Sycamore School Magazine / Summer 2020

SUMMER 2020

SYCAMORE D I S TA N C E L E A R N I N G / / H O N O R I N G P R I N C E A N D K A R P I C K E / / A LU M N I P R O F I L E S

VOLUME 14.1 DISTANCE LEARNING

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RETIREMENT SUSAN KARPICKE

08

EILEEN PRINCE

12

NEW HIRES MELISSA BRANIGAN

16

DUANE EMERY

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BON VOYAGE DUSTY BURWELL

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ALUMNI NICK ABEEL

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TINA TALIERCIO

22

JONATHON SCHWARTZ

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MATT PANFIL

26

ELLIE KLEMSZ

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ALUMNI RETURN

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COLLEGE CHOICES

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HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

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HIGH SCHOOL DESTINATIONS

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WORDS FROM THE CLASS OF 2020

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SYCAMORE PARENTS PPE DEVICES

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NEWS + NOTES

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MATTHEW GERDISCH: IN MEMORIAM

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RIGHT: A rainbow of items found during an Early Childhood at-home scavenger hunt this spring.

ON THE COVER: Portraits of 18 Sycamore families taken at their homes this spring during the covid-19 crisis.

BACK COVER: Sycamore School’s Destination Imagination team jumps during a break in the regional event that was held before schools closed and events were canceled.

HEAD OF SCHOOL

HEAD OF LOWER SCHOOL

DIRECTOR OF ADVANCEMENT

DIANE BORGMANN

GLENNA LYKENS

HOLLY LEE

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

HEAD OF MIDDLE SCHOOL

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

SUMEETA BHATIA | PRESIDENT

TRENT TORMOEHLEN & KATIE BAKER (INTERIM)

PATRICK JUDAY

HEAD OF EARLY CHILDHOOD JENNIFER WILLIAMS

DIRECTOR OF ADMISSIONS DUANE EMERY

SYCAMORE SCHOOL ASSOCIATION WENDY REYMER | PRESIDENT

FIND OUT MORE!

S YC A M O R E S C H O O L . O R G

DEAR SYCAMORE FRIENDS,

into the fall. In this

them is part of the

issue, you’ll get to read

excitement of watching

about the retirement of

them grow and seeing

two Sycamore pillars:

just who they become.

Eileen Prince and Susan

Sadly, you will also read

Karpicke. Together

about Matthew Gerdisch,

they have devoted 67

a Sycamore alumnus we

years to Sycamore! To

lost far too soon. All of

We have completed an unprecedented

say we will miss them is

you who knew Matthew

year—certainly the most challenging of

an understatement; we

will recognize his spirit

my career—at Sycamore! Even before the

may not even recognize

of fun and love in the

global pandemic entered the picture, we

Sycamore without them!

piece remembering him.

were thinking about Sycamore’s future

Enjoy reading about the amazing careers

I hope in all of these alumni stories you

through a process of planning strategic

of these outstanding Sycamore women

will recognize not only their outstanding

goals and analyzing future needs. When the

and the impact they’ve had on all of us!

abilities and contributions, but also their

pandemic did strike, Sycamore exhibited its

strength of character and the embodiment

typical passion and the ability to work within

You will also read about two new

of our core values of respect, moral

the current environment. Our last day of

administrators who will become part of our

courage, empathy, and relationships.

school this year was March 13—Friday the

Sycamore community as of July 1. Duane

13th—to be exact. Through the foresight,

Emery is our new Director of Enrollment

This fall we will begin school with a

planning, and hard work of our Technology

Management, succeeding Susan Karpicke.

renewed enthusiasm and with appreciation

Department, our entire Administrative

As you will read, Duane has broad and

for all that we have learned in the 2019-

Leadership team, and our awesome faculty

deep understanding of independent schools

2020 academic year. Staunch and loyal

and staff, we implemented a robust Distance

and the field of Enrollment Management.

commitment to our mission will continue

Learning Plan on March 16, with remote

We also welcome Melissa Branigan as

to be our strength.

classes beginning March 18. We have moved

our Director of Extended Programs.

that DLP forward through the spring,

This is a new administrative position, and

Thanks for supporting Sycamore!

received feedback, made adjustments, and

responsibilities include all of our programs

I’m honored to work with such a

through it all, our kids continue to learn! I’ve

that extend beyond the school day and/

strong and compassionate group

never been prouder of the efforts and spirit

or beyond the school year. Melissa has the

of colleagues, parents, students,

of our faculty and staff, our parents, our kids,

perfect background and passion to develop

and trustees. Thanks to all of you

and our trustees. “We’re all in this together”

this position in an amazing way.

for being our faithful companions.

couldn’t be a more accurate description of

One of my favorite sections of our

Onward and upward!

our efforts at Sycamore. Every single person

magazine is the alumni profiles section. I

has been important to the success of the last

love to learn about accomplishments of

ten weeks of school.

our alumni and the influence Sycamore has

is something we hear a lot these days. There

had on their lives. I think you’ll agree that In the spring, we typically celebrate

there is no typical future for a Sycamore

faculty and staff who are leaving us.

student, just as there is no typical Sycamore

This year those celebrations may run

student. The uniqueness of each one of

DIANE BORGMANN HEAD OF SCHOOL

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DISTANCE LEARNING: TEACHERS, PARENTS FIND WAYS TO BE SUCCESSFUL It’s not the way most thought the school year would end.

all the while supporting Sycamore. While this experience may not

Not for students. Not for the parents. Not for the teachers. Sycamore

motivate many of our parents to become teachers, I think it does

moved from working together in a classroom to still working together,

provide them with more understanding of the life of a teacher. I

but working from a distance. The goal of the school from the

can’t thank our parents enough for their cheerful support.”

beginning was to maintain the Sycamore community and classroom connections while operating in an unfamiliar environment.

Sycamore’s Head of Early Childhood, Jennifer Williams, who was a long-time Sycamore Kindergarten teacher (and Sycamore

“It has been a challenge having to set up a home classroom,

parent of two boys, Owen and Simon) before transitioning to

transfer my curriculum into meaningful online lessons, deal with

her current role in 2016, used her perspective as a teacher and

the sudden increase of emails and the lack of (direct) face time

parent to quickly understand the needs of both.

with students and coworkers,” says Julie Clawson, Sycamore 4th Grade teacher. “The bright spot in this has been the ability to

“We wanted to have video and written instructions provided for

connect online with my students. They have shown me their pets,

families and have plans in advance so families can plan for what

their homes, and one student even played ‘Here Comes the Sun’

is best for them at home,” she says. “We also wanted to give

on her guitar for me because she knows I am a huge Beatles fan.”

families flexibility about what they choose to do and how they check-in with teachers based on family needs.”

The important connection between teacher and student was one piece considered essential from the beginning of the Distance

That flexibility helped ease the transition for families who were

Learning Program.

forced to begin finding the best way help their children have success, while still balancing their own work load.

“We are hearing from many of our contemporaries, both near and far, that their children are becoming nocturnal, have no

“The adjustment was a bit of a shock at first,” says Eliza Holladay,

homework and are on devices at all waking hours, says Sycamore

the mom of a Kindergarten student and a younger sibling. “Figuring

parent Megan Maurer. “In contrast, our kids have been on a

out how to schedule the day and then also how to manage Ella’s

consistent schedule, and they’re truly excited to have school

brother was a learning curve. I had to accept that it wasn’t going to

work. Our son commented, ‘I’m so glad I go to a school that

be perfect and to be ok with that. And all the complaining aside, I’ve

gives me schoolwork during COVID.’”

been surprised how much I’ve enjoyed helping Ella learn. It’s really satisfying to see your child grasp a concept.”

Sycamore’s Head of School, Diane Borgmann, says the parents have been an exceptionally strong part of the process. “Our parents

________________________

have the challenge of supervising their kids as they learn from

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home, more involved than ever,” she says. “The parent-school

Like the families, Sycamore teachers have worked to make

partnership doesn’t get any more real than this. Our parents have

distance learning lessons worthwhile and as interactive as

leaned into their new roles with gusto, patience, and perseverance,

possible, and to differentiate for a variety of learning needs.

TOP: First grade teacher, Jennifer Hendry, teaches from her home office | BOTTOM RIGHT: Lianna Cohen-Gadol shows her artwork for Teacher Appreciation Week | BOTTOM LEFT: Middle School math teacher, Amy Miltenberger, works from home, with her new baby nearby

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“I commend the parents for switching gears so quickly to work

where they have a working beehive and talk to the naturalists

with teachers to help our Sycamore kids continue learning

there,” Williams says. “Since they couldn’t go this year, they

during such a challenging and unpredictable time,” says Ruth

arranged with the Moll family to do a ‘Chicken Chat’ field trip

Moll, Kindergarten teacher. “Sycamore continues to be my

with the Moll’s and their chickens.”

place of peace even if it is from afar.”

“Parents are creative in how they are getting everything done, Williams says all of the teachers, not just in Early Childhood

and they are ‘rocking’ being there for their kids socially and

but throughout the school, have embraced the opportunity to

emotionally,” Moll says, as a reason for her willingness to help

interact in a different way, and many times it has produced some

other teachers. “My email inbox is full of pictures of happy

extraordinary outcomes. Art teacher Chrissy Sweigart taught a

kids working at home.”

“Forced Perspective” photography unit for Kindergarten students that led to a wildly popular post, featuring some of the pictures on

“We have pushed this idea of having a ‘bubble gum brain’

the Sycamore School Facebook page, and Middle School teacher,

which is the kid-friendly way of explaining a growth mindset,”

Courtney Corcoran, created a video for YouTube and shared

says Kindergarten teacher, Marissa Argus. “Want to talk about

some magical poetry created by her students.

the ultimate challenge in using your bubble gum brain? Going full distance learning with no warning! But guess what? We’re

“I have been very impressed by the creative lessons that our

doing it, Kindergarten students and parents alike. Our parents

specials teachers have shared with our students to keep them

have been so flexible with going with this, even though it is all

engaged in art, music, and physical education during this

uncharted and scary territory.”

stressful time,” says Robert Walker, Head of Middle School.

At the Middle School level, there were challenges that did not exist

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Williams says Ruth and her husband, Steven, hosted a virtual

at lower levels, in addition to events that students might be thinking

visit for Preschoolers working with another grade level’s teachers

about such as graduation, moving to a high school, and the loss

for the Life Cycles unit, which focuses on the life cycles of bees,

of athletics. “The transition to distance learning was sudden and

flowers, and chickens. “The class usually goes to Holliday Park,

unexpected for all of us,” Walker says. “I have been very impressed

by the perseverance and flexibility shown by all of the Middle School

share a limited number of computers. The consistency in teacher

teachers, assistants, students, and parents. Everyone began to develop

Zoom meetings made that planning relatively easy. We are

routines and find the happy medium regarding workload.”

grateful that Sycamore School could rise to the challenge.”

“My students, thrust into an unprecedented situation, completed

Christine Santori, a parent of two Sycamore students, says,

the assigned work, wrangled with the technology, and still

“Our teachers have been amazing in this process. They are

maintained their weirdly excellent humor,” says Corcoran.

always willing to help and problem solve and support us in any way they can. We are very appreciative.”

________________________ “Our students, our reason for being, are phenomenal,” “I’m incredibly proud of the way Sycamore transitioned to our

Borgmann says. “They have demonstrated their resilience by

Distance Learning Plan,” says Diane Borgmann. “In a fairly short

adapting to remote learning. As always, I’m so proud of the

time, Director of Technology, Patrick Cauley, led the development

work they’re doing and the maturity and responsibility they have

of our Distance Learning plan. Since its creation, division heads

exhibited on a daily basis.”

and teachers have been ‘building the bridge as we walk on it.’

Our teachers have embraced this challenge as an opportunity to

Holladay says it has been really fun to see how much her

adapt and be creative. As much as they would prefer to teach their

Kindergartener, Ella, learned during the year. “It’s also given me a

students in person, they have worked to provide our kids with a

better understanding of how she’s grasping the material that she’s

robust experience remotely. I commend our faculty for their ‘can-

learning. I’m not a teacher. Seriously, trying to explain antonyms

do’ spirits and their enthusiasm for rising to the challenge.”

and regrouping to a six-year-old is no easy task. I had lots of respect for all of the educators before this and even more so now.” n

“Communication from the teachers and faculty was really good,” Maurer says. “Daily posting of assignments and consistent office hours and Zoom meetings made the transition a relatively easy one, though one challenge we had as a family was learning to

07

KARPICKE LEAVES LEGACY OF EXCELLENCE When Dr. Susan Karpicke talks about milestones for

school. The arrival of (Head of School) Nyle Kardatzke

Sycamore School, she talks about people. While moving to

was certainly a turning point in the life of the school.”

the current location at 64th and Grandview was important in the evolution of the school, allowing more space for a

Dr. Kardatzke, who became Head of School in 1993, was

growing the staff, Karpicke mostly recalls the personalities

an experienced independent school head and brought

that shaped the school. She knows. She has been a part of

the administrative framework needed. “He helped turn

Sycamore for more than 30 years.

Sycamore into a top-notch private independent school in addition to being an outstanding gifted school,” she says.

“During my 32 years at Sycamore, the school has grown from a fledgling start-up school to one of the most respected

Kardatzke remembers the time well, including the moment

schools for gifted children in the country,” Karpicke says.

Karpicke helped him find a personality to fit the school.

“What vision and courage it must have taken to sit around

“She gave me a new identity when I came as Head of

Carla Bennett’s kitchen table and decide to start a gifted

School,” he remembers. “She gave me a red sponge rubber

RETIREMENT

clown nose that gave me an identity and permission to have fun.

my position as Director of Admissions, which for many years

She helped make Sycamore the ‘funnest’ place I ever worked.”

included counseling, admissions, and marketing,” she says.

