Spring 2024 Kiski Bulletin Supplement

KISKI WELCOMES DR. OTT

INTRODUCING

TABLE OF CONTENTS

We hope you enjoy this special update concerning our move to co-education and our eighth change in leadership. It has been an extremely busy year, full of excitement and promise for a stronger future. We begin preparing for each new school year well before we close the current one. This year, we started preparing even sooner than normal considering the two major changes ahead.

Even as our configuration committee started exploring potential changes to our business model, two things became clear. First, a move to co-education –considered several times throughout Kiski’s history – was worth careful and close consideration once again. Second, if that outcome was approved in the fall, we would need to be in a position to recruit girls immediately. The runway between an official decision and the school year in which it would be implemented would already be short.

Thanks to the work from several subcommittees that started with hypothetical questions like, “How would our physical infrastructure have to change to accommodate a co-educational environment,” we were prepared to answer many of those predictable questions on day one after the decision was unanimously made by our Board of Trustees.

Some of those answers, like construction costs, were essential for the decisionmaking process. Others were necessary to welcome inquiries from families with girls in October, less than a year before starting our first co-educational school year. Curious families could even find mentions of co-education on our website and even photos of boy and girl students immediately after the decision was announced. Within this update, we’ll share updates regarding the preparation that occurred since that announcement.

The first day of the 2024-2025 school year is September 4, and there is plenty of work still to be done to be ready for that first official day of co-education. Our enrollment cycle will continue throughout the summer as we welcome visiting prospective families. Even sooner than that, our current Kiski Fund drive will end on June 30. Thank you for your support of those key initiatives.

We look forward to your many visits and welcome your thoughtful inquiries. Thank you!

Go Cougars!

DEAR KISKI SCHOOL COMMUNITY,

It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the appointment of Dr. Mark Ott as the new Head of School of the Kiski School as of July 1, 2024. His exceptional leadership qualities, extensive experience in education and unwavering commitment to student success make him the ideal candidate to lead Kiski into its next chapter. These qualities were highly valued by the selection committee and echoed by members of the wider Kiski community. We are grateful for your involvement in the search process.

Dr. Ott will join us from Windsor School at Albany in Nassau, The Bahamas, where he served as the Head of School since August 2020. During his tenure, he demonstrated remarkable leadership, recruiting world-class educators and faculty and leading innovative community outreach and strategic rebranding efforts amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic that resulted in a 34% increase in enrollment. Dr. Ott also oversaw revenue increases of 40%, facilitated the construction of two buildings and led both the school’s accreditation and NCAA registration processes.

Prior to his role at Windsor School, Mark held leadership positions at prestigious schools including Deerfield Academy in Massachusetts, Punahou School in Hawaii, and The Blake School in Minnesota. He was also an English Instructor at the Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire and held several international teaching roles, most recently teaching abroad in Spain. In addition to

his teaching roles, Mark has coached football, basketball and alpine skiing. He has also served as a dorm parent.

Mark is a respected scholar and author, with numerous publications and presentations on topics ranging from Ernest Hemingway studies to curriculum development. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of WisconsinMadison, his master’s degree from the University of Wyoming and a doctorate from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Mark and his wife Lori, along with their three daughters, Claire, Anne and Olivia, are excited to join the Kiski community. He shared with us, “My family and I are inspired by the school’s rich history and tradition of excellence, and we look forward to contributing to its continued success.”

Mark will be the eighth Head of School in Kiski’s 136-year history, and we are confident that his vision, leadership and dedication to our mission will propel Kiski to even greater heights.

Please join us in extending a warm welcome to Mark as he assumes his new role as Kiski’s Head of School. We look forward to providing opportunities for you to get to know him and his family in the months ahead.

Sincerely,

John Jacob

Ellen Swank Chair, Board of Trustees Vice-Chair, Board of Trustees

Mark and Lori Ott with Chris Brueningsen and Megan Neumeister at the Incoming Head of School Welcome event for alumni and parent volunteers.

THANKS FOR 22 INCREDIBLE YEARS!

Throughout the search for Kiski’s eighth Head of School, a remarkable stability stood out: neither its administration nor Board of Trustees had prior experience with such a task. This rarity underscored the institution’s exceptional continuity, with leadership transitions occurring only twice since World War II – in 1957 and 2002. In contrast to the average tenure of seven years for independent school heads, Chris Brueningsen’s enduring leadership at Kiski has left an indelible mark.

