The Academy - Winter 2012

Acade m y

norfolk academy magazine

In the Game

Athletics at the academy: reaffirmation & opportunity From the Classroom

The vitality of libraries

Winter 2012

Global Perspectives

Teaching the Arab Spring Studio & Stage

Reflections on the power of dance

Academy nor fol k academy m a g a z in e

table of [ CONTENT S ]

WINTER 2012 Headmaster

Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Dennis G. Manning

— The emperor’s new water — Torture: Losing the war on terrorism

Director of Communications

Betsy Wardell Guzik ’89

from the Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Associate Director of Communications

— Year two begins — Program updates

Kathy Finney From the classroom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Editorial Board

Ruth Payne Acra ’86 Nene Dougherty Gary Laws Preston Moore Ron Newman Jay Rainey Dr. David Rezelman Toy Savage Gigi Cooke Tysinger ’87 Sean Wetmore ’86 Student Editors

Cross Birdsong ’18 Deni Budman ’16 Ben Klebanoff ’15 Matthew Leon ’13 Patrick McElroy ’19 Wyatt Miller ’16 Banning Stiffler ’15 Hannah Towler ’18 Grace Webb ’13 Sarah Yue ’19

— Teachers and coaches — Our favorite educational apps — Homework questions — The vitality of libraries — The Lower School bookshelf Studio & stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

— Reflections on the power of dance — Regional Arts Calendar In the game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

— Athletics at the Academy: Reaffirmation & opportunity — Meet Coach Shinofield Global Perspectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

— Nicaragua & Norfolk Academy — Teaching the Arab Spring Paw prints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

— Learning in the clouds the Savage chronicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

— Carpool quadratic

Photography

Lives of Consequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Tricia Affronti Bob Handelman Abby Mann ’14 Stephanie Oberlander Woody Poole Alumni and Staff Submissions

— Courage, commitment & hope: Dr. Craig L. Slingluff, Jr.

Design

Cheney & Company

alumni highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

— Alumni fun — Internships — Homecoming — Athletic reunions — On the road — Class reunions class notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Visit norfolkacademy.org for the latest school news, sports scores, and galleries of recent photos.

You will also find direct links to all of our social networking communities.

— Class notes — Weddings and In memoriam On the cover: Coach Sean Wetmore with state champion soccer team captains

(left to right) Simon Walpole ’13, David Kotarides ’14 and Harry Lustig ’13.

Norfolk Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, color, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, employment policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, or other school-administered programs.

from the [ h e a d MA S TER ]

Fall is a ritual time for those of us in education. Repainting classrooms, organizing desks, planning lessons, designing bulletin boards, and readying classrooms for students’ arrival—what an indescribably marvelous sense of renewal we feel each fall. My colleagues and I (and the whole Academy community) joyfully participate in beginning a new school year.

Once again, another opening of school has come and gone, and our students and faculty have now settled happily into their routines as winter break draws ever closer. Fall has been a terrific season for our student athletes. Permit me a line or two to revel in our fall athletic performances. The highlight of the fall was our boys’ varsity soccer team’s winning a State Championship in Division I. Join me, too, in congratulating Hunter Wagnon ’13 (football) and Riley Tata ’13 (field hockey) as TCIS players of the year in their respective sports. All of our fall sports teams deserve recognition for their fine show of athleticism and sportsmanship over the past several months—in fact, we finished at or near the top in all TCIS sports this fall, and earned four championships in soccer, field hockey, sailing and girls’ cross country. The toughness and dedication we have witnessed on the fields and courts have made us all proud and honored to be Bulldogs.

We have had remarkable triumphs off the field as well. We had a record number (21!) of perfect 800 scores that our seniors garnered on the SAT exams. We also had five seniors, Wendi Chen, Harper Dodd, Carter Hall, Libby Henry and Charles Springer, named Semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Competition—only one other independent school (in Northern Virginia) matched that

achievement! (And all five of these students started at Norfolk Academy in the 1st grade!)

Our school also had an impressive number of Commended Students: 16 seniors received Letters of Commendation for their performances on the PSAT/NMSQT. More than 20% of the class thus received National Merit recognition.

This fall, seven Academy singers qualified for district choir. Our thespians earned distinction for their outstanding performances in The Insanity of Mary Girard, taking first in a regional theater competition. Even our faculty have distinguished themselves in the recent WorldQuest competition, taking first place against faculty from nearby schools and even colleges. We are surely proud of our talented and hard-working Bulldogs.

As winter sets in, and we delight in the rituals and traditions of the holiday season, we take the opportunity to focus this issue of Academy on the treasured and traditional building blocks of a Norfolk Academy education. We ask, are backpacks worth their weight? What is the value of homework? How are libraries evolving in light of emerging technologies?

We take a fresh look at our own traditions and institutions, examining how the dance program has evolved and flourished; sharing the 2012 winning 9th grade and senior speeches; presenting the results of our yearlong Athletics study; and exploring our revered “TeacherCoach” model. I hope you will enjoy the unique perspectives the fine men and women of the Academy present to you in these pages.

I wish all of you a safe and happy holiday season, and trust that a bright and healthy New Year brings with it fresh opportunities and limitless educational vistas for all children.

Dennis G. Manning

Headmaster

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[ CHAPEL ] Senior Speech by Andrew Balitsky ’12

The Emperor’s New Water: A modern story of deceit, inanity, and bottles

What if I were to stand on this stage and offer you a sandwich, much like any you could find in your home, save that its ingredients and packaging were likely far more dangerous to your health.

What if I told you it was actually safer than the one you had at home, even if countless others had proven the opposite? What if, on top of all that, I were to charge you 10,000 dollars for this sandwich? You’d probably laugh me off the stage, but in reality, if we’re to believe this analogy crafted by sustainability activist Annie Leonard, you’d probably take me up on my offer— enough to make it into a 100 billion dollar international enterprise, as found in the Pacific Institute’s biennial report on freshwater resources. Just make a few substitutions—swapping the sandwich for some water and me for beverage conglomerates such as Pepsi, CocaCola and Nestlé—and you’ll have what Salt Lake City’s mayor, Rocky Anderson, dubs the “greatest marketing scam of all time”: the bottled water industry. Though these companies may claim to legitimately and safely address a common human need, the American public needs to discontinue its costly, unhealthy and destructive addiction to the bottle and return to the tap.

In the last four years alone, the bottled water industry has grown by a factor of six, despite that bottled water, by volume, costs even more than gasoline.

How can these companies succeed so well at selling a product already available and near-free to boot? By manufacturing demand. As Jeff Caso, former senior vice president with Nestlé himself, admits, “We sell water… so we have to be clever,” which they certainly have been. Since the late 1980s, bottled water companies like Nestlé have waged one of the most aggressive advertising campaigns in history against tapped water, alternatively scaring consumers away from the tap— notably with advertisements featuring glasses draining and refilling to the flush of a toilet—and luring them to the bottle—with advertisements featuring young celebrities and bountiful landscapes. As MacArthur

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Fellow and president of the Pacific Institute Peter Gleik notes, “They don’t try to sell water: they sell youth, health, beauty, romance, status, image, sex and fear” with slogans like Evian’s “your natural source of youth,” Dasani’s “can’t live without it,” and starkly Agua Castello’s “pleasure within you.” Never mind that these intentional manipulations of the public work, and that they successfully sell water in bottles at 1,900 times the cost of that from faucets; never mind that, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, 3 out of 4 people now drink bottled water and 1 out of 5 drink bottled water only; our free market might have even granted them the right to do so, if only their purported healthful product wasn’t actually the opposite—harmful.

Bottled water companies like to tout that their products are “pure,” “safe” and “healthy,” but in reality both the bottle and the water itself come with myriad dangers. The plastic used in the packaging commonly contains one of two potent petrochemicals, either polyethylene teraphthalate—PTA for short—or bisphenol‑A —commonly known as BPA. PTA is derived from refining crude oil; its primary ingredient, the known carcinogen perozylene, can at any stage in its production leach into its intended contents. As for BPA, Dr. Vom Saal of the University of Missouri notes, “There is virtually no major human health trend over the past 30 years that hasn’t increased… related to the exposure to this [compound]: obesity, breast cancer, prostate cancer, liver disease, ovarian disease, disease of the uterus, low sperm count, and even brain disorder.” These, however, are only the immediate findings associated with the chemicals in the packaging; nobody has yet to study the true long-term effects of exposure to this plastic.

The Food and Drug Administration, meanwhile, the agency responsible for the oversight of the industry,

In the last four years alone, the bottled water industry has grown by a factor of six, despite that bottled water, by volume, costs even more than gasoline.

turns a blind eye. Under FDA regulation, companies need only submit a quality report on water they sell across state lines, accounting only for one-third of all bottled water sales. Even then the companies need only submit one report at their discretion, meaning that they may run as many tests as they like that produce unfavorable reports until they find just one that’s suitable.

The others never leave company records. The reports that do wind up in the FDA come only to the desk of review chemist Lauren Robin, who herself admits that “I do spend some of my time on bottled water but I have other responsibilities as well.” Tapped water, on the other hand, is subject to the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulation, and thereby must be tested many times a day, usually for a total of 300 to 400 times a month, with full report disclosure. No surprise, then, that bottled water tests significantly higher than tapped for contaminants like sodium hydroxide, kerosene, styrene, mold, fecal coliforms and others; effectively, half of one person in the FDA checks the production of all bottled water, while thousands of individual municipalities vigorously test their own tapped water.

Nevertheless, Americans continue to consume about eighty million bottles of this water each day, amounting to about thirty billion bottles each year.

Placed end to end, Leonard found, “this bottle waste could circle the earth more than 265 times.” Not taking into account the energy necessary for their costly shipment, Gleik finds in his book Bottled and Sold that the energy spent on their production alone could power one million cars for an entire year. The pollution does not end there, however. Since only twenty percent of water bottles end up recycled in the States after consumption, the remaining eighty percent finds its way either into landfills—to be burned and released as toxic gases into our atmosphere—or into the water runoff.

There, they continually break apart into smaller and smaller pieces until eventually winding up trapped in giant ocean current patterns called gyres.

In 1999, marine researcher Captain Charles Moore analyzed the water content of the largest of these—the North Pacific Subtropic gyre—and found six times more pieces of plastic than plankton—the staple food source of marine life. In conducting the same survey in 2008, Captain Moore then found plastic to outnumber plankton forty-six-to-one, prompting him to author a book on his discoveries entitled Plastic Ocean. Within, he warns us of the dangers that might ensue when first fish and other wildlife, either directly or indirectly, regularly consume these poisonous petrochemicals, and then we them.

Why, then, should we continue to hurt our wallets, health and world by using bottled water? We shouldn’t; at a minimum, the FDA must tighten its regulation on the industry and ensure our safety. Better yet, to preserve the environment, states should implement “Bottle Bill” legislature to drastically increase recycling rates by adding a small tax on each purchase of bottled water and refunding it upon the return of the bottle. Best of all, we as the consumers should stop buying bottled water and instead fill reusable metal bottles from the tap. Since making the switch in my ninth grade year, I’ve saved about 10,000 dollars and 9,000 bottles—an amount which, to help you visualize, if stacked in cases of Deer Park would stretch ten feet across, five feet high and five feet deep. Should all the people in this room do the same and drink their recommended eight glasses of water a day from the tap and not from bottles for a year, we could together save almost a million dollars and 850,000 bottles—an amount that would fill the stage with cases of Deer Park. Rarely in our modern world can we make so great a difference with so little effort.

I ask, then, that you join me: Let’s quit the bottle, and take back the tap.

Andrew Balitsky ’12 was the 2012 recipient of the Class of 1952 Award, given to the senior who is named by a panel of outside judges as the outstanding speaker of his or her class.

Andrew Balitsky ’12 attends the University of Texas, Austin, where he studies engineering.

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[ CHAPEL ] Ninth Grade Speech by Henry Stockwell ’15

Torture:

Losing the War On Terrorism On March 1, 2003, Khalid Shaikh Moham-

med, an Al-Qaeda member involved in the 9/11 attacks, was captured by the U.S. in Pakistan. Khalid was water-boarded 183 times.

For more than a month he was kept naked, chained to a wall in a painful crouch, and subjected to extreme temperatures. Here at home, support for techniques such as these has rocketed during the height of the war on terror. According to a 2011 Presidential Studies Quarterly article by Richard Pious, 52 percent of Americans believe that torture can sometimes be justified. Former Vice President Dick Cheney said, “[Enhanced interrogation techniques] were absolutely essential in saving thousands of American lives, in preventing further attacks against the U.S., in giving us the intelligence we needed to go find al-Qaeda, to find their camps, and to find out how they were being financed.” However, even when seemingly deserved, torture is often useless and always self-defeating. The U.S. must end its use of torture because information gained through torture is unreliable, torture is unethical, and the United States must regain its position as the world leader in human rights.

Information gained through torture is unreliable. Torture subjects prisoners to extreme stress, causing many to say whatever they think will bring an end to it. On the other hand, some enemy combatants are educated on how to present false or misleading information.

A manual including instructions on how to give false information while being tortured was recovered from an al-Qaeda safe house in Manchester, England. The manual also indicates the imperative for prisoners to remain calm and never surrender information under any circumstances. It reads, “[The member of al-Qaeda] should have a calm personality that allows him to endure physiological traumas such as… arrest [and] imprisonment.” In his book The Black Banners, former FBI special agent Ali Soufan elaborates, “[Al-Qaeda operatives] are told that their reward will

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come in heaven, but that they can pretend to cooperate in order to trick the interrogator.”

When told things like “your reward will come in heaven,” many members of al-Qaeda’s belief in their cause is so strong that no form of torture could ever break it.

In addition to being an unreliable source of information, torture is unethical and is a violation of international human rights laws.

The Geneva Convention, held shortly after the close of the Second World War, established numerous human rights standards. The Convention maintained that, “No physical or mental torture, nor any other form of coercion, may be inflicted upon prisoners of war to secure from them information of any kind.” In addition to the Geneva Convention, all countries in the United Nations signed the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

Article 2.2 of the Convention states that, “No exceptional circumstances whatsoever, whether a state of war or a threat of war, internal political instability, or any other public emergency, may be used as a justification for torture.” Today, many countries disregard these international treaties and use torture. A 2011 ABC-CLIO article reported that Amnesty International estimates that two-thirds of all modern countries routinely violate international treaties banning torture. As observed

by Belinda Cooper in a January 2006 article for the World Policy Journal, “Time and again, a primitive concept of security has simply trumped human rights.” We must not allow this primitive concept of security to continue to override human rights.

The U.S. must end its use of torture so that it can regain its position as the leader for the world in human rights. In the aftermath of World War Two, the U.S. was a strong critic of torture. The U.S. prosecuted Japanese officers who tortured American prisoners of war through the use of water boarding during World War Two. In recent years, however, U.S. military personnel have water-boarded terrorism suspects while fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan to establish governments

that value personal freedoms. The U.S. must recognize this hypocrisy. In a January 2001 article for The Humanist, Maggie Ardente urges, “Both government and American people must be concerned over our fellow nations’ perception of the United States. If it is truly to be the champion of freedom across the world, then it needs to practice it at home.

“Only though courage and accountability can the United States regain its position as a world leader in human rights.” As Ms. Ardente says, the U.S. has fallen from its position as the world leader. By torturing our enemies, we set an unacceptable example and undermine our credibility abroad.

The majority of American citizens believe that torture can be justified if it is necessary to gain important information.

This is not the case. Not only does the use of torture often provide false information, but it is also unethical and a violation of human rights standards and international treaties.

There are viable alternatives to torture. As Ali Soufan explains in The Black Banners, “An interrogation is a mind game in which you have to use your wits and knowledge of the detainee to convince or steer him to cooperate.” Soufan has gained hundreds of the most important confessions throughout the war on terror, though never laying so much as a hand on a suspect. Thousands of Americans lost their lives on September 11, 2001, at the hands of cruel, ruthless terrorists. The raw emotion and fury sparked by these attacks has blinded many Americans to the fact that torture is morally impermissible, even when used on terrorists. As argued in a January 2008 article for the Washington Monthly, “To tolerate torture is to betray America’s heritage in favor of the primitive impulse that might makes right.” By giving in to that primitive impulse, we lose the moral high ground, we’re no better than the terrorists themselves, and we’ve lost the war.

Henry Stockwell ’15 was awarded the Royster Speaker Award in 2012.

from the [ CENTER ]

Chesapeake Bay Fellows

Year Two Begins

The inaugural class of Chesapeake Bay Fellows began their second year with an early August trip to Charlottesville to participate in a program designed by the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Following a year learning about “Leading Self,” they are now charged to explore “Leading Others” in the coming year. Our trip to Charlottesville both challenged and informed the fellows and helped set the table for what we all know will be an excellent year of discovery, growth and change.

The fellows first met with Ben Skipper, Director of Undergraduate Programs and Alumni Relations with the Jefferson Scholars Foundation, who provided a tour of the Jefferson Scholars’ new state-of-the-art facility and shared details of the program with the fellows. After a spirited question-and-answer session, the fellows and Mr. Wetmore enjoyed dinner together and took some time to speak about the fellows’ upcoming team projects.

The experience also included a journey to the Batten School to meet with Mr. Howard Hoege, Assistant Dean for Admissions and Strategic Initiatives, who had met with the fellows in a leadership session during the school year, and now treated them to a session entitled “Articulate and Motivate: Moving from Individual to Group Goals.” The fellows also enjoyed a working lunch with Joseph Maroon, former Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and adjunct professor at the University of Virginia, who talked about the impact of current Bay policy on restoration efforts. The day concluded with the fellows playing the Chesapeake

Bay Game, presented by Dr. Jeffrey Plank, Associate Vice President for Research, and his wonderful staff.

