Wellington Magazine - Fall 2014

Wellington magazine

FALL 2014 | INSIDE: THE FUTURE OF INDEPENDENT EDUCATION AT THE WELLINGTON SCHOOL

Dear Friends, One of the many strengths of The Wellington School is our commitment to balancing custom with innovation. This fall marked the exciting beginning of adventures for our students as well as the continuation of many time-honored traditions. As a community of likeminded students, parents, faculty members, and administrators, together we celebrate Wellington’s history while also firmly standing at the forefront of independent education.

With enrollment at an all-time high, our school’s dedication to engaged learning clearly resonates with parents and children of all ages. In this magazine, you will find several examples of the various ways in which classrooms have been reimagined to facilitate the best possible learning environment for the full range of grade levels. You will also discover how integral the concept of design-thinking, a modern approach to creative problem-solving, is to the curriculum for students in the Little Jags program all the way through upper school.

As we prepare our students to face the future with inspired determination, we also impart with them the importance of selfrespect and appreciation for each other as valued members of our school family. Special events like Back to School Sundae, Founders Day, and the Thanksgiving Assembly reinforce the bonds of friendships and treasured memories that will sustain them for a lifetime.

I am always pleased to see how both current students and alumni distinguish themselves beyond our school. Whether parlaying time served in the military into a career in the Foreign Service or preparing the most famous potato salad in the world, Jaguars have a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities afforded them as graduates of Wellington. As Head of School and a Wellington parent, I and grateful for the rewards this school has bestowed upon all the families in our community.

May the oncoming year bring us all profound joy and enthusiasm for our next great adventure at The Wellington School.

Warm regards,

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

SAVE THE DATE All Things Wellington 8th Annual Curriculum Night Student and Faculty Innovations 6:30 to 8 p.m.

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The school community celebrates Wellington and the many accomplishments of our talented students.

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All School

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Lower School

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Middle School

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Upper School

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Thought leadership at Wellington is demonstrated by innovative faculty and classrooms.

Play-based learning and design-thinking make school fun and inspiring for young students.

Students are empowered by examining the environment and epic heroes.

The Wellington Research Institute brings new life to marine biology.

Athletics

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TOP: LANE EDWARDS ‘26 ABOVE LEFT: KATZ KADLIC ’19 ABOVE RIGHT: NGOZI PINKSTON ‘17

ON THE COVER: WELLINGTON 6TH GRADERS TAKE

THE LEAD IN THE CLASSROOM OF THE FUTURE.

Justin Perdue’s Drive for Success Wellington senior Justin Perdue combines a passion for golf with hard work and determination to succeed in life.

Season Highlights Golf, Soccer, and Tennis

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Celebrations

Alumni

Chase Guinn: A Life Without Regrets Wellington alumnus commits to a life of service.

Alumni News and Events Catch up with old friends and learn how to stay connected with Wellington.

The Wellington Magazine is published by The Wellington School for all members of its community.

Please send any comments to Yvonne Johnson at communications@wellington.org.

Editor: Yvonne Johnson P ’25 ’27 Contributors: J.J. Bain ’06, Nathan Burgess, Brad Campbell, Emily Diaz, Kenan LeParc, Bill Miller P ’14 ’17 ’21, Craig Mosier ‘01, Shelly Savan, Marla Zitelman Copyeditors: Laura Cooke ’90 P ’21 ’21 ’24 ’27, Maryline Kulewicz P ’12, Melanie Eggleton, Caroline Haskett P ’19 ’20 ’22, Erin Noviski, Abbey Slee, Lindsey Smith P ’26, Sally Stratton, Lynne Steger P ’04 ’09, Jeff Terwin, Jill Webb Photo Credits: Rob Luikart, Chris Cooke P ’21 ‘21 ‘24 ‘27, Janet Hansen P ’12 ’15, Dale Perdue P ’15 Layout: Bluewave Creative

The Wellington School Board of Trustees 2014-15 Mr. Larry Abbott P ‘92 ‘00 ‘03 Ms. Tonda Adiansingh P ‘16 ‘20 ‘24 Mr. M. Douglas Anderson P ‘08 ‘11 ‘15 ‘20 Ms. Darla Kay Ball P ‘16 ‘20 Mr. Michael Burkhardt P ’20 ’22 Mr. James Croft, Treasurer P ‘17 ‘20 ‘22 Ms. Dionne Custer Ms. Lisa Edwards P ‘11 ‘14 ‘18 ‘26 Ms. Sally A. Hughes P ‘16 Mr. John Kadlic P ’19 ’21 Dr. Janette Knowles P ‘12 ‘17 Ms. Nancy Kramer, Chair P ‘07 ‘09 ‘11 Mr. Purba Majumder P ’17 Mr. Ted K. Manley, Secretary P ‘21 ‘24 Mr. John Marshall P ‘20 ‘22 Mr. Paul Morse P ‘09 ‘11 ‘11 ‘14 Mr. John Ohsner ‘03 Mr. Dale K. Perdue, Vice Chair P ‘15 Mr. Bryan Stewart ‘95 P ‘27 Mr. Robert J. Tannous P ‘14 ‘16 Dr. Andrew Thomas P ‘14 ‘16 ‘26 Mr. Ben Thompson P ’22 ’23 ’26 ’28 Ms. Kristin Trost P ‘23 Dr. Caroline Whitacre P ‘03

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1. LINLEE OVERSTREET ’28 2. CHARLIE PARKES ’26, ANDY MOYER ’26 3. CHRISTINA ARMENI ’18, LIBBY WHITE ’18 4. ISABELLA SPEIGHT ’27 5. EMMA HANS ’17, ANTHONY DAVIS ’14, MIRANDA JOHNSON ’17 6. STERLING ADIANSINGH ’16, ROTH DEHLENDORF ’16, ELLIOTT FITE ’15 7. SOLEIL TIBBETS-BARNES ’19, KATE TRUE ’19, CARRIE KENNARD ’19 8. OLIVIA WHITE ’19 9. ALAIN WELLIVER ’21, AUDREY ARMAN ’21, EVAN MANLEY ’21

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2 1 3 1. SARAH ANDERSON ’20, CLAIRE O’SHAUGHNESSY ’20, LINDSAY HARRIS ‘20 2. GAVIN RAY ‘22, PAARI KAVIYARASU ‘22 3. CECILIA DODD ‘26 4. MARY CLAIRE THOMPSON ’26 5. WILL BERNARD ’26, ELIZABETH BERNARD P ‘26 6. VIVIAN JOHNSON ’27 7. ROSHAN SATIANI ’27

A Taste of WELLINGTON

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amilies received a warm Wellington welcome at Back to School Sundae. Held the weekend before classes officially began, the event gave new and returning students the opportunity to meet each other as well as their teachers before their big first day of school.

Head of School Robert Brisk P ’13 ’15 introduced himself as well as Jill Webb, Head of Lower School, Erin Noviski, Head of Middle School, and Jeff Terwin, Head of Upper School, to new families in The Thomas Family Dining Room. Brisk told attendees they were about to make a transition in their lives and that it would be a great adventure.

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“It’s not quite the end of summer,” he said. “You’ll be doing lots of incredible things in the upcoming weeks and by the time the season officially ends, you will call Wellington home.”

Families were then encouraged to explore the school, finding new classrooms and lockers, meeting teachers, and making new friends.

The anticipation and excitement over the upcoming school year brought smiles to everyone’s faces every bit as sweet as the delicious sundaes served in the dining room. The delightful afternoon was just a taste of the fun to come.

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Wellington Friendships Forged for Life Members of the Class of 2015 were formally inducted into student leadership and buddy roles.

With the entire student body gathered in the Gard Gym on September 12, seniors participated in a ceremony which began with upper school teachers Sara Brdar P ’02 ’03 and Chris Robbins P ’17 ’22 leading the singing of the alma mater. Head of School Robert Brisk P ’13 ’15 then addressed the Class of 2015 and charged them with setting a tone of purposefulness and fun for the rest of the school.

Head of Upper School Jeff Terwin later announced a list of privileges the seniors would receive this year, including a special Friday dress code and lunchtime.

The real fun came when members of the Class of 2015 were adopted by lower school buddies.

A riotous spirit filled the gym as the youngest students in the school cheered and raved over hearing seniors declare their love for bubbles, rainbow sprinkles, puppies, and Pokemon. Lower school students answered the call for silly by performing songs they had written especially for their senior buddies.

The new friends then went back to lower school classrooms to spend time getting to know each other, reading books and making crafts together.

It was a special rite of passage for many of the seniors who had many fond memories of their own past buddies. For the lower school students, it was an afternoon spent with heroes in the flesh.

Together they experienced the joy of a supportive, familial Wellington community.

VINNY GIANG ’21, CHARLIE BREYFOGLE ’21, ZACH TAYLOR ’21

Fantastic First Day at Wellington The Wellington School opened with record-high enrollment and record-breaking excitement for the start of the 2014-2015 year.

A total of 668 students, 125 of them new to the Wellington community, arrived fresh-faced and eager to start the year with teachers ready to guide them to greatness. Lower school classrooms were filled with heartwarming hugs as parents helped settle their children into new cubbies and desks before saying goodbye for the day. Middle and upper school students organized lockers and attended their first morning meetings of the year where they were welcomed by Head of School Robert Brisk P ’13 ’15.

Wellington students quickly discovered that valuable learning experiences happen both inside and outside of the classroom. Lower school students toured the Thomas Family Dining Room where they gained a better understanding of healthy eating and proper table etiquette. Juniors left for Philadelphia while freshmen and sophomores prepared for their camping trips to begin the following day. Seniors participated in leadership and college workshops that encouraged them to be bold but wise in their future decision-making.

