to 12 freshmen

Summit Basketball Coach Beth Simmons and Brittany Williams ’11.

are assigned to one faculty member who advise them through their entire four-year experience. Advisers keep tabs on all their activities, counsel them through their rough patches and develop a deep understanding of what makes each student tick. Brittany’s adviser, Biology Teacher Karen Cruse Suder, talked to her often about study strategies and time management. “At The Summit, I learned to study and not procrastinate,” Brittany says. For four years, Mrs. Suder and Coach Simmons conferred regularly with each other about Brittany’s various commitments – both of them coaching her to become a better scholar and athlete. Brittany wanted to pursue a career in health, so she needed to take rigorous science classes. She wanted to give back to the community, so she became involved in Leadership Scholars. And she played basketball. “As an upperclassman, Brittany found the right balance between her academic and athletic pursuits,” says Mrs. Suder. With good grades by her senior year, the college search began in earnest. She met with Coach Simmons and Ms. Ferrell almost daily to complete applications, develop essays and secure teachers’ recommendations. She also earned recognition as player of the year in the league, district and city. Her high school career record includes 970 points and 707 rebounds. Early offers made it apparent that Brittany could get some merit scholarship money and wouldn’t have to depend on a collegiate basketball career, says Ms. Ferrell. But Brittany wanted a scholarship that would let her leave college without being deeply in debt. “For her, the biggest thing was not to give up on her hopes and dreams,” says Coach Simmons. “She could easily have decided to sign with a different school and not find exactly what she was looking for academically and athletically.” Looking back, Brittany says she was privileged to attend The Summit. “I know that they went the extra mile for me here,” she says. “A few years ago I didn’t picture myself getting a full basketball scholarship. There were times during my senior year when I wanted to give up. I wanted to say it was over, that I just need to pick a school and kick out $30,000 in loans. But if I had given up, I wouldn’t have gotten the scholarship.” On e Th

SUMMIT ONLINE • College Counseling Resources http://www2.summitcds.org/college-counseling/index.cfm

W

eb

Summit Magazine 27


Honor In Action

Summit Sports Cross Country Girls XC Led by Coach Kurtis Smith, Girls’ Cross Country finished with a season record of 8753 and, by placing ninth at the regionals, had the second highest finish in school history. The girls captured their third consecutive MVC title, were team champions at Middletown Christian and placed second at both Cedarville and districts. The squad had high expectations following last year’s record season, having lost only one runner from that team. “The girls learned some huge lessons over the course of the season including being humble, sacrificing for others, overcoming adversity and what it means to be a true team,” said Coach Smith. MVC first team awards went to Kylie Von Handorf, Hannah Eyer, Annie Rose, Katrina Hounchell and Rhetta Maynard. Second team selections were Chrissy Thurner, Nora Lakes and Lauren Bacho. Kylie Von Handorf was named MVC Runner of the Year. Boys XC Boys’ Cross Country placed fifth at regionals, missing a second consecutive appearance at state by just one place. The boys captured their third consecutive MVC championship and were runners-up at the Middletown Christian Invitational and district championships. They finished the season with a record of 104-63.

Kylie Von Handorf - Cross Country MVC Runner of the Year

“After graduating the top four runners from last year’s sixth place state team, the boys also had to deal with losing Charlie Michel at the start of the season,” said Coach Smith. “They were fairly rattled early on, as was to be expected, but found a way to regroup as we approached the post season. The boys’ team was able to accomplish some amazing things this season.” MVC first team awards were given to Matt Schiess, Mason Moore, Chase Lyle, Jack Dailey and Dale Lakes. Second team selections were Tristan Domville and Chris Gallagher. Coach Smith was named MVC Coach of the Year for third consecutive year.

Winter 2012

The Boy’s XC team walks toward the starting line.


Fall Sports

Golf The golf season ended with a fourth-place finish in the District Tournament at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown. Just five strokes kept Coach Tim Jedding from returning his team to Columbus for a second consecutive state tournament appearance. Summit finished eighth in the Cincinnati Enquirer Division II-III Golf Coaches Poll. The team finished second in both the MVC and the sectional tournament.

Football – Cheerleaders at Homecoming – Football player LaDon Laney, Jr. leads the way.

Football The Silver Knights football team earned a 7-4 record and made Summit history by returning to state playoffs for the second year in a row. The team tied for third in the Miami Valley Conference (MVC) -- a conference that proved to be one of the toughest in the state by sending five teams to the playoffs. “Though many individual performances were extraordinary and we reached our goal of going back to the playoffs, it was this 2011 team coming together as a family that really was the most special,” says first year Head Coach Mike Brown. “There are many things that as a team we will always remember, like winning with one minute left to take home the Country Day Cup for a second year in a row, but it will be the tough, hot practices in August, team meals, chapel services and going to battle every Friday night as a family that will be the greatest memories of this season.” Players showed well in postseason awards. The MVC all-conference team included 10 Summit football players. First team included LaDon Laney, Jr., running back; Nate Goodhart, offensive line; and EJ Kathman, defensive back. Second team included Matt Fry and Patrick Dowling, offensive line; William Temizer, defensive line; Max Williams, defensive back; and Mike Bynarowicz, team kicker/punter. Andrew Lyons, special teams, and Antonio Woods, quarterback, received honorable mention. The Associated Press Southwest Division V all-district football first team included Nate Goodhart, offensive line, and LaDon Laney, Jr., running back. Defensive back EJ Kathman made second team.

Fall Cheerleading The Fall Cheerleading team provided enthusiasm and spirit for fans throughout the exciting football season. Coached by Deena Carey, the 19 girls were led by four senior members, Andrea Bacho, Migs Hackett, Annalia Valle and SK Wiser. Many of the team members will return for the Winter Cheerleading season which cheers for boys’ basketball.

Summit posted five wins and seven losses in dual/ tri matches for the season, highlighted by a second-place finish in the Middletown Christian Invitational Tournament. Junior Sean Steinman led the team with a nine-hole average of 41.5, winning two medalist honors, finishing sixth in the sectional and leading The Summit with an 82 in the district tournament. Sophomore Chris Lee earned MVC first team with a 36-hole score of 169, had a 42.1 regular season average and tied for third in the sectional tournament. Senior Matt Kaegi led Summit golfers with three medalist titles and earned MVC second team honors. Freshman Mark Peterson also was on the MVC second team and placed in the top ten at the sectional tournament. Senior Kenny Kerr finished his career with a 44.0 average and a strong showing in the District Tournament, shooting an 84.

Field Hockey Jen List was selected Goalie of the Year while Field Hockey Head Coach Maribeth Grattan was selected as SWOFL Coach of the Year. Adding Jen Willis as the JV head coach and varsity assistant coach boosted the program. She brings experience as a college player, college coach and camp director. Because there is only one field hockey division in Ohio, Summit plays some of the larger schools in the area, such as St. Ursuline, Mt. Notre Dame and Kettering Fairmont High School. “The record of 2-9 is certainly not representative of the success shown by this team,” says Coach Grattan. “Summit offered a JV team for the first time. This gave 26 girls the opportunity to play all season long, improving skills and building confidence. Older players worked hard this year to recruit new team members and then worked with them to improve their skills. The effort by both new and old players has set a strong foundation for the future of the program.” Summit Magazine


Fall Sports Boys’ Soccer Boys’ Soccer won the district championship ending the season with a record of 14-4-1. Summit received the number one seed in the sectional playoffs, with victories over Blanchester, St. Bernard, Clark Montessori and Franklin Monroe. They ended the year at a regional semifinal match tripped up by a tough Madeira team. “Since its inception in 1980, the boys’ soccer program has been recognized for athletic and academic achievements at city, state, regional and national levels,” said Coach Barnard Baker. “This year was no exception.” The coach scheduled tough competition around the country to prepare his team for post-season play. In addition to playing top teams in the area, they traveled this year to Columbus and Ottawa Hills in Ohio, Ft. Wayne, Ind., Louisville, Ky. and Philadelphia, Pa. Summit charted an undefeated league season to win the Miami Valley Conference (MVC) championship. Named first team all-conference selections were Mosi Clark-Cobb, Ryan Hall, Caelan Hueber and Joey Kunkel. Caelan Hueber was named MVC Co-Player of the Year and Coach Baker was named MVC Coach of the Year. MVC second team members were Ben Emery and Jake Rawlings. MVC honorable mention went to Carlos Garciamendez and Christian Hay.

Caelan Hueber – Soccer MVC Co-Player of the Year

Named to the Southwest Ohio first team were Mosi Clark-Cobb, Ryan Hall, Caelan Hueber and Joey Kunkel. Caelan Hueber was also named all-state, second team. All Southwest Academic awards were given to Ben Emery, Alex Vance and Matt DeJesus. All Ohio academic honors went to Nate Hertlein, Cooper Schreibeis and Eddie de St. Aubin.

Volleyball The volleyball team finished the season 14-10 (MVC 8-5) with an appearance in the sectional finals. The Silver Knights had great success against Seven Hills (174) defeating them twice in league play and they also handed Williamsburg (16-1) their only loss of the season. “We played well in the big games,” says Head Coach Michael Schlomer who is back after taking a four-year break. The close matches were their downfall. “The girls are very talented,” he says. “When we fire on all cylinders we can accomplish anything.”

