The Jag - Spring 2018

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FE ATURES

A CLOSER LOOK

ATHLE TICS

Sea of Wonder

Culture of Innovation at All Things Wellington

Committed to a Common Goal

Dear Friends, Humankind has always looked toward the stars for answers. Philosophers, playwrights, scientists, and a great many young children have contemplated the complexities of life on our planet through a gaze fixed on the sky. How we perceive and ultimately understand the universe tells us as much about ourselves as it does the new worlds we discover. While most of us will never have the opportunity to travel millions of miles to visit a planet like Mars, we are fortunate to have a glimpse of the mysterious red planet through detailed pictures provided by two NASA

believing every student has the potential to succeed with hard work and determination are the prevailing principles behind everything we do in our school.

It can be seen in our youngest students following an innate curiosity for dinosaurs as they learn fundamental concepts. It can be seen in Middle School Constitutional Law students when they present compelling oral arguments on historical U.S. Supreme Court cases. It can been seen when a senior overcomes her fear of diving to become SCUBA certified, thus enabling her to pursue a passion for marine biology in the Caribbean Sea.

We are a school where extraordinary questions are far more important than ordinary answers.

ROBERT BRISK P ‘13 ‘15

exploratory rovers. The vehicles, named Spirit and Opportunity, were built with the help of Wellington alumnus Pete Waydo ‘91.

How fitting that a graduate of our school should bring us closer to the stars and do so with spirit and opportunity; I can think of few other words that so perfectly exemplify Wellington.

Enthusiasm for discovery and

Whether exploring coral reefs or celestial bodies, Wellington students have the ambition and ability to chart their own course in life. The stories you will read within this magazine highlight just a few of the ways our school has changed the

conversation around modern independent education. From creating a culture of innovation for both children and teachers alike to providing a safe community in which we all feel comfortable trying something completely new, Wellington is a place of continual growth and inquiry. We are a school where extraordinary questions are far more important than ordinary answers; and when we look to the stars, we can see ourselves.

Warm regards,

is published by The Wellington School for all members of its community. Please send any comments to Yvonne Johnson at communications@wellington.org.

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Robert D. Brisk P ’13 ’15 Head of School

Yvonne Johnson P ’25 ’27 Pete Kaser ‘96 P ‘27 ‘29, Jaime Kletzly P ‘13, Yvonne Johnson P ’25 ’27, Holden Richards C OP Y E DI T OR S : Melanie Eggleton, Caroline Haskett P ‘19 ‘20 ‘22, Erin Noviski, Jeff Terwin, Danielle Turkovich, Jill Webb P HO T O C R E DI T S : Cheryl Allen, Me-Chelle Burkhalter P ’22, Chris Cooke P ’21 ’21 ’24 ’27, Laurie Jacques P ’12 ’12, Rob Luikart, Erin Noviski, Lindsey Smith P ’26 ’32, Brandon Sullivan P ‘31, Jeff Terwin, Lissa Wade, Pete Waydo ’91, JK Wilson DE SIGN: Bluewave Creative E DI T OR :

C ON T R I BU T OR S :

TABLE OF CONTENTS

The rigorous grounding I received in English, writing, and communication at Wellington has served me well throughout my career.

The greatest ideas and insights are meaningless if you can’t effectively communicate them and know how to process what others are communicating.

PETE WAYDO ‘91 PAGE 10

O Brave New World ON T H E C OV E R :

Willa Griffing ‘32 and Anant Carrel-Saraswat ‘32 in the Early Childhood Outdoor Classroom.

FEATURES

A CLOSER LOOK

ATHLETICS

ALUMNI

Faculty News 13

The Fuller Focus Sea of Wonder

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Committed to a Common Goal

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Alumni News 31

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Making the Case Award Winners

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Dino Discovery Days 8

Alumni Share Wisdom and Insight 36

Culture of Innovation at All Things Wellington 16

THE WELLINGTON SCHOOL

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SEA OF

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aking up at 7 a.m., eating a quick breakfast, and heading right to class may not be every teenager’s ideal Saturday morning lineup, but for a group of Wellington students it was a dream come true. Instead of uniforms and backpacks, they donned wetsuits and scuba gear to dive 60 feet under the Caribbean Sea, just off the coast of Grand Cayman. Class consisted of swimming with and observing the varied marine life they encountered, everything from sponges and coral to clams and fish. Students came face to face with eels, turtles, barracuda, and nurse sharks.

The trip to Cayman was the culmination of their marine biology coursework which also included SCUBA training and certification.

Before heading on their deep sea adventure, students had the benefit of learning about the complexities of sea life from a teacher with a Ph.D. in marine biology, Assistant Head of School and Head of Upper School Dr. Jeff Terwin. The class covered topics related to coral reefs and mangroves and students participated in lab activities focused on animal diversity, including the study of living creatures such as brittle stars, banded shrimp, and anemones from marine environments.

Every organism was unique in its own way,” Kate True ‘19 said. “It was also amusing to learn about all of their different parts and how every detail contributes to how the organism either attracts predators, fends off predators, or attracts mates.”

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While some students had previous experience with diving, others had the added challenge of learning a completely new skill, one with potentially dire consequences if executed improperly. “The scuba gear is very, very heavy,” Isabella Vegas ‘19 said. “It weighed me down a lot. But once I was actually diving in the pool, it was amazing to be able to spend long periods of time underwater because of that equipment.” Vegas, who was not really afraid before beginning to dive, found mask clearing, the act of clearing water from your mask if there is a leak or it becomes too foggy, always made her nervous. Part of the training students received involved completely removing their masks 50 feet underwater, putting them back on, clearing the water out, and then continuing diving. “It was actually pretty difficult,” Vegas said.

Other students had to push through a deeper initial fear of diving. “I was very nervous and went alone for my first pool dive,” Abbey Marshall ‘18 said. “I couldn’t even go down to six feet. But the next week I came in with all of my friends and was able to dive to 12 feet, and eventually 60 feet on the trip. You just have to get past your fears that you cannot breathe because you can!”

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Dr. Terwin was particularly impressed with Marshall’s ability to confront the challenges of a first time diver and ultimately have a rewarding experience on the trip. “It was remarkable to watch,” he said. “Easily descending to depths of 50 feet, Abbey was often one of the last divers back into the boat.

On one of the dives, as she and her buddy were lingering at depth, we spotted a Hawksbill turtle. It swam right up to us, and we enjoyed a few glorious moments watching the very cute turtle move effortlessly through the water. That

image was then contrasted during our visit later in the week to the Cayman Turtle Center, where the turtles were maintained in small concrete tanks. Abbey took on significant challenges, showed amazing resilience, and obtained an experience and understanding of the ocean that she could not have obtained by simply sitting in a classroom.”

Indeed some of the toughest lessons learned had nothing to do with the challenging curriculum, rather witnessing human brutality in the natural world. Prior to the trip, students participated in class debates related to the use of coastal resources, and researched topics related to conservation and captivity. It was this work, in particular, that would later inform their impression of the Cayman Turtle Center.

“The turtle farm was pretty sad,” True said.

“The turtles were kept in small pools where they were so packed in they were practically on top of one another. In no instance do I believe that it is humane to keep a marine animal in a pool, when in the wild they would have the entire ocean to roam.”

At the turtle facility, students were confronted with a controversial issue related to the protection of the endangered green sea turtle, and the management and use of their current population when they saw firsthand how the turtles at the center were being treated.

“Turtles are migratory and solitary creatures,” Marshall said. “At the farm, they were kept in pentagon shaped concrete blocks with nothing but water. They had no vegetation of any kind. There were no sea turtles in the middle of the tanks. They were all away from each other and on the edges of the tanks, constantly trying to get out and listen to their natural instinct to follow the stars.”