It was an exhilarating day for students and teachers alike as they embarked on another extraordinary year together at The Wellington School.

PICTURED L TO R: GEORGE EMERY ’15; SOPHIE HESS ’15; ELLIE KREITLER ‘27; ALYSSA COOK ’15, CAITI OLBERDING ’15

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Founders Day Filled with Jag Spirit Wellington celebrated Founders Day with fantastic fun for everyone.

The festivities began with Spirit Week as students and teachers in middle and upper school dressed thematically Monday through Friday to show their school pride. The Wellington wackiness culminated in a lively pep rally Friday afternoon in which participants in fall sports were recognized and a friendly battle was waged between lower, middle, and upper school for the Spirit Stick.

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Members of the Homecoming Court were also introduced at the pep rally and included seniors: Carolyn Faller, Alyssa Cook, Sydney Snow, Caroline McGuire, Mohsen Abdali, Mason McIntyre, Justin Perdue, and Elliott Fite. The king and queen were selected later in the evening, on Roberts Field between girls and boys soccer games, in a highly original way. Each student was handed a covered rose or boutonniere. The two students who received red-colored flowers were crowned king and queen. The honors went to Sydney Snow and Moshen Abdali.

The excitement continued into the evening as members of the entire Wellington community came together to celebrate. Bouncy houses, games with prizes, and gourmet food trucks provided entertainment for all ages.

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The Wellington Parents Association and many parent volunteers, including event chair Stephanie Hyer P ’24, ensured the entire day had a warm, familial feel fitting our great school.

1. JAEDYN GAINES ’19, KAYLEE PINSON ’19, MACKENZIE BEAM ’19 2. ERIC CATHALA ’21, BENNETT OBENOUR ’21, PRANAV KORA ’21, DILLON ADAMS ’21 3. MASON MCINTYRE ’15, ALYSSA COOK ’15, MOHSEN ABDALI ’15, CAROLYN FALLER ’15, JUSTIN PERDUE ’15, SYDNEY SNOW ’15, ELLIOTT FITE ’15, CAROLINE MCGUIRE ’15 4. FOUNDERS DAY FUN 5. CARNIVAL GAMES WERE A PART OF THE FESTIVITIES 6. JESSIE SEITZ ‘22, REAGAN KADLIC ‘21 7. JACOB THOMAS ‘26 8. JORDAN ASHBY ’16, LUCIE KIRK ’16 9. CAROLINE THOMPSON ‘28

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Seniors On Different Paths Share Wellington Experience NATALIE TWITCHELL ’15, HENRY BACHA ’15

Wellington offers experiences as diverse as the students within it. For seniors Henry Bacha and Natalie Twitchell, the school offered them countless opportunities to pursue a wide variety of personal interests while at the same time achieving high academic excellence.

Bacha came to Wellington in the 9th grade and immediately felt a part of a close-knit community. The school’s no-cut athletic policy allowed him to begin playing baseball for the first time that year. He had so much fun that he continued with it for the next four years.

In addition to distinguishing himself as an outstanding student and all-star on Wellington’s In The Know team, Bacha performed on the stage as both an actor and cellist. “I love being involved in theatre because every production is unique,” he said. “My favorite role was playing George in ‘Our Town.”

Bacha’s affinity for the performing arts was a natural complement to his favorite classes at Wellington. He considered Poetry and Hamlet to be (or not to be) two of his favorite courses. He enjoyed acting out many of the scenes from the iconic play and likes writing poetry in his spare time.

Upper school English teacher Kelly Zavotka was impressed with Bacha’s empathy, responsibility, and commitment to the things he believes in strongly. “These qualities are demonstrated in Henry’s poems, essays, and his verbal discourse,” she said, “whether it be a class discussion in philosophy or a casual conversation about music. Henry’s interest in the world around him is a joyful one and his expression of that joy is supported by the reflections of a sharp mind capable of subtle insights.”

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Bacha’s compassionate nature was demonstrated in his commitment to helping local teens successfully prepare for standardized academic tests.

His volunteer efforts with LASER (Latino and Latin American Space for Enrichment and Research) gave him a love of teaching. “It feels good to know that you are able to help students gain confidence,” he said.

As a Wellington Lifer, Natalie Twitchell has had exceptional opportunities to learn and grow through the years. Also a volunteer for LASER, she was able to share the benefits of her education with others not as fortunate. “It’s been really interesting to learn about these people’s lives,” she explained, “and great to know that I helped someone toward his or her dream of going to a good school.”

A National Merit Scholar semifinalist and member of the In The Know team, Twitchell found Wellington’s classes challenging and inspiring as she actively followed subjects that most appealed to her. Crediting her Independent Research Project (an intensive self-study program for Wellington seniors) on mouse brains in an Ohio State University laboratory with fueling her fascination with neuroscience, Twitchell plans on continuing her research in college.

Government class, conducted similarly to a college seminar, was also a tremendous influence on Twitchell’s desire to lead a Discussion Club, in which upper school students freely discuss social issues. She also participated in Ohio Youth in Government, an activity Twitchell considered formative in giving her the courage to speak effectively in front of large groups of people.

Upper school social studies teacher Curt Hansen P ’12 ’14 called Twitchell the embodiment of the Greek saying “knowledge for the sake of knowledge.”

He shared, “Natalie is never done learning. She works hard and thinks deeply about things

because she wants to truly understand and goes well outside the bounds of what is asked of her. She was a joy to teach.”

Both Twitchell and Bacha are excited for the next phase in their lives as they head off to colleges that mirror their individual passions. Although following different paths in life, they will always have one thing in common – wonderful memories of their time at Wellington.

CHARIS NANDOR ’15, HENRY BACHA ’15, ADRIAN REMNANT ’15, NATALIE TWITCHELL ’15

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1. GARRETT BENDER ’20 2. SOPHIA CZEKAJEWSKI ’24, MARISSA DOLCIATO ’24 3. JENNIFER JUPP, ACHALA KASARLA ’19 4. LAUREN SMELTZER ’26, ANCHI HALL ’26, ISHAAN VASUDEVA ’26 5. COOPER MINTON ’29 6. CHRISTIAN MOULTON ’25 7. SABRINA BONG ’25 8. MIDDLE SCHOOL CREATES AN OFRENDA FOR DAY OF THE DEAD 9. ELIZABETH COOKE ’27, HENRY KENT ’27 10. EMILY SZABO, JILL HICKS, LAURA TRUBILOWICZ P ’27

Fall Fun For All Wellington celebrated the fall season with an afternoon dedicated to costumes, candy, and community. Students of all ages dressed for the occasion, as well as a few unrecognizable faculty members. Lower school students paraded through the building before enjoying class parties filled with games, activities, and special treats compliments of parent volunteers.

It was a boo-sterous time for everyone!

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Wonderful Wellington Thanksgiving Students, faculty, and administrators gathered in the Gard Gym the Monday before Thanksgiving to share stories of gratitude and appreciation. Head of School Robert Brisk P ’13 ’15 opened the assembly by sharing that he was thankful for Wellington giving him the opportunity to try new things, including teaching 3rd graders Latin this fall. His students then stood to greet the audience with “I give thanks to you” in their newly acquired language.

Student Body President Alyssa Cook ’15 gave a heartfelt recognition of the support she has felt from the Wellington community by choosing

her for a leadership role. The 7th & 8th grade orchestra performed and 3rd & 4th graders sang “I Believe.” Middle school students expressed thanks in French, Spanish, and Latin. First graders read their own poems of gratitude, in which families, pets, and stuffed animals were all mentioned for their generous gifts of love and support.

The program concluded with the entire Lower School singing “Over the River and Through the Woods” and Brisk wishing everyone a “happy and wonderful Thanksgiving!”

TOP LEFT: ROBERT BRISK P’13 ‘15, ALYSSA COOK ‘15 TOP RIGHT: 7TH AND 8TH GRADE ORCHESTRA LEFT: 3RD GRADE SINGS ABOVE RIGHT: SOPHIA KORSHAKOVSKY ‘26, HOLDEN ADKINSON ‘26 RIGHT: ANDREW DAVIS ‘19, MEGAN JOHNSON ‘19 10 • WELLINGTON MAGAZINE

1. ISABELLA CIOS ’26 2. REBECCA MEEKS ’15, CHRISTINE CURRIE ‘15 3. SEVENTH GRADERS VISIT WASHINGTON, D.C. 4. CHANDLER JAMES ‘16, MOHSEN ABDALI ‘15, CHRIS DOODY ‘16 5. KATE MILLER ’15, KAYLEI JOHNSON ’24 6. MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS EXPLORE THE ENVIRONMENT 7. KINDERGARTNERS AT SPIRIT ASSEMBLY. 8. FRENCH EXCHANGE STUDENTS AND THEIR HOSTS.

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Wellington Welcomes New Faculty and Staff T

he Wellington School was pleased to welcome 14 new faculty and staff members to our community this fall.

Christina Balderaz is a lower school math extension teacher. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Bowling Green State University and a master’s in talent development from Ashland University.

Balderaz has been teaching for 16 years with many memorable moments including a student once requesting that his birthday cake be frosted with notes from her math class. She looks forward to guiding Wellington students on fun adventures in math. In her spare time, Balderaz enjoys spending time with her family, riding horses, and skiing. Her favorite place in the world is reading a bedtime story.

Bryan Brautigam teaches upper school biology. A native Alaskan, he became an educator because he finds no greater joy than helping students understand difficult scientific concepts and showing them the importance of science literacy in everyday life. Brautigam holds a master’s in biomedical sciences from The Ohio State University and is excited to teach classes at Wellington in neuroscience, immunology, and genetics. When not at school, he likes hiking, camping, wakeboarding, rock climbing – anything involving the outdoors. He also enjoys spending time at home with his wife and cooking a great meal. His favorite place in the world is Reed Lakes in Hatcher’s Pass, Alaska.