The game showed our fellows the frustrations and rewards of setting effective and realistic policy goals and navigating the landscape of competing interests.

On Friday the fellows met with Jill Rockwell, Assistant Dean for Student Services, who led a session called “Public Leaders toward a Better Society: The Ethics of Leadership.” This session was followed by Dean of the Batten School Harry Harding, who spoke with the students about leadership and public policy. We were also joined by Professor Bill Shobe, with the Center for Economic and Policy Studies. Later that afternoon our fellows met with University (UVA) field experts, each hand-picked for our fellows to discuss their Year Two team projects.

The fellows are ready to embark on their team projects this fall and feel very fortunate to have a true working relationship with The Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. The fellows’ secondyear goal is to galvanize the NA community, and their projects this year will push our community ever closer toward the goal of Saving the Bay. Sean Wetmore ’86 directs the Center for Civic and Global Leadership and accompanied the Chesapeake Bay Fellows in Charlottesville this summer. For more information on the Center for Civic and Global Leadership, contact Sean at: swetmore@norfolkacademy.org, or visit norfolkacademy.org/leadershipcenter.

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from the [ CENTER ]

Global Health Fellows

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The Global Health Fellows program officially launched this summer. Six rising ninth graders traveled to Haiti for their first glimpse into the reality of healthcare access and delivery in a resource-limited setting.

Before embarking on their seven-day experience, the fellows, alongside biology teacher Scott Fowler and Program Director Price Massey, underwent a “global health boot camp” on the NA campus. Dr. Ed Lilly, Dr. Lisbet Hanson and Dr. John Kenerson, drawing from their extensive experience in-country, offered insight into the historical and cultural fabric of the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

The fellows arrived in the sprawling and populous capital city of Port-au-Prince and visited various projects overseen by organizations Operation Blessing, International and Partners in Health. As nearly 500,000 people are still living in tent cities erected after the 2010 earthquake, the group toured a tent city to see a water treatment and distribution project in action.

The next day, after a morning of making hundreds of protein-rich food packets, the group traveled to the impoverished village of Medan Bélize on the shores of Lake Azuéi for their own food and water distribution project. This visit deeply impacted the fellows, as a huge, beautiful lake sits right in front of the village, yet the water is brackish and there is no potable water in the environs. The fellows quickly began recognizing the importance of a holistic approach to medicine, with issues of education, prevention, and access to clean water coming to the forefront.

Leaving the capital, the group ventured to the more rural central plateau region. After reading extensively about Dr. Paul Farmer and Partners in Health’s successful and innovative programming, the fellows were excited to tour the original PIH clinic in Cange and the new state-of-the-art PIH hospital in Mirebalais, slated to open soon. The fellows settled into the town of Hinche for the remainder of the week to work with the organizations Midwives for Haiti and Maison Fortuné in various villages, schools, health workshops and hospitals in the region.

With generous donations from the Luter family, master teacher Cecil Mays, and Eastern Virginia Medical School’s Haiti project, the Global Health Fellows were able to distribute Lifesaver water filters to surrounding villages facing water security issues. Each water filter offers a family of four immediate, pointof-source filtration for three years. With the recent outbreak of cholera exacerbating the already dire water security situation, these Lifesaver water filters truly are lifesaving.

This initial experience launches this first class of Global Health Fellows into their four-year, experiential investigation of global health. For more details, video footage and fellows’ personal reflections from the trip, please visit the blog at www.naglobalhealthfellows.org. ◆ Price Massey ’02 directs the Global Heath Fellows program.

Follow our blog at: www.naglobalhealthfellows.org

OPPOSITE At a community

health workers’ workshop led by midwives for Haiti (left to right), Elizabeth Lilly, Bridget Dickinson, Aneesh Dhawan, Stuart Luter, Brian Peccie and Wyatt Miller, all class of ’16. (Back row) Price Massey ’02, Director LEFT Distributing Lifesaver water filters in the rural village of Clory.

ABOVE (Top) Wyatt Miller training

residents of Fort Resolu on proper use of the water filters. (Middle) At a water distribution site in tent city in Port-au-Prince. (Bottom) Bridget Dickinson and Stuart Luter with the kids of Medan Bélize.

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from the [ CENTER ]

Chesapeake Bay Fellows ABOVE The 2nd cohort

of Chesapeake Bay Fellows (left to right) Jeb Culipher, Quint Heaton, Alice Yang, Deni Budman and Elise Turrieta, all class of ’16.

TOP RIGHT Putting in at First Landing State Park.

LOWER RIGHT An

established Fellows’ ritual at Port Isobel.

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The second cohort of Norfolk Academy’s Chesapeake Bay Fellows got started the week of August 6–10 by embarking on their own Chesapeake Bay Adventure, an experience of equal parts education, inspiration and fun. The fellows (pictured above) departed Monday morning with Program Director Chris Nelson for two days in and on our local waters. The final three days brought the cohort to Tangier Island. Said Mr. Nelson, “It was hot. It was wet, really wet. But the kids never wavered, never complained, never lagged. They were true Bulldogs.”

Our partner in this undertaking is the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, who provided expertise, logistics and guidance for the entire week. Led by CBF’s Outdoor Educator Brooke Newton, scientist Dr. Bill Portlock and canoe instructor Ben Eberline, the fellows spent the first two days of their weeklong adventure in Virginia Beach. First Landing State Park Campground was our (wet!) home for the first two nights. Our days took us onto the Lynnhaven River to explore a restoration oyster reef, perform water quality tests, and experience a wetland and maritime forest by getting in it. On day two, CBF’s education vessel, the Bea Hayman Clark, took us out for biotic sampling (trawling) in the Lynnhaven River and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. It was not the last time we would catch our dinner that week.

Days three to five found us on the Eastern Shore, and from there via ferry to Port Isabel on Tangier Island. Experiences included a visit to Cherrystone AquaFarms, learning to catch and shed crabs, exploring the history and culture of Tangier Island, seining for life in the shallows, more fishing, and marsh mucking, the ul-

timate in wetland immersion! One evening the fellows were invited to speak to a group of public school principals who were having their own Tangier Island experience. The fellows articulated our program, outlined our goals and shared their experiences with such expertise, poise and conviction so as to inspire these principals to return to their own schools with a renewed enthusiasm to educate their students to save the Bay. ◆ Chris Nelson directs the Chesapeake Bay Fellows Program.

Follow our blog at www.chesapeakebayfellows.org

International Relations Fellows The IR Fellows On the Mall with Einstein (left to right), Sophie Kidd, Jessica Williams, Hannah Wheaton, Pablo Vazquez and Thomas Ferguson, all class of ’16; in front of the capitol with Middle School teacher Lisa Marie Priddy; and at the Pentagon with Dr. Rezelman.

This August the inaugural cadre of five Interna-

tional Relations Fellows kicked off their four-year study of world politics with a five-day tour of the Washington foreign policy establishment. At the beginning of the trip the students were still figuring out what it is that an ambassador does; by the end of the trip, they were discussing how they could ensure that they would get similar overseas postings once they had all entered the Foreign Service!

For a complete summary—including lots of photographs—of the places they visited and the people they met, see the International Relations Fellows blog at www.internationalrelationsfellows.org. Some summary data: The fellows met with thirteen current and former government officials representing six different foreign policy agencies (including the Pentagon, the State Department and the Nicaraguan Foreign Ministry).

The fellows also met with employees of six different foreign policy–related private corporations, including representatives of the media (e.g. NBC News), defense contractors (e.g. Northrup Grumman), and nonprofit organizations (e.g. the Cato Institute).

In a demonstration of the role connections play in Washington, each of our eleven meetings was arranged by a Norfolk Academy alumnus, alumna or friend-of-faculty “on the inside.” Even our meals had an international flavor: While our lunches were often hurried sandwiches-from-coffee-shops (itself a Washington tradition), our dinners included Swedish, Middle Eastern and Chinese (“hot pot”) cuisine.

The immersion experience stimulated interest in a variety of different aspects of world politics, but the clear winner in terms of student interest was diplomacy. The fellows met a total of seven current and former U.S. and foreign diplomats, and by the end of the trip the kids were buzzing with excitement about possible future careers in the State Department. As I remarked to the students as we were packing up to check out of the hotel, “Remember, guys: This isn’t the end—it’s the beginning!” ◆ Dr. David Rezelman directs the International Relations Fellows program. Follow our blog at: www.internationalrelationsfellows.org

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from the [ CLA S S ROOM ]

Teachers and Coaches Why we care so much about the teacher-coach model As the culture of independent schools has

evolved, much attention has been paid to the importance of relationships between students and teachers.

How we work together as teachers to advance students’ lives and, in so doing, build a powerful faculty culture determine the quality of a school. From the use of technology to proper means of assessment to the debate between knowledge and mastery, Norfolk Academy’s faculty has immersed itself in trying, simply put, to get better. As we have read and explored and communicated with teachers from other schools, we have grown committed to adhering to “the teacher-coach model.”

What does that model mean, exactly? The answer lies in examining the goals and intentions of a successful coach. The successful coach wants to win. She

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wants it for her team, and if truth be told, for herself.

To achieve this, the coach constantly tries to make his athletes, simply put, better. Everybody wins if this young man gets more accurate with his fastball, or if these four rowers learn to act precisely in concert, or if these six dancers synchronize their movements more perfectly. In other words, the coach and his players share a common goal; they are on the same side, sharing the same objectives.

The relationship with students changes when the coach brings this motivating attitude into the classroom. Sometimes the relationship between teacher and student can become strained or even adversarial.

That is, teachers can come to see their subject matter as something the student must obtain from them,

When the student perceives that the teacher has made the same commitment to him in while students can come to see grades as something they must obtain from teachers. We reject the idea that teachers and students are on different sides. We try to remind ourselves every day that our goal for students is almost identical to what we hope their goal will be—increased knowledge, increased mastery and continuing curiosity about the subject matter. We want the classroom to be a place where “we are all in this together,” where a team philosophy is of paramount importance.

There is another very important reason to import coaching methods into a classroom. Coaches “touch” their players in several special ways. For one thing, coaches have the occasion to physically touch their players. They join in with the players in the “all hands in” huddle before a game. When the girls come together before a volleyball game, Coach Hopkins is in the center of the circle, shouting “1… 2… 3… GO BULLDOGS!” When the opponent calls time out because one of our girls has just registered a killer spike, Coach Hopkins will surely share an enthusiastic high-five with the girl.

And finally, when victory is achieved, you can bet that hugs will be exchanged all around.

Secondly, coaches touch their players in more important ways than a pat on the back. The emotional connection between coach and player can sometimes change a student’s life. A large number of us can point to a coach in our youth whose confidence in us kept us going, or whose disapproval caused us to redouble our efforts and succeed. So many of us have affection and gratitude for that man or woman, and seek to return the favor to the next generation. That need not happen just in the gym or on the field. The classroom is an equally suitable place for an adult to “touch” the life of a child. When the student perceives that the teacher has made the same commitment to him in the classroom as he makes on the fields, it can literally turn him around—can inspire him to achievements not heretofore realized or thought attainable.

Finally, great coaches and great teachers display “touch.” That is, a great teacher will know when to be tough and when to take the pressure off a little. A great teacher will be able to sense how and when a student needs correcting. A great teacher will have discipline present in his classroom but never humiliation. There have been several famous coaches who succeeded mostly through tyranny, but not many. The truly successful coaches have been at least as much loved as feared. So we wish it to be in the classroom. We strive to take the time necessary to be able to read a situation and know

the classroom as he makes on the fields, it can literally turn him around—can inspire him to achievements not heretofore realized or thought attainable.

how a student will react, and then choose the course and tone that are best for the young man or woman.

The converse to all this is obviously true, that great coaches are great teachers on the field. But with the teacher-coach model, we believe, the more significant benefits can come from coaching in the classroom. In the long run, adhering to the teacher-coach model is the best way to serve the child. As our school’s Philosophy states, it provides the greatest chance for us to help each child “develop maturity of mind, body and character.” That is a goal easy for us to commit to—and one we will always seek to perfect. ◆ Dennis G. Manning and Toy Savage

Facing Page Coach Tom Duquette challenges students in the

classroom and on the playing fields.

Above Coach Chris Runzo with Middle School football players

Ridge Moore ’18, Christian Randolph ’18 and Brian Garber ’17.

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Our Favorite Educational Apps Last year, the Lower School division purchased two carts of twenty-five iPads for shared classroom use, and this year we added five more units to each cart to increase student exposure to these exciting one-toone mobile devices. Students love iPads for obvious reasons—multimedia interactivity, tactile touch-screen responsiveness and gorgeous graphics—but teachers love them, too, in large measure because of the capacity of iPads to individualize the learning experience.

Three of our Lower School teachers offered to share their nominees for “Best Educational iPad Apps” with Academy magazine.

Jane Smack—Second Grade Girls Stack the States. I’ve watched my 7-year-old niece on this one. She knows all her states and many, many facts. When I asked her how she knew all the answers (about capitals, regions and locations), she said she just learned from the game. I’m excited to introduce Stack the States to my class this year.

Presidents vs Aliens. Like Stack the States, Presidents vs Aliens is a great “fact app.” It makes memorization of basic information fun.

Spelling City, Sight Words 2 and ABC Magnetic Alphabet. All of these make spelling more fun.

Living Language Spanish. This is a great tool for building vocabulary.

Flashcards Deluxe. Makes drill and skill fun.

Origami Instructions. A wonderful way to teach children to think in three dimensions.

Toy Tangram. Tangrams are polygons constructed of other polygons, and this app requires a lot of spatial thinking and reasoning. The graphics are beautiful!

Kickbox Lite. Students have to use lasers and mirrors to clear a path for a penguin. Like Origami Instructions and Toy Tangram, great for spatial thinking.

Flash Math. Created by former NA parent Janet Ellis, this app works hand-in-hand with our Everyday Math program. It includes fact families, timed tests, flash cards and pattern counting. (Divisibility Dash, which is designed by the publisher of Everyday Math, is a great app for students in third and fourth grades.)

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Diana Burson—Third Grade Boys Exoplanet. Visual database of all known exoplanets with amazing visualization and animation features.

Supported and updated daily by the Royal Astronomical Society.

Go Sky Watch. Locate stars, planets and constellations using the app to map the night sky.

Mars Globe. Engaging tool for exploring the red planet.

Planets. Simple info about planets and the moon, including visibility information tied to sunrise and sunset (past, present and future). Includes 2D and 3D sky representations with rotate and zoom features.

Splash Math. Reinforces a wide variety of concepts, varies question formats, individualizes content for each student and provides feedback/reports.

Motion Math. Reinforces students’ grasp of fractions, decimals and percentages with scaffolded visual hints. Advances students based on individual progress.

TinkerBox. Engineering and physics basics for young students through puzzles and construction.

Geoboard. Students place rubber bands around pegs to form shapes, learning basic geometry skills in the process.

(Mrs. Burson is also a fan of Toy Tangram .)

Katy Beattie—Fifth Grade Boys and Girls iMovie. Fifth-grade students—two from each homeroom—used this app to make a class movie for Parents’ Night. The iMovie app is amazingly userfriendly, and the portability of the iPad makes it even better.

TapTyping. Although I have yet to try out this app, I have been on the lookout for a timed typing/keyboarding program—so maybe this will be the one!

Parents, if you are looking for even more recommendations for great iPad apps, please consider these lists published by two of our peer independent schools: • Sidwell Friends School (Washington, DC): sfsipads.blogspot.com • Seven Hills School (Walnut Creek, CA): applist.me/XmRQuM ◆ Jay Rainey, Assistant Headmaster for Academic Affairs

Homework Questions I’ll let you in on a little secret. There are some things I don’t know.

There are things that vex me. Homework is one of those things.

Let me tell you about Susie Creamcheese. We’re three months into the academic year. She’s hanging around after class, and she turns to me and utters the age-old student question, “So, Mr. Poole, why exactly do we have to do all this homework here at Norfolk Academy?” Then she continues. “I mean, how is it that I made it through the first seven years of school and never had one minute of assigned homework? I think I still learned things.” Although I can’t remember the exact words in the reply, the gist followed the tenets of conventional pedagogy. “Generally speaking, Susie, you’ll find that homework results in better retention of facts, increased understanding, improved critical thinking, and basic enhancement of all-around performance in the academic environment.” Wow, way to go, Woody.

Took care of that little apple-cart-upsetting quip! Susie, homework is good for you!

Now, Susie is no slouch. She arrived on campus only a few months ago and is clearly in the top 25% of students in the grade. Comments from grade level meetings validate my limited science-only assessment.

Her English teacher lauds her writing ability, her math teacher comments on her well-above-average problemsolving skills, and so on. I would have dismissed this seemingly insignificant interaction with Susie if it were merely a single isolated incident. But throughout the past 13 years there was Angela Chicorelli and then Billy Ray Jim-Bob. And who could forget Sally Go Soslow and Johnny—good ole’ Johnny Do-Wrong. All came to us from educational systems in which homework is simply not part of the program. All managed to be top 25% students in a peer group of highly competitive future leaders. And all beg the same question. Why assign homework? Hmmm.

Earlier this fall I got fired up by something we heard from Tony Wagner, author of Creating Innovators, during a Skype session with the assembled faculty. He suggested that I/we should investigate the structure of the Finnish education system, which for various reasons has proven effective at producing innovative and capable thinkers and leaders. In fact, Finland boasts one of the top educational systems in the world and—

you guessed it—students spend very little time engaged in homework compared to “us.”

