Prairie Magazine | Summer 2023

ON CLOUD NINE

Margaret Zimmerman ’14 Makes a Career in Cybersecurity (P. 06)

FRIDAY AFTERNOON CONQUERORS

STEM 6 Quickly Becomes A Favorite Class on Campus (P. 22)

THE STARS OF PRAIRIE STEM

EDUCATORS LIKE JEAN WEAVER (LEFT) AND SARAH TUREK CONTINUE TO GET YOUNG WOMEN – LIKE THOSE FROM THE CLASS OF 2019 – INTERESTED IN SCIENCE (P. 24)

P. 03 About the Issue

P. 04 Letter From the Head of School

P. 06 On Cloud Nine: Margaret Zimmerman ’14

P. 08 Taking Flight: Amanda (Rasmussen) Gustave ’02

P. 12 Easy Cell: Meg Richardson ’03

P.14 Campus Notes

P. 18 Nesting Place

P. 21 Five Star Review: Southwest Trip Returns

P. 22 Friday Afternoon Conquerers: Stem 6 Reading

P. 24 Something in the Water: Class of 2019 Grads

P. 28 Next Chapter:

Chaoying Yan

Maggie McDonough

Dr. Maria Fiocchi

P. 31 Alumni Notes: Out & About

P. 32 On Her Radar: Mari Grobschmidt

The LasT Word

P. 35 The Science of Seeking: Faith Ogungbe ’13

ConTribuTors

Editor: Brendan J. O’Brien

Designer: Austin Gundlach

Photographer:

Jeff Wilson/Varitay Studios

Authors:

Callie Atanasoff

Kathy Boero

Dr. Nat Coffman

Brendan J. O’Brien

Aliya Pitts

Dr. Rebecca Wheeler

Margaret Zimmerman ’14

Nolan Boerner, Academic Excellence Award winner from the Class of 2023, receives his diploma during Commencement in June. This year’s graduating class was offered over $9.5 million in college scholarships. Boerner will be attending Vanderbilt University in the fall to study physics.

“The world around us has grown and changed: men have landed on the moon, the SST’s have come into being, the Challenger takes people into space; the microchip, the cable TV, the CAT scanner, cellular telephones, compact discs, digital watches, communication satellites, the home computer, and scanning electron microscopes are just a few of the inventions that happened.

These were 25 fantastic inventive years.

And now, as always, we have to think about the future: we are educating our students for the 21st century! Can you imagine what that will be like?

Everyone carrying a P.C. in their pocket, interactive high definition TV, space engineering and astro physics as a basic course in high school, cheap and very fast travel to other countries so you can study in appropriate surroundings, instead of reading history books you can go back in time and experience it, space stations on the moon and Mars, China as the dominant Pacific nation?”

– Gene Johnson, “The Prairie School at 25”

This issue, focusing on Prairie women doing outstsanding work in the areas of STEM, is dedicated to the memory and pioneering spirit of our founder, Gene Johnson, whose love of science and exploration was perhaps outpaced only by her desire to innovate and defy expectation.

From the Head of School

Dear Prairie Families,

This past year has brought us the most significant technological development since the smartphone, and perhaps the most impactful new tech in decades. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and articles about it are everywhere and it is clear that when new technologies become widely available, our lives change.

Some of the technologies that have led to the greatest changes are relatively simple, others are incredibly complicated, but all are created using mathematical and scientific principles – the wheel and pulley, the forge, the printing press, the reaper, the combustion engine, steel, televisions, nuclear reactors, penicillin, plastic, personal computers, cellular phones, software applications. The list of life-changing technology is long and AI is the latest.

These technological innovations have added value to our lives and also created significant problems in both predictable and unforeseen ways that have delighted and confounded leaders and educators for centuries. Educating our children to understand and manage technology, while also empowering them to be the creators of the next generation of innovation, is an important part of a Prairie education.

Fortunately, Prairie has always had a growth mindset and a long tradition of appropriately embracing new technologies balanced with timeless and effective methods of instruction. Our history of improvement and our programmatic emphasis on science, math, and engineering, along with a healthy embrace of technology, began with Mrs. Johnson, whose degree in math from Cornell and her early career as a mathematical engineer informed her creation of our school.

Today, we maintain her emphasis on math, science, and engineering, as well as a legacy of Prairie women excelling in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Creating students who understand how technology works is a priority for our teachers. We introduce screenless programing in Kindergarten with KIBO robots, add Spheros in 2nd Grade, LEGO Mindstorms EV3s in 3rd Grade, and teach game programming in 5th.

“We take pride in our students being scientists rather than just studying science. “

Science labs begin in 1st Grade and continue through our high school Advanced Placement course in every field of study. Our AP Biology students complete and present original research each year; recently they partnered with teacher Sarah Turek to collect data for her Master’s research for Clemson University (you can read more about this great story on page 18). All of our labs are hands-on, not virtual. We take pride in our students being scientists rather than just studying science.

We are fortunate Prairie has a long history of finding the right balance of tried and true pedagogical methods with new and innovative techniques. Technology has been a part of the Prairie experience from the very beginning and it continues today. Our emphasis on a well-rounded education that includes critical thinking and creative problem solving from Early School all the way through Upper – along with our emphasis on collaboration and communication – has shaped alumni who effectively use and create technologies to make their communities stronger, and you will read about many of those women in this STEM-focused issue.

This summer we will continue to embrace technology and improve our pedagogy. A working group of Prairie faculty is researching how to use AI to improve how we teach writing, critical thinking, and problem solving across the curriculum, and I look forward to their work having a positive impact on our students.

We are always looking for ways to connect with our graduates and opportunities for you to share your expertise. If you are working in, or retired from, a STEM career, we encourage you to reach out and share your work with us via email, social media, or in person. Together we can help the next generation of Prairie alumni become the scientists, mathematicians, and builders who will shape our collective future.

Sincerely,

Nathaniel W. Coffman, Ed.D. Head of School & President

On Cloud Nine

FROM THE SRC TO CYBERSECURITY. MARGARET ZIMMERMAN ’14 REFLECTS ON THE (OFTEN ZIGZAGGING) LINE THAT CONNECTS HER TIME AT PRAIRIE WITH HER CAREER IN CYBERSECURITY.

— By Margaret Zimmerman ’14

Currently I work for Palo Alto Networks Unit 42 as a Cybersecurity Consultant, focusing on cloud incident response. My day-to-day work involves handling various types of security breaches for clients in different industries. The path into cybersecurity has not been a straight line, but my experiences at Prairie helped prepare me for all the twists and turns. Following Prairie, I earned a B.A. in Computer Science from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. I then took a job as an application developer at Securian Financial and transitioned to their cybersecurity department.

After joining the cybersecurity team, I had to quickly learn about the field and its various disciplines. This involved everything from incident response and log analysis to vulnerability management and computer networking. With so many specialties in cybersecurity, it took a while to figure out exactly what interested me the most. I eventually chose cloud incident response.

Cybersecurity involves constantly learning on the job and solving new problems.

“Having a critical thinking skillset is something that I gained from my time at Prairie, especially from Dr. Jean Weaver’s chemistry classes. I absolutely loved all of her classes because she knew just how much to push us.”

We were always challenged but always had the right resources to help us learn how to solve any problems we encountered. I did not pursue chemistry beyond high school, but the skills I learned helped me navigate college and excel at work.