Jaime Bennati is an upper school art teacher. She earned both a bachelor’s and master’s in interdisciplinary sculpture from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Bennati comes to Wellington after being an artist in residence for the Education Department at the Wexner Center for the Arts. She enjoys talking to students about contemporary art practices, experimenting with materials, and learning from each other new ways of viewing and making art. Bennati is currently learning to cook Indian food and her favorite place in the world is Rio de Janeiro.

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Me-chelle Burkhalter P ’22 teaches middle school math and science.

A graduate of The Ohio State University, she decided to become an educator when she realized how much she enjoyed watching others learn and apply new concepts. A longtime varsity softball coach at Wellington, Burkhalter is thrilled to see the school from a new perspective. She wants students to leave her class with a love of learning and the confidence to know that challenges they may encounter can be overcome using critical thinking skills. In her spare time, Burkhalter enjoys watching her daughter play sports, reading, Zumba, softball, tennis, and playing games. Her favorite place in the world is her mom’s kitchen table.

Kelsey Carpenter is a lower school learning guide. She is a familiar face at Wellington, having worked last year as a substitute teacher.

Carpenter also taught in Liverpool, England where she was able to discover a different approach to education while exploring a foreign culture. She looks forward to helping students be successful not just in school but also life. Currently learning to cook and bake, Carpenter’s favorite place in the world is at home with her family.

Drew Eberly teaches upper school English. He wanted to pursue a career in education because of his enthusiasm for the discovery of new thoughts, new identities, and new expectations. With advanced degrees from both University of Dayton and The Ohio State University, he most recently served on the adjunct faculty at Columbus College of Art & Design and Columbus State Community College. An accomplished actor, Eberly performs with the downtown, independent theatre company Available Light Theatre. His two favorite places in the world are Columbus on a cool, fall Saturday afternoon or swimming in the warm ocean.

Phil Gross is the athletics assistant and game day manager. He holds a bachelor’s in sports leadership and humanities as well as a master’s in

Kenan Le Parc teaches middle school French. A native Parisian, Le Parc became an educator because he once had great teachers who were also terrific role models and he aspires to make a difference in students’ lives. He looks forward to sharing the culture and history of French-speaking countries with his classes. Having recently moved to Columbus, Le Parc is learning how to get around. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, watching soccer games, and traveling back to France to visit family. Le Parc considers his hometown Paris to be his favorite place in the world because that is where most of his family and friends are.

PICTURED L-R: ZACH THOMPSON, DREW EBERLY, BRYAN BRAUTIGAM, CHRISTINA BALDERAZ, KELSEY CARPENTER, JENNA TYSOE, PHIL GROSS, JAIME BENNATI, ERIN MILLER, KENAN LEPARC, MIKKI JOSEPH, ME-CHELLE BURKHALTER P ’22, KEITH KLINGLER P ’23 (NOT PICTURED: CINDY LOCKER P ’18 ’19)

sports administration from The Ohio State University. Gross wanted to work in athletics education because he enjoys helping students grow and mature both on and off the field as they achieve their goals. He is excited to get to know the students and help them to achieve their goals. Gross enjoys spending his free time with family and friends, watching and participating in a wide variety of athletic events, and attending concerts.

His favorite place in the world is his parents’ house when all five of his brothers are there.

Mikki Joseph is a learning specialist for prekindergarten through 6th grade. A Westerville native, she earned a bachelor’s in early childhood education from Kent State University and a master’s in curriculum and instruction with a focus in intervention from Ashland University. Joseph became a teacher because she is passionate about students learning how to think and become lifelong learners. She looks forward to encouraging students to become confident learners who take risks. Outside of the classroom, Joseph likes spending time with her husband and one year old daughter, as well as reading, baking, and exercising. Her favorite place in the world is anywhere she is with her family.

Keith Klingler P ’23 teaches upper school physics. With a bachelor’s from Grinnell College and a master’s from The University of Notre Dame, he has been teaching for 20 years. Klingler first came to Wellington last spring as a substitute physics teacher. He enjoys sharing the wonders of the physical world with students, including amusement parks, action movies, swimming pools, and household appliances. He also wants to empower students to investigate the principles and patterns of the natural world. In his free time, in addition to raising a daughter, Klingler plays on several adult soccer teams, runs along the Scioto trail, reads science fiction, and cooks.

Cindy Locker P ’18 ’19 teaches upper school math. Having taught for 20 years, Locker originally pursued a career in education because she enjoyed learning and felt that teaching was never boring. She holds a bachelor’s from Smith College and a master’s from Simmons College.

Locker wants students to leave Wellington with the confidence in their mathematical understanding to tackle any issue. Outside of school, she enjoys running, reading, and hanging out with her family, which includes four dogs.

Erin Miller is a lower school learning guide. With a bachelor’s from Cedarville University and a master’s from Walden University, Miller has been teaching for 10 years. She became a teacher to share her love of learning with children. Miller enjoys watching students learn new concepts and develop their own ideas. She looks forwards to being a part of the Wellington community because of its focus on not just academic excellence but character development as well. Miller likes reading, organizing, cooking, playing tennis, spending time with friends, and going to visit family in New England.

Zach Thompson is a strength and conditioning coach for the athletics department. Thompson holds a master’s in applied exercise science from Ashland University, where he also most recently worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach as well as assistant baseball coach. He has always wanted to help people reach their full potential in life and athletics and looks forward to teaching student athletes great life lessons through sports. His most memorable moment in coaching so far was winning the conference championship in 2013 with the Ashland University baseball team. Thompson strives for greatness and wants to inspire Wellington athletes to do the same. In his free time, Thompson enjoys seeing what he can whip up in the kitchen because he also loves to eat. His favorite place in the world is Estes Park, CO. Jenna Tysoe is a lower school learning guide. She came to Wellington after teaching at The National Cathedral School in Washington, D.C. Tysoe earned a bachelor’s at Georgetown University and a master’s from Bank Street College. She loves the first day of school each year, with all of the new faces, new beginnings, and lots of excitement. Tysoe appreciates Wellington’s dynamic community and looks forward to helping students open themselves up to challenges, new experiences, and different ways of thinking. She likes tennis, reading, traveling, movies, and good food. Her favorite place in the world is the beach.

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DENNIS MILLER, BOB HOLLAND P ’91

Dennis Miller Retires The Wellington community bid a fond farewell to Dennis Miller, the first staff member hired at the school 32 years ago. It was a bittersweet occasion for school family to gather and reflect on the immeasurable contribution Miller has made to Wellington.

Head of School Robert Brisk P ’13 ’15 spoke before those in attendance about how much had changed in the world since Wellington’s first day, while Miller remained ever constant in his dedication to the school.

“What were you doing in 1982?” Brisk asked.

“Dennis Miller was helping to open a brand new school. He is the last of the original pioneers of Wellington.”

Founder, former board member, and proud Wellington parent and grandparent, Bob Holland also thanked Miller for joining the school community and making such a significant impact in the lives of so many. “It was our pleasure to invite you on board as you brought smiles to the faces of everyone around you. Dennis has been a major part of this school since the very beginning.”

The celebration included plenty of hugs and gracious goodbyes to Miller, who left an indisputable lasting legacy to The Wellington School. Thank you, Dennis!

DENNIS MILLER, ROBERT BRISK P ’13 ’15

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AARON FRIM P ’19, SIMONE ARMOUR ’17, TAYLOR ADAMS ’17

The Wellington School Endowment If you have been around independent schools for any length of time, you have most likely heard about endowments.

Often, however, it isn’t always clear exactly what an endowment is or how it works.

The notion of an endowment can many times suggest that a school is very well off with a large pot of money to draw from. In reality, simply having an endowment isn’t a guarantee of a school’s financial health.

At Wellington, our endowment works as a kind of permanent savings account for the school. Donations to the endowment are invested and the returns on those investments are both spent and reinvested.

The rate at which the funds are spent varies so that both the value of the endowment and the expenditures rise over time to keep pace with inflation.

A larger endowment provides opportunity for greater investment and stability, resulting in overall growth of the endowment. Therefore, endowment size adds to the institution’s health, sustainability, and security. The goal for Wellington’s endowment is to maintain its purchasing power by earning greater returns than its rate of spending. Of course, the growth of the endowment is not dependent only on investment return. The endowment also grows as a result of gifts to the school.

A school’s endowment is often broken up into smaller funds directed toward a specific purpose such as scholarships, faculty salaries, unrestricted funds for a department, or maintenance for facilities.

A gift does not need to be large to support our endowment. Gifts of any size may be directed toward the endowment in support of any area of the school.

Endowments also supplement Wellington’s operating budget and provide funding for financial assistance, ensuring that worthy students are able to take advantage of all that our school has to offer. Additionally, endowments add to what Wellington does above and beyond operating expenses and financial aid, such as constructing new facilities, helping faculty continue their educations, and allowing students to take field trips, thereby supplementing the education the students receive. Most important, an endowment helps preserve and bolster the Wellington experience and ensures that future students have the same wonderful experiences as today’s fearless learners.

If you have questions about Wellington’s endowment, its growth, or how you can support it, please contact the Development Office at development@wellington.org.

Wellington Enrichment Series Demonstrates Thought Leadership The 2014-15 Wellington School Enrichment Series continued in its dedication to encouraging, inspiring, and supporting collaboration between faculty, families, students, and the outside community as we develop the essential skills to be resilient and adaptable in the modern world.

