Echoes Winter 2016

BaldwinEchoes The Magazine for Alumnae, Students, Families and Friends of The Baldwin School

Winter 2016 Why I Give | Homecoming | Legacy Profile | Next head of school announced

ECHOESContents Features

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Homecoming “Outer Space: To Inter-Ac and Beyond” was the theme chosen for this year’s Homecoming celebration. The day’s events featured a pancake breakfast, various activities and varsity athletic competitions.

Departments

1 Announcing Baldwin’s 8th Head of School

2 Upfront

5 Alumnae Newsmakers

6 Why I Give

8 Academics

Editor: Lisa A. Algeo

Assistant Editor: Nova Morgan

Contributor: Noelle Fabrizio

Design: Veronica Utz

A Baldwin education provided alumna Sara Scott ’96 the confidence for a career in Hollywood as Vice President of Development and Production at Universal Pictures.

Photo Credits: Katie Brogan Ozeck, Jay Gorodetzer, Kenny Delio, Mark Tassoni, Jessica Parrish, Jeff Reeder, Jessica Weld, Mark Garvin, Matthew Wright, Gerald Lawrence, Stephanie Greer, Mira Ramchandani, Sara Scott ’96, Margaret Walton Ralph ’64, Stephanie Schaeffer ’85

All photographs are identified left to right unless otherwise noted.

We welcome letters regarding the contents of the magazine and/or issues pertaining to the School. Letters must be signed. The editor retains the right to edit at her discretion.

Please send correspondence to:

10 Arts

12 Athletics

20 Faculty Footnotes

21 Legacy Profile

22 Class Notes

40 Closing Thoughts

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From Maskers to Motion Pictures

Lisa A. Algeo, editor, Echoes The Baldwin School 701 Montgomery Ave. Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 lalgeo@baldwinschool.org For general alumnae requests or information, please contact the Office of Advancement and Alumnae Engagement: Stacy Gallagher, Chief Advancement Officer sgallagher@baldwinschool.org or 610-525-2700, ext. 286 Echoes is printed on recycled paper.

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Dr. Marisa Porges ’96 Named Head of The Baldwin School On December 5, The Baldwin School Board of Trustees announced that it selected Marisa Porges, Ph.D., of Washington, DC, to lead the next generation of Baldwin students. She will be Baldwin’s eighth Head of School and will succeed long-serving Head Sally Powell on July 1, 2016.

Dr. Porges, a 1996 graduate of The Baldwin School, most recently served at the White House, as White House Fellow to the National Economic Council. As a senior advisor for cybersecurity and technology policy, she directed efforts to expand Internet access in public housing and helped launch the President’s Buy Secure cybersecurity and consumer protection initiative.

“Dr. Porges personifies the visionary women that Baldwin graduates—women capable of leading on the global stage and making a lasting impact on the world. She will bring to The Baldwin School proven leadership abilities, a strategic vision for Baldwin’s future, a clear commitment to the vital and transformative nature of a Baldwin education and great personal warmth,” said Baldwin School Board of Trustees Chair Terry Steelman. “The Board of Trustees is delighted to welcome back an award-winning alumna who so clearly exemplifies the difference that a Baldwin education can make in the life of our students, our region and our nation.”

“I’ve always believed Baldwin’s approach to education is so effective at shaping young women as future leaders because it instills in its students the confidence, tenacity and independent thinking that brings lasting

personal and professional fulfillment,” said Dr. Porges. “I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to work with Baldwin’s remarkable faculty and staff to provide generations of girls the same kind of transformative Baldwin experience that served me so well.”

Search Committee Co-Chair Kathryn Taylor ’70, a Baldwin alumna, former faculty member and former chair of the School’s Board, said, “Dr. Porges is a noted scholar who has achieved success in the halls of academia while also making a difference in the public arena of today’s ever-changing world. We are thrilled that after serving her country she is returning to serve her school.”

Prior to joining the White House, Dr. Porges was an International Security Program Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, and an International Affairs Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. In these roles, she traveled throughout the Middle East and in Afghanistan, conducting research on counterterrorism—including interviews with former members of Al Qaeda and the Taliban and Syrian rebel fighters, to better understand their perspectives. She also served as a counterterrorism policy advisor in the U.S. Department of Treasury and in

the U.S. Department of Defense, and on active duty as a Naval Flight Officer in the United States Navy.

“I have known Dr. Porges for a decade.

Her extraordinary career demonstrates her commitment to personal growth, lifelong learning and public service,” said Dr. John Nagl, Head of The Haverford School, Baldwin’s brother school. “I look forward to having another good friend and partner in education at The Baldwin School.”

Dr. Porges, a native of Penn Valley, PA, holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard University, a master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a doctorate from King’s College London. Her awards include the National Committee on American Foreign Policy 21st Century Leader Award and the NATO Medal for service in Afghanistan. She speaks and writes frequently on topics including Middle East policy and politics, terrorism and counterterrorism, and deradicalization.

Her writings have been published by The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal and other top-tier outlets, and she has appeared on CNN, CSPAN and Al Jazeera. She and her fiancé, Dr. Scott Moore, and their dog, Disco, will relocate to Bryn Mawr in summer 2016.

“Marisa is a bold, visionary woman, and a charismatic and energetic leader.

She will be an inspiration to Baldwin’s girls—a first-person example of the importance of dreaming big and living courageously.

Baldwin couldn’t have made a better choice for its next Head of School.”

- Mary Zients, Chair of the President’s Commission on White House Fellowships Winter 2016 Echoes

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UPfront Alumnae Art Show

Tunic Wars

The Baldwin 2015-2016 Alumnae Art Show, held in September and October in the Fackenthal-Pethick Art Gallery in Baldwin’s Residence, proudly featured paintings by Mary Oehrle French ’60 and mixed media/photography by Karen Peterson McLean ’60. The alumnae artwork was for sale with 30 percent of the proceeds supporting the arts at Baldwin.

The Baldwin-Haverford tradition of Tunic Wars continued this year with Middle School students competing against each other in field hockey, soccer, tennis and volleyball.

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t our opening day assembly, I urged our girls to think about their legacy, how people will remember them and the impact they had on individuals or on our School. It is never too early to plan your legacy and it’s never too soon to start building. Heading into my final year at Baldwin, I’ve reflected a great deal on the legacy I hoped to leave behind when I first came here, including bringing Baldwin into the 21st century in all ways—the way we teach, the way we learn and the way we use technology.

We’ve accomplished these goals, and so much more, and when I leave, Baldwin will be poised for future greatness. The School is better today because of every single person who has collaborated alongside me to achieve these goals. Every member of our community tells the remarkable story of The Baldwin School and together, we have built a shared legacy.

Today’s students are standing on the shoulders of those who went before them. Their hopes and dreams grow from the foundation of actions and experiences built by the Baldwin girls of generations past. It is in this spirit that I am proud to introduce a new section of Echoes, a Legacy Profile. Here you’ll find stories that speak not only of the lasting impression the School has had on its students, but of the legacy our alumnae continue to leave behind. You’ll also find the theme of legacy throughout this issue.

Baldwin has a long and successful history of maintaining the very highest standards and will continue its ongoing commitment to the goals and mission of the School.

I look forward to welcoming Dr. Marisa Porges ’96, Baldwin’s 8th Head of School, and I wish her well as she begins to build her own legacy and the indelible mark she will leave on Baldwin.

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Alumnae Return to Sing the “Turkey Song”

Celebration of Philanthropy

Alumnae returned to Baldwin to participate in the time-honored tradition of the “Turkey Song.” They joined our PreKindergarten, Kindergarten and members of the 13-Year and 14-Year Clubs from the Class of 2016. The annual Thanksgiving Assembly gathered the community together to give thanks for our many blessings.

In addition, Head of School Sally Powell received a very special gift – a stuffed turkey with a unique quality. When you press its wing, it plays a recording of our students singing the traditional “Turkey Song”!

NBA Fall Leadership Meeting

Andrew and Alice Simon (P ’17), Susan Tabas Tepper (P ’17) and Michael and Robin Gordon (P ’17) enjoy the evening.

John McElroy, Mary Scott McElroy ’53, Bill Shoemaker, Gwinn Heilner Scott ’58, Jane Krumrine ’55 and Rachel Funk Jenkins ’44 share in the special event.