Most moments in Cayman, though, brought into focus the exquisite beauty of marine biodiversity. Students were able to explore coral reefs in “no glove” dive sites, meaning divers were forbidden from wearing gloves to make them less inclined to touch the ocean life. These protected marine sites were far different from the coral reefs bleached of their natural color from

increased water temperature and increased water acidity. “We learned about coral bleaching in class,” Vegas said. “I looked out for this on the reefs where we dove, but the good thing was that the coral colors were actually extremely beautiful and vibrant at our dive sites.”

For Dr. Terwin, the purpose of the class is to give students an understanding of the ocean environment and how it impacts their lives, even in Columbus. “I want students to appreciate the amazing diversity of habitats and creatures that live in the oceans, and that humans are having a significant impact on the marine environment. Wise use and conservation are critical components of our relationship with the ocean ecosystems.”

Every student in the class was affected by the experience. Whether it was rethinking

a potential college major or the origin of a lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy, marine biology changed the way students viewed themselves as agents for change in the world. “The moments that happen on each trip when students come back from their first dives on the reef and, having observed the vast biodiversity, begin making connections between the organisms is always great,” Dr. Terwin said. “Even with stories and videos, there is just no way to replicate that level of understanding.”

Upon breaking the surface after one of her many dives in Grand Cayman, Christina Armeni ‘18 perhaps said it best when she shouted, “I love my school!”

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MAKING THE CASE In Constitutional Law, middle school students apply their knowledge of legal language to read, understand, and interpret Supreme Court cases.

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hispering and passing notes while someone else has the floor is not usually considered good classroom etiquette. In fact, side conversations during presentations are typically deemed disrespectful and disruptive for the speaker. But in Middle School Constitutional Law, chatting with classmates while a peer makes an argument is one of the best ways to demonstrate a deep understanding of the class itself.

Asked to take on the roles of petitioners and respondents in arguing some of the top cases to have been brought before the United States Supreme Court, students begin to think, write, and act like lawyers in the highest courtroom in our country.

“I want students to understand the role of the Supreme Court in the U.S. government, how it functions, and be able to read and interpret its opinions,” teacher Victoria Pang said.

To be selected for this elective course, students must write about not only why they would like to take the class but also

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which of the first ten amendments are most interesting to them and why. The process serves as an introduction to their work fully examining how judicial interpretations of the Bill of Rights impact their individual liberties. Students study rulings on historical cases involving Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Religion, Equal Protection Clause, Due Process, and Commerce Clause. The class also learns legal jargon that will give them an advantage in their ability to confidently discuss matters pertaining to law.

Students must choose their arguments carefully, knowing they will be assessed for their logic and research. “I am not interested in purely emotional appeals,” Pang said. “While some students take on more of a research and writing role on their oral argument teams, everyone must either give an opening, closing, or subargument in the hearings, ensuring valuable practice with public speaking. The class’s favorite parts are often the unscripted rebuttal periods of back and forths and fervent note-passing.”

”I couldn’t ask for more than to inspire my students to have these conversations organically and with the passion middle school students typically reserve for social concerns.”

VICTORIA PANG, MIDDLE SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES

When arguing Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972), a classic religious freedom case in which the state of Wisconsin found the parents of Amish children to be in violation of a law that all children under the age of 16 must attend public school, students gave their oral arguments, weighing the two competing interests (compulsory education and religious expression) differently. The petitioners, representing the state of Wisconsin, argued that the state’s compelling interest to have an educated population surpassed any religious expression concern.

The respondents, representing Amish parents, argued that compulsory education significantly infringed upon the religious rights of the community. “Arguing the case demonstrated that the Court weighs in competing interests,” Pang said, “and must deem them compelling in order to tip the scales in one side’s favor. Importantly, neither Wisconsin nor Yoder were arguing that religious expression or education were unimportant, but their determination of their relative strengths demonstrated a differing prioritization of values.”

The Supreme Court’s actual majority opinion on the case found that the Amish parents could be exempt from the compulsory education law on First Amendment grounds.

According to Pang, “the case was significant for clarifying that, in the Court’s eyes, the benefits of compulsory education were not enough of a compelling state interest to interfere with the practice of the Yoder’s religion.”

Students leave Con Law understanding how the concept of federalism applies to issues like education, transportation, and health care. As informed citizens and critical thinkers, middle schoolers may now take positions on constitutional issues in the context of legal principles and history with deep analytical insight, poised to make their case.

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WHAT STUDENTS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT CON LAW

GAVIN RAY ’22: “I enjoy how it deepens our understanding of the Supreme Court and how it exercises communication and debating skills. I learned that there is more to an issue than the surface, or if it’s good or bad.”

KENDHYL WILDER ’22 “My favorite part is taking part in the oral arguments because I think it’s amazing to see my classmates have the knowledge to support their case. I’ve been thinking about being a lawyer for a while.”

CALEB WOODDELL ’22 “Con Law has taught me how to think fast on my feet and make an argument about the Constitution quickly.”

SARA OBER ’22 “I like having civil arguments and learning what each side has to say.”

CHASE OUELLETTE ’22 “Con Law has taught me to look at the constitutionality of ideas and beliefs. Before I took the class, I thought about just the morality of an issue and I didn’t look at the constitutionality.”

PICTURED Lily Yu ‘22, Victoria Pang THE WELLINGTON SCHOOL

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DINO DISCOVERY DAYS Students Take the Lead in Learning

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PICTURED Opposite: Nathan Pham ‘31 Albert Zhu ‘31, Pete Kaser ‘96 P ‘27 ‘29 Left: Asiya Campion ‘31, Jacqui Saiedy Nami ‘31 Below: Ryleigh Bubnar ‘31, Harlee Schultz ‘31, Albert Zhu ‘31, Jacqui Saiedy Nami ‘31

BY PETE KASER ‘96 P ‘27 ‘29 EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER

JAIME KLETZLY P ’13 LOWER SCHOOL LEARNING GUIDE

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ll children have an innate curiosity.

When presented with a new idea or materials, they will actively seek and explore looking for answers.

It is our duty then, as educators, to provide an environment that is stimulating as well as safe for students to make mistakes and learn.

A teacher’s interest will only take a student so far. A student’s interest can drive their learning endlessly. In the Wellington Early Childhood program, we understand the finer details of student projects enable a greater level of engagement and further sustain a high level of attention.

It began with a few drawings and a box full of dirt. In our early childhood classrooms, we have an area we refer to as the studio.

This area is not simply a space for art; it is so much more. It’s a place where abstract materials and objects can be discovered along with tools to help a student create.

It was in the studio that one student, for an entire week, endlessly drew pictures of dinosaurs which in turn piqued the interest of another student. Understanding that this could be fascinating for others as well, we introduced figurine dinosaurs into our small world play area, a spot in the room where students can explore social and emotional boundaries. One day we decided to dump dirt

in the box. With that simple change to the provocation, the play exploded with energy, and the project began.

We were soon researching everything we could about dinosaurs. The students were actively engaged in their learning as they asked questions and made “wonder statements.” As teachers, we had achieved our first goal, to have a high level of interest and a yearning for more knowledge. Our goal was not to focus on our own interests as educators but the interests of the students.

We could be studying worms, or water, or the structural dynamics of the Eiffel Tower. It does not matter what the interest is as long as the students feel like they have ownership over it. In those moments, we as educators can accomplish our greatest curricular goals.

To a young child, few things are more interesting than making huge dinosaur tracks down the middle of the hallway, so we used the dinosaur tracks to help students learn how to use a non-standard form of measurement.

Students understood the tracks had to line up perfectly end to end for the measurement to be precise. At the same time students were

demonstrating their ability to functionally count objects and understand decade patterns. They began to understand the concept of tally marks as they learned to represent and record their data.