The series began this fall with a deconstructing racism event that prompted powerful and important dialogue among parents, students, and faculty. Norman Shub returned to Wellington in October to talk about the importance of letting children struggle and Wellington Head of School Robert Brisk P ’13 ’15 led a discussion focused on the topic of student engagement. The film “Race to Nowhere” was screened in December, highlighting the detriment of pressuring children to overachieve.

The remaining events in the series promise to be similarly thought-provoking in their scope.

Two New York Times bestselling authors, Madeline Levine and Harlan Cohen, will share their expert advice on building character and handling transition. Wellington Director of Athletics Lindsey Smith P ’26 will take part in a college athletics panel in March. Don’t miss the conversation on these important topics. Events are open to friends and family. Visit wellington.org for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS: January 22 8th Annual All Things Wellington

6:30 – 8 p.m.

February 11 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Lower School Family Science Night February 26 Jim Bisenius: Bully-Proofing Youth

6:30 – 8 p.m.

March 4 College Athletics Panel

6:30 – 8 p.m.

April 7 7 – 9 p.m.

TRIAD SERIES: Madeline Levine: Teach Your Children Well April 28 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Harlan Cohen: The College Transition Process RSVP to events@wellington.org

FILMMAKERS CATHERINE WIGGINTON GREENE AND ANDRÉ ROBERT LEE

RACHEL ALTHOF P ’29

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Class Trips Prepare Students for Lifelong Adventure Wellington students of all ages benefit from experiences far beyond the walls of a classroom. While younger grades take frequent day trips around Columbus, students in 7th-11th grade travel greater distances to enhance their world views.

Seventh graders visited Washington D.C. and Colonial Williamsburg to learn more about our nation’s history, tour museums, and visit important memorial sites. Four students in the Class of 2020 were selected to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: Alex Parsons, Ian Gleissner, Mia Croft, and Will Humphrys.

Despite a rough beginning, 8th graders showed tremendous resiliency and experienced Toronto without skipping a beat. They explored multicultural neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Spanish enclaves, and Little India.

Students toured the CN Tower, attended a Second City comedy improve

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workshop, and saw “Wicked.” They also tried curling and enjoyed a formal dinner cruise.

The great outdoors proved the perfect setting for upper schoolers to begin the year bonding and building long-lasting class friendships. Freshmen went to YMCA Camp Willson in Belfontaine and sophomores attended Recreation Unlimited in Ashley, Ohio. Kayacking, archery, wall climbing, and swimming were just a few items on the agenda to encourage and strengthen relationships among classmates.

Juniors supplemented past work in American history and literature by visiting Philadelphia. In addition to touring historical hotspots such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the home of Betsy Ross, students also broke off into special interest groups which allowed for a focus on either music, food, science/medicine, outdoor activities, visual arts, or athletics.

1. ELEVENTH GRADERS IN PHILADELPHIA 2. EIGHTH GRADERS CURLING IN TORONTO 3. NIA GILL ‘17 4. CLARE JUSDANIS ’17, JACK MILLER ’17 5. FREDDIE LIN ’20, MIA CROFT ’20 6. WILL EDIC ’17, CRAIG JONES 7. EIGHTH GRADERS AT NIAGARA FALLS 8. WILLIAM ROY ’19, ILYA YANKELEVICH ’19, MAX LYSKI ’19, SAMARI LIGGINS ’19, IAN FRIM ‘19 9. SEVENTH GRADERS AT COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

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THE FUTURE

of Education at Wellington Wellington’s dedication to exploring student engagement has brought about a thorough analysis of not only how educators should teach but also the environment in which children learn best. After months of research led by Head of School Robert Brisk P ’13 ’15, including discussions with students and child development experts, the school devised a strategic plan for purchasing new furniture and redesigning current classrooms to provide optimal learning experiences for all ages. Some wonderful donors (Brian Kelleher & Barbara Rae P ’18 and Ted & Carol Manley P ’21 ’24) have made the start of the plan possible.

Wellington’s Classroom of the Future, located in the Middle School Commons, is a truly dynamic educational setting in which students from all grade levels may benefit. Comfortable, mobile chairs and tables with wheels allow for multiple configurations depending on the particular class using it at the time. Both large and small, individual-use white boards encourage team participation in the brainstorming process while

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mindshare booths and padded risers foster further collaboration. Media credenzas with click share capabilities enable students to view and comment on each other’s work in a format similar to professional design firms around the country.

Middle school iLab teacher Berc Backhurst, who recently attended Harvard University’s Future of Learning workshop, has examined new design thinking strategies and determined the importance of students making their thinking process visible.

“The classroom experience should be more like a network of learning rather than a hierarchy of learning.”

As Wellington upgrades more classrooms with furniture of the future, the school remains steadfast in its mission to bring students and faculty to the forefront of modern, independent education. For more information on how you can help, contact development@wellington.org.

MACY CROFT ‘22

PARKER HASKETT ‘22

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LOWER SCHOOL 1. PIERRE CRUSE ‘25, ASHER BIEHN ‘25 2. MICHELLE LEE ’25, FINN WHEELER ’25, MAXWELL JOHNSON ’25 3. WILLIAM KHOURY ’26 4. ROBERT BRISK P ’13 ’15 5. KATE THOMPSON ’23, LILLY THOMPSON ’23 6. OLIVER EDWARDS ’25 7. SPENCER WILKINS ’24 8. FRANCES DODD ’28

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LOWER SCHOOL

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1. NATALIE HUNT ’28 DYLAN GLOVER ’28 2. LUCIA GEIGEL ’28, JENNIFER LANDON 3. AUDREY THIELMAN ’28 4. DAVID FARBER ’28

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Is for Play in Early Childhood

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ellington’s youngest students are finding out how fun school can be. Teachers in early childhood grade levels (Little Jags, Prekindergarten, and Kindergarten), through the support of an engagement grant, have been collaborating on taking play-based learning to the next level.

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Having closely examined the practices and philosophies of other childhood programs, as well as working with nationally-recognized expert in early childhood development Gaye Gronlund, Wellington faculty are examining the influence of physical environment on the success of students’ learning and development.

Environment then becomes the curriculum, as designated areas in the classroom are set up to encourage small group work of 2-3 children and facilitate design-thinking. Fine motor skills are developed by drawing and painting. Math skills are introduced through balance and spatial relationships. Oral language skills are strengthened with dramatic play and conversation.

Prekindergarten teacher Laura Richter has been excited by the growth and sense of independence she sees in her students. “They are learning to work well together and be respectful of each other. Our classroom has developed a great sense of community.”

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LOWER SCHOOL

Fourth Graders Selected for All-State Children’s Chorus Wellington 4th graders Alana Sayat and Maya Parikh participated in the first ever All-State Children’s Chorus. The choir performed as a part of the Ohio Music Education Association’s annual General Music Professional Day, held at Capital University in October. Last spring, with the help of lower school music teacher Laurie Parsons, both girls submitted recordings of their audition materials and were notified of their acceptance just before school began this fall. Prior to their performance, they participated in regional rehearsals conducted by guest directors from around the state. Congratulations to these fine singers!

BEN BECKMAN ’23

EMMA GAGE ’23

ALANA SAYAT ’23, MAYA PARIKH ’23

Lower School Students Are WireD Students in 3rd and 4th grades participated in a new lower school class dedicated to design thinking. WireD (Wellington innovators revolutionizing education & Design) was conceived by a group of lower school teachers who wanted to give students the opportunity to imagine, create, and innovate.

“Media literacy is the ability to identify, analyze, select, question, create, and react responsibly to the media to which one is exposed,” technology teacher Debra Parkes P ’26 ’28 said. “In today’s media saturated world, critical thinking and effective communication are necessary for students to make informed decisions about media consumption.”

The class is divided into three major units, including: media literacy, 2D and 3D design, and video broadcasting/animation. Students have used the Classroom of the Future to explore their areas of interest.

Design is more than coming up with an end product. It is a process of generating ideas and seeing them through to fruition. The design process promotes discovery, interpretation, ideation, experimentation, and evolution.

Video is another element ever-present in a child’s world, so students will become acquainted with the production process through hands-on practice with brainstorming, script writing, storyboarding, scheduling, prop/wardrobe preparation, capturing the shots, and then basic editing to put it all together.

The class will also experiment with cartoon animation and claymation. The two different types of video media will give students a taste for a variety of technical, artistic, literary, and design jobs in the future.

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LOWER SCHOOL

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Lower School Pancake Breakfast The annual Lower School Pancake Breakfast is a beloved tradition for Wellington families.

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Organized by the Wellington Parents Association (WPA), and featuring the culinary talents of Chris Cakes, the breakfast brings together friends and families for a delicious early morning gathering filled with fun and laughter. Quick reflexes would appear to be key for those wanting pancakes, as the line cooks flip their flapjacks off the griddle and onto plates, but veterans of the event will attest to the necessity for standing perfectly still and allowing the pancake to come to them. It was a lesson in patience for all ages.

The morning provided a terrific opportunity for parents and students to take some time out of a perhaps otherwise busy day to chat over piled high plates of pancakes and plenty of smiles.