The Prairie experience that sparked my interest in the field of technology took place during Interim, when I spent the week with one of our substitute teachers, Dr. Benjamin Taft. He did all of his own programming for his business and taught me the basics of the programming language Python. Working with Dr. Taft encouraged me to sign up for my first computer science class in college which then led to a computer science major. These two experiences were just some of many from Prairie that helped create a solid foundation for my future career in technology.

Throughout my years at Prairie, I had many opportunities to be a leader, whether on the tennis court or in the classroom. Those experiences provided me with the confidence to try new things, such as majoring in computer science and then pivoting into a cybersecurity career. The Prairie experience gave me opportunities to gain the critical thinking skills that are necessary in my everyday work. The ability to take as many art classes as I wanted, play cello in the musicals, participate in varsity tennis – all while taking challenging classes – created the best possible environment to prepare me for my future career as a woman in tech.

THE MARGARET ZIMMERMAN FILE

Residence: Hopkins, MN

Favorite hobbies?

In my free time I enjoy playing tennis, woodworking, reading, and going on walks with friends.

What do you miss most about Wisconsin?

My family. And the Lake Michigan view.

What is the best piece of leadership advice you ever received?

Surround yourself with people who have different experiences and perspectives so you are always challenging yourself to grow.

Net gains:

Zimmerman played four years of collegiate tennis while at St. Olaf. After her sophomore season she was named an All Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) selection in both singles and doubles.

Taking Flight

TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, AMANDA (RASMUSSEN) GUSTAVE ’02 IS NOT AN ACTUAL SUPERHERO, BUT READING ABOUT HER CAREER MIGHT MAKE YOU WONDER.

— By Brendan J. O’Brien, Director of Communication

Modeling risk across the space enterprise. Assessing America’s air operations in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Instilling violence prevention measures within the United States Air Force.

The aforementioned are just a few of the responsibilities Amanda (Rasmussen) Gustave ’02 has had on her to-do list as an officer in the military. She also has a Master’s in Public Health from George Washington University, and another Master’s in Aeronautical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. She has managed a team of 60 military personnel. She has managed a project with a $600 million budget. She has served as a Master Mathematics Instructor in the U.S. Navy. These days, she is on active duty as a Joint Force Analyst at a top secret facility in Norfolk, Virginia. The team she oversees is responsible for managing global response to conflict and crises.

Yowza.

Her day-to-day life is made up of intelligence briefings and interactions with senior military and White House officials. If all this sounds like the stuff of a Grisham novel or a Netflix series, well, that’s because it is. The 2020 Netflix comedy series “Space Force” featuring Steve Carell is based on the work Gustave and her team did while part of a Space Task Force at the Pentagon.

“Our main focus was developing a foundational structure to create the most productive and capable force possible,” she says. “We dealt with a lot of ambiguity while interfacing with senior military, Congressional and White House officials. The show was based on our trials and tribulations. The production team actually came in to interview us. A lot of the comedic elements are true. During this time, I also learned the value of being able to articulate complex analytical topics to a nontechnical audience.”

Gustave does indeed possess an ability to make complex concepts easier to understand, to warmly welcome her listener or reader into the complexities of her world without making them feel overwhelmed.

Earlier this spring, we sent her a number of questions hoping she could find the time to reply. She did so…and then some.

Confident, articulate, and comfortable in her own skin, Gustave – as is often the case with intelligence officials –understood the assignment beyond the assignment, routinely taking advantage of an opportunity to weave Prairie’s impact into her answers.

Growing up, did you ever think you’d one day lead a Space Force Task Force team at the Pentagon?

Absolutely not!

However, I have always had a passion for aeronautics and space. The [Space Force Task Force] project was particularly challenging because the Space Force was in the early stages of development (pre-Congressional approval for a 6th service).

If you’re not in the military, most don’t realize that all military space capabilities – think GPS, weather satellites, intelligence satellites – were originally managed by the Air Force. Most people think it’s NASA, but they are completely different organizations. NASA is focused on exploratory space research and human spaceflight.

The primary focus of the Space Force Task Force team was to develop the foundational organizational structure that would create the most productive and capable force.

What is a typical day like for a Lead Joint Force Analyst?

As you might imagine, I work in a very structured environment. Currently, I’m stationed at a Naval Base in Norfolk, VA in a top secret facility on the Joint Staff. “Joint Staff” refers to the fact that although I’m in the Air Force, I work in a Joint Service environment alongside Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force personnel.

The first thing my team does in the morning is a daily operations and intelligence briefing with the Pentagon (think Prairie morning meeting!). During this meeting, we get the most up-to-date information about the current global situation that will drive our daily actions. My office manages the deployment of forces in response to conflict/crisis. Therefore, in light of current events, there are busy days and there are BUSIER days.

My specific role is to conduct the analysis of the forces we have available to accomplish defined objectives. I try to take a break during the day for a workout since this always helps my focus and mental state. It also makes it easy to pass my annual fitness test!

The afternoon is usually a bit more predictable and I reserve this time for developmental work, which could mean data manipulation, coding, communication products with data visualizations, or meeting with my team to plan and strategize about upcoming tasks.

Whether it’s the way you lead your team in Virginia, or your decision to enroll in a MIT certificate program after already securing a pair of Master’s Degrees, it’s obvious the pursuit of knowledge is important to you. Where does that desire come from? Does it wane?

I have always been encouraged to be a lifelong learner — the influence came from parents, friends, mentors, and teachers at Prairie. Specifically, about Prairie, I feel extremely lucky to have been exposed to such a diverse variety of opportunities. Whether it was outdoor leadership training at Camp Manitowish, courses/travel immersion offered during Interim, innovative teaching techniques, or educators who were truly invested in their students, I always felt encouraged to be curious.

While my desire was fostered at a young age, perpetuating this desire came from surrounding myself with like-minded people, accepting new challenges, and just an overall curiosity about the world around me. Postformal education, travel has been my most influential “teacher.” Exposure to new cultures and being able to navigate new places, language barriers, public transportation, and enjoying different cuisine is a learning experience on its own.

I don’t think my desire wanes, but it does vary between periods of growth and fine-tuning. For example, for me currently, after just completing an AI/ML course, I won’t immediately launch into another one. I’ll take some time to apply what I learned in my work setting and try to develop the skill set of my team.

What was your favorite subject at Prairie?

Math! While that probably isn’t a surprise, my close second was drama. I think it’s so important to be able to stand in front of an audience and speak about a topic, whether you’re an expert or a beginner. It is also an important skill to be able to read an audience and understand how that might change your delivery.

Math. Science. Engineering. Aeronautics. You’ve built a brilliant career on the backs of these things. When did you know you wanted them to be the focus of your life’s work?

I have always liked math and science, but I didn’t necessarily know they would be the focus of my work until I could envision myself in a career I love using these subjects.

I attended the Air Force Academy thinking I would be a fighter pilot and had my heart set on that. The Academy

“trend” at the time was that pilots were also aeronautical engineers so I promptly declared my major and didn’t look back. My junior year, after having the opportunity to shadow a test pilot at Edwards Air Force Base during a summer immersion program, I quickly realized that might not be for me. I wanted a career path that focused more on working with teams on technical projects and solutions. This realization helped me understand and accept that there are MANY different career paths that can pertain to your interests.