Students were also introduced to the art of collaboration when we painted various cardboard tubes and other materials to create a 12 foot flying pterodactyl to hang from the ceiling. They researched the bone structure of the dinosaur and practiced their fine motor skills as they made sketches of the skeleton and used their knowledge of letter phonemes to stretch words out to represent their ideas.

The children, as well as adults, were in complete awe of the accomplishment.

It is absolutely integral for students to feel ownership over their learning. The acquisition of knowledge and development of important skills happen more quickly and are retained longer when there is a high level of interest from the student. When children feel ownership over their learning, the curriculum is completely elevated to new heights.

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O Brave I New World

n the summer of 2003, NASA launched two Mars rovers aptly named Spirit and Opportunity. Their purpose was to explore the Martian surface and search the landscape for any geological evidence there may have once been water on the planet. Their mission was intended to last 90 sols, or Martian solar days. Exceeding the expectations of even their creators, Spirit remained active until 2010 and Opportunity will celebrate its 14th anniversary this year, having travelled 45.08 kilometers on Mars as of January, breaking the record for the longest distance driven by any off-Earth vehicle. An asteroid was even named after Opportunity, in recognition of the rover’s immense contribution to our understanding of the red planet.

North of Pasadena, next to the San Gabriel Mountains, Pete Waydo ‘91 sits in his office at Caltech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and recalls the moment he watched years of hard work, care, and caution get blasted out of the Earth’s atmosphere. He had helped design and build the PICTURED suspension systems for Opposite: Pete Waydo ‘91 with SMAP spacecraft Spirit and Opportunity just before mating it with and was also involved the launch vehicle. in the Assembly, Test, Left: Waydo with daughters, and Launch Operations Mila (L) and Mischa (R).

(ATLO) team for the rovers as well as the rest of the spacecraft that carried them to Mars and safely onto the planet’s surface. “At the time of the launch, we would have been thrilled if the rovers had worked for a little bit,” Waydo said. “For Opportunity to have lasted this long, it’s just extraordinary.”

What also might be considered extraordinary is Waydo’s path in life that brought him to his current role as the deputy section manager of the spacecraft mechanical engineering section. He oversees roughly 400 engineers, scientists, and designers who are responsible for all of the mechanical engineering and development of JPL’s flight THE WELLINGTON SCHOOL

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Waydo exploring Death Valley National Park.

spacecraft. Although fascinated by space as much any child, Waydo explains, he never imagined it as a profession. “I was a car guy.

I grew up hearing about my dad’s exploits as a professional drag racer. I also always wanted to take things apart and put them back together again, so the car world naturally pulled me in.” At 14, Waydo attended a car show with his father and saw a 1965 Mustang in pristine condition. “My dad told me if I wanted a car like that to drive to school, I would have to build it, so that’s exactly what I did. Painstakingly, over the next couple of years, I restored a ‘65 Mustang and was able to drive it. Of course, I later ended up pushing it to prom.”

Fortunately for the success of the Mars rovers’ missions, no pushing was required.

Though growing up thinking he would most likely become an automotive engineer, Waydo, while a student at Northern Arizona University, accepted an internship with Boeing in Seattle that “planted the aerospace seed,” he says.

“Then I did a 6-month co-op at NASA/JPL after my junior year, and that sealed the deal. At the end of my co-op they told me they’d like me to come back full time after graduation, and I couldn’t even think of looking for other opportunities.”

Waydo began working for JPL in 2000, getting his start helping to build the Mars rovers. After Spirit and Opportunity safely landed, he joined the Surface Operations team, monitoring the health of the rovers’ mechanical systems. He next worked on

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the formulation team in the early days of what would later become the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover, the most technologically advanced rover ever built.

His initial love of cars never left Waydo, though, so he decided to leave JPL and pursue his own business involving vintage Mustangs.

He also started a family. Daughters Mischa, 12, and Mila, 10, already show a strong proclivity for critical thinking and applying the scientific method to all facets of life, not just STEM-related. Waydo says his favorite thing in life is raising his daughters to be strong, independent, and curious about the world around them. It’s a foundation for learning he discovered as a student at Wellington. In small classes that made it impossible for students to hide, Waydo remembers all of his teachers prioritizing thinking and questioning over mere memorization. “They didn’t teach us what to think, but how to think,” he recalls.

To impart that very same emphasis on deep thinking on his daughters today, Waydo enjoys endless exploration. They often travel, either getting out of town for the weekend or, most recently, backpacking around Greece.

“It was an unbelievable experience together,” Waydo says. “The girls really studied up on their Greek mythology beforehand and then visiting many historic sites on the trip made it all real. They’ve been hooked on Greek mythology ever since.”

Over the past several years, Waydo’s interest in cars has waned in favor of motorcycles, a passion that has him touring all over California and exploring remote

backcountry. He can find life in Los Angeles hectic at times, but has learned to escape it through hiking, camping, and bike riding with his daughters.

In 2011, Waydo returned to JPL as the mechanical lead for the Mars 2018 mission, a joint NASA/European Space Agency project that was canceled after a year. He then became the mechanical systems engineer for the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission, an Earth orbiting climate science satellite. Waydo again transitioned onto the ATLO team, this time as the mechanical lead.

It was a project he was intimately involved with through its launch in December of 2015.

When offered the opportunity to move into management, Waydo thought it would be a nice change of pace after the intensity of a major flight project. He soon discovered the work was just as busy, but he enjoyed it.

His first role was technical group supervisor of the Mechanisms and Mobility group, a team of about 20 engineers who develop the wheels, suspension systems, and many of the mechanisms of JPL’s spacecraft and rovers, as well as the motors and gearboxes that make it all move.

Often asked the best academic route to a career like his, Waydo’s answer is not what people are expecting. “The rigorous grounding I received in English, writing, and communication at Wellington has served me well throughout my career. The greatest ideas and insights are meaningless if you can’t effectively communicate them and know how to process what others are communicating. I’m surrounded by strong technical people every day, but the ones who have risen to the top are the great communicators.”

In late 2016, Waydo became the deputy section manager of the Spacecraft Mechanical Engineering Section. Still, even today, he shows a palpable excitement at the thought of perhaps one day travelling into space himself. As Carl Sagan famously wrote, “We have lingered long enough on the shores of the cosmic ocean. We are ready at last to set sail for the stars.” Having helped build the ship, with the vast benefits of a Wellington education, Waydo is more than ready to set sail.

FACULTY NEWS

Head of School Robert Brisk P ‘13 ‘15 was a featured speaker at the 2018 ISACS Heads of School Conference: Through a Different Lens: New Views in School Leadership. Brisk presented “Head as Researcher: How might we assess student engagement?”

At the 2017 annual ISACS Conference: Blazing a Trail to Learning, middle school teachers Greg Davis and Victoria Pang presented “Teaching Civility through the Humanities,” best practices for engaging students in critical conversations while keeping the classroom civil, and lower school teacher Nami Stager P ‘30 ‘32 presented “Stimulating Science,” empowering students through critical analysis, thoughtful conservations, and self-reflection in a stimulating and efficient way.

Wellington teachers Catherine Dison P ‘21, Chris Robbins P ‘17 ‘22, and Karen Butler P ‘12 ‘16 ‘20, along with VAPA President Millie Hay ‘19 performed with the Columbus Women’s Chorus at the King Avenue United Methodist Church in November. Vocal Music Director Lisa Springer was the director of the chorus.

Upper school teacher Drew Eberly directed an Available Light Theatre production of “How We Got On,” featuring Wellington Theatre Director David Glover in the lead role. The play, which follows a small group of high school students as they discover hip-hop music while living in the Midwestern suburbs during the late 1980’s, was also taught in Music and Literature class and then performed for the upper school in February.