Senior Sarah McBride sets up junior Gloria Beingana for the hit in their match against CHCA.

30 Winter 2012

First team all MVC honors went to Hannah Cunningham. Second team honors went to Dana Thomas and honorable mention went to junior Morgan Harris and Claire Griffith. Hannah Cunningham was also named Southwest Ohio (Division III-IV) first team and Dana Thomas was named third team. The team will graduate starting setter Sarah McBride who had a career high 334 assists, but the remainder of their starters will return for next season.


At the dedication of the new tennis courts in August, Head of School Rich Wilson gives the honor of cutting the ribbon to Boys’ Coach Joy Albi and Girls’ Coach Steve Levine. Seniors holding the ribbon were (L to R) Captain Tori Mahon, Captain Jack Schroder, Captain Stephen Hutchins and Captain Elly Seltman.Captain Elly Seltman.

Summit Tennis Coached by Steve Levine, The Summit girls’ tennis team played on newly reconstructed courts this season at the Athletic Complex. Leading up to the season, the old courts were demolished, new drainage installed, subgrade compacted, new asphault applied and the courts were painted blue and gray. New fencing was installed, nets were placed and windscreens installed. “The players appreciate the generosity of parents and the school in the rehabilitation of the tennis courts,” the coaches say. The cost was partially offset by donations and even the players chipped in. “I received a very special gift at the conclusion of the last season: the players made a donation in my name to help finance the new courts,” says Boys’ Tennis Coach Joy Albi.

Doubles Team of the Year, GCTCA first team doubles and MVC All-League first team doubles. MVC second team singles selection went to Colleen Whalen and MVC honorable mention went to Cheryl Fladung, singles and to doubles team Caroline Hertzel and Isabelle Earls. District qualifiers were Tori Mahon, Elly Seltman, Colleen Whalen and Cheryl Fladung. The team finished their season with a 5-9 overall record.

She joked that her team “battled monsoon rains and winds” last spring when they played at Lunken Field. “I am thoroughly delighted to bring the boys’ tennis team back to their home courts at the Athletic Complex,” she says. The girls’ team this fall set goals centered around personal improvement, hard work and having fun in the process. Every player learned, gained valuable match experience, contributed and improved a lot. Here are some of the girls’ accomplishments this year: Elly Seltman and Tori Mahon received the following honors: Greater Cincinnati Tennis Coaches’ Association (GCTCA) Tori Mahon Summit Magazine District qualifier


Seated: Bob Conway, Jr. and his wife Cindy. Standing: Conky Greiwe ’61 cousin to Ruth Winter Conway.2012


The Ruth (Jung) Conway’46

Memorial Scholarship By Cindy Kranz Ruth Conway had a big heart for the disadvantaged, advocated for education and supported all things Catholic. And so, it’s appropriate that a new scholarship, established in her honor, weaves together the causes that she championed. The Ruth (Jung) Conway ‘46 Memorial Scholarship will be awarded every four years to an incoming ninth grade female student who excels academically and demonstrates a passion for learning, yet needs financial assistance in order to attend The Summit. “My mother was all about need and helping those who are in need,” said Bob Conway, Jr. Mrs. Conway was 82 when she died Aug. 28, 2010. Dennis and Lois Doyle, who donate to newlycreated scholarships at Catholic high schools, seeded the scholarship with $30,000. The Doyles’ daughter, Mary Beth, is a 1994 Summit graduate and Lois Doyle’s sister is Dr. Pat White. Bob Conway, Jr. and his wife Cindy along with The Ruth J. and Robert A. Conway Foundation contributed the balance, bringing the scholarship endowment to $100,000. While Mrs. Conway was always looking out for others less fortunate, her own life was not without hardship. Her father died of cancer while she and her sister, Mary Lois ’45, were high school students. “Many single parent homes do not have the means that the Jungs had,” Mr. Conway said. “But it’s, nonetheless, a difficult situation for single parents putting children through school, period, whether you’ve got the resources or not.” The Conway family hopes the scholarship fund will benefit future Summit students who face similar challenges in their personal lives. After graduating from The Summit, Mrs. Conway earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in education from the University of Cincinnati. She

taught for a time. Although she was a wife and mother of eight, Mrs. Conway made time to help others. She volunteered one to three days a week at local soup kitchens. “In fact, she was so in love with the soup kitchens that sometimes she would not approve of the quality of the food that was being served, so she’d go out and buy food herself,” Mr. Conway said. More than once, when Kroger had a sale on whole chickens with a limit of 10, she rallied the family to buy more. “She’d have 100 chickens for them to cookproviding a better meal than normal.” When the Conway kids were younger and their friends came over, she always made them feel welcome by cooking their favorite foods. Besides being a good cook, Mrs. Conway also proved to be a savvy investor. She invested in a new start-up company that made the SpinBrush, a battery-operated toothbrush. In 2001, Procter & Gamble bought the product, turning her investment into a windfall. “When that happened, she didn’t feel right that she should enjoy such a windfall, and it was from that investment that she created the Conway Foundation.” The foundation’s priorities mirror her own: poverty, education and Catholic endeavors. It had been a long time since Mrs. Conway had an active affiliation with The Summit, but that changed in recent years, Mr. Conway said. “With her having grandchildren there, she had become substantially more energized by Summit.” Conky Greiwe, ’61, Associate to the Chaplain at The Summit and a cousin of Mrs. Conway, said she was an inspiration to her and so many others whose lives she touched. “I think Ruth would be thrilled with the scholarship. She is still helping others to get the best education and in a place that she loved and cared about.” Summit Magazine 33


Annual Fund for Excellence Maintaining the Legacy of Greatness

By Cynthia (Tuke) Muhlhauser ’69, The Cincinnati Enquirer 2002 Woman of the Year I have always thought of The Summit with great fondness and sentimentality. The childhood bond and the friendships formed at The Summit are like no other one will experience throughout life. I have many vivid memories including the kind, patient and dedicated Notre Dame nuns, and the lunchroom trays we used for sled riding down the hill outside St Gregory Hall. I remember the honor of receiving my First Communion in the Chapel, the May Procession and the white uniform and white gloves worn for the Christmas Concert. I remember high school intramural field hockey, volleyball and basketball teams and the victory celebrations afterwards at The Marathon, rolling up the waistband of the uniform skirt to make it shorter after school, the brown beanies worn to attend Mass, the magnificent Summit Chapel and the senior lounge. I learned to love literature, learned to become a high school publisher and writer for the school newspaper and “The Rostrum” yearbook. At Summit, I built the foundation for lifelong friendships. My twelve years under the tutelage of the nuns taught me the importance of respect for others, integrity, diligence and the determination to succeed at whatever task I took on. I feel supporting the Summit Annual Fund is critical to its future. The success of the Annual Fund is a barometer of the faith people have in The Summit and the value of its mission. It is important for Summit alums to give back to show our gratitude to the school that nurtured each of us through childhood and adolescence, in preparation for college and ultimately, our role in society. The Summit has produced numerous leaders in our community during its 120-year legacy and with our support, it will continue to teach and enrich young students’ lives developing leaders for the future. I am grateful for the opportunity to have attended The Summit for twelve years and recognize the indelible mark it has made on me. The Summit and its teachers were largely responsible for shaping me into the individual I have become and instilling in me the values I hold dear.

Cynthia (Tuke) Muhlhauser ’69

The Summit Annual Fund for Excellence The 2011-2012 Summit Annual Fund for Excellence is underway. Our Annual Fund goal is $740,000 and your gift will support the following initiatives: • New classroom materials in Montessori while continuing the expansion of the World Language and Science programs. • Implementing a new writing program from Columbia University in the Lower School. • Adding a distance learning lab in the Middle School. • Enhancement of programs in the Upper School such as Kairos, Unity Day and Formation Days. During the month of October, trustees, parents, students and alumni participated in phonathons in an effort to reach every member of our community. Thanks to each of you who answered their call! A special thanks to all of our Annual Fund volunteers who are working on behalf of our students and faculty. Please make your donation today by sending in a check to The Summit Annual Fund for Excellence, 2161 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208 or go online www.summitcds.org. We accept all major credit cards. Every donation makes a difference. Thank you for the investment you have made to build a stronger Summit community.

34 Winter 2012


Annual Fund 2011-2012 Annual Fund for Excellence Volunteers We would like to thank the following members of our community for their support and volunteerism with the 2011-2012 Annual Fund. We could not accomplish our goals without you! Chairs: Peggy and Gary Johns. Development Committee Chair: Julie Klosterman, Trustee. Faculty and Staff Chairs: Reverend Philip Seher; Ashley Gayonski, Upper School; Bruce Bowdon, Middle School; Stacy Remke, Lower School; Mary Humpert, Mary Schwietering, Brook Byam, Montessori. Leadership Parent Callers: Anne and Mike Bergeron, Dave and Beth Crowl, Maggie and Karl Gieseke, Mag and Richard Joseph, Sr. BMS ‘79, Jodi and Stephen Mahon, Chris and Amy Meininger, Amy and Ben Russert, Eric and Patty Steinman, Nadine (Makstell) ‘74 and Marc Whitsett. Upper School Parent Division: Trish and Gary Glass, 12th Grade Chairs; Susan and Gerald Lyons, Michele and James Oltman, Gail and David Smith, 11th Grade Chairs; Kathy and Ron Emery, Carol and Kevin Eustace, 10th Grade Chairs; Brenda and Bill Judd, Lisa and Dave McSwain, 9th Grade Chairs.