I think Prairie’s culture also helped foster this frame of mind because I always felt supported to follow my unique interests. While I have undoubtedly focused in the technical realm, a very important component of every position I have held is the ability to communicate through formal technical writing and provide verbal presentations in front of a large audience. It might sound crazy, but this all began with practice at Prairie’s own morning meeting!

Do you think there’s such a thing as born leaders?

That’s a tough one. While I think some people are natural charismatic leaders, I believe that anyone can learn to lead. I think leadership is a set of skills that if practiced can be developed over time. A few important leadership skills I’ve used for teams I’ve led are:

1) Understanding how to be supportive when needed –whether this is on a personal level or for the entire team, leveraging knowledge of the situation and person serve as a foundation.

2) Influence your team to thrive and succeed – understand your team’s strengths and weaknesses and encourage their top performance.

3) Lead through action – take pride in your own work and health, make time for what’s important to you and enjoy life because people will notice and do the same.

What do you and your family do for fun?

My husband, Dimitri, and daughters, Chloe and Olivia, love hiking and going to the beach, as well as traveling together. Most of our travel involves going somewhere we haven’t been to explore and find the best local cuisine. My husband was born in Paris so we also love searching local bakeries for the best croissants. I have introduced him to O&H Kringle. He is a big fan.

The theme of this issue is women doing remarkable things in STEM. How has being a woman impacted your career path?

I had the privilege of serving under Gen (Ret.) Lori Robinson – look her up, she’s incredible and has a quick feature in TIME magazine called “Firsts.”

I admired the way she spoke about her accomplishments as a woman. Echoing her sentiments, she would have responded, “Yes, I am an engineer, Air Force Officer, data scientist, and I happen to be a woman...and now, let’s get to work!”

As a female in my field, you stand out which can be good and bad. That said, I do hold myself to a high standard and remind other women that our integrity needs to be remembered at all times so that we can help pave the way for those women just entering the field.

What piece of advice would you give a young girl reading this and thinking, ‘Wow, I would love to have a career like this when I grow up?’

Be curious!

Be willing to learn, ask questions, and receive new ideas. Specifically, if you’re interested in a career in STEM, it’s moving FAST. Our society’s reliance on technology and data has transformed all areas of our daily lives. Most decisions we make, even personal ones, are data driven. We buy items from Amazon that are based on our purchase data, we binge watch our shows based on our click metadata, we connect with people on social media platforms based on connection data, and the list goes on. I encourage everyone to find an area of the field to explore and be curious about. The impact this can have is immeasurable.

What do you miss most about Wisconsin?

That’s easy. Packer fans and Midwestern hospitality.

Easy Cell

A PEOPLE PERSON WITH MEDICINE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN HER BLOOD, IT WAS NOT HARD FOR MEG RICHARDSON ’03 TO FALL IN LOVE WITH OPTOMETRY.

— By Aliya Pitts, Chief Advancement Officer

She’s always loved science, nothing grosses her out, and she’s a Prairie lifer-turned-mom of two students: meet Meg Richardson ’03, the owner of Twenty Twenty Family Vision, an optometry practice in Sturtevant. You can call her “Dr. Meg,” as she’s affectionately known by her patients.

First thing’s first: what made you choose to become an optometrist?

My grandpa and great uncle were both optometrists, so it kind of runs in the family. I shadowed one in high school and again in college and it felt like a fit; I appreciated the good work/life balance while still being in the medical field. I was also considering environmental science.

Not many people know this, but you’re also a doula. Tell me how that factors in.

Being a doula is about emotional support more than clinical work. I had one [a doula] and it made a big difference in my birth experiences – so I wanted to share that with others. The birth of a child is such a strongly emotional time! It felt important to support other people in this. I’ve always been the kind of person where nothing grosses me out, so the birthing part was no big deal.

Earliest or coolest math or science memory at Prairie?

My favorite teachers made math and science relatable. I didn’t really like math until middle school algebra with Mr. Huizinga; he made his classes into a story format where all the variables had names – Mr. Green Chips! – which kept it fun.

In science, Mr. Will was my favorite – and I loved environmental science. He was chill, but also made class really interesting. He taught a lot of animal behavior lessons, which I loved.

Any other favorite teachers we should know about?

Cell biology with Mrs. Maraccini! How bodies work is so interesting – and this is what really got me into biology. I always liked science, and I loved learning that cells are these little self-functioning bodies that make up our tissues…that make our bodies work.

Give us a cool eye-related fact.

Eyes are the only part of the body where you can see blood vessels without doing an invasive procedure. And they’re a team: in order to accurately perceive our world, you need to have two eyes that work together. Someone with one functional eye cannot see in 3D – there’s no space or depth perception.

Another thing is that 70% of our learning is visual, so vision is super important for everything else we do.

What’s the best part of your job?

I enjoy talking to all different types of people, and I love helping solve problems. I think we’re all helpers at our core –and now I do that every day. Plus, eyes are fascinating!

How does Prairie figure into your career now?

Prairie gave me a great foundation to be able to handle the requirements of college and optometry school. More than that, it set me off on a path of lifelong learning and curiosity.

As a lifer, what’s it like to be a Prairie parent?

Note: Meg and her husband Brendan Kelly are the parents of Amelia ’30 and Nora ’32.

It’s amazing! I definitely didn’t appreciate Prairie as much when I went there as I do now as an adult. To be able to send my kids here and see it from a parent perspective…I know exactly how wonderful their education and opportunities are.

Tell us about your life as a small business owner.

I founded my practice in 2017, and I’m proud of the fact that it’s entirely woman-owned and operated. Before that, I was working at a chain, out of town, and I wanted to come back closer to Racine. I looked around for jobs in the area and didn’t see anything that felt quite right, so I went out and started my own. My dad was a small business owner in Racine my whole life – he owned Camera World – so this felt familiar to me, like I could handle it.

What’s your best advice for a woman who wants to work in a STEM field?

I think my advice applies to anyone: even if you don’t know what you ultimately want to do, just do the next thing, or take the next class, or talk to the next person with a cool career that you think you might enjoy. Basically, follow your heart and it will take you to the next right step. If you’re doing what you enjoy the most, it won’t feel difficult if you truly love it.

CA MP US

Former Prairie parent (and NBA superstar) Caron Butler returned to campus last fall to promote the release of his new young adult novel, Shot Clock. Joined by co-author and bestselling writer Justin Reynolds, Middle and Upper School students came together in the John Mitchell Theatre to listen as the authors discussed the book’s themes of friendship, mentorship, and community.

In July of 2022, Milwaukee Magazine recognized Prairie as The Face of College Preparatory Education in its annual Faces issue. 2022 Student Government officers and college-bound seniors Charlie May (Drake University), Reya Babu (Cornell University), Joey Scumaci (University of WisconsinMadison), and Camden Perry (Howard University) were highlighted. “The teachers are incredibly supportive,” said Perry, who is currently studying to be an orthodontist. “They aren’t just teachers. They’re mentors. They want to see you succeed. No student is left behind.”

Call it a return to regularly scheduled programming with a twist. In March, Prairie once again welcomed Kindergarten parents to campus for a familiar rite of (early) spring: the annual Robot Reception. Long a favorite of students and parents alike, the project was rewired this year to include yet another level of learning: the programming and operating of KIBO robots by, in our humble opinion, the savviest 5-year-old coders around. Eager parents got comfortable in the Leipold Johnson Early Childhood Center (LJC) as they worked side-by-side with their children to pilot the robots across the floor.