NBA members include (Front Row): Leah Tulin ’99, Lila Slovak ’97, Sara Scott ’96 (Chair), Jeannette Geter ’00, Lyn Agre ’85, Kristen Warden ’04, Liz Yusem Fuerst ’65. (Back Row): Rachael Goldfarb ’95 (Vice Chair), Jill Flaxman ’93, Jamie Ryan ’06, Melanie Sheerr ’96, Brenda McBride ’84 and Suzanne DiLenge Kraus ’90.

Members of the National Board of Advisors gathered for their fall leadership meeting during the weekend of October 23-24. The alumnae leaders unveiled their three-year strategic plan that addresses ways in which all alumnae can partner to further alumnae engagement, student partnerships and fundraising initiatives for The Baldwin School.

On October 1 the Office of Advancement and Alumnae Engagement hosted its first annual Celebration of Philanthropy, an event to express appreciation to our generous benefactors and showcase the impact of philanthropy at The Baldwin School. This event recognized those who have made cumulative gifts of $1,888 or more from July 2014 to June 2015, Elizabeth Forrest Johnson Society members and donors who have given to the School for 20 or more consecutive years.

Winter 2016 Echoes

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Board of Trustees Baldwin’s 2015-2016 Board of Trustees members are Terry D. Steelman (Chair), Peter Leone (Vice Chair and Treasurer), V. Paige Pratter ’94 (Secretary), Gretchen Boger (Faculty Trustee), Patricia Dietrich, Elissa Getto ’65, Marcy Gringlas, Brian Halak, Tracey Holgren Ivey, Stephanie Romeika La Nasa ’96, Christopher Marr, Alexis Egan McCarthy ’81, Martha Ortiz, Sally Powell, Kavita Daiya Rao, Stephen Raynes, Philip S. Rosenzweig, Eric Ruoss, Stephanie Cohn Schaeffer ’85, Carolyn Simpson Scott ’74 and Warren Thaler.

New members this year include: Elizabeth Ameisen ’76 (AAEB President) teaches history, anthropology and psychology at Baldwin. She received both her A.B. and M.A. from Bryn Mawr College. She is the author and editor of the anthropology text, Encounters with American Ethnic Culture. She has previously served on the Baldwin Board of Trustees as a faculty trustee. This time, she serves due to her role as President of the Alumnae Association Executive Board. Her daughters, Olivia ’09 and Savanna ’13, are both proud members of The Baldwin School 14 Year Club.

Pat Coler (BSPA President) is the President of the Parents’ Association and has been an active member for six years. Pat is also a parent member of BRAVA. Pat is a graduate of Drexel University and a former financial services professional specializing in asset quality and portfolio management. Her daughter Andrea is in Grade 9 and her older daughter, Rachel, graduated from Baldwin in 2014 and currently attends the University of Pennsylvania. Pat and her husband, Andy, reside in Drexel Hill.

Mary Dockray Miller ’83 is an English professor at Lesley University with a focus on Medieval English literature and language.

She is a scholar of Anglo-Saxon England and best known for her work on gender in the Anglo-Saxon period. She has been published on the topics of female saints, Beowulf and religious women. Mary holds a B.A. from Vassar College, M.A.T. from Boston University and M.A. and Ph.D. from Loyola University, Chicago.

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Jonathan Liggett is a managing member of JL Squared Group, LLC. His primary responsibility is to manage the portfolio of underlying funds and other assets managed by JL Squared Group. Prior to that, Jon served as a portfolio manager for Pharo Management, LLC in New York. Jon currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and formerly served on the Board of Trustees for Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City as the investment committee chair. He holds a B.S. with Honors from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with majors in both Business and Economics.

Megan Nicoletti serves on the Board of The Maguire Foundation, a philanthropic organization supporting education, arts and humanities and hunger and homelessness started by her father James Maguire in 2007. She is a Managing Trustee in the office overseeing scholarship program development, early literacy training, reading intervention, drug and alcohol education and support and domestic violence awareness through trauma informed therapy.

Megan holds an M.S. in Education from Saint Joseph’s University, a B.A. in English from Villanova University and is a graduate from Mount Saint Joseph’s Academy. Megan’s one daughter is a 2014 Baldwin graduate and her other daughter is currently a sophomore at Baldwin.

Mary Osirim is a Professor of Sociology, Co-Director of the Center for International Studies and Faculty Diversity Liaison at Bryn Mawr College. During the past 20 years, she has conducted fieldwork on women, entrepreneurship and the roles of the state and non-governmental organizations in the microenterprise sectors of Nigeria and Zimbabwe. She has written multiple books and has received several awards and fellowships. She was also a Minority Scholar-in-Residence in Women’s Studies and Sociology at Illinois State University.

Christie Reed (Faculty Trustee) is Chair of Baldwin’s Science Department. Christie has been at Baldwin for 18 years and has taught Grade 11

Biology and Honors Biology, served as College Counselor and taught Grade 6 Science. She holds a B.A. in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University and an M.Ed. from The University of Virginia in Science Education. She lives in Wayne with her husband and three children, a son at Shipley and two daughters who attend Baldwin.

Sara Scott ’96 (NBA Chair) is Vice President of Production & Development at Universal Pictures, where she has worked on some of the studio’s most successful films and franchises, including Jurassic World, Pitch Perfect 2, Straight Outta Compton, Ted 1 and 2, Lucy, Unbroken and Oblivion. Prior to joining Universal, Sara was an executive at Harpo Films. She currently serves on the board for The Unusual Suspects, an organization that teaches theatre to under-served and incarcerated youth in Los Angeles. She studied Theatre Arts and Urban Studies at The University of Pennsylvania, where she received her B.A. She currently resides in Los Angeles.

Amy Sobel ’86 is the Vice President of Strategy & Planning at Human Rights First, where she provides leadership and strategic guidance in advancing its mission and the organization’s priority campaigns.

She previously served as Human Rights First’s Chief of Staff and Deputy Director.

Earlier in her career, Amy ran the DC office of Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies and served as a Legislative Aide for Congressman Harley Staggers, Jr. She also taught history and politics at The Baldwin School for six years.

Amy holds a B.A. in Government from Franklin & Marshall College. She earned a Master’s degree in Multicultural Education from Eastern University and was a Klingenstein Fellow at Columbia University.

Senior trustees are A. Steffen Wright Crowther ’68, John M. Dewey and Samuel R. Scott.

Honorary trustees include Rachel Funk Jenkins ’44 and Blair D. Stambaugh.

AlumnaeNewsmakers Mary B. Robinson ’71 Mary B. Robinson ’71 returned to Philadelphia in the fall to direct “Disgraced,” a play by Ayad Akhtar centered on sociopolitical themes such as Islamophobia and the self-identity of Muslim-American citizens, at the Philadelphia Theatre Company.

Mary first came to Baldwin in the fifth grade in 1963. She had previously been interested in theater and was excited to attend a school where theater began at a young age. She was involved with productions at Baldwin through Middle and Upper School and said she still has scripts from some of the very early plays she did with former drama department head Lois Goutman. Mary shared that Baldwin enabled her to discover her passion for theater and also instilled in her an incredible sense of self belief.

“I was aware of obstacles, I just always had a sense that I could do it if I stuck

Maria J. Wing ’97

Maria J. Wing ’97 was recently appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of The Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) by its Board of Commissioners. Maria, a Philadelphia attorney, brings more than 10 years of legal experience in the areas of commercial real estate development and financing, portfolio acquisition and municipal matters pertaining to property-tax assessments and code compliance. Her clients have included non-profit corporations, charter schools, universities, private developers and financial institutions.

According to the DRPA Chairman

to it,” she said. “It was very much about exploring and discovering what our values were under the guidance of our teachers, and I’m incredibly grateful to Baldwin for that.”

After graduating from Baldwin, Mary headed to Smith College. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree and went on to direct numerous productions of both classics and new plays at theaters around the country. Her production of Barbara Lebow’s “A Shayna Maidel” ran for 15 months off-Broadway and she received a Drama Desk nomination for her direction of Lanford Wilson’s “Lemon Sky.” In 1987, she was the first recipient of the Alan Schneider Award and from 1990 to 1995 she was Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Drama Guild. In 2012, Smith and Kraus published her book Directing Plays, Directing People, a guide to the process of making theater written from a director’s perspective.