6 1. CATHERINE CARTMELL ’25 2. ADELA PALMER ’29 3. HENRY ALLEN ’24 4. STEVE THOMPSON P ’23 ’27, PAIGE THOMPSON ’27 5 . KATIE KUTTRUS ’23, AWBREY BELCHER ’23, JAMES ELLER ’27 6. MONICA LOTT P ’22 ’24, SOFIA LOTT ’24

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1. EVAN SCOTT ‘19 2. ROSEMARY HASKETT ‘20 3. ANURAG REDDY ’19 4. NORA CASHMAN ’21 5. KATHERINE OLSON ’20, NATE HILL ’20, ZEKE LLOYD ’20 6. ACHALA KASARLA ’19 7. EIGHTH GRADERS ON HIGH ROPES 8. ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING AND SUSTAINABILITY

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Environmental Engineering and Sustainability

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iddle school science teacher Cristen Healy wanted to build a love, appreciation, and understanding of the natural world for Wellington students. After spending last summer at The Ohio State University’s Stone Lab facility, Healy used much of what she learned to develop an enrichment experience for her students.

Seventh graders in Environmental Engineering and Sustainability learned about various aspects of ecology, sustainability, and environmentallyconscious building methods, allowing them to explore their passion for science. The class discussed related topics, including stream health, over or under abundance of nutrients, how ecosystems are impacted by various changes, biodiversity, cultural, political and economic systems, human interactions with the environment, and ecological consequences of those interactions.

The second half of the course focused on finding solutions to environmental issues previously discussed, including building construction, LEED certification, and the use of local materials in buildings. As

a culminating class activity, students designed and constructed a structure using what they had learned.

A large focus of the course was immersion for students in the environment they were studying. The class travelled to Battelle-Darby Metro Parks where they tested the quality of the river in various ways. They sampled the water for macro invertebrates and tested the river using probes and test kits. Students used the collected data to come to conclusions about the water quality. The class also took trips to The Ohio State University for the Wetlands, Green Roof, and enCORE House.

“I think this is an important component because it will really help the students understand what we are studying,” Healy said, “and also make it much more engaging and meaningful for the students. My hope is that through this environmental enrichment course my students will find the opportunity to create or build on that love of the Earth and then strive to make it a better place in their lifetimes.”

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

Eighth Grade Epic Heroes Wellington 8th graders are creating their own epic hero stories.

JAEDYN GAINES ’19, DARIUS MCELRATH ’19

Having previously studied the hero’s journey and story archetypes, students worked in small groups, using post-its and white boards, to brainstorm ideas about their own fictional heroes. They were asked to consider the following: the name of their hero, his/her call to adventure, any supernatural aids, what force will the hero battle, and what obstacles must the hero overcome to complete his or her journey. After drafting outlines, the groups will next share visual representations of their stories with the entire class.

“This project relies on group analysis,” middle school English teacher Marianne Crowley said. “Everyone brings something to the table and contributes to the discussion. Students feel free to make very astute observations in this type of setting. I continually learn new things from them.”

As Wellington students come to find a deeper understanding of classic literature, they also develop greater insight about the world around them and their place within it as heroes of their own epic journey.

MILAN PARIKH ‘19

The Heroic Ethos Examined in Middle School Ohio State professor and Wellington parent Carolina Lopez-Ruiz P ’19 ’27 shared her insight on Mesopotamian literature with middle schoolers.

Having previously studied the hero’s journey and “The Epic of Gilgamesh,” 8th grade English students were able to culminate their own learning experience by hearing from a local authority on the subject. Lopez-Ruiz, a published author of several books and professor in The Ohio State University Department of Classics, spoke to the class about the earliest epic poem preserved about the first known epic hero, Gilgamesh.

Lopez-Ruiz detailed the heroic ethos, including good rivalry, heroic flaw, and fame, as well as the traditional hero pattern of separation, initiation, and return. She discussed many of the lessons to be learned from the ancient text and that the epic poem conveys the earliest known expression of the carpe diem, or seize the day, mindset.

Students shared their own thoughts on the story with Lopez-Ruiz and received encouraging feedback from the professor who was impressed by their epic understanding of ancient literature.

PICTURED RIGHT: EVAN ALBERS ’19, MAC HAMMETT ’19, SOPHIE HASKETT ’19; LOPEZ-RUIZ SPEAKS TO 8TH GRADERS 24 • WELLINGTON MAGAZINE

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1. LIBBY WHITE ’18, AMELIA SPENCER ’18 2. JULIA DORAN ’16, MAX MUIR ’16 3. RYAN WISE ’18, LILLIAN TYACK ’15 4. MEMBERS OF THE WELLINGTON CLASS OF 2015 5. CAROLYN FALLER ’15, ZACH KAUFFMAN ’15 6. AASHIKA KATAPADI ‘15 7. NATE BEAM ‘16 8. ABBEY MAYNE ’16

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UPPER SCHOOL

The Life Aquatic at Wellington

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pper school students got their feet wet in marine biology with the help of some new friends to Wellington. In early fall, Head of Upper School Jeff Terwin traveled to the Chesapeake Bay as a partnership initiative with The Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL) at Morgan State University. Wellington students will greatly benefit from the school’s relationship with PEARL as they will have access to world-class facilities designed to increase understanding of coastal ecosystems and how they should be properly managed and protected. Terwin returned from his trip with a variety of aquatic life for classes to observe and study in the Wellington Research Institute laboratory (made possible by Scott and Kerstin Humphrys P ’20 ’22), including blue crabs, jellyfish, mud crabs, and grass shrimp to name just a few of the creatures.

Terwin was pleased with students’ introduction to marine biology. “They were able to start the new school year with an interactive study of coastal ecology by working with living organisms.”

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Future plans for the school’s partnership with PEARL include reaching out to Wellington students in all grade levels to provide them engaging experiences with aquatic life. As the Wellington Research Institute continues to grow in size and scope, students of every age will have unique opportunities to evolve as scientists and keen observers of the countless wonders of the world.

MICHAEL HARING ’15

Life and Love Are “All in the Timing” for Upper School

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Wellington Upper School students performed David Ives comedy “All in the Timing” in November. Through a series of six one-acts, playwright Ives examined existentialism, theatricality, and pushing the boundaries of storytelling. The many complications of romantic relationships were also delved into with surreal humor. “I love for my students to have not only character to explore, but also these ‘little educations’ about what is possible in theater,” Theatre Director Eleni Papaleonardos said.

Each scene focused on a different element of the human experience, including burgeoning love, the importance of communication in finding connections with others, and whether monkeys could eventually come up with “Hamlet” if given enough time on a typewriter. Papaleonardos was pleased with the students’ eagerness to try something different.

“It’s been wonderful to see them stretch and step out of their comfort zones,” she said. “Their ability to play and take risks has been both delightful and inspiring.”

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1. HALLE ROBERTS ’15, CHARIS NANDOR ’15, KATE MILLER ’15 2. HENRY BACHA ‘15 3. LUCIE KIRK ’16, BEN STARKER ’17 4. ADRIAN REMNANT ’15, MIRANDA JOHNSON ’17 5. KEILAH CAUSEY ’16, ZACH KAUFFMAN ’15 6. THE CAST OF “ALL IN THE TIMING” 7. LILLIAN TYACK ’15, EMMA HANS ’17, SERINO NAKAYAMA ’18, RYAN WISE ’18

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UPPER SCHOOL

A Small Reception for a Big Year Seniors attended a micro-mini reception in honor of their final year at Wellington.

A custom originally conceived by Head of School Robert Brisk P ’13 ’15 when he first came to Wellington, the micro mini reception was intended to be a clever way of addressing how all too quickly senior year will fly by for the Class of 2015.

Students were served “mini” refreshments, including thimblesized cups of punch and tiny baked goods as they filed into the head’s office. Keeping with the spirit of the occasion, speeches with a strict five word limit were delivered from various dignitaries.

Student Body President Alyssa Cook ’15 said, “This year, Wellington students will…”

Head of Upper School Jeff Terwin shared, “Advice for you… never, ever…”

Wellington board member and senior parent Dale Perdue P ’15 gave students a list of inspiration words to carry with them through life, “Passion. Perseverance. Patience. Generosity.

Balance.”

Alumnus and potato salad entrepreneur Zach Brown ’01 was also in attendance, giving seniors valuable advice. “Live in the present moment.”

ABOVE TOP: ROBERT BRISK P ’13 ’15, DALE PERDUE P ’15, ZACK BROWN ’01 ABOVE: ROBERT BRISK P ’13 ’15 ADDRESSES CLASS OF 2015

Wellington Alumni Featured in Fiske Guide The Fiske Guides are a series of bestselling books on topics helpful to students in their college planning process. Many Wellington alumni through the years have been asked to contribute to the “Fiske Guide to Real College Essays That Work” because of their outstanding writing abilities. For the most recent edition, three members of The Wellington School Class of 2014 were included. Abby Fleeter ’14 was recognized for taking a risk by writing a poem while Dawning Welliver ’14 was selected for her nuanced style in detailing her most memorable musical experience. Emma Steele ’14 was chosen for her essay explaining her deep love for books.

Congratulations to these published writers!

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1. HEIDI OLBERDING P ’15, CAITI OLBERDING ’15, DAVE OLBERDING P ’15 2. FANS PROVIDE JAG SPIRIT. 3. BEN SLONEKER ’15, SEREESH REDDY ’15, GEORGE EMERY ’15, MOHSEN ABDALI ’15, ELLIOTT FITE ’15 4. JAEDYN GAINES ’19 5. BAKARI BROWN ’16 6. NIA GILL ’17 7. JUSTIN PERDUE ’15, CRAIG MOSIER ’01

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ATHLETICS

Justin Perdue’s

DRIVE for SUCCESS T he only thing senior Justin Perdue can remember doing longer than being a student at Wellington is golfing.

Playing since the age of four, Perdue credits his father for introducing him to a game that he finds fulfilling because of its challenging nature.

“I like the difficulty,” he said. “You always have to work at it to get better.

That appeals to me.”

Having played golf at Wellington since the 7th grade, Perdue has competed at district and state tournaments throughout his varsity career.