1,000 individual points scored is rare when it comes to high school basketball careers. So imagine what it means to hit that mark as a sophomore. That’s exactly what J.J. Glass-Barnes ’25 did on February 24th in the Hawks’ WIAA regional semifinal victory over Horicon in the Johnson Athletic Center. The Hawks again made an impressive postseason run before falling to eventual Division 4 State Champion Laconia in a sectional final. For the season Glass-Barnes averaged 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game en route to being named to the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association All-State Team.

Turning 100 is always an excellent reason to celebrate. In February, Early School students and their teachers marked 100 days of school by dressing as, what else, centenarians. Think gray mustaches glued above lips and reading glasses perched on heads. Are we able to confidently say life in Early School is awesome? Yes, we cane.

A music style rooted in innovation deserves a day focused on the same. In February, Instrumental Music teacher Jamie Breiwick and the Upper School Jazz Club hosted the school’s annual Jazz Day. A unique celebration of the brilliant art form that is jazz, the annual event brings students from various schools to campus along with the Milwaukee Jazz Symphony Orchestra for a day of learning, and jamming, together. The brainchild of Breiwick, Prairie hosted its first Jazz Day in the spring of 2018. It was just one of many memorable opportunities for Prairie’s artists in a year that also saw the Jazz Club perform a set at the popular Saint Kate Arts Hotel in Milwaukee.

Senior golfer and hooper

In February, Dr. Nat Coffman, Head of School, delivered his annual State of the School address to a full house in the newly-renovated Leipold Family Recital Hall. This year’s address focused on People, Program, and Place. “We represent Mrs. Johnson’s vision and commitment” said Coffman. “Prairie is different than every other school I’ve ever been part of, because it’s more than just a school. It’s a community.”

Sophie Lawler ’23 got some big news in March – she’d been named a 2023 Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Scholar Athlete of the Year state finalist. 841 seniors were nominated for the honor by over 450 schools. Only 32 scholar-athletes were chosen. Lawler was honored May 7th during a ceremony at the Hilton Garden Inn in Wausau.

Earlier this spring, the Middle School fielded its first MathCounts team in years. This year’s Mathletes – Rohan Peddamallu ’27, Cate Vaccaro ’27, Luca Castellano ’29, and Jillian Anders ’29 – qualified for State after winning the local chapter competition. The coolest part? It all happened because students demonstrated initiative. “Rohan (Peddamallu) and his teammates are the ones responsible for bringing this back to Prairie,” says Kelly Christensen, 6/7 Math Teacher and Mathcounts Advisor. “It wasn’t my idea or the Middle School’s idea. It was the kids’ idea.”

of the

Last October, Prairie appeared on CBS 58 Milwaukee’s popular “Hometowns” segment. Featured alongside the Wind Point Lighthouse and Wingspread, visiting reporter Bill Walsh called Wind Point a “hidden gem” because of its sights and sounds, its beauty and excellence. We could not agree more, Bill.

We know college is a fast track to success, but this is taking metaphors to a whole other level. Once again this spring, College Counseling hosted their annual College Fair with over 40 schools and universities filling the upper track in the Johnson Athletic Center. “Prairie’s College Fair has become a wonderful school tradition and we are very proud of its success,” said Jim Zielinski, Co-Director of College Counseling. “The fact that we had colleges from 21 states attend is a testament to the outstanding reputation TPS has in the higher education community. It was a great day for all and our Upper School students and parents really took advantage of this wonderful and unique opportunity.” Word is starting to spread as well. Students from Brookfield Academy and Divine Savior were welcomed to the event, as well as counselors from Marquette High School.

There were many facets of Prairie life forced to take a hiatus during the pandemic, including the school’s service hours requirement in Middle and Upper School. While students still found ways to make an impact during COVID, everyone on campus was happy that the program is back in its original form for the 2022-23 school year. Partnerships this year have included Ronald MacDonald House Charities of Southeastern Wisconsin, Woofgang Dog Rescue, Shorelight Memory Care, and Frank Elementary School (Kenosha), among others.

Any given moment, on any given day, you can walk around campus and discover an example of something that sets a Prairie education apart. For the last 20 years or so, students in 1st Grade have provided us with an obvious, smock-covered example. Shark dissection day, the culmination of the students’ shark unit, has become a time-honored tradition for the division. Perhaps the event’s biggest fan? Susan Holum, Head of Primary School, who still participates in – and this year led – the dissection she once started as a classroom teacher.

In recent years, Prairie’s annual Diwali celebration, a festive, school-wide affair during which the entire student body gathers outside for speeches, fireworks, and dancing, has evolved into one of the most beloved traditions on campus. This Hindu festival celebrating light over darkness and good over evil was held on a beautiful late October day in Wind Point. “I hope you all realize what a privilege we have to be The Prairie School,” Dr. Coffman told the students. “Our families have come from all over the world to create a unique, inclusive community built on respect and trust.”

In 2018, the Admission Office launched its Mini Masters Program, a slate of age-appropriate courses for one to three-year-olds and their parents, taught by Prairie educators. The classes have always proved popular with a dozen or so families attending the monthly Saturday morning sessions. This year, however, interest skyrocketed as Mini Masters grew to two sections (36 students) with plans already in place to add a third next fall. To learn more about Mini Masters, visit www.prairieschool.com/mini-masters.

The 2023 State Spanish Pronunciation Contest was music to Dr. Maria Fiocchi’s ears. While Doctora’s students always perform well in the competition, this year was one for the books. 32 Middle and Upper School students represented Prairie by either memorizing a poem or narration. The goal? To present the piece with a perfect Spanish accent. The result? 32 gold medals. In Doctora’s 15 years of teaching Spanish at Prairie, this year, her last, was the first time such a feat was accomplished by TPS students.

In April, Prairie’s annual Multicultural Festival saw students, parents, and faculty representing 27 different countries set up shop in the SRC. A tutorial on sushi making, a live mariachi band, and a Mexican coffee and espresso bar were just a few of the highlights.

Who needs cotton candy or whac-a-mole?

In May, a different kind of carnival visited campus – a Carnival of Engineering presented by the Science Museum of Minnesota. After attending various museum-facilitated assemblies throughout the day, students and their families had an opportunity to attend the carnival that night, an event that featured a flying frog flinger (say that three times fast), the cantilever building challenge, and a crane game. The result? Over 300 registrations. Score one for science.

In March, Riley Saenim ’26 did something no other freshman in Wisconsin state history has ever done – she was crowned the Wisconsin champion for Poetry Out Loud. She beat out 716 participants to take the Wisconsin crown and earn the right to represent the state at the national Poetry Out Loud event in May. In the winning recitations, Riley presented: Rain of Statues by Sarah Lindsay, The Seekers of Lice by Arthur Rimbaud, and Siren Song by Margaret Atwood.

DID YOU KNOW?

SQUIRREL NESTS ARE KNOWN AS DREYS

Nesting Place

BY

— By Brendan J. O’Brien

The literal knowledge, the facts and theories and applications, those will of course prove valuable down the road. However, it was an underlying life lesson inherent in Sarah Turek’s return to the college classroom, something that has always been present but is sometimes easy to overlook –like a squirrel nest high in the arms of an oak – which will prove most important in her work as an AP Bio teacher at Prairie.

Ever the scientist, Turek’s return to the classroom as a student started with her own real life scientific method in the form of a series of questions she found herself contemplating during the pandemic.