Ryan Boyer, “Maria Wing is a bright and talented professional who will bring her wealth of experience and expertise to the DRPA executive leadership team.”

Maria will help the organization manage its extensive real estate interests and many of its legacy economic development projects. Her in-depth understanding of contracts will be extremely helpful to the DRPA as it enhances its procurement programs.

After attending Baldwin, Maria received her bachelor’s degree from Yale University and her juris doctor from Tulane University School of Law. She interned for Judge Thomas M. Brahney in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana during her time at Tulane and served as a law clerk for Judge Jacqueline F. Allen, Court of Common Pleas in the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania.

Mary poses with the cast of “Disgraced.”

She continues to direct and teach, and she encourages Baldwin girls to find what they are passionate about.

However, she believes it’s important to be open to the changes that life throws at you and to pay special attention to the bonds formed with other people.

“Relationships are the most important thing in life,” she said. “It’s wonderful to have passions and goals, but it’s relationships that endure.”

Since 2006, Maria has served as counsel at the law firm of Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP. Prior to that, she served as an associate at the firm of Klehr, Harrison, Harvey, Branzburg & Ellers, LLP. Maria has been the recipient of numerous professional honors and awards. She was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in Real Estate in 2013 and 2015; a Leadership Council of Legal Diversity Fellow in 2011 and 2014; and included in the Legal Intelligencer Lawyers on the Fast Track. She is also extensively engaged in community and civic initiatives. She has served as cochair of the Young Friends of the Urban Affairs Coalition, board member of the Anti-Defamation League, member of the Emerging Leaders of People’s Emergency Center and advisory board member of Dress for Success Philadelphia.

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Why I Give

Margaret Walton Ralph ’64

Margaret Walton Ralph ’64 is part of an extensive Baldwin family and has been involved in the Baldwin community in various capacities over the years. Hers is a story of the inspiration of teachers and a testament to how a Baldwin education can truly shape the lives of students and future generations. The impact Baldwin has had on Margaret’s life and those of her family members make it an easy decision for her to be a generous and continuous donor to the School.

A Successful Experiment: As the oldest of four daughters, Margaret was the Baldwin “guinea pig” for her Rosemont-based family. If she liked the School said her mother, a former Baldwin trustee, then her younger sisters would attend as well.

By the end of her first day in Ethel S. Barr’s sixth grade class she was hooked. “From the pastel uniforms to the reports and oral presentations we each did on a different country (mine was Yugoslavia), to the 6th grade play, I loved everything about Baldwin,” said Margaret. The glowing reports that came home nearly every day that year ensured that sisters Kathie (’67), Diane (’69) and Ellen (’73) followed in her footsteps. Thus began their own piece of the Baldwin legacy, which would eventually

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include Margaret’s daughter, Weatherly Ralph Emans ’93 and niece, Margaretta Walton ’97.

Rooted in Tradition: The rich history of Baldwin provides ample opportunities for students to feel they are a part of something bigger than themselves through participation in the many school traditions. As her class president for both junior and senior year,

Margaret was front and center for many of the most beloved Baldwin traditions like Ring Day, voting on class blazers and the Junior/ Senior Banquet. She especially loved a tradition among class officers to hand down a notebook to the incumbents in the grade below them. “We had a notebook where we would record what had been done that year, what still needed to be done and suggestions for how things could change,” said Margaret. “One of the things I love most about Baldwin is the respect for tradition that also allows flexibility to change with the times.”

The Walton family heads to school: Kathy Walton Sollers ’67, Margaret Walton Ralph ’64, Ellen Walton ’73, Tom Walton (Haverford ’63) and Diane Walton Wood ’69.

A Love of History, A Legacy of Learning: Her years at Baldwin, and especially her teachers there, inspired a love of

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From left to right: Margaret Walton Ralph ’64 ringing the bell at graduation and preparing to throw a flower to each of her sisters. Weatherly Ralph Emans ’83 ringing the bell at graduation. Weatherly’s graduation with her aunt, Ellen Walton Ramsay ’73, her aunt, Katherine Walton Sollers ’67, her mother Margaret Walton Ralph ’64 and grandmother, Katherine Walton, a former member of the Board of Trustees at Baldwin. Margaret Walton Ralph ’64 on her graduation day.

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learning, and particularly of learning about history, for Margaret. She loved all their different styles; Ethel S. Barr and Miss Sterquelle, with their contagious enthusiasm in 6th and 7th grade, Mary Ellen Morris, who would never shy away from arguments and debates, and Jean Levering who insisted students form opinions of their own. The latter left a lasting impression that Margaret would carry into her career. “As long as we could back it up with fact, with accurate knowledge, then we were encouraged to voice our opinions and that was so important to me,” she said. “My Baldwin teachers taught me that knowing history mattered.”

When interviewed by The Philadelphia Inquirer at 16, Margaret stated that she wanted to be a high school history teacher. A few years later she made good on that goal. After completing her undergrad at Wellesley, she became a history teacher at The Shipley School, where her main goal was to be as good as her own Baldwin teachers had been. “I wanted my students to have their own opinions like I was allowed to. They knew it was also alright to change their minds, as long as they could always back up what they were saying,” she said.

Margaret, whose own mother was a history major, later received her Master’s Degree in History from the University of Pennsylvania.

Margaret was not the only one in her family to develop a love of learning at Baldwin. Her sister Diane credits her career in environmental science as current President of the National Environmental Education Foundation, to the foundation she built at Baldwin. Daughter Weatherly went from Baldwin to Yale, and Harvard Law, son William went from The Shipley School to Yale and then Stanford Law and youngest daughter, Elizabeth, who wanted to follow in both her sister’s and brother’s footsteps, attended Baldwin for Middle School, Shipley for high school and then also went on to Yale.

William and Elizabeth both majored in History and Weatherly in Classical Civilization – all carrying on their mother’s love of and respect for the past and providing insights from historians’ current interpretations that Margaret could then share with her own students.

Money Well Spent: When it comes to supporting Baldwin today, it was not even a question for Margaret and her husband, Tom. Aside from the obvious personal reasons of supporting the School that educated so many members of her family, Margaret wants the same opportunities to be available for many other girls. “I have seen other private schools go co-ed for financial reasons. I see such value in a same-sex education, so I want to

do my part to make sure Baldwin can remain an all-girls school,” Margaret stated. “I hope that my own legacy will be of an educator on par with my Baldwin teachers. Any contribution that will endow future generations with that same love of learning is money well spent.”

Living the

Baldwin Legacy Margaret Walton Ralph ’64 is one of 10 in her family connected to Baldwin: q Katherine Walton Sollers ’67, sister q Diane Walton Wood ’69, sister q Ellen Walton Ramsay ’73, sister q Margaretta Tranger Walton ’63, sister-in-law q Weatherly Ralph Emans ’93, daughter q Katherine Walton, mother, former Board of Trustee member q Winifred Walton Todd ’30, aunt q Margaretta Walton ’97, niece q Margaret England ’21, cousin

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Academics Grade 1 Celebrates Heritage Day

Middle School Class Trips

Eight Seniors Participate in Science Research Symposium

Our Grade 8 students enjoyed exploring historic Williamsburg, VA, despite the weather.

Elsa Deitz ’27 displays her Swedish heritage.

Our first grade students, with support from their teachers and parents, worked on their first real “research project” this fall. At Heritage Day, the girls show their parents and classmates everything they have learned about their heritage.

They come dressed accordingly and present their projects along with a tech component using their iPads. This opportunity introduces research to the girls in a fun way involving both home and school.

This fall, our Middle School students participated in various class trips. Grade 6 students took one-day trips to New York City, the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia and the Adventure Aquarium. Grade 7 explored community through experiences related to nature by visiting “Behind the Scenes” at Longwood Gardens and then had an overnight camping experience at Conrad Weiser YMCA Camp. Grade 8 linked their history curriculum to a shared experience by visiting historic Williamsburg, VA. Most remarkable for all three trips was the extremely rainy weather did not dampen the experience or the spirit of the girls.