Middle School Parent Division: Deanna and David Argo, 8th Grade Chairs; Jane and Paul Schmerge BMS ’78, 7th Grade Chairs; Maureen and Tom DesMarais, 6th Grade Chairs; Joelle and Nick Ragland BMS ’83, 5th Grade Chairs. Lower School Parent Division: Kate and Ty Nelson, 4th Grade Chairs; Diedra and Stephen Burns, Jen and Jack Lucas, 3rd Grade Chairs; Suzanne and Alessandro Tosolini, 2nd Grade Chairs; Caroline and Ron Joseph BMS ’81, Greg BMS’ 83 and Maya LaLonde, Amy and Michael Stagnaro BMS ’87, 1st Grade Chairs. Montessori Parent Division: Lindsay (Byrnes) ’97 and Mercer Reynolds ’95. Alumni Chair: Susan Maxwell. Parent of Alumni Chairs: Dagne and Mike Gustafson. Grandparents Chair: Reverend Philip Seher. *These are the volunteers confirmed as of 10/21/11

We would not be able to reach our goals each year without the help of Annual Fund Volunteers. If you would like to get involved, please contact Michele Duda, Assistant Director of Development at 513-871-4700 x243 or at duda_m@summitcds.org. Your time makes a difference also.

Making The Summit Even Better By Caroline Conners ’99, Law Student at the University of Denver College of Law The Summit has been a special place for me since the youthful age of three when my Mom walked me through the playground, up to the entrance of the old Montessori building and into Mrs. Schueler’s classroom for my first day of school. Little did I know that day The Summit would become a second home to me over the years. I graduated in 1999 as a “Lifer” following in the footsteps of my older sister, Kristin (’97) and preceding those of my younger sister, Lauren (’01). While I have too many fond memories of my years at The Summit to list, some of the more memorable include the fun teaching styles of Mrs. (Fister) Johnson and Mrs. Kenney, Mr. Gorey’s ski trips, field hockey and softball teams and many lifelong friendships. I enjoy staying connected to The Summit and cherish friendships with former teachers, spending time with former classmates, cheering the Silver Knights and helping as a member of the Alumni Board. My sisters and I give to The Summit’s Annual Fund for Excellence so the wonderful teachers and students today have the best opportunities available to them for professional development, program enrichment and financial assistance. It is important to me to enhance The Summit experience for current students and to make attending The Summit possible for interested students. I hope to continue The Summit’s mission of improving the world we inherit throughout my life, and giving to the Annual Fund for Excellence is simply one way of doing so. Giving to the Annual Fund represents an opportunity for us to say “thank you” to the school that has given us so much. Being fortunate enough to attend The Summit was truly a gift. Let’s share the invaluable gift of a Summit education with others. I encourage all alumni to give to the Annual Fund. Let’s continue to make The Summit an even better place than we left it! Left: Caroline Conners ’99 Summit Magazine 35


PARENT PHONATHON This year’s Annual Fund Parent Phonathon in October was part social event and part fundraiser. Parent volunteers called other parents to spread the word that the Annual Fund benefits the school’s operating budget, financial aid, faculty development, technology and athletics.

As proud alums from The Summit, there’s no doubt you recall the rivalries between Summit, Cincinnati Country Day and Seven Hills. This year, we invite you to once again engage in these spirited rivalries by participating in the SCD/CCD/7Hills Young Alumni Challenge.

Jane Schmerge and Lisa McSwain

Trish Glass

If you are a member of The Summit Classes of 19912011, this challenge is for you. From Sept. 1–June 1, all three schools will compete to see who can put the highest percentage of young alumni annual fund gifts on the scoreboard. Annual Fund gifts are the most direct way to make an impact at your alma mater. They fund everything from financial aid and professional development for faculty to technology updates and athletic support. An annual fund gift is your way of saying that an independent school education made a positive difference in your life. Gift amounts do not matter nearly as much as the number of people who are willing to stand in support of their school. We hope you consider making a contribution and encourage your fellow alums to do so. Our rivals can bring out the best in us. We hope the spirit of the Summit, CCD and Seven Hills rivalry will bring out the best in our young alumni to bring home the bragging rights and support The Summit.

Eric Steinman

36 Winter 2012

Please make your donation today by sending in a check to The Summit Annual Fund for Excellence 2161 Grandin Road Cincinnati, OH 45208 or go online www.summitcds.org. We accept all major credit cards.


2011 Board of Trustees Donor Recognition Reception

Peggy Johns and Maureen Ferrell

Mark Hauser and Kevin Scott Dr. Mayra Muniz-Helm and Benjamin Helm

Gina and Steve Burrington and Dr. Pat White Dr. and Mrs. Richard Wurzelbacher

Molly and Eben Hobbins Steve Burrington and Dr. Chuck Abbottsmith Beth Jantsch, Drs. Rachel and Matthew Langenderfer

Robyn and Larry Ayer

The Annual Leadership Donor Recognition Reception was held Sept. 7 in the beautiful home of Peggy and Gary Johns. More than 200 Leadership Donors were honored in appreciation for their gifts to the Annual Fund for Excellence, Love Your School Auction, endowment and capital totaling $1,000 or more in 2010-2011. “Leadership-level giving at The Summit has a tremendous impact in the resources we are able to provide our teachers and students each year,” says Mike Bergeron, Chairman of The Board of Trustees. “It is a privilege to gather these special guests to thank them for the financial donations they generously provide the school. We are fortunate to have many parents, alumni, parents of alumni and grandparents who continue to support the mission of The Summit with their philanthropic gifts.” Guests at the reception enjoyed hors d’oeuvres from La Petite Pierre in the comfort of the Johns’ home and on the patio under a tent furnished by All Occasions Event Rental. The Summit is truly appreciative of the generosity of all who support our school.

Summit Magazine 37


Alumni

Winter 2012


A Grand Welcome Home H

omecoming at The Summit was a funfilled week of festivities, competitions, pep-rallies, receptions and football…and it wouldn’t have been complete without celebrating the return of our alumni.

On Friday afternoon, Fall Festival filled our main circle where children played games and engaged in fun activities. Alumni and their families gathered in St. Cecilia’s for the annual all-school alumni reception. Alumni spanning the generations gathered to share priceless memories and reminisce about their time here. Shortly thereafter, the Silver Knights took to the field under the lights for a battle. Though the Silver Knights didn’t take home a “W” that night, the stands were filled with proud

Welcoming students gather in the front circle with a performance stilt walker during Homecoming Weekend’s Fall Festival. Students (L to R) are: Solomon Cummings, Robert Kerr, Harrison Schertzinger, Alexia Otchere, Isabella Richey, Mason Majeski, Henry Schertzinger and Mitch Reinhard.

parents, classmates, faculty, alumni and friends. On Saturday, we had the honor of recognizing eight distinguished alumni at our Alumni awards luncheon: Athletic Hall of Fame inductees and winners of our Young Alumni, Meritorious Service and Christian-Service awards. These distinguished alumni were leaders among their peers while students, and they continue to live The Summit mission by contributing to the world they have inherited. Prayerful reflection on the many gifts bestowed on our community came Sunday morning as we gathered for a community Mass to recognize our Honorary Family -- Trudi Fullen, her children and grandchildren. Trudi, her late husband William, and their children have been supporting our community for over 35 years. All five of their children graduated from The Summit. Shannon, Sean, Heather and Kirstin were “lifers,” Montessori through 12th Grade

Summit Magazine 37


The Fullen family was honored at a special Mass. Pausing in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel after Mass were (L to R) Sean Fullen ’88, Shannon (Fullen) Nelson ’87, Trudi Fullen, Heather Fullen ‘91 and Kirstin (Fullen) Klein ’95.

From left, fifth graders Micah Johnson, Jack Bergeron and Filippo Tosolini look at one of the framed composites.