“COVID really prompted me to think, ‘What is next?’ ” she says. “At that time, I was also really taken aback by the change in parenting as my kids got older. They needed less hour-to-hour, day-to-day parenting. They didn’t need the structured, planned out summers anymore. It was time to take a step back and look at, ‘Who is Sarah?’ Beyond mom, beyond wife, beyond teacher. This was one way I could serve myself personally and professionally.”

Of all the biology-based Master’s programs she considered – and there are many – the Biological Science concentration from Clemson University offered one distinct advantage over all the rest.

“I could start right away,” she said. “While there are schools that offer the opportunity for on-campus labs, and that idea did appeal to me, the waitlist for those was two and a half years. I wanted to get started right away.”

Get started she did, and then some. Clemson allows up to six years for students to finish the 100% online program which requires the completion of ten different classes. Turek finished in two school years and one summer. Seventy percent of the courses were content-based, but it was the other thirty percent – those focused on research, communication, biostatistics – that ultimately proved most impactful. And the master opus was this spring’s individual study, an independent research project requiring Turek, and her students, to get out into the field.

INCORPORATING HER STUDENTS IN HER OWN RETURN TO THE CLASSROOM, AP BIOLOGY TEACHER SARAH TUREK WAS REMINDED OF EVERYTHING THAT MAKES PRAIRIE SO SPECIAL.

But first, a bit about the smaller, more scurry-ish stars of Turek’s project – the squirrels.

“We are all doing scientific processing every day without naming the steps,” says Turek. “It was November, the leaves were gone, I just noticed the nests. And once you start noticing things, you begin asking questions. So, it was really just my intrinsic curiosity and developing a question from there.”

And her AP Bio students answered. Despite junior year being notoriously tough at TPS, well over half of Turek’s students took part in the voluntary work. The week after winter break she brought in a single picture of a single tree at Racine’s River Bend Nature Center. Not one person noticed the drey. The following day she had three pictures, each with a drey. One of 24 students noticed the commonalty.

“So, then we started talking about dreys,” she said. “The students had to bring in their own pictures which allowed them to start spotting nests in the wild. Many had never noticed them before. And once they began observing, they started asking questions which grew my own research questions. And that ultimately brought us to the quantity of dreys at River Bend and how they were oriented in trees in nature compared to the dreys along the city streets in Racine.”

The squirrels’ co-stars in Turek’s project delivered an equally powerful performance. The students recorded observations in the field. They analyzed data. They proofread Turek’s final presentation poster.

“If you ever need anything proofread, boy, give it to a junior or senior at The Prairie School. They took it so seriously and made my final project amazing because what they’ve learned in other classes. They really connected to that process.”

A newly shared perspective is the ultimate unifier. Turek’s work resonated with her students – one of their teachers was now in the same seat as them. And this, seeing the world through the eyes of her pupils, was Turek’s most important takeaway.

“I had not been a student in 25 years,” she says. “I was not efficient. Figuring out how to study and do the work was a process and it gave me a ton of student perspective. My first semester I got a B on a test and that did not sit well. So, for me to rest with that and think, ‘Okay, now what? What would I do differently? How does it feel when you don’t get what you think you should on a test?’ Boy does that make me a better teacher, better at understanding the lives of my students.”

AP BIO OUT IN THE WILD

FIVE STAR REVIEW

After a three-year COVID hiatus, the Southwest trip, a spring break staple beloved by decades of Upper School students, returned with rave reviews. Here Dr. Wheeler, trip advisor, captures some thoughts from this year’s trekkers.

— By Dr. Rebecca Wheeler, Upper School English Teacher

The annual Prairie School spring break backpacking trip was back in business this year, with 15 Upper School students enthusiastically hitting the trail in late March.

Seven days in the mountains and deserts of southwest New Mexico allowed the trekkers to challenge themselves, deepen friendships, learn new skills, and realize how full a day can be under wide western skies and away from the internet.

Although some students got a little chilly when evenings dipped below freezing, the dazzling night skies in a location without light pollution is what will stay in their minds the longest. Brie Luchun-Ledvina ’23 and Nathan Breiwick ’23 agreed that sleeping under the stars, without tents, was something they will never forget.

Tevene Vartanian ’25 also put into words the awe many students felt about the natural beauty which surrounded them: when she started hiking, her eyes were on the trail, but when she looked up, “The mountains and valleys were like a painting.” She also enjoyed learning multiple outdoor skills, especially cooking: she made pad thai on a backpacking stove!

Adam Langendorf ’23 loved how his classroom learning about conservation and his outdoor experience merged on the trip: “We learned about Aldo Leopold and wilderness during Land and Literature and now we were hiking in the Gila Wilderness.”

Mars Jones ’26 spoke for almost everyone in the group by mentioning how easy it was for friendships to grow when they were “away from everything.”

It’s a safe bet that the 2023 trekkers and the generations of Prairie School students who have hiked the Grand Canyon, Capital Reef, the Gila Wilderness, and other southwestern destinations will continue to treasure their memories long after their return to “civilization.”

Friday Afternoon Conquerers

FOR TEACHERS, THE END OF THE SCHOOL WEEK IS USUALLY ABOUT ONE THING: SURVIVAL. SO HOW DOES JENNY COBB’S STEM 6 READING CLASS STACK UP WHEN IT COMES TO HOLDING THE ATTENTION OF READY-FOR-THE-WEEKEND TEENAGERS?

— By Brendan J. O’Brien

In the front of the classroom a small projector beams a square of yellow light onto a whiteboard. The machine, humming gently, is the size of a thick hardcover book and attached to a pole that dangles from the ceiling. In purpose, it’s identical to those clunky projectors that teachers from the seventies, eighties, and nineties would roll out of their storage closets and wheel to the center of classrooms all across America. In appearance and functionality, however, the two could not be more different. This one is smaller and prettier, more powerful, less messy, and – just hanging there overhead – doesn’t take up any storage space.

“Let’s take a look at your problems again,” says Jenny Cobb, Middle School Reading teacher. “Remember, this has to be a new idea. You can’t just take a solution that’s already out there.”

This is STEM 6 Reading and it won’t shock anyone familiar with 6th graders – or with Fridays – that the closer the weekend gets, the shorter attention spans can become. In fact, this very class began with boys chatting about the NBA playoffs. A girl studied her silhouette in the glow of the projector, using the shadow to adjust her ponytail. Another student was playing a game on her iPad. Etc. Etc.

However, after the daily brain teaser – a fun word problem or prompt that Cobb beams onto the whiteboard – something happens throughout the classroom as she starts talking shop. Chaos melts in calm. Students start filling out a pair of handouts: Resource Checking and Product Ideas Notes Organizer. They are interested, they are eager, and even at 2:30PM on a Friday, they are invested.

“Students like the hands-on discovery process for each challenge,” says Cobb. “I love to watch the wheels turn, to see students have ‘aha moments’ when they test a design and think of a way to fix it.”

On this particular afternoon Cobb’s students are asking themselves the same question the folks who enhanced the original projector probably asked themselves twenty-some years ago: is there a better way?

Cars getting hydrolocked during floods. Electronic addiction. Oceanic pollution. High-tech cooling sweatshirts. Each of the students has identified a problem or possibility that interests them, and now they are in the beginning stages of research that will ultimately end in a brand new solution.