Under Chris’s guidance, the Kiski campus underwent a remarkable transformation, evident to returning alumni who hadn’t visited in decades. His tenure saw extensive renovations, expansions and new constructions that reshaped the physical landscape of the school. While Chris humbly credited alumni, foundations and collaborators for these achievements, his leadership in securing funding and fostering community relations was pivotal.

During the Brueningsen era, Kiski’s endowment quintupled, supporting not only physical enhancements but also substantial scholarships aimed at diversifying the socioeconomic composition of the student body. Hundreds of students benefited from these opportunities, fulfilling Kiski’s mission under the stewardship of Chris.

The forward-thinking approach from Chris extended to strategic planning, informed by his extensive experience in accreditation and leadership roles in educational associations. His initiatives, such as the tuition reset in 2019, bolstered enrollment and sustained the school through challenging times, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, his leadership was instrumental in swiftly transitioning to remote learning and implementing safety measures for a successful return to campus. His foresight in establishing Kiski as a rapid testing site exemplified his commitment to student well-being and academic continuity.

Despite these successes, demographic shifts posed challenges to Kiski’s sustainability as an all-boys school. With the Board of Trustees, Chris led a strategic study on transitioning to a co-educational model. The announcement of his impending departure in 2022 marked the end of an era, but his legacy of leadership and dedication to Kiski will endure.

Chris has frequently said that teaching a math class every day has been the best part of his job. His time in the classroom has been uninterrupted since his days as a rookie teacher at Kiski in the early 1990s. Recently, he has been gratified to teach several boys who are sons of students he taught during the early part of his Kiski career.

As Kiski opens a new chapter, welcoming its first female students and a new Head of School, it does so with gratitude for Chris’s dedication and the assurance that his influence will continue to shape the future of Kiski for generations to come. We wish Chris, his wife Megan and their children Sam and Meredith, all the best as they embark on a new adventure when Chris becomes the Headmaster of Casablanca American School in Morocco this summer.

Chris, Megan, Sam and (front) Meredith will remain an everlasting part of Kiski.

A NEW ROLE AT KISKI: DEAN OF GIRLS

In order to ensure a smooth integration of girl boarding and day students as well as to facilitate a supportive environment for our incoming pioneers and their parents, a new Dean of Girls position was created.

We will welcome Amanda Mock as Kiski’s new Director of Residential Life and Dean of Girls. She will be joining us from the Korea International School where she currently holds the roles of Accreditation Coordinator, Grade Level Lead for the Junior Class and Social Science Teacher. During her time with the Korea International School, she amassed myriad experiences. Her accomplishments include improving the advisory program, developing intervention solutions for at-risk students and starting a Mindfulness and Wellness Club to help students develop healthy strategies for mitigating stress.

Before that, Amanda was the Social Science Department Head and Dorm Parent at Perkiomen School. While there, she developed a yoga program for athletes. Amanda established a rotation to offer yoga three days a week for teams, improving their balance, flexibility and stability, while also enhancing injury prevention and offering stress relief.

“I was drawn to Kiski specifically because of the Dean of Girls position. As someone who was applying for jobs all around the world, I can say with relative certainty that only Kiski had this kind of opportunity. Not only is it going to be energizing and unique to support girls as Kiski enters its new era, it is also going to be a great way for me to contribute to campus culture, which will impact the school far into the future. I can’t wait to meet all of the students, boys and girls, and get started,” shared Amanda.

Amanda earned her Master of Arts in Education Leadership from Montclair State University and her Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. Amanda, her husband Bob and their two-year-old son Henry will join the Kiski community this summer.

“”

Not only is it going to be energizing and unique to support girls as Kiski enters its new era, it is also going to be a great way for me to contribute to campus culture, which will impact the school far into the future.

– Amanda Mock, Kiski’s new Director of Residential Life and Dean of Girls

Amanda, Bob, and Henry will join the Kiski community July 1.

ADMISSIONS UPDATE

Ten. That’s the answer to one of the questions we have been asked the most since announcing our move to co-education starting with the 2024-2025 school year. We are excited to share that we have ten girls currently enrolled toward our goal of enrolling 25 for the first year. We have received 40 applications for girls, and although most of our acceptances are extended in mid-March, rolling admissions continue through the summer.

And if you recall from the last issue of the Kiski Bulletin, our move to co-education isn’t only about welcoming the most exceptional girls to apply, it’s also about welcoming the many exceptional boys who wouldn’t have considered Kiski previously. A key statistic worth sharing again from that fall 2023 update: the National Association of Independent Schools reported that only 11% of boy families seeking boarding school opportunities will consider boys-only options.