Now, anyone can surf the Internet and find welldocumented, well-researched and well-intended articles espousing both the pros and cons of homework. I’m starting my 14th year at NA (which gets me at least closer to losing the “new-guy” moniker), and after reading reams of research I still don’t know which side of the homework fence is the better one. One can find studies that probe the academic effects of homework at all grade levels and studies that look at the more intangible effects—from building strong study habits and fostering independent learning to effects on parent-child relationships and beyond. And evidence shows that in some situations, homework simply stinks.

I still assign homework. I would like to think our students are benefiting from that extra time working through concepts and developing skills that will serve them well in college—in fact I must think that way. But I can’t help but think this apple-cart needs tipping.

Maybe re-examining the way we conceive of homework and what it should accomplish is a good starting point. Around the Middle School we have plenty of teachers who have “flipped” their classrooms, and with that have turned the notion of conventional homework right on its noggin. At night students view videos of their teachers introducing new concepts, and in the classroom they work through problems based on what they learned the night before. No more struggling with problem sets until the wee hours of the morning.

When the kids get stuck, their teachers are right there to coach them through the tough spot. It’s an idea that’s gaining traction and producing some good results.

As I repeat the Ms. Creamcheese interaction over and over again with each new group of students, I wish I could figure out how to answer Susie’s question once and for all. I mean, how can we make sure we’re giving our kids the best foundation and the best preparation to take on the world? Does homework help or hinder?

Time to do more homework on this one. ◆

Finland boasts one of the top educational systems in the world and— you guessed it—students spend very little time engaged in homework compared to “us.”

Woody Poole, Middle School science teacher

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from the [ CLA S S ROOM ]

The Vitality of Libraries Why do we still need libraries in the age of abundant information?

Why isn’t Google enough?

Why do we still need libraries? I teach a lesson

to 11th grade U.S. History students in which I Google “Robert E. Lee,” print out the top ten hits, and give one to each student in the class. At first glance, eight out of ten appear to be relevant and reliable. Only two are obviously biased. As we dig deeper, we find that one of the sites was authored by high school students. Three sites have directly contradictory information. But the biggest hurdle to using these sites for research? They provide an average of three pages of information apiece, and they repeat the same facts over and over again. If you are seeking depth, nuance and insight, you won’t find it in a single one of those sites. And we want our students to seek depth, nuance and insight.

In the past, the librarian knew where the information was. She could hand you the book. The fact you sought had a literal, physical location in the library, and she could take you there. Today, finding facts is breathlessly easy. You can keep a device in your pocket that will let you know the name of the 11th president or the number of pints in a quart virtually instantaneously.

I’ve had a computer with Internet access in my home since I was in sixth grade, and I still marvel at it. But that doesn’t make libraries obsolete. It makes them all the more critical.

Every day, our students are inundated with information. They don’t intuitively know how to check whether a source is authoritative. They don’t automatically think to check if a statistic is out of date. They are

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often inclined to bestow trust before assessing bias.

And they so often receive information in sound bites, which are alluringly intelligent-sounding but disturbingly lacking in context and deep thinking.

The library is an engine for thinking deeply and critically. The very best way to cultivate deep thinking is to pick up a book. We say, “Take this. Read it. Follow this train of thought for two hundred and fifty pages, and let me know what you think when you’re finished.

Read books on your computer, your Kindle, your iPad. Read lengthy texts that challenge you with the task of sustained thought.” That is one thing we give our students. We say, “Take this. Read.”

There are lessons, too, in forming questions and finding answers. That is the essence of research, but it is also the lifeblood of innovation. It is a skill and an attitude that is critical well beyond twelfth grade.

We don’t abandon Google. We teach our students to use Google better. When that still is not enough, we take them to a wider world of information in books, newspapers, journals and databases. We ask them to interrogate their sources. Is it current? Is it balanced? Is there evidence of expertise? We ask them not to parrot back the findings and opinions of others but to enter into dialog with authors and texts, to analyze, to think.

We are here at the center of the Norfolk Academy campus. We are a resource for students and teachers who want to get better, to learn more. We sit with members of this community, one-on-one, we listen to their

We say, “Take this. Read it. Follow this train of thought for two hundred and fifty pages, and let me know what you think when you’re finished. Read books on your computer, your Kindle, your iPad. Read lengthy texts that challenge you with the task of sustained thought.”

The Lower School Bookshelf Recommendations from Lower School Director Patty McLaughlin We are looking forward to sharing these titles with our Parents’ Book Club this year.

questions, and we meet them where they are. Whether it is a faculty member gathering research for a new lesson plan or a student who needs to know more about the Domus Aurea, any member of our community can come through the library’s doors and say, “Help me.”

A librarian will help.

Is it working? Are our children learning the lessons we’re teaching? Is the library being used? We have those children who sit inside the walls of Batten and use the library. They come through our doors, find a book, sit and read. They gather around a table to solve algebra problems, or they scatter into the quietest corners to cram for a history test. We love those children.

We know which ones stay up late into the night reading John Green over spring break, and we know which ones are passionate about neuroscience. Those are the children who inhabit the physical space of the library, but those aren’t the only children who use the library, who profit from it. It’s a mistake to think of today’s library as a building. Every child in our school uses the library. When a child is sitting at home browsing a library database for journal articles for his ninth grade speech, he’s using the library. When a librarian visits a tenth grade class to teach Wuthering Heights researchers to craft search queries, the library is touching those students. When a librarian and an English teacher come together to develop a project that will make students better researchers, that’s the library supporting student inquiry and education. The library is everywhere. That’s today’s library.

In spite of so many recent changes, in spite of the e-books, the databases, and the huge world of the Internet, the library’s goals have not changed. We help people find the information they need. We turn generation after generation of children into readers. We are a space in which a community of intellect can grow.

Libraries are vital in the truest sense—they are both vibrantly alive and utterly essential. ◆ Lynn Paul, Librarian, Batten Library

Creating Innovators, Tony Wagner This summer’s pick for our full faculty read, Creating Innovators, provided some great discussion and wonderful food for thought. Tony Wagner makes an interesting case for the importance of play, passion and purpose. A provocative and interesting read for parents and educators.

Talking Back to Facebook: The Common Sense Guide to Raising Kids in the Digital Age, James P. Steyer While we all know we need to encourage and grow digital citizens, it is a real challenge for parents (and educators) as it often feels as though our children are many steps ahead of us. Steyer gives parents “essential tools to help filter content, preserve good relationships with their children, and make common-sense, value-driven judgments for kids of all ages.”

Building Moral Intelligence: The Seven Essential Virtues that Teach Kids to Do the Right Things, Dr. Michelle Borba Empathy, conscience, self-control, respect, kindness, tolerance and fairness. Renowned educational psychologist Michelle Borba builds on these virtues as the framework for a practical guide for helping children to navigate their daily lives and “do the right things.”

Recommendations from Head Librarian Barbara Burns Fables provide a great opportunity for parents to discuss values, choices and life lessons. Here are three of our favorite editions, all perfect for parents to read to their children.

Aesop’s Fables, Beverly Naido & Piet Grobler This newest edition of Aesop’s Fables (published in 2011) would be perfect for parents to read to their children in grades 1–4.

Aesop’s Fables, John Cech & Martin Jarrie Another beautiful and current retelling of classic fables. Again, this would be recommended for parents to read to their children in grades 1–4.

You Read to Me and I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together, Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Michael Emberly Cleverly edited and color-coded for parents and children to share the reading. Most appropriate for children in grades 1–2.

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stage

Reflections on the Power of Dance We all can dance. We all should dance. Here’s what can happen when we do.

I remember boarding the A train to 125th street. My instructions upon arrival were to take the exit to the left of the platform. I was to go to the top of the stairs, turn left and head down 125th about four blocks.

There I would see the Grant projects towering over the landscape. The Grant Day Care Center would be right in front. I was to go inside, find the office where I would be welcomed by the secretary named Dorothy. She would show me the room where the dance class would take place. The director would be there with the students.

A ball of energy named Reggie bolted through the door, past the director, past the other children who stood eagerly waiting for instruction. His energy was contagious, and the whole room started to buzz. My first thoughts: “What have I gotten myself into?”

Mr. Siracuse, Director of the Grant Day Care Center in Harlem, had asked me to help pilot an after-school program that would cater to children who came to the facility after school to wait for parents who worked late. I was totally unschooled in how to get a program started (or how to corral this seemingly limitless energy), but I dove in head first. I began by playing popular music that everybody liked to dance to. We broke the ice, ironically, with freeze tag. That led to introductions, as I quickly put names to eager,

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happy faces. It was immediately apparent that they were more interested in moving than talking. They wanted to spin, they wanted to jump, they wanted to tear through the space with no conscious fear of boundaries.

This is how our dialogue began. We focused first on popular music, to learn the latest dances. They taught me and I taught them. We incorporated African music with lots of percussion and multi-rhythms. Then we explored Black spirituals, folk songs and gospel music. Next we danced to electronic versions of classical music.

The room we occupied was far from ideal: Whenever a tenant put trash into the incinerator incorrectly, smoke would fill the room and we would be forced to run outside and wait until the air was breathable again.

But just as soon as we entered again, we’d be moving with abandon. I also discovered that having a teacher and mentor in their lives that they could trust, emulate, and who would try hard to understand them and give them what they needed, far outweighed not having the perfect dance space.

Soon enough, we were giving presentations at the center. Parents became excited and volunteered to make costumes. The children performed at the annual banquet for all of the day care centers in the borough. Soon school teachers were calling to tell me that

our students’ enthusiasm and engagement had rippled out beyond our dance class and into their other classrooms. This seemingly limitless sense of possibility, opportunity and adventure began to permeate the whole neighborhood.

In the Grant projects there was a tiny library building with a small stage in the basement, and we sought permission to clean the space so that we could produce a full evening show. Excitedly, we pulled together a creative dance interpretation of the musical West Side Story, complete with gangs and the dance-inthe-gym scene. We even added a puppet show to help further the story. The show was such a success that we were invited to give a performance at the children’s elementary school.

To dance and be appreciated by their peers and classroom teachers was quite an esteem booster. Their teachers questioned me as to how I got these seemingly listless students to become so involved and excited. My response was only that I had gotten to know them. My purpose as a teacher was to seek out each child’s unique abilities, help them grow, and celebrate them as individuals.

Last year, a very persistent second grade boy started a new movement. He wanted me to teach him how to dance. Soon, five other boys wanted to join us. This year, that number has grown to thirteen and we have formally launched our first boys’ jazz dance program. These boys never stop moving, they are eager to learn, and I love having them

(Left to right) Dancers Reed Ramirez, Lee Shearin, William Bland, David Smythe and Rohan Nagabhirava, all class of ’22.

Regional Arts Calendar Music Norfolk Academy

Royster and Tunstall Winter Choral Concert Samuel C. Johnson Theater, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Tunstall Band and Strings Concert Samuel C. Johnson Theater, Jan. 16, 2:15 p.m.

Royster Band and Strings Concert Samuel C. Johnson Theater, Jan. 17, 2:15 p.m.

Virginia Symphony Orchestra

Handel’s Messiah, Dec. 7, 8, 9, 12 Pines of Roam, Jan. 18, 19, 20 892-6366; www.virginiasymphony.org Lyric Opera Virginia

Camelot, Jan. 11, 13, and Feb. 3 446-6666; www.lyricoperavirginia.org.

in the studio. Dance will help them develop their confidence and motivation, their focus, strength, stamina, coordination, timing, flexibility and agility, spatial awareness, social and communication skills, and even enhance their memories. These skills will serve them well in their other artistic, academic and athletic pursuits.

In my thirty years at Norfolk Academy we have experienced a cultural shift in how dance is perceived—in the larger community and right here on campus. It has been a gradual acceptance of dancing—a realization that dance isn’t just for elite artists or special occasions. Now we have more people moving in more and more ways. The dance team practices classical ballet, pointe, modern dance, jazz, hip hop, body conditioning and tap dancing. Lower School students can participate in dance lessons during PE or in our after-school program. Adult beginners and professionals alike can take classes in modern dance, classical ballet and pointe. Athletic teams use dance as a means to heighten agility and core strength. We teach hip-hop dancing to our exchange students. We use dance to tell stories on all-school seminar days. We offer dance workshops to all Middle and Upper School students on Fine Arts days.

In collaboration with faculty members, we have even incorporated dance into the classroom with kinetic learning lessons that help solidify concepts and drive comprehension of the subject matter—from science to

language arts to mathematics and history.

According to Terry Farwell in his article on visual, auditory and kinesthetic learners, “Most of the school population excels through kinesthetic means; touching, feeling, experiencing the material at hand. Children enter kindergarten as kinesthetic and tactile learners, moving and touching everything as they learn. By second grade or third grade, some students become visual learners. During the late elementary years some students, primarily females, become auditory learners.

Yet many adults, especially males, maintain kinesthetic and tactile strengths throughout their adult years.” Because of the high numbers of kinesthetic learners, education is shifting toward a more hands-on approach, with movement, manipulatives and other props being incorporated into almost every subject.

Dance is an engaging way to help us explore and understand the world—our cultures, our surroundings, our perceptions.

It is also a deeply emotional way to express ourselves and create a sense of belonging and community. I am proud that we have come so far in promoting the role of dance in our students’ education, and grateful that our school community continues to recognize the power of dance. ◆ Elbert Watson

Theater Norfolk Academy

Peter Pan—Winter Musical Samuel C. Johnson Theater Feb. 20 & 21, 4:00 p.m.

Feb. 22, 7:00 p.m.

Feb. 23 & 24, 3:00 p.m.

Virginia Stage Company

A Christmas Carol, Dec. 7–23 Frog Kiss, Jan. 15–Feb. 3 Wells Theater

627-1234; www.vastage.com American Theater, Hampton

The Taming of the Shrew Jan. 19 722-2787; www.hamptonarts.net

Visual Art Norfolk Academy

Japanese Prints from the George B. Powell Collection Perrel Art Gallery Weekdays, Aug. 28–Dec. 14 As We See It: Student Art at Norfolk Academy Perrel Art Gallery Weekdays, Jan. 2–Mar. 1 Chrysler Museum

Many Wars: Photography by Suzanne Opton Sept. 19–Dec. 30 April Surent Nov. 14–Dec. 30 Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art

Tracey Snelling: Woman on the Run Sept. 13–Dec. 30

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We are rightly, justifiably proud of the men and women we have coaching our teams... they are responsible for leading an ethically grounded and directed athletic program.

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Athletics at the Academy:

Reaffirmation & Opportunity

Varsity soccer players Robert Tata ’15 (foreground) and Terence Tsang ’13.

Over a year ago, our school embarked upon a comprehensive review of our athletic program as we conducted a national search for a new Director of Athletics. We enlisted two of our most respected teacher coaches, Tom Duquette and Trish Hopkins, to help lead the process, and we engaged all of the key stakeholders in the review, gathering information and a range of perspectives from students, coaching and non-coaching faculty, parents, alumni and friends of the School. We also hired Mr. Michael Walsh as a consultant to guide us through this process. Mr. Walsh, former Director of Athletics at Washington and Lee University and, prior to his work at W&L, Associate Director of Athletics and Varsity Baseball Coach at Dartmouth, worked closely with us during the course of the year, making several visits to our campus. The most fundamental conclusion the study evidenced: Norfolk Academy should focus on, improve and build upon a strong athletic tradition—one of which we are and should continue to be deeply proud. Furthermore, as our Board President Bill Van Buren said recently in addressing our students on the topic of honor, at the end of the day we need to be able to look in the mirror and be proud of the decisions we have made. This core moral principle

has been—and continues to need to be—at the center of our athletic program philosophy.

The study also affirmed that we are rightly, justifiably proud of the men and women we have coaching our teams. They are the agents and the most important drivers of our School’s philosophy—they are responsible for leading an ethically grounded and directed athletic program; for instilling in athletes a desire to compete and win; for promoting a character and sportsmanship emphasis in athletics; and for espousing and practicing only the highest academic standards.

The support of the athletic program, as well as the study, begins with our Athletic Director.

The community is already squarely behind our new Athletic Director, Ms. Aubrey Shinofield, chosen after our national search last year. We could not have a better person, a stronger woman of character, or a more outstanding leader to provide direction for our athletic program. Please join me in welcoming Coach Shinofield to Norfolk Academy.

Conducted by the School during the 2011– 2012 school year, the Athletic Study provides useful insights and direction for moving our Athletic Program forward. What follows is a summary of the key findings of the study.

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above Varsity

field hockey player Jessica Strelitz ’15.

1—Administrative Re-Organization We have reaffirmed a one-department approach with a single administrative leader of the athletic program.

This will ensure clarity in voice, perspective, vision and leadership of the program.

2—The Teacher-Coach Model The School maintains a clear, firm commitment to the Teacher-Coach Model as the best driver of the School’s mission. That model has been and remains what we believe as most important to set before our students to challenge, better and inspire them through athletics.

3—Communications We are enhancing communications with parents, alumni and the broader Academy family, using different electronic and social media. We are also asking our coaches to provide good, clear communication as well.

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4—Admissions Everyone in the community—students, parents, faculty, alumni—is an ambassador for the School and should constantly look to help the School identify fine families and promising students who are a good fit for the School. Students must meet admissions standards and qualify academically for what is a rigorous, college preparatory program—and families need to know and embrace the philosophical values of the School, chiefly that honor and character are the core of our institution.

5—Program Leaders Head Varsity Coaches are the acknowledged leaders and experts in their program and sport. They will work closely with and support professional development for all coaches at all levels. They are entrusted with determining fundamentals, skills, conditioning and basic habits of mind, body and spirit for athletes in their particular program.