Baldwin Seniors Recognized by National Merit Program Eight Baldwin seniors have been recognized by the National Merit® Scholarship Program. Two Baldwin students have been named Semifinalists and six students have been named Commended Students in the 2016 61st annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Angela J. Luo and Sara K. Seyedroudbari were recognized as Semifinalists for their outstanding performance on the 2014 PSAT. In addition, Olivia Horwitz, Vriti Khurana, Alexandra Scannell, Isabel Senior, Morgan Steelman and Kristy Wong were named National Merit Commended Students by the 2016 National Merit Scholarship program.

From left: Alexandra Scannell, Sara Seyedroudbari, Morgan Steelman, Kristy Wong, Isabel Senior, Olivia Horwitz, Angela Luo and Vriti Khurana 8

The Science Department hosted its fourth annual Science Student Research Symposium in November.

Eight senior scientists from the Class of 2016 spent their summers in research labs at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), the University of Pennsylvania and the Thomas Jefferson University College of Medicine. Ayanna Joyner studied “Effects of Passaging Dengue Virus on Vero, C6/36 and Dendritic Cells,” Julia Greitzer investigated the “Impact of Excess Capsid on Safety and Efficacy of AAV Gene Therapy,” Vriti Khurana worked on “Determining the Effect of Sleep Deprivation on the Brain Through Mushroom Bodies,” Angela Luo used “Next Generation Sequencing to Identify Novel Mutations Leading to Blindness,” Danielle Foltz studied “Gene Therapy for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM),” Morgan Steelman studied “Extra-Corporeal Life Support for Underdeveloped Infants,” Sophia Block studied “Combination Therapy with MS-444 and Metabolic Inhibitors in Normal and Glucose Deprived Conditions for Pancreatic Cancer Cells,” and Olivia Horwitz studied “Radiographic Measurements of Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Patients to Predict Outcomes.”

MS Students Study Global Issues

Our ECC students were tasked with building a structure to fit the entire class.

Amazing Work Happening in the Lower School DREAM Lab® Exciting projects continue in Baldwin’s Lower School DREAM Lab. Our Early Childhood Center (ECC) students have been working on building and testing structures using a variety of materials such as wooden blocks, Magna-Tiles and Strawbees.

First grade has been learning to program with BeeBots. Once they developed a level of mastery, they began writing “programs” for them to complete unique mazes designed by students.

Second grade has been learning about robots that sense, think and act using LEGO WeDo kits. They recently completed a challenge in which they built playground swings that are controlled by a tilt sensor. For their culminating project, they will design and build a piece of playground equipment for an amusement park ride that incorporates a sensor and motor.

Grades 3 and 4 have been designing and printing custom “backpack tags.”

They sketched their design on paper making notes about dimensions, then created their design in 3D in Tinkercad and then printed a tangible object. The unit wrapped up with an assignment in which they worked in reverse, moving from the tangible to the virtual. They built structures using Magna-Tiles and then rebuilt them to scale in the software as 3D designs that could be printed.

Fifth grade has been designing name tags that incorporate an LED and a switch and then soldering the circuit to a project board. The name tags were created using a wide variety of materials.

Grade 7 students are learning about the United Nations, human rights and the newly minted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These are 17 goals for global development and sustainability that the international community will attempt to achieve by 2030. Our girls are creating public service announcements and soundtracks for these goals and then will use their understanding of the SDGs to analyze global issues and the response of the international community.

One of the first global issues discussed was global poverty and its centrality as a “gateway” global issue - one that perpetuates other significant issues in our world.

As part of the unit, students discussed microfinance as a means to resolve poverty and entered into their third year of funding a microfinance loan in the Rift Valley Children’s Village, an organization with which Baldwin has sustained a partnership for 10 years. Baldwin’s loan client coordinates a pilot project that provides handcraft trainings making batik fabric, soap, candles, body lotion, beaded items, baskets and sewn items. The program helps Tanzanian artisans improve the quality and consistency of their products as well as develop packaging and new crafts so they can produce greater income to support their families.

Baldwin’s 2015-16 Scholars Announce Research Topics Launched in 2012, Baldwin Scholars is an exceptional opportunity that enables a small group of Grade 12 students to extend their studies beyond the traditional Upper School curricula and is funded by alumna Pamela Kenworthey Harer ’51 and her husband, Benson Harer. This year, four seniors are participating in the program: Kejohna Hammond is investigating the effects of family income, demographics and Pictured: Kejohna Hammond, Rachel Sutor, Weiwei Wang, Samantha Dewey race on athletic performance and career goals for female athletes. Rachel Sutor is researching the connection between widespread vaccination and the process of stabilizing developing economies. Weiwei Wang is examining music therapy as a treatment and preventive measure for adolescent depression. Sam Dewey is exploring the emotional connections that Philadelphia artists have to their environments.

DREAM Lab® Expands to Upper School Based on the success of our Lower School and Middle School DREAM Labs, Baldwin has now expanded this momentum into the Upper School. While the Upper School DREAM Lab’s initial purpose is to enable more hands-on work in Computer Science, the goal is for students to continue building their engineering and computational thinking skills. The Upper School program encourages a design-thinking approach to problem solving, an approach that builds empathy, makes use of trial and error and fosters collaboration. The Upper School DREAM Lab allows teachers in any discipline to craft hands-on, creative projects that make use of the specialized equipment in the lab, generating opportunities for deeper learning and cross-disciplinary work.

For example, a history teacher used the DREAM Lab to build catapults as part of the unit on Genghis Khan. This project allowed students to combine history, math and physics in a tangible way that makes those subjects more meaningful. Through such projects, students acquire the communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity skills they need for success in the world outside of Baldwin.

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Arts Baldwin Welcomes Ordrup Musicians

Baldwin, along with The Haverford School, hosted students from Ordrup Gymnasium, a school in suburban Copenhagen, Denmark, with whom Baldwin and Haverford have had a musical exchange program for several years. The singers from Ordrup Gymnasium — the B-Sharps — were joined by Baldwin’s B-Flats and Haverford’s Notables, along with performances by other musicians from Ordrup Gymnasium. Spontaneous fun and harmony was had by all.

Family Arts Day Middle School and Lower School students and their families were invited to the third annual Family Arts Day in October. Sponsored by Brava, Family Arts Day featured workshops taught by our fabulous arts faculty, including ceramics, jewelry making, outdoor watercolor painting, bells and boomwhackers and many more.

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New Art Electives Offered in Middle School The revised daily schedule in Baldwin’s Middle School has created additional artistic opportunities for students. Mixed classes of seventh and eighth graders are exploring the art movements of the 20th and 21st centuries and how they shaped and are shaping our global postmodern world. Taught by Middle School Art Teacher Gina D’Emilio, the class combines critical thinking, contemporary issues and hands-on artmaking into one creative process.

Grade 6 art elective students are treated to an experience in our Upper School jewelry studio. They continue the Lower School emphasis on art elements and principles, but apply them to the specialized field of jewelry making and small threedimensional mixed media. The fun and appeal of creating wearable objects leads students to consider craftsmanship and perseverance and its relationship to the joys of applied aesthetics.

New Course for 2015-16: CAD/CAM Computer-Aided Design/ComputerAided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) is a new course offering in 2015-2016.

Originally developed for industrial and engineering applications, CAD/ CAM has revolutionized the art of jewelry design. Baldwin students are connecting computer skills, math terminology and the traditional values of art and design to explore the multimodal possibilities of the CAD/ CAM program. Using the resources in the DREAM Lab® and the 3D printer, the students in Grades 10-12 are guided by Mira Ramchandani, Baldwin’s jewelry and metalsmithing teacher, with the assistance of Dr. Laura Blankenship and Ryan Barnes of the computer science department.

The combination of art, design and technology is opening an additional dimension for creativity.

Maskers Perform “Arlecchino and the City of Love” The Baldwin Maskers presented “Arlecchino and the City of Love” by Lorraine Thompson in November. Few were able to resist the loveable (and cheeky) Arlecchino and his companions as they took us to the city of love itself — Venice — where plots were laid, mayhem ensued and all was well in the end! Filled with traditional commedia stock characters and scenarios, this fast-paced comedy contained cases of mistaken identity, lost and reunited love, travelers in disguise, silly plots, saucy maids and greedy old men.

Maskers Offer Workshop for Younger Students This fall, Baldwin students ages 6-11 joined the Maskers for a fun-filled workshop learning all about commedia dell’arte. Students spent time with the high school cast of “Arlecchino and the City of Love” learning about this art form by way of masks, the stock characters, improv and more.