Alumni Composites on Display and Michael began in Montessori and graduated 8th grade from the Boys Middle School. Trudi and William’s work ethic and commitment to The Summit were passed on to their children. Shannon Nelson ’87 is a class representative and served on the Alumni Board; Sean ’88 is also a class rep, and he and his wife Colleen (Carullo) ’95 sent two of their four children to The Summit’s Montessori program; Heather, a class representative for the Class of 1991, was integral in planning their 20th reunion celebration; and Kirstin Klein ’95 is a class rep and is currently President of the Alumni Board. Trudi, who served on the Board of Trustees from 1984 – 1990, left an indelible mark on The Summit. Thirty years ago, in 1981, The Summit asked her to reorganize and re-invigorate the Volunteer Association, now known as the Summit Parents Association. A few short months later, the back yard of her family home, along with an adjoining neighbor’s, was transformed into “the Land of Oz.” Yards of yellow carpet and hundreds of Summit supporters descended on her home to raise funds for The Summit. An “Evening of Elegance,” one of Summit’s primary fund-raising sources, was thus established. She went on to organize and volunteer at these events for many years to come. Trudi also played an important part in our Centennial Year celebrations. In 1892, no one could have guessed how difficult it would be to find, but after a long search, the cornerstone of The Summit was finally discovered 98 years later by Trudi and two others in June of 1990. Through the years, the Fullen family has given their time, talent and treasure to make a difference. Thanks to the Alumni Board, the Class Reunion Planning Committee members and the numerous volunteers who helped make Homecoming & Reunion Weekend 2011 such a fun time. To plan reunion activities at Homecoming/Reunion 2012 (Oct. 5-7) for your class, e-mail Susan Maxwell at maxwell_s@summitcds.org or call (513) 871-4700 x245.

40 Winter 2012

Since the first class of two students, Anna McKenzie and Olive Sargent, graduated from The Summit in 1893, The Summit produced photo composites of each Upper School class. For many years these photos hung in display cases in the hallway to the Chapel, hidden from display. Through the generosity of a number of our alumni, we are reframing and hanging these photo composites in the Upper School dining room areas where our students and our guests can see them every day. Each one will be reframed with archival glass and archival matting for $225 - $250, depending on the size of the class. Consider reframing your own class composite, one that includes a member of your family as a gift, or organizing your class to make the contributions that are necessary for reframing. Not a day passes that a group of students isn’t noticed gathering under a particular composite or two and reflecting on The Summit’s history. We’re well on our way to completing this project and look forward to displaying more this spring! The following is a list of those composites which have not yet been refurbished: 1917-1922; 1926-1927; 1934-1935; 1936-1937; 1938-1939; 1944-1945; 1947; 1948; 1949; 1950; 1951; 1952; 1954; 1955; 1964; 1977; 1978; 1980; 1981; 1986; 1987; 1989; 1990; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1995; 1997; 1999; 2000; 2004; 2008; 2010. If you are interested in helping us to get these historical photographs onto the walls where we can all proudly view our heritage, please contact: Susan Maxwell, Alumni Relations Associate (513) 871-4700, ext. 245 or maxwell_s@ summitcds.org. Correction: Several names were inadvertently omitted from our list of donors to the 1962 Composite Refurbishing in the 20102011 Annual Report. We offer our sincere apologies for this error. Thank you for your gifts in support of The Summit. A complete list of donors: Julie (Owens) Albanese ‘62, Karen (Brumm) Carroll ‘62, Maureen Conlan ‘62, Susan (Powers) Heinz ‘62, Alison Herschede ‘62, Margaret (Peters) McKnew ‘62, Judith Mitchell ’62, Surita (Schott) Newman ‘62, Susan (Sicking) Pater ‘62, Gay (Wessel) Purpura ‘62, Mary Louise (Maddux) Rimsky ’62, Suzanne Cassady) Ruehr ‘62, Patricia (Mercurio) Rush ‘62, Cathy (Canfield) Schulhoff ‘62, Geraldine (Fitzpatrick) Stoffregen ‘62, Sarah (Schulte) Sullivan ‘62, Mary Lynne Wrocklage ‘62, Ann (Ryan) Vollman ‘62, Jane (Strasser) Washburn ‘62.


Legacy 2011- 2012

The Summit Alumni Association would like to recognize Legacy Families of alumni who have continued the Summit tradition. At the start of each school year, students who have a parent or grandparent who attended The Summit gather on the front steps for this commemorative photo opportunity. Their alumni relatives are invited to join as well. Throughout The Summit’s rich 120-plus year history, our roots often run deep with two, three and even four generations from one family attending The Summit. This school year, there are over 165 legacy students enrolled, with 14 seniors graduating this spring.

Our Legacy Students Montessori Mason L. Butler, Chloe Castellini, Marian E. Castellini, Mia Cavallo, Cecilia Chavez, Jillian W. Chavez, Alexander J. Chua, Joshua Clauder, Grant Desch, Dillon S. Fox, Esmé N. Gonyo, Lillian J. Grant, Sadie Headley, Barbara H. Heekin, Sarah J. Hill, Parker S. Hill, Ronald G. Joseph III, Kathryn G. Kelly, Paige Kropp, Finn Kropp, Annette H. LaLonde, Holland F. Lippert, Wayne A. Lippert, Christine O’Donnell, Benjamin J. Penote, Cecilia E. Ragland, K. Chloe Ragland, John F. Ragland, James M. Reynolds, John H. Reynolds, Charlie Ritch, Anna G. Sanders, Parker K. Smyth, Michael Stagnaro, Samantha Stagnaro, Holly Stagnaro, Susanna M. Stahl, Tommy Thompson, D. A. Valz, Barrett A. Wade, Madeleine B. Wade, TJ Yarnell Lower School Michael J. Butler, Andrew P. Cavallo, Katie A. Conway, Mary Anne J. Drew, Elizabeth V. Dziech, Harris S. Foad, Ninah C. Foad, Meg Harsh, Hughie Headley, KT Headley, Cecilia E. Hill, Oren S. Jenkins, Sarah S. Joseph, Catherine G. LaLonde, Gregory T. LaLonde, Lily F. Lippert, Oscar T. March, John W. Penote, Elizabeth R. Ragland, Sydney L. Ragland, Margaret K. Ragland, August E. Ransick, Adeline I. Ransick, Elizabeth T. Ritch, Andrew H. Ritch, Mary M. Saba, Benjamin Schmerge, John C. Schmerge, Lucas Schneider, Nicola R. Settle, Maggie Stagnaro, Katherine Stagnaro, James E. Stahl, Sarah M. Sutton, Matthew Sutton, Teddy Thompson, Luis E. Valencia, Avery F. Valz, Charles A. Wilson Middle School Sydney C. Beckmeyer, August Schweitzer, Samantha V. Crew, Luke J. Desch, Mateo Emilio K. Fernandez, Jack Harsh, Margaret Harsh, Drew Harsh, Henry V. Heekin, Courtney E. Joseph, Kendall Kearney, Robert Kerr, Helena J. March, Whitten L. Massey, Connor McMurry, Elena Montag, Luc O. Moser, Emma O. Nies, Caitlin O’Donnell, Alexandra Ragland, Monica Regina B. Saba, Isabella B. Saba, Caroline Schmerge, Kyle Z. Schneider, Ryan S. Schneider, Jacob Schneider, Henry R. Seltman, Martha A. Seltman, Peter Settle, Hope A. Thomson, George Thurner, Mary M. Towell, Alejandra Valencia, Caroline E. Walton, Victoria C. Walton, Robert P. Wilson, Matilda J. Ziegler Upper School Isabella K. Bohlke, Sebastian G. Bohlke, Christine Cassidy, John E. Castleberry, Caroline V. Crew, Rachel Cummings, Patrick J. Dowling, Cecilia Dowling, Isabelle C. Earls, Timothy R. Erickson, Anna C. Erickson, Bradley D. Fisk, Kyle J. Fisk, Katherine Funk, Megan Funk, Mary Frances Harsh, Elizabeth Harsh, Holden G. Hertzel, Caroline J. Hertzel, Robert Hock, Jasmime Jenkins, Eleanor P. Klosterman, Olivia Klosterman, Kevin Kroencke, Lillian Kroencke, Julia J. Lee, Christopher Lee, Margot M. MacConnell, Jessy M. McKeever, Jay R. McKeever, Nicolas R. Montag, Colin A. Moser, Kathryn M. Nies, Emily F. Nunlist, Nina M. Richard, Taylor R. Runck, Katherine F. Ryan, Peter G. Saba, Jonathan M. Sang, Alexandra N. Schmerge, John Schroder, Elizabeth A. Seltman, Paul S. Seltman, Christine J. Thurner, Emily K. Walton, Noel Weber, Natalie Whitsett, Nathan Whitsett, Elizabeth Williams, Monica M. Windholtz A special thank you to the alumni parents and grandparents who joined us William Beckmeyer BMS ’75, Emilie (Ransick) Butler ’97, Christine (Thurner) Byrnes ’70, Susan (Smith) Castellini ’56, Manuel Chavez BMS ’91, Suzanne Clyne ’92, Marie (Amann) Drew ’81, Rob Dziech ’88, Allison (Weber) Erickson ’88, Margaret (Hollmeyer) Fisk ’42, Josie (Walter) Funk ‘ 80, Alice (Homan) Hehman ’60, Jeffrey Hock SBS ’71, Oren Jenkins ’90, Steven Kearney ’85, Kenneth Klosterman ’80, Christine (Walter) Kroencke ’82, Allison (Hiltz) Kropp ’93, Christine (Castleberry) Lippert ’89, Diane (Thurner) March (Att.), Mary (Holters) Moran ’50, Hugh O’Donnell SBS ’65, Renee (Joseph) Perry ’55, Jake Ragland BMS ’87, Lyndsay (Byrnes) Reynolds ’97, Katherine (Savage) Ryan ’78, Peter Saba ’83, Gina (Baluyot) Saba ’84, Patricia (Moran) Savage ’56, Paul Schmerge BMS ’78, Sherry (Schloemer) Schneider) ’81, Mamie (Walter) Schroder ’78, Wendy Ritch GMS ’86, Molly (Moran) Towell ’84, Louis Valencia BMS ’78, Kara (Luttenegger) Valz ’88, Alfred Weisbrod SBS ’56, Tate Yarnell ’01, Paula Yarnell ’65.