“Students this age appreciate time to create,” says Cobb. “They like the open-ended nature of these challenges and working to solve a problem. It reminds them of when they were younger. They are discovering as they build.”

STEM 6 Reading was the brainchild of Kathy Boero, Head of Middle School, and Head of School Dr. Nat Coffman quickly fast tracked her vision. After that, Cobb was tasked with developing a curriculum intended to prepare students for greater success in higher level test taking and in math and science classes. The course is intentionally fluid as she collaborates often with the students’ content-area teachers to identify what support skills they would like her to reinforce.

In a way, the entire class is a strategic, concerted effort to arm kids with the critical thinking skills many seem to lack these days.

“In this age of ‘Googling’ I am finding that students do not have confidence in their problem-solving,” says Cobb. “STEM 6 develops that stamina and perseverance and promotes collaboration as they move through the reading and conquer these challenges.”

GOING DEEPER

Kathy Boero, Head of Middle School, Discusses How STEM 6 is Impacting Students

There are two areas where significant changes have been observed and are in great part due to students participating in STEM 6 Reading.

The first is a change in how our kids are viewing failure. Students learn through their problem-solving, creating, and data collecting that failure is expected. They begin thinking like engineers and inventors, and come to see failure as an opportunity to try other solutions, collaborate with a team, and try again.

Secondly, teachers have also observed progress is in the area of increased learning stamina. Faster isn’t always best and students learn to keep trying in STEM 6. Persevering through improvement, recording data, and seeing progress are skills developed in this class. Students no longer expect to get things done quickly, hand it in, and move on. They work on projects for weeks, continually testing and researching before presenting their findings to their classmates.

Something In the Water

FROM STREAM TESTING TO LAB WORK, PRAIRIE STUDENTS ARE ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN A VARIETY OF SCIENCE ACTIVITIES. SO, IT IS IT A COINCIDENCE THESE WOMEN FROM THE CLASS OF 2019 ARE ALL PURSUING – AND THRIVING – IN STEM-RELATED FIELDS? WE DECIDED TO FIND OUT.

— By Brendan J. O’Brien

Even as a wide-eyed freshman on the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities campus in the fall of 2019, it didn’t take long for Lizzy Hokanson ’19 to find her people. Before her first college lecture even began, Hokanson was out and about, actively seeking engagement opportunities during the school’s Welcome Week for new students.

It was then she first learned of She is MechE

She is MechE’s credo centers on growing, empowering, and inspiring women in the field of mechanical engineering. Hokanson joined immediately, and in the years that followed – particularly those during the odd semesters that unfolded during the COVID pandemic – she developed more and more relationships within the community. By the time her senior year rolled around last fall, she was elected the group’s president.

“I’m here to oversee the group’s activities and all of the fun learning, technical, and professional opportunities we have,” shares Hokanson. “Being a mechanical engineer there aren’t too many women in the classes we are in, so making a good group of friends is really important to keeping the retention rate high for women in the program.”

Consider it a match made in networking heaven. This spring, Hokanson, a bright, bubbly people person if ever there was one, was the recipient of a Leadership Showcase Award given by U of M’s College of Science and Engineering for her outstanding work in the fields of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

While Hokanson flourished at Minnesota, the seeds of her scientific interests were planted here at Prairie. And she is not alone. Numerous women from the Class of 2019 went on to pursue STEM-related fields in college, and this spring we caught up with a number of them to see not only what they’re up to these days, but if their shared love of science is more than just a coincidence.

Time is wild. Feels like you guys were just here on campus, and now you’re graduating from college. Congratulations. What’s next?

I will be living in Boston next fall and am currently applying to jobs. I hope to be a research technician in a lab or working in the sustainability office at a university. I plan to attend graduate school in the near future, but first want to narrow down what kind of career I hope to have.

Several of your female classmates from TPS are graduating with STEM degrees. That can’t just be a coincidence, can it?

I am not surprised many of us are pursuing STEM fields, mostly because we all have a solid background in lab skills, math/statistical knowledge, and scientific experimentation thanks to Prairie. There are so many strong female role models at Prairie, and I’d personally like to shoutout Mrs. (Shannon) Schafer and Mrs. (Sarah) Turek for sparking my interest in biology and environmental science. I am constantly amazed and proud of the work my peers are doing, and am confident they will make a positive difference in the world.

Any words of wisdom, guiding principles, etc. you keep in mind as a young woman beginning to make her way in a challenging field?

I personally put a lot of pressure on myself to be perfect and do my best work, and I think it is a very common mindset among women in STEM. As I come to the end of my college career, I try to remind myself of all the hard work I’ve done and the things I’ve accomplished at Union. It’s easy to compare yourself to others, but it’s important to celebrate your own milestones and achievements. You’ve probably made more of an impact than you give yourself credit for.

What was your favorite math or science class at Prairie and why?

I really enjoyed AP Biology with Mrs. Turek senior year, especially the ecology unit. What I learned in that class made my introductory biology courses in college much easier.

Any words of wisdom to the Class of 2023 as they get ready to leave for college?

Try new things, connect with your professors, and embrace the uncomfortable – there will probably be a lot of it at first!

HAILEY STOLTENBERG ’19 Union College (New York) Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

Time is wild. Feels like you guys were just here on campus, and now you’re graduating from college. Congratulations. What’s next?

These last four years absolutely flew by! I will be working as a Laboratory Technician in the Department of Neurology at the UMN Medical School for the next couple of years. During that time, I’ll be preparing to apply to medical school.

Several of your female classmates from TPS are graduating with STEM degrees. That can’t just be a coincidence, can it?

First of all, I am incredibly proud of my fellow classmates pursuing STEM fields, especially since it is usually a challenging environment for women. I remember STEM being strongly emphasized during my time at Prairie, which I believe influenced our decisions to go into that field. There were many opportunities to get involved in STEM extracurriculars that allowed us to apply our knowledge in different ways besides quizzes and tests.

Any words of wisdom, guiding principles, etc. you keep in mind as a young woman beginning to make her way in a challenging field?

I remember one day in AP Chemistry senior year, Dr. (Jean) Weaver asked me to stay behind after class. She sat down next to me and told me to be confident in my knowledge and to trust myself, especially since women are often shut down and made to feel like they do not belong in STEM. She had noticed I would often say the correct answer to her

questions under my breath, but I would never raise my hand in fear of saying the wrong thing. She encouraged me to have confidence, speak up, and even if I said the wrong answer, I was still brave enough to put myself out there. I would echo her same advice to younger women interested in STEM – if you think you can do it, nothing and nobody can stop you.

What was your favorite math or science class at Prairie and why?

My absolute favorite class was Human Anatomy and Physiology. We performed some very memorable dissections and learned the coolest stuff. I also really enjoyed AP Biology. It set up the foundation of my biology and biochemistry knowledge for my first biology courses in college, which were certainly a challenge. I have to thank Mrs. Schafer, who was my freshman Biology and Anatomy teacher, for helping me fall in love with biology! I will also shoutout Dr. Weaver who guided me through Honors Chemistry and AP Chemistry. She is the reason I majored in Biochemistry and why I have the confidence I do today.

Any words of wisdom to the Class of 2023 as they get ready to leave for college?

Starting college was one of the most exciting times of my life. Be open to change (easier said than done, I know), push yourself to do things you never thought you could do, and be kind to yourself. I wish you all the best!