It may not be surprising to learn that as of May 1, 2024 applications are up 59% compared to the average of applications received between 2018-2022 on that same date. However, if you subtract the 40 applications received for girls, applications are still up 31% using that same comparison. Of course, we are attracting more applications from girls than ever before, but we are also receiving more applications from boys now than in recent years.

As in the past, we have been delighted to welcome new families and legacy families. It has been a continued joy to introduce prospective Kiski students to their potential teachers, classmates, and coaches, and to show them around

the campus they may call home. Even as we conclude each year with a focus on the lasting contributions of our graduates, we are excited about the combined potential and promise of our returning and new students.

If you know a boy or girl who would thrive at Kiski, please continue to pass along your recommendations. Share this update! We value your evaluation.

admissions@kiski.org or 724-639-8035

INTRODUCING SOME OF OUR NEW STUDENTS

What is Yuhui most looking forward to at Kiski?

Our daughter is most looking forward to the variety of classes, daily activities, club activities, the school facilities, the food and shopping arrangements for the weekend. And she is looking forward to where her future classmates come from, and want to know what changes the school has made for girls because this year is the first year to admit female students.

Why did you choose Kiski for Yuhui?

Our son [Yi Zhan ‘15] graduated from Kiski and our daughter went to Kiski to attend her brother’s graduation and visit the campus. She is very fond of Kiski.

What activities are you looking forward to?

We look forward to Kiski’s sporting and artistic activities, such as golf and singing, and we also look forward our daughter discovering more academic activities in Kiski that interest her.

Is there anything else you’d like the Kiski community to know about your decision to select Kiski?

We hope that our daughter can gain a lot of valuable friends, experience and knowledge in Kiski. And find her life goal in Kiski and realize her own life value.

JONATHAN BUXTON ‘26

What is Jonathan most looking forward to at Kiski?

Jonathan is looking most forward to the academic opportunities, extracurricular activities, meeting new friends and being a part of the Kiski community.

Why did you choose Kiski for Jonathan?

We chose Kiski for Jonathan based on its rigorous collegepreparatory curriculum that challenges students academically while providing them with the tools they need to succeed in higher education. At Kiski, Jonathan will have the opportunity to experience new subjects, engaging with passionate teachers, all while being able to delve into intellectual discussions.

What activities are you looking forward to?

I am very excited to bring my soccer talents to The Kiski School.

Is there anything else you’d like the Kiski community to know about your decision to select Kiski?

Very excited to bring my soccer talents to the Kiski School.

What is Jadon most looking forward to at Kiski?

Meeting his new teachers, making new friends & playing basketball.

Why did you choose Kiski for Jadon?

Kiski’s great reputation.

YUHUI ZHAN ’28

JADON DUNLAP ‘28

Yuhui attending her brother Yi’s commencement in 2015.

Yuhui (second from left) with (left to right) father Xiaotong, brother Yi and mother Jianyi Liang.

INTRODUCING SOME OF OUR NEW STUDENTS

SHANE NOVAK ’28

What is Shane most looking forward to at Kiski?

Interacting with teachers and students since he has been in cyber school since the pandemic.

Why did you choose Kiski for Shane? Because of your stellar reputation.

What activities are you looking forward to?

Shane is really looking forward to trying out for all your different sports including e-sports.

Is there anything else you’d like the Kiski community to know about your decision to select Kiski?

We believe Kiski will provide Shane with the best possible educational experience to help him succeed in life.

ALLYSSANDRA WAUGAMAN ‘27

What is Allyssandra most looking forward to at Kiski?

Allyssandra is looking forward to being challenged academically and having the opportunity to meet new people and being exposed to different cultures while attending Kiski.

Why did you choose Kiski for Allyssandra?

Allyssandra wants to attend Kiski to enhance her education and experience a year of high school with her brother.

What activities are you looking forward to?

Allyssandra is looking forward to participating in the academics and supporting the athletic teams.

Is there anything else you’d like the Kiski community to know about your decision to select Kiski?

Kiski provided an opportunity for change and Allyssandra is excited to take advantage of it. She will honor Kiski and be a great leader and example as Kiski welcomes girls into their community.

Allyssandra on the golf course with her brother Sebastian ‘25.

RETURNING FAMILIES

We are also busy re-enrolling returning students. Keerti Gulati P’25 kindly shared this reflection concerning her son Shaurya’s experience.

Let me steal this opportunity to tell you why we like it here. When we were going through the decision process for Shaurya, we were fortunate we got in touch with [Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management] Mrs. Bramble Buran. She was phenomenal in helping us make a smooth transition. And we are glad Shaurya joined Kiski.