6—The Greater Community Coaches are encouraged to be engaged in their sport in the local community. They will be aware of trends— positive and negative—in the local club, AAU and travel team arenas, and understand what the implications are for our own programs.

7—Developmental Opportunities In light of the fact that over 90% of Middle School students play on a Norfolk Academy athletic team, we will examine opportunities in the Lower School PE program to prepare students for the competitive, interscholastic athletic program that awaits them. Designating a Director of Physical Education to oversee these programs will be explored, as well as the broadening and enhancing of sport-specific summer programs to help develop young athletes and to promote development of all our student-athletes.

8—College Athletes We shall support the aspirations of student-athletes who wish to compete at the college level by providing resources—coaches and college counseling—to help develop opportunities to play intercollegiate athletics.

9—Facilities We are reviewing needs for improved athletic facilities, including but not limited to turf field surfaces, lighted fields, improvements and proposed expansions to the Athletic Pavilion, Fitness Center, Wrestling Room and Aquatics Center.

10—League Affiliations We will review all League affiliations to make sure there is philosophical and institutional compatibility and alignment, and explore associating with like-minded schools by either improving the structure, organization and guidelines of an existing league or seeking to establish a new league based on a common set of principles and expectations for athletic participation.

11—Commitment Together we must re-focus ourselves on the importance of commitment and sacrifice. Committing oneself to a team is an important bond and relationship of trust.

Under the guidance and ultimate authority of the Coach—and the standards the Coach establishes to govern the team—teams are partnerships between and among athletes, coaches and parents. ◆

left Clockwise, Middle School lacrosse Coach Trent Blythe, Coach Sills O’Keefe ’89, Brother Mason ’16, David Payne ’16, Austin Poole ’17, Warren Moss ’16, Carl Kaufman ’17, Joe Benedetto ’16, Jordan Drees ’16 and Coach Vinny deLalla ’07.

RIGHT Coach and Upper School math and physics teacher Steven Goldburg ’04 with Trey Moore ’14.

Dennis G. Manning

Norfolk Norfolk Academy Academy magazine magazine || winter spring 2012

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Meet Coach Shinofield Aubrey Shinofield is Norfolk Academy’s new Athletic Director. Most recently, Coach Shinofield served as Director of Athletics and Physical Education at Hollins University and has also held administrative positions in student affairs and campus recreation at Washington and Lee University. She had a distinguished collegiate coaching career in women’s rowing at Princeton, Harvard, the University of New Hampshire and the University of Minnesota. Aubrey holds a bachelor’s degree in American history from Princeton University, where she was a national champion rower and captain of the women’s crew team. She garnered All-Ivy League honors while winning the Sportswoman of the Year Award her senior year. Aubrey also holds a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Michigan.

Aubrey and her husband, Joel, have three boys, Reed, Soren and Luke, who is a Bulldog first grader.

What do you think are the key benefits of involvement in athletics in Middle and Upper School years?

Involvement in athletics can teach things that students can’t learn in a classroom setting. On the personal side, young athletes start to gain confidence which can lead to success not only in the athletic arena but in other areas of their lives as well. I am a firm believer that success breeds success—it doesn’t matter where that success begins. Of course, there is the physical side, where athletes learn what they are capable of doing, how hard they can work and how to identify and maximize their potential. There is the social side of camaraderie with teammates, interaction with a coach or role model, and being engaged in a dynamic group setting. There are also the intense mental and emotional sides of sport,

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where athletes have to learn how to make quick decisions, control their temperament in tough situations, learn how to lead and how to support their teammates when things are moving quickly and they have fans cheering both for them and against them in a tight match. Competitive athletic events are a crucible like no other, where athletes are on their own and have to rely on what they have learned and how much they have prepared to get them through certain situations. There is no end to the benefits of organized athletics.

When you were growing up, was there a particular coach who really influenced you?

Absolutely. My high school rowing coach, Andy Harris, had a major influence on me for a number of reasons.

He teaches psychology at St. Mark’s and was also the Girls Varsity Crew coach up until he retired this year. I did not consider myself an athlete when I arrived at St. Mark’s. Having grown up in the Midwest, I had never heard of the sport of rowing. Despite all of these things seemingly working against me, Mr. Harris was quietly persuasive and encouraging throughout my entire first year. Because he was my psychology teacher and also served as a dorm supervisor, he had many opportunities to convince me to row. For me, this exemplifies the benefit of the teacher-coach model. Without Andy Harris’ influence during the day, I would not have had the courage nor the confidence to go out for the sport. I am extremely blessed to have had someone like Mr. Harris as my first major athletic coach. He managed to take a team with no previous rowing experience all the way to winning a national championship in three seasons. He literally changed the direction of my life.

In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge in high school athletics today?

High school athletics is a rapidly changing world.

Kids and parents are feeling pressure to specialize in a particular sport earlier and earlier, which is at odds with our philosophy at Norfolk Academy of encouraging multiple sports and supporting the well-rounded athlete. Our greatest challenge as a highly competitive independent school is to recognize and adapt to those pressures, offer a competitive athletic program and still remain aligned with the core values of the institution.

We are all firmly committed to the mission and the overall value of the education at Norfolk Academy. This commitment is visible every day in the classrooms, on the fields and on the stage. It is infectious and inspiring. This is truly the greatest strength of the institution. I have a healthy respect for the vibrancy between tradition and change and I firmly believe that as long as we remain true to the core values of the School, we can only get better and stronger as a program.

If there were one thing you wanted our student athletes to focus on this year, what would it be?

Athletics is about so much more than just the final score or outcome of the game. There is an incredible amount of preparation, time and commitment that

goes into a successful and competitive athletic season.

If there were one thing that I think we could all be reminded of it would be to recognize, respect and honor that commitment to Academy Athletics. It is hard to see when you are in the middle of it, but the experience that we can all create for the student-athletes and families through athletics at NA is one that they will hopefully remember for the rest of their lives.

What are some of the innovations that you have undertaken since you arrived?

My first priority this year is to listen and try to gain a better sense of the history and tradition at Norfolk Academy. It would be unproductive for me to come in and make changes before I truly understood the program and the institution. That will certainly take me more than a year to accomplish but I know enough to know that sometimes the best way forward first requires a look back.

I am honored to be a part of Norfolk Academy and to have the opportunity to work with the students and faculty that make up Academy Athletics. I am eager to strengthen the program in whatever way that I can, support our coaches, seek to teach as well as learn from our students and immerse myself in the history and tradition of Academy. ◆ FAR LEFT Varsity tennis player Lucy Siegel ’15 this page Varsity

football player Brian Shivers, Jr. ’15.

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[ GLOBAL ] perspectives

Nicaragua and Norfolk Academy Nicaragua has come a long way since the war-torn 1980s, as witnessed this summer by two groups from Norfolk Academy.

When you think of Nicaragua , what words come

to mind? For those of us who remember the Cold War, the answers are often words like “communism,” “war” and “contras.” During the 1980s Nicaragua was the site of a nasty civil war. After decades of rule by U.S.-backed dictator Anastasio Somoza Debayle, in 1979 a revolution brought to power the Sandinista National Liberation Front. Under the leadership of President Daniel Ortega and others, the Sandinistas embarked on a

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controversial campaign to remake Nicaragua, implementing land reform and other socialist measures.

Given the context of the Cold War, President Ronald Reagan believed that this could not go unchallenged in “America’s backyard.” For the balance of the decade Nicaraguans found themselves embroiled in a civil war between the Sandinista government and a variety of U.S.-supported anti-communist guerrilla organizations (collectively known as the contras). The war only ended

Granada cathedral with Lake Nicaragua in the background

Though it remains by many measures the second poorest nation in Latin America, today Nicaragua is one of the most safe and stable nations in the region.

Abby Mann ’14 with several students outside the learning center.

following the democratic election in 1990 of an opponent of Ortega’s, Violeta Barrios de Chamorro. Soon after that Nicaragua faded from the headlines.

Nicaragua has come a long way since then. Though it remains by many measures the second poorest nation in Latin America, today Nicaragua is one of the most safe, and stable, nations in Central America. Its democratic stability has been demonstrated by a series of free and fair elections, including the return to power in 2006 of Daniel Ortega. Though areas of political disagreement remain between the United States and the Ortega Administration, Nicaragua has in recent years

welcomed business investment from the United States and many other nations.

For many students at Norfolk Academy today, words that come to mind when they think of Nicaragua are things like “children,” “education,” “investment” and “friendliness.” Chaperoned by Upper School teacher John Craig and Middle School teacher Elizabeth Johnson, and in association with the organization Outreach360, in June 2012 a delegation of fifteen NA students spent a week visiting the town of Jinotega, Nicaragua. According to trip organizer and Upper School Director of Student Activities Meg Mann, their

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[ GLOBAL ] perspectives

purpose was to teach Spanish and English lessons to local children and, in the process, learn more themselves about Nicaraguan culture. (A similar delegation visited the Dominican Republic in 2011.) Outreach360 rented a house in the poorest neighborhood in Jinotega (the “Coffee Capital of Nicaragua”) and invited local children, ages five to ten, to visit for extra lessons. Each student from Norfolk Academy prepared his or her own lesson plan and then delivered “mini-classes” to local

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children emphasizing Spanish and English fluency.

Our students were thorough in their preparations; as John Craig noted, “It was very entertaining to watch them create their lesson plans—some would spend two or three hours preparing for one thirty-minute class!”

Despite the continued prevalence of poverty in Nicaragua, Craig remarked that “we never once felt unsafe while we were there.”

In an interesting coincidence, two months later five other Norfolk Academy students visited the Embassy of Nicaragua in Washington, DC. They were invited as part of the inaugural International Relations Fellows “tour of the Washington Foreign Policy establishment.”

(You can learn more about this trip by visiting its blog at http://www.internationalrelationsfellows.org.)

Chaperoned by Director of the International Relations Fellows Program David Rezelman and Middle School teacher Lisa Marie Priddy, the five International Relations Fellows spent several hours meeting with the Nicaraguan Educational Attaché, Sammia Hodgson, and an official from PRONicaragua (their official investment promotion agency), Maria Margarita Espinosa. As Espinosa explained, foreign investment in Nicaragua has increased enormously in the last few years, as companies in the United States and elsewhere have begun to recognize the emerging business opportunities afford by the safety, stability and low wages of the “New Nicaragua.” The IR Fellows also learned a lot during the general discussion that followed about how embassies function and what day-to-day life is like as a diplomat.

A walk through the streets of Jinotega on the way to the learning center.

Possibilities for further interaction between Norfolk Academy and Nicaragua are many. Future trips like that conducted with Outreach360 are likely, and possible future collaboration was also the subject of enthusiastic conversation during the visit to the Nicaraguan Embassy. A meeting was also held last spring at Norfolk Academy with representatives from the Virginia Beach–based charity HOLA (Helping Orphans in Latin America), which has done important work in orphanages in Nicaragua. (It was actually HOLA that first put the International Relations Fellows program in touch with the Nicaraguan Embassy.) In yet another connection with Nicaragua, this past spring the Direc-

tor of the Center for Civic and Global Leadership, Sean Wetmore, met with the Associate Provost for Global Affairs at Wake Forest University, J. Kline Harrison, to explore possible future collaboration between Norfolk Academy and Wake Forest at one of the latter’s facilities in Nicaragua. Though the United States and Nicaragua may have some troubled history, the future of U.S.– Nicaraguan, and NA–Nicaraguan, relations is now very bright. ◆ Dr. David Rezelman, Upper School history and social sciences teacher. Photos on pages 26 and 27 by Abby Mann ’14.

facing page top Students waiting outside the learning center for classes to begin. middle Alisha Gupta ’14 playing in the mud with students. below right Stafford Brown ’13 working

with a student on Spanish literacy.

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[ GLOBAL ] perspectives

Mohamed Elsayyed/Shutterstock

Teaching the Arab Spring The revolutions that have swept across the Middle East over the past two years represent the greatest regional shift in world politics since the end of the Cold War. Whether they result in stable democracies, however, is still very much in question.

Mohamed Bouazizi supported his Tunisian

family of eight by selling fruit from a wheelbarrow. He aspired one day to move up to a pickup truck. Making less than $150 a month, when local officials demanded bribes, Bouazizi was unable to pay. Officials seized his cart and beat him, and the governor refused to hear his protest, so on December 17, 2010, Bouazizi set himself on fire. The revolution had its first martyr.

Street protests broke out across Tunisia as protestors vented their frustration over decades of misrule by a corrupt dictatorship. Less than a month after Bouazizi’s self-immolation, Tunisia’s dictator, Zine El Abidine

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Ben Ali, had fled into exile. Though few realized it yet, the greatest regional shift in world politics since the end of the Cold War had just begun. Since that time major protests have taken place in, among other places, Morocco, Algeria, Jordan, Yemen and Kuwait. The most important events of the “Arab Spring” thus far, however, have been the revolutions in Egypt, Libya and Syria.

Together they have reshaped the political landscape of the Middle East.

The most important of these was in Egypt. Home to over eighty million people, Egypt is the cultural center of the Arab world. The United States had opposed

Egyptian anti-government protesters on their way to Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Cairo, Feb 1, 2011

a succession of dictators in Egypt until, in 1979, Egypt made peace with Israel. Since then, despite a lack of true democracy and a poor human rights record, the United States supported Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and his successor, Hosni Mubarak. U.S. policymakers knew that real democracy in Egypt might lead to rule by the Muslim Brotherhood, so as the streets of Cairo filled with youthful pro-democracy protestors, U.S. officials were ambivalent. Many of the protestors looked to the United States for inspiration and political support and found U.S. inaction frustrating. That the tear gas canisters being fired at them by the police were sometimes literally marked “Made in the U.S.A.” did not help. Social media and other modern technologies fueled the revolt; the first protests had been organized in part on a Facebook page, “We Are All Khaled Said,” in honor of a young man who had recently been beaten to death by Egyptian police.

If the Vietnam War was the first war televised live, then the Egyptian revolution was the first revolution streamed live. Norfolk Academy’s Spring 2011 International Relations course basically dropped its pre-planned agenda and focused for several weeks on following events in Cairo in virtually real time. With Norfolk six hours behind Cairo, class would often meet just as the day’s protests were winding down. When students asked if the protests would succeed or be crushed, my reply was that it depended on which side the Egyptian Army took. The next day’s class began with the playing of a YouTube video, only several hours old, which clearly showed the army intentionally positioning armored personnel carriers in order to shield protestors from police gunfire. As the protestors threw rocks at the police from behind the protection of the armored vehicles, class discussion turned to what sort of government might replace Mubarak if he eventually fled. The students were understandably optimistic, even giddy, as they watched democracy unfold before their eyes. In May 2012, however, the fears of many of U.S. policymakers were realized when the candidate of the Muslim Brotherhood, Mohammed Morsi, won election as the next president of Egypt.

In neighboring Libya, however, most of its military proved willing to use force. The dictator of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, had made an enemy of the United States decades ago. When protests began in Libya in February 2011, the sympathies of the world were immediately with the protestors. Though in recent years

That the tear gas canisters being fired at them were sometimes literally marked ‘Made in the U.S.A.’ did not help.

Gaddafi had abandoned his weapons of mass destruction programs and rehabilitated his international image to some extent, the world still remembered Gaddafi’s history of sponsoring terrorist attacks against the West.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, led by Britain, France and the United States, provided air cover for the anti-Gaddafi guerrillas, and by September a transitional government had replaced Gaddafi. Few mourned Gaddafi’s death the following month.

Libya is a nation of fewer than six million people, however. Its military was weak and Gaddafi had few powerful friends. Syria, on the other hand, has one of the most advanced air defense networks in the Middle East, and its ruler, Bashar Al-Assad, is supported

by Russia (among others). Just as the Spring 2011 International Relations class came to be dominated by events in Egypt and Libya, the Spring 2012 class ended up focusing largely on the emerging civil war in Syria (as well as the continuing debt crisis in Europe). While the sympathies of the United States and Europe have never been in doubt in the case of Syria, few military options appear viable. Given Russian support for Syria, even diplomatic action has thus far been glacial. As of this writing, civil war continues unabated in Syria.

The United Nations estimates that about 5,000 people were killed in August 2012 alone. Even if the AlAssad regime falls, however, it is unclear what sort of government might replace it. The Al-Assad family are members of the Alawite religious minority; many fear mass sectarian purges by the Sunni-majority guerrillas should the current government fall. Almost a year after Gaddafi’s death, Libya remains unstable as well, as demonstrated by the recent tragic deaths of four Americans in Benghazi. Even in Egypt, it remains unclear how much power the military will allow the newly-elected government to exercise. In short, the Arab world is relearning one of history’s oldest lessons: It is easier to destroy a government than it is to create one. ◆ Dr. David Rezelman, Upper School history and social sciences teacher.

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paw PRI N T S

Learning in the Clouds Is it time to abandon pen and paper for a more efficient (and lighter) way of learning?

Students and teachers at Norfolk Academy face the conflict between the new advances in technology and the “old school” teaching method (which we will refer to as the “Backpack”) nearly every day. Some teachers embrace devices such as iPads, using them interactively in lessons, while others prefer to stick to the tried-and-true pencil and paper routine. One wonders whether Backpack methods will one day be completely obsolete, rendered useless by the influx of new technologies. However, today both methods are still a prominent part of student life.

The Benefits of Life in the Cloud As you stop by your locker on the way to your next class, you grab your biology textbook, only to find that your backpack is already full.