Ever present at all of his games, with limitless support, were his parents Dale and Phyllis Perdue.

Under the leadership of coach Craig Mosier ’01, the varsity boys golf team has had the extraordinary distinction of placing in the top 5 at states for six consecutive years. As a senior, Perdue placed 11th individually at states. His drive and commitment have led him to seek extra practice time with private coaches as well as an intensive camp in Omaha this past spring for work on his short game.

“As a player, Justin Perdue is a coach’s dream. He shows up early, stays late, works hard on his own, and strives to be not just good, but the best,” head golf coach Craig Mosier ’01 said.

Perdue’s conviction to push himself above and beyond what is expected has led him to several memorable moments of triumph on the golf course.

He recalled a match against the best player in the state of Ohio and the initial intimidation he felt. After playing well that day, shooting 3 under par, he learned that he could handle a high-pressure situation by rising to the occasion.

That same sense of focus and fortitude will serve Perdue well as he heads to Guilford College in North Carolina next fall where he will continue to play golf at a top 5 division III school. Ultimately, Perdue would like to play golf professionally before pursuing a career in sports psychology. With an academic performance every bit as strong as his athleticism, Perdue is poised to make his ambitions a reality.

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Wellington has taught me to just be myself and voice my opinion. I’ve learned through my teachers that I really do have good insight and am smarter than I think.

I just need to speak out and voice my thoughts. This will be very important in college and throughout my life.”

Boys JV Golf

The boys junior varsity golf team included two freshman, two sophomores, and a senior. Each player was dedicated to getting better throughout the year. Senior Joey Zallanta started the season off by setting the team low at 84. Freshman Connor Biernat raised the bar by shooting a new team low of 82 during the mid-season. Sophomores Matt Strasser and Spencer Shore showed tremendous growth this year. Strasser dropped over 10 strokes from his average.

Shore recorded two birdies on his way to being Medalist for a match against Columbus Academy. Freshman Kolapo Dairo also tied for Medalist against Worthington Christian.

Each member of this team contributed to having a successful season,” coach Nathan Burgess said. “The future of Wellington’s boys golf program looks bright!

Girls Varsity Golf

The girls varsity golf team finished the season with a 32–72 record, which was 12 more wins than last season. The girls had dual/tri match wins over Centerburg, North Union, and Marysville. They posted tournament wins over teams from DeSales, Bishop Ready, Granville, Tree of Life, and Johnathan Alder. The team placed 6th at the Sectional Tournament at Blacklick Golf Course and bettered their score from last year by 20 strokes.

The team was led by junior golfers Regan Price, Quinn Coleman, and Julia Doran. Their consistent play, hard work, and experience on the course helped them to earn more wins than last season. All seven girls improved their nine and eighteen hole playing averages from last season. Doran showed the most noticeable improvement and was named the team’s Most Improved Player. Price received the ROAR Award and was named to the 2nd Team All-League (Mid Ohio Girls Golf League) and a District Honorable Mention from the Central District Girls Golf Coaches Association.

Co-Ed Middle School Golf

The middle school golf program was very young with only two players in 8th grade, Jack Doody and Owen Gajoch, five players in 7th grade, and seven players in 6th grade. Doody had the lowest scoring average with a 41.2 average for nine holes followed by 6th grader Reece Yakubov, who averaged 43.5 strokes per round. Both athletes were recognized as match medalists during the course of the season. These young athletes were dedicated to learning a very complicated sport.

All of the golfers demonstrated improved skills over the course of the season and, with continued practice, they will undoubtedly have a better record next fall.

Boys Varsity Golf

The boys varsity golf team had a wonderfully successful season.

Nine top-5 finishes helped the team achieve a record of 182-93, which is a school record for wins. Right out of the gate, the team had a 3rd place finish at the Westerville Central Invitational at Little Turtle where they finished behind three time defending DI state champion Dublin Jerome and eventual 2014 state champion Cincinnati Moeller.

At the OHSAA DIII State Tournament, the team battled hard on the first day to shoot a 320, keeping them within 6 shots of both Columbus Academy and Toledo Ottawa Hills. On the second day, the team rallied hard on the front 9, gaining 4 shots on Columbus Academy and 9 shots on Ottawa Hills before finishing 3rd overall. This marked the 6th top-5 performance in as many years for the Wellington boys golf team.

Junior Chris Doody was the team’s top finisher with a two day total of 153, earning him second team All-Ohio honors to go along his 6 top-5 finishes throughout the year, including a win with a 1-under 71 at the Warrior-Jaguar Classic at Northstar. Doody was also voted First Team All Central District by the CDGCA and received the John Yakscoe Award.

Princeton Ball ‘16 was the team’s number three player with 4 top10 finishes, including a 2nd place finish at the Westerville Central Invitational with a score of 73 against a field of 80 of Ohio’s top players.

Temidayo Dairo ‘16 used the off-season to work extremely hard and saw an improvement of an unheard-of 8 shots, earning him the “I Seriously Can’t Believe It Award.” Noah Goss ‘15 also made tremendous improvements in the off-season, improving his average by over 3 shots while maintaining a job and an astronomical GPA. Senior Justin Perdue led the team in scoring with an average just above 75 and top-15 finishes with 13, including an individual win at the OHSAA DIII Central District tournament at Pickaway Golf Club. Perdue was voted First Team All Central District as well, marking his 3rd consecutive year garnering the prestigious honor. He also received the ROAR award for the third straight season.

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ATHLETICS

Girls Varsity Soccer

The girls varsity soccer team displayed a great deal of tenacity this season. They began their season with wins over Liberty Union and Westland and played their best game of the season with a 4-0 win over Miami Valley.

Despite fighting numerous injuries, the girls came together and always displayed a “team first” spirit. Several players were challenged to try new positions as a commitment to the betterment of the team. Freshman Annie Taylor embodied this spirit and was named Rookie of The Year for her outstanding play as goalkeeper. All District players Emma Ruck ’17, Taylor Adams ‘17, and Abbey Mayne ‘16 were recognized for their outstanding play and leadership roles on this young team, consisting of 13 freshmen and sophomores. The team’s overall record was 5-10-1. Seniors Sydney Snow and Carolyn Faller will be missed for their fun spirit and contribution to the team’s success.

Girls Middle School Soccer

The girls middle school soccer team had a great season this year. Beginning with tough losses in hard fought games and suffering a few injuries, the girls quickly turned the season around and had a great four game winning streak. The team had a lot of fun throughout the season and improved their soccer skills one day at a time. One of the team’s greatest games this season was a win at Hilliard Heritage where Reagan Kadlic ’21 scored the winning goal with less than 50 seconds left on the clock. Soleil Tibbets-Barnes ‘19 showed great leadership, initiative, and commitment to the team and was awarded one of the coaches’ award for that reason. The team finished the season 6-6 and had two hard fought tournament games at Hamilton Township.

Boys Varsity Soccer

The boys varsity soccer program continued to move in a positive direction this season. With a core group of returning players, the team was able to develop its style of play as a unit, while also focusing on technical skill improvement for all players. The senior class leadership coupled with the growing talent in the program allowed the team to compete with some of the best squads in the state. While the scoring and assists among the team were evenly distributed, Elliot Fite ’15 was especially lethal around the net with 15 goals. The team was able to maintain eight shutouts with Alex Tannous ’16 and Connor Weber ’17 anchoring the goal and center-back positions respectively. Momentum continues to grow within the program and the team was thankful for the leadership of Mohsen Abdali ’15 and the rest of the seniors throughout the season.

Boys Middle School Soccer Blue

The blue team had a tremendously strong start and finish to the season.

The team defeated Upper Arlington’s Hastings Middle School and Jones Middle School. The team also achieved 2nd place in a highly competitive 10 team middle school tournament. One team highlight was the semi-final tournament against Hilliard Memorial. It was a very physical game under the lights, in the rain, in front of a home crowd on Roberts field. Max Lyski ’19 scored the game winning goal under six minutes from a shot well outside the 18 yard box. Defenders Ian Frim ’19, Ben Sierzputowski ’19, Evan Scott ‘19, Sean O’Donovan ’19, and Lyski completely shut down the offensive powerhouse of Hilliard Memorial.

“The entire evening was the culmination of a tremendous team performance of grit and ability,” coach Berc Backhurst said. Standout players included goalkeeper Josh Wooddell ’20 and captains Katz Kadlic ’19 and Lyski, who both earned the Coaches Award. The entire team was exceptional in a tournament game against Grove Port Madison. The team trailed at the half, but led by Samari Liggins ‘19, the team charged into the second half with full force, tying the game in regulation. With under 12 minutes remaining, Kadlic scored the game winning goal. The blue team ended the season with an impressive 14-3-2 record.

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Boys Middle School Soccer White

The boys middle school soccer white team gained valuable experience this season. They often competed against players who were larger in stature, but were never intimidated and always ready to try to their best. Ryan Ray ’20 stood out by setting a good example by always being prompt to practice, staying positive, and being a good communicator on the field. One memorable moment included a tournament game where Evan Albers ’19 served a nice long ball to Yoshi Parker ’20. Ryan Ray ‘20 and Eric Cathala ’21 shared time at the goalkeeper position and made some excellent saves throughout the season. Owen Roth ’21 and Zubin Reyazi ’21 also showed incredible grit and determination this season.

Girls Middle School Tennis

The girls middle school tennis team was full of spirit and good will. The girls accomplished a great deal as a team, and all 18 players saw improvement. Their record of 3 wins and 9 losses proved somewhat deceptive, considering seven of those losses came in tiebreak.

“Pressure situations are excellent learning experiences,” coach Shelly Savan said. “Pressure is a privilege!