GLORI CAMPOS ’19 University of Minnesota Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, Minor in Psychology

(Completion December, 2023)

Time is wild. Feels like you guys were just here on campus, and now you’re graduating from college. Congratulations. What’s next?

Thank you! The time really has flown. I’ll be doing a Software Engineering internship with IMC Trading in Chicago this summer, and then I’ll be going back to WashU for one more semester to finish my BSMS in Computer Science. After I graduate, I’m hoping to spend a few months traveling (both to visit my extended family in Argentina and to explore) before starting a full-time software engineering job somewhere in the Midwest.

Several of your female classmates from TPS are graduating with STEM degrees. That can’t just be a coincidence, can it?

I agree, it’s not a coincidence at all. In my opinion, the hardest hurdle that women in STEM have to pass is enrolling and persevering in first and second-year classes, which requires confidence. Prairie’s challenging honors and AP classes – especially in our respective STEM fields –prepared us well because we came into college with genuine and resilient self-esteem. Not only did we know we belonged in these fields, we knew we could succeed.

Any words of wisdom, guiding principles, etc. you keep in mind as a young woman beginning to make her way in a challenging field?

Use your limited time and energy where it’s most impactful. Call it “work smarter not harder,” “pick your battles,” or the Pareto principle, the idea is the same. There’s a lot we can do

to focus our energies on the endeavors that actually matter. I find it is especially important for women to keep this in mind, since we tend to take on extra responsibilities for the benefit of those around us.

Also, choose fewer but more meaningful commitments. Remove the need for willpower whenever possible – spend too much time on TikTok? Get your friend to passwordprotect your Screen Time limit. Structure your life to take advantage of your strengths and adjust for your weaknesses (I use a routine app and task manager instead of relying on my terrible memory). Make your life as easy as possible so you can focus your energy on what’s genuinely hard.

What was your favorite math or science class at Prairie and why?

My favorite teacher was Mrs. Grobschmidt, who I had in 3rd Grade and who I got to see in high school when she transitioned roles.

In 3rd Grade, she fostered my love for math and logic. She had these fun math worksheets we could take whenever, and at some point, she introduced me to logic puzzles. I remember struggling to solve any of them, but I had so much fun learning that I didn’t mind, and they were an exciting challenge for years to come.

Now, it’s a joy whenever I run into her, because she has such a wonderful and kind demeanor. She always has a smile on her face, and I always feel welcomed by her.

Any words of wisdom to the Class of 2023 as they get ready to leave for college?

Take the first year, year and a half, to explore as much as possible. Audition for student groups. Get on the email list for clubs you’re interested in. Go to a wide variety of social events and meet as many people as possible.

Then pare down ruthlessly. Drop every group except your favorite one or two. Unsubscribe from lists. Curate your social life so you interact with the people and attend the events that you enjoy most. Feel free to continue exploring, but focus the vast majority of your time enjoying the great spaces, people, and activities you’ve discovered.

College is a time of self-exploration, but it’s also a time to have fun. Once you have an idea of what you enjoy most, you’ll need to say ‘no’ to everything else to make space for what is most meaningful to you.

CAMILA GARCIA-NOVELLI ’19

Washington University in St. Louis Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Masters of Science in Computer Science

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Schools, by nature, are a business of turnover. Students graduate. Families move. This summer, Prairie says ‘goodbye’ to three profoundly impactful educators.

Before they hit the open round, we caught up with them this spring to ask, “What’s next?”

— By Brendan J. O’Brien

CHAOYING YAN World Language Teacher

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

I will travel to see the beautiful country – national parks, Route 66, the western coast. I will travel to see much of the world as well. I will travel anywhere in the world as long as there is a deal. I want to see and learn about different cultures, taste different foods.

I plan to continue riding my bike for fun, also. This was inspired by Dr. [Jean] Weaver during the COVID lockdown.

Finally, I plan to continue supporting all Prairie sports, coming to as many games as possible. And I will have all the time in the world since I will be retired. Go Hawks.

MAGGIE MCDONOUGH Head of Upper School

What’s next?

Moving to Vermont and rejoining my husband who moved there 16 months ago. I think I still know what he looks like.

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

The ever-changing and neverchanging Green Mountains. Wind in the trees, silent starry nights, pine air, spring-fed lakes. And time. Time with my husband, children, and grandchildren. Time to volunteer and freelance. Time to read and write. Time to grow flowers and vegetables. Time to grow old in my anteroom to heaven.

What will you miss most about Prairie?

The noble work of forming and reforming education, but most of all the colleagues, students, and families whose energy and synergy make this school extraordinary every. single. day.

DR. MARIA FIOCCHI World Language Teacher/Department Coach

What’s next?

I will be spending time with family, splitting my time between Kansas and Argentina. I have also started my own YouTube channel where I hope to share lessons and videos. I think my goal will always be to share the language and culture I love with as many people as I possibly can.

Follow Dr. Maria Fiocchi’s YouTube channel: Un papelito-ua

Alumni Notes

OUT & ABOUT

— By callie atanasoff, director of external relations

There are numerous ways to stay in touch these days; social media alone ensures that we never lose track of people and memories. But nothing can replace the feeling of connecting in person, of being with former classmates, of seeing your little one run through the same hallways you once did.

This year, we focused on meeting you where you’re at – whether that meant stealing you away for a happy hour during Thanksgiving break at Butcher & Barrel, a popular (and Prairie-owned!) gastropub in Downtown Racine, asking you to bring your family to a chilly winter basketball game in the Johnson Athletic Center, or welcoming back numerous TPS thespians for Alumni Night at the John Mitchell Theatre.

These are just a few of the moments that brought our alumni together this year, and we’re looking forward to next year’s lineup.

Check out our winter issue for a full recap on Alumni Weekend 2023!

On Her Radar

MARI GROBSCHMIDT,

A

21-YEAR

PRAIRIE VETERAN, IS READY TO LEAD PRAIRIE’S UPPER SCHOOL INTO ITS NEXT PHASE OF GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.

— By Brendan J. O’Brien

A leader need not have the loudest voice in the room, or in the Upper School Commons, to bring about impactful change. If Mari Grobschmidt was constructing a foundation upon which her tenure will be built, this mantra would bear significant weight.

“I think there is an opportunity to grow student leadership,” says Grobschmidt, a 21-year Prairie veteran who started as a 3rd Grade teacher in 2002. “In some ways leadership can be viewed in a really narrow way by students in terms of outgoingness. However, we have a lot of young people who are quiet servant leaders, and finding the avenues where they can make a difference is important. I don’t want kids who just fly under the radar. What is your niche? Where do you shine? How can you bring value to the school? I think we have more opportunity for all of that.”

If there is anyone who understands how expansive the scope can be when it comes to bringing value to a community, it’s Grobschmidt.

After 14 years in the Primary School, she was named Prairie’s Learning Specialist for 7th through 12th Grade in 2016. It was a big change, and a jump that required her to learn the operational ins and outs of not just one new division, but two. It meant more curriculum, more hours, more students and parents. It was a demanding gig to be sure, but it was also rewarding, and it didn’t take long for her to make an important realization in terms of her new clientele.

“[Upper School] really isn’t all that different,” she says. “Kids are still kids. In Primary School it’s love all the time. They wrap their arms around you. In Upper School it’s still love, they just show you in a different way. Even though some days you feel like they are fighting you on everything, they are still genuinely appreciative. And they like you. They don’t want you to know that, but they do. And I think that’s cool.”