All-School Autumn Art Exhibition Baldwin’s Autumn Open House was a wonderful opportunity for the Art department to rally early in the year and put on an All-School Autumn Art Exhibition. It truly was an all-school show with Kindergarten through Grade 12 represented.

The Lower School exhibited Kindergarten paper sculptures, Grade 1 outdoor texture rubbings, Grade 2 cityscape intaglio prints, Grade 3 birch tree landscapes, Grade 4 Japanese cherry blossom scrolls and Grade 5 pastel pumpkin drawings.

The Middle School featured drawing and sculpture by the Grade 6 exploration class and work from the new 7th and 8th Grade Art Elective. The Grade 6 Art Elective proudly showed their work in jewelry.

The Upper School displayed work from all five studios, plus the new collaboration with the Dream Studio: the CAD/CAM class. The CAD/CAM class used the Rhino software program and the 3D printer to develop 21st century design skills. Along with an impressive array of painting, ceramics, sculpture, darkroom photography and jewelry, there were some intriguing new directions: exquisite toothpick bridge constructions and darkroom photography/collage self-portraits.

Winter 2016 Echoes

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Athletics Steelman ’16 Wins Squash Gold Medal

Megan Adelman ’23, Amy Griffith Adelman (P ’23), Adrian Cox, Deb Surgi, Sally Powell, Arlyn Landow (P ’22, ’24, ’25) present the Golf Benefit check.

Inaugural Golf Outing is Huge Success On Monday, October 5, under blue skies at the Green Valley Country Club in Lafayette Hill, PA, more than 100 golfers and spectators from the Baldwin community joined together for the inaugural Blue Gray Golf Benefit for the Bears.

Thanks to our Blue Gray Co-Chairs Amy Griffith Adelman, (P ’23) and Arlyn Landow (P ’22, ’24, ’25), we were able to start the year with a fun community event that raised more than $125,000 to directly benefit our student athletes. The funds raised have been used for new team and spectator benches, a press box and video tower for both fields, a new scoreboard, banners for the gym, uniforms and equipment needs for all teams.

Varsity squash co-captain Morgan Steelman ’16 won the gold medal in mixed doubles and the silver medal in the team competition at the 2015 Pan American Squash Championships in Argentina for Team USA. Morgan and teammate Wil Hagen upset top-seeded Mexico before defeating Paraguay to win gold in the Mixed Doubles competition on September 3 in Resistencia, Argentina. Steelman and Hagen, who were unseeded, twice recovered from losing the first game to win two difficult three-game matches before the final. Steelman also was a member of the silver medal-winning U.S. women’s team.

Fall Varsity Sports Highlights Varsity Cross Country’s Lila Williams ’17 finished in 14th place at the Inter-Ac League Championships. Varsity Soccer doubled their win total from the 2014 season. Defender Carly McIntosh ’18 was named Main Line Times Athlete of the Emma Sass ’17 hits a forehand winner.

Week. Varsity Tennis finished the season with a 10-4 overall record and seven team members won medals at the Inter-Ac League Championships. Number one singles player Emma Sass ’17 was named Main Line Times & Fox29 Athlete of the Week. The following seven students earned All-InterAc League honors: Ellie Greenberg ’16, Danielle Hammond ’16, Caroline Kiser ’17, Samantha O’Keefe ’16, Emma Sass ’17, Gia Vicari ’19 and Lauren Wang ’18.

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Morgan Steelman ’16 poses with teammate Wil Hagen.

Baldwin Featured on Sports Radio Show 610AM Baldwin Athletics is partnering with the HS Sports Radio Show 610AM for the 2015-16 school year. Student-athletes, coaches and administrators will appear as guests on the show to talk about current topics and events in sports.

Soccer Program, Squash Athletes Receive Awards The 2014 Varsity soccer team was recognized by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) with the 2014-15 High School Team Academic Award. The NSCAA annually recognizes high school soccer programs that have excelled in the classroom, in addition to their performance on the field. To qualify for this award, the team must have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 for the entire academic year.

In addition, a total of 12 current and former members of the Baldwin squash program earned the US Squash Scholar Athlete Award for the 2014-15 academic year. The following Baldwin squash players achieved a grade point average of 3.5 in school and participated in at least four US Squash accredited events: Alexa Horwitz ’15, Rachel Zachian ’15, Olivia Horwitz ’16, Angela Luo ’16, Morgan Steelman ’16, Meg Frantz ’17, Pallavi Sreedhar ’17, Hannah Dubinski ’18, Grace Steelman ’18, Pranshu Suri ’18, Sara Syed ’18 and Angela Yang ’18. In addition, Alexa Horwitz and Rachel Zachian were recognized as Scholar Athletes for all four years of high school.

Athletics Signs Contract with Under Armour Athletics has signed a contract with Under Armour, Inc. As we purchase new athletic uniforms you will gradually notice all of the teams wearing Under Armour. Baldwin is one of the first single-sex female schools to sign such a commitment, and we are proud to be affiliated with Under Armour’s move to enhance and support girls and women in athletics.

2015 Blue Gray Symposium Panelists

Panel of Six Presents at Blue Gray Symposium Six area professionals presented on October 7 at the annual Blue Gray Sports Symposium on the topic “Strength and Conditioning: Performance and Injury Prevention.” Kerrie Snead (Baldwin Head Athletic Trainer), Bruce Kelly (Baldwin Strength and Conditioning Coach), Cory Walts (Haverford College Head Strength and Conditioning Coach), Kelly Hess (Physical Therapist at Elite PT in Wilmington, DE), Christian Jeantet (Personal Trainer and Owner of Champions in Training Inc., Bryn Mawr) and Dr. Eugene Hong (Baldwin Supervising Physician from Drexel University Sports Medicine) each talked about their background and the work they do in their respective fields. They answered questions from an audience filled with parents, student-athletes and coaches. Some of the key topics addressed were nutrition, lifestyle habits, recovery, sport specialization vs. the multi-sport athlete, when and how to safely and properly train, injury reduction and sport psychology.

Deb Surgi Inducted into ASH Hall of Fame Baldwin’s Director of Athletics Deb Surgi was inducted into the Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame at the Academy of the Sacred Heart (ASH) in New Orleans, LA. Deb was the school’s head volleyball coach from 1984-1992 and was one of eight members welcomed to this Hall of Fame class on October 15. During her Deb Surgi (bottom row, middle) was inducted to time at ASH, Deb was named District the ASH Hall of Fame on October 15.

Coach of the Year five times, Times Picayune All-Metro Coach of the Year three times, Louisiana High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year three times, Louisiana Volleyball Coaches Association Coach of the Year three times, Louisiana Sportswriters Coach of the Year and an East All-Star Coach. She led the Sacred Heart Cardinals to three state titles, one state semi-final and five straight district titles. Deb’s high school coaching record was 204 – 49 and a .806 winning percentage. In 2006, she was named one of 200 Most Influential New Orleanians in Sport, and in 2013 she was named to the New Orleans Prep Hall of Fame (along with Eli and Peyton Manning).

Upper Field Renovation

Varsity Soccer battles rival AIS on the newly renovated Upper Field surface.

This fall the Upper Field was renovated and a brand new Kentucky Bluegrass surface was installed. Varsity Soccer played rival AIS in the official grand opening of the new field on October 30.

Winter 2016 Echoes

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Homecoming l l l l

2015

l l l l

The 2015 Homecoming theme selected by the Upper School Athletic Association was “Outer Space: To Inter-Ac and Beyond.� The activities started on Friday evening with the traditional barbecue and bonfire next to Lower Field. Team skits were performed, and the official Homecoming gear was unveiled.

On Saturday, October 24, the Blue Gray Pancake Breakfast was well attended in the Residence Dining Room. The community gathered on Middle Field after breakfast to participate in activities and fundraisers directed by the Middle and Upper School student clubs and organizations.

Varsity athletic competitions followed against Inter-Ac League foes Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in field hockey, soccer and volleyball, and Penn Charter in Tennis. Unfortunately, field hockey and tennis fell to their competitors, but Volleyball had a commanding win and soccer played to a 4-4 tie.

It was a great fall day for competition and community building.

Winnie cheers on the Bears.