School Counselor Craig Jones co-presented with Dr. Marcus Ware, head of school at Springfield Commonwealth Academy, at the NAIS People of Color Conference (PoCC), in Anaheim, November 30 - December 2. The workshop was entitled “Let’s Talk about How We Practice Self-Care” and was designed to help educators of color assess how they practiced self-care. A panel of educators of color from a variety of independent school settings (urban, suburban, day, boarding) offered personal strategies for well-being.

Jones was also an affinity group facilitator at the conference, a role he has held for three years.

CityPulse Names Wellington a Wonderful Workplace for Young Professionals Wellington was named a 2017 Wonderful Workplace for Young Professionals by CityPulse. Columbus employers are nominated in categories of Coolness (Attraction), Stickiness (Retention), Community Impact, and Growth Opportunities for emerging leaders. Special thank you to Lower School Teacher Justine Smith for the nomination.

Upper school teacher Cailey Oehler received a Fulbright Grant to help coordinate an enrichment seminar for current foreign Fulbright researchers on the topic of innovation and entrepreneurship in post-industrial cities. Oehler also received a new teacher grant from Delta Kappa Gamma to fund materials for her classes.

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THE FULLER FOCUS

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s a teenager in northwest Ohio pondering her future, Becky Fuller P ‘08 ‘11 ‘16 was torn between a career in art and becoming a teacher or coach. The deciding factor came down to her lifelong passion for athletics. A five sport athlete, Fuller wanted to ignite that very same fervor in others. Now in her 32nd year at Wellington, she has shared her love for physical education with children of all ages and continues to find new ways to challenge and encourage student athletes.

Over the years Fuller has coached field hockey, tennis, soccer, basketball, and softball, often coaching three sports a year. Fostering the growth and development of children has always been the focus of Fuller’s career.

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“Relationships are my favorite part of teaching,” Fuller said. “Wellington is truly like family for me. I have taught and coached here for a very long time. My three children attended Wellington for twenty-one years. I have taught middle and upper school children during summer programming. I know the majority of the students and staff in our building and the alumni who return. I love being able to watch my tiny 1st graders grow into confident, mature adults. Knowing that I had a part in their development is so fulfilling and that I can continue to help them to reach their potential is immensely rewarding.”

The benefits of daily physical education are abundant, including a reduction in obesity rates as well as healthy growth

and development. A critical component of education at Wellington, P.E. is on the daily schedule of every student in kindergarten through 4th grade. Under Fuller’s guidance, classes strengthen locomotor skills through fitness activities, ball handling, rhythm activities, self-testing tasks, gymnastics, and small group games. Students learn important skills in the areas of independence, responsibility, teamwork, leadership, communication, sportsmanship, and an appreciation of their own capabilities as well as others’.

Fuller continually works with students to maintain and improve their personal fitness.

She is also quick to help children seize opportunities to develop social skills, build

friendships, and establish connections with different parts of the brain; the benefits of which continue into their other classes with improved concentration, memory, and faster cognitive processing. Children gain confidence and self-esteem as they use their growth mindset to push through challenging tasks.

Fuller uses her own finely-developed growth mindset to always look forward for the next great idea to inspire and motivate children. “I have been blessed with amazing administrators at Wellington, and I have been encouraged to think outside the box,” she said. “When I have presented new ideas they were encouraged. My current focus is on increasing outdoor education at Wellington.

My colleagues Bill Miller and Dave Herrick share my passion for teaching lifetime outdoor skills. We have 16 kayaks that we use to teach paddling. I have been teaching geocaching [an outdoor recreational activity in which participants use GPS to hide and seek “geocache” containers] since the sport began in the early 2000’s.”

For her own children’s education, Fuller wanted them to have access to the talented teachers of Wellington. She and her husband Wayne loved the idea of Ashley ‘08, Jesse ‘11, and Preston ‘16 having a diverse group of mentors with whom they could develop meaningful relationships. “They were each challenged in very different ways to excel and be leaders,” Fuller said. Ashley is currently the food and beverage manager for Hilton Garden Inn and is also the owner of a hobby farm called Kickstart Acres. Jessie will complete her Ph.D. in physical therapy at The Ohio State University this spring. Preston is a sophomore at Ohio University studying outdoor recreation and leisure.

While presenting two of her children with their diplomas was unforgettable, Fuller has many other treasured memories from her time here. She can vividly recall watching the first Wellington graduation ceremony in 1989.

Thinking of travelling to Florida for softball spring break and seeing a timid softball player score the winning run against a rival will always bring a smile to her face. Poignant moments are plentiful. She can still find joy in being in the audience of a lower school play, taking middle school students on their first high ropes and paddling experiences, and helping seniors find and pursue a meaningful senior independent project.

Much like her action-packed P.E. classes, Fuller never slows down. In her spare time, she loves to bike, hike, and paddle. She and her husband geocache often, camping all over the United States. Delicious food and board games with family and friends is her idea of a good time. Fuller also writes and publishes vacation bible school curriculum and enjoys working with children in 3rd-6th grade at her church.

With her eye always on the future, Fuller plans to do even more travelling with her husband after he retires from the Air Force in June. She also has plans for her students involving “mindfulness, engagement, and finding natural intersections between physical education and project-based learning.” Her focus, as always, remains on Wellington.

CHARLOTTE IMMKE REMEMBERED The Wellington community mourned the loss of Charlotte Immke, wife of founder Len Immke, in December.

Born in Ersinge, Germany, Charlotte became a dedicated supporter of The Ohio State University and the OSU Hospital. She was also a founding member at St. Andrew Catholic Church and a member of St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church.

“Charlotte was a very kind woman who believed strongly in helping others,” Director of Development Laurie Beth Sweeney said. “She was a generous philanthropist to many causes she believed in.”

PICTURED Opposite: Shea Reynolds ‘29, Reed Khan ‘29, Becky Fuller P ‘08 ‘11 ‘16 Above. Ashley Fuller ‘08, Wayne Fuller P ‘08 ‘11 ‘16, Jessie ‘11 and Joseph MacQuarrie, Becky Fuller P ‘08 ‘11 ‘16, Preston Fuller ‘16

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“Wellington is an amazingly diverse place, and with that diversity comes a responsibility that all students be provided equal access to learning activities that we deem relevant and important.”

Dr. Jeff Terwin ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL AND HEAD OF UPPER SCHOOL

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Culture of Innovation at

ALL THINGS WELLINGTON The 11th annual All Things Wellington was an exciting and inspiring look at visionary education for children of all ages.

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n evening entirely dedicated to exploring and celebrating curriculum at the forefront of teaching and learning, the event gave illuminating insight into what Head of School Robert Brisk P ‘13 ‘15 referred to as Wellington’s “culture of innovation.”

An impressive program of live presentations and videos featuring faculty and students highlighted the scholarly pursuits of today and dreams for tomorrow. In his opening remarks, Brisk talked about what sets Wellington apart from other schools. He began by noting The Wellington School has been named a PICTURED Top Workplace Opposite: Cailey Oehler, Jeff Terwin in Columbus five years in Left: Sarah Zimmerman ‘18, David Lynn ‘18 a row. While that makes our school noteworthy, he explained, what makes us exceptional is the special honor we received with the award. “In 2017, Wellington scored highest of all organizations considered for the Top Workplace honors on one particular criterion. Our faculty and staff, more than employees of any other entity, asserted that at our workplace, new ideas are embraced.”

Given that schools have been encumbered by standardization and uniformity in the last 20 years, Brisk found the recognition of Wellington’s commitment to innovative thinking “nothing short of amazing.”