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The hulking mass’s immense size threatens to give you permanent scoliosis and drag you to the floor. Why should we damage our health and carry around bags filled to the brim with books and notebooks when there are devices that conveniently carry them for us wherever we go? Services like Dropbox, iCloud and Google Drive automatically upload documents to a server in a far away place for free. Not only is the backpack inconvenient, it also is damaging to our health. “My parents say that I have bad posture because my backpack is too heavy,” states senior Kathryn Fink. Instead of relying on a heavy backpack, we can use iPads and other devices to organize our work into manageable files, making our lives easier—and lighter. We can purchase the same textbooks used in class

for cheaper, scan and store our work on these iPads, improve our schoolwork with proper organization, and avoid wasting time with hefty backpacks.

The Benefits of the Backpack Unfortunately, the reliability of the new devices is not always 100%. Computers can break down, printers can run out of ink the evening before a paper is due… this can be a student’s worst nightmare.

Also, technology is expensive. Not everyone may be able to afford the newest iPhone.

Students without an interest in technology are at a severe disadvantage as well; many of their more savvy peers can use the technology to achieve better, quicker results on assignments.

Students’ Favorite Apps For School StudyBlue (flash cards) Quizlet MyHomework iBooks SAT Question of the Day Dictionary

For Fun Instagram Temple Run Spotify Facebook Snapchat Surf Report Netflix

Writing notes or flashcards by hand can help the student retain the information. Also, it improves handwriting and organization.

There are very real concerns that the lingo that comes along with texting can be deteriorating to students’ spelling skills. “My little sister can’t even spell ‘what’ right because of how much she texts!” complains senior Stafford Brown.

Furthermore, not all teachers know how to use the new technology. We’ve all had the experience of spending nearly half the class period trying to figure out how to turn the volume up on the sound system or how to get a film to play. The “old school” method also encourages the priceless face-to-face communication between students and teachers, instead of relying on e-mail and phones.

In the end, we are lucky to live in a world where technology offers learning options that were not available in the “pen and paper” days, but we must proceed cautiously before abandoning the old school methods. There are relationships and skills that cannot be achieved in a technology-exclusive environ-

ment. For now, we must continue to hunch the backpack onto our shoulders and call on the cloud when it makes sense to do so—harnessing the advantages and learning from the disadvantages of both worlds.

Students ponder the pros and cons of online learning

Mathew Leon ’13 and Grace Webb ’13 and Student

The Cloud is more environmental.

Editors: Cross Birdsong ’18, Deni Budman ’16, Ben

—Grace Webb ’13

Klebanoff ’15, Patrick McElroy ’19, Wyatt Miller ’16, Banning Stiffler ’15, Hannah Towler ’18, Sarah Yue ’19

Your pen and paper can’t crash like a computer.—Wyatt Miller ’16

Handwriting!—Deni Budman ’16 If you are working on a group project, you can share information and ideas easily without having to meet at a certain location to work on the project.— Cross Birdsong ’18 Keeping your books and binders in your book bags helps organization.— Cross Birdsong ’18 Books strengthen you by carrying all of them.—Sarah Yue ’19 The cloud is more fun and more hands on. It’s easier to study with [the things in] a backpack.—Patrick McElroy ’19

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The

savage

CHRONICLES

Mr. Runzo and accomplice Andi Chen ’16 await their next happy victim.

OPPOSITE Gabby Swann ’16 arrives prepared and nails it!

Carpool Quadratic Mr. Runzo’s traffic duty doubles as a math quiz. Middle Schoolers know that when he’s on duty no one gets past without reciting the quadratic equation or the Law of Cosines.

So I’m out in front of the athletic pavilion the other morning, supposedly greeting seniors as they arrive.

This is my week for traffic duty. I look down the sidewalk to my right to see Chris Runzo manning a similar duty in front of the main entrance. A group of children has gathered around him, and there appears to be some sort of game afoot. So I abandon my post to walk over to see what’s going on with Mr. Runzo.

As each Middle Schooler unloads from his car (and 90% of them who don’t ride the bus disembark at this spot), Mr. Runzo asks one of two questions. The eighthgraders are called upon to recite the quadratic equation

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before they are allowed passage into school. The ninthgraders are asked to repeat the law of cosines in order to gain access. Every single student tries his best. In the five or six minutes that I am there, not one single kid shows any sign of impatience or intolerance. Not one adolescent considers the question annoying or “geeky.”

With great good cheer each accepts the challenge, rolls the eyes skyward and takes a fair shot at “x equals negative b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac, all over 2a.” Some get it right, while others get halfway there. There are even two or three students— those who can recite the quadratic formula in their sleep—hanging around trying to coach their classmates and simply reveling in the whole experience.

There are about twelve things right about this situation, but I’ll limit myself to two or three.

First, a sizable number of kids, in March of their eighth-grade year, can in fact recite the quadratic equation. Others get pretty close. We must be teaching them something. Wait, I take that back—they must be learning something. We faculty have the privilege of

working with the brightest group of kids around. What an incredible pleasure it is to be teaching kids who overwhelmingly want to learn and are very, very good at it. It can also be a real challenge when a whole lot of kids in the room are smarter than you are. I once had an Ancient History student who would not hesitate to correct me publicly if I said something false in class. I took him aside and said that I didn’t mind, but that he shouldn’t do so “in front of the children.” We are kept on our toes, but it is absolutely worth it.

Second, the students are uniformly polite, even cheerful. At 7:55 in the morning, no less. I’m still grumpy and need a few more minutes charging my battery. What is it with these kids? Maybe they are just playing off Mr. Runzo, who is having more fun than he should be having by challenging his students as they arrive. And the unofficial student coaches are smiling and giggling as each classmate makes his attempt. You cannot help but be buoyed by what is transpiring here.

This is happy medicine indeed. Of course in a few hours I might be barking at seniors for the profundity of their second-semester slump (which, in fact, I was) or at some eighth-grade boy for playing keep-away with a classmate’s pen (ditto). But at this precise moment there is enough goodwill to chase away the less than perfect moments to come.

More important than anything else, this is ultimately not about intelligence or optimism or even math. I encourage you to take a close look at the video we filmed that morning and posted on The Savage Chronicles blog. This is about Mr. Runzo, or more precisely, the relationship that has been forged between Mr. Runzo and his students. Check out the kids’ body language. Look at the ease with which they respond to the challenge. It’s not that they are friends with him— some may well have felt the sting of his rebuke from time to time. The relationship is deeper and more important than friendship. For lack of a better word, they respect him. They know in their hearts that he wants only the best for each of them. For a few, he is also their coach who works them senseless in practice because he wants so desperately for each to succeed. And so when he throws a little brainteaser at them as they arrive, they are delighted to respond.

At the end of each school year Mr. Manning conducts exit interviews with each senior. One of the questions he asks is, “What is the best thing about Norfolk Academy?” The overwhelming majority response is “relationships with teachers.” This creates a wonderful symbiosis. Teachers here love working with kids and crave success for them. When the students realize this from Ms. Beloved English Teacher or Mr. Respected Science Prof, they respond with their best shot at trying to fulfill the expectations. Which makes us love them even more. Which makes them try to live up to our expectations even more. The feelings on each side can last a lifetime.

While lunching at No Frill Grill a while back I ran into two young women I had taught in the 1988–1989 school year. One of the two I know well and see often.

The other I don’t recall having seen since graduation those many years ago. Since it has been so long, she supplied her name even though in this instance it was not necessary. The pleasure she took at saying hello was obvious, not because it was Mr. Savage, but because my face reminded her of all the teachers that had worked with her twenty or thirty years ago. She bore precisely the same expression as those kids greeting Mr. Runzo.

But to any alumnus or alumna reading this, allow me to let you in on a little secret. For all those years, you have meant every bit as much to us as we may have meant to you. ◆ Toy Savage ’71 has served in various roles, including teacher, coach, administrator and official school historian, since his return to Norfolk Academy in 1986. This piece first appeared on Toy Savage’s blog, The Savage Chronicles. To view the video of Mr. Runzo’s Traffic Duty or to see the latest posts, visit thesavagechronicles.org or scan the QR code.

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lives of [ CON S EQUENCE ]

Courage, Commitment and Hope: Q&A with Dr. Craig L. Slingluff, Jr.

Craig L. Slingluff, Jr., MD (Norfolk Academy Class of 1976) is Joseph Helms Farrow Professor of Surgery, Vice Chair for Research, and Director of the Human Immune Therapy Center at the University of Virginia. He is a true humanitarian—known as much for his compassionate care of cancer patients as for his tenacious commitment to finding them a cure.

The Human Immune Therapy Center operates within the University of Virginia Cancer Center to provide treatment and hope for cancer patients through the clinical use of the newest immune therapies and through ongoing laboratory research on how the immune system can be activated to fight the war on cancer. Dr. Slingluff leads a multi-disciplinary team that several years ago pioneered the development of a vaccine to help fight melanoma. Dr. Slingluff sees melanoma patients one day a week, performs surgery one day a week, and directs clinical and laboratory research that involves other faculty and staff of the Cancer Center, residents, post-doctoral candidates, microbiologists, chemists and even undergraduate students. He recently submitted a multi-million dollar grant request through the National Institute of Health to gain funding for the next phases of his research. While I privately questioned how Dr. Slingluff has free time for such passions as poetry and windsurfing, he wondered aloud why anyone would want to write about him and his professional achievements. And so with the generosity, patience and humility of a great teacher, he set aside time to provide an update for the Academy.

Dr. Craig L. Slingluff, Jr. (left) graduated from Norfolk Academy in 1976. He earned an Honor Award Scholarship and was an Echols Scholar at the University of Virginia, where he was a three-year member of the wrestling team and Chairman of the Honor Committee. He completed medical school at UVA, residency at Duke University, and returned to UVA in 1991. He is married to Kristin Swenson, a biblical scholar who recently published Bible Babel (Harper; 2010) and is currently writing her third book. Dr. Slingluff is the brother of Molly Slingluff Ill ’78 and the proud uncle of Emmy Ill ’06 and Hannah Ill ’08. He is grateful in all things to his mother, Emily Hunter Slingluff, and his late father, Craig L. Slingluff, who was a longtime member of the Norfolk Academy Board of Trustees.

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Q: What factors are shaping the current environment for cancer research?

A: When President Nixon passed the Na-

When President

tional Cancer Act in 1971, many in the medical community believed that a cure for cancer would be just around the corner. But progress has been slow and it has only been in the past decade that research has given us renewed hope. Many advances have to do with how we now understand the cellular and molecular structure of cancer and the way in which the immune system can recognize and even attack certain cancers. Traditional treatment for cancer patients often includes surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation. Recently we’ve seen tremendous positive responses to new therapies that are generally less toxic and less invasive. This revolution in both cancer care and research leaves us optimistic that a cure for cancer is in the foreseeable future. Actually, with each new advance some patients are being cured who would not have been cured in the past; so one at a time, cures are coming now.

National Cancer Act

Q: So for those of us with only a fuzzy understanding of medical science, how do you describe your research?

A: We generally know that cancer starts

when certain cells grow out of control—invading other tissues and damaging the cellular structure. It is increasingly evident that a healthy immune system can control outgrowth of some cancers. The immune system also has natural checkpoints that keep the system from misdirecting its response. Cancers can induce those checkpoints and cut off the immune system too early. My research is primarily focused on turning the immune system back on with melanoma vaccines and other approaches to stimulate the immune response. I specialize in melanoma, but there are similarities across the biology of cancer that makes what we are learning applicable to other cancers and to other illnesses of the human immune system.

Q: You’re a surgeon by training. How did you come to specialize in cancer care, and more specifically, immune therapy as treatment for melanoma?

A: I was not, surprisingly, one of those

children who knew he wanted to be a doctor from an early age, though I was always fascinated by invention and by science in general. I’ve benefited from a supportive

directions T cells need so that they not only carry the immune response to the general area of each cancer, they actually know to go inside and disperse throughout the cancer and kill it. T cells have a memory function, so if we can get them to the exact location, they should be able to memorize the directions and therefore help the body develop a permanent immunity.

Nixon passed the in 1971, many in the medical community believed that a cure for cancer would be

Q: You mentioned that cancer is named and treated by its origin, so melanoma that spreads from the skin to another area of the body is still melanoma. And you explained that each melanoma has numerous molecular variations. The complexities of those directions seem overwhelming.

How do you stay so focused and positive?

A: I am fortunate to have found a rare

just around the corner. But progress has been slow, and it has only been in the past decade that the research has given us renewed hope. family and several key mentors along the way. During residency at Duke University, I spent two years working in the research lab of a surgeon, Dr. Hilliard Seigler, who was among the first to culture specialized white blood cells (T cells) from melanoma patients and prove that those T cells can recognize and kill that patient’s cancer cells. These were the early clues that led to the discovery, at the University of Virginia, of the molecular targets recognized by those T cells. In 1995, we began to develop experimental vaccines for melanoma patients. These vaccines have been developed further and are showing encouraging findings. We can induce immune responses in the large majority of patients treated with those vaccines, and the overall clinical outcomes are better than we would have expected. But we’d like to see every patient survive, so we are still looking for ways to induce a broader and more durable response with our next-generation melanoma vaccines now entering trials.

Q: Where are the clues directing you now?

A: My current research centers on T

cells, which are the part of the immune system that can generate a specific, targeted response to find and kill an invasive cancer.

Imagine thousands of cars along a highway, with each one trying to reach a unique destination. To get there, each driver has to know the way. I am trying to figure out the specific

balance between my research interest and patient care. I am inspired by my patients, and the progress we’ve made. We have patients involved in clinical trials who come to the University of Virginia from all over the country and the world. Many stay here for weeks at a time during a trial. For those with more advanced melanoma, our trials are a less invasive alternative to the standard treatment approved by the FDA which is risky and can compromise quality of life. Here, we take the outcomes of our research directly to the clinic and deliver them to patients—with encouraging results. I am committed to those patients, and I am convinced we are on the right track for making a real impact in treatment of melanoma.

Q: How did your Norfolk Academy experience prepare you for this profession?

A: I had so many great teachers along the

way, all of whom inspired a love of learning and who were always supportive. I learned more than I can say from Patty Masterson, who taught me how to write and to think independently. I also benefited from a really great coach. I was on the wrestling team at Norfolk Academy—a sport that requires a great amount of discipline and individual responsibility. Our coach, Bill Miller, understood these things, and he was always supportive with his advice. Whenever I came off the mat, particularly with a loss, he would give me a big handshake and say, “Get your head up.” ◆ Interview by Gigi Tysinger ’87

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[ ALUMNI ] highlights

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Fine Arts Reunion

2 Summer Bulldog Bash 3

Spring Alumni Luncheon

4 Third grade Poet Tea 5

Senior Alumni Welcome

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alumni fun

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5 Norfolk Academy magazine

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[ ALUMNI ] highlights

Norfolk Academy’s Career Connection Internship Program Last summer Norfolk Academy’s Alumni Association hosted its eighth summer of internships for upper

1

2

school students and alumni in college. Over fifty companies offered more than eighty-five internship opportunities.

The program’s goal is to connect current students and young alumni with alumni and Academy friends who are already established in the workforce. Upper School interns have the opportunity to pursue genuine interests beyond the curricular offerings of the School, broadening their experiences and readying themselves for the independence the college admissions process brings. Young alumni in college will gain insight into career opportunities and first-job prospects.

This unique program has also created strong ties between Norfolk Academy and its wide range of constituencies. The career guidance and first-hand experience provided are priceless in the current job market. The Alumni Association would like to thank the following companies for supporting this important endeavor at Norfolk Academy: ADS Inc.

3

Norfolk Academy Lower

AltDaily.com (Editorial)

School

AltDaily.com (Marketing)

Norfolk Academy Technology

Baker’s Crust

Periodontology Associates

Brand Fuel

Portfolio Recovery Associates

Breakthrough at Norfolk

Resite Online

Academy

Rosenblum Plastic Surgery

CB Richard Ellis

Rutter Mills LLP

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

S.L. Nusbaum Realty Co.

Chrysler Museum of Art

Sentara Medical Group

Cooper Hurley d’ART Center

Medicine

Dominion Enterprises

Signature Financial

Ellis Gibson

Swimways Corporation

Fitness Together

The Katsias Company

ForKids, Inc.

The Up-Center

Habitat for Humanity of South

The Virginian-Pilot

Hampton Roads, Inc. Hanbury Evans Wright Vlattas + Company Kaufman and Canoles

Tidewater Eye Centers, P.C. TowneBank U.S. District Court, E.D. Virginia, Norfolk Division

Keep Norfolk Beautiful

Virginia Arts Festival

Kirna Zabete

Virginia Beach Office of

Lifeway Family Physicians

Cultural Affairs

Lynnhaven River NOW

Virginia State Parks

Martin Engineering

Waypoint Advisors

Max Media

Welligent, Inc.

Mercy Medical Airlift

WHRO

Merrill Lynch

Wilbanks Smith & Thomas

Mosquito Squad Norfolk Academy Development Office

Asset Management, LLC Williams Mullen xTuple Zak Investment Company, LLC

38

academy

4

Pulmonary and Critical Care

5 1

Andrew Balitsky ’12 interned for Ned Lilly ’86 at xTuple working on computer software.

2 Joshua Cohen ’09 spent the summer interning at Waypoint Advisors where Susanna Adams ’94 oversaw his activity.

3

Madison Acra ’14 (left) participated with the Oyster Restoration Program with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

6 4 Max Moss ’13 interned at Tidewater Eye Centers over the summer.

5

Lindsay Stewart ’11 interned under Ian Holder ’03 at Merrill Lynch.