Summit Magazine 41


In a recent trip to Ecuador, Dr. Kathleen Fischer uses a stethoscope to check a woman’s breathing and heartbeat. The medical team took outrigger boats to serve communities along the Amazon River.

Dr. Kathleen Fischer ’72

On a Mission to Provide Health Care to the Poor Around the World By Cindy Kranz

Each time that Dr. Kathleen Fischer ’72 travels on volunteer medical missions to Ethiopia and Ecuador, she believes this is the work she was meant to do. “I kind of have this big compassion gift,” she says. “I think God just plants certain gifts in different people. We all have different ones. Over the course of your life and your experiences and what your abilities are, things kind of develop, and you can either sort of tap into them, or you can have a busy life and ignore them.”

probably have been dead if we hadn’t been there that day.”Kathleen originally wanted to be a math teacher but became enamored with science and followed her family’s passion instead. Her dad, Dr. Donald Fischer, is a retired doctor. Her late mother, Mary Brigid Fischer, was a psychiatric social worker. Her sister, Ann, is a pediatrician in Oak Park, Ill. One of Dr. Fischer’s four children, Toby, is a urology resident in San Antonio, Texas.

Kathleen just returned from Ethiopia in November. “We saw so many sick babies on this trip. They have a lot of infant mortality there, a lot of women who die in childbirth - things that happened 100 years ago in the United States. It’s so overwhelming to see how poor these people are and how much you can do with just A mother and baby in Ecuador get a checkup with Dr. Fisher. Since 2009, a little bit,” the 57-year-old San Diego she has been to Ethiopia four woman says. “Every trip I’ve been on, I’ve times and Ecuador three times. treated at least one person that I think would

42 Winter 2012

Kathleen enrolled at Johns Hopkins, the second year that women had been admitted to the undergraduate program. She received her Master’s Degree in public health from San Diego State University. She met her husband, Dr. Joel Lees, in medical school at Vanderbilt University, where she was trained in internal medicine. “We met over a cadaver,” she says. Her husband was in the Navy, so after they married in Summit’s Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel in 1976, Kathleen joined the Navy. She spent 25 years as a military doctor, including a two-year tour in the Philippines.


Alumni Her medical mission work is performed through e3 Partners Ministry. The Dallas-based organization works with local churches around the world to provide health care to the poor. Since 2009, she’s been to Ethiopia four times and Ecuador three times as the medical team leader. Health problems range from HIV to malaria to serious skin infections that, if left untreated, would result in loss of a limb or even death. Her team provides primary care, HIV testing and counseling, malaria prevention programs and public health training. Kathleen also visited Colombia in March, working with e3 Partners doing Community Transformation projects. She helped train national leaders to lead community development work in local villages. Instead of the people seeing themselves as poor, relying completely on outside help to improve their status, leaders help them identify and build on the assets and skills they have, to make sustainable changes. She plans to return to Ecuador and Ethiopia in 2012. The Summit helped prepare her for her life‘s work, and she has some advice for students, especially the Class of 2012. “It’s good to really push yourselves to have a side variety of experiences. You might surprise yourself. Look outside your comfort zone.” Once you discover your skills and abilities, they can transcend your job, she says. “You can use those same things in your community or in your world to make a difference.”

People stand in line waiting to be seen at a clinic in the Gato area of southern Ethiopia. Dr. Kathleen Fischer’s medical team often does examinations in a small one-room clinic that has no running water. Summit Magazine 43

13 8


Homecoming: Reunion Weekend 2011 Congratulations to those alumni who were honored and recognized at this year’s Homecoming/Reunion Weekend 2011. The following recipients received their awards at the Alumni Luncheon held on Saturday, Sept. 17.

Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Cait (Gimpel) Ryan ’91 was honored for her outstanding accomplishments in track and soccer. The Most Valuable Player on the track team her junior and senior season, Cait won first place in the MVC meet and set an MVC record in the 100 meter dash in 1990. Named to the All-Conference soccer team her senior year, Cait also received the Maurice “Bud” O’Connor Memorial Award from The Summit Boosters in 1991 for her excellence, dedication and Christian leadership in athletics. Cait ran track and played soccer for four years at Connecticut College where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Cait now lives in Connecticut with her husband Todd and daughter Madeleine. She is the Managing Director of Managed Solutions, a creative services group in New York City. Molly (Price) Cahill ’97 was honored for her outstanding accomplishments in soccer, basketball and softball. Captain of the basketball and softball teams her senior year Molly was named Second Team MVC in basketball and First Team MVC, MVC Player of the Year, Division IV Southwest Ohio District All-Star and 2nd Team Ohio All-State in softball. Molly received The Summit Coaches Award in 1997 in addition to the Maurice “Bud” O’Connor Award from The Summit Boosters for her excellence, dedication and Christian leadership in athletics. At Lehigh University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering, Molly was the Rugby Rookie of the Year in 1998 and played two years of Varsity Soccer. Molly and her husband Jeff live in Virginia. She is a Captain, US Marine Corps, CH53-E Helicopter Pilot. Richard Arington ’80 was honored for his outstanding accomplishments in basketball and baseball. In the tournament run of 1979, he averaged 16 points a game and scored 12 straight points in the last four minutes of the Regional Championship Game to help upset an undefeated team and give Summit its first ever Ohio State Final Four Appearance. He only missed five free throws in his two year varsity career. Richard played basketball at Memphis State University (now known as University of Memphis.) He is the owner of Ark Shuttle Services in Cincinnati. Members of the 1985 Summit Knights Football Team included these 1986 graduates: L to R, Jeff Couzins, Paul Saba, Tom Myrick, Stuart Seltman, Brian Talty, Christopher Ferre, Dave Celesti and Tom Stautberg.

Winter 2012


Alumni Award Winners Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Trenita (Brookshire) Childers ’01 received the

Outstanding Young Alumni Award in recognition of her outstanding professional and service accomplishments. Currently a graduate student in the PhD program in sociology at Duke University, her research interests include medical sociology, race/ethnic studies and inequality. After receiving her B.A. from Davidson College, she taught and coached at Charlotte Country Day School in North Carolina. Then she joined the Peace Corps, moved to the Dominican Republic and taught math and reading. She was also involved with three summer camps -- one called “Girls Leading Our World” to promote self-esteem and unity among girls, one to promote diversity and inclusivity and another for children living with HIV. She served as an interpreter for American doctors who came to do free ear, nose and throat surgeries for needy children. After Peace Corps, she worked for Teach for America. She currently lives in Durham, NC, with her husband Darryl and son Miles. Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Lauren (Brinkmeyer) Goebel ’96 received the

Award winners included Molly (Price) Cahill ’97, Dr. Tom Monaco and Cait (Gimpel) Ryan ’91.

Dr. Tom Monaco was honored for his dedication and service to The Summit Athletic Program and his continuous support of the values, ideals and mission of The Summit Country Day School. Dr. Monaco served as Upper School Director from 1989 – 2007 and under his tenure led the school into athletic prominence within the conference, rebirth of the athletic program, the development of a mission appropriate leadership program and a continued excellence in the tradition of Summit academics. Dr. Monaco served as a mentor to those who led and those who coached Summit athletic teams and was a coach in many ways to the student-athlete. Members of the 1985 Summit Knights Football Team were also recognized as the Honorary Team. The team was undefeated during the regular season with a 10-0 record. These Miami Valley Conference Champions were the first Summit Football Team to advance to the state playoffs. The team was coached by the late Farrell Ackley, a Summit faculty member and father. Team members Dave Celesti ’86, Jeff Couzins ’86, Christopher Ferre ’86, Paul Haffner ’86, Chris Rosser ’86, Paul Saba ’86, Stuart Seltman ’86, Tom Stautberg ’86, Tom Myrick ‘86 and Brian Talty ’86 returned to campus for the game.

Outstanding Young Alumni Award in recognition of her outstanding professional and service accomplishments. Lauren is Assistant Vice President, Operational Transformation at Rush University Medical Center. Her role is to lead and facilitate the communication, process and cross-functional planning needed to transition to the new campus layout in 2012. She also leads equipment procurement efforts for the Tower and works closely with the critical care leadership on their transition planning for the Tower. She has support roles to several committees of the Board of Trustees, including Facilities, Facilities Oversight and Operational Excellence. She is an Instructor with the Department of Health Systems Management at Rush University, co-instructing a course in strategic planning and marketing. She is the co-director for the administrative fellowship program, employing annually two recent graduates of masters programs in health management in a year-long project-focused position sponsored and mentored by senior management. She received her MBA and MHSA from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business and School of Public Health. She received a B.A. in Economics from Princeton University. She and her husband, Wes, reside in Chicago, IL.