I believe our signature match was towards the end of the season when we faced tennis powerhouse New Albany. Just walking onto their impressive home courts can be daunting but our girls came away with 2 wins and a tiebreak loss.”

Anika Crouser ’19 continued her streak as an undefeated singles player in a great match against New Albany. Some players were new to the game and had never picked up a racquet, but by the end of the season looked like middle school pros. They played their hearts out and took on challenging matches against other seasoned players around town and held their own. Isabella Vegas ‘19 and Micah Burkart ’20 were awarded the Coaches Award for their positive contribution and commitment to the team. It was a great season and we look forward to continued improvement next year!

Girls Varsity Tennis

The Wellington girls varsity tennis team had a season record of 7-5. They placed 3rd in the district for the sectional team seedings. The girls played some amazing matches this year, which included victories over Bexley and Granville. Their most memorable moment was when third singles player Neelu Paleti ‘17 defeated Bexley in a third set tie breaker to win her court and the team match! Aashika Katapadi ‘15 only lost one regular season match and placed 1st in the central division II sectional tournament.

Katapadi qualified for the State Tournament for her second consecutive year. She won her first match at the State Tournament, advancing her to the quarter finals. Doubles team Casey Hansen ‘15 and Nia Gill ‘17 also had an excellent season, placing 3rd in the central division II sectional tournament and they participated in the District Tour.

Girls Junior Varsity Tennis

The girls junior varsity team worked hard this season on and off the court. Whether they won or lost, these girls stayed positive. Finishing the season with a 3-5 record, they had a huge win over Bexley, defeating them by a 4-1 margin. The girls fought for every point and showed improvement in their tennis skills and game strategy. Every player had a valuable role on the team, but one player that stood out this season was Ellie Kelleher ’18. She pulled out a tough win playing No. 3 Singles vs. Bexley with a final score of 8-5. She was known this season as the “Utility Player,” switching from singles to doubles on any given day. Her positivity and commitment to the team made her a leader. Overall, the girls junior varsity team had a great season working hard and playing together as a cohesive unit.

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ALUMNI

ALUMNI

Chase Guinn: A LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS

W

ellington alumnus Chase Guinn ‘99 has always wanted to live a life dedicated to service. Now his love for the United States and passion for travel will lead him to work at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela beginning this winter. The decision to move abroad was an easy one for Guinn who was a West Point graduate before serving in the U.S. Army for eight years and then earning a master’s degree in international relations at Georgetown University.

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“Caracas is a place where there’s a lot of work to be done,” Guinn said.

“I wanted to join the foreign service for the opportunity for adventure and to support my family. I love the idea of taking my daughter to different parts of the world.”

After coming to Wellington in the 6th grade, Guinn took Latin for six years which he credited for helping him tremendously when taking the SAT. He also felt that the school’s English department gave him the foundation to easily pick up several different languages, an invaluable skill he will continue to use throughout his career with the State Department.

During his time at Wellington, Guinn was an avid lacrosse player while also excelling in academics. He has fond memories of his computer programming class with Wellington Director of Technology and teacher John Kruzan. The AP Physics class (also taught by Kruzan) helped Guinn, in his words, “crush physics” while at West Point.

“Chase is a perfect example of a Wellington student who excels when given the opportunity to pursue an individual passion,” Kruzan said.

“Chase excelled in computer programming class because it connected with him in a way that energized him. It was rewarding for me as a teacher to see that a programming class in high school sparked an interest that Chase pursued at West Point.”

Guinn explained that his motivation in applying for acceptance into the prestigious United States Military Academy was not wanting to look back and regret not trying. “You can’t get what you don’t ask for,” he said. “The Wellington ethos had something to do with that.”

After graduating from West Point, Guinn served two deployments in Iraq flying helicopters. One of his life goals had been to go to graduate school and also become a diplomat so that he could give back. Now that Guinn has been accepted into the foreign service and is working for the State Department, he looks forward to championing human rights issues and proudly representing the United States in countries around the world.

Kruzan is not surprised by the path Guinn has chosen for himself. “Chase is irreverent,” he said. “I always saw that as his outstanding character of strength. He didn’t let conventional thinking limit him at Wellington.

I have always felt that Chase’s irreverence pushes him to fight against injustice and I am sure he will continue this fight in his new career in the State Department.”

As Guinn readies himself for this next great phase in his life, he cautions current Wellington students to not sweat the small stuff because it simply doesn’t matter in the end. “Think of the time you have now as an investment in what you want to do long term,” he said. “Maybe it’s something small like staying home on a Friday night to study or not spending money on a trip you can’t afford. I would advise seizing those opportunities because it really pays off in the end.”

“

CHASE IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF A WELLINGTON STUDENT WHO EXCELS WHEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE AN INDIVIDUAL PASSION.”

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ALUMNI

Alumni Weekend Over 75 people, including alumni from the class of 1989 to the class of 2008, their families, alumni parents, faculty, and staff, were in attendance at different events during Alumni Weekend, September 26-27. Events included the Founders Day celebration, Alumni Breakfast, OSU tailgate, and specific class reunions.

Alumni Weekend kicked off with the school’s annual Founders Day celebration for current students. The evening included bouncy houses, food trucks, homecoming soccer games, carnival games, and tours of the building for alumni and alumni parents. Alumni who are parents of current Wellington students and other alumni brought their children to enjoy the Founders Day festivities as they had a chance to catch up. This year, as a part of the celebration, all alumni present were introduced during halftime of the girls soccer game.

After a night of fun for the children, the Alumni Breakfast was full of laughter and joy as alumni joined together with their families as well as past and current faculty and staff to reminisce about their time at Wellington. Sam Stewart P ’99 ’05, inspirational teacher, mentor, and friend of numerous alumni, and Kathy Pinson P ’89 ’93, first Head of Upper School, teacher and supporter of alumni, presented about their favorite memories and time at Wellington. Mr. Stewart and Mrs. Pinson walked everyone in the room down memory lane from their first experience with Wellington through years of morning meetings, senior pranks, and much more.

Mr. Stewart said that taking the teaching job at Wellington was the best thing he did with his entire life and the best thing he could have done for his family. Many Wellington alumni would agree that their lives were greatly impacted by Mr. Stewart and Mrs. Pinson, along with many others in the Wellington community.

Once the breakfast was over, many young alumni gathered on a beautiful Saturday afternoon with Brook Kohn ’08 and his family at their OSU football tailgate. They enjoyed food, drinks, and catching up while cheering on the Buckeyes.

JON KOFF ’89, ELIN SEREN ’89, SARA SEREN, CAMA BONNEAU PICCINI ’89, ZAN BONNEAU ’95, STEPHANIE SELLERS PHILLIPS ’94, JACK PHILLIPS

Later that evening, the Class of 1994 celebrated their 20 Year Reunion at the 16-Bit Bar + Arcade as they cheered on the OSU Buckeyes. The class had a great time talking about their time at Wellington, as well as all of the many accomplishments and changes in their lives, including their careers, marriages, babies, and much more! With the help of Jeanna Keinath Weaver ’94 and Sarah Voss Wagner ’94, the 1994 Class Reunion was a huge success.

The Class of 1989 also gathered together Saturday evening to celebrate their 25 Year Reunion at The Pearl, managed by Cliff Cannon ’01. All in attendance had a chance to share about their lives and reminisce about their time at Wellington. As the class that always experiences everything first at Wellington, the Class of 1989 celebrated the first ever 25 Year Reunion at The Wellington School.

Over the weekend, many people had the opportunity to reconnect with others they had not seen or talked to in many years. It was a great time to catch up with old classmates and experience Wellington again. Mark your calendars for the next Alumni Weekend on September 25-26, 2015.

BELOW LEFT: L TO R: BACK ROW: ELIN SEREN ’89, CAMA BONNEAU PICCINI ’89, CARA FORESTER ’89, STEVE PAULL ’92, LAURA WILKINS COOKE ’90, JEVON ALSTON ’94, STEPHANIE SELLERS PHILLIPS ’94, JEANNA KEINATH WEAVER ’94, SARAH VOSS WAGNER ‘94; FRONT ROW: BROOK KOHN ’08, GREG DAVDA ’93, ROB MASON ’89, AJIT CHAUDHARI ’91, ALOK CHAUDHARI ’94; MIDDLE: SAM STEWART P ‘99 ‘05, KATHY PINSON P ’89 ’93; RIGHT: BROOK KOHN ’08, AARON FRIM P ’19

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Alumni News

89

Elin Seren teaches English as a Second Language at a 5th and 6th grade school in the Southwestern City School District.

Elin also has a happy, healthy one year old daughter named Sara.

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Justin Holland was married in July at a restored palace in Poland.

Pete Waydo is a Mechanical Systems Engineer and Lead Mechanical Integration & Test Engineer for JPL’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Climate Science Spacecraft.

His company recently completed assembly and testing of the spacecraft and have shipped it to their launch site, Vandenberg Air Force Base, where they are preparing for a January 29, 2015 launch.

SMAP will be used to create maps of the Earth’s soil moisture content and freeze/thaw cycles in unprecedented detail covering the entire surface of the Earth every three days for a minimum of three years. This has been identified as the highest priority data for climate science modeling and prediction and other related fields of research.

93

Casey Connor played guitar and sang at the wedding ceremony of his brother, Andrew Connor ’95, on June 28, 2014.

94

Jevon Alston currently lives in Blacklick, OH with his wife, Tarina, and four children, Jordan, Joseph, Dominique, and Paige. Jevon is a specialist at JP Morgan Chase and owner of Alston cleaning.

Steve Schlosser recently took a new job at Google Pittsburgh doing “data center stuff” after leaving his five-plus year job at Avere.