The culture of innovation at Wellington, as THE WELLINGTON SCHOOL

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described by Brisk, involves offering faculty grants to create and design programs that enhance student engagement, challenging “students deeply while increasing their love of the very challenges they were facing.”

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Since inception, Student Engagement Grants have funded 54 new projects, 21 of which have become signature programs, significantly contributing to Wellington’s culture of innovation.

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Presentations and videos provided in-depth examinations of courses and initiatives in lower, middle, and upper school, demonstrating the full range of Wellington’s curriculum, from Shakespeare to journalism, engineering design to virtual reality, and outdoor classrooms to experiential equity in international travel. “Wellington is an amazingly diverse place, and with that diversity comes a responsibility that all students be provided equal access to learning activities that we deem relevant and important,” said Dr. Jeff Terwin, assistant head of school and head of upper school.

“That is the key principal of experiential equity. All students having the same access to meaningful learning experiences.”

Alumnus CJ Hansen ‘12 spoke of his own meaningful learning experiences as a student at Wellington and how they influenced his path in life, majoring in physics and astronomy at Northwestern University

and, as a freshman, receiving a NASA grant to study the atmospheres of exoplanets. His research led to authoring a published paper and more research grants studying solar flares on the surface of the sun with a solar telescope at Stanford University. “Ultimately, all of these incredible experiences have shaped my life,” Hansen said, “and it’s all thanks to the research I started at Wellington.”

Following the presentations, attendees had the opportunity to further explore Wellington through breakout sessions focused on robotics, coding, engineering design, youth in government, and creative problem-solving, to name a few. Live music, art, and fashion were also showcased, displaying the broad scope of the Wellington student experience.

The 11th annual All Things Wellington was an impressive and heartening demonstration of what makes our school, in the words of Brisk, “distinctive and transcendent in the world of independent education.”

PICTURED 1: Noah Jones-Beyene ‘20, Kate True ‘19, Grant Wheeler ‘20, Ian Gleissner ‘20 2: Hannah Posey P ‘20 ‘22 3: Hana Abdelbaki P ‘18 ‘20 ‘22 4: Matthias Olkkonen ‘24 5: Nima Raychaudhuri ‘25, Pierre Cruse ‘25 6: CJ Hansen ‘12 7: Rosemary Haskett ‘20, Sophie Haskett ‘19 8: Andrew Davis ‘19

2017–18 Engagement Grant Awards To Encourage And Inspire

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The Wellington School is committed to encouraging and inspiring faculty members to explore and develop dynamic learning experiences for students of all ages. Engagement grants are awarded each year to provide teachers opportunities to break new ground in education. The following grants were awarded for the 2017-18 school year: HYBRID LEARNING Rachel Althof P ‘29 ‘31, assistant head of upper school and upper school art

WORLD DEVELOPMENT & CONFLICT GAME CREATION Erica Foster P ‘32, lower school Laura Trubilowicz P ‘27 ‘30, lower school

FASHION DESIGN Jaime Bennati, upper school art

PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE 1 Bryan Brautigam, upper school biology

PACE: POSITIVE ACTIVE CHANGE FOR EVERYONE Craig Kent P ‘27 ‘29, lower school Sharla Starker P ‘17 ‘22, lower school

Aaron Frim P ‘19, upper school chemistry Keith Klinger P ‘23, upper school physics Brandon Sullivan P ‘31, upper school STEM & research

GRADUATE RESEARCH COMPETITION John Brown, upper school humanities & research Brandon Sullivan P ‘31, upper school STEM & research 7 8

HEROES AND VILLIANS II Marianne Crowley, middle school language arts Stephen Winslow P ‘04, middle school social studies

CHESS IN THE CLASSROOM GROWTH MINDSET STUDY Kathy Lin, upper school math

AUDIO RECORDING IN THE CLASSROOM Keith Leonard, upper school English

CREATING PROGRAMS IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP Cynthia Locker P ‘18 ‘19, upper school math

VIRTUAL REALITY HUB Mark Rodgers P ‘16, middle school math

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A CLOSER LOOK

One Wellington Shows Jumping Jaguar Joy

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he Wellington community demonstrated its boundless Jag pride in November, raising $184,920 in a single day for the annual fund. A total of 410 contributions during the event far surpassed our goal and allowed the school to receive a bonus gift of $30,000. Gifts were made near and far, from morning carline to California, and came in until well past midnight. Students and alumni gave as did their parents and grandparents, everyone sharing in their recognition of the importance of Wellington’s mission.

“The outpouring of support shown during One Wellington was a wonderful testament of how committed our families are to the success of our students, educators, programs, and the school as a whole,” Assistant Director of Development Makiva McIntosh P ‘31 said. “Moreover, it showed just how strongly our community believes

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in the extraordinary education that happens here every day. It was truly a tremendous day for Wellington, and we are so grateful!”

If you did not make a gift during One Wellington, it is never too late to contribute to the annual fund.

Visit wellington.org/support to show your commitment today.

PICTURED: Scott Locker ‘18, Mac Hammett ‘19, Nick Robinson ‘20, Eli Dulle ‘20, Bob Faller ‘18, Caroline Cooke ‘21, Reagan Kadlic ‘21, Lina Grohovsky ‘21, Christine Cooke ‘21, Brad Biehl ‘18

Remember to Redeem Scratch-Off For a fun incentive, donors who gave a gift of $25 or more received a scratch-off card redeemable at the Sokol Store. Don’t forget to redeem your card the next time you visit campus.

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RHONDA KIMSEY RETIRES

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ood Service Director Rhonda Kimsey retired in December after more than a decade of providing delicious meals made with heartfelt care for Wellington students, faculty, and administrators. Her career in the kitchen began with dishwashing and continued as a shipping and receiving clerk for the Navy Exchange at the Great Lakes Naval Station. Her discipline and

indomitable work ethic was always on full display for the more than 750 students, faculty, and staff she fed each day at Wellington. An important and vital part of our school, Kimsey loved getting to the know the students, and the feeling was mutual.

Reflecting back on her time at Wellington, Kimsey will always appreciate the support of her staff. “With their help and support, I am where I am today,” she said. “I also want to thank students, faculty, staff, parents, and Aladdin Food Management Services for giving me the opportunity to spend more than 10 years at Wellington. It has been my pleasure.”

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A CLOSER LOOK

WHILE THE Lights WERE OUT British accents and bodies found after a blackout set the scene for a murderously good time in the upper school production of Jack Sharkey’s “While the Lights Were Out.” A classic mystery filled with a cast of zany characters and plot twists at every turn, the play was a wild ride for actors and audiences alike.

What happened when the lights turned back on was mayhem and madness matched only by what happened while the lights were out.

PICTURED Lexi Horan ‘20, Serino Nakayama ‘18, Ana Dorenbusch ‘19, Kate Hans ‘20, Ben Sierzputowski ‘19, Christina Armeni ‘18

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PICTURED 1. Ryan Wise ‘19, Olivia White ‘19 2. Max Wing ‘18, Kate Hans ‘20, Christina Armeni ‘18 3. The cast of “While the Lights Were Out” 4. Andrew Davis ‘19, Lexi Horan ‘20 5. Kate Hans ‘20, Sarah Abdelbaki ‘18, Ana Dorenbusch ‘19 6. Ben Sierzputowski ‘19, Max Wing ‘18

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The Life of a Jag

A CLOSER LOOK

1: Alexis Smith ‘26, Isabella Cios ‘26, and Anna Spicer ‘26 perform in the 4th grade play.

2. Clara Evans ‘22 presents her research during International Week.

3. Annie Taylor ‘18 with Kaidin Moore ‘31 at the Holiday Sing.

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4. Nathan Hay ‘19 performs at the Fall Music Concert.