What we like most, is the personalized attention that every student gets here. Once Shaurya came over to spend the weekend at home, and then on Sunday night we were dropping him back. He walked right over to [Director of Studies] Mr. Brendan Moriarty [‘86] to ask a couple questions. Both his dad and I were amazed that teachers are so readily accessible to students, even after the academic day ends!

Alongside academics, the social-residential life at Kiski is praiseworthy too. I see that Shaurya has an excellent relationship with his fellow residents. His dad and I observed that he has become very independent which has led to his personal growth, happiness, and confidence. Again, this is because the school has provided him with myriad opportunities to showcase and challenge himself. I’ll share with you some highlights that are our favorites:

• Trip to Penn State New Kensington inter school math competition (twice this year) where Shaurya scored First Place each time individually among all competitors and was recognized as the event MVP.

• Great efforts put in by Mr. Gregory Forsythe to conduct, for the first time, the AMC math competition, upon Shaurya’s request. As a result, Shaurya was able to become an “AIME Qualifier” which is an honor given to students scoring in the top 2.5% nationally.

• Poetry competition organized by Mrs. Sarah Kinderman, in which Shaurya scored First Place in his class, then First in Kiski, followed by First at the Regionals after which he accompanied Mrs. Kinderman to Harrisburg where he was recognized as the State Finalist and was honored by State Representative Hon. Jill Cooper.

• Indian solo song rendition on Kiski’s Parents’ Day to exhibit his training in Indian Classical Vocal music, along with solo instrumental pieces in Mr. David Minda’s [‘89] musical gatherings that help Shaurya continue with his passion.

• Peer tutoring suggestion by Mr. Vince Kwiatek which Shaurya has been loving. Also, the fact that Shaurya’s services were requested and appreciated by Mrs. Darcie Sphan [P’18, P’20] and Mrs. Francene Tucker and several students in all grades.

• Inter school Chess Competition trips under the guidance of Mr. Mark Orsatti [P’24] in which Shaurya was part of the Kiski Varsity Chess Team, always playing Board 1, celebrating several victories for the school.

• Inter school Debate Competitions under the mentorship of Mr. Brad Kwiatek [P’17] which led to Shaurya representing the school at PHSSL State Tournament.

• Inter school Tennis matches under the training and support of Coach Eric Kinderman.

• Recipient of 2024 Outstanding Young Citizens award upon selection in Trib Live top 100 students, thanks to the recommendation from [Director of College Counseling] Ms. Megan Neumeister.

• Acceptance at Harvard Summer Program for pre-college courses.

• A special reference to [Executive Assistant to the Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management] Mrs. Mary Ugoletti [P’16]. Not only is she warm but also very welcoming for any queries.....an asset to Kiski families.

• Lastly, it is the nurturing and supporting environment at Kiski that plays a crucial role in shaping the lives of students. We completely attribute Shaurya’s success in school to Kiski.

Keerti and Sanjay P’25 (Apollo, PA) visited their residential district’s Pennsylvania State Representative Hon. Jill Cooper’s office along with their son Shaurya.

WE AT KISKI THANK YOU!

Because of your support, we share a positive update on the For the Boys Campaign and our endowment.

We consider fundraising an indicator of confidence in Kiski. Following the announcement that Kiski will be a co-educational school this fall, we have been encouraged by how this year’s fundraising compares favorably to our previous fiscal year.

For the Boys Campaign for Tuition Aid

The For the Boys campaign has provided a temporary funding bridge to meet the increasing need for tuition assistance while we transition to co-education. We are thrilled we surpassed our campaign goal of $5 million, raising $5.3 million in scholarship support during the past 21 months. We are especially pleased that $1.6 million of this total was provided via the PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Those EITC donors received 90% ($1.4 million) in tax credits in exchange for their gifts which aided eligible Kiski families, measured by household income, from Pennsylvania.

Endowment Growth

The remaining nine boys-only (non-military, non-therapeutic) schools in the United States are mostly supported by much larger endowments. While we do not possess the endowment wealth that would help us to withstand the impact of the trends working against boys-only schools, we are excited that our endowment increased by over $1.7 million this year, enhancing our long-term stability. That net growth was due to investment earnings, $1.033 million in new endowment gifts, and a $514,000 withdrawal. The annual planned withdrawal from the fund is 5% of the average trailing 12 quarters. Our current endowment value is $14,774,502.