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1 Aleida Skogland ’23, Megan Adelman ’23 and Clara Page ’22 served up delicious pancakes with parents Elaine Goldwater Skogland (P ’23), Gregg Adelman (P ’23), Amy Griffith Adelman (P ’23), and Veenita Bleznak (P ’19 ’21) 2 Natalya Spychalski ’27 feeds a goat in the small petting zoo. 3 Alexa Diecidue ’19, Jane McAleese ’19, Celia Page ’19 and Lilli Dowdall ’19 enjoy their breakfast. 4 Haley Tavares ’18 spikes the ball. 5 Tennis Co-Captain Isabel Senior ’16 high fives her teammates during pre-match introductions. 6 Sadie Seyedroudbari ’16, Courtney Loomis ’17, Grace Steelman ’18 and goalkeeper Maddy Carré ’16 defend a corner. 7 Marissa McGarrey ’18 delivers a cross. 8 Olivia Lanchoney ’17 and Sophia Block ’16 enjoy the festivities. 9 Fans cheer on the Polar Bears from the bleachers. 10 Joely Simon ’17 and Alexa Bartels ’17 show their Baldwin pride. 11 Veenita Bleznak and daughter Simi Bleznak ’19 start their day with a hearty breakfast. 12 Sophomores Rosie Shields ’18, Evey Veguilla ’18, Bea Vocero-Perez ’18, Gabby Banas ’18, Carly McIntosh ’18 and Hailey Barnett ’18 have fun playing games.

W INTER 2 0 1 6 E c h o e s

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From Maskers to Motion Pictures: How 13 Years at Baldwin Prepared Me for a Career in Hollywood

By Sara Scott ’96

“What is it that you actually do?” This is a question with which I am quite familiar. The short answer is that I am a Vice President of Production and Development at Universal Pictures, meaning I am one of eight creative executives tasked with overseeing feature film projects from start to finish.

No, my name is not in the credits, but I have played an instrumental role in bringing films such as Pitch Perfect 2, Jurassic World and Straight Outta Compton to the big screen. I not only oversee projects as they make their way down the often long and complicated (sometimes never-ending) road to a theatrical release, I also look for new projects to fill our slate, and can have upwards of 50 projects in various stages of development, production or post-production. In other words, there is never a dull moment and it is always busy! It’s kind of like being a student at Baldwin!

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Above: Sara’s first day of Kindergarten.

Left: The Class of 1996 celebrates Baldwin’s Centennial in 1988.

No day is ever the same and each day is a constant juggling act of prioritizing and re-prioritizing my to-do list. I look for new projects; I take calls from agents, producers and managers pitching material and ideas they hope

I feel proud knowing that I can have some kind of impact on the films I work on, no matter how seemingly small.

could become a Universal project. I hear pitches from producers, writers

replaced or hired. I tell a producer

and filmmakers for movie ideas they

that a project seems to have forward

have spent time developing. I read —

momentum and we need to think

screenplays, plays, manuscripts, articles,

about a budget, a schedule and a

blogs, twitter feeds … you never know

cast, while I tell another producer

where the next big idea will be hiding. I

it’s the end of the line and their

manage projects in development; I read

project might never make it

drafts of screenplays and write pages of

beyond the script phase. I manage

notes about story, character and theme.

projects in production; I watch

I screen feature films, TV shows and

dailies, making sure what’s being

pilots, searching for a new voice or a

shot is what we agreed upon, by

new actor.

looking at performance, wardrobe and set design. I pay attention to

Sara poses with Joseph Trapanese on the red carpet at a Hollywood event.

I go for breakfast, lunch and dinner

the coverage, making sure there

with those I am working with, want

is enough footage to cut together

finds its way into a project. My favorite

to work with or have worked with in

the scene in different ways. I manage

contribution so far is that some of the

the past. I look for writers to adapt

personalities, egos, emotions, fears

details of the retreat sequence in Pitch

a book or rewrite a script and make

and stress. I oversee projects in post;

Perfect 2 came to be after I described the

lists of directors who might be right

I watch cut after cut, giving notes

Baldwin Leadership Weekends at Echo

to shepherd a project from script to

about story, character, pace and music,

Hill, specifically the swamp walk that

screen. I tell a writer they are being

go to previews and use the audience

had even Mrs. Stambaugh up to her neck

responses to inform more notes.

in mud! The camp we ultimately shot

Every day will include any or all of

at didn’t have a swamp, so we made do

these responsibilities, as well as some

with the mud pit!

I am forever grateful to my parents for choosing Baldwin and supporting me while I was there.

surprises too.

Even when exhausted, frustrated and Though it is a job that requires me to

stressed by a never-ending to-do list,

work nights and weekends, blurs the

I can’t help but feel lucky as I drive

lines of my social and professional lives

through the gates of Universal and

and sometimes makes

pass the trucks, trailers, actors and

me question my sanity,

bustling crews. I feel proud knowing

it is also a job that

that I can have some kind of impact

allows me to constantly

on the films I work on, no matter how

learn and work with

seemingly small. I love what I do and

some of the most

feel extremely fortunate to have a job

talented, creative and

that is also a fulfilling career.

intelligent people in the world. I am proud when

There is not one path to becoming a

even one of my notes

creative executive. Mine was as winding

Sara celebrates moving up to Middle School.

Winter 2016 Echoes

17

What I’ve realized ... is that a Baldwin education prepares you for just about anything you want to do.

as they come. While at Baldwin, I was

to the then head of TV packaging at The

that student who was perhaps a bit over

Gersh Agency, shocked that my years

extended (cue the laughter). I was Head

of experience, Ivy League and Baldwin

of Service League, Captain of Tennis,

educations had led me to answer

Head of Maskers and Lamplighters.

someone else’s phones. What I quickly

I wanted to do more, but I was told

realized, however, was that this is how

I had to choose (Thank you!). After

almost everyone has to start and that

it wasn’t just his power of persuasion

Baldwin, I attended The University of

there remained much to learn. Though

that got me to accept the offer; it was his

Pennsylvania, where I studied Theatre

I left that job after six months, further

description of what he did as a studio

and Urban Studies. I entered Penn

emboldened that I wanted to be an AD,

executive. Having been so fixed on what

knowing how to write well, research well

I had found true value in the experience.

I thought I wanted to do, I had stopped

and balance a heavy work load.

Back freelancing, I decided to sign up

really learning and exploring.

Armed with confidence in my academic

with a temp agency to help me get into

I quickly realized that being a creative

abilities, I was able to get that much

production offices when I wasn’t on

executive was a job that I not only

more out of my college experience. In

a set. The first place the temp agency

wanted to do, but that I could do well.

addition to my academics, I volunteered,

sent me was New Regency Productions

I worked with Peter at NRP and at

participated in theatre productions

(NRP), a company with a distribution

Universal Pictures for almost two and

and had the opportunity to work on

deal at Fox. It was there that I met Peter

a half years. When it was time for me

many film sets through a job in casting,

Cramer, Executive Vice President of

to take my next step, I went to Harpo

including M. Night Shyamalan’s

Production and Development. After

Films (yes, Oprah’s company), as a

Unbreakable. Baldwin taught me how

working at NRP a day here and there, he

creative executive. It was an incredible

to juggle many projects, to function in

offered me the job to be his assistant and

opportunity to build new relationships

high pressure situations, to interact with

I turned him down. I told him I was just

and test my skills. Over the course of

a variety of personalities and to catch

there for the experience and had put my

the next two and a half years, I read

the curveballs. There is no question that

application in for the Director’s Guild

more than I ever thought was humanly

Baldwin equipped me with the tools I

of America’s 1st AD Training Program. I

possible, searching for properties to

needed to succeed.

was set on pursuing that. He told me flat

produce. Ultimately, it wasn’t the right

out that I was an idiot. He also took a

place for me, and I started looking at the

moment and explained the experience I

options in front of me. I interviewed at

would be passing up if I didn’t work for

different production companies, but it

him. He’s a good salesperson. However,

wasn’t until I started interviewing to go

Baldwin taught me how to juggle many projects.

When I first moved out to Los Angeles 15 years ago, I was certain I knew what I wanted to do. I wanted to act, be a

Sara, along with 1996 classmates Jennie Kerson Pritzker and Marisa Porges, pose with exchange students from Montreal.

back to Universal, that I realized how much I wanted to be a studio executive.