6 Cole Werkheiser ’09, Kelly Luker ’10 and John Gullick at The Katsias Company.

7

Ginna Wilbanks ’09 spent her summer in New York working at the fashion store Kirna Zabete.

internships

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

8 Aisling Neilan ’14 spent her summer interning with Swimways.

10 Charmel Peters, Bess Preddy ’12, Lindsay Stewart ’11 and Ian Holder ’03.

9 Geoffrey Cole ’09 (left) and Morgan Claffy ’12 (right) worked with Judge Henry Morgan in the U.S. District Court.

11 Danny Reddin, Suzanne Rhodes, Learning Bridge Director Ari Zito and Brad Martin ’87.

(10–13) Interns and sponsors celebrated a success­ful program at the Annual Summer Internship Luncheon at Norfolk Academy in July.

12 Josh Cohen ’09, Jennifer Waldholtz ’09, Brittany Morris ’09 and Kate Wilson ’91.

13 Lindsay Stewart ’11, Stephanie Fuschetti ’11 and Christine Keller.

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[ ALUMNI ] highlights

Homecoming 2012

1

2

3

7 8

4 5

6

Sarah Clark ’14 leads the cheering!

homecoming 2012

1

2 Shelly Gough Johnson ’82, Missy Heely, Jack Heely ’82 and Becky Petterson.

3

9

Former Faculty Emerson Johnson and Charlie Cumiskey enjoy the First Annual Homecoming Bulldog Bash.

4 Senior Darrell Boyce takes the field with his parents during halftime when all fall senior athletes were recognized.

5

Kailee Cunningham ’13 and Logan Simon ’24 out by the fields at Homecoming.

6 A young supporter gets ready for some Bulldog football!

7

Decked out in orange and blue, Jordan Jones ’23 enjoys the spirit parade.

8 The fans in attendance had reason to cheer!

9 The Bulldog leads the Lower School students to begin the first annual spirit parade.

10

14

10 Class of 1986 members at the Bulldog Bash. Chris Dotolo, Joanne Kennan Young, Ruth Acra, Dawn Wilson Grunwald, Kelley Gomez Bimson and David Hester.

11 Senior Alex Fitzwilliam leads the football team onto the field before the game.

12 Arch Brown ’80, Ed Morgan ’80 and Bill Jenkins ’80.

13 The weather was perfect, and the stands were packed for the big win over Nansemond-Suffolk Academy.

14 John Tucker and Dennis Manning sport their school-spirited pants on Homecoming.

11

15

15 Rachel Cook ’13 poses with two future cheerleaders, Carrie and Whitney Collenberg ’24, during the Homecoming BBQ. 16 Lucy Siegel ’15 and Grant Wiggins ’14 get ready to cheer on the Bulldogs.

17 Bennett Yue ’23 shows the Bulldog some love!

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[ ALUMNI ] highlights

athletic reunions

Spring Sports Day

1

2 Swimming and Diving Track and Cross Country

3

4 Richmond Hampden-Sydney College

5

6 San Francisco

2

2

1

1

2

2

1

1

2

5

3 42

academy

3

3

on the road

4 4

5

4 5

5

6

6

5

Norfolk Academy magazine

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43

[ ALUMNI ] highlights

class reunions

’57 ’62

’62

’62

’62’72

’72

’72

’72

Class Reunion Planners and Hosts

44

academy

55th Class Reunion Class of 1957 Tom Mansbach, Ashby Taylor 50th Class Reunion Class of 1962 John Turner, Bill Miller

’77

40th Class Reunion Class of 1972 Kirkland Kelley, Sally Kitchin, Heather Hollowell, Rolf Williams, Jim Snyder, Bob Lane

35th Class Reunion Class of 1977 Jane Cole, Julie Childress Beck, Richie Keatley, Lee Turlington

30th Class Reunion Class of 1982 Ann Liles Cox, John Katsias, Danny Plante, Brother Rutter, Dudley Ware

’57/’62 Former Lower School Director Charlie Cumiskey, Ashby Taylor ’57, Hunter ’62 and Elizabeth Rawlings, Eileen Cumiskey, and former headmaster John Tucker.

’62 SECOND ROW LEFT: John Sellers, Diane Sellers, Judy Wooden and Sunny Wooden

SECOND ROW SECOND: Members of the class of 1962 were recognized by Dennis Manning at halftime of the football game.

’82

’72 THIRD ROW LEFT: Mallory Boyd, Heather Hollowell and Kate Gomez Rivers

THIRD ROW SECOND: Leslie Hecht-Leavitt and Kate Kabler Moring

BOTTOM ROW LEFT: Kirkland Malloy Kelley and Zoe Goranson

BOTTOM ROW SECOND: Vernon O’Berry, Peyton Via and Mike Harrison

’77

THIRD ROW CENTER: Loy Meade, Alyson Myers, Kate Sweet Armel, Tricia Grinnan, Jane Greer Cole and Anne Carlston Kramer

THIRD ROW RIGHT: Jeff Crooks and his wife Andrea, Loy Meade, Anne Carlston Kramer and Dan Dickinson

’82

’82

’82 TOP RIGHT: The class of 1982 gathered for their 30th reunion party over Homecoming weekend.

SECOND ROW THIRD: Danny Plante, Carol Ann Harrison Smallwood, Ann Liles Cox and Payton Dickinson Cromwell

SECOND ROW RIGHT: Gary Moss and Suzanne Moss

’77

25th Class Reunion Class of 1987 Siobhan Miller, Richard Ottinger, Mike Standing, Phoebe Hogeland, Amy McCraw, Meredith Doxey, Hunter Dorroh, Brian Wainger

20th Class Reunion Class of 1992 Griff Aldrich, Molly Shuttleworth Evans, Jen White Heilig, Rob Neff, John Peterson, Leah Ramos Swatt, Jill Kantor Wainger, Jenn Winslow

15th Class Reunion Class of 1997 Stephanie Krup Repole, Mary Burroughs Yuill

10th Class Reunion Class of 2002 Eva Colen, Logan Schmidt, Brittany Lumpkin, Elizabeth Snyder, Henry Wilcox, Elizabeth Robertson Williams

5th Class Reunion Class of 2007 Edward Barham, Liza Brown, Alex Carney, Spencer Davis, Kris McKinnon, Sarah Munford

Norfolk Academy magazine

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[ ALUMNI ] highlights

class reunions

’87

’87

’87

’97

’87

’92

’97

’62 ’92

’97 46

’92 academy

’87

TOP ROW CENTER: Sarah Trundle, Rob Trundle, Robert Fiveash, Mike Bajit, Samantha Noona Gleason and Peter Ogram

S ECOND ROW LEFT: Robert Viccellio and Jay Standing

SECOND ROW SECOND: Mike Standing

and Siobhan Cooper Miller with Jimmy Miller ’84

’02

SECOND ROW THIRD: Samantha Noona Gleason, Phoebe MacKinlay Hogeland and Gigi Cooke Tysinger

’92

SECOND ROW FOURTH: Jill Kantor Wainger and Leigh Gayton Mayrhofer

THIRD ROW THIRD: Jill Wainger, Jason

Martin, Jenny Hubbard Winslow, Molly Shuttleworth Evans, Katie Fletcher and Jen White Heilig

’02

’07

BOTTOM CENTER: 12-year survivors in the

class of 1992

’97

THIRD ROW LEFT: Kendra Robins Ervin, Brad Ervin, Christy Murphy and Albert Falk

THIRD ROW SECOND: Brett Shomaker, Mary Yuill and Mary Beth Polley

BOTTOM LEFT: Tad Galloway, Carol

Galloway, Lara Hunter, Jake Whitaker, Evan Pitler Goldman, Cam Mills and Lauren Berger Shomaker

’02

TOP RIGHT: Margaret Bishop, Allison Glaser, Jennifer Whitt, Kendall Natter and Elizabeth Robertson Williams

SECOND ROW FIFTH: Scott Baxter, Brittany

Lumpkin, Tom York (former faculty), Allison Mantz and Dana Thompson

’07

’07

SECOND ROW RIGHT: Nate Tipora and Derwin Gray

THIRD ROW RIGHT: Edward Barham,

Amanda Fay, Spencer Davis and Ryan Nero

BOTTOM RIGHT: Whit Booth,

Vanessa Stuart, Patrick Rice and Samantha Soussan

’07 Norfolk Academy magazine

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47

Announcing the Trustee Challenge

Help prepare our future leaders by making your Annual Giving gift to Norfolk Academy today.

Norfolk Academy’s Annual Giving supports the most fundamental elements of the School’s program. The Trustee Challenge will match every new or increased annual gift with a $100 donation to Norfolk Academy. If you did not make a gift last year and choose to do so today or if you increase the amount of your previous gift, the Board of Trustees will donate an additional $100 to Annual Giving.

Rise to the Trustee Challenge.

Make your gift to Norfolk Academy today! www.norfolkacademy.org/giving

class notes

Class notes or photos to share? Contact Preston Moore at pmoore@norfolkacademy.org

1951 Ω Moose Tyler ’51: ftylervb2@aol.com

1952 Ω The Garnett ’52: garnettwindsors@aol.com

1956 Ω Bill Spicuzza ’56: billspicuzza@yahoo.com

is much more than just a local food coop. Sandhills Farm to Table Cooperative’s success and unique contribution to community development is told in the Jan/Feb USDA Rural Cooperatives Journal cover story (p.4). (http:// www.rurdev.usda.gov/supportdocuments/1033437_RuralCoop_JanFeb12. pdf) Fenton’s story on how Sandhills Farm to Table Cooperative is a 25-year dream come true is also shared.

1957

1964

Ben Turnbull wished all in the Class of

Robert L. Payne has just written a book

1957 a Merry Christmas and Happy

called A Side Order of Truth. At a glance

New Year from Kabul, Afghanistan.

the story shows a young family secure

1959

in its humor. Yet the grip of something

above Blake G. Anderson ’65 is having fun traveling the globe for Aon

Corporation, and his wife, Barbara, gets a chance to join him when he is less than eight hours away. Above they are at the Avenue of the Dead at the Teotihuacan city outside of Mexico City. That is the Pyramid of the Moon behind them.

stronger squeezes the three children apart and toward irony that laughter

Kirkland one of the Top 25 Women

1974

couldn’t touch.

Lawyers in Virginia, just one of the

Ferd Salomon lives outside of Pen-

1961

1966

many highlights of her career. Always

sacola, FL. He works in commercial

a consummate advocate and activist in

real estate with his own firm. His son,

Charley Norris, who left the class with

Ω Taze Taylor ’66: ttaylor@satcpa.com

the arena of gender and racial equality,

Christopher, is a Navy LT in Jackson-

Kirkland works to ensure that any or-

ville assigned as an instructor pilot in

ganization with which she is affiliated

SH-60B helicopters. Chris has two

adheres to noble anti-discrimination

daughters; the second arrived in Au-

standards. She makes specific efforts

gust. Ferd’s daughter Jenny just graduated from Stetson Law School and

ing of minority attorneys and serves as

starts her LLM work at the University

Ω Beau Walker ’59: bwalker@norfolkacademy.org

his military family midway through his junior year, returned for his 50th

1967

reunion. Charley enjoyed catching up

Ω John Donahoe ’67:

with his class at the Headmaster’s re-

jondon007@verizon.net

1970

in her own firm to encourage the hir-

ing stroll along Virginia Beach was

Anne Reed Harper is a grandmother-

a mentor for young female associates.

of Florida this fall. His other daughter,

an added bonus to the trip along with

to-be! Her oldest daughter, Susan Gray,

Her impressive list of past and current

Rachel, is a high school senior. Please

several brief self-guided tours of Ghent,

and her husband, Seth, are expecting a

associations includes WHRO, Norfolk

keep Ferd’s brother Colgate Salomon

downtown Norfolk and the Lynnhaven

baby in December. Anne plans to be in

State University, Old Dominion

’76 in mind. He has had a recurrence

area in the balmy fall weather.

Indiana for the birth.

University, Eastern Virginia Medical

of his renal cancer which required

Ω Ed Levin ’61: elevin@saul.com

Ω Anne Reed Harper ’70:

School, Virginia Bar Association, The

brain and two chest surgeries late

Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia

last year. After a few months of good

Beach, and Hampton Roads Com-

reports, it has come back again. He

munity Foundation. The YWCA of

is currently undergoing treatments at

Richmond honored Robin Robertson

Walter Reed and the National Institute

Starr with an Outstanding Woman

of Health in Bethesda. He has had

Award on May 4.

to retire from his job on medical

Ω Heather Hollowell ’72:

grounds. Colgate and Michelle, his

ception, the two fine dinner parties, and the alumni events on campus. A morn-

1962 Ω Bob Cole ’62: ocole66@gmail.com

1963 In 1985 Fenton Wilkinson left his large

amrharper@gmail.com

1971 Ω Sam Brown ’71: srbrown@srblaw.hrcoxmail.com

commercial transactions legal practice

1972

in Seattle to become part of the solu-

The YWCA of South Hampton Roads

tion to the growing environmental and

has named Kirkland Molloy Kelley

social justice issues we are facing. For

a 2012 Woman of Distinction and

1973

over 20 years Fenton’s focus has been

honored her at a luncheon on April 5

Ω Kit Miller Whitely ’73†

sustainable community development.

in Norfolk. Kirkland is a trailblazer

Michael Via ’73:

in August.

In 2009 he initiated Sandhills Farm to

for professional female empower-

laxstx@cox.net

Ω Susan Lampert Smith ’74:

Table Cooperative in North Carolina. It

ment. In 2006 Super Lawyers named

reunion year

hollowell17@cox.net

Ω Class Correspondents

wife, live in northern Virginia. His daughter, Jessica, just graduated from the University of Tennessee, and his son, William, started at George Mason

Thesmithery@cox.net

†

deceased

Norfolk Academy magazine

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WINTER 2012

49

if you are in the hospital and need a

specializes in work on behalf of trust

have no idea how they will figure out

psychiatrist), and she is the director of

accounts. John Katsias is proud to say

the commute next year. This is a big

the fellowship in this subspecialty of

his daughter, Stephanie, graduated in

year in Amy Moss Levy’s household.

psychiatry. Dan is a clinical professor

the Class of 2012 with high honors

Her oldest son, Jacob ’12, graduated

of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive

as a 12-year survivor. She will attend

from NA and will attend the Uni-

Surgery at the University of Pennsyl-

UVa this fall. His son, Christopher, is

versity of Pennsylvania. After twelve

vania. He is also in the private practice

a rising junior. John looks forward to

straight years with at least one child in

with his brother Sam ’87, who lives in

seeing everyone at their 30th reunion.

the Lower School, she also celebrated

Princeton, where he occasionally runs

Clair Lamb will try to get to at least

Ben, her youngest son’s, graduation

into Kirk LeCompte. Sam and Dan

one of the 30th reunion events, but

from the Lower School. Her son

recently shared the privilege of being

will miss Friday night’s because of an

Nathan ’13 and daughter, Sophie ’15,

guest lecturers at an International

event at The Arts Club of Washington,

round out the Levy clan.

Surgical Course held in Rome. The

DC, for Books To Die For (Atria/Emily

Ω Alicia Scott Devine ’83:

organizer of the course and Dan re-

Bestler Books), which marks her first

cently published the world’s first free,

official book credit—assistant editor,

online surgical textbook, entitled www.

under co-editors John Connolly and

1984

RhinoplastyArchive.com. The European

Declan Burke. She lives in central

Ω Eric Acra ’84:

Rhinoplasty Society adopted this

Maine and works as a freelance editor,

textbook as its official site, where it

researcher, and occasional publicist

1980

will post its Proceedings of the Society.

for authors including John Connolly,

1985

James VanAllen Bickford IV currently

Joseph Finder, Lisa Lutz and Daniel

Ω Danielle Reiff Schweikert ’85:

Jeffrey Tinkham started his own law

resides in San Diego, CA, and has

Palmer. Carol Ann Smallwood is still

danielle.schweikert@

firm, Tinkham Law Group, PC, in

been practicing law for 12 years. He

enjoying life in Arlington. Her oldest

thomsonreuters.com

June. He routinely handles merg-

is recently engaged to Patricia Alecsia

is about to be a senior, so they are

ers and acquisitions, commercial

Beltran, who works in interior design

embarking on the college tour, which

1986

real estate transactions and estate

for destination resorts and hotels.

is exciting. She is enjoying running

Ω Chris Dotolo ’86:

planning matters. Jeff earned his law

They plan to marry in Norfolk this

a four-year, need-based scholarship

degree from UVa and his business

fall. John Cooper started a law firm,

fund, helping seniors from three high

degree, magna cum laude, from the

Cooper Hurley, with offices in Norfolk,

schools in the area attend college.

1987

University of Richmond. His oldest

Virginia Beach and Hampton. He is

They are helping 20 kids next year and

After a two-year hiatus, Mike Bajit

son, Spencer, is a sophomore at Baylor

doing the same personal injury law

have their first graduate, who will head

went back to work at a nightclub in

this year. Jeffrey’s other son, Clay, is a

that he has practiced for 23 years. His

to medical school this fall.

Washington, DC, in August 2011. He

junior at Norfolk Collegiate. Both boys

oldest child, Matthew, is in 11th grade

Ω Dudley Ware ’82:

operates the lighting system at Opera

have had the good fortune to win the

and is a lineman on the varsity football

Ward World Decoy Carving Champi-

team. David Costenbader traveled to Hatteras for an annual (13th) family

1983

the White House. He had been work-

onship (Youth Division) held in Ocean City, MD.

get-together, where he spent some

Alicia Scott Devine’s son Wyatt ’12

he told the owners that he’d come out

Ω Arch Brown ’80:

good times with Mike Lawson and his

graduated from NA. He is enrolled at

of retirement for only one year. Mike

wife, Teresa, along with the rest of the

Washington and Lee University, where

finished on Labor Day weekend 2012.