Meritorious Service Award

Allison (Weber) Erickson ’88 received the Meritorious Service Award in recognition of her dedication and service to The Summit community and her continuous support of the values, ideals and mission of the school. She is the Director of The Erickson Academy of Irish Dance and serves as the Regional Treasurer for The Irish Dance Teachers Association of MidAmerica. She and her husband, Dick, have three children, two currently attending The Summit where she has been an active and involved volunteer. She has served The Summit Parents Association in many roles and is currently the president.

Christian-Service Award

Jerry Hilton ’91 received the Christian-Service Award in recognition of his dedication and service to The Summit community and his continuous support of the changes that make it more possible to live The Summit ideal. Jerry received his bachelor’s degree of Business Administration in MIS from University of Notre Dame in 1995. He taught at Annunciation School and St. Gertrude School before returning to The Summit in 2008. In his roles as teacher, coach and former Dean Summit Magazine of Students, Jerry has been a mentor and example to many.


Homecoming: Reunion Weekend 2011 Members of the Class of 1981

Mary Jesse Price ‘06, Kelly Leibold ‘03, Devon Rich ‘04, Tara Schueler ‘03

Cait (Gimpel) Ryan ‘91, Jerry Hilton ‘91, Mary Beth (Bruno) Forte ‘91, Tara Karyanis ‘91

Olga Garcia-Duarte ‘75 and Peggy (Feltrup) Becker Jackson ‘49 Members of the Class of 1991 Above: Courtnee (Garr) Frimming ’91, Marni Thies ’91 and Jennifer (Krick) Bischoff ’91.

Devon Rich ‘04, Tate Yarnell ‘01, Tim Trautmann ‘03, Ralph Stikeleather ‘03, Patrick Cosgrove ‘01

Sarah (Kelly) Trautmann ’01, Molly Bayer ’01 and Trenita (Brookshire) Childers ’01 46 Winter 2012

Mike Dreyer ‘91, Jerry Hilton ‘91, Jesse Dunbar ‘91


Alumni

Thanksgiving Gatherings Adventures in Parenting Music and Drama Teacher Bruce Bowdon wrote the music and lyrics for songs performed during his “Adventures in Parenting” Thanksgiving performance in Kyte Theater.

Among the cast, shown above, were Pettrina C. Barresi ’06, Marypat Carletti ’78, Steve Clark ’94, Claudia DeSimio ’95, parent Diane Fee, former teacher Mark A. Friedman, Alex Groenke, parent Meg (Cavallo) Grulee ’92, Tanya (Braukman) Haas ’89, parent of alumni and teacher Pat Kelly, James McKenna ’78; parent and Associate Director of Admission Elaine Pearl, Gates Richards Jr. BMS ’87, parent Cathy (Cebulski) Sacco; Nat (Verkamp) Schoeny ’65, Gavin Tabone ’92, Amanda (Boren) Tucker ’91, Laura (Nusekabel) Weldishofer, ’90 and teacher Mary Vetter. The show also featured students ninth grader Gavin Majeski, and senior Mark Samaan. Mr. Bowdon served as pianist. Jerry Hilton ’91 provided lighting and Alyson Mardin designed a logo. Basketball Game Basketball has become an annual tradition for young alumni and an enjoyable way to work off that second serving of turkey and stuffing. Back Row:Tyler Yarnell ‘97, Rene Cheatham ‘03, Tate Yarnell ‘01, Christian Melson ‘11, Jack Gustafson ‘11, Charlie Kazior ‘08, David Hoffman ‘09, Patrick Cosgrove ‘01, Ben Trautmann ‘01, Tim Trautmann ‘03, Dan Cosgrove ‘07. Front row: Jordan Cortez ’97 and Ben Roy ’00.

Young Alumni Social As Summit Young Alumni returned to Cincinnati for a Thanksgiving feast with their families, they also had the opportunity to reconnect with their high school friends and faculty. Over 100 young alumni reunited at O’Bryon’s Irish Pub in O’Bryonville the Friday after Thanksgiving. Faculty and alumni board members mingled with alumni and provided an update on the current happenings of the school and alumni program.

Above, L to R: Jim Fisk III ’03, Alex Cameron ’01, Alex Bien ’03, Devon Rich ’04 and Matthew Selker ’03.

Right, L to R: Mallory Botsford ’07, Emily Skiba ’07 and Anna Albi ’10. Summit Magazine 47


Class Notes

60s Paula (Bien) Yarnell ’65, author of Summit’s first cookbook, The Summit Showcase of Cuisine Art, co-chaired Car Line to Candlelight with parent Kristin Lamarre. This new cookbook is filled with recipes from many alumni. TJ Yarnell ’26, Paula’s grandson and son of Tate Yarnell ’01, prepares his pretend recipe in Summit’s extended care room.

80s Maria (Allen) McKenzie ’80 published The Governor’s Sons in 2011. This work of historical fiction is a heart-thumping account of forbidden love

48 Winter 2012

and political ambition in the deep South. Order at amazon.com or www. smashwords.com. Constance Castleberry ’85 published The Gateway in 2010, a descriptive blend of rural American life during the 19th Century, the paranormal, modernday physics and the fantasy of going back in time. Order at amazon.com or through most major bookstores.

90s Arli Kathryn Eiseman ’93 is engaged to be married to Eric Schuermann. Arli is Director of Business Development at Corporex Companies. Eric is Director of International Sales at Trivantis. A March 3 wedding in Summit’s Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel is planned. Lindsey (Peck) Groepper ’97 was named President of Orange Public Relations in Indianapolis. Orange Public Relations is a specialty media agency focused on building awareness for consumer lifestyle companies.

Neil Schmidt ’88 is teaching English and Journalism at Loveland High School in Cincinnati. He is faculty advisor of the student newspaper which received scholastic journalism’s highest honor, the George H. Gallup Award, in the 2011 International Awards for School News Media sponsored by the Quill & Scroll Honorary Society for High School.

Lauren Grundhofer ’99 married Christopher Peterson on July 9, 2011 at Saint James Chapel in Chicago, IL. The bride and groom were classmates at Boston College but did not meet until their five-year reunion, when they realized they had many mutual friends and lived near each other. The wedding party included Rae (Robertson) Anderson GMS ’95 as matron of honor. Alumni

in attendance included Sean Ernest ’97, Alison Fessler ’99 and Sarah Petrie ’99. Peter Hiltz ’98 is working as a financial advisor for Wells Fargo Advisors LLC. Cincinnati Business Courier recently listed him in the 2011 Class of Forty Under 40, recognizing the TriState’s next generation of young leaders and innovators. Andrew Sickinger ’99 is pursuing his MBA at Cornell University (Johnson) in Ithaca, NY, after working at Fidelity Investments for 6 ½ years.

Marc Soellner ’99 was ordained a Transitional Deacon by Archbishop Dennis Schnurr. His planned date of priestly ordination is May 2012.


Class Notes Entertainment Television Network in NYC where she worked in the On Air Talent department with the “106 & Park” show. As she completes her senior year in Integrated Communications at Spring Hill College in Mobile, AL, Jade will work with the network as an independent. Jade also started a blog, “CarpeCouture” (www. carpecouture.blogspot. com), and joined a local beauty/fashion electronic web-based journal www. ultimatestylegallery.com as a freelance fashion writer.

Jared Dunnmon ’07 is continuing his studies of energy sustainability and economics at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. Jared is pictured here (wearing a Summit Cross Country shirt) in the back quad of St. John’s College.

Torie Russert ‘07 and Colleen Klei ‘07 moved to Prague, Czech Republic in August 2011 where they are living and working.

P&G where she helped launch a product to Japanese and Australian markets. She will return to Cincinnati to intern with P&G this summer.

10s Megan Jantsch ’09 received an Advanced Study Grant from Boston College to support research with a non-profit organization in Cuzco, Peru. She organized and oversaw an evaluation of the poverty in one neighborhood based on interviews with more than 200 families. The research will be used to help expand a school for neighborhood children.

Sophie Lawson ’09 is in her third year at Boston University where she is studying Nutrition/ Dietetics and Public Health in the Sargent School of Science. This summer she interned for

Bryan Bedacht ’10 is continuing his successful swimming career at Loyola University – Maryland. At his first MAAC conference meet in Buffalo, NY (February 2011) he placed 3rd, 5th and 6th in his events and helped the Loyola Men’s swim team defend their conference championship.

Brianna Scott ’11 and Alex Nourse ’11 were voted to represent the Class of 2015 as freshman senators on Student Senate at Marietta College. The Senate provides leadership in student life and activities, and provides a channel through which the views of the student body may be represented to the other areas of the community. Jack Gustafson ’11 joined the XU Musketeers Baseball Team as a walk-on his freshman year.

Kyle Gundrum ’10, a sophomore at UC is the Associate Director of the INTERalliance of Greater Cincinnati. INTERalliance is a non-profit that is committed to keeping Cincinnati’s best and brightest young talent working in the Tri-State. Colin Cotton ’11 finished 10th place (28 places in front of the next freshman in the field) at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship Meet, where Williams College placed 1st out of 48 teams. Colin is the first Williams freshman to earn All-New England honors in three years. Summit Magazine 49


Class Notes

Alumni Weddings

welcomed their daughter Elizabeth Farrell Christie on October 1, 2011.