5. Seventh graders visit Washington, D.C. 6. Cal Bowling ‘32, Adriana Smith ‘32, and Lucy Moore ‘32 build in the Early Childhood Outdoor Classroom.

7. SriHarsha Reddy ‘23 and Hailey Dickinson ‘23 present their volcano project.

8. Upper school students debate topics in world history.

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9. Mac Hammett ‘19 performs at the Fall Music Concert.

10. Isabella Vegas ‘19, Kate True ‘19, and Carrie Kennard ‘19 on junior class trip to Philadelphia.

11. Koen Kwak ‘25 and Maxwell Johnson ‘25 experiment in middle school science.

12. Libby White ‘18 and Lindsay Harris ‘20 check their results in upper school science.

13. Lauren Okoye ‘22 tries curling during the 8th grade class trip to Toronto.

14. Third graders learn Bhangra dancing during International Week.

15. Kaylan Patel ‘29, Madeline Weaver ‘29, and Rohan Patel ‘29 at the Thanksgiving Assembly.

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ATHLETICS

Committed O to a Common Goal

n Founders Day, at night under the lights of Roberts Field, the girls varsity soccer team faced its most formidable opponent. Grandview Heights, undefeated and ranked #2 in the state, would have been intimidating for any team. For Wellington, it would become a point of pride. A victory would mean they could compete with the very best athletes in the state. “The greatest challenge the girls faced was simply believing in themselves and what they were capable of achieving,” Athletic Director and Head Coach Lindsey Smith P ‘26 ‘30 said. “This year I worked with the team to break down that barrier and to set their goals on achieving something great.”

That night did turn out to be the start of something great when Wellington not only defeated Grandview, but went on to a 12-5-1 record. All of the team would agree that it was their undeniable chemistry and shared enthusiasm for the game that propelled them through an epic season. “I think passion was our greatest attribute,” Co-Captain Liv Penegor ‘18 said. “We were explosive and intense. Also, we didn’t want to let any of our teammates down.” relationships The team captains were seniors who with their took their mentorship seriously as much younger off the field as on. Prior to the start of the teammates season, the team also worked hard at a and this camp at West Virginia University and truly several families opened their homes set the during pre-season to allow the foundation players to gather and eat together. for a There was also a memorable successful scavenger hunt in German year,” Smith said.

Village in which the girls “The players were broke off into teams selfless, committed, and to complete a series passionate about reaching of tasks. “The seniors their potential.” were passionate about Smith, a former NCAA Division I soccer player building meaningful

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for DePaul University, understands the demands of a student athlete can be difficult to navigate, particularly when a season can feel long and arduous, but found this group of players demonstrated tremendous support for each other every step of the way. For any team to be successful, though, the players must also feel supported by their coach. Smith strives to create a culture that embodies the fundamental principles of The Wellington Athletics Creed.

Strong leadership from the senior captains was also instrumental for the many new freshmen to feel welcome on the team. The camaraderie and bonding between the veteran players and their new teammates was essential to their success and also made for an overall happier team.

“Coming from a middle school team to upper school was more intense than I could have imagined,” Reagan Kadlic ‘21 said, “but the seniors made it a lot easier. You always felt like they were looking out for you.”

The discipline and fortitude necessary to be a competitive team demanded not just physical stamina but psychological as well. For this group of players, the rigors of strenuous training and conditioning helped their academic performance.

“I always get my best grades during soccer season,” co-captain Jakaysha Williams ‘18 said. “The game makes you mentally stronger.”

The rewards of being a member of this team are as far-reaching as they are deeply personal for each player. Whether facing down the fear of an opponent with a better record or pushing themselves to always compete with intensity and focus, these athletes worked together to build a tenacious team filled with heart. “The players cared a great deal for each other,” Smith said, “and were committed to a common goal of making this the best season possible.”

THE WELLINGTON ATHLETICS CREED is comprised of guiding principles within the framework of the school’s core values and serves to remind our community of Wellington’s measure of excellence.

Develop strength of character, pride in achievement, and passion for success PICTURED Above: Girls varsity soccer team Opposite: Jakaysha Williams ‘18

Compete with courage and purpose Promote integrity, perseverance, sportsmanship, and commitment Empower athletes to demonstrate leadership qualities

All Conference Honors Fall 2017 7/8 Blue Soccer 2ND TEAM - Allison Sprochi ‘18, Ella Sweitzer ‘19

Boys Golf CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS CHAMPIONSHIP COACH - Craig Mosier ‘01 PLAYER OF THE YEAR, 1ST TEAM - Jack Doody ‘19 1ST TEAM - Kolapo Dairo ‘18, Carsten Judge ‘21, Aidan Schumer ‘20, Garrett Thesing ‘20 2ND TEAM - Jay Briggs ‘19

Girls Tennis CONFERENCE RUNNER-UP 1ST TEAM - Akua Antwi-Woods ‘20 2ND TEAM - Brianna Masters ‘18, Sarah Zimmerman ‘18 HONORABLE MENTION - Isabella Vegas ‘19

Girls Soccer

College Athletics Bound Congratulations to the following Wellington athletes for signing letters of intent in February. Their hard work, dedication, and determination will continue to serve them well as they head off to college in the fall.

Zoe Beatty ‘18, women’s soccer, California Institute of Technology Olivia Penegor ‘18, women’s soccer, University of Rochester Macey Shock ‘18, women’s soccer, Marquette University

1ST TEAM - Liv Penegor ‘18, Jakaysha Williams ‘18 2ND TEAM - Zoe Beatty ‘18, Jacquie Sierputowski ‘18 HONORABLE MENTION - Christine Cooke ‘21, Lina Grohovsky ‘21, Catherine Zallanta ‘11

Boys Soccer CONFERENCE CHAMPION CHAMPIONSHIP COACH - J.J. Bain ‘06 PLAYER OF THE YEAR, FIRST TEAM - Brad Biehl ‘18 1ST TEAM - Eli Dulle ‘20, Freddie Lin ‘20, Jordan Livits ‘21, Scott Locker ‘18, John Riley O’Toole ‘19 2ND TEAM - Katz Kadlic ‘19, Ahmet Ozer ‘20

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AWARD WINNERS 1

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6 PICTURED 1. Middle school award winners 2. Paari Kaviyarasu ‘22 3. Sarim Siddiqui ‘22 4. Alexis Burkhalter ‘22 5. Berc Backhurst presents middle school soccer awards 6. 5/6 soccer COYSL Tournament champions 7. Caroline Cooke ‘21

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8. Parker Haskett ‘22

MIDDLE SCHOOL COACHES AWARD RECIPIENTS 5/6 Coed Soccer Ginnylu Howard ‘25 Ali Ozer ‘24

7/8 Blue Soccer Diego Del Toro ‘23 Sarim Siddiqui ‘22

7/8 Gray Soccer Parker Haskett ‘22 Annabelle Krygier ‘23

Girls Tennis Alexis Burkhalter ‘22 Clara Evans ‘22

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Golf Paari Kaviyarasu ‘22 Zach Ware ‘22

UPPER SCHOOL AWARD RECIPIENTS Boys Varsity Soccer R.O.A.R - Scott Locker ‘18 Golden Boot - Brad Biehl ‘18 MVP - Eli Dulle ‘20 JV Jag - Mac Hammett ‘19

Girls Varsity Soccer R.O.A.R - Zoe Beatty ‘18 Golden Shield - Jacquie Sierzputowski ‘18 Golden Boot - Jakaysha Williams ‘18 JV Jag - Caroline Cooke ‘21

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Boys Varsity Golf R.O.A.R. - Jack Doody ‘19 John Yakscoe - Carsten Judge ‘21 “Big Three” - Jay Briggs ‘19

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Girls Varsity Golf R.O.A.R. - Allison Sprochi ‘18

14 PICTURED 9. Akua Antwi-Woods ‘18 10. Jacquie Sierzputowski ‘18 11. Jay Briggs ‘19 12. Brad Biehl ‘18 13. Sydney Wurapa ‘18 14. Allison Sprochi ‘18 15. Jack Doody ‘19 16. Scott Locker ‘18

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Jag Divers Finish Top 10 at State

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ellington divers Taso Callanan ‘21 and Eric Jacques ‘18 made a splash at the Division II Diving Championship in February, placing 7th and 9th, respectively, in the state. Callanan scored 36.80 points on his 10th dive, a forward, two-somersault pike.