True partnership: consider this mantra number two for Grobschmidt. Partnership not just between student and educator, but between students of all ages as well. In Grobschmidt’s opinion, there are an abundance of opportunities for students in different divisions to partner on various projects.

“I want faculty to know students even better,” she says. “But connection across divisions is another piece I really want to run with. There are more opportunities for Upper School students who are passionate to be linked to things that are happening in Primary and Middle School.”

A QUIET CONFIDENCE

When Grobschmidt talks about the future, as well as her tactical points of emphasis in year one (a smooth transition of leadership, getting J-Term off the ground), she does so not with fearless braggadocio, but in tones that are equal parts reserved, appreciative, eager. She is an excellent listener and observer, someone who understands what the Upper School is and has been, the lives it has impacted. Her goal is not to change something already working; however, what’s wrong with making something strong even stronger?

“I really value this division and I want to see it continue to grow,” she says. “There have always been great things happening in Upper School, but there is also great promise and great possibility.”

When asked about her Prairie influences, the people and ideas she has taken inspiration from, Grobschmidt references the cool-under-pressure-vibe of Maggie McDonough, Prairie’s Head of Upper School for the past two-plus years. She cites Susan Holum, Head of Primary School, and Kathy Boero, Head of Middle School, as colleagues she has always looked up to.

“I have immense respect for both Susan and Kathy as leaders and educators,” she says. “They put their students first, always.”

And no proper list of Prairie influences is complete without Pat Badger, but this is especially true for Grobschmidt, who not only counts Badger as a close friend, but has also served with her as a seminar leader for Prairie’s participation in the The National SEED Project.

“Pat Badger is...she’s Pat Badger,” says Grobschmidt. “Wise. Willing to help with anything. Everyone in the community knows her. She’s just the best.”

TIME TO SHINE

Summer is a time for reflection and for planning, but soon enough the Upper School students will return and all eyes will be on Mrs. Grobschmidt, a measured and accomplished leader confident in her ability to enhance the community she knows and loves.

“Did I always know I wanted to be in charge of Upper School? No. But did I know I wanted Upper School to continue thriving and going in a direction that is student-centered while helping grow teachers in a place that really values relationships? Yes.”

With an open mind and a keen understanding of what works, Grobschmidt is ready to embrace year one of leading the Upper School.

“I’m totally nervous and beyond excited and I think that’s a pretty healthy place to be.”

J-TERM COMES TO PRAIRIE

Learning about one of the greatest franchises in sports’ history while standing atop the Lambeau Field turf. Watching wildlife leap and run in a Namibia national park. Studying art in Madrid. Not bad when it comes to field trips.

These are just a few of the topics and trips that are a part of the Upper School’s new J-Term, or January Term. Created to expose students to a kaleidoscope of topics they otherwise might not explore, J-Term will become a part of every Upper School student’s experience starting in 2023-24. The hope is that the program will help spark new interests, tap into aptitudes students may not know they have, develop different skill sets, and broaden perspectives.

Additional areas of study in year one include foamsmithing, music production, science fiction writing, cooking, financial literacy, zoology, and national monuments, just to name a few.

SHARE YOUR NEWS AND STAY IN TOUCH

You, our Prairie School alumni, are an inspiration to all of us. We would love to hear from you!

Please take a minute to fill us in on what is happening in your life so we can print it in the Class Notes section of our alumni publication. Items of interest include:

• A degree earned

• An honor received

• Your volunteer work

• A move to a new city

• A marriage (please include exact wedding date and the full name of your spouse)

• A new family member (please include child’s full name and date of birth)

• Other news about you or your life

Class notes are published as space permits. The editors of this magazine reserve the right to revise and rewrite items for content and length.

Update your address, phone number, email address, profession, family information and anything else you would like to share. To do so, email Brendan O’Brien, Director of Communication, at bobrien@prairieschool.com or use the Update Your Information form in the Alumni section of our website.

BENEFITTING THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Save the Date:

Friday, September 8th, 2023

www.PrairieSchool.com/Golf

The Last Word

The Science of Seeking

— Callie Atanasoff, Director of External Relations

When I think “science,” I think lab coats. I think a systematic approach to solving problems. I think sterile facilities with little human connection and a black and white road to initials after a name.

Or rather…thought. That’s how I thought of science until talking to Faith Ogungbe ’13, a Prairie alumna leaning into the art of healthcare: the relationships, partnerships, and knowledge needed to turn data and dreams into policies, systems, and services.

After Faith graduated from Prairie, her next steps seemed clear: enroll in a summer sciences program at Northwestern University, make friends, and get to know the area before majoring in Biology and English. However, halfway through her freshman year, an anthropology course caused a shift in mindset.

“The class covered many topics, but a new understanding of how much social environment impacts health and well-being caused everything to click.” She declared anthropology as her major, with a concentration in human biology.

There were struggles along the way, challenging coursework and frustrating moments of “Can I do this?,” but difficult does not mean impossible; in fact, her new path allowed Faith to reflect on how she approached her passion.

And Prairie played an important role in her preparation.

“Prairie demonstrated the mindset necessary to approach difficult situations,” she says. “Mrs. Pulda’s Pre-AP Calc class was the first course where I was allowed to struggle. She explained that even when you’re struggling, you can be learning, and that you have to be ok with not knowing… that’s why you’re here.”

‘Here’ shifted from undergraduate work to a Master’s in Biotechnology at NU – creating a poetic blend of human sciences and being on the cutting edge of medicine.

Northwestern’s program incorporated a global health component, emphasizing consistent care in impoverished areas. Through a partnership with the University of Cape Town, she traveled to South Africa and worked with a team whoe goal was to create a widely-available probiotic to help reduce infection in women. After South Africa, Faith pivoted again. She was applying to medical school while working in a lab in Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine, but was drawn down an adjacent path. “My time in Africa solidified the importance of public health. There is work to be done at systemic levels, and I want to make a difference in people’s health that’s sustainable.”

Her desire was put front and center during the pandemic. The whole world became a case study: from public health addresses to daily monitoring of COVID counts to seeing firsthand the impact of timely response and trusted leadership, Faith was invested.

In 2020, she set her sights on a Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and simultaneously served as a contact tracer for the City of Greenfield. Around the same time Faith also found a role with Providers and Teens Communicating for Health (PATCH), a position that aligned with her passion for a more equitable and collaborative approach to healthcare.

PATCH is an innovative, youth-driven program working to improve adolescents’ health and well-being. Faith supports a team of students as they learn to advocate for themselves and develop partnerships with health organizations. It won’t be the last step to get where she wants to go – working for a public health agency at the international level – but it is the meaningful next one.

Faith Ogungbe has created a ripple since leaving Prairie. It may not have been in waters she expected, but best laid-plans are often better after disruption.

“I thought I would be in residency. And somewhere other than Wisconsin. But what I’ve learned is that while it’s important to have a plan, it’s ok to not hold too tightly to the details. Having healthy persistence is key, especially when plans change.”

Prairie is a place where students pursue excellence, a school that prepares students for college and the life they lead after. What Faith has demonstrated, however, is that being a Prairie graduate is not synonymous with a patterned trajectory. Prairie gave her the opportunity to grow comfortable with challenge; in doing so, her goals grew far beyond what she ever thought was possible.

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