Future Fundraising for The Kiski School

We thank you for this positive year of fundraising and we have heard your question. “Why do you share with us how great fundraising is going but say the boys-only business model is no longer viable?” Unfortunately, this level of fundraising for scholarship and financial aid cannot be sustained to meet the ever-growing tuition assistance needs of the shrinking number of families considering boys-only education. With tuition aid rebalanced under our new business model, future campaigns can be focused on longer-term programmatic and facility improvements and endowment growth.

The Need for Support of This Year’s Kiski Fund

Considering our giving trends, there is one area where you can help us improve this year and that is Kiski Fund participation. According to the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Kiski is part of an overall non-profit trend that has seen a decrease in the total number of donors that began pre-COVID. Conversely, and also true at Kiski, total annual giving, The Kiski Fund, remains stable.

As of April 30, 2024, The Kiski Fund received an 8% increase in monetary support compared to the same date in 2023. However, our total number of Kiski Fund donors is down 15% over that same period. Our total number of Kiski Fund donors reached a zenith of 724 in the year before the pandemic and since then we averaged around 700 Kiski Fund donors annually. As of April 30th, we have received Kiski Fund gifts from 467 unique donors.

Help Kiski rise above non-profit giving trends by participating in this year’s Kiski Fund. The current fund drive ends on June 30, 2024. It may be your first gift or your first in a while. Your gift in the amount that matches your desire to support Kiski with your capacity to do so matters deeply to us. Collectively, your support on all levels is what will sustain Kiski into year 137 and beyond.

Thank you again for your loyalty and generosity!

Left to right: Jeremiah Wade ‘24, Rico Byrd ‘24, Kiran Rihn ‘26, Odinn Baldursson ‘24, and Shamar Parke ‘24 standing with the planes they built in Andy Scott’s ‘85 class.

CAMPUS RENOVATIONS

The Turley Dining Hall, built in 1975 and named in memory legendary educator E. William Turley Jr. ’64, received additional upgrades since our last report. What started with a new roof and the installation of air conditioning units last summer continued with the installation of necessary ductwork, a new ceiling to hide that upgrade and new lighting. New chairs were added, and the original tables were attractively resurfaced. A fresh coat of paint was added during winter break. This was all made possible by Bill Turley’s classmates and James Ditkoff. Our new food service provider, CulinArt, is also completing their first tour of duty with high praise from the boys and their families.

Kiski golfers and visiting alumni will be thrilled to use the McCrady Golf Learning Center, named in honor of longtime Kiski leaders Duff McCrady ’61, Colvin McCrady ’64 and Chris McCrady. Ground was recently broken on the new three-bay all-weather driving facility which will be equipped with Trackman radar technology to offer instant video analysis of club delivery, ball launch, full flight, course simulation and more. We are thrilled to see what this technological advantage will do to attract and elevate eager high school golfers, and we are grateful for the anonymous donor and their passion for Kiski Golf.

Renovation of the McPhail Classroom Center, named in honor of principal donors Mary Anne and Walter McPhail ’51 and their son James ’79, will soon enter Phase Two. Each classroom and common area will be renovated with new lighting, paint, furniture and carpeting. Technology infrastructure will be upgraded to produce stronger WiFi connections, and SmartBoards will be installed. Phase One, completed last summer, included the installation of air conditioning and the aforementioned renovation of the first classroom, preceding the wider work in Phase Two. Phase Three will commence in the summer of 2025, which includes the renovation and upgrades to the biology and chemistry labs.

Olivier Marceau ‘25 evaluating his shot using the Pittsburgh Field Club’s Trackman system.

SAVE THE DATES

End of the Kiski Fund Drive

Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

2024 Hall of Fame Class

• Edwin Marks III ‘68

• Joseph Orr III ’75

• Tracy King ‘76

• Lane Bender ’86

• 1975 Football Team (1975-76 Academic Year)

Homecoming

Kiski Golf Outing (Pittsburgh Field Club)

Pittsburgh Regional Event (Duquesne Club)

Giving Tuesday

137th Commencement

Reunion Weekend

June 30, 2024

September 20, 2024

WAYS TO GIVE

ONLINE www.kiski.org/giveonline

VENMO @KiskiGiving or venmo.com/kiskigiving

PAYPAL @KiskiSchool or paypal.me/kiskischool

MAIL The Kiski School Advancement Office 1888 Brett Lane Saltsburg, PA 15120

PHONE 724-639-8029

advancement@kiski.org 724-639-8029

Check Payable to: The Kiski School Memo: Kiski Fund (or other restricted cause)

September 21, 2024

September 30, 2024

November 1, 2024

December 3, 2024

May 23, 2025

May 30 – June 1, 2025

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Golfers warming up on the Pittsburgh Field Club practice green before the 2023 Kiski Golf Outing.