In the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel May 14 Margaret Niehaus-Sauter ’03 and Andrew Fuchs May 21 Christina Lawrence and Gregory Vollmer BMS ’95 June 18 Lindsay Masters (Att.) and Colin Cassady July 16 Alicia Bond ’97 and Christopher Lewis

Loretta (Cappiello) Curran ’95 and her husband Chris welcomed their daughter Margaret Josephine Curran on July 3, 2011.

July 23 Iliana Torres (Att.) and Shawn O’Malley July 30 Elizabeth Tassell and Jeffrey Roth ’02 August 20 Chelsea Hahn ’07 and Robert Fecher Sept. 4 Blair Barker and Sean Daly ’98

Emily (Sheckels) Ahouse ’98 and her husband David welcomed their son Henry Joseph Ahouse on August 2, 2011.

Sept. 24 Heidi Sluss and Phil Schneider ’02

Oct. 8 Courtney Tomaszewski and Sean Moser ’06 Oct. 15 Christine Bonnell and Mark Ginocchio SBS ’68 Oct. 29 Layne Blackstone and Jeffrey Haas ’94

Births Rebecca (Ackley) Christie ’93 and her husband Ryan 50 Winter 2012

Joseph Brinkmeyer ’01 and his wife Dana welcomed their daughter Deirdre Amelia Brinkmeyer on March 15, 2011.

In Memory

Mary (Tebbe) Farrell ’74, May 20, 2011.

Alumni

Carter Cook Gooding ’76, May 9, 2011.

George Arleigh Dom ’30, March 18, 2011.

Friends

William E. Strybel SBS ’44, father of Linda (Strybel) Clark ’74 and Kathy (Strybel) Krekeler, and sister of Carol Ann (Strybel) Graeter ’50, June 14, 2011. Edmund Mooney SBS ’45, March 22, 2011. Jerome “Jerry” Theobald MD, SBS ’45, brother of Tom Theobald SBS ’50, February 7, 2011. Rosanne “Reggie” Brockman, ’46, mother of Thomas Brockman SBS ’71, Judith (Brockman) Chiappe ’72, Joyce Brockman ’77, Theresa Brockman ’78, and Tim Brockman ’80 and brother J. Barrett Buse SBS ’45, October 23, 2011 Nancy (Harig) Pater ’49, September 25, 2011. Carol (Martin) Gunderman ’54, sister of Margaret (Martin) Bertelsman ’57, June 23, 2011. Charles J. Judge MD SBS ’54, brother of James Judge SBS ’57, William Judge SBS ’58 and Thomas Judge SBS ’59, August 18, 2011. Carl E. Pratt SBS ’59, brother of John J. Pratt SBS ’67, April 26, 2011. Mary Elizabeth Strasser ’68, sister of Michael Strasser MD SBS ’54, Jane (Strasser) Washburn ’62, Peter Strasser SBS ’61, and Paul Strasser SBS ’65, April 2, 2011.

Charles F. Allnutt MD, father of Lauren Allnutt, April 14, 2011. Devin K. Brain, father of John Heekin SBS ’71 and Mary (Heekin) Bolan ’77, October 26, 2011. Harry Cassady MD, father of Peter Cassady SBS ’62, Tom Cassady SBS ’68, Suzanne (Cassady) Ruehr ’62, Tricia Cassady ’64 and Molly Cassady ’69, August 29, 2011. James C. Champlin, father of Jimmy Champlin ’05 and Chris Champlin ’09, husband of Sandy Champlin, Development Services Coordinator, June 2, 2011. Thomas Clark, father of Thomas H. Clark Jr. SBS ’69 and William R. Clark BMS ’74, October 15, 2011. Terrence Evans, father of Vincent Evans ’00, November 2, 2011. Margaret Earls Frank, wife of Stanley J. “Jack” Frank SBS ’52, sister of Dan Earls SBS ’58, March 15, 2011. Robert Heidt Sr. MD, father of Tracy (Heidt) Keating ’74, Gretchen (Heidt) Jackson ’83 and Lauren (Heidt) Kuetemeyer ’85, May 17, 2011. Stanley A. Hittner, brother of Gloria (Hittner) Corcoran ’42 and Connie (Hittner) Liebel ’50, July 21, 2011.


Class Notes Robert G. Hogan, father of Robert B. Hogan SBS ’61 and Mark C. Hogan SBS ’67, July 8, 2011. Paul F. Kelley, brother of Edna (Kelley) Brinkman ’51, September 21, 2011. Jan Perry Knisely MD, father of Lauren Knisely ’01 and Katie (Knisely) Coon ’04, April 8, 2011. J. Harold Kotte MD, father of Mary (Kotte) Smyth ’64, September 10, 2011. Suzanne Nies, mother of Victoria (Nies) Dowling (att), Jennifer Nies (att), Tom Nies BMS ’79 and Eric Nies ’88, August 1, 2011.

Summit Country Day School faculty, May 30, 2011. Mary Ann Weisbrod, mother of Alfred J. Weisbrod SBS ’56, September 7, 2011. Mary Jo Wuest, sister of Robert Wuest SBS ’52, March 9, 2011.

Submit Your News To submit alumni news, call Alumni Relations Associate Susan Maxwell at 513.871.4700 ext. 245 or email her at maxwell_s@summitcds.org. IT MM E SU LIN ON

To make it more convenient to submit news at any time of day when it is most convenient for you, we’ve created a “Submit Your News” form on our News web page. Go to www2@summitcds.org/communications/submit-your-news.cfm.

Robert E. McCarthy, brother of Barbara (McCarthy) Rielly ’44, April 19, 2011. Lydia “Lee” Opp, mother of Janet (Opp) Geeding ’65, Elaine (Opp) LaVorn ’73 and Linda (Opp) Strietmann ’75, June 8, 2011. Milton Partridge, husband of Estelle (Glueck) Partridge ’55, August 9, 2011. Catherine “Kay” PogueFischer, mother of Ann (Pogue) Fazzio ’69, August 26, 2011. Kathleen M. Reardon, wife of William J. Reardon SBS ’44, September 29, 2011. Olga Ros De GarciaDuarte, mother of Olga Garcia-Duarte ’75, June 12, 2011. Ann de Sales Rentschler, mother of James B. Rentschler SBS ’71, September 26, 2011. Sister Dolores Stephens SND de Namur, former

Summit Magazine 51


Rob Hertzel ’81: In Memorium The dignity and courage with which Rob “Peewee” Hertzel faced his battle against cancer inspired a school, a company, a community and hundreds of people who knew him only through his inspirational online blog, “Peeweecancer.” The blog so resonated with readers that it had accumulated more than 13,000 messages from 2,000 visitors by the time he died Nov. 11 at age 48. A Northwestern Mutual representative, Mr. Hertzel was a member of St. Gertrude Church in Madeira and a 1981 graduate of The Summit Country Day School in Hyde Park, where he and his wife Cindy sent their three children – 2010 graduate Robby, senior Holden, and sophomore Caroline. “He was a wonderful father to his children and a great friend to the school,” said Rich Wilson, Summit’s Head of School. “His wife, Cindy, has been a tower of strength through the ordeal of his illness and has responded to this challenge with amazing grace.”

Rob Hertzel ‘81

Two weeks after his diagnosis in 2010, he began his daily blog to keep his friends and family updated on his battle. Readers spoke of how Rob and his family inspired them and often received support from the “Peeweecancer” community for their own struggles.

“I think a lot of people had a lot of the same challenges he did – balancing your time, balancing your finances, worrying about your children’s well being and college,” said longtime friend, Brian Brockoff ‘82, Indian Hill. “He was sharing a lot of things in life that are common to all of us but people don’t really talk about. These last two years, he had time to reflect on priorities like, ‘Don’t let the little things get you down. Focus on the positive. Build the self-esteem of your children. Help other people.’ ” Brad Brockoff, BMS ‘75, echoed his brother’s sentiments. “The world needs more Peewee Hertzels,” he said. “He was a true hero because of the examples he set in his relationships because of his faith, courage, determination and openness.” One couple summed up the response of the online community: “Your faith and your journey touched us and reminded us of the promises of our faith that there is more than this life while we are here. We are made for community, love and support for one another...while you may feel that from the outpouring, we assure you that you have poured just as much into all of us.” Northwestern Mutual played a video tribute to the Hertzel family at the company’s annual meeting in July. In November, the Miami Valley Conference gave their annual Hirsch Award for courage in the face of extreme obstacles to the Hertzel family. Cincinnati Country Day School Athletic Director Theresa “Hirsch” Hirschauer, a survivor of ovarian cancer, presented the award in front of Summit’s entire Upper School. “Cancer teaches you a lot,” Coach Hirschauer said. “I found I had a huge amount of support. All that support – that was my team.” The Hertzel family is an “amazing” team, she said. “They are the perfect example of fighting the good fight but living every day with such energy and a positive spirit.” Mr. Hertzel made a particular impression on son Holden’s basketball team, who served as pall bearers at his funeral. Holden delivered a speech in The Summit’s Chapel Talk oratory program two days before his father died – leaving many observers wiping away tears. Holden spoke about his personal struggle to come to grips with his father’s disease. Battling anger and sadness, Holden said someone gave him a catch phrase about six months after the diagnosis that he began applying to everything in his life. The phrase is: “Keep Fighting.” “I tell you now do not let anything get in the way of you fighting for whatever it is that you want,” he told his classmates. “In my life, I have had to fight for my dad, my team and for myself, while still keeping a positive attitude,” he said. “And yea, some days I would love for there to not be as much pain or sadness in my life, but those moments have also allowed me to become closer to my family and friends. So, dad, now I want to tell you I am here for you always…” Winter 2012

Robby Hertzel ’10, Cindy Hertzel, senior Holden Hertzel and sophomore Caroline Hertzel received the Miami Valley Conference Hirsch Award in Summit’s Flannery Gym two days before Rob’s death.