“I’m a gymnast and have a lot of medals under my belt, so I’m used to the pressure,” he told The Columbus Dispatch. “But this is different than anything I’ve done before and didn’t know what to expect.”

Jacques, a 4-year member of the dive team, is a two-time district champion and three-time state qualifier.

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Wellington Athletic Director Lindsey Smith P ‘26 ‘32 was incredibly proud of both boys’ accomplishments. “The confidence, focus, and determination they took into the state championship meet was impressive to watch. They should feel great pride in their personal results and the way they represented our school.”

Smith also credits first year dive coach Ron Kontura for being a great addition to the Wellington Athletics program. “He is also the coach at Kenyon University and has coached divers at the highest level of competition,” she said. “We are very fortunate to have him working with our athletes.”

PICTURED Top: Taso Callanan ‘21, Coach Ron Kontura, Eric Jacques ‘18 Above: Taso Callanan ‘21

Alumni News

THE CLASS OF

1989

David Burkman received his MFA in Film Production from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and has been traveling across the country, showing his film, “HAZE.” It is his feature film directorial debut and has been selected for 11 film festivals, winning Best Film at four of them.

Robert Mason left First Financial Bank after three years as their senior vice president and is now the chief financial officer at Skilken Gold Real Estate Development.

Cama Bonneau Piccini was promoted to manager of country human resource operations at Thales. She manages a national team of partners responsible for providing operational HR services to managers.

THE CLASS OF

1990

Mike Hill (formally Smith) is heading to Angola as a mooring master for offshore marine operations working for Chevron Shipping Co. THE CLASS OF

1991

Ajit Chaudhari led and published a study at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center that uncovered a potential key to preventing back pain in runners.

Nick Gallo spoke to Wellington students in their Leadership in Business class, taught by Laura Wilkins Cooke ’90, about his career in the restaurant industry, opening his first location, and how he effectively expanded his business.

Ashley Koff visited from D.C. to speak at Wellington in the enrichment series event “Better Nutrition Plan Workshop.” She also enjoyed catching up with fellow alumni while in town. .

THE CLASS OF

1994

Sara Schwebel, an associate professor at the University of South Carolina, visited Wellington to speak about her research on the Newbery award-winning book “Island of the Blue Dolphins” and her own book about using historical fiction in the classroom entitled, “Child-Size History.”

THE CLASS OF

1998 Anneliese Bohm Adkinson ’91 P ’23 ’26, Sophia Baidya Mohr ’91, Laura Wilkins Cooke ’90 P ’21 ’21 ’24 ’27 Nick Gallo ’91, Ashley Koff ’91, Ridgely Wise Quigley ’90, Emily Bay Hurst ’92

THE CLASS OF

1993

Cliona Howie is officially a member of the Circular Economy Financing Expert Group at the European Commission in Belgium.

Jeremy Stynes spoke at BCI (Business Continuity Institute) World Conference & Exhibition in London, UK in November on the topic “Using Internal Marketing Techniques – Promoting Your Program Like a Pro.”

Rich Spagna (left) opened the Revelry Tavern in Dublin Village Center with a partyhearty spirit and a crafted pub menu. They offer plenty of comfort food and tavern classics, such as short ribs with grilled cheese on sourdough, triple-cheese mac ‘n’ cheese, bánh mì sliders with shredded pork, and a shrimp po’ boy.

Come visit!

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Kathryn Siegel is pleased to formally announce that she has been elevated to shareholder at Littler Mendelson. She was elated to receive an offer to join Littler as an Associate in 2008, and is incredibly honored to have earned this title in 2018.

THE CLASS OF

2000

THE CLASS OF

2005

Clarke Wise was promoted to the vice president of government relations at Mississippi Association of Realtors.

THE CLASS OF

Melanie James Fluellen, a clinical counselor at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, taught parents and attendees about signs and prevention of suicide as a part of Wellington’s Enrichment Series.

Andres MarquezLara’s company, Promethean Community, was selected to join the Argora Accelerator which is designed to give entrepreneurs access to knowledge, networks, and capital.

THE CLASS OF

2001

2003

Tess Emerson married Joshua Miller on October 7 at Heritage Golf Club surrounded by family, friends, and Wellington alumni and faculty such as Pat Emerson ’06, Carolyn Homer ’03, Lauren Neidhardt ’02, Chris Robbins P ’17 ’22, Dan Rupp ’03, and Allison Wright ’03.

Mike Lipaj transitioned to MetLife where he is now a home, auto, life, and commercial insurance agent.

Beth Gottesman met Mike Bowen in medical school and married him on September 23 in Santa Barbara, California.

THE CLASS OF

2007

Kevin Herring is now on the West Coast in Petaluma, California where he is managing the Environmental Services department at Petaluma Valley Hospital.

THE CLASS OF

2008 Nandini Kumar stopped by to say ‘hi’ at Wellington during her break from medical school at Wake Forest.

THE CLASS OF

2006

Carter Kalchik moved into a new home in Virginia and is now at AFL-CIO as a senior strategist in data and analytics.

Jordan Kilbury and his wife, Courtney, had a baby!

Lennox Smith Kilbury arrived on September 6 at 7lbs even and 19 inches tall.

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Rene Haynes was one of 11 people recently inducted into the Greater Columbus Basketball Legends Hall of Fame.

Alison Schwalbe earned her MBA from Ohio State in 2016 and now works at JP Morgan Chase as an internal consultant in operations and performance improvement.

Gareth Burghes married Megan Weigel and welcomed her daughter, Zoey, into his family on September 24 in Golden, Colorado.

Maria Hessenauer-Raible was promoted to senior account manager in New York City at United Health Group.

Aarti Gaglani Kulkarni and her husband Neil welcomed son Arjun Neil Kulkarni on January 231-at 7 lbs 15 oz, 20 inches.

She wrote of their handsome little man, “Our hearts are full!”

Brook Kohn’s startup, DACA Time, was awarded “Top Startup of 2017” by the Metropreneur. He and his girlfriend Nathali Bertran, a dreamer herself, also came back to speak about their company to a room full of Wellington students.

Not only did they explain the importance of dreamers, but also the value of entrepreneurship for expanding opportunities and privileges to others.

THE CLASS OF

2009

Ted Emery visited an Upper School Sports Psychology class to speak about his experiences playing lacrosse at Wellington, in college, and then transitioning to the role of head lacrosse coach at Regis University.

Kendra Garrett is now a recruiting advisor brand specialist at Raising Cane’s Ohio after completing a year at GROOVE U as their public relations intern.

THE CLASS OF

2010

Peter Campbell was promoted at the Horton Group from content writer, inbound marketing specialist to project manager focusing on web development and overseeing the construction and maintenance of websites across a variety of platforms and industries.

Kara Chester has transitioned from grants management and development to customer care and marketing at Door to Door Organics in Louisville, Colorado.