95

Andrew Connor married Erica Zurek in Bay Lake, Minnesota

on June 28, 2014. His brother Casey Connor ’93 played guitar and sang at the ceremony.

Justin Klein, MD, JD, and his wife Monica welcomed their daughter, Catherine Elle Klein, on October 4. Their son, Grant (3), is excited to have Cate as his new little sister. Justin is a Partner at New Enterprise Associates and resides with his family in McLean, Virginia.

Sanjay Unni, along with his wife and daughter, welcomed Jolene January TannerUnni weighing 8 lbs. 2 oz. in July.

96

Vanessa Kramer Procter and her husband, John, welcomed their first child, Nora Blythe Proctor on May 2. They have also been busy settling into their new home in Alexandria, VA.

97

Mikaela Howie ran the 8K Big Bear Stampede that raises awareness for depression and mental illness. Mikaela dedicated her race to Stewart Smith, former Jaguar and asked for donations to be given to The Tandana Foundation, founded by Anna Taft ’97. The Tandana Foundation shared Mikaela’s experience in a wonderful article featured on their blog.

Julia Yelkonovich Vladimirskiy recently finished her Masters of Social Work from the UIC’s Jane Addams College of Social Work in Chicago and has received her LSW license.

98

Miranda Reason Lewis and her husband, Paul, welcomed their daughter, Stella Louise, into the world in January 2014. She was welcomed by her

big brother, MacGregor (4), who is thoroughly enjoying her. Miranda met her husband, Paul, in 2008 while she was living in Amsterdam.

Paul is originally from Scotland. They currently reside in German Village with their two children and run their family photography business from home called Paul & Miranda Photography.

Josh Schmidt and his wife, Jennifer, welcomed their daughter, Julianna Marcelle Schmidt weighing 8 lbs. and measuring 18 in. on September 12.

99

Isaac Dole and his wife, Kate, welcomed their daughter, Caroline Wynne Dole weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz., in September. Isaac also launched his own company back in June called Birchwood Health Care Properties with a focus on investment in healthcare real estate, for example senior housing and nursing homes.

Tracy Wholf was nominated for a News and Documentary Emmy award for her story, ‘Kim vs. Kabul’ which was up for ‘Best Feature Story in a News Magazine’. She was the producer on the piece with Dan Rather as the correspondent.

The story aired on ‘Dan Rather Reports,’ a news magazine show on AXS-TV. Tracy traveled to Afghanistan in March 2013 with Mr. Rather where they filmed a story about a human rights lawyer named Kimberly Motley who is the only female US attorney working in Afghanistan.

01

Zack Brown started a Kickstarter campaign in July to make Potato Salad.

What started out as a joke with some of his friends led him to be a guest star on multiple national television shows and took him around the country. With the money raised from his Kickstarter campaign, Zack hosted PotatoStock in Columbus on September 27.

Abby DeGiralomo Thompson and her husband, Justin, welcomed their daughter, Annabelle Marion Thompson on May 14.

FALL 2014 • 37

ALUMNI Craig Mosier and Beth Kozlowski Mosier welcomed their second daughter Calliope Harlan Mosier, Callie to her friends, on September 30, 2014. Coincidently, she was brought into the world by Dr. Karen King P ’10 ’14.

Molly Teter Webb and her husband, Luke, welcomed their daughter, Geneva Miriam, on June 23, 2014.

Ned Young got engaged to Meghan Gouldin in August 2014.

04

Alex Pseekos currently resides in Dublin, OH with his wife, Kristen. They were married in July 2013 in Columbus. Alex has been working in retail banking with Fifth Third Bank in Columbus for the past year after working with State Farm Insurance for nearly five years.

05

Wes Furste started his masters of Science in Construction Management at The University of Washington in Seattle this fall.

07 08

Clarice Kapp married Shane Decker on August 23.

Matt Anderson is currently living in downtown Columbus and is working for Pilot Dogs Inc. Matt is an apprentice dog trainer.

He trains seeing-eye dogs for the blind and teaches the blind how to live with them.

Gareth Burghes won 3rd place in the 2014 Ocean 180 Video Challenge geared at piquing grade school student’s interest in ocean science.

His video was titled Bite Size: Bull Shark Predation of Tarpon. The winners’ videos were critiqued and evaluated based on their creativity, message, and educational value.

Alexis Denton is in her second year of pursuing her PhD in Applied Marine Physics at the University of Miami in Miami, FL. Last year, Gareth Burghes had a chance to visit her in Miami, where he filmed his video for the Ocean 180 Video Challenge.

Updated Information

09

Brooke O’Brien recently made a career change and is doing Financial Sales and Analytics at Bloomberg LP in New York City.

10

Kara Concheck was named the women’s lacrosse lead assistant coach at Oberlin College for the upcoming 2015 season.

Nicole Darragh graduated from Regis University this past spring with a degree in neuroscience. She recently began the Physical Therapy program at Regis University in Denver, CO and will be receiving her doctorate in 2017.

Alex Hunnell graduated from NYU this past spring. He recently traveled to Buffalo where he participated in his first professional gig in the Lancaster Opera House production of Fiddler on the Roof as Perchik.

11

Shana Griffin married Matt Mason on August 23.

Charity Jackson is in her fourth year as a Strategic Communication major at The Ohio State University.

She is very active at the university and received two prestigious honors this year. Charity was recognized in the most recent addition of “Who’s Who in Black Columbus” as a future leader and was a part of the 2014 Homecoming Court at The Ohio State University.

Nick Vasko is currently living in Seattle after graduating from the Hotel School at Cornell in May. He was honored as a Merrill Scholar in the spring and was able to have Sara Brdar join him in Ithaca for a weekend ceremony as part of the honor. Nick is now working in real estate with a private equity firm.

As we begin planning more alumni events, we want to make sure you know about them!

Update your contact information today by emailing alumni@wellington.org.

38 • WELLINGTON MAGAZINE

Feedback Welcome Have an idea for an alumni event or want to host one in your city? Contact alumni@wellington.org with your thoughts.

14

Josh Roseler spent this summer at USAFA camp. He was a part of the BCT 1 Barbarians Squadron.

Tova Seltzer wrote a short play titled Fresh Fold Detergent that was featured at the MadLab annual summer showcase of high-school playwrights.

Lunch & Learn

Over 20 alumni gathered at Resource for the Lunch & Learn with alumni parent and Wellington Board Chair Nancy Kramer P ’07 ’09 ’11, Founder and Chair of Resource (now Resource/Ammirati). The group had a chance to hear about her work experience and advice for Wellington alumni as well as ask questions.

Nancy shared many important pieces of advice with the alumni. She encouraged them to be willing to ask others for help, because none of us have all the skills that a business needs to be successful. Nancy also shared as a manager you have to learn how to empower and inspire your employees.

Thank you to the Alumni Association Board, Nancy Kramer, and her assistant, Michael Ebright, for making this event a huge success.

NANCY KRAMER P ’07 ’09 ’11

Alex D. Fayne ’95 Memorial Bench After the sudden passing of Alex D. Fayne ’95, his classmates wanted to make sure his legacy was never forgotten. Jerry Kaltenbach ’95, Justin Klein ’95, and Bryan Stewart ’95 encouraged the Class of 1995 to raise money to have a bench installed in Alex’s memory.

Due to generous support, a bench with a plaque reading “In Memoriam, Alex D. Fayne ’95, 1977-2012” was installed this past spring at the front entrance of the school, ensuring that Alex’s memory will forever live on at Wellington.

Alumni Mentor Program This year the Alumni Board kicked off an Alumni Mentor Program that pairs current seniors with alumni around the world. The goal was to connect current seniors with a mentor holding similar interests to discuss their final year at Wellington, college, internship possibilities, and general life advice. These connections are happening in person, by phone or email, and through skype.

The program kicked off with a breakfast where the seniors had a chance to either meet their mentors in-person, read a bio to get to know them better, or watch an introductory video created by their mentor. The seniors had a great time meeting many different alumni and hearing where they are today after graduating from Wellington.

Alumni mentors will continue to have an impact on seniors by writing college recommendations, walking them through the college application process, and discussing whether or not to play a sport in college.

Thanks to the generous involvement of 26 alumni who participated in this new program, Wellington seniors have invaluable advice to take with them well after they graduate. If you are interested in being a part of the program for the 2015-2016 school year, please email alumni@wellington.org.

SOPHIA BAIDYA MOHR ’91

Alumni Parents Support Wellington

ALUMNI CARE PACKAGE TRADITION

The Alumni Parent Advisory Committee (APAC) is a group of alumni parents who carry out initiatives that support Wellington and the alumni community.

Some initiatives the committee hopes to accomplish over the next year include supporting alumni events, organizing the archives, hosting a career fair, giving a Distinguished Alumni Award, and much more. The committee has met multiple times since the beginning of the school year and accomplished a great deal in a short amount of time. These accomplishments include discussing criteria for the Distinguished Alumni Award, planning to provide food and refreshments for the Alumni Flag Football game, and organizing the archives that are full of past magazines, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia. They plan to continue making great strides in helping the Wellington community.

The Class of 2014 alumni parents gathered together on October 1 to send care packages to their recently graduated children. The packages included yearbooks and other goodies provided by the parents. Jennifer Steele P ’14 and Barb Fleeter P ’11 ’14 organized the evening and many parents participated by bringing goodies for the packages and putting them together.

Linda Abbott P ’92 ’00 ’03 and Kristi Johnston P ’99 ’01 were instrumental in revamping this important group of alumni parents.

The committee will meet three more times this year, including January 15, March 12, and May 14. If you are interested in being involved, please contact alumni@wellington.org.

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