Alumni

Historic Scrapbook This summer, William Harrison, uncovered a scrapbook his mother Genevieve (Poor) Harrison, class of 1912, kept during her time at The Summit. Along with it, he found the handwritten essay she read at her class graduation ceremony. Enclosed in the scrapbook were touching notes written by classmates, mementos, photographs, dance cards and her graduation program. Mr. Harrison was kind enough to share his discovery with The Summit, and we wanted to share a few photographs of this piece of history with you. While Genevieve passed away in 1980, Mr. Harrison recalls his mother often spoke quite fondly of The Summit.

Genevieve (Poor) Harrison, 1912

Collegiate All-Stars These alumni currently play collegiate athletics. Football • Dane Fajack ‘11 Wittenberg University. • Shamar Hester ‘09, University of Charleston. • Devante Hunter ‘11, Morehead State University. • Alex Nourse ‘11, Marietta College. Soccer • Tess Akgunduz ‘10, Eastern Kentucky. • Anna Albi ‘10, Carnegie Mellon. • Austin Berry ‘07, University of Louisville. • Alex Priede ‘10, Notre Dame. Lacrosse • Evan Albertson ‘11, College of Wooster. • Sam Baldwin ‘11, South Carolina University. • Liz Edwards ‘10, Davidson College. • Dane Fajack ‘11, Wittenberg University. • Nate Gustafson ‘10, West Point Academy. • Lissie Russert ‘11, Holy Cross.

• Alex Thurner ‘08, Denison University. • Brianne Ward ‘10, Presbyterian College. Cross Country • Courtney Collins ‘11, Smith University. • Colin Cotton ‘11, Williams College. Baseball • Jack Gustafson ‘11, Xavier University. Basketball • Khiry Hankins ‘09, Holy Family. Tennis • Gabby Steele ‘09, Ohio State University. Basketball • Kyli Parker ‘10, Denison University. • Brittany Williams ‘11, West Virginia Wesleyan. Swimming • Bryan Bedacht ‘09, Loyola University - Maryland.

Summit Magazine 53


Car Line to Candlelight Recipes to Nourish your Knights in the Queen City A true Summit keepsake, Car Line to Candlelight includes recipes from alumni, parents, students, grandparents and friends from all over the country. Family traditions, tips and helpful hints are included creating a wonderful collection to enjoy. Proceeds will benefit the Lower School Garden for the Good, the Pond and Garden Project, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel and campus beautification projects. Buy it in The Summit Spirit Shop or buy it online at http://www2.summitcds.org/giving/Summit-Cook-Book.cfm

Nominations for Alumni Awards and Athletic Hall of Fame Awards

The Summit Alumni & Athletic Hall of Fame Awards were established to honor alumni who carry out the mission of The Summit – to develop spiritually, academically, physically, socially and artistically, and to become people of character who value and improve the world they inherit.

Please review the criteria for these awards and help us identify deserving alumni by nominating a friend, a classmate or yourself. The awards will be presented during Alumni Reunion/Homecoming Weekend in the Fall, with the exception of the McKenzie-Sargent Award which is presented annually at commencement. McKenzie-Sargent Distinguished Alumni Award: Named in honor of our first two alumnae, Anna McKenzie and Olive Sargent, Class of 1893, this is The Summit’s highest honor given to an alumna/us. The award is presented to a graduate of the Upper School or The Summit Boys School (through 1971) for his or her achievements in career, community volunteer leadership and/or service to The Summit. All Summit graduates are eligible for nomination, except those currently serving on The Summit Country Day School Board of Trustees or The Summit Alumni Association Board. Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees: These are alumni who attended or graduated from the Upper School or The Summit Boys School, have made outstanding contributions in athletics and demonstrate qualities of good citizenship. Eligibility begins the 10th year after the nominee’s graduation year from The Summit. Inductees may also be persons who do not qualify in the “alumni” category (ex., coaches, team managers) but who have made outstanding contributions to The Summit Athletic Program. Again, eligibility begins upon retirement or the 10th year after separation from The Summit. The following honors are not necessarily presented annually but are conferred based on merit. Meritorious Service Award: Granted to a Summit graduate or former student for specific and meritorious service to school, community, state or nation. Young Alumni Award: Given to an alumna/us who has graduated during the last 20 years, it recognizes significant accomplishments in business or professional life or service to the community, The Summit and/or The Summit Alumni Association. Artistic Achievement Award: Recognizes an alumna/us for significant contributions to the world of art. Spiritual-Christian Service Award: Granted to a Summit alumna/us who has devoted his or her life in service to others, who affirms the fullness and complexity of human existence, who appreciates social justice and who brings about changes that make it more possible to live The Summit ideal in contemporary society. Honorary Family Award: Given to a dedicated Summit family for their outstanding support of school and its values, ideals and mission. To submit nominations for these awards, please send nominee’s names, class year, why he/she should be considered, and what award same are being nominated for to: Susan Maxwell, Alumni Relations and Special Events Associate, 2161 Grandin Road, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45208. Submit it via e-mail to maxwell_s@summitcds.org. Nominations must be received by Thursday, March 15, 2012. 54 Winter 2012


Save The Date May 11 Fleur-De-Lis Mass and Luncheon, celebrating alumni who have graduated 40+ years ago. Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel & St. Cecilia’s, 11 a.m. May 25 Senior Induction Luncheon, Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel & St. Cecilia’s, noon. May 27 McKenzie-Sargent Distinguished Alumni Reception & Class of 2012 Graduation, Alumni Parlor. Oct. 5 - 7 Homecoming and Reunion Weekend. All alumni are invited and welcome to attend the events on campus. Oct. 5 All-school Reunion Cocktail Party, 6 p.m. Oct. 6 Class years ending in “2” and “7” are encouraged to plan their individual reunion gatherings. If you are interested in helping organize your Class Year Reunion, please email Susan Maxwell, at maxwell_s@summitcds.org. Oct. 6 Alumni Awards Luncheon, 11:30 a.m. Oct. 7 All Community Mass, 11 a.m.

Dear Alumni/ae, “As a child leaves The Summit, only then does he or she realize the position The Summit held as the motivating force of his or her life.” That quote jumped off a page of the 1969 Rostum recently while I was exploring it for a project. The words neatly summarize what I hear time and again from Summit alumni. In conversations at events, telephone calls and outside encounters, graduates regularly tell me their Summit years shaped who they have become. The introduction in that same Rostrum noted the opportunities and guidance those students were given during their years here – emphasizing the goal for all of them was to reach their fullest capacity as individuals. Forty-two years later, that has not changed. Our graduates have gone on to careers and callings as diverse as they are. Our alumni head churches and companies, make policies and create art, fight illnesses and battle injustices. I share this with you because it is important to recognize that while the landscape, class demographics and leadership may change here, the mission remains intact. Academic standards and values remain high. When students graduate, they are equipped to be strong, successful leaders. They are prepared to become people of character who value and improve the world they inherit. In this issue, we celebrate the successes of many of our graduates, reflect on the awards received during Homecoming Weekend and note many milestones in their lives. As always, the Alumni Office is committed to fostering participation and developing ongoing relationships with you. The Alumni Board Awards/Class Representatives Committee is dedicated to recognizing alumni through awards. Please take time to read the qualifications for the Athletic Hall of Fame and McKenzieSargent awards and nominate a classmate, fellow alum or yourself. We also ask you to consider sharing updated news and stories about your life by submitting a Class Note. Thank you for all you’ve done for your school. Your continued support and engagement can impact The Summit in many ways. Best regards,

Susan Maxwell Alumni Relations & Special Events Associate (513) 871-4700 ext. 245 maxwell_s@summitcds.org


NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION US POSTAGE PAID CINCINNATI, OH PERMIT #553

2161 Grandin Road Cincinnati, OH 45208 513.871.4700 www.summitcds.org

Address Service Requested Postal regulations require The Summit to pay at least 50 cents for every copy not deliverable as addressed. Please notify us of any changes of address.

LOVE YOUR SCHOOL AUCTION Exclusively Online February 14 - 28 www2.summitcds.org/auction

Scan this logo with your smartphone or go to www2.summitcds.org/auction to register to view the catalog, bid and support The Summit!


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.