I was thrilled when they offered me the position. That was over 5 years ago.

1st AD (Assistant Director) and one day, produce. I set out to achieve these

When in a business of opinions,

goals with unbridled enthusiasm, never

like the entertainment business, it is

questioning my path, working on any

necessary to have conviction. Every day

project I could and taking odd jobs and

I make decisions about what should or

tutoring to fill in the gaps. When one

shouldn’t be a movie. Not to say I’m

friend from Penn, who was working as

always right (I wish I was!); there have

an agent’s assistant, tried to guide me

been projects I have passed on that

to also take a job working for an agent,

became successful projects at another

I pushed against the idea. This was

studio. There have also been projects

one case where my Baldwin-instilled

that I have fought for, and spent money

confidence almost had me blind to the

on, that have ended up going nowhere

opportunities in front of me.

at my studio. In each case, however,

Ultimately, I took a job as the assistant

there were clear reasons for which I

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argued for or against a project, a writer or a filmmaker, and in each case I was able to articulate the why or why not.

We all leave Baldwin with the confidence to go after our goals and the capability to reach them.

What I’ve realized, and what I believe most Baldwin alumnae recognize, is that a Baldwin education prepares you for just

Though times have certainly

about anything you want to do.

changed, and there are more women

During my 13 years at Baldwin, my

executives in the film industry than

teachers constantly encouraged me

ever, I often find myself to be the

to do my best and pushed me to

only woman in the room. Most of

challenge myself to defy my own

the time, this doesn’t faze me, but

expectations.

every now and then I am faced with text-book chauvinism. Men

As I move forward in my career,

apologize to me for using improper

I am trying to provide the same

language, fearing my “delicate” ears

mentorship and guidance for

might be offended. I’ve told them

those who are finding their way in

their apology is more offensive than

this crazy business. They taught

anything they’ve said. Other times,

me how to question and how to

they try to ignore my existence,

explore. My teachers also helped

looking for anyone else in the room with whom they can make eye contact. If I am the only studio executive in the room, they run out of options quickly, as I am the one they need to communicate with about their project.

Walking into what might be considered “hostile” rooms, I am bolstered by the confidence I have in myself. It is not only a confidence in my academic knowledge of story and character, it is a confidence that I am capable of anything I set my mind to do. Baldwin helped me build

Sara Scott ’96

is Vice President of Development and Production at Universal Pictures. She also currently helps to oversee Universal’s Emerging Writers Fellowship and is part of AFI’s Executive Circle, a group created by the studios’ female leadership who serve as mentors to DWW’s annual participants. Sara serves on the board of directors and is chair of the development committee of The Unusual Suspects, an LA-based non-profit that teaches theatre to underserved and incarcerated youth.

She is Chair of Baldwin’s National Board of Advisors (NBA), which makes her a member of Baldwin’s Board of Trustees.

me find my voice and encouraged me to speak up. I learned how to be a leader.

We all leave Baldwin with the confidence to go after our goals and the capability to reach them.

I remember each of my 13 years vividly and fondly; the classes, the teachers, the students and the traditions that bond us all together.

I am forever grateful to my parents for choosing Baldwin and supporting me while I was there and to the incredible faculty and staff who taught me how to learn.

that confidence from the time I was in Kindergarten, empowering me

concern or words of support. He has set

to walk into any room full of men or

an incredible example and has been a

women, knowing that I have something

true champion for me.

of value to offer.

I have also had the honor to work with

Baldwin Legacy

But not all men are the enemy in

some of the strongest female leaders in

Sara Scott is part of a Baldwin legacy.

this business, and not all women are

Hollywood. Donna Langley, Chairman

Her sisters Elizabeth Scott Breitner ’98

supportive. I feel fortunate to have

of Universal Pictures, demonstrates every

found a wonderful mentor and friend

day of how to be a good leader. She is

and Emily Scott Frankel ’00 also attended

in Peter, who is now President of

hard working, supportive and exudes

Production and Development. Even

confidence. I feel incredibly proud to

when I left Universal he was someone

be a part of her team and to have this

I could always call with a question,

opportunity to work with her.

Baldwin. In addition, their father, Samuel Scott, is a former Chair of Baldwin’s Board of Trustees.

Winter 2016 Echoes

19

Faculty Footnotes Each year faculty and staff are invited to apply for grants that provide opportunities to explore new areas of their discipline or to recharge after a busy school year. The following grants were awarded in 2015:

Reed Fellowship for Excellence in Teaching Named in honor of Marjorie Lindsay Reed ’39, this award provides funds to further enhance a faculty member’s role in the classroom. Science Department Chair and Biology Teacher Christie Reed traveled to the Biology Institute at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire, where she took a course titled “Teaching Biology to the Adolescent Mind.” While attending the institute, she also took field trips to the Isles of Shoals’ Appledore Island (an undergraduate marine research facility connected with Cornell and the University of New Hampshire) and the Harvard Museum of Natural History, where her group was given a personal tour of the private collection of birds catalogued and stored there.

The Agnes and Sophy Dallas Irwin Fund

Established in 1916 by the Board of the Agnes and Sophy Dallas Irwin Fund, it’s awarded to teachers from Baldwin, Agnes Irwin, Shipley and

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Springside. This fund aims to enrich a teacher’s life and was awarded to Emelie Wilkes and Birgit Heimann.

Emelie traveled to Kenya this summer, while Birgit traveled to Australia, Singapore and Germany.

faculty, staff or administration who has gone above and beyond his/her job description for the benefit of the Baldwin community. Both Stephanie Wujcik-Griffin and Doreen Jones were presented with this award.

Anne C. Shoemaker Fund

The Lois Pressman Sabbatical Fund

Established in 1980 by the Board of Trustees, this fund includes two grants to be used for personal enrichment or refreshment of self and spirit. This year’s awardees were Ingrid Herrara and Kathy Gates.

Friends of Ruth Fiesel Fund Established in 1986, this award aims to enrich a teacher’s intellectual or cultural life and was awarded this year to Cecily Selling.

Baldwin Benefits Fund Established in 1991 by the Parents’ Association, these awards are given for curriculum development or enhancements. Awardees included Mary Ocampo, Kristen Sarcu, Emily Woodward, Lauren Friedman-Way, Lindsay Davis and Gretchen Boger.

The Blair D. Stambaugh Award for Student and Faculty Enrichment Established in 1999 in honor of Blair D. Stambaugh’s 20th anniversary at Baldwin, this award recognizes cooperation, ingenuity and enrichment. It was presented to Lisa Lopez-Carickhoff, who used the funds to create the Baldwin Digital Archive collection. See page 40 for more information.

Trustee Recognition Award This award recognizes the contribution of a member of the

This fund was created in 2015 to honor Lois Pressman, teacher and administrator at Baldwin from 19762014, allowing a faculty member to pursue new knowledge in a way that will be personally enriching and will have a direct, beneficial impact on students. This year’s recipient was Stephanie Wujcik-Griffin, who enrolled in The Global Competence Certificate program, an online Master’s level certificate program that trains teachers to integrate global literacy and competence into curricula with the hope of fostering among students critical thinking abilities, international engagement and a deeper understanding of the world.

Rosamond Cross Endowed Teaching Chair Established in honor of Rosamond Cross, the fourth Head of School, this award is given every two years to a full-time faculty member who made an outstanding contribution to his or her work, the Baldwin community, or the broader field of education. Meg GlascottBirch is this year’s recipient.

Legacy

Profile

Stephanie Cohn Schaeffer ’85

Stephanie Cohn Schaeffer ’85 is a long-time supporter of all things Baldwin and credits the School with making her and her sisters who they are today. When her parents selected Baldwin for Debra Cohn ’77, Kimberli Cohn Bailey ’84 and Stephanie, little did they know that they would be creating a family legacy.

In 2001, when searching for a school for her oldest daughter, she immediately thought of Baldwin. Stephanie and her husband were happy to see that Baldwin still provided girls with a premiere education. They were impressed with the many new programs the School had implemented since Stephanie had been a student. Despite her love for Baldwin and the new curriculum, Stephanie initially chose to go with a different area private school for her firstborn.

She explained, “I was too focused on the climate at Baldwin back when I was a student to realize that all schools in the ’70s and ’80s were so much different than what they are today. The academics are as strong as ever, but the community is so nurturing and supportive.”