THE CLASS OF

2012

Andrea Flowers was among 18 speech-language pathology graduate students who participated in Baldwin Wallace University’s new, distinctive service-learning program in Zambia, Africa. The transformative 15-day clinical practicum, providing speech and language services at a variety of sites, is offered to first-year graduate students as part of the speech-language pathology program. Flowers worked at several locations, including hospitals and schools, and gained exposure to the fields of speechlanguage pathology and other allied health professions in the developing country.

CJ Hansen is now living in Utah where he is working as a product specialist for Qualtrics helping customers find personalized solutions as well as writing code for their business and research needs. He also visited Columbus in January to speak at All Things Wellington about his experiences as a student and budding engineer.

THE CLASS OF

2013

Annie Kapp won the CASE V. Newcomer’s Fellowship Award in her new job as an advancement assistant at The Ohio State University College of Medicine. She also recently got engaged to Andrew Crist and Brea Porter ’12, Abigail Kulewicz ’12, Alexis Mallett ’12, Courtney Wayman ’12, and Sejal Crouser ’12 are going to be in the wedding!

Sophie Knowles played for Team USA in the world championships of World Flying Disc Federation in Perth, Australia and brought home the gold!

Sophia Mershad began working as an environmental educator at the Hawaii Nature Center in February. She also was recently engaged, in the fall, to Carlo Costantino.

Paige Price, after a year in Chicago working at Northern Trust Corporation, has been promoted to senior analyst. She works with both internal and external clients.

Shihong Fan is pursuing his Masters of Science in electrical engineering at The Ohio State University. He is also a student assistant researcher analyzing massive sensor data with Matlab as well as working to present stakeholders with a user-friendly data interface.

Will Gross is in Decatur, Georgia where he is a tier 2 engineer at Rev.io that helps people grow their business through a usage-based billing platform and a powerful customer management system.

Sam Teller is working as a facility and operations intern for the Western & Southern Open, where he is heavily involved during pre-tournament, match day, and post-tournament operations.

Jordan Tunnell is pursuing his master’s degree in computer engineering. His focus is on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Jordan is currently working on using ADAS to improve fuel economy and optimizing computer vision algorithms for embedded systems.

Kim Roseler started a new job at Ikove Venture Partners as an administrative fiscal officer.

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The Class of 2017 Heads to College

THE CLASS OF

2014

Nia Gill studying hard in her new dorm at Guilford College.

Amber Johnson visited Wellington to talk with Fashion Design students about her fashion studies at Kent State University and even brought in some of her garments.

Emily Swartz is a baker at Flowers & Bread in Clintonville where she initially started as an intern and has recently added sourdough to her baking capabilities.

THE CLASS OF

2015

Christie Currie has been named to the dean’s list recognizing academic excellence at Miami University by ranking in the top 20% of undergraduate students within each division.

Amelia Palmer is finishing up her last semester at New York University and working as a Sire Records A&R intern for the Warner Music Group. She also visited Wellington to give advice to current seniors who are planning on attending NYU in the fall.

Annie Postle was named to the Miami University fall 2017 President’s List, which recognizes academic excellence in undergraduate students who rank in the top 3% of their division. She is current earning a B.S. in Kinesiology & Health while completing premedical studies.

Emma Steele began another writing internship at The Record Store.

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Caroline McGuire has been working at the nonprofit Pedi-Ed for about a year now. Pedi-Ed is a platform for pediatric patient education aimed at bridging the gap between children and medicine by creating accessible, engaging, animated videos.

Simone Armour is loving living in DC and attending George Washington University.

Evan Brandao was named to the 2017 fall semester Dean’s List, achieving a GPA of 3.5 or better, at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Danny Callanan with his parents, Niki and Daniel, at the University of Miami in Florida before the semester begins.

Megan Gross at Rollins College enjoying the sun in Florida.

Bret Hairston enjoying college life at Williams as seen here during a campus health event.

THE CLASS OF

2016

Jasmine Haraburda saying goodbye to her mom before her first semester at Case Western Reserve University.

Madison Hyzdu is in Richmond, Texas working as a teacher assistant for Kumon.

Will Edic at University of St. Andrews in Scotland in front of the St. Andrews Cathedral.

Pictured wearing his red academic robes used for special occasions for this first time.

Khalil Jallaq (right) recently participated in the University of Findlay’s theatre production of “Antigone.” Jallaq served as a props assistant and as a member of the crew. He also served as a member of the lighting crew.

Margaret Meeks settling into her new dorm room at The Ohio State University.

Spencer Rieser in his dorm, ready for the semester to begin, at Elon University.

JT Seitz and his mother, Lori, at Marshall University.

Matt Strasser was named to the dean’s list at Miami University by ranking in the top twenty percent in his class.

Miranda Johnson with family celebrating her next journey in life in her dorm at Hocking College.

Jack Miller enjoying the company of his sister, Kate Miller ’15, at Wright State University.

Cassie Robbins made the dean’s list for her first semester at the University of Richmond and was chosen to join the Phi Eta Sigma First Year Honor Society for earning at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA. Ian Woods at new student convocation at Georgetown University.

Ngozi Pinkston taking a selfie with his parents, Beverly and Mark, at Xavier University.

Maddy McClinchie is all smiles in her soccer headshot at Allegheny College. She played defense in multiple games for the gators and even had a shot on goal against Ohio Wesleyan.

James Rohrbach with his mom, Karen, in his dorm at The Ohio State University.

Adam Porter at freshmen orientation at Wittenberg University.

Emma Ruck excited to conquer her first semester at the University of Alabama.

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ALUMNI

FLAG FOOTBALL

This year over Thanksgiving break, over 30 alumni gathered around Roberts Field as spectators or players in the annual Old School versus New School flag football game. Alumni from 1997 to 2017 enjoyed hot drinks, food from the grill, and music as the Old School team was victorious for the second year in a row. Thank you to Annie Kapp ’12, James Barnett ’10, JJ Bain ’06, Sara Potter ’01, and Chris Robbins P ’17 ’22 for organizing the event and keeping everyone well fed!

Alumni Share Wisdom and Insight

From right to left: Charity Jackson ’11, Andrea Flowers ’12, Sydney Snow ’15, Simone Robinson ’17, Keilah Causey ’16, Princeton Ball ’16, Bakari Brown ’16, Mason McIntyre ’15

Wellington’s 4A student group invited alumni to talk about their personal experiences as African Americans at Wellington and college, as well as in their professional lives.

Elizabeth Zimmermann ‘13, James Barnett ‘10, and Annie Miller ‘13 visited Wellington to speak to 8th grade parents about how their formative upper school experiences helped them succeed in college, athletics, and professionally.

From right to left: Sarah Schmitz ’16, Matthew Anderson, Jr. ’08, Riley Barnwell ’15, Sophie Barbour ’17, Ariel Hively ’09, Alex Winkle ’13, Molly Anderson ’15, Cameron Kirk ’12, James Barnett ’10

Wellington’s Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) invited alumni to share their experiences with current students and faculty. Thank you to the nine alumni, spanning from 2008 to 2017, for coming back and making our school a better and more informed community.

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SPRING 2018

SAVE THE DATE ALUMNI WEEKEND MAY 17-19 FUN, FRIENDS, AND FOOD! Including class reunions for years:

’93, ’98, ’03, ’08, ’13 THURSDAY, MAY 17 Alumni Career Night FRIDAY, MAY 18 Alumni Happy Hour Honoring the Retirement of Sara Brdar P ‘02 ‘03 SATURDAY, MAY 19 Reunion Recognition Brunch and Individual Class Events

For more information visit welllington.org/alumni

THE WELLINGTON SCHOOL

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NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID COLUMBUS, OH PERMIT #5786

3650 Reed Road Columbus, OH 43220 614.457.7883 www.wellington.org

Grandparents and Special Friends Day

4 May

7:45–11:30 a.m.

RSVP to development@wellington.org