1982

family. Steve Coyle lives in Chappaqua,

he will play lacrosse and hopefully go

Last year Mike’s local chapter of Alpha

NY, and works in New York City for a

to all of his classes. His NA classmates

Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., re-elected

Daniel Becker and his wife, Madeleine,

firm called Cohen & Steers, where he

include the sons of Anita Nissenson

him president. As for his daytime job,

are doing well in Philadelphia. They

heads up private real estate investing.

Best and Amy Moss Levy. Alicia’s

Mike is a senior acquisition analyst

have three children, ages 10, 8 and

He was lucky enough to see Paul Zoby

older son, William ’10, just finished his

for Integrity Management Consulting,

4. He saw Dean Chadwin when he

’83 and Tom Raynes ’81 in Vail at an

second year at UVa, where he is major-

supporting an agency within the De-

was in Philadelphia this spring and

old men’s lacrosse tourney. Unfor-

ing in electrical engineering. She and

partment of Homeland Security. Phoe-

thoroughly enjoyed their tennis match

tunatey, however, their teams didn’t

her husband, Bill, are wondering how

be MacKinlay Hogeland has all three

despite being stomped! Dan’s family

play each other. Steve also visited Lake

they will handle the empty nest. Kate

of her children as young Bulldogs this

comes to Virginia Beach every sum-

Placid, where he had heard that Scott

and Kevin Houley are doing well in

year. Reid and Clara (6) are in first

mer to visit his parents, and they’re

Price ’85 was playing but didn’t run

Annapolis. Their three boys seem to

grade and Eliza (9) is in fourth grade.

having a lot of fun this summer at the

into him. Steve’s lacrosse career at

be thriving in school; they actually

Richard Ottinger is looking forward

Jersey Shore, where they frequently

NA ended after 10th grade but started

hate the summer. They are all at the

to his 25th reunion. He had a taste at

visit. Dan’s wife is still working at

again in college. After a few years off,

Gilman School, where Ethan (14) just

his wife Lisa’s 20th from UVa several

Thomas Jefferson Hospital, where she

he has been playing quite a bit. Arthur

started 9th grade, Jack (12) began 8th

years ago, where they caught up with

is a psychiatrist. She is the co-director

Jones launched Strategic Wealth Man-

grade, and Charlie (10) is in 5th grade.

a bunch of ’87s: Chandler Williams,

of the Psychiatry Consult Service

agement Solutions, LLC, a registered

They have one in each of the lower,

Chris Johnson, Tina Grimstead-Rider,

(she is the person your doctor calls

investment adviser, in 2009. The firm

middle and upper schools, so they

Brendan Sherlock, Tom Berkley, Robert

1975 Ω Charlie Nusbaum ’75: cnusbaum@nusbauminsurance.com

1976 Ω Pope Woodard ’76: popewoodardjr@yahoo.com

1977 Ω Ray Sears ’77: j_r_sears@yahoo.com

1978 Ω Stephanie Adler Calliott ’78: SACinVA@aol.com

1979 Ω Tricia Jones Affronti ’79: taffronti@norfolkacademy.org

abrown@scottstringfellow.com

50

academy

dware@norfolkdredging.com

aliciadevine@mac.com

eacra@norfolkacademy.org

CDotolo@norfolkacademy.org

Ultra Lounge, about five blocks from ing in DC nightclubs since 1994, so

Viccellio, Siobhan Cooper Miller, Jay

second vice president of the Norfolk

Standing and Katy Rachels Kreinbaum.

Sports Club and will continue through

Rob Trundle lives in Charlottesville

those chairs to become president of

and attends UVa football games. His

the club in 2015. Becky Levin wishes

wife, Sarah, runs marathons. Their

a very happy and youthful 40th to all

oldest daughter, Maggie (13), is into

of her classmates who reached this

cell phones and music. Their younger

milestone in 2012. She celebrated with

daughter, Liza (10), plays soccer and

a bikram yoga challenge—30 classes

swims. Their son, Shep (7), is into

in 30 days—in an attempt to defy the

states and capitals. He currently is

aging process. Come join her in the

obsessed with the stick puppets they

hot room! Becky was thrilled to host

bought in Corolla.

a baby shower for Dara Blachman

Ω Richard Ottinger ’87:

Demner. She enjoyed hanging out

rottinger@vanblk.com

1988 Ω J.J. Magpoc Burroughs ’88: jmbcmc@cox.net

1989 Ω Eleanor Baird DeMoors ’89: edemoors@gmail.com

with Mike Corneille and his family in San Antonio in April. Following an excruciatingly brutal congres­ sional session, Becky looks forward to winding down, enjoying some beach time, and catching up with old friends and family. Kevin Lilly returned to Tidewater to do security cooperation for the Marines with foreign militaries

1990

throughout Africa, working out of Fort

Brook Straeten Avery is excited to

October 2011, and they have a new ad-

have a new Bulldog in her family. Her

dition to the family—Holt Alexander

middle daughter, Leah, will be starting

Lilly was born in July.

1st grade. Leah will join big sister

Ω Curtis Romig ’90: cromig@pgfm.com

Straeten, who is entering 6th grade.

Story. He married Jaqui McBride in

Baby Meredith will be in kindergarten,

1991

which seems impossible. Brook is

Charlie and Macon Yates Collins

also thinking how this is the year that

welcomed Henry Alexander Collins

most of her classmates hit the big 4-0,

on October 7, 2011, which is why

and she sends happy birthday wishes

they were not able to attend the class

to everyone. Tracy Lawrence Burman

reunion last October. Hank joins big

traveled to the south of France to visit

brothers Charlie (7), Tucker (6) and

family for two weeks this summer for

Porter (3). They continue to enjoy

some much-needed R&R. All is well

living in Charlotte and feel blessed to

with her. She still enjoys Seattle for

have four sweet and energetic boys!

nine months a year and her job. Her

Campe Goodman and his wife, Aman-

son, Ben (5), starts Kindergarten and

da, are expecting their first child in

full-immersion at the French-Amer-

October. They are still enjoying living

ican School of Puget Sound in the

in Boston and are anxiously anticipat-

fall and daughter Millie (3) will stick

ing their new arrival. Anne Fernando

with their local pre-school. If anyone

was married to James Northway on

ventures out to Seattle, call, email or

September 22, 2012, at St. Gregory’s

Facebook her. George “Bryce” Burton,

Church in Virginia Beach, followed by

Sr., continues to live in Virginia Beach

a reception at the Wyndham Virginia

with Joy, his wife of 16 years, and their

Beach Oceanfront Hotel. She was

two kids, Sierra and Bryce Jr. Sierra is

excited to be able to share her wed-

a rising 7th grader and Bryce Jr. is a

ding day with several of her Norfolk

rising 4th grader at Norfolk Academy.

Academy classmates. Anne currently

Elected to sergeant at arms for the

practices law at a real estate law firm

Rotary Club of Norfolk, the largest

in Atlanta, GA, while her husband

Rotary Club in the district, Bryce will

works at Fifth Third Bank as an assis-

continue through the chairs to be

tant vice president. They continue to

president in 2016. Bryce is also the

reside in Smyrna, GA, with their cat,

reunion year

Ω Class Correspondents

top Danny Rosin ’86 was the opening speaker at the Operation Smile ISLC Conference at Georgetown University on July 30, 2012. Here he is pictured (front center) with Norfolk Academy students and alumni in attendance.

Below On May 25, 2012, Jef Field ’90 reached the summit of Mt. Everest. He was one of 26 people to reach the summit that day. During the time Jef was on Mt. Everest, he, along with another doctor, helped with a medical evacuation of a National Geographic photographer. The Sherpa Gear House supplied Jef with much of his gear for the venture to the summit. Jef is on the far right in each photo from his time on the mountain.

Norfolk Academy magazine

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51

Scrappy. Her email address is an-

J.D Sanders and Chris Watson played.

nefernando@hotmail.com, if any old

Like last year’s event in DC, many

friends would like to reconnect. Jane

classmates came out for dinner and

Finney decided to extend her tenure

drinks. Thanks to Nataki Corneille, Jen-

in NYC, after taking a four-month

nifer Smith Minter and Mason Kalfus

sabbatical last fall, and return to the

for meeting the golfers out last year!

ranks of advertising agency profes-

Next year, the golf outing will be in An-

sionals by joining Arnold Worldwide’s

napolis, MD. The trip fills up quickly.

New York office as an SVP, group

Join the NA ’93 Facebook Group to

account director. She currently has the

learn more or contact Jon Johnson if

difficult job of developing engaging

you are interested in next year’s trip.

and compelling TV commercials for

On June 3, 2012, Ashley Dorroh and

brands like Hershey’s Syrup, Jolly

John Galler married at the Cavalier Golf

Rancher and Twizzlers. She continues

and Yacht Club in Virginia Beach. In

to see fellow ’91 classmates Francie

attendance were many members of the

Staub, Casey Morgan and Jason Lynn

Norfolk Academy family, including for-

regularly. All three are experiencing

mer and present teachers and coaches,

fabulous professional success and

alumni, students and members of the

enjoying life in NYC. Amy Gravitt and

Alumni Board and Board of Trustees.

her husband live in Los Angeles with

Madison Galler ’23 was the flower girl.

their children, Jack (3.5) and Romy (1).

Kim Swartz Eidsness graduated from

She’s vice president of Comedy Series

Howard Community College and is of-

at HBO. Along the way she’s run into

ficially a registered nurse in Maryland.

Sean Dugan ’92 at a table read and

Elizabeth Branch Freedman still loves

met with writer Monica Padrick ’01.

living in Colorado with her husband,

Kate Hofheimer Wilson was promoted

Jason, and two sons. Benjamin (5)

to director of development-Hampton

started Kindergarten this year. Charlie

Roads for the Chesapeake Bay Founda-

is a happy two-year-old who keeps

tion. This spring she was nominated

Elizabeth on her toes. He loves to

as a new trustee of the Irene Leache

laugh, get dirty and charm the ladies.

Memorial Foundation, and she was

She loves the mountains but misses

thrilled to join several NA and CDS

everyone in Virginia. Elizabeth is a

alumna serving on this board. Kate

marketing consultant focused in the

and her family enjoy urban gardening

high-tech sector and loves the flexibility

in their front yard, biking to work and

of being self-employed. Jennifer George

school, and promoting environmen-

Ward cannot get enough of her son

tal stewardship in their community.

Jack, who just turned one.

They look forward to hosting a college

Ω Sara Pope Agelasto ’93:

exchange student from Japan this fall. above Charlie ’91 and Macon Yates Collins reside with their family in

Charlotte, NC—Charlie (7), Tucker (6), Porter (3) and Henry Alexander Collins (1).

Below On June 3, 2012, Ashley Dorroh ’93 and John Galler ’93 were

married at the Cavalier Golf and Yacht Club in Virginia Beach. In photo, kneeling: Walker Dorroh ’90, Trent Dorroh ’95, JD Sanders ’93 and Dave Thomas; second row: Kaylee Sanders ’23, Emma Johnson (former student, daughter of Jon Johnson), Jane Stewart ’23, Madison Galler ’23; back row: Leslie (Coker) Crocker ’93, Tommy Dunn ’93, Emily (Spruill) Labows ’93, Kelly Kennedy ’93, Chad Brandt ’93, Nataki Corneille ’93, Po Hardy ’93, Jon Johnson ’93, Cosby Hall ’93, John Galler ’93, Ashley (Dorroh) Galler ’93, Chantal (Koppens) Rose ’93, Pat Fernando ’93, Ken Lampert and Hunter Dorroh ’87. Not shown: Susanne Galler ’87 and Conrad Hall.

52

academy

Ω Jane Finney ’91: jane.s.finney@gmail.com

1992

sagelasto@gmail.com Ω Sarah Joyner ’93: sej1@hotmail.com

1994 Parker Agelasto is running for Rich-

Katie Harrison Willett and her hus-

mond City Council this fall. Stephanie

band, Henry, welcomed a son, Ryland

Clarke Duran married Ruben Duran

Suiter, on September 20, 2011. He

on February 18, 2012, in Maui. The

joins older brothers Hi (8) and Harri-

couple currently resides in Beijing,

son (5). They reside in Richmond, VA.

where Stephanie is the deputy director

Ω Jen White Heilig ’92:

of the Department of Energy’s China

beckjen2@aol.com

office at the U.S. Embassy and Ruben

1993

works for the Department of State.

The Class of ’93 Fourth Annual Memo-

classmates Katie White Cartwright and

rial Golf Trip was back in Charlot-

Margo Klewans Duboz and Will Clarke

tesville, VA, for 2012. This year Chad

’99. Rachel McCarthy had her sixth

Brandt, Paul Kelley, John Spain, David

child on July 19, 2012. New son John

Lampton, Jon Johnson, Tommy Dunn,

Patrick joins Samantha (8), Abigail

NA alums at the wedding included

left Stephanie Clarke ’94 married Ruben Duran on February 18, 2012, in Maui.

The couple currently resides in Beijing, where Stephanie is the deputy director of the Department of Energy’s China office at the U.S. Embassy,and Ruben works for the Department of State. Academy alums at the wedding included Katie White Cartwright ’94, Margo Klewans Duboz ’94 and Will Clarke ’99.

center Scott Flax ’96 with son Abraham and Mike Duquette ’99 with son Drew take a break from the D.A. Taylor tournament. right Jonathan Byrne ’01 and Heather Byrne, Jeffrey Kent and Kristen Worrall Kent ’01, and Hannah Byrd and Ross Byrd ’01

(6.5), Dave (6.5), Virginia (6.5) and

years, Jessica Hirsch Fielek has recently

Lahren is practicing immigration and

years as a programmer, until she could

Maisy (2).

accepted a position at the College of

family law at Pender & Coward in Vir-

no longer deny she wanted to pursue

Ω Sara Straeten Dailey ’94:

William and Mary as a project manager

ginia Beach. When not at work, she’s

a career in medicine. She is currently

in the Psychology Department. When

competing in fun athletic events for a

an anesthesia resident at VCU, where

she’s not working, she loves spend-

good cause such as the ASYMCA Mud

she is delighted to put people to sleep

ing time with her daughters, Lily (8)

Run and CHKD Run for the Kids, and

all day long. She spends her spare

1995

and Sadie (5), and her husband, Josh,

enjoying biking, watching Nationals

time fixing up a lovely old house and

taking in all that Williamsburg has

and Tides baseball, and serving on the

hanging out with her husband of nine

Kendell Watson Griffin and her

to offer! Tad Galloway and his wife,

Neptune Festival Sandman Triathlon

years and 4-year-old daughter. Georgia

husband, Daniel, are excited to share

Ashley, welcomed their second child,

committee. Having realized that he

Wainger Sussman is the manager of

the birth of their son, Blake Daniel

William Thomas Galloway, on January

and the legal profession were, to say

professional development at Herrick,

Griffin, who was born on June 14,

29, 2012. “Will” was 8 lbs., 8 oz., and

the least, ill-suited to each other, Kevin

Feinstein, a New York–based law firm.

2012. Christy, Eleanor and Billy Wynne

22 inches long. He joins big sister

McCloskey has spent the last five years

She enjoys spending time with her

welcomed Harrison Lei Jun Wynne

Katie, who is now 3. They still live in

playing in the dirt as an archaeolo-

husband, Brett, and their son, Eli,

into their family on February 7. Lei

Cary, NC. Tad is enjoying his second

gist at a number of cultural resource

who celebrated his first birthday in

was born in Nanyang, China, and has

full year working for Sick, Inc., cover-

management firms. He is currently on

July. They live in New York City and

quickly warmed the Wynne household

ing the southeast U.S. for large OEM

the road during weekdays working on

love taking in its cultural and culinary

with his hearty laugh and easy nature.

accounts. Erica Blachman Hitchings

a historic house site in Delaware. Kevin

delights. Elizabeth Finch Wright gradu-

Ω Mary Garris ’95:

and her husband, Seth, welcomed

has lived in Richmond for 12 years.

ated in May from the ODU School of

mary_garris@yahoo.com

Benjamin Blachman Hitchings on

When not getting muddy and finding

Dental Hygiene, passed her boards,

Ω Kendell Watson Griffin ’95:

February 2. They are having a blast

old stuff, he’s been playing drums in

and is thrilled to begin her new career

with Benjamin. She is an attorney for

bars and theaters with two bands, and

as a dental hygienist.

1996

the Department of Justice, primarily

has opened up for acts like Dickey

Ω Laura Coker ’96:

handling health care fraud matters.

Betts and The Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

After a fantastic run at the Recording

Erica, Seth and Ben are enjoying life

He spends his downtime with his

Industry Association of America as the

on the West Coast but wish the ocean

10-year-old hound dog and a wonderful

director of media and standards, Laura

temperature there were as warm as it

girlfriend. After living in New Zealand

Coker moved from music technology

is in Virginia Beach. Erica is sorry that

for the last six years, Sarah Robbins is

1997

policy to music production. She is

they missed the reunion in San Fran-

moving back to Tidewater with a hus-

Ω Lauren Adler Reid ’97:

currently an audio engineer at the Na-

cisco, as it would have been great to see

band and baby. Teddy is 9 months old.

tional Press Club in Washington, DC,

everyone! Amy and Alan Johnson re-

She is looking for work as a science or

and a volunteer at Musicians On Call—

ceived an early Christmas gift, as they

math teacher. Her husband, Paul, will

1998

a nonprofit organization which brings

welcomed Robert Chandler Johnson

be joining Sarah and Teddy as soon as

Chas Reynolds received a JD from

live music to the bedsides of hospital

into the world on December 14, 2011.

he sells their house and obtains a visa.