“Our new Director of Enrollment Management begins as the

“Our Heads of School each brought something different to the

department and the position continues to evolve.”

table and seemed to be at the school for the right reason at the right time,” Karpicke says of the leaders with whom she has

When Karpicke started at Sycamore, it was still a grass roots-

worked. She credits the staff as the “most dedicated, creative,

conceived, bootstrapping, fledgling organization that was

passionate, intelligent, inspiring, and hard working people”

evolving into a private, independent school for others to emulate.

she’s encountered, and especially lauds the parents who sacrifice

The school was trying to make it through the first decade.

a great deal to provide their children with the best education

“Sycamore’s growth and the growth of Susan in her position

available. Karpicke, however, believes it is the students that made

have been symbiotic,” says Sycamore Head of School, Diane

the school. “I wish I had written down everything I ever saw or

Borgmann. “When Susan first started at Sycamore, Sycamore

heard in the halls of Sycamore,” she says. “Most of it made me

didn’t really have the infrastructure of an independent school.

smile or laugh and some of it made me cry. These children are

She began helping Sycamore grow and develop, doing admissions

so intelligent, creative, sensitive, caring, passionate, funny, kind,

testing and almost anything else that would help the school. She

joyful, appreciative, and complicated. It is important to always

helped solidify Sycamore’s future.”

remember that they are children, not little adults.”

“Susan helped all of us understand the admission screening process ________________________

and why it is so essential to students’ success,” Kardatzke says.

Karpicke’s background is in education and counseling. Before

“She embodies the spirit of Sycamore and is wholly dedicated

Sycamore, she worked in counseling and career education centers

to our mission,” says Dr. Samantha Outcalt, Sycamore’s

at Indiana University, Valparaiso University, Florida State, and

Psychologist, who has worked closely with Karpicke in her role

IUPUI. While at IUPUI, one of her colleagues left a magazine

at the school. “She is passionate about the difference it makes for

article on her desk, with the title “Could Your Child be Gifted?”

a child to be seen, to be understood, and to be in a community

and a note on it that said “I think this sounds like your (her son)

where they know they belong.”

Jeff ”. Turns out he was gifted. When Susan found out that she had gifted kids, she became very interested in gifted education.

________________________

With a counseling background and a burgeoning interest in the area of gifted education, Karpicke made a visit to Sycamore,

In the early days, Sycamore’s administration was lean, with

where she had enrolled Jeff, who was then in 3rd grade. One

administrators having a number of roles. Over the years, Susan

day, in 1988, after dropping him off, Karpicke stopped to visit

continued to develop the Admissions Office, while still serving in

Sycamore’s Head of School at the time, Alice Bostwick. “I was

a counseling capacity for students, parents, and faculty.

dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt,” Karpicke says. “I said, ‘Alice, I think that maybe you could use a counselor here,’ and she said,

Kardatzke thinks her dual roles were perfect for Sycamore. “Besides

‘So do I.” That was, in essence, Karpicke’s job interview at

her expertise in counseling, it’s important to know she is a kind,

Sycamore. She started out doing counseling, before later moving

thoughtful person,” he says. “She always brings calm reason to each

into testing and admissions.

situation, no matter how difficult or contentious it might be.”

“Admissions work at Sycamore has evolved from being the

Borgmann agrees and says Susan’s greatest strength is probably

sole responsibility of the Head of School in the early days, to

her interpersonal skills. “Her counseling skills help her in the

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recruitment and admissions processes, and they also help her in tough conversations when she has to deliver bad news. She’s been able to do that in an empathetic way.”

Being the only Director of Admissions in Sycamore’s history, Karpicke has been the first person many people meet when they are introduced to Sycamore. She has set the stage for the beginnings of great relationships between Sycamore and the families. As a parent, Carolyn Hansen, along with her husband Carl, put two children through Sycamore. She remembers how they looked to Karpicke for order, humor and leadership. “From those first days we spent at Sycamore with Erik and Briana, Susan was always the shoulder we leaned on to get through some of the inconsistencies and incoherence that comes with the territory of educating children,” Carolyn says. “Susan was always a calm voice in a sea of chaos.” ________________________ Gaining accreditation through the Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS) was another huge validation point in the life of the school. Karpicke recalls the feedback from the first visiting team when they recommended that the school bring the facility up to the high standards and quality of the program. She says that feedback allowed Sycamore to begin customizing the facility into the environment it is today, and also meant that the team viewed Sycamore as a school that was doing a good job of teaching gifted education.

Ginny Burney, who now teaches graduate courses in education at Ball State University, was the Head of Middle School during a period of great growth in the 1990s. She worked alongside Karpicke and was one of the key contributors to Sycamore standing on its own as an independent school. “We got each other through some tough times in Sycamore’s transition from being a gypsy school to being an independent school,” Burney says. “We always shared our belief in the mission, that there are multiple legitimate points of view, and that fairness and kindness are always important.”

“My foundation of how to treat others, basic integrity, and morality were all guided and reinforced by (Susan),” says Andrew Baldwin, a 1999 Sycamore graduate. “Perhaps more importantly, I remember

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Susan and John Karpicke on vacation in Michigan

her also teaching me how to explore my feelings and to verbalize and organize them productively. This has been one of the most useful skills I have, and I am so appreciative that she prioritized this.”

Burney also recalls the early days at the school, when they were figuring out how to assess incoming Early Childhood students.

“I recall her testing (Burney’s son) Matt on a card table set up in the Unitarian Church gymnasium on 43rd Street, and then trying out the testing procedure to identify two-year olds with (her daughter) Amanda as the guinea pig,” Burney says. “ As I recall, one thing we learned was that cooperation was improved when M&M’s were involved.” ________________________ “I think that Diane Borgmann’s return to Sycamore to become Head of School was a very significant milestone,” Karpicke says,

RETIREMENT

The Karpicke grandchildren

of her past decade at Sycamore. “Diane’s background in gifted

“Of the many professionals I know in the field of gifted education,

education and her leadership experience in private independent

Susan is one of the most dedicated to understanding and supporting

schools made her the ideal person to lead Sycamore to the next

each individual gifted child,” Sycamore parent, Kristi Nuemeister,

level of excellence. We have a laser-like focus on our mission. We

says. “ She is truly their champion and ensured that Sycamore’s

never lose track of who we are and why we are here.”

promise that ‘each child will be known and loved’ is fulfilled.”

“Susan was ahead of her time in recognizing the affective needs

“Susan has led by example for how to remain student-centric,”

of gifted students. The field of gifted education has tended to

Outcalt says. “One of her greatest strengths, and a legacy she

focus more on intellectual/academic development and overlooked

leaves in the culture she has built, is that she has the best interest

the importance of emotional intelligence,” Outcalt says. “She was

of Sycamore students at the heart of everything she does.”

in classrooms teaching kids how to recognize and communicate their feelings before Social Emotional Learning became a focus

“I hope that I have helped create a school culture where gifted

in the field of education. As a counselor, she created a safe space

kids are accepted and valued for who they are and a place where

for many students. Over the years, she’s been a source of strength

they feel they truly belong,” Karpicke says of the imprint she

and comfort for students facing difficult personal challenges.”

has made on the school community. “I hope that I have left a model for identifying gifted children that will be used with

As to what she will miss about the day-to-day job at Sycamore,

the understanding that each child is unique and gifted kids

Karpicke says the things you think she might: she will miss those

don’t all present in the same way. I hope that I have exhibited

connections with families and students. “I will miss the joy of

compassion, friendship, genuineness, leadership, passion,

bringing new families into this incredible school and watching

empathy, and loyalty through the work I have done at Sycamore.

gifted kids who were not thriving in other environments come to

I realized many years ago that I wanted to spend my career

life at Sycamore. I will miss the relationships and the wonderful

doing something that mattered and Sycamore matters.” n

Sycamore community.”

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EILEEN PRINCE: 35 YEARS OF SHARING HER ARTISTRY The best lesson I took away was that art was not just a collection of techniques and

having a teacher with a long-standing tenure like Eileen’s is

styles, but a window into and expression of a culture and a society. My ability to

the institutional memory and perspective.”

distinguish the different types of Greek columns became a running joke in my family.

But, more than that, it inspired a lifelong passion for art that has brought me so

When Prince started, Sycamore was renting space from

much joy. – JOEL MARTIN | CLASS OF 2001

a church. That meant teachers were sharing rooms and putting away all supplies and projects in a small closet at the

There has never been a school year in the past 35 years

end of each day. “As an art teacher, you can imagine the

that Eileen Prince has not been in her Sycamore art room,

limitations,” she says. “Children brought their own pencils,

teaching Sycamore students.

markers, crayons, scissors, glue, and watercolors, and we supplied paper. There were no student art displays in the

“To still have a founding teacher at Sycamore in 2020 is

halls. I got slides for my lectures from the Indianapolis

amazing,” says Diane Borgmann, Sycamore’s Head of

Museum of Art, spending hours culling each batch.”

School. “Probably one of the most meaningful aspects of

RETIREMENT

Prince has been a constant force for good at Sycamore and is the

art teachers do not normally share the respect and positive

lone remaining teaching link to the first school year, back when the

experiences that have marked my involvement at Sycamore would

staff and parents were still putting together the school that would

be a vast understatement.”

serve gifted education, everything from filling classrooms with the used desks they procured, to teachers beginning the construction of

Still, she says a lot of the physical and digital aspects have evolved.

a curriculum worthy of gifted students.

“We have always had exceptional teachers, but I feel that the school continually improves,” Prince says. “Class size has had a profound

“Eileen knows how far Sycamore has come because she remembers

effect, growing substantially through the years. Technology has

‘the old days,’” Borgmann says. “She provides an appreciation that

changed dramatically. Getting health coverage and retirement

is hard for a newer teacher to fully understand, she knows that our

benefits was an enormous watershed. I had spent years in private

mission and our commitment to our mission have never changed.”

education even before Sycamore, and that was quite a turning point for any independent school.”

________________________ ________________________ Even though I am not as talented as some, I still find myself reaching for my art supplies when I need to recollect myself, and I thank Mrs. Prince for introducing me to this outlet.

After leaving Sycamore, I continued to learn more about art on my own and

I hope she knows how influential she is. – KAYLEIGH GEISSE | CLASS OF 2008

developed a passion for photography, and as a college student, I am taking photography elective classes so I can keep art a part of my daily life. Although

Before Prince came to teach at Sycamore, she was teaching art at

I may not be an artist, she taught me to be an art lover, which will forever

the Hasten Hebrew Academy, a school her family and husband’s

enrich my life. – SOUMYA GUPTA | CLASS OF 2015

family were instrumental in founding. It was where the Prince boys attended school. “My job was only part time, and I was looking for

One of the things Prince notes is that Sycamore has always had

more full-time work,” she says. “My older son had two more years

a support for the arts; it is part of the foundation of a school that

until high school, and my younger son had four. One of the Middle

nurtures the whole child. Sycamore builds the art curriculum into

School math teachers there had his gifted certification, and one day

the program, just as STEM subjects are included.

at lunch he mentioned a new school that was forming.”

“The arts are a strong aspect of the curriculum from Preschool By the time Prince applied to Sycamore, Gene Eib had been installed

through 8th grade,” Prince says. “Our math, science, history, and

as the founding Headmaster, and he hired Prince for what was, at the

language arts departments are second-to-none; we have extremely

time, still a part-time position. “For four years I juggled both schools,”

strong language, technical, and physical education programs.

she says. “My younger son wanted me to stay at the Academy until

Combined with our focus on the arts, our students leave the

he graduated. When he did graduate, I thought I would get a ‘real’

school superbly prepared for a rich, full life.”

teaching job. Sycamore offered me full-time employment that year.”

“She understands art theory, art history, and various forms of studio If you ask Prince how Sycamore has changed in her time as a

art,” Borgmann says, noting one of Prince’s strengths is her wide-

teacher, she has seen a lot. While much has changed, Prince says

ranging knowledge. “Eileen has many strengths as a teacher, and one

a couple things have not.

of the most valuable, I think, is just her vast and broad knowledge base. Our kids get a broad, deep, and rich art education.”

“One thing that has never changed for me is the unbelievable level of support I have always received from the administration,

“Mrs. Prince has a brilliant mind for art history and art’s

board, parents, and other faculty,” she says. “To say that

connection to the events and culture of every era she presents to

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the students,” Alyssa Wei, Art teaching assistant and Sycamore parent, says. “Students have come back to tell her how much they learned about art history in her class, and how prepared they were during high school and college history, literature and art classes.

This is due to her breadth of knowledge and the faith she has in her students to rise to the challenges she provides them. She never dumbs down information or project expectations, and because of these high standards of content and execution, students learn and create in ways they couldn’t have expected of themselves.”

Prince’s perspective of Sycamore includes the starting point, the evolution, and how the school has built itself into a nationallyknown place for Preschool through 8th grade gifted education.

“The current faculty, staff, and administration are outstanding,” she says. “There have been so many people who have influenced the school through the years. Some names that pop into my head from the past are (former Heads of School) Gene Eib, and Dr. Nyle Kardatzke, Jeff Stroebel, Ginny Burney, Jamie MacDougall, and

Eileen Prince’s individualized teaching style made a lasting

Paula Fair. There are people like Kathy Hollander, Elaine Sandy,

impression on her students.

Sheila Hyatt, Betty Krebs, and Pat Gabig who are special friends.”

Q&A WITH EILEEN

Nyle Kardatzke, a longtime Head of School at Sycamore, says Prince’s ability to see art in its historical context was impressive.

WHAT WERE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE THINGS

“From the beginning, Eileen made art a key part of the

TO TEACH EACH YEAR? WHAT DO YOU THINK STUDENTS

curriculum. Far from being a merely decorative activity, she led students to see art as part of the larger curriculum,” he says. “She helped students learn to make decisions about the pieces of art they were creating. Perhaps her greatest strength was elevating classroom art to the same position in the curriculum as science, mathematics, and grammar. In her hands, art became an essential part of the Sycamore experience.”

Ginny Burney, who was integral at the inception and early growth of the school, is now a professor at Ball State, teaching graduate courses, including Investigating the Social Emotional Needs of Gifted Students and Introduction to the Gifted and Talented Student. “Eileen understood the big picture of gifted education.

It is not just about a collection of subjects, or just acceleration, or just enrichment,” she says. “It is about an opportunity for kids to understand big concepts, to understand the world in a way that transcends time and place, to make interdisciplinary connections.”

14

WILL REMEMBER MOST VIVIDLY ABOUT YOUR CLASSES?

This is a toughie. I created the curriculum, so theoretically, I should love everything I teach. But for many years, I taught art in grades 1-8, and there were definitely projects in every grade that I really looked forward to more than others. Since I have taught predominantly Middle School for the last few years, I will choose mainly from those grades. I really enjoy introducing the idea of Art History in 4th Grade - it’s a fun little unit. I love doing all the art history lectures, and I really look forward to the unit on criticism and aesthetics in 8th grade. In the hands-on department, I really enjoy the sculpture project and the Alien Culture assignment in grade 5, teaching perspective in grade 6, the pinhole camera, milk carton, and Impressionism projects in grade 7, and seeing what the kids produce in grade 8. In eighth grade, the students also do some responsive writing, and I never cease to be blown away by some of their observations. It rivals some college work I’ve seen. n

RETIREMENT

Prince and the Middle School teachers coordinate a curriculum that makes those interdisciplinary connections. Prince says the teachers work together to make it successful. David Schuth, a Middle School Science teacher, says Prince has the “depth of knowledge and passion for the subject and embraces diverse ways of thinking about art” to make it work. ________________________

IN HER OWN WORDS: WHAT I WILL MISS n I will greatly miss the inspiration and joy I get from working with the students.

“In the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak, I hosted a Zoom art class for my daughter’s 1st grade friends. They have already learned their primary and secondary colors, so I taught them to draw trees. It is the single sketching subject

n I will miss my fellow teachers and staff. n I will miss the family atmosphere and humor.

that makes me think of Mrs. Prince. I even remember the day she explained that each set of subsequent branches cannot be larger than the total of the source

n I will miss the pride on a student’s face when they

branch. It is math and science and art all at once – just like our world.” -

complete some wonderful project and realize that yes, they are

MARGOT MONTGOMERY O’DONNELL, MD | SYCAMORE

“artistic.”

CLASS OF 1994

“I would like to think that I contributed to Sycamore’s belief that

n I will miss the brilliant questions and observations from pupils during slideshows.

the arts are a worthwhile use of a gifted student’s time,” Prince

n I will miss the funny comments in the Daily Scoop and all

says. “I would like to believe that I helped elevate the status of

the wonderfully silly stuff that goes on here.

visual arts here over the years. I would love to think that, if I visited the school 50 years from now, it would still have a strong visual arts

n I will miss fascinating conversations with other teachers

program, and all the humanities would still be respected and a core

about our subjects.

part of the curriculum.” Borgmann knows leaving does not mean Prince will be forgotten. “Eileen has been a Sycamore fixture - an institution in herself,” she says. “Although she is retiring, her legacy

n I will miss my daily interactions with Alyssa Wei and seeing Lauren Ditchley, both of whom have helped me immeasurably over the years.

and the program she has developed will continue.” n I will miss the kindness of

the parents.

What Prince would like for her legacy? “My students are my ultimate legacy,” Prince says. “I hope they will carry a respect and knowledge of the visual arts with them to other places where they settle and to other schools their children might attend. As far as lasting impressions, only the students can answer that, but if notes I have received are any indication, it is the overall understanding of art history that is the most helpful in later years. I have received some very gratifying messages from students in their teens and twenties and thirties who just visited the Louvre or Pompeii or a Spanish cathedral, and claim that their experience was enhanced by their years at Sycamore.” n

15

BRANIGAN NAMED SYCAMORE DIRECTOR OF EXTENDED PROGRAMS “The Extended Programs at Sycamore are near

match between the needs of Sycamore and

and dear to my heart. They help to provide an

Melissa’s attributes.”

enriched, enhanced, well-rounded educational experience for our students and families, who are

As Borgmann notes, the before- and

already receiving the best in gifted education.”

after-school programs have been under the oversight of several individuals. With

As the new Director of Extended

the demands for coordination of time,

Programs, Melissa Branigan moves into a

space, organization, and communication

position that allows her to build programs

growing, Borgmann says, “it has become

for and give opportunities to students not

clear that Sycamore needs a single

just in Lower School, where she has taught

individual to oversee this entire domain

both 1st and 4th grades at Sycamore, but for the entire school.

of athletics, summer programs, Quest, after-school activities, academic teams, and clubs.”

“I believe in the Extended Programs. I have worked in a variety of them, with Quest, both before and after school, and summer

“I will have interaction with all of the students at various grade

camps,” Branigan says. Last year, she added Athletic Director

levels and with their families,” Branigan says. “I’m excited for the

to her duties, working with coaches and Middle School students.

day-to-day interactions.”

“As a Sycamore parent myself, my family is heavily involved with Extended Programs each day. When I learned about this position,

Branigan has taught at Sycamore since 2004, teaching 4th grade

I couldn’t help but get excited about the possibilities, how it would

for five years and 1st grade for ten years. This new change is one

benefit the school, and at the chance to grow the programs.”

she is not taking lightly. “I will miss working closely each day with my team, the Lower School teachers, and Glenna (Lykens, Head

Extended Programs encompasses anything that occurs outside

of Lower School). Glenna and the Lower School teachers are

of the school day or outside of the school year, like athletics,

so fantastic, great friends and colleagues who care deeply about

after-school activities, Quest (Sycamore’s before and after-

educating the students. They are a hardworking, fun-loving,

school care), summer camps, the Sycamore Academy, and

incredibly intelligent group of people. I will also miss the day-to-

Middle School clubs and competition teams, like Vex Robotics

day interaction with 1st grade students,” she says.

and Destination Imagination.

“I have two goals in mind as I start this new position,” Branigan Sycamore’s Head of School, Diane Borgmann, is excited about

says. “One goal is to continue to grow the programs, with more

the opportunities Branigan will have to support and help shape

offerings and fantastic experiences for our current students and

the programs. “Melissa is a terrific fit. Her background with kids

families. The second goal is to use the programs to further the

of a variety of ages and her personal experience in almost all of

mission of the school and help pique interest and recruitment of

the programs that will be her responsibility provide her with great

new students and families to our Sycamore community.” n

background experience for this position,” Borgmann says. “Her energy, passion, and organizational strengths make it a successful ABOVE: Melissa Branigan, with her boys, Sean and TJ, and husband, Kevin.

16

WELCOME NEW HIRES

DUANE EMERY NAMED NEW DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT COMES TO SYCAMORE WITH MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF PRIVATE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE Duane and Stephanie Emery

After 21 years at Indianapolis’s Cathedral High School, Duane

“I decided changing the name of the office would communicate

Emery decided to make a change, to get back to what he loves to do.

a broader and more strategic focus than just admissions,” says Sycamore Head of School, Diane Borgmann. “We will be more

“I have known about Sycamore for many years, given the work I have

closely paying attention to the entire arc from recruitment to

done at Cathedral and the families with which I have worked in the

admissions to retention. The change implies a more significant

past,” Emery says. “If I were going to make a move, a new school had

relationship with our marketing efforts and closer attention to

to be a very strong school, and Sycamore clearly is that type of school.”

relevant data, as well as foresight based on those data.”

Emery begins his new role at Sycamore this summer as the

Emery just wrapped up a year as Director of Counseling

Director of Enrollment Management, a revamped and retitled

at Cathedral. He was the Vice President for Enrollment

position created by the retirement of long-time Sycamore

Management for 15 years, Vice President for Advancement

Director of Admissions, Susan Karpicke.

for two years, and he served two years as Director of College

17

WELCOME NEW HIRES

Advising. As Vice President for Enrollment Management, Duane

________________________

oversaw all aspects of recruitment of more than 300 new students annually, retention of students at a school of over 1,100, and a

Emery and his wife, Stephanie, have been married for 12 years. She

tuition assistance program with an annual budget of nearly $3

is a Human Resources Manager for Asbury Automotive, a national

million, serving over 500 students per year. He also served on the

automotive group that owns eight dealerships locally, including

President’s Cabinet for the school.

Hare Chevrolet in Noblesville. His son, Ethan, is 19 years old and lives with his mother full-time, while Duane’s daughter, Zoe, is

“When I first moved into admissions, it was exactly that—

17 years old and lives with Duane and Stephanie in Noblesville.

admissions,” Emery says of his start at Cathedral. “Two years

The family dog, Casey, is a rescue who is a chocolate lab mix who

into that role, it evolved into the enrollment management model,

“we think is about ten years old,” says Duane. He also says they

which included admissions, financial aid, and diversity. Over

love movies and like to travel; they have made three trips to the

time, I was actively engaged in those areas as well as marketing,

Dominican Republic – Emery speaks Spanish. He also says he’s

advancement and development, and counseling.”

“become a workout guy” in the past year or so, as he has lost 100 pounds since he began to exercise more.

Among the innovations Emery instituted at Cathedral included developing a robust student ambassador program and a focused

Emery knows from experience that Sycamore is known in the

parent ambassador program. “I really am looking forward

Indianapolis community, and a piece of his responsibility will be

to translating student and parent ambassador programs to

to enhance that reputation.

Sycamore,” Emery says. “I hope to show even more the voices and stories of students and parents in all forms of outreach:

“I think anyone familiar with the educational landscape and

web presence, ambassador programs, on-campus visits, and

independent schools in Indianapolis knows that Sycamore offers

community events.”

a superb academic experience for gifted students and that they will be very well prepared for success at a variety of top-notch

Emery’s background and experience will make him an excellent

schools. Families value the opportunity for their students to be

Director of Enrollment Management, according to Borgmann.

nurtured, challenged, and supported. I am excited to be coming

“Duane’s biggest strengths are his broad and deep knowledge of

to Sycamore and eager to meet students and more parents. While

independent schools and his effervescent personality,” she says.

leaving Cathedral after nearly 21 years seems surreal at times, the

“Duane has a rich background in independent schools in the

excitement of joining the Sycamore community is strong,” he says.

areas of enrollment management, advancement, and counseling.

He loves people, and that clearly shows in his interactions, and

“There are two things that excite me the most. First, I am very

connects with parents and kids, both current and prospective, on

eager to return to the world of enrollment management, which I

a personal level. Having been in the Indianapolis area for almost

realized pretty quickly this year definitely is my passion,” he says.

his entire career, he also has community connections that will be

“More importantly, I am looking forward to working with my new

important for Sycamore.”

colleagues. During my visits to Sycamore during the interview process, I met some amazing staff and teachers. I also met some

Emery was one of approximately 30 candidates from all over the

wonderful parents and board members. I am so excited to join this

country for the position of Director of Enrollment Management.

community of educators, parents, alumni, and most importantly,

Borgmann says Sycamore attracted candidates from as far away

students. I grew more and more excited about joining the team at

as California as well as local ones. “It was gratifying to learn

Sycamore with each interaction I had during the process.” n

from candidates all over the country that they knew about Sycamore’s reputation.”

18

BON VOYAGE

DUSTY BURWELL EXITS AFTER 22 YEARS AT SYCAMORE As she wraps up her 22nd year at Sycamore School, we wanted to catch up with Dusty Burwell, who has been in charge of the Quest programs, both the before and after-school session, and the summer programs. Burwell, who started as a grade-level assistant, is a beloved person in the history of Sycamore. She talks about how she started at the school, some of her favorite memories, and where she is headed next.

“Her greatest strength has always been the connections she makes

office at lunchtime to eat M&M’s and visit with me. I will also

with our students,” says Glenna Lykens, Head of Lower School.

miss my paper calendars and the provider of my paper calendars

“Students love the creativity Dusty brings, and she integrates our

and the ‘We are, We are, Lower School! Lower School!’ chants,

core values into the activities students do. It’s always fun to see the

and that’s just to name a few.”

notes of gratitude she gets,” she says. “Even as students grow up, alumni have come back to visit and catch up with Dusty. There

WHO HAS HELPED YOU THE MOST?

are some students that have seen Dusty in the mornings and

“Glenna Lykens has helped me in making my programs

afternoons throughout their Sycamore years.”

successful. She either gives me a thumbs up to go with my plan, or tweaks my plan to make it work for everyone. Thank you,

TELL US HOW YOU CAME TO SYCAMORE,

Glenna! For the past two years, Kenzie has been the rock in

AND HOW YOU BEGAN IN THE QUEST PROGRAM.

the EC Quest room. The Quest staff, the after-school activities

“My first year at Sycamore, I was a 1st Grade Assistant, and I

instructors, and the Quest Summer Camp instructors have all

loved doing song time with the kids two or three times a week.

been there to help Quest and the programs be what they are

One day I was asked to go into Diane Ridings’ office. She asked

today. My neighbors, the Technology Department, have been

me to start up the before and after-school program and direct the

there for me, too. Thank you!”

Summer Camps. I couldn’t say no. I came up with the name and the program. I have loved pretty much every minute and am proud of the rapport Quest has with parents, students, and staff, and the success of all of the programs.”

WHAT IS NEXT FOR YOU?

“When I turned in my letter to Diane on March 3, I didn’t quite think the end of the year would end the way it did. Hopefully, we can return to school in August, and I will be able to say good-bye

WHAT WILL YOU MISS MOST?

to the students, staff, and parents. My plan is to move to West

“What will I miss? The little hugs in the hall. I will miss reading,

Lafayette and to find a job there. If nothing opens up soon, I do

crafts, games, and music. I love that the class of 2022 stops by my

make a good cup of coffee.” n

19

ALUMNI

NICK ABEEL

Though he was in a new school, he was also starting to find his acting career taking off, even at a young age. “I missed a lot of the first semester because I was acting at the Indiana Repertory

Nick Abeel (’01) never had a doubt where he would end up living.

Theater.” Nick got his start at IRT playing Dill in To Kill a

He knew it was going to be New York City. The puzzle really was

Mockingbird. He performed extensively in Indianapolis doing

how he would put the pieces of a career together.

theatre, film, and commercials. It made being at the right school more, not less, important to Abeel.

The Indiana-raised actor is now active in theater, film, and as a writer, plus doing voiceover work. He has been performing for

“I had to really hit the ground sprinting because I was in school and

more than 25 years, dating back to his start as a professional actor

the work was very challenging. At Sycamore, we were doing our

while juggling his studies at Sycamore.

projects and doing performances in class, and reading Shakespeare, and I don’t feel like Sycamore made much distinction between

“It was just a matter of when I would move to New York City,”

creative and academic,” he says. “I feel like I have taken a lot of the

Abeel says of his leaving the Hoosier state. “I mean, there’ve

things that I learned in Middle School and directly applied to the

been times where it has been a hard place to live and you feel

types of things that I’m doing now,” he says, citing a recent example.

like nobody really cares that you’re here, but I have never really

“I have started to write an original work - a 60,000 word goofy, fake

seriously considered moving or doing anything else.”

lecture series I don’t think I would have been able to even know where to start on a project like that if it weren’t for the work ethic

As a performer, Nick has been on stage at the Kennedy Center.

and the vocabulary that I got from Word Within a Word.”

He’s developed new work in NYC at dozens of venues, like the Manhattan Theatre Club, New Dramatists, NY Stage and Film,

________________________

and Slant Theatre Project. With much of his art, there are healthy doses of humor and wit. He is a founding member of Recent

The Sycamore graduate, who attended Broad Ripple High School

Cutbacks, a team that creates what Nick calls “joyful parodies

and then the University of Evansville, had one of his earliest NYC

of blockbuster films and television.” He isn’t afraid of work. He

successes with his string of co-creating parodies of popular films,

tackles projects that are unique. And he gives lots of credit to

beginning with “Hold On To Your Butts,” a live, two-man and

Sycamore for his ability to push through the work to find the magic.

a foley (sound effects) artist, “shot for shot” parody of the movie “Jurassic Park.” TimeOut NY named it one of the Top 10 Comedy

________________________

shows of 2014. The same team next created “Fly, You Fools,” a parody of the first “Lord of the Rings” movie, and in 2016, created

Abeel grew up in Indianapolis. He first went to a Montessori

“KEVIN!!!!!” a live “shot for shot” parody of “Home Alone”

program in the Indianapolis public school system through 4th

featuring puppets, projections, and a four-person choir.

grade. But he wasn’t in a place that was right for him.

While he lives in New York, his image and his work in his younger, “I was always working a year ahead, and at the end of 4th grade,

still-in-Indiana days, lives on. For a long time, he was the

we had a kind of a crossroads of what are we going to do the

spokesman for Rose Hulman’s Homework Hotline and he is still

next year,” he says. “We started shopping around for schools and

in the film they show to children before going through a surgery at

Sycamore seemed like a great fit for my needs,” as he would be

Riley’s Children’s Hospital. Since moving, he has helped develop

transitioning to a new school for middle school. “All of a sudden I

new work with some of the top theaters in New York, performed

was in school with kids who were very similar.”

regionally, shot many student films, and learned to play the piano to boot. He is even in a performing company called Broken

20

ALUMNI Box Mime Theater, a collaborative ensemble creating original contemporary short stories entirely through movement. “Mime,” he writes on his website. “Yes, mime. We’re bringin’ it back.”

Abeel has created an acting and writing resume that is varied and impressive. He is an Indiana guy who has embraced the big city. And he remembers Sycamore School as a catalyst for helping him follow his passion.

“I would tell Sycamore 8th graders to follow their passion and follow their instincts,” he says. “My career looks very different than I expected it to. My girlfriend has asked me ‘what do you think you would have done if you had not done this?’ and I have no answer for that. I feel like when I was in 8th grade, what I thought that an acting career might look like and what I’m doing now is delightfully very different. Be open to the possibility of possibilities.” n

“I THINK I HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT I LEARNED IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND DIRECTLY APPLIED TO THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT I’M DOING NOW.” 21

ALUMNI

TINA TALIERCIO

else. “I’ve always been interested in planes, and always interested in flying.” Tina did an introductory flight at the airport in Fishers, and liked it so much that she signed up for lessons. “When I went out to

One of the fondest memories for Tina Taliercio (’05) is staring out

my on discovery flight, it was the most amazing thing ever.”

the window in Miss O’Malley’s grammar class. The action would prompt Miss O’Malley to print out pictures of cute dogs with

She got her private pilot’s license at Tom Wood Aviation and her

messages like “Pay attention, Tina!” and then tape them to her desk.

professional flight ratings through ATP Flight School. She became a flight instructor for several years before getting hired

“Tina was unique. She was her own person,”

as an Embraer 175 First Officer at SkyWest Airlines,

longtime Sycamore teacher, Mary O’Malley,

who contracts with airlines like United and flies

says. “She was comfortable being herself no

smaller planes for them, on shorter routes.

matter the circumstances. She was memorable because of her unique creative mind and keen

Transitioning to a new career, especially one like

sense of humor.”

becoming a pilot, requires learning a significant amount of new information, Taliercio believes her

“When I was in Middle School, I was very much

Sycamore experience made the process a lot easier.

kind of wrapped up in my own little world,” Taliercio admits. “Ms. O’Malley had a really

“You develop really good study habits (at Sycamore),

encouraging way to make me stay engaged in class. She liked to give

and (with becoming a pilot) there’s so much information that we

me little notes. It was all very positive and I think that that’s why

are expected to learn and to be able to understand. In training for

I came away with such a positive experience, where at a different

this airline, it was really useful because they really throw all this

school, it could have been totally different.”

stuff at you. I had already learned how to process information, how to actually interpret the information, and understand which is

________________________

important in the big picture.” ________________________

Taliercio graduated from University High School in 2009 and Kenyon College in 2013 with a degree in Philosophy. It was after college that she found herself still searching for the path to her

Taliercio says she didn’t know what she wanted to do for a career

professional passion. While seeking that which would make her

and was willing to wait for the answer to come to her. Her advice to

happiest, she worked in the western United States for a couple years.

Sycamore students who are headed to high school and to college, who may not have found their passion, is a message of patience. “I

“Originally, I went to college thinking I would study a creative

would tell students not to limit themselves. I didn’t really think that

writing or Spanish, and I didn’t end up doing either,” she says. “I

this path was available to me until I was in my twenties,” she says. “It

do still love to read, and I read a lot. After college, I started working

was just never something that occurred to me that I could go do. If

at the outdoor industry and doing physical stuff in California and

you think you have strengths and weaknesses, the strength could get

Wyoming. I worked for about a year in California for a company that

stronger, or the weakness can become a strength. There are a lot of

took middle school and high school kids climbing and canoeing.

options out there.”

There was a little bit of a ‘what should I do with my life’ moment

Taliercio currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah and still has her

that Tina thinks “most people in their early twenties go through”

Caesar’s English and Word Within a Word books. n

so she came home and decided that she wanted to try something

22

ALUMNI

student perspective to the campaign’s steering committee and, in turn, to encourage my fellow students to support our campaign.”

Along with a few friends, including Sycamore and North Central classmate, Joey Mervis, Schwartz founded Students for MSDWT (Metropolitan School District of Washington Township) with a twofold mission: to organize students around the particular campaigns they were working on; and, more broadly, to encourage high school students to engage meaningfully in the school board politics that directly impact their everyday lives.

SCHWARTZ PURSUES VOTING INITIATIVES Jonathan Schwartz (’13) is one of the founders and leaders of Every Vote Counts, and in the fall of 2019, he was invited to sit on a panel entitled “Cast Your Vote: How Students are Shaping American Democracy” at the #SpeechMatters event at the University of California. A junior at Yale, Schwartz is pursuing a double major in Economics and Statistics and Data Science as well as an Advanced Language Certificate in Spanish. Yet his education in the classroom is only part of his story. And he credits his experience at Sycamore as a driver in his ability to juggle his classroom education, his extracurricular work, and his desire to push himself to become a leader. ________________________ Schwartz says his interest in the voting process started during his senior year at North Central High School.

“During the fall of my senior year at North Central High School, I was involved with a campaign to pass two funding referenda for Washington Township Schools and to elect the school board candidates endorsed by our district’s parents’ and teachers’ associations,” he says. “My job was to represent the

“Our success was incredible,” he says of the high school program.

“Over the course of a few short months, we engaged hundreds of students in phone banking, door knocking, and voter registration. I’ve always been interested in politics, and I chose these particular causes to work on because I care deeply about maintaining high-quality public schools and wanted to do everything I could to support the teachers and administrators who had done so much to support me.” ________________________ Fast forward to his freshman year at Yale in 2017, and Schwartz found himself at the first Every Vote Counts (EVC) meeting in the basement of the Yale library with around 30 students. He says he realized that our democracy, with a voting turnout of less than half of his age group, could be in trouble, and he wanted to do what he could to reverse this course.

He joined EVC with the aspiration of building a national, nonpartisan organization dedicated to increasing voter turnout and civic engagement on college campuses. Since then, they’ve built the organization at Yale, hired a full time staff, and expanded to nearly 50 chapters around the country. In addition to his leadership as a founder of the organization, Schwartz serves both as Director of Voter Engagement for the Yale chapter and a member of EVC’s National Advisory Board.

In this role as leader of the Yale “Every Vote Counts” group, Schwartz was surprised to learn a large reason for low voter turnout for young voters. “I figured there were students like us all around the country organizing and mobilizing to ensure our

23

ALUMNI

generation was heard at the ballot box. To my surprise, I learned

“I realize that what made Sycamore so special and so instrumental

that I was terribly wrong. People ages 18-24 voted at the lowest

in my educational career is not what I learned, though I’ll never

rate of any age group: a mere 43%.”

forget the hundreds of roots, prefixes, and suffixes I learned in Ms. O’Malley’s class or the story of the Battle of Balaklava as told by

After three years in the field, Schwartz learned a sobering truth:

Mr. Young,” he says. “But that I learned how to learn. I learned the

he was finding that young people aren’t voting because they don’t

importance of thinking, reading, and writing critically, the value of

believe their vote, or their right to vote, matters.

asking questions and of exploring primary sources, and the need to take notes and organize myself in a way that works for me.”

“Troublingly, over the past few years, it’s become clear to me that what we’re facing now is more than just a failure of our election

One of his favorite teachers was Tony Young, the longtime

system. We’re facing a crisis of faith in our democracy. I care

Middle School History teacher. “On top of the energy and

about voting because I care about our democracy. Americans, and

genuine care he brings to the classroom every day, Mr. Young

especially those in my generation, too often forget that American

teaches young people how to be informed and engaged caretakers

democracy is an experiment, not a rule. It’s something that must be

of our democracy.” Schwartz remembers how Young would ask

continually supported and nurtured with our participation and care.”

students to form an argument about the use of the atomic bomb, discuss student protest and participation during the Cold War

As Schwartz learned more about the voting habits of those in his age

era, or host Supreme Court simulations. “Mr. Young consistently

group, he found recent history showed turnout in this age group had

encouraged us to form and debate our opinions and to think

not risen above 50%. Learning this fired Schwartz up to continue his

critically about our government and our history.”

quest to get young voters involved in the process, and to the polls. Or as he says, “fight to engage my generation in our democracy.”

________________________

In it for the long game, Schwartz says they want to work on

“I have a lot of different titles with a lot of different groups,”

continuing to expand the organizations reach and create new

he says. “But my role in all of them is the same: to think about

chapters around the country. That will allow reach beyond the 2020

ways we can best develop a culture and community of voter

election, as they institute ideas that promote civic engagement as a

participation and civic engagement on campus.”

year-round lifestyle rather than an election-centered exercise.

In addition to his roles with EVC, Schwartz is a leader of the “While we’ve grown and learned a lot as an organization, our

Yale Votes Taskforce, a committee chartered by the Associate

core mission has remained the same: to increase voter turnout and

Vice President of Student Life and the Yale College Council

expand voter access nationwide through engagement, education,

with the goals of improving voter turnout on Yale’s campus and

and reform. We do this by leading inclusive voter engagement

coordinating voter engagement efforts across the university. He is

efforts on our campuses, advocating for expanded ballot access at

also a member of the National Student Board, and the Director

the federal and state levels, and educating our communities about

of Voter Engagement for Yale’s chapter.

the importance of civic leadership.”

“In each of these roles, I develop resources, tools, and best practices ________________________

to conduct voter engagement efforts on college campuses and share them with our partners around the country,” he says. Schwartz

24

While he is neck-deep in what he is taking on in college, Schwartz

represents Yale at the Ivy League Votes Challenge, which is a

says his Sycamore experiences have shaped how he continues to

coalition of students from each of the eight Ivy League schools

tackle his education and his work outside of the classroom.

formed to coordinate efforts and set goals for civic engagement on

ALUMNI campuses. He also leads the Yale Census Coalition, a coalition of

He also authored the Center’s recent Speech Spotlight

student organizations working together to ensure a complete count

publication: Engaging Student Voters.

of the Yale and New Haven Communities in the 2020 Census.

“It’s incredibly important to mention just how much has changed “I’m not entirely sure what I’d like to do immediately after college,

since I started this voter work in 2017. At the beginning, I figured

though I’m fairly confident that I’d like to go to law school at some

low voter turnout was a mechanical problem. I thought lack of

point,” says Schwartz, who worked as an intern on Senator Joe

enthusiasm and the difficulty of the process were the primary

Donnelly’s campaign in 2018 and as a Summer Legislative Assistant

reasons young people were failing to vote.”

at the Anti-Defamation League in 2019. This summer, he was scheduled to be working at a leading economic consulting firm in

What he has discovered is the perceived lack of influence felt by

Washington, D.C. That is on hold during the Coronavirus shutdown.

young voters within the voting process. As he mentioned in his panel speech at the #SpeechMatters Conference, the only American

“I know with certainty, though, that whatever I do, I’ll find a

democracy his generation knows has been one “manipulated by

way, either as a vocation or avocation, to continue working on

politicians on both sides of the aisle, interest groups, and foreign

the issues I care deeply about.”

governments.” He says it should come with little surprise that now, a generation of disfunction is starting to take its toll.

________________________ “What this means is not that we should give up, but that we While it might seem like a lot of work for a college student to

need to fight harder for a future we can all believe in and

fill the many self-created roles during the year, Schwartz has a

rededicate ourselves to the American values that have allowed

boundless passion and energy for the jobs. One of his passions is

our democracy to thrive in the past. It means we need to reclaim

his work for the University of California’s “National Center for

an American patriotism by debating our opinions, criticizing our

Free Speech and Civic Engagement on Campus.”

leaders, and participating in our democratic process. It means we need to listen to young people’s thoughts and experiences and

“One of the Center’s cornerstone programs is its annual

convince them that our democracy can work for them, too.

#SpeechMatters conference. This year, I had the incredible honor of speaking at the conference on a panel entitled ‘Cast

“It’s what makes our country extraordinary and it’s why I’m

Your Vote: How Students are Shaping American Democracy.’”

proud to be an American.” n

25

ALUMNI

he says. “I transferred from Spring Mill Elementary School mainly for the Sycamore art program in 1996-97, and was at Sycamore second grade through eighth grade.” ________________________ With the varied projects Panfil has worked on, he has been bouncing from genre to genre, working to find his niche in the arts, and searching to his find balance as a multi-disciplined creator.

After graduating from North Central High School, Panfil attended The College of Santa Fe (now Santa Fe College of Art & Design) from 2007 until 2009, studying film production. He finished his BA in Communications & Culture at Indiana University in 2011. He attended graduate school at Herron School of Art & Design. He has worked for three years as lead videographer for RAW Artists in Indianapolis. Among his honors as a young filmmaker, Matt received first place in Downtown Indy’s “We Welcome All” $5,000

MATT PANFIL

video challenge, and his entry was featured on their website to promote growth in Indianapolis.

I’ve been making art since I was very small. I was a really little kid who always

He worked as a painting instructor at Mimosa & A Masterpiece,

liked all kinds of art. That has never changed.”. – MATT PANFIL

and showcased artwork at the Murphy Building in Fountain Square as well as The Landmarks Gallery, DO317 Lounge, the

Panfil (’03), is the co-founder, head art curator, and installation

Broad Ripple Art Center, and The 5547 Gallery in Irvington. In

artist for Healer, a collaborative art/music space located near

2016, Matt was selected as solo exhibition artist for The Attic

Fountain Square. HEALER DIY is part art space, as Indianapolis

Gallery in August, and was chosen NUVO Magazine’s “Best of

artists showcase their work in monthly exhibitions. It is also a

Local Visual 3D Artists.” As a writer, Matt has penned two novels,

bar, featuring live music. As it mixes different art forms, Panfil

several screenplays and short stories, a poetry anthology, and a

just says he wants visitors to engage in the art in a way unique to

stage play. His poetry has been published by KNACK Magazine

galleries in Indianapolis.

and The Pine Grove Literary Review, and a short story, “Sounds of Silence,” was published by The Saturday Evening Post as a

“Healer is definitely something where I have complete creative

finalist in their Great American Fiction Contest.

control as the art director and the co-founder,” he says. “It is really a culmination of all of the art practices that I’ve been interested in

________________________

since I was a kid. I just want to make sure that people engage.”

“I thought I felt almost overprepared entering high school, but Panfil says his love of art surfaced early, and his parents

in a really good way,” Matt says about his education after leaving

recognized his gift. “My parents saw art was something that I had

Sycamore. “Nothing really felt that difficult or challenging

a passion for early on so they encouraged me to draw and create,”

because Sycamore prepared me so well.” He says the Sycamore lessons would carry into adulthood. “I know other Sycamore

26

them later in life, because we all have this same kind of drive that was instilled in us from an early age.”

That Sycamore-nurtured drive kept pushing Panfil to grow as an artist, and when a friend reached out to him with an offer, he took it. That decision to lead HEALER keeps him busy. “He said he had an office building, and asked if I wanted to decorate it with art.

We kept the cubicles and turned it into an immersive art space.” It was 2017. The building, formerly a healthcare billing office, had been a space where a band called Dog Brother practiced. Two bandmates, Ben Sutphin and Colin Oakley, joined Panfil in the endeavor. They brought the music. Matt brought the art.

ALUMNI

people without even hearing that were from Sycamore, meeting

“NOTHING REALLY FELT THAT DIFFICULT OR CHALLENGING BECAUSE SYCAMORE PREPARED ME SO WELL.”

“The best thing is when people play with the stuff,” he says. “We’re all ages - we will have toddlers and then we’ll have people in their 70s.” In 2020, they continued their monthly artist-in-residence program, were home to a string of concerts, held a Valentine’s Day benefit for Indiana Youth Group (IYG), and hosted a group meditation session done in fellowship and solidarity with climate activists from across the globe, with the intention of bringing peace, promoting healing, and creating a better world.

It is a varied artistic life that Panfil leads, as he pulls others into his artistic world, shepherding those who venture into HEALER through some of Indianapolis’ unique art and performances; his own visions shaped by those artists around him.

“I would say if you were an artist the best most realistic path - no matter where you go - is that you have to carve your own path. You have to make something that is honest to you. Don’t feel like you have to go the normal route of going to art school, getting the degree, and then showing your work in galleries,” he says of students who might be considering chasing their artistic dreams professionally or just as a side hustle. “What it really comes down to is making something that is different and genuine, and carving your own way, whatever that means. Do what you can with what you have.” n

27

ALUMNI

“I LOVED TONY YOUNG’S HISTORY CLASS. I REMEMBER THE COURT CASE WHERE I COULDN’T WAIT TO DO THE RESEARCH.”

ELLIE KLEMSZ “The experience was the scariest thing I have ever done but also the most rewarding. In the end, I think it taught me to take risks. I learned to believe in myself.” -- ELLIE KLEMSZ, ON TRAVELING TO BOLIVIA TO VOLUNTEER WITH CHILDREN

“It was my first time traveling out of the country on my own, living in a new city where I hardly knew anyone,” Ellie Klemsz (’10) says of her Bolivian experience, volunteering after graduating from Indiana University in 2018. At Indiana University, she was a member of the IU women’s rowing team, a cyclist in Little 500, and a double major in Sports Media and Spanish. She now works for the Indiana Pacers, and was recently promoted to the position of Corporate Ticket Sales Manager. She made the decision to defer getting a “big kid job” for a year by moving to Cochabamba, Bolivia in January 2019, to volunteer. The seed of that decision sprouted in the summer of 2015, when family friends invited the Ellie and her family to go to Bolivia with them to volunteer. They spent a week in Cochabamba with the local children.

“It was one of the best experiences of my life,” Klemsz says. “When I was graduating from IU and deciding what I wanted to do, I got back in touch with the Niños con Valor (a volunteer organization for children) leaders to see if a volunteer experience would be possible.”

She ended up living there for four months. “I was using my Spanish, and I was hanging out with kids who I absolutely loved and I was experiencing a new country. I’ve always loved traveling and then the more I thought about it, I was like ‘I don’t want to go to another country to teach English. I want to go to another country to live and to experience it and do something that I will love.’” ________________________ Klemsz latched onto Spanish as an avenue of study at Sycamore and into high school. She attended University High School, where she excelled as a three-sport athlete and developed her passion for the language. She found that the Spanish classes at Sycamore had given her the ability to move ahead quickly, and to immerse herself in the language.

28

ALUMNI

where I couldn’t wait to do the research and have other cases as evidence. It was so much fun. When I was at Sycamore, I didn’t know that I was smart, and I didn’t know I had abilities that other people didn’t just because everyone was so talented.”

Once away from Sycamore, Klemsz started to see opportunities that her education presented her, and the ability to take some chances, knowing she would have the safety of her experiences in school help sustain her.

“I remember being scared when I got on a flight to fly to South America by myself. I was terrified, and it turned out to be the best thing I’ve ever done. In the end, I think it taught me to take risks.

I learned to believe in myself more and be confident in myself and my decisions. I quickly fell in love with the city of Cochabamba, my host family, my friends I met there, and most importantly working with the kids. I settled into a daily routine, and it truly felt like my home. I think the biggest thing was getting accustomed to the language. The people were so friendly, and they would want you just to come into their home and eat food, and more food and hang “I got to high school, and I already knew how to write a paper

out. I felt fulfilled working with the kids in a way no class, no job,

and how to do research and (realized) I’m really pretty good

no sport, etc. had ever made me feel - I truly went to work every

at math, and love to read, and can analyze books. I can speak

day excited and happy. I’m grateful to the people I met there who

Spanish,” she says. “I can do all these things my peers couldn’t.

taught me countless lessons about life, friendships, and family. I

I don’t think I realized I had any of those abilities until I left the

have a new perspective on and deep love for the country of Bolivia

bubble of Sycamore. Then I got to high school and realized that

and the people there. I try and remain grateful and express my

I had a talent for Spanish, and that it was something that I can be

gratitude for all of the people and experiences in my life.”

good at. My teacher really inspired me to read a book in Spanish, watch a movie in Spanish. You could communicate with people in

Klemsz, who kept a journal while she was there, said she recently

other countries just with this one skill. I think there’s something

read her final entries from the week she was leaving to return

like a musicality to Spanish and just a magic to it that doesn’t exist

home. “I wrote about how I was scared of not being able to be as

in English for me. That really inspired me.”

happy as I was in Bolivia when coming back to the US, and while I can say I am happy with my life right now, a part of me will

________________________

always wish I was back there. I got to travel to incredible places that I’d never knew existed. Eventually, I would love to be back in

As Klemsz reflects on her education at Sycamore, she believes it

Bolivia on a yearly basis or even a more permanent one. This sort

has given her a foundation that she can appreciate now that she

of uncertainty would’ve terrified a younger version of myself, but

has finished her high school and college studies.

I am happy to be where I am, and I look forward to seeing where the next 5, 10, 15 years take me.” n

“I loved Word Within a Word,” she says. “I loved Tony Young’s history class. I remember vividly the court case that we did

29

ALUMNI

ALUMNI RETURN FOR ANNUAL PANEL

BY MARY O’MALLEY | ALUMNI COORDINATOR

The annual spring Sycamore Alumni Panel brought back 15 alumni from area high schools as well as some past parents to share their secondary school experiences. Sycamore graduates Anna Sanborn, sophomore, and Rachel Moore, senior, represented Brebeuf. The Bhatia sisters, Janvi, junior, and Rhea, sophomore, returned from Carmel. Cathedral was represented

by Charlotte Thompson, freshman; Owen Wright, junior; and Anya Neumeister, senior. Another senior, Jonathan Papp, came back from North Central as did freshman, Hudson Pangan. The Mukhin twins, Dan and Nik, spoke about Park Tudor, along with sophomore, Mary Kate Tanselle. University High School students included sophomore, Gabe Mervis and freshman, Jaclyn Copeland. Finally, Grace Hendry was the sole first year student from Zionsville.

There was a preliminary past parent-current parent session prior to the panel, while pizza was served to the alumni as they mingled with each other sharing high school stories and catching up with one another.

During the formal panel-style presentation, alumni addressed specific questions ranging from “What is block scheduling?” to “What is something you would like to change about your current high school situation?” all while entertaining the audience with their knowledge, advice, wit, and wisdom. Perhaps the most impressive part of the evening was not only how articulate and thorough the representatives were, but also how forthright they were about their current high school choices, explaining both the strengths and weaknesses of their institutions.

Here is some solid advice in the words of the panelists and a current parent:

30

“The alumni panel was such a great informative session for parents and middle schoolers to learn what lies ahead. The returning students were composed, articulate, and insightful, and they offered great advice to all attendees on how to navigate choosing a high school. The funny thing is, more than being an advertisement for any high school, it felt like an advertisement for Sycamore because I was so impressed with the graduates on the panel and how they held themselves.” - SUMI MAUN, MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENT AND SSA PRESIDENT

“Make the most of what Sycamore has to offer academically as you will use this knowledge no matter which school you decide to attend. Large schools such as North Central provide students with independence and opportunity to thrive.” – JONATHAN PAPP (’16)

“Sycamore prepares students on an extraordinary level for high school. It may not seem like it now, but as soon as you enter high school, it will become apparent to you and others why you would choose Sycamore. It is beyond words amazing, what the people here at Sycamore do. Cherish that and use what you have been given to further enhance your future.” – DANIEL MUKHIN (’19)

“I have been impressed by the support of the Park Tudor community, both the students and the teachers. For the size of the school there is such a great quality and quantity of opportunities, from clubs to sports to fine arts, I feel like PT has it all and is willing to work with their students to let them explore everything they want to.

The size is also really great because I get a personal, one-on-one experience with my teachers (because of the small class size), but I still get to enjoy football games and prom and other “normal” high school experiences.

There is no doubt that Sycamore prepares each and every kid very well for high school, and Park Tudor is no exception. I am so thankful to have had the timemanagement, test, and note- taking skills that I learned and developed at Sycamore to help ease my school work freshman year as I adjusted to a new school and sophomore year as my classes are becoming increasingly more difficult.” -- MARY KATE TANSELLE (’18)

“I think University is one of the best places, with endless opportunities, freedom, and amazing people. I thrive here, but I owe so much of my knowledge and skills to Sycamore.” -- JACLYN COPELAND (’19)

“Although high school did seem scary at first, Sycamore prepared me amazingly well, and it has offered me opportunities that you don’t find anywhere else.” – GRACE HENDRY (’19)

ALUMNI “Brebeuf provides a welcoming space for growth in learning skills during Personal Responsibility Time blocks (PRTs) and for students to advocate for social justice in open all-school diversity dialogues.” – RACHEL MOORE (’16)

“Sycamore gave me the foundation for the challenges of high school, and Brebeuf Jesuit is giving me the foundation for the challenges of life” – (ANNA SANBORN (’18)

“If you really take the initiative to utilize the amazing teachers and resources you have at Sycamore, you come out with the skill set to take on any challenge high school can throw at you.” -- JANVI BHATIA (’17) n

“SYCAMORE PREPARES STUDENTS ON AN EXTRAORDINARY LEVEL FOR HIGH SCHOOL.” – DANIEL MUKHIN (’19)

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COLLEGE CHOICES SYCAMORE SCHOOL CLASS OF 2016 Zainab Athar

Justin Kinchen

Jonathan Papp

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Kaitlyn Beheler

Annabelle Klemsz

Sahvan Patel

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

John Branigan

Brian Liu

Sarah Robertson

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

Margaret Brooks CLARKSON UNIVERSITY

Joshua Rue Nicole Lueck

IUPUI

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Ethan Caldwell PURDUE UNIVERSITY

Madalyn Sailors Chandler McGruder

DEPAUW UNIVERSITY

UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Joseph Chandler

Emily Schwartz

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Jasmine McWilliams

Varun Chheda

Kendrick Mernitz

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

Faith Dee

Sophie Mernitz

UNDETERMINED

UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

Reis Fogarty

Nicolas Milender

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

GAP YEAR

Connor Granlund

Jack Milton

BALL STATE UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

William Hall

Rachel Moore

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY

Cameron Hillsman

Marina Morgan

PURDUE UNIVERSITY

CORNELL UNIVERSITY

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Da Hyun Hong

Richard Nargang

Matthew Xie

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

INDIANA UNIVERSITY

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Jacqueline Hur

Catherine Neuman

Iris Yan

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY

UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Anya Neumeister

Jenny W. Zhao

DAVIDSON COLLEGE

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

Robert Sheffield DEPAUW UNIVERSITY

Aidan Sher UNDETERMINED

Anusha Sinha INDIANA UNIVERSITY

Joseph Smith UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN

Lawrence Trowbridge INDIANA UNIVERSITY

Karen Wang

Nicholas Jeffery PURDUE UNIVERSITY

32

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR SPOTLIGHT NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP FINALISTS:

COMMENDED NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARS:

VARUN CHHEDA

JUSTIN KINCHEN

PARK TUDOR Presidential Scholar Candidate

JACK MILTON

CAMERON HILLSMAN

RICHARD NARGANG

Commended graduate at CARMEL

ANYA NEUMEISTER Valedictorian at CATHEDRAL

MICHELLE HONG Commended graduate at CARMEL JACKIE HUR Distinguished graduate at CARMEL MADALYN SAILORS “Top Distinguished Scholar” at CARMEL IRIS YAN Distinguished graduate at CARMEL JENNY ZHAO PARK TUDOR

ANUSHA SINHA JOE CHANDLER Held the position of Regimental Commander at CULVER, which is the highest position available to CMA cadets.

WILLIAM HALL BREBEUF PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL

Awarded the Equitable Excellence Award for the State of Indiana.

RACHEL MOORE Won the Chief ’s Award for Girls Basketball and the St. Ignatius Award for Cross Country at BREBEUF.

COLLEGE ATHLETICS: The following members of the Sycamore Class of 2016 have been awarded athletic/academic scholarships: JASMINE MCWILLIAMS NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Basketball WILL ATTEND NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY

2020 Indiana All-Star

1st Team All Marion County

Indiana North/South All-Star Game

Honorable mention academic All-State

2020 All USA Today Central Indiana Super Team 2020 Hoosiers Reunion All-Star Classic/All Stars

Member of the 1,000 point club

CHANDLER MCGRUDER IMG ACADEMY, BRADENTON, FLORIDA

Football, running back

WILL ATTEND UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

Freshman year: Varsity Rookie Of The Year award Junior year: Special Teams MVP, Scholar-athlete award

Senior year: Scholar-Athlete award

ROBBIE SHEFFIELD BREBEUF JESUIT PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL

Swimming WILL ATTEND DEPAUW UNIVERSITY

Chief ’s Award

MADALYN SAILORS CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL

Track and Cross Country

WILL ATTEND DEPAUW UNIVERSITY

First Team Academic All-State

SOPHIE MERNITZ CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Diving WILL ATTEND UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

TOP: Graduation ceremony of the Class of 2016 | BOTTOM: The 2016 class Zoom reunion this year

33

HIGH SCHOOL DESTINATIONS SYCAMORE SCHOOL CLASS OF 2020 BREBEUF JESUIT PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL

TJ Cole Valerie Kossman Will Loftus Nicholas Passarelli CATHEDRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Drew Whalen

Alex Lu Emeline Morse Aarish Sakib Rohan Shah Ria Tandra Hanna Warren Dani Wei Kate Weigand Benjamin Wilkerson Kaden Xu

CARMEL HIGH SCHOOL

Solomon Arterburn Sara Fulk Akshay Guttikonda Athul Ramkumar Oliver Seifert Alex Wei Jonathan Yang Nelson You PARK TUDOR

Nicholas Bullard Abby Cheng Mary Cudworth Sruthi Devarapalli Aditi Dey Anastasia Ebersole Michael Fryburg Cooper Grabow

34

NORTH CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Erik Haggstrom Porter Kandel Sam Mulvey Avery Outcalt Keegan Pyatt UNIVERSITY HIGH SCHOOL

Marie Coutant Anna Hargrove Lily Hovda Lauren Janeira Owen Murray Kara Wang ZIONSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL

Annabel Hermacinski

WORDS FROM THE CLASS OF 2020 Before the end of the school year, a number of Sycamore 8th graders put their thoughts into words and reflected on their time at Sycamore School.

Here are excerpts from some of this year’s graduates.

HANNA WARREN

Why does Sycamore feel so special? It isn’t because the actual building is magical. The thing that makes this place feel like it does is the people. I only had the luck to be here two years, and from an outsider’s point of view, let me just say this: the class of 2020 and the amazing staff aren’t the typical middle school students or teachers. Everyone has a little extra kindness, a little extra perseverance, a little extra something. When I arrived here in seventh grade, I was immediately surrounded by people who wanted to learn, who wanted to grow into better people, and ultimately, people who just wanted to be friends. I didn’t have to seek out new people to hang out with; they sought me out. Sycamore is like a family, which is what makes separating our class so much harder. There is very little I would change about my experiences here. Everything seems so finalized, but

Hanna Warren

we certainly still have a long way to go. As Winston Churchill

then become more adjusted to these challenges. Change is

so wisely said, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the

necessary. As you get older you must change, you must grow as a

courage to continue that counts.”

person. When something important in your life changes, you’re vulnerable and you see yourself as weak because you haven’t

EMALINE MORSE

experienced something and it worries you. I am not ready for

We have been dealing with change and a multitude have

the change to high school, but I wasn’t ready for my change

happened in just these past three months. We have been strong.

to Sycamore. Now, I look back at how I was feeling and can’t

We have adapted to the online school. For me, online school

imagine a world where I didn’t love Sycamore.

was challenging because I wanted to spend our last Sycamore months with friends, sitting around the lunch table, going to

ALEX LU

clubs, science or history competitions, asking teachers questions

After three years of roaming its halls, Sycamore truly became a

in person, having a typical school day routine. What I learned

part of me. From the moment I stepped into the hallway, I felt

through the last two years is that challenges help us grow and

a kind of warmth and friendship emanating from everyone I

our close-knit community helps us listen, give advice, and

met. Everybody spoke to one another like they were best friends.

35

Everyone said hi. I hadn’t experienced this before. Instead of impassive stares and stony faces, everyone seemed happy and excited to be here. Finally, everyone seemed to know so much.

The record board in the math room stretched for miles down.

I didn’t know the names, or the contests, but it certainly looked impressive. Nobody stared blankly into space. Everyone was engaged and active. Waking up every morning and seeing my comrades in arms laughing and greeting me became a daily routine. And all too soon the coronavirus cut our last few months together short. The emptiness I hear every morning and the unfamiliar sunlight I see at my window instead of pitch black reveals how much I need my friends and community here at Sycamore.

ROHAN SHAH

We will never forget the connections we have made since we first walked through the doors of Sycamore School. I’ve grown so much not only as a student at my time at Sycamore, but as a person. I’ve learned to grow from my mistakes. I feel our class has learned to support each other more. We’ve become more independent each year and figured out that Sycamore is a place where we can all learn to trust each other. Now, you can see how much we’ve matured over the years. Sycamore has given me new opportunities and pushed me to become a better person.

T.J. Cole

T.J. COLE

I have a poem in my room. It sits against my bathroom mirror, and every morning, when I get up, I look at it. There is one quote that really sticks with me. “Know, though, that things worth

SARA FULK

doing seldom come easy. There will be good days and there will

Sycamore has taught me so many amazing things. It’s taught me

be bad days. There will be times when you want to turn around,

that Oxford commas are the most important kind of comma.

pack it up and call it quits. Those times tell you… that you are

It’s taught me that you should always adapt your thinking to the

not afraid to learn by trying.” We remember the characters of

needs of the day. I think the most important thing that I have

epic stories, not because of how many lives they changed, but

learned is how to fail - an important skill to have. I remember

because, like the poem said, they had many chances to turn

coming home with a minus on a paper in first grade and I was so

around. To give up. To forget that whatever evil they were fight-

upset. I thought I failed at being smart.

ing even existed. To go back home like nothing ever happened.

We remember these characters because they had every chance

Comparison is the death of happiness. I truly believe that. There

to go back, but they didn’t. None of you have had troubleless

are always going to be kids that do better than me. Not just in

lives. You have fought hard battles, faced every challenge that has

school, but in life. When I get a good grade on something, I al-

come upon you, and kept going even when your goals seemed im-

ways try to think about how well I did and not how someone else

possible to reach. As you go on to the next chapter of your story,

did. I also try to keep my celebrations to a minimum because I

remember that it is your story. Live it right.

know what it feels like to be the kid that did not do well.

36

Akshay Guttikonda

RIA TANDRA

ones, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to

Every single one of us has made an impact on each other. That

think that they can change the world, are the ones who do.” So, to

impact will be with us always through high school, college, and

my fellow graduating class, let’s change the world together.

throughout our whole lives. I truly believe happiness comes from having a large, caring, close-knit family that I get right here at Sycamore. We are a family of many people of many different personalities and we see things a different way, in our own way. We push each other to be the best we can and fight, laugh, and learn together every single day. We all have gifts that make us who we are and those gifts bring us together. We embrace each other and truly have gotten to know each other. Family is anyone that cares for you and loves you unconditionally and in my eyes, I see amazing people who have grown to be strong, talented individuals. The great Steve Jobs once said “Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes, the ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward, and while some may see them as the crazy

AKSHAY GUTTIKONDA

My Sycamore education has made the person I am today, ready to take on whatever the world throws my way. This experience allows me to move forward and pursue my goals and dream for the future, and has provided a great foundation for my education that can be built upon. Along with the classes provided here at Sycamore, the extracurricular activities here have provided outlets for me and my classmates to find our niche and passion. From Debate to Science Bowl, Sycamore has offered a wide range of activities that has peaked our interests and paved our future. I will remember these fond memories, from racing to find the answer in MATHCOUNTS to winning the league in Sycamore tennis.

These extracurriculars have been amazing and truly a gift for all of us, as I will never forget all these wonderful opportunities and activities we participated in, here at Sycamore. n

37

Sycamore parents, Lori Fulk and Courtney Comer, recently partnered in a quest to get all the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) sitting unused in homes around Indianapolis to those who need it most.

Comer and Fulk are both RNs and felt the call to help from home.

To find the supplies, Fulk reached out via social media channels like Next Door, Carmel Moms, Facebook, on email, and Craig’s List. Comer reached out to hospice groups and cancer care support groups. They drove to gather N95s, surgical masks, and gloves that were in people’s homes, unused from home remodeling projects, and even family members no longer needing them after chemo treatment.

Courtney’s husband, Brian, picked up so much, his car was broken into and had PPE stolen. Fulks says she filled the back of her minivan twice. The duo donated to individuals working on the front lines, and they made three hospital deliveries, two to Methodist, and one very large donation to Eskenazi. By early April, they had donated almost a thousand N95s and surgical

SYCAMORE PARENTS PARTNER TO SUPPLY PPE

masks, hundreds of gowns, and thousands of gloves.

Fulks says hardest part of this journey has been weeding through the PPE scams. “I’ve spent hours on the phone and internet learning the ins and outs of FDA importing, the nature of the import business, and the unreal scams happening across the globe. I’m very grateful for my background, both in pharmacy research and FDA liaison work, because I’m not sure I could have peeled back the layers without it.”

Comer’s kids even made special signs to cheer on the healthcare workers in our community.

“Courtney and I kept all of the supplies outside of our homes,” Fulk says. “Everything we gathered was in immediate need, so nothing even stayed in our possession for more than 24 hours.” n

ABOVE: Courtney Comer with some of the PPE they collected

38

00

SYCAMORE NEWS + NOTES

SYCAMORE PARTICIPATES IN GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE

OTHER SYCAMORE ACTIVITIES DURING THE GREAT KINDNESS CHALLENGE:

Sycamore School families and community

• Students kept a checklist of kind acts completed throughout the week.

members participated in The Great Kindness Challenge during the last week of January. The challenge is a positive, proactive kindness initiative, and this was the third year Sycamore had participated in this program. Over 13 million youth in 121 countries actively create a culture of peace through The Great Kindness Challenge, and The Peace Pledge Program. The year’s theme was “Helping Hands”. Throughout the week, the students collected gloves and mittens to donate to Washington Township

• A school assembly kicked off the week, highlighting Kindness pieces written by students in November during World Kindness Day. • Multi-age “Kindness Teams” completed service projects at Sycamore.

• Be the “I” in Kind banner available in the lobby for fun pics.

• There a was a “Compli-Mittens” bulletin board for students and staff to post compliments all week.

• Students added to the paper links in the “Kindness Chain” that was started in 2019. n

students who needed additional resources to get them through winter.

ABOVE: The students, teachers, and staff gathered in the gym for an all-school photo during Kindness Week.

40

BORGMANN, TALON TED VISIT 43 GRADS

for History Bee. Sonali Guttikonda finished

Elementary Division and Evan Ting finished

2nd and Alessandro Salerno placed 3rd.

2nd. Sonali Guttikonda, Shayen Maun, and

Sycamore’s Head of School, Diane

Steve Hackwelder and Annalisa Schuth also

Oliver Gollapudi also qualified for nationals.

Borgmann, visited, over the course of two

qualified for nationals.

days in May, the homes of the 43 new Sycamore graduates and their families.

She planted a yard sign at each home and each graduate took a picture of with Sycamore’s Talon Ted. n

7TH GRADE: Insia Zaidi was the Champion

6TH GRADE : Alex Cheng finished 3rd in

in the 7th Grade Division. Nate Liang

the 6th Grade Division. In addition, Deke

finished 2nd and Lukas Fiur was 3rd. Kavya

Kandel also qualified for nationals.

Chheda and Emily Hackwelder also qualified

7TH GRADE: Alex Lipkovich finished 2nd and

for nationals.

Mikey Cardwell finished 3rd in the 7th Grade

8TH GRADE: Akshay Guttikonda was the

Division. Lukas Fiur, Nate Liang, Insia Zaidi,

Champion in the 8th Grade Division. Owen

Elizabeth Schuth, Emily Hackwelder, and

Murray finished 2nd and Rohan Shah was 3rd.

Sam Rudavsky also qualified for nationals.

Athul Ramkumar also qualified for nationals.

More than 40 Sycamore students competed in

8TH GRADE: Akshay Guttikonda finished

ACADEMIC BEE: ELEMENTARY

the Regional History, Academic, and Science

2nd and Kaden Xu finished 3rd in the 8th

Annalisa Schuth was the Champion in the

Bees at St. Richard’s School on February 29,

Grade Division. Alex Lu, Marie Coutant,

Elementary Division. Sonali Guttikonda

with many qualifying for national competition

Oliver Seifert, and Porter Kandel also

finished 2nd and Evan Ting was 3rd.

that was scheduled for this summer in Chicago.

qualified for nationals.

6TH GRADE: Oscar Hyatt finished 3rd in the

HISTORY BEE: ELEMENTARY

SCIENCE BEE: ELEMENTARY

6th Grade Division.

Evan Ting was the Elementary Champion

Sawyer Jackson was the Champion in the

MORE THAN 30 SYCAMORE STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR HISTORY, SCIENCE, AND ACADEMIC BEE NATIONALS

LEFT: Sara Fulk with Talon Ted | RIGHT: Sycamore’s Regional medal winners

41

7TH GRADE: Lukas Fiur finished 3rd in the

In the round-robin portion of the tournament

7th Grade Division. Insia Zaidi and Emily

to determine seeding, both Sycamore

SYCAMORE TAKES 3RD PLACE AT “YOU BE THE CHEMIST”

Hackwelder also qualified for nationals.

teams had a perfect record. In the double-

Sycamore 8th graders, Hanna Warren, Ria

elimination portion of the tournament, the

Tandra, Akshay Guttikonda, and Alex Lu

only team Sycamore lost a match to was

earned a medal in the 2020 Indianapolis

another Sycamore team. The Sycamore

Regional “You Be the Chemist Challenge,”

second place team included Rohan Shah

finishing third. The squad had qualified for

SCIENCE BOWL TEAMS SWEEP TOP TWO SPOTS IN REGIONALS; ONE ADVANCES TO NATIONALS

(8), Hanna Warren (8), Kavya Chheda (7),

the competition by taking a chemistry exam

Lukas Fiur (7), and Emily Hackwelder (7).

and being the team with the highest scores. n

Sycamore’s two Science Bowl teams competed

Science Teacher, David Schuth. n

8TH GRADE: Akshay Guttikonda was the

Champion in the 8th Grade Division.

Rohan Shah also qualified for nationals. n

The coach of both teams was Middle School

FOR ACTING PROGRAM

at the Indiana Regional Science Bowl Competition in Terre Haute, and the teams held the top two spots in the event, with one Sycamore team earning a spot in the National Science Bowl in Washington D.C, where they placed in the top 24 in the nation. The winning team from Sycamore included Akshay Guttikonda (8), Alex Lu (8), Jonathan Yang (8), Nate Liang (7), and Insia Zaidi (7). The team alternate was Owen Zhang (6).

ABOVE: Science Bowl regional champions

42

SYCAMORE STUDENT CHOSEN

CHESS TEAM ADVANCES TO STATE

Sycamore 5th grader, Lucia Moxey,

Sycamore School finished in 2nd place in

Alliance” Summer Intensive Program for

the 3rd grade and under division at the

Acting, originally scheduled to be held in

Terre Haute Chess Regional Tournament

July in New York City. She will be invited

and earned a spot in the state tournament.

to train with professionals on Broadway

Team members include Rowan Siwiec (2),

and receive feedback from agencies

Michael Mergott (2), Thaddeus Young (2),

and directors. n

and Logan Rudnick (K). n

was accepted to the “Broadway Artists

MATHCOUNTS TEAM DOMINATES CENTRAL INDIANA COMPETITION

The Sycamore team of Akshay, Jonathan,

scored a 22 and was the highest scoring 6th

Alex, and Nelson finished in 1st place

grader in Indiana. Akshay and Edward

overall out of the 19 schools. n

were recognized on the Distinguished

Sycamore hosted the Central Indiana Chapter MATHCOUNTS competition, with more than 160 students from 19 schools participating in middle school math competition. Sycamore was led

by Akshay Guttikonda, who placed 2nd overall, trailing Creekside’s Kevin Hu by a single point. Taking home 3rd place was Sycamore’s Alex Lu. Finishing in 5th, 6th, and 7th place were Jonathan Yang, Michael Fryburg, and Insia Zaidi, respectively. Kaden Xu was 9th place, Kaitlyn Park 11th, Nelson You 16th, Justin Puno 19th, and David Jiang 20th place. It was the first time Sycamore placed all 10 students in the top 20. In the finals, Akshay edged out Kaitlyn to earn the title of Countdown Round Champion.

Honor Roll, which is the students in the top

GUTTIKONDA ONE OF ONLY 151 STUDENTS WITH PERFECT MATH SCORE Sycamore School’s Math Team participated in the American Mathematics Competitions 8th Grade Contest (AMC 8), and Sycamore 8th grader, Akshay Guttikonda, was one of only 151 students in the country and one of only 3 students in Indiana that scored a perfect 25 out of 25. Additionally,

1% in the country. Justin was recognized as being on the Honor Roll, which is students in the top 5% of all students in the country.

Joining Justin on the Honor Roll were Sycamore 8th graders Alex Lu, Jonathan Yang, Nelson You, Kaden Xu, and Michael Fryburg and 7th graders Insia Zaidi, Xindi Liu, and Triston English. n

Sycamore 5th grader, Edward Chen,

HISTORY DAY COMPETITORS TO ADVANCE NATIONALS

scored 23, the highest score by a 5th grader

Fifteen 6th grade Sycamore students

in Indiana and the 9th best score in the

participated in the National History Day

country by a 5th grader. The AMC 8 is

Indiana state contest, held virtually for the

a 25 question multiple-choice test taken

first time this year. The students who placed

by nearly 100,000 students 8th grade and

first or second in their category will move

under nationwide. Sixth grader, Justin Puno,

on to the national level of the National

ABOVE: MATHCOUNTS winners

43

History Day Contest while third-place

Other students who also participated in

the team scored a season-high programming

finishers will serve as alternates.

the state level of the contest included

score in claiming 10th place in skills.

Evelyn Cunningham, Liam Hendry, SYCAMORE STUDENTS PLACING 1ST, 2ND, OR 3RD AT THE CONTEST:

Hannah Sniderman, and Hasini Ambaty.

Sophie Farnum, Elizabeth Schuth, and Emily Hackwelder

project categories: Owen Zhang, Kelsey

1ST PLACE, PERFORMANCE

These students were finalists in their Rehmel, and Connor Kacena-Merrell. n

Shivani Desai 2ND PLACE, WEBSITE

Team 10775F, with members, Lukas Fiur, Jake Lee, Sam Louis, Mukund Sagi, and Ben Wei claimed the Think Award for outstanding consistency and understanding of programming while finishing 4th place

Jonah Smith 2ND PLACE, PERFORMANCE

VEX TEAMS EARN STATE AWARDS

overall in skills.

Lillian Tabor 3RD PLACE, PAPER

Sycamore VEX teams competed at the VEX

Sophie Liang 3RD PLACE, DOCUMENTARY

Team 10775X, with members, Eva Berger,

State Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in

Ford Lee 2ND PLACE, DOCUMENTARY

John Coutant, Ginny Neumeister, Hailey

downtown Indianapolis on March 7, claiming

Neumeister, and AJ Rhea claimed 2nd

Jonah Smith also won the $250 John Bartlow

three top 5 placings. The school and coach

place in teamwork and won the Jack Kline

Martin prize for Journalism in Indiana.

Nathan Keith also earned the 2020 Indiana

Award for overall strong consistency.

Event Partner of the Year award.

The award ceremony was live-streamed on

Before the State event, Sycamore School

Facebook, with a recording of the event

Team 10775E, with members Kavya

played host to a regular season-ending

available at facebook.com/IndianaHistory.

Devarapalli, Annamaria Ebersole, Sarah

65-team middle school VEX tournament.

The national contest will also be

Hinchman, and Sophie Liang, claimed

All six Sycamore middle school VEX teams

held ‘virtually’ to ensure students can

2nd place in the state divisional and

finished the regular season in the Top 20 of

participate in a safe environment.

championship teamwork finals. In addition,

the Indiana Skills rankings. n

ABOVE: Team 10775E from Sycamore, VEX state runner-ups

44

DESTINATION IMAGINATION WINS SOUTHERN INDIANA REGIONAL TOURNEY

Three more Destination Imagination teams earned spots in the Indiana

BETSEY’S ARTWORK ON DISPLAY AT ARTSGARDEN

Affiliate Finals by placing in the top three

Sycamore’s Early Childhood assistant,

Sycamore’s 7th grade Destination

in their Challenge and Division. The 5th

Josh Betsey, was the featured visual artist

Imagination team, Squid Inc., competed

Grade Team, the DI Carambas, placed first

for this year’s Art & Soul event and

at the Indiana Southern Regional

in the Elementary Fine Arts Challenge. Team

was displayed for the entire month of

tournament, with their presentation about

members include Ava Deng, Steve Hackwelder,

February at the downtown Artsgarden. n

peacock mantis shrimp earning them a

Saanvi Nagireddy, Solomone Somani, Arlie

first place finish in the Scientific Challenge,

Sweigart, and Sameer Zaidi. Sycamore’s 6th

Middle Level division.

Grade Team, 2500 Chickens, placed first in

They also had the top Team Challenge score. Their first place finish earned them a spot at the Indiana Affiliate Finals that had been scheduled for March 21. Team members include Sophie Farnum, Lukas Fiur, Emily Hackwelder, Nate Liang, Larissa Lo, Katie Sanft, and Elizabeth Schuth.

the Middle Level Service Learning Challenge.

Team members include Cate Freudenberg, Katie Kaplan, Sophie Liang, Kaia Starnino, and Riti Tandra. Another 6th Grade Team, Shining Diamonds, placed third in the Middle Level Fine Arts Challenge. Team members include Hasini Ambaty, Lily Grace Martinson, and Emma Shi. n

SYMPHONY IN COLOR HONORS SYCAMORE ARTISTS Three Sycamore students won recognition at this year’s Symphony in Color Competition.

Arlie Sweigart (5) and Koharu Hato (4) were named Finalists, and Chloe Sigua (4) received an Honorable Mention. Koharu was selected as a Gold Ribbon winner. Gold Ribbon winners were displayed at the Hilbert Circle Theater from February 22 to March 23 All 110 recognized works were exhibited online

ABOVE: Destination Imagination Regional champ squad

45

at the Indiana State Museum website from

learn more to heighten interest in STEM

March 28 through May 3. Several thousand

careers and help them select high school

students from 16 counties across Indiana

courses that will lead to success in college.

ANNALISA SCHUTH GRABS FINALIST SPOT IN “WHO WAS” NATIONAL BEE

listened to musical selections and created art

Sycamore’s Judith Mills coordinated the

Annalisa Schuth, a Sycamore 5th grader,

reflecting those pieces. From those projects,

event, as girls chose their own schedule

was one of ten finalists from across the

participating schools chose six entries each

of nearly 50 different seminars to attend,

United States who is scheduled to travel

to submit to the contest. Of those entries,

with an emphasis in science, technology,

to New York this fall for the national Who

100 were chosen as finalists, and from those

engineering, and math. n

Was? Bee competition. After winning the Who Was? History Bee, Annalisa took

finalists, 36 were selected as Gold Ribbon winners. Ten other works received Honorable Mentions. n

GIRLS CONFERENCE ATTRACTS 400 STUDENTS TO SYCAMORE

CHENG WINS SYCAMORE SPELLING BEE CHAMP CROWNED; EARNS NORTH DISTRICT SPELLING BEE TITLE Abby Cheng earned her third Sycamore

The annual “Curiosity, Confidence,

Spelling Bee title, correctly spelling the

Challenge” STEM conference for middle

word “xanthosis” for the win in the school

school girls held at Sycamore School in

contest. She then went on to capture the

March hosted 400 middle school girls

Marion County North District Spelling

from around the state, allowing them to

Bee in February. n

a qualifying test with more than 25,000 other local winners, and was chosen as one of the top 10 in the nation, qualifying her to compete in the national Who Was? History Bee in New York City. The top three students at the national level of the contest win scholarships, with the top prize being $10,000. n

LEFT & RIGHT: More than 400 Middle School students attended the 2020 Girls STEM Conference at Sycamore

46

THREE SYCAMORE WRITERS WIN NATIONAL AWARDS; SCHOOL EARNS 28 AWARDS AT REGIONALS

REGIONAL RESULTS GOLD KEYS (all were entered in the national competition)

Alex Lu:

Hanna Warren: POEM “THE LIGHT” (poem)

“SOMETHING BETTER”(poem)

“SAY GOODBYE” (personal essay)

“ESSENTIAL AND UNFORGETTABLE:

Dani Wei: “THE LOTTERY OF DOGMATIC TRADITIONS”

WHAT CALVIN AND HOBBES TEACHES US

were honored in the National Scholastic

ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES” (critical essay)

Arts and Writing Contest. Alex Lu (8)

“GOLDEN REFLECTIONS” (poem)

“TROPHIES”(poem)

Three Sycamore Middle School students

won a gold for his critical essay “Essential and Unforgettable: What Calvin and Hobbes Teaches Us About Our Daily Lives” and silver for his poem “Golden Reflections.” Akshay Guttikonda (8) won a gold for his poem “The Phoenix Rises,” and Aditi Dey (8) won a gold for her short

Akshay Guttikonda: “THE PHOENIX RISES” (poem) Kaden Xu: “SANGUINE” (flash fiction) Valarie Kossman: “THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MAE BASIN” (novel) Aditi Dey: “EXODUS” (short story)

story “Exodus.”

Dani Wei: “THE ASTRONAUT” (short story)

Their works were chosen out of 320,000

SILVER KEYS

art and writing submissions, with only the

Alex Lu: POEM “STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN” (poem)

top 3,000 placing at the national level.

This makes their writing in the top 1% of submissions from students ages thirteen

“THE EYE OF MY SUN” (poem)

(critical essay)

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Alex Lu: “THROUGH FRESH EYES” (personal essay)

“MORNING” (poem)

“REAWAKENING” (poem)

Hanna Warren: “SOMEDAY” (poem)

POEM “MITTENS” (poem)

Since 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have recognized the vision, ingenuity, and talent of our nation’s youth, and provided opportunities for creative teens to be celebrated. Alumni include Andy Warhol, Robert Indiana, Sylvia

“EVELYN” (short story)

Plath, Truman Capote, Bernard Malamud,

Richard Avedon, Robert Redford, Alan

“THE ROAD” (flash fiction)

through the twelfth grade from all over

Alex Wei: SHORT STORY “THE TAXIDERMIST”

Arkin, Lena Dunham, and John Lithgow,

the world.

Ken Burns, and Richard Linklater. n

(short story)

ABOVE: Sycamore’s winners of Regional and National Writing Awards

47

ARLIE SWEIGART EARNS TOP ESSAY AWARD

Illustrated Poem Contest. Congratulations!

As a first place winner, Alex’s poem will now

THIRD GRADERS DONATE BOX TOP FUNDS TO CHARITY

Sycamore 5th grader, Arlie Sweigart,

advance to the national ACS contest. n

Sycamore 3rd graders collected box

wrote one of the 10 winning entries chosen from thousands in the “School Band and Orchestra Essay Contest”.

The topic in 2020 was “How does your musical instrument match your personality?” It is the 4th consecutive year that Sycamore has had one of the winning essays - an amazing feat for the Sycamore music students and program.

For winning, Arlie received $1,000 to further her musical education and the school will be receiving a matching gift. n

SISTERS HIKE INCAN TRAIL TO MACHU PICCHU A pair of Sycamore siblings, Saanvi (1st grade) and Anaya (4th grade) Mistry, successfully traversed Inca Trail to visit the world-renowned Machu Picchu in Peru over four days in late December. The Incan citadel, set high in the Andes Mountains, was built in the 15th century and later abandoned.

The site is famous for its sophisticated drystone walls that fuse huge blocks without the use of mortar and intriguing buildings

LU EARNS TOP STATE HONOR FOR MIXING SCIENCE AND POETRY

that play on astronomical alignments and

Sycamore 8th grader, Alex Lu, won first place

ruling over more than 20 million people

in the Grades 6-8 Category of the Indiana

between the 1400s-1500s. It all came to an

Section of the American Chemical Society

end when the emperor Atahualpa was killed

(ACS) Chemists Celebrate Earth Week (CCEW)

by Spanish conquistadors in 1533. n

panoramic views. At the height of the empire, the Incas were the backbone of the Andes,

LEFT: Arlie Sweigar t | RIGHT: Saanvi and Anaya Mistry

48

tops during the school year and have chosen what causes to support with their donations. The class donated $150 each to two COVID-19 funds: the IU Health Foundation COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund, which directs gifts to the most urgent needs in the IU Health organization; and Sew and Serve, a local group which sews medical grade masks and surgical caps to distribute to health organizations here in Central Indiana.

Also, based on voting, Sycamore will be donating $150 to Indy Humane, the Indianapolis Humane Society, to help support our four-legged friends during this time of need. (A note to everyone: please get the Box Tops app to easily scan receipts for the school.

Sycamore is listed as one of the organization choices on the app). n

SYCAMORE WINS BEST OF INDIANAPOLIS AWARD

the Year Award for 2020. Each of the 58 National History Day affiliates nominated

SUCCESSFUL SYCAMORE AUCTION GALA RAISES

Sycamore School was selected for a 2019

one middle school teacher for this award,

MORE THAN $200,000

Best of Indianapolis Award in the Schools

and Mihm is the junior division nominee

The 2020 Sycamore Auction Gala raised

category by the Indianapolis Award

from Indiana. Every nominee for the

a record amount in 2020, bringing in

Program. Each year, the Indianapolis

$10,000 national award is a teacher who

more than $214,000. The total included

Award Program identifies businesses

demonstrates a commitment to engaging

$50,000 to give back to our teachers in

and not-for-profits that have achieved

students in historical learning through

the form of professional development

exceptional marketing success in their

innovative use of primary sources,

funding. Thanks to the families, the

local community and business category.

implementation of active learning

teachers, and school staff for donating

These are local companies that enhance

strategies to foster historical thinking skills,

time and services for the silent and live

the positive image of small business

and participation in the National History

auctions. A huge number of parent

through service to their customers and

Day Contest. Nominees will receive $500

volunteers helped organize the event,

our community and also help make the

each as a result of their nominations.

package items, and solicit or brought in

Indianapolis area a great place to live, work and play. n

“Teachers are among the greatest

goods and services to sell at the auction. n

resources children have to develop

MIHM EARNS NATIONAL TEACHER OF YEAR NOMINATION

the skills necessary to become critical

Longtime Sycamore teacher, Linda Mihm,

nominees have shown a dedication to

who teaches Middle School History at

teaching that goes beyond the classroom.

Sycamore, has been nominated for the

I congratulate Ms. Mihm on her well-

National Patricia Behring Teacher of

deserved nomination.” n

thinkers,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “The

49

BHATIA AWARDED CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL

development, and 4 days of planning and

have been selected as one of only sixteen

research as a cultural immersion. Janvi

teams for National History Day’s Sacrifice

Janvi Bhatia (‘17) is one of only three

completed over 450 hours of volunteer

for Freedom®: World War II in the Pacific

students in Indiana to be awarded The

work, close to 300 hours of personal

Student and Teacher Institute. The team

Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the

development through training for her

will join other students and teachers on

highest honor that Congress can give to

kathak dance graduation, almost 1000

the mainland, as well as from Hawaii and

youth in America. Medalists come from

hours of physical fitness through karate and

American Samoa, in the study of World

all over the US and must demonstrate

tennis, and a research project about the

War II’s Pacific Theatre. All 16 student

exemplary leadership and commitment

culture of Spain for her expedition. n

and teacher teams were scheduled to travel

to voluntary work for a minimum of two years. Congressional Gold Medal of Honor recipients must complete a minimum of 400 hours of volunteer service, 200 hours of physical activity, 200 hours of personal

to Hawaii in summer of 2020 to explore

SYCAMORE GRAD LYNCH EARNS HISTORY DAY AWARD Sycamore alum, Henley Lynch (class of 2018, and a sophomore at North Central HS), and her teacher, Ms. Helene Achgill,

LEFT: Janvi Bhatia (’17) | RIGHT: Henley Lynch (’18)

50

historic sites relating to the Pacific Theatre of Operations during World War II. n

MATTHEW GERDISCH: IN MEMORIAM A LIFE “WELL-LOVED”

(MAY 19, 1999 - DECEMBER 14, 2019)

BY MARY O’MALLEY

Matthew was a student in my Sixth and Eighth Grade Language

“Matthew always talked about a career in science and

Arts classes. He graced my front row with his effervescent

medicine. Each time he would visit my operating room,

personality, insatiably curious nature, and reassuring smile. He

he would have the most insightful questions, posed to me

willingly shared his true unabridged self with his classmates

with the predicate “Dad” followed by a new inquisition

and his teachers. His love of life and learning manifested itself

into my last or next move, as my chest nearly burst

during every aspect of his day. He never failed to genuinely chat

through my gown with pride. His path was cemented

with me before or after class because he truly cared about my

though when Matthew was introduced to arrythmia

day as well. I remember him politely explaining the difference

surgery,” explained Dr. Gerdisch. “He already had a

between a cardiologist and a heart surgeon during one of our

cursory knowledge of arrythmia, as he suffered from

vocabulary lessons. He proceeded to talk so proudly of his

inappropriate sinus tachycardia. Now, he was enamored of

father, Dr. Gerdisch, a heart surgeon, sharing with us not only

the crossroads of physics, physiology and anatomy intrinsic in

his own knowledge of the field at such a young age but also his

electrophysiology, and its merger with surgery, a discipline for

desire to study medicine and help others.

which he knew himself to be well suited. Matthew found his path in life, to be a physician treating heart rhythm disease.

It was not only the front row in a classroom where Matthew prospered.

no boundaries between him and other people. He had the wide eyes

His Northwestern Psychology professor once wrote, “Though it was

of a child and the acceptance of a child, although he was a mature

a very large class, I remember Matthew so clearly. He would sit in

young man with a heart of gold. He never left a friend behind,

the front row nodding along, eyes bright with enthusiasm. What I

unequivocally understanding their differences and reveling in blind

remember most is how kind and positive he was.”

acceptance. He cultivated an unmatched diversity of friendships.

Matthew was the Asian Culture Club President at Brebeuf Jesuit High

This past year, while a junior at Northwestern University, majoring in

School. He held a taekwondo black-belt and was a junior instructor for

physiology and minoring in Asian History, Matthew led a physics study

Grandmaster Lee in Carmel as well as a member of the Tae Kwon Do

group; he tutored classmates simply because he enjoyed teaching. His

Club in college. He was at home deep in the ocean, scuba diving since

parents only found out about this after they received a note from a

he was a small boy. His love for the sea began with Sycamore’s Sixth

member of the group (a stranger to them) named Maxwell, who sent

Grade Sea Camp trip. He continued his adventures in Maui, Jamaica,

this note to the department dean in hopes it could be shared:

and Eleuthera, diving 30 feet deep. He went on to become PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified. “Matthew

“I was always impressed with Matt’s level of insight into whatever

was confident at his practiced skills,” his father says. “It is why I never

concept we were discussing; his questions always approached the

scuba dived without him. I trusted only Matthew to check my gear and

subject material from an angle I had never considered before. He

be with me in the ocean.”

always went above and beyond the superficial, questioning the why when everyone else was concerned with the what. And he never just

________________________

kept this insight to himself, he was always so willing to share and explain. These questions were answered with thought and empathy,

As a SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and

never judgment, and showed that he cared about my understanding

Radio Artists) member, Matthew acted on television, on-stage, and doing

and learning, not simply just providing an answer. This is how Matt

voice-overs. His first two jobs were as an infant for Greco, where he

will be remembered, as someone whose ever-present selflessness and

was a model on the cover of an infant carrier box and in a store ad for

genuine kindness helped others through whatever problems they had.”

Sesame Street clothing. He also performed at The Goodman Theater and Chicago Shakespeare Theater, where he once acted alongside

Gerdisch maintained his friendships with several of his Sycamore

actress Marsha Mason. Two of his latest jobs included a KFC

classmates; this was never more evident than at his funeral where

television commercial for a Super Bowl pre-game advertisement and a

many members of the Class of 2013 came to support each other

voice-over radio spot for Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

and the Gerdisch family. One in particular, Nico Biogiani ‘13, was Matthew’s best friend since 3rd Grade and his roommate during their

When he was a child, his parents say they were constantly emptying

three years together at Northwestern. “Three things that stand out

his pockets of miscellaneous items he had collected throughout the

were his insatiable curiosity, his humanity, and his unfailing empathy,”

day that would make their way into figures and imagined machines

Biogiani says. “There’s a lot to be said about the way he carried

he would concoct, to repurpose them and make new inventions. Even

himself. No matter who he was around he always acted the same way

as a young adult, he enjoyed putting together LEGO constructions,

with confidence and compassion. Whether he was going to class or

leaving one half-finished on his desk the day before he passed.

returning from a 15 hour day, he would stop to have a conversation with the person at the front desk of their apartment complex. His

To say he knew no strangers is an understatement. “He saw the

positivity allowed him to see the best in people and any situation.”

good in people; he loved others’ perspectives on things and wanted

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to help them especially emotionally,” His mother, Lori Ann, says

Another Sycamore classmate, Sarah George ‘13, explained her

“He was optimistic, good natured, and very tolerant. There were

relationship with Matthew by quoting the eighth book of the

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“THERE’S A LOT TO BE SAID FOR THE WAY HE CARRIED HIMSELF. HIS POSITIVITY ALLOWED HIM TO SEE THE BEST IN PEOPLE.”

Nicomachean Ethics: “ ‘There are three kinds of friends: utility friends, pleasure friends, and goodness friends. The first two are accidental and, therefore, easily dissolved. The final is the kind that can last a lifetime.’

Matthew was a goodness friend—not just to me—but to many.”

No one, however, could capture his spirit as did his only brother Robert (Sycamore Class of 2011): “Matthew and I are brothers.

Born from the same cells, in the same month, raised in the same homes, shared clothes, meals, cars, bedrooms, video games, parents, friends, jokes, interests, fears, anticipations, secrets, joys, sorrows.

We were experientially, biologically, and spiritually conjoined. We marched together, tethered at the leg, through the first 16 years of our lives. The distance that separated us through the last four did not weaken this connection, as Matthew’s insatiable appetite for love kept us in constant contact.”

At age 14, Matthew was blessed to meet the love of his life, a girl, Samantha, with whom he shared the same birthday. They had a true bond for six years. “We shared our hearts and a life, and a life to come,” he says.” His passion for us and for his life inspired me to work just as hard in my life. All we wanted to do was work hard for each other. It was out of the ordinary how our existences meshed together. There was a natural magnetism from the day we met.”

Matthew finished every conversation with every family member, extended family member, and Samantha with “I love you.” He would wish the same joyful communication to be shared by everyone, known and unknown, to never miss the privilege to tell someone they are loved. Matthew’s signature phrase was “I love you all to infinity and beyond.”

Matthew was fascinated with the human heart, for his was as kind and loving as anyone’s heart could be. Matthew died before he could do the work swirling in his mind, before he could finish his LEGO construction, before he could spend the years he should have had loving his friends and family. Although his dream of a career in the study of the heart never came to fruition, he certainly touched all those who ever knew him. It’s as if his heart knew he had to experience the people, places, and adventures in the short time he had on this earth.

Read more about Matthew Gerdisch at sycamoreschool.org/gerdisch n

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