Years ago, schools across the United States, including Baldwin, put the strongest emphasis on academics. As the years passed, Baldwin’s seasoned experts in girls’ education utilized their experience to ensure the School was the best environment for today’s girls to learn and grow. New programs were implemented, teachers were trained in the importance of social emotional learning and best practices were embedded everywhere.

A year after Isabelle, her firstborn, started at a different school, it was time for Stephanie to start looking for Caroline. Stephanie thought that her younger daughter would be ok in the “rigid Baldwin” environment she recalled from when she was a student and was confident the School would be a great fit.

“I was pleasantly surprised by Caroline’s first year at Baldwin,” Stephanie shared. “Everyone was so focused on making the girls feel good about themselves and cared for, and it was no longer the rigid, strict Baldwin from when I was a student. I was thrilled with the experience she was having at the School.”

Stephanie began to notice that Isabelle was growing bored with her classes at the other school and that she was envious of some of the projects and activities her younger sister excitedly described after school.

Stephanie said they continued to be impressed with Baldwin and that she loved seeing how happy Caroline was to go to school every day.

“I remember the girls took a field trip to the zoo to see the animals they had been learning about in class and sketched them,” she said. “When they returned to school, they made a wood block from their sketch and then made screen prints on fabric, which they wore as tribal garments for their first grade African Feast.”

Recognizing that other schools simply couldn’t match the dynamic academic program they were seeing at Baldwin and realizing that the modern Baldwin experience now included the nurturing and loving elements she wanted for her daughters, Stephanie decided to also enroll Isabelle.

“We brought Isabelle for a visit at Baldwin and when I picked her up, she had phone numbers written all over her arms,” she laughed. “She was so excited about all of her new friends and wanted to make sure she had all of their phone numbers.” Isabelle now says she wishes she could have been in the 13 Year Club because she loves Baldwin so much.

“Baldwin brings out the best in each kid,” Stephanie said. “It’s still as intellectually challenging as it was when I was there,

By Noelle Fabrizio

but now the School is just as dedicated to finding the unique potential in each girl and encouraging her to explore and develop what’s inside her.”

Today, Stephanie’s daughters are in Grades 11 and 12 and she said they couldn’t be happier.

Both girls have many Baldwin friends and she describes them as fun and spirited with a zest for life. At school, Isabelle and Caroline love all the Baldwin traditions and push the limits on what is considered “in uniform” just like she did. They are involved in sports (where luckily they no longer have to wear tunics for gym in high school and instead can wear any shorts or t-shirt) and Stephanie said she has no doubt they will be successful in college.

“I encourage any alumna that has a school-age daughter to come and see Baldwin’s new programs,” Stephanie concluded. “I’m confident you’ll find that there really is no better place for girls to discover their passions, develop their talents and enjoy going to school.”

Noelle Fabrizio is Baldwin’s Marketing and Communications Coordinator.

Living the

Baldwin Legacy Stephanie Cohn Schaeffer ’85 is part of the Baldwin legacy. Her two sisters, Kimberli Cohn Bailey ’84 and Debra Cohn ’77 attended Baldwin and her daughters, Caroline Schaeffer ’17 and Isabelle Schaeffer ’16 are currently enrolled. winter 2016 Echoes

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closingthoughts

Baldwin is excited to introduce the Baldwin Digital Archive collection, which celebrates the School’s proud history as an educational institution for young women and connects Baldwin’s story to the larger story of women’s education, especially in its earliest days.

Director of Libraries and Information Services Lisa Lopez-Carickhoff provides a look into this project.

Madeleine Marr ’17, Carly McIntosh ’18, Jane Bradley ‘17, Lolly Anapol ‘16 and Lisa Lopez-Carickhoff.

How did the Digital Archives project get its start?

Last February, the faculty heard a presentation by Dr. Monica Mercado, of Bryn Mawr College’s Greenfield Digital Center for the History of Women’s Education. Learning about how Bryn Mawr’s archives have become such a visible part of that community was a real inspiration and motivation.

How did the students get interested in the work?

I first approached Carly McIntosh ’18, about getting involved. We applied for and received support for the project through the Blair D. Stambaugh Award for Faculty and Student Enrichment. And then something truly remarkable happened. Over the course of just a few days, the project team came together through a combination of Baldwin-style curiosity and community. Madeleine Marr ’17 and Lolly Anapol ’16 were frequently in the Library, poring over old yearbooks both for their own interest and for their work as editors of the yearbook. When Madeleine asked about accessing the yearbooks over the summer,

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I, of course, told her about the Digital Archives project, and both she and Lolly jumped at the chance to be involved. Soon after, I was talking with Jane Bradley ’17 about her investigative report on the “Boys of Baldwin” for the Hourglass newspaper. After hearing about the archives research she did for the story, I knew she would be a great addition to our team.

And what role did the students play in the project?

The role of the students was, well, unglamorous, to be honest. The girls came in during the summer and holed themselves up in a warren of rooms on the third floor of the Residence to sort, scan and catalog hundreds of photos, documents, ephemera and memorabilia dating back to the 1800s. This work was dusty and tedious, but they were motivated by the delight of discovery.

Their passion was never more clear than when I received an email with the subject heading: “AMAZING FIND!!” It was from one of the interns who had discovered that Ida Tarbell, the well-known journalist associated with the muckrakers, was the keynote

speaker at Baldwin’s 1920 commencement.

What have been some of the most exciting discoveries in the archives?

In addition to Ida Tarbell, we found photos and other items related to a number of well-known women — Margaret Mead and Gloria Steinem, for example. Each of the interns surely has her own favorite, but the piece that really stuck with me is “Instructions for Isaiah in Case of Fire.” This yellowed, handwritten page gives directions intended to keep the students and the school building safe, in the case of a fire. This, to me, really underscores the pioneer nature of things in the early days — you’re trying to educate young women here, but you also have to think about the most basic things, like sand buckets. It really speaks to the intrepid spirit of the entire endeavor.

How do you see this collection being used by the community?

The collections can be easily accessed by visiting http://bit.ly/21MiyDH, http://bit.ly/21MgZFP and http://bit.ly/1lrm8mr.

Together with the student

interns, I have been working to introduce the collection to various groups: faculty, students, parents and alumnae. It is our hope that people will browse through the photos and documents to get a sense not only of the “big events,” the speakers and commencements, but also the “small events,” a math class, the Halloween parade, a spring dance. It is often in these scenes that you can best appreciate the spirit of friendship among the girls, and the overall culture of the School, at each moment in history.

What is the value of this project? How do you see its impact?

When Sally Powell announced the theme for this school year, “What will your legacy be?” I couldn’t help but feel that it was the perfect convergence of the Digital Archives with the everyday life of Baldwin today. And this is really the vision I have for the Archives project — bringing our rich past into our present experience here. I hope the treasures of the Archives, the words as well as the faces and places, deepen and strengthen our understanding of what it means to be Baldwin.

Past, present and future Baldwin students are heirs to the legacy of excellence defined by those who have preceded them since Baldwin’s founding in 1888.

The Baldwin Fund affects every aspect of Baldwin’s daily life.

It supports faculty members who impart their knowledge to our students; it creates new and innovative curriculum; it supports extraordinary arts and athletic programs; it ensures that Baldwin remains on the leading edge of technological innovation. Baldwin is proud of its legacy of Annual Fund support from alumnae, parents, trustees, parents of alumnae, grandparents and friends.

The goal for The Baldwin Fund 2015-2016 is $2,100,000, which will provide 10% of the School’s operating budget.

The Baldwin Fund follows the School’s fiscal year, running from July 1 to June 30.

Make your gift today by returning the enclosed giving envelope or go online at www.BaldwinSchool.org/gift.

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage

PAID

Permit No. 13 Conshohocken, PA

701 Montgomery Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Celebrating

Classes of Red Highlights of the weekend include: • Alumnae Awards Presentation • Reunion Reception • Class Photos • Alex Wake ’05 Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Walk • Boarders’ Breakfast • Alumnae Speaker Series • and much more!

For more information, contact the Office of Advancement and Alumnae Engagement at 610-525-2700, ext. 231

Connect With Us

Save the Date

Baldwin Reunion Weekend April 29–30, 2016

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