UCLA Law in May 2012.

patients, with notable performances

They have had a great summer and

Jennifer Rodgers gave birth to her first

Ω Anne Marie Nash Burroughs ’98:

by John Mayer, Bruce Springsteen and

in July celebrated their son, Alan Jr.’s,

child this year. She and her husband,

James Taylor. After working as a health

fourth birthday. They are having a blast

Daryle, welcomed Jeremiah Clark Rod-

educator/epidemiologist at the Pen-

living in Atlanta, where Alan works for

gers into their family on April 16, 2012.

insula Health Department for several

Norfolk Southern Corporation. Annie

Eva Szentpetery Smith spent several

ssdailey@gmail.com Ω Natalie Pavon Mann ’94: kevandnatmann@gmail.com

kgriffin@norfolkacademy.org

reunion year

Ω Class Correspondents

lauracoker@gmail.com Ω Teddy Rice ’96: rice@ironwoodequity.com

laurena@gmail.com

annemarie.burroughs@gmail.com Ω Michelle Polley Setty ’98: mpolley1@jhmi.edu

Norfolk Academy magazine

|

WINTER 2012

53

above Price Massey ’03 was in Haiti in early April with a group from EVMS

on a fact-finding trip for Norfolk Academy’s Global Health Fellows program.

This trip had been organized by Jon Gellman ’01 and EVMS ’13. Polly Pereos ’03, who is also Jon’s fiancée, participated as well. This was their second trip to Haiti this year to run a medical clinic at an orphanage/school in the central

plateau city of Hinche. They distributed portable water purification systems to a local village, which was very timely with the outbreak of cholera there. Their first trip to Haiti was in December 2011, when Katy Gerloff ’03 and Tolga Sursal ’02, EVMS ’15 joined Jon and Polly (and a few others from EVMS), as well.

1999

Caroline Byrd Dozier ’04, Bryan Worrall

of health administration program at

marketing and branding agency. Years

Jennifer Fuschetti received a JD from

’05 and Michael Worrall ’09 were in the

Medical University of South Carolina.

of doing web and graphic design for

UCLA Law in May 2012.

wedding party. Every year the Norfolk

Henry Colen and Charles Land will be

film-related companies made Walt real-

Ω Jennifer Kawwass Thompson ’99:

Academy distance athletes that Zach

classmates once again as they start

ize early this year that he experiences

Lampert coaches give him a hard

business school this fall at UVa’s

the same passionate creativity doing

2000

time that they will beat his only school

Darden School. Claire Hennessey

this as he did making movies. Walt’s

record, the rarely run 4 x 1,600-meter

recently started working at Emory Uni-

wife, Gretchen, is teaching art to high

Justin Ryan Brooks was awarded an

relay, off the books. Each year on the

versity as associate director of develop-

schoolers at Our Lady of Good Counsel

MD/PhD in neuroscience at com-

blustery last Friday of March they real-

ment, Office of Foundation and Corpo-

High School in Olney, MD. They

mencement ceremonies May 18, 2012,

ize that it’s hard to run fast outside in

rate Relations. Her department serves

celebrated their fourth anniversary this

from Washington University in St.

March. This year’s track team included

as a liaison between Emory’s schools

April sailing around the British Virgin

Louis. He will begin work at the Army

a sub-4:30 guy, a sub-4:40 guy, and

and units and potential funders. New

Islands. Emily Jonak Justesen and her

Research Laboratory in Aberdeen, MD.

three others under 5:00. Zach wanted

mom Josie Rice Horan and her hus-

husband, Nick, welcomed their first

Randolph ’94 and Kathryn Hoover wel-

Austin Siegel, Sten Atkinson ’02 and

band, Thomas, welcome baby boy John

child this August. Juliet Kline received

comed Reese MacKenzie on Monday,

Pat Lyons ’03 to know that their record

Wallace. He was born on May 5, 2012.

a master of social work from Catholic

April 9, 2012. Kimberly Thompson

still stands at least for another year.

He was named after his maternal great-

University this spring. She is the devel-

Manuel and her husband, Kevin, are

Ω Jennifer Byrd ’01:

grandfather, John Clifford Wallace, who

opment manager at Thurgood Marshall

was the head city tax assessor for Ports-

Academy, a college-preparatory public

mouth. Josie is going back to work in

charter high school in Washington, DC.

the fall to start her sixth year teaching

Emily and Polly Pereos caught up this

special education at a beautiful NYC

summer at The Williams School, where

school that’s seven blocks from their

Polly recently started. Polly is working

2002

home in Brooklyn. Her husband is still

in the development office on special

working as a firefighter for the FDNY.

events and the annual fund. She’s

Roxann Stephanie Brooks earned a

Virginia Hudgins is living in League

also teaching K–2 Computers. She

PhD in comparative pathology from

City, TX (just south of Houston), and

and fiancé Jon Gellman ’02 did some

the University of California-Davis in

recently submitted her request to leave

volunteer work in rural Haiti this win-

2001

commencement ceremonies June 14.

the Coast Guard. She’s not quite sure

ter with fellow bulldogs Katy Gerloff,

She returns for her final year of vet-

where her new path will head, but she

Price Massey ’01 and Tolga Sursal ’01.

After many years in school, Allison

erinary school and completion of her

is considering graduate school or a

California-bound Ryan Simone is off to

Jack received her PhD in develop-

DVM degree.

career in the maritime shipping/safety

USC to start dental school. Matt Timms

mental psychology from UVa. She

Ω Eva Colen ’02:

industry. Virginia recently became

and his brother Mike are opening an

an assistant field hockey coach for St.

exciting new business in the Hilltop

Agnes Academy in Houston and is

East shopping center a few doors

excited to get started this August. Walt

down from the new Taste Unlimited.

2003

Irby is doing web and graphic design

Tidal­Wheel is a full-body indoor cycling

for Clark Concepts in Rockville, MD

studio that provides riders with an all-

MacKenzie Benton has started a master

(www.clarkconcepts.com), a complete

encompassing, inspirational workout.

jennifer.kawwass@gmail.com

living overseas in Naples, Italy, until late 2014. If anyone makes it out that way or wants a free guest house in Naples, please look them up. Ω Blair Mustin Fine ’00: blairfine@gmail.com Ω Maria Kitchin Moore ’00: mmoore@norfolkacademy.org Ω Allison Cutchins Watson ’00: allison@olympiadevelopment.com

is beginning a post-doctorate at the Yale Child Study Center to study autism. Kristen Worrall Kent married Jeffrey Kent on May 14, 2011, in Cape Charles, VA. Ross Byrd and Jonathan Byrne played music for the ceremony.

54

academy

jennifer.m.byrd@gmail.com Ω Katherine Lee Canupp Coleman ’01: katherinelee.canupp@gmail.com Ω Carrie Gerloff Yuill ’01: cgyuill@gmail.com

eva.m.colen@gmail.com Ω Kathleen O’Bryant ’02: kathleen.obryant@gmail.com

By combining upbeat, energetic music with experienced instructors, they

2005

guide cyclists through a one-of-a-kind

Molly Alston still loves her work at

exercise experience they won’t find any-

Children’s National Medical Center

where else. Their state-of-the-art cycling

as a hematology/oncology/bone mar-

equipment and boutique studio setting

row transplant nurse in Washington,

make the entire workout unforgettable

DC. Josh Barr is working as a legal

from start to finish. Register on their

assistant at the Hogan Lovells law firm

website (tidal-wheel.com) and be the

in Washington DC. Katherine Dorey

first to know when classes are available.

moved to Richmond in the spring of

Michael Via has also moved back to

2012 and is currently working at The

Hampton Roads. He is working at

Martin Agency. Chris Grenga and

Norfolk Academy, teaching fifth grade

Walter Hoffman recently formed Bar-

and coaching football, basketball and

row Street Ventures, a venture capital

lacrosse.

partnership that seeks to identify and

Ω Polly Pereos ’03:

acquire orphaned and/or dead con-

pollypereos@gmail.com

sumer and industrial products brands’

2004

intellectual property rights at attractive

Drew Johnson graduated from UVa

revitalized companies by leveraging

Med School in May and heads to UT

the brands’ heritage and authenticity.

Southwestern in Dallas, TX, for its

BSV has already identified several po-

otolaryngology residency program.

tential targets that meet these criteria

This past spring, Kathy Markham

and hopes to complete an acquisition

visited Capitol Hill with a delegation

in the near term. Alexander Kassir and

of psoriasis researchers and advocates

Marissa Joy Duff married on Saturday,

to urge their members of Congress to

March 10, 2012. They met at Virginia

support funding for psoriasis research

Tech and currently reside in Virginia

at the Centers for Disease Control and

Beach. Mary Alice Needham married

Prevention (CDC). With a small invest-

Cam Hagan on May 26, 2012, at St.

ment, the CDC can begin work to in-

Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Nor-

crease understanding of psoriasis and

folk. Many NA alums attended with

psoriatic arthritis, gain insight into the

Margaret Wilcox, Stephanie Kane and

long-term impact of psoriasis and pso-

Archer Lyle serving as bridesmaids.

riatic arthritis, and more. Devin Miller

Mary Alice will begin work as a day

graduated from the Medical College of

treatment clinician in Norfolk Public

Virginia in May and heads to Yale-New

Schools this September. Bryan Worrall

Haven Hospital for its obstetrics and

and his wife, Erin, have welcomed

gynecology residency program. Steven

their first child into their family. Their

Sloss graduated from Harvey Mudd

beautiful daughter, Annie Jane Worall,

College in 2008 with a joint bachelor’s

was born on March 20, 2012.

of science degree in mathematics and

Ω Katie Flippen ’05:

computer science. He met his fiancée, Elizabeth Kucharczyk, in February

valuations, and incubate and launch

katieflippen@gmail.com

2010 during the winter blizzard. Thad-

2006

dee Valdelievre graduated from UVa

Daniel Goodman worked on the first-

Med School in May and remains at

ever movie about the sport of lacrosse,

UVa’s Medical Center for its residency

Crooked Arrows, which released nation-

program in anesthesiology. Scott Wal-

ally in the U.S. and Canada on June 1,

lace graduated from UVa Med School

2012. This is an independent film that

in May and heads to San Diego for a

has incredible lacrosse action, shows

surgery residency.

the Native American roots of the sport,

Ω Lindsay Brown ’04:

and is a great family movie with tons

lindsayb85@gmail.com Ω Christie Kellam Snodgrass ’04: cck3n@cms.mail.virginia.edu

above Mary Alice Needham ’05 married Cam Hagan on May

26, 2012, at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Norfolk. There were many NA alumni in attendance.

Middle Katherine Mantz, Katelyn DeFord, Chat Ott and Chelsea Caplan (left to right), all from Norfolk Academy Class of 2008, graduated Saturday, May 19, 2012, from Elon University.

Below Norfolk Academy students and alumni participated in First Presbyterian Church’s Nicaragua Mission Trip in August of 2012. From left to right, Kristen Green ’14, Catherine Stine ’13, Madison Acra ’14, Katie Green ’03 and Ruth Acra ’86.

of friendship, sportsmanship, good laughs and family values. Ω Emmy Ill ’06: emmy.ill.8@gmail.com Ω Lexie Pitts ’06: alexa.pitts@gmail.com

reunion year

Ω Class Correspondents

Norfolk Academy magazine

|

WINTER 2012

55

weddings Anne Fernando ’91 to James Northway Ashley Dorroh ’93 to John Galler ’93 Christie Kellam ’04 recently married Palmer Snodgrass and the celebration was enjoyed by many members of the Norfolk Academy family.

Stephanie Clarke ’94 to Ruben Duran Brooke Harrison ’00 to Niel Boothby

2007

her next professional move in either

2009

Kristin Worrall ’01 to

After graduating UVa with a degree

on the USS Curtis and deployed to

Alex Patterson spent the summer in-

Katherine Sessoms ’01 to

in mechanical engineering, Edward

South America. He will return to San

terning for Congressman Scott Rigell

Barham works at Newport News Ship-

Diego in December. Sven Wijtmans is

(VA-2) on Capitol Hill.

building as a topside test engineer. He

a graduate student hoping to earn a

Ω Annesley Berndt ’09:

writes procedures and test equipment

PhD in physics at Syracuse University.

on the CVN 71 Theodore Roosevelt, a

Kensey Wheeler just got engaged. She

Nimitz class aircraft carrier. He lives

is working as the assistant director of

in Portsmouth and recently purchased

alumni engagement for the Alumni

2010

in memoriam

his first house. Derwin Gray is going to

Association at William and Mary.

Ω Jessica Smith ’10:

Frank A. Jacobs ’53

EVMS this year. Lee Grimes currently

Jemma Wolfe moved to NYC to start at

works as a college booking agent for

Goldman Sachs after graduating from Stanford University. Libby Woodard

2011

Joseph S. Hume ’68

Babco Entertainment. They book concerts and comedians at colleges

works for Easton Events, a thrilling

Caroline Baker made the second all-

William A. Thomas ’72

all over the United States and help

event management and design firm

state team in Virginia for D3 women’s

Katherine Miller Whitely ’73

those colleges produce their events.

based in Charlottesville.

lacrosse at Sweet Briar College. She

Ralph Godwin Lampert, Jr. ’78

She currently lives in Virginia Beach.

Ω Liza Brown ’07: etb5e@virginia.edu

had over 200 saves in the regular

Jason Kennedy received his honor-

film or editing. Brian Striffler is serving

agb2pc@virginia.edu Ω Ryan LaRock ’09: rry0012@aol.com

jlsmith02@email.wm.edu

2008

season and finished in the top four

able discharge from the U.S. Army, having spent four years with the 101st

Steven Barron Frazier received the

lacrosse league. Anna Turietta ’12,

Airborne Division, Air Assault. A

Anna Carrington Harrison Award.

Virginia Berndt ’12, Kylie Philbin ’11 and

year of that time was spent in sunny

Presented by Dr. Robert T. Herdegen

Rebecca Karp ’11 all came from UVa to

Afghanistan earning a NATO medal,

III, dean of the faculty at Hampden-

support the Girls’ Varsity Tennis team

Army Commendation Medal, and

Sydney College, the Anna Carrington

during their match with St. Anne’s

Combat Action Badge. He recently

Harrison Award is given annually

Belfield. Norfolk Academy won the

moved to McLean, VA, and works as a

as a memorial to the mother of Mr.

match 9–0. After the match the team

defense contractor. Matt Miller will be

Fred N. Harrison of Richmond. It is

gathered with the UVa students for

a starting at University of Richmond

awarded to the student who shows the

lunch.

Law School. Greg Monaco joins Vinny

most constructive leadership in each

Ω Kylie Philbin ’11: kep2we@virginia.edu

DeLalla in the Lower School at Norfolk

school year. Barron also has earned the

Academy. They both coached in the

ODK National Leader of the Year in

Class notes reflect notes received

fall. Sarah Munford accepted a new

Campus Life Scholarship presented by

through September 1, 2012. Log on to

job with Criterion Institute and will

Omicron Delta Kappa.

your class page to see the latest notes.

remain living in Boston. Madelin

Ω William Kitchin ’08:

Smith lives in New York. She is working on a novel, interning at Stanley Tucci and Steve Buscemi’s production company, and currently seeking out

56

academy

kitchinw@hsc.edu Ω Angela Nelson ’08: arn8@georgetown.edu Ω Clark Reed ’08: reedc@hsc.edu

in saves in the NCAA D3 women’s

Jeffrey Kent Frederick Napolitano Marissa Duff to Alexander Kassir ’05 Mary Alice Needham ’05 to Cam Hagan

William P. Sellers ’63 William S. Coppedge ’69

What is a Charitable Gift Annuity?

A Charitable Gift Annuity is a legal contract in which Norfolk Academy, in return for a gift of cash or stock, commits to pay you, the donor, a specified sum every year for as long as you live.

The annuity rate varies with age: the older you are, the higher the rate. If funded with appreciated securities, capital gains are spread out over your expected lifetime. Additionally, you receive a charitable deduction the year you make the gift.

It is a great way to make a gift to Norfolk Academy and receive income for the rest of your life.

Here’s an example:

John Q. Donor, age 70 Gift: $10,000 Annuity rate: 5.1% *** Charitable deduction: $3,582 Annual income: $510

single life gift Annuity Rates * Age

Rate

Payment **

60 65 70 75 80 85 90+

4.4% 4.7 5.1 5.8 6.8 7.8 9.0

$ 440 $ 470 $ 510 $ 580 $ 680 $ 780 $ 900

* Effective January 1, 2012 (subject to change) ** Based on a $10,000 gift

For information on how you can give a Charitable Gift Annuity to Norfolk Academy, please contact:

*** Based on age (see table)

Your gift provides for Norfolk Academy’s future and for your own. It will help ensure the quality of the Academy experience for future generations. Membership in The 1728 Society accompanies all planned gifts.

M.B. Walker III ’59 Director of Planned Giving Norfolk Academy 1585 Wesleyan Drive, Norfolk, VA 23502 Tel: (757) 461-6236 • Fax: (757) 455-3181 bwalker@norfolkacademy.org

Planned Gifts. Gifts that give back. www.norfolkacademy.org/giving

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Burlington, VT Permit #19

1585 Wesleyan Drive Norfolk, VA 23502

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Like us, link to us, find us or follow us. Join the conversation and be in touch with us. facebook.com/NorfolkAcademyBulldogs @NorfolkAcademy @AthleticsNA @PMcLaughlinNA 757-461-6236 NorfolkAcademy.org thesavagechronicles.org chesapeakebayfellows.org internationalrelationsfellows.org naglobalhealthfellows.org and coming soon: Mr